123456789101112

Aircraft: U Time: 21:00 hrs

Sortie Report (Form 541)

Date
23rd SEPTEMBER, 1944
"U"190TO : H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION 23rd SCORU)H.Q. T.A.F. ITALY ( ATTENTION SCORU)S.A.O.A. S.A.A.F.FROM : S.I.O. S.A.A.F. 21 SQUADRON.REF. : 21S/836DATE : 23rd SEPTEMBER, 1944OPREP NO. 836 FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 2100 HRS. ON THE 22 : 9 : 44REF. MAP ITALY, 1:100,000 SHEET 100 FORLI.OPS. NO. 112 to 114 / 21 / M.A. : 12 Marauders ( in 3 Boxes of 4 A/C ) airborne form PESCARA at 1141 hrs. to attack a Road Bridge at M.629274 with 48 x 1000 lbs. Demo. Formations were over target between 1252 and 1255 hrs. and bombed from 12000 to 13000 ft. on courses 255, 240 and 205° respectively.The first and third Boxes overshot by +- 150 and 500 yards bombs falling in open country.The second Box had a 40 yards overshoot and straddled the road alongside Canal.9 x 1000 Hung up ( 8 were jettisoned in sea and one brought back).Moderate fairly accurate H.A.A. – 2 A/C holed. Weather over Target clear, visibility good – en route 4/10 to 5/10 Strata Cum. at approximately 5000 ft.Last A/C down by 1351 hrs.B. : (i) 12 Marauders III (ii) NilC. : (i) & (ii) NilD. : (i) 27.00 Hrs. (ii) NilE. : (i) 45600 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NilF. : (i) 48 x 1000 (ii) 39 x 1000 (iii) 8 x 1000 (iv) NilFused:- 36 – 28 Nose 36 – 27 Tail.G to V. : NilW. : (i) 3 Marauders III (ii) NilX. : (i) 4.30 Hrs. (ii) NilY to Z : Nil.(Signed) C.P.P. Nicolle Capt.S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

H.Q
Headquarters.
M.A.A.F
Mediterranean Allied Air Forces.
SCORU
Section Central Operational Research Unit.
T.A.F
Tactical Air Force.
S.A.O.A
South African Operational Assistant.
S.A.A.F
South African Air Force.
S.I.O
Squadron Intelligence Officer.
OPREP
Operational Report.
A/C
Aircraft.
Demo
Demolition bombs.

Abbreviations Expanded:

lbs.: pounds.

ft.: feet.

Observations about Individuals:

Location and Modern Names:

Historical Theatre Context: