OPPOSITION:- Slight H.A.A., fairly accurate for 3rd Box ( 2 A/C holed)

Sortie Report (Form 541)

Date: 19th SEPTEMBER, 1944

"S"188TO : H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION 23rd SCORU)H.Q. T.A.F. ITALY, ( ATTENTION SCORU)S.A.O.S. S.A.A.F.FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.REF. : 21S/832DATE : 19th SEPTEMBER, 1944OPREP NO. 832 FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 2100 HRS. ON THE 18th SEPTEMBER '44REF. MAP ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 100 & 101 FORLI – RIMINI.OPS. 103 to 108/21/M.A. : 24 Marauders off from PESCARA during the day to attack enemy Positions near RIMINI. First 12 A/C ( in Boxes of 4 ) airborne by 0710 hrs. each A/C carrying 10 x 250 frag. The target was an Area 2000 x 2000 yards with its centre at R. 730930. Boxes bombed individually at appr. 0805 from 12000'. First and 3rd Boxes, all bombs in centre of western Half of T/A; 2nd Box along the N.E. edge of Target.OPPOSITION:- Slight H.A.A., fairly accurate for 3rd Box ( 2 A/C holed)WEATHER:- Target clear, Visibility Good.Second 12 A/C ( in Boxes of 4 ) off by 1420 hrs. with a bombload of 48 x 1000 demo. Briefed to attack 4 - 60 Gun Positions in an area p.p. R. 775985 – 845985 – R.83000, all three formations straddled centre of T/A from a height of 11,000 ft., scoring d.h's on Buildings, Roads and Railway Lines at appr. 1520 hrs. One A/C returned early with all Bombs – Hydraulic System u/s. 2 x 1000 lbs. bombs hung up- Jettisoned in sea – East of RIMINI.OPPOSITION:- Slight inaccurate H.A.A.WEATHER:- Target Area clear, visibility good.Last A/C down by 1617 hrs.B. : (i) 24 Marauders III (ii) NilC. : (i) & (ii) NilD. : (i) 45.30 Hrs. (ii) NilE. : (i) 91200 x .50 (ii) (iii) NilF. : (i) 120 x 250 ) Fused:- 52 – 42 Nose 36 – 28 Tail (ii) 120 x 25042 x 1000) Fused :- 36 – 27 Nose 36 – 28 Tail 42 x 1000(iii) 2 x 1000 (iv) NilG to V : NilW. : (i) 3 Marauders III (ii) NilX. : (i) 3.00 hrs. (ii) NilY to Z : Nil(Signed) S. L. BoastLt. for 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.S: South African Operational Section.
S.A.A.F: South African Air Force.
S.I.O: Squadron Intelligence Officer.
OPREP: Operational Report.
A/C: Aircraft.
T/A: Target Area.

Abbreviations Expanded:

frag.: fragmentation.

appr.: approximately.

demo.: demolition.

p.p.: pinpoint (target coordinates).

ft.: feet.

d.h's: direct hits.

u/s: unserviceable (mechanical failure).

lbs.: pounds.

Observations about Individuals:

Location and Modern Names:

Historical Theatre Context: