H/A/A intense and accurate from Target area just prior to bombing run and following the formation well after turn off. A

Sortie Report (Form 541)

Date: 30th DECEMBER, 1944

APPENDIX "J"TO : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.FROM : H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION OPERATION RECORDS)H.Q. M.A.T.A.F. ( SCORU)S.A.O.A. ADV. S.A.A.F. H.Q. C.M.F.W.I.O. 3 SA WING S.A.A.F.REF : 21S/892DATE : 30th DECEMBER, 1944OPREP NO. 892 FOR THE 2400 HRS. ENDING 2100 HRS ON THE 29th DECEMBER, 1944.REF. MAP ITALY 1 : 100,000 SHEET 25 UDINE.OPERATION NO. 136/21 S/M12 Marauders airborne from JESI at 1113 hrs. to bomb UDINE M/Y (C.411185). They set course from FANO at 1201 hrs. with an escort of 8 Thunderbolts and attacked briefed target at 1254 hrs in two boxes of six from 12000' and 11000' on a course of 340° and 304° respectively. First Box dropped a stick from C. 415183 to C. 417186, slight undershoot with pattern ending on tracks and M/Yards. Second Box also undershot with hits on R.R. Lines towards the end of the stick (C. 413183 to C410185). Several direct hits on buildings south of the M/Yards by both boxes. There were fires in target area before bombing and much brown and yellow smoke was observed when leaving target. H/A/A intense and accurate from Target area just prior to bombing run and following the formation well after turn off. All A/C holed, no casualties to personnel. 8/10th Strata Cu. and Cu. en route over Adriatic at 3000', clear North of Venice. Visibility Hazy. All A/C landed at base by 1442 hrs.(W) (i) 12 Marauders III (ii) Nil(X) (i) & (ii) Nil(Y) (i) 36.45 Hrs. (ii) Nil(Z) (i) 40800 x .50 (ii) & (iii) Nil(P) (i) 72 x 500 GP (ii) 72 x 500 (iii) & (iv) Nil Fused: Nose, 27-4948 x 250 GP 48 x 250 Tail 28-36Note:- 324 lbs of Window dropped in Target area.(Q) (i) Nil (ii) 11 Marauders Cat. I) Holed by Flak.1 Marauder Cat II) " " "(R) : Nil(Signature: S.L. Boshoff) S.L. BoshoffLt. for Capt.S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

S.I.O: Squadron Intelligence Officer.
S.A.A.F: South African Air Force.
M.A.A.F: Mediterranean Allied Air Forces.
M.A.T.A.F: Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force.
SCORU: South African Corps of Records.
S.A.O.A: South African Officer in Charge of Administration.
C.M.F: Central Mediterranean Force.
W.I.O: Wing Intelligence Officer.
OPREP: Operational Report.
Thunderbolts: Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighter-bombers.

Abbreviations Expanded:

Observations about Individuals:

Information about the Location:

Historical Theatre Context: