Operation

APPENDIX "II" 352 TO : H.Q. MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) H.Q. NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF REF : 21S/737 DATE : 28th June, 1944 OPREP No. 737 for the period ending 1300 hrs on the 27th June, 1944 REF MAP : ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 101 RIMINI A: 12 Baltimores off from PESCARA A/D to attack TWO R.R. BRIDGES 400' apart near RIMINI at R846989. After R/V with close escort of 8 Spitfires at mouth of Tronto River, formation set course at 1100 and bombed at 1138 from 9500' on a course of 235°. First box straddled both bridges with a concentrated pattern; second boxes bombs fell slightly to right across both railway lines. Numerous near misses and some D/Hits on railway lines and bridges. Weather: 7/10 cloud at 10,000', target clear but visibility hazy. No enemy opposition. All A/e down by 1250 hrs. B: (i) 6 Balts IV (ii) NIL (i) 6 Balts V (ii) NIL C: NIL D: (i) 14.00 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 14.00 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 19200 x .30 1800 x .303 4200 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 19200 x .30 1800 x .303 4200 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 12 x 500 M.C. 12 x 250 G.P. (ii) 12 x 500 12 x 250 (iii) & (iv) NIL (56 fused 36 -27 Nose 36 - 28 Tail 4 fused 52 37 Tail (delay) ) G to Z: NIL Hallick Capt. S.I.O., 21 Squadron, SAAF. F.L. Major Dalling D.F.C.

1944-06-28

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Operational Milestone (First Strike from Pescara): * New Base: This report marks a significant milestone: it is the first recorded combat mission launched "from PESCARA A/D [Aerodrome].". This confirms the squadron had successfully completed the move from Biferno (Campomarino) commanded in Movement Order 2/44 (File 56) and was now fully operational closer to the front line. * Strategic Advantage: Operating from Pescara reduced flight times to targets in the Northern Apennines, allowing for faster turnaround times or heavier payloads. * Target: The Gothic Line Anchor (Rimini): * Significance: The target was "TWO R.R. [Railroad] BRIDGES... near RIMINI.". Rimini was a critical coastal anchor for the German "Gothic Line" (Grüne Linie), the last major defensive barrier before the Po Valley. Severing the rail links here was essential to isolate the German 10th Army fighting in the mountains. * Tactical Execution: The formation bombed from 9,500 feet, significantly lower than the standard 12,000+ feet. This adjustment was likely forced by the "7/10 cloud at 10,000'" ceiling, compelling the pilots to fly under the weather to visually identify the bridges. * Escort Reinforcement: * Increased Protection: The report notes a "close escort of 8 Spitfires," doubling the usual number (typically 4). As the squadron pushed further north towards the Po Valley, the threat of interception by Luftwaffe fighters based in Northern Italy increased, necessitating heavier fighter cover. * Ordnance Mix: * High Explosive & General Purpose: The loadout was a mix of "12 x 500 M.C. [Medium Capacity]" and "12 x 250 G.P. [General Purpose]" bombs per section. This "mixed bag" approach was designed to inflict maximum damage: the heavier 500lb bombs could crack the bridge spans, while the 250lb bombs would shatter the tracks and embankments, complicating repairs. * Delay Fuses: Four bombs were fitted with "delay" fuses (likely long-delay time pencils) to hinder repair crews attempting to fix the damage in the hours following the raid. * Abbreviations: * A/D: Aerodrome. * R/V: Rendezvous. * D/Hits: Direct Hits. * M.C.: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * G.P.: General Purpose (Blast/Frag). * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer. 64 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 28th June, 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 738) labeled APPENDIX "JJ" (page number 353).