All a/c down by

APPENDIX "F" 187 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/621 DATE : 7th April 1944 OPREP No.621 for the period ending 1300 Hrs on 7/4/44 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 138 TERNI 12 Baltimores detailed to carry out another attack on PAPIGNO and GALLETO hydro-electric stations near TERNI. Formation airborne at 1000 hrs and set course with 223 Sqdn (21 Leading) from TRIGNO river mouth. After R/V with 8 Spitfires as close escort. One a/c returned with bombs after 50 minutes due to U/S turret. Remaining 11 a/c bombed in two boxes from 11000' at 1123 Hrs on a course of 230°. Both boxes bombs fell in a slight line error to the right of target from A929398 - 935395, with D/Hits on warehouse NORTH of target. All a/c down by 1230 Hrs. NO enemy opposition. Weather clear over target and visibility good. B: (i) 1 Balt 111A (ii) NIL (i) 6 Balts 1V (ii) NIL (i) 5 Balts V (ii) NIL C: NIL D: (i) 2.30 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 13.20 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 12.30 Hrs (ii) NIL E: (i) 3200 x .30 300 x .303 700 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 19200 x .30 1800 x .303 4200 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL (i) 16000 x .30 1500 x .303 3500 x .50 (ii) & (iii) NIL F: (i) 2 x 500 MC 3 x 250 GP (ii) As above (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 12 x 500 MC 18 x 250 GP (ii) 10 x 500 MC 15 x 250 GP (iii) & (iv) NIL (i) 10 x 500 MC 15 x 250 GP (ii) 9 x 500 MC 13 x 250 GP (iii) 1 x 500 MC 2 x 250 GP (iv) NIL (All fused: NOSE 47 Det 27 Pist - TAIL 49 Det 28 Pist ) to Z : NIL (Signature illegible) Capt. SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.

1944-04-07

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Relentless Pressure on the Grid (Terni): * Strategic Intent: This mission was a follow-up strike ("detailed to carry out another attack") on the Papigno and Galleto hydro-electric stations. The squadron had attacked these same targets the previous day (April 6th, Sortie 620). Allied planners were evidently determined to knock out the power supply for the Terni industrial complex and the central Italian rail network. * The Result: Precision bombing was difficult. The report candidly admits a "slight line error to the right of target," resulting in "D/Hits (Direct Hits) on warehouse NORTH of target" rather than the power station itself. While damaging infrastructure, this meant the primary objective (the turbines/generators) likely survived, necessitating further raids. * Operational Friction: * Equipment Failure: One aircraft was forced to abort "after 50 minutes due to U/S (Unserviceable) turret". In a formation without long-range fighter cover (though they had close escort here), a bomber with jammed guns was a liability to the whole "box," as it created a blind spot in the defensive fire screen. The pilot correctly chose to return with his bomb load rather than risk the formation's integrity. * Navigation: The formation used the "TRIGNO river mouth" as their departure point to set course. The Trigno river flows into the Adriatic south of Vasto, serving as a clear geographical checkpoint for assembling the formation before turning inland over the mountains. * Fleet Evolution: * The squadron fielded a mix of 1 Mk.IIIA, 6 Mk.IV, and 5 Mk.V Baltimores. The number of Mark V aircraft (the latest variant) is steadily increasing compared to previous weeks, showing the gradual modernization of the unit's equipment. * Abbreviations: * U/S: Unserviceable. * R/V: Rendezvous. * D/Hits: Direct Hits. * 111A: Mark IIIA (Roman numeral III typed as 111). * 1V: Mark IV. * MC: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * GP: General Purpose. 18 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 8th April 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 622) labeled APPENDIX "G", detailing the mission flown on April 7th, 1944 (noted in the "period ending" line).