Operation

APPENDIX "E" 32 TO: HQ.MAAF (attention 23rd.SCORU) HQ MATAF (attention 2nd.Command 23rd.SCORU) SADA SAAF. FROM: SIO.21 Squadron SAAF. REF: 21S/747. DATE: 3rd.JULY 1944. OPREP No. 747 FOR PERIOD ENDING 13.00 Hrs 3rd.JULY 1944. REF.MAP: ITALY 1-100.000 SHEET 89 RAVENNA. A. 12 Baltimores (one returned early with bomb-load owing to engine trouble) took off at 09.30 Hrs from PESCARA to bomb PORTO DI CORSINI (M.6346). Attack took place at 10.45Hrs. from 11200' on a course of 240°. First box's stick fell from M 632461 to M 629461, one direct hit on edge of quay at M.629461, and one near miss on barge at M 630465. Second box, owing to steep turn on, experienced lateral error to the right from M 631463 to M 627465. No enemy opposition. Visibility hazy. All A/C.landed by 12.05Hrs. Close escort of 6 Spitfires was provided. B. (i) 6 Balt.Mk.iv (ii) Nil (i) 6 Balt.Mk.v (ii) Nil C. (i)&(ii) Nil (1)&(11) Nil. D. (i) 13.30 Hrs. (ii) Nil. (i) 12.15 Hrs. (ii) Nil. E. (i) 19200 x .30 1500 x .303 3500 x .50 (ii)&(iii) Nil (i) 19200 x .30 1500 x .303 3500 x .50 (ii)&(iii) Nil. F. (i) 12 x 500 MC. 15 x 250 G.P. (ii) as in (i) (iii)&(iv) Nil Fused: 12x500 MC.36-27 Nose, 36-28 Tail. Remainder 52-44 Nose, 36-28 Tail. (i) 12 x 500 MC. 15 x 250 GP. (ii) 10 x 500 MC. 15 x 250 GP. (iii)&(iv) Nil G to Z. Nil. Hallick Captain, S.I.O. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F.

1944-07-03

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Target: Porto Corsini (Harbour Strike): * Strategic Importance: The target was "PORTO DI CORSINI" (modern-day Porto Corsini, the port for Ravenna) at coordinates M.6346. Ravenna was a key logistical hub for the German 10th Army. Striking the port facilities and barges was crucial to disrupting the coastal supply chain that supplemented the rail lines. * Precision and Near Misses: The report details specific hits: "one direct hit on edge of quay" and "one near miss on barge.". Hitting a barge from 11,200 feet with free-fall bombs was exceptionally difficult; a "near miss" (likely causing hull damage from the shockwave) was often considered a successful outcome against small naval targets. * Tactical Maneuver Error: The second box missed due to a "steep turn on," which caused a "lateral error to the right.". A steep bank immediately before the bomb release point would throw off the gyroscopes in the bombsight and make it impossible for the bombardier to level the drift bar, resulting in the bombs landing wide of the target. * Ordnance Fusing: * Instant vs. Delay: The fusing instructions show a mix. The "12x500 MC" used "36-27 Nose, 36-28 Tail" fuses, which are standard impact fuses. The "Remainder 52-44 Nose, 36-28 Tail" likely refers to a different fusing setup for the 250 GP bombs, possibly a slightly different delay or sensitivity setting for general demolition work versus the quay walls. * Aircraft Mix: * Balanced Force: The formation was split evenly between marks: "6 Balt.Mk.iv" and "6 Balt.Mk.v.". The Mark V was the final production version of the Baltimore, featuring upgraded Martin 1700-series turrets and up-rated engines compared to the Mark IV. * Abbreviations: * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer (Capt. Hallick). * SCORU: Statistical Control and Operations Research Unit. * M.C.: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * G.P.: General Purpose. * A/C.: Aircraft. * S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force. * SADA: Likely a typo for S.A.O.A. (Senior Air Officer Administration) or S.A.S.O. (Senior Air Staff Officer). 33 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 4th July, 1944 in the "Date" field. It is a Sortie Report (Appendix "F") labeled 33 in the top right corner.