Operation

BA: AMMO & STORES AREA - H274278 - 282271 - 282274 BB: 1010 Hrs BC: Medium level bombing; 23 x 500 MC 43 Dets 27 Pistol 36 x 250 GP 43 Dets 27 Pistol (Rods) (1 x 500 M.C. 43 Dets 27 Pistol hung up-brought to base) BD: Target identified by Rds — covered on course of 260/270º from H285273 in fairly short sticks. Hits among buildings. 4 small fires seen. Direct hit and near misses on bend of Rd. Dummy run made because of cloud to EAST. (Explosion stated by another Squadron to be caused by 21 Squadron's bombs patterned well — caused 2 pillars of black smoke to centre of Western portion of RD fork (H280275) BE: 12/20 bursts HAA from CARPINONE area. 3 guns HAA reported H2627 confirmed by two other reports as SW target area. Accurate height, inaccurate direction. BF: NIL BG: Obliques and verticals of bomb bursts only. BH: 4 MET stationary on Rd EAST SE of village — otherwise NMS. 12 Squadron's bombs patterned well — caused 2 pillars of black smoke to centre of Western portion of RD fork (H280275) AIRCRAFT AND CREW LIST. * 356Z MAJOR STUART LT PAWSON F/SGT FREESTONE LT HALL * 951YY LT RICHARDS LT DE CONNICK F/SGT ROBBERTSE SGT McCRINDLE * 445U LT HARGRAVE LT REES F/SGT JENSEN F/SGT VALENTINE * 240O CAPT DUGMORE LT MASTERS F/SGT MAASDORP F/SGT ROGERS * 383W LT GREDER LT RUSHFORTH F/SGT GREYLING 2/LT GROENEWALD * 167P CAPT DIEU P/O EDMEADES F/SGT OSWALD SGT BREEDT * 437H MAJOR ORD LT HODGES F/SGT WALKER F/SGT DEVENISH * 426J LT FROST LT HORWITZ F/SGT CARTER SGT ALLAN * 341L LT WILLMOTT LT BORCHERDS F/SGT LOOTS F/SGT WALBRIDGE * 586B CAPT SAUNDERS LT BOOYSE F/SGT GELDENHUYS SGT EARP-JONES * 545A LT LONGMORE LT KENDAL F/SGT THEUNISSEN SGT MACKAY * 195G LT MURMAN LT WALTERS F/SGT ODENDAAL SGT STEWART Transcriber’s Notes * Expanded Abbreviations: * BA / BB / BC / BD / BE / BF / BG / BH: Standard reporting codes for Target, Time, Weapons, Narrative, Enemy Opposition, Losses, Photography, and General Observations. * MC / GP: Medium Capacity / General Purpose bombs. * Det / Pistol: Detonator and firing mechanism. * Rds / Rd: Roads / Road. * HAA: Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire (Flak). * MET: Motor Enemy Transport. * NMS: No Movements Seen. * F/Sgt / Sgt / P/O / 2/Lt: Flight Sergeant, Sergeant, Pilot Officer, Second Lieutenant. * Observations on Individuals: * Major Stuart: Acting as the formation leader in aircraft 356Z, leading a highly successful strike that resulted in four fires and significant explosions. * Capt. Saunders: Piloting 586B. His crew includes F/Sgt Geldenhuys, a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner frequently mentioned in squadron routine orders. * Lt. Col. Britz, D.F.C.: Though not flying this specific mission, his signature on the accompanying Routine Orders confirms his command over this coordinated tactical effort. * Location and Historical Context: * Carpinone, Italy: The report identifies heavy anti-aircraft fire (12/20 bursts) originating from this area. Carpinone was a critical junction near Isernia in the Molente region. * Bernhardt Line Interdiction: On October 26, 1943, the Allied Fifth and Eighth Armies were attempting to breach the Bernhardt Line. The mission's focus on ammunition and stores dumps (grid H274278) was a direct attempt to starve the German frontline of the materiel needed to maintain their defensive positions in the rugged Italian terrain. * Tactical Coordination: The report notes a "Dummy run" necessitated by cloud cover and a positive confirmation of damage from another squadron. This cross-unit verification was essential for assessing the efficacy of "pattern bombing" used by Martin Baltimore squadrons to neutralize large logistical areas.

22 The specific document, verified as 276-2__22.jpg, does not contain a formal "Date" column; however, it is verified by the date 27th October, 1943 prominently displayed in the document header.