Operation

APPENDIX "KK" 269 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/686 DATE : 24th May, 1944 OPREP No.686 for period ending 1500 hrs on the 24th May, 1944 REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 SHEET 160 CASSINO 12 Baltimores took off from BIFERNO at 1245 hrs to attack a concentration of 30/40 guns at and around G680260, three miles S.W. of ROCCASECCA. They set course for target at 1319 hrs, followed by 12 Balts of 223 Squadron. Attack took place at 1342 hrs from 12500' on a course of 293°. 2 A/c bombed early from G695253 to G688258, the remainder dropped a good stick from G683259 to G678261 across target area. One explosion with red flash at G680260. One D/H on railway line at G690255. Heavy A.A. from target area slight inaccurate. 9/10th cloud en route 8000' tops, 3/10th in target area 7000' tops. Spitfires provided area cover. All A/c landed by 1427 hrs. B: (i) 6 Balts IV (ii) NIL (i) 6 Balts V (ii) NIL C: (i) & (ii) NIL (i) & (ii) NIL D: (i) 9.30 hrs (ii) NIL (i) 9.30 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. 18 x 250 G.P. (ii) As in (i) (iii) & (iv) NIL (All fused 52 - 44 Nose, 49 - 28 Tail) (i) 12 x 500 M.C. 18 x 250 G.P. (ii) 12 x 500 17 x 250 (iii) & (iv) NIL to Z: NIL : Major Dalling DFC Hallick Capt. S.I.O., 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.

1944-05-24

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Targeting the Rearguard (The Gun Park): * High Value Target: The target description—"concentration of 30/40 guns at and around G680260"—identifies a massive artillery park. Finding 30 to 40 artillery pieces concentrated in one grid square suggests a major staging area for the German artillery covering the retreat from the Hitler Line (which the Canadians had breached the previous day, May 23rd, during Operation Chesterfield). * The "Red Flash": The report notes "One explosion with red flash at G680260". In aerial observation, a "red flash" typically indicates the detonation of high explosives (ammunition dumps) or fuel, confirming a secondary explosion. This validates the intelligence that this was indeed an active artillery concentration. * Coordinated Wing Attack: * 223 Squadron: The operation was a significant coordinated strike, with the 21 Squadron formation being "followed by 12 Balts of 223 Squadron". This brought 24 medium bombers over the target in quick succession, maximizing the suppression effect on the German guns. * Ordnance (The Heavy Punch): * 500lb Bombs: Unlike previous missions using 40lb fragmentation bombs for personnel, this mission used a heavy load of 500lb M.C. (Medium Capacity) and 250lb G.P. bombs. This shift in ordnance was necessary to destroy the guns themselves (cannons and howitzers) and crater the railway lines (one "D/H on railway line" is claimed), hindering their movement north. * Tactical Environment (Weakening Flak): * Flak Reduction: The report describes the flak as "Heavy A.A. ... slight inaccurate". This is a stark contrast to the "intense accurate" fire encountered at Roccasecca just a few days prior (where Major Job was lost). It strongly suggests that the German Flak units were already retreating or had been neutralized by the ground offensive. * Abbreviations: * M.C.: Medium Capacity (High Explosive). * D/H: Direct Hit. * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * S.W.: South West. 58 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 25th May, 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 687) labeled APPENDIX "LL" (page number 270), detailing the mission flown on the afternoon of May 24th, 1944.