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16&19 SQDN STRIKE PHOTOGRAPHS
AMAZING GUN CAMERA STRIKE PHOTOGRAPHS
16 and 19 Squadron's Beaufighters were fitted with high resolution nose cameras.
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These cameras took intermittent photographs when enabled by switch. Usually the camera was set in motion while on the approach to the target and kept running until after the attack.
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This enabled intelligence officers to determine target damage by analyzing the photographs.
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The usual modus operandi is to spray the target with the four 20mm cannon while refining the aim to fire the rockets. The rockets were then fired resulting in spectacular images.
I was fortunate to have obtained high resolution scans of these strike photographs from the collections of:
SANDF archive in Pretoria
Capt Ernest Weddell, 16 sqdn
Lt Steve Stevens, DFC, 19 sqdn
Lt Col Don Tilley, DSO DFC, 19 sqdn
Maj Geater, DFC, 19 sqdn
Capt DRH Hubbart, DFC, 16 sqdn
Capt Louw, 16 sqn
Lt Snyman, 16 sqdn
F/O Gibbs (RAF), 19 sqdn
F/O Simon Younger (RAF), 19 sqdn
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SAAF No. 16 BEAUFIGHTER SQUADRON
16 Squdron started with Beaufighter operations in February
1944.
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They operated from RAF BERKA airfield (Benghazi, Libya)
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Their Beaufighters were armed with 6" rockets and 20mm cannon and .303 machine guns.
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Targets were attacked in the Mediterranean area mostly in and around Greece.
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In July 1944 the Squadron moved to BIFERNO airfield (Campomarino, Italy) and did operations from there until the end of the war.
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From Biferno, sorties were mostly flown to targets in the Balkans in support of the Yugoslavian Partisan movement.
SAAF No. 19 BEAUFIGHTER SQUADRON
19 Squadron started to fly operations from Biferno in August 1944.
Working closely together with 16 squadron, they mainly flew sorties to targets in the Balkans in support of the Yugoslavian Partisan movement.
THEN AND NOW
Operations were well documented in the squadron diaries.
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From these and the actual strike images it is sometimes possible to trace the exact attack location and then do a reconstruction of the flight path/target on Google Earth.
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With the Google Earth "street view" function, modern images of the strike location can be captured and compared with the historical images.
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On many occasions wrong targets were attacked due to navigation error but comparing features such as church buildings in most cases the real target locations were found on Google Earth.
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VISIT TO CROATIA AND SLOVENIA SAAF WW2 TARGET SITES
Tersia and me toured these two fabulous countries and visited some places where our 16 and 19 squadron made attacks. Click HERE to see the photographs.
IF YOU PERHAPS ARE FROM THE BALKANS AREA WHERE THESE ATTACKS HAPPENED AND YOU HAVE INFORMATION TO SHARE RELATING TO THESE ATTACKS PLEASE CONTACT ME, WOULD LOVE TO ADD TO THIS SITE, MANY THANKS!
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IF YOU HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO SERVED IN SAAF 16 or 19 SQUADRON AND ARE IN POSSESSION OF STRIKE PHOTOGRAPHS PLEASE CONTACT ME AS I WOULD LOVE TO ADD THESE TO THIS SITE, MANY THANKS!
Click above to go to a comprehensive list of 16 squadron strike photographs of 1944
Click above to go to a comprehensive list of 16 squadron strike photographs of 1945
Click above to go to a comprehensive list of 227 squadron strike photographs of 1943-44
Click above to go to a comprehensive list of 19 squadron strike photographs of 1944-45
16 SQUADRON
THEN AND NOW ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS WHERE STRIKE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE AVAILABLE INCLUDING WAR DIARY DOCUMENTS AND GOOGLE EARTH IMAGES
CLICK ON THE OPERATION TO GO TO THE PAGE
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FEBRUARY 1944
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Operations for February
no attack photographs
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MARCH 1944
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Operational summary for March
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21 March: Attack on German F-Bout, West coast of Greece vicinity NAVARINO
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APRIL 1944
Operational summary for April
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1 April: Attack on a Caique, Greece, Gulf of KALAMAI
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MAY 1944
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Operational summary for May
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no attack photographs
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JUNE 1944
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Operational summary for June
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1June: Strike on convoy north of Crete
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30 June: Strike on 2 Caiques, harbour of ASTAKOS, Greece
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JULY 1944 (sqdn move to Berka)
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Operational summary for July
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4 July: Attack on German Ju-52 float plane, unidentified location and circumstances.
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August 1944
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Operational summary for August
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13 August: Attack on SS CAGLIARI, PARENZO (POREC) harbour, Yugoslavia (Croatia).
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14 August: Attack on Hotel Excelsior (German HQ), DUBROVNIK , Yugoslavia (Croatia)
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17 August: Attack rolling stock, St. PETROVO, Yugoslavia (Croatia). Attack happened not at St. PETROVO but at NOVA GRADISKA
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17 August: Attack Marshalling yard, SIBINJ, Yugoslavia (Croatia). Attack happened not at SIBINJ but at ORIOVAC.
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18 August: Attack rolling stock, DEVDELIJA, Macedonia?(could not find target location with Google earth)
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19 August: Attack on 5 ton truck, SHEGAS, Yugoslavia (Croatia)(could not find target location with Google earth)
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20 August: Attack on Rail yard, DRAGOLIC, Yugoslavia (Croatia). Attack happened not at DRACOLIC but at NOVA GRADISKA, Yugoslavia (Croatia)
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21 August: Attack on Power Station building, ZADVARJE, Yugoslavia (Croatia).
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22 August: Attack on rolling stock, TREDOVAC, Serbia?(could not find target location with Google earth)
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22 August: Attack on railway line, KLINA, Serbia.
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24 August: Strike on Bulgarian barracks, PRENJASI (PERRENJAS), Albania.
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28 August: Attacks on shipping, TRIESTE harbour, Italy
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29 August: Attack on fortress and observation post, UGLJAN Island, Yugoslavia (Croatia).
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30 August: Strike on Coastal Defense Guns, Island of ZIRJE, Yugoslavia (Croatia).
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31 August: Strike on Ammo stores in church, Karlobag, Yugoslavia (Croatia).
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September 1944
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Operational summary for September 1944
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1 September 1944: Strike on German HQ in DEBAR Yugoslavia (Macedonia) (could not find target location with Google earth)
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3 September 1944: Attack bridge near Bos Krupa (BOSANSKA KRUPA), Yugoslavia, (Bosnia)
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5 September 1944: Attack on SLAV POZEGA village 5 Sept 1944 (Velika was attacked), Yugoslavia, (Croatia)
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5 September 1944: ATTACK ON ROLLING STOCK AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS ON PETRINJA / RAJIC LINE. Locations not identified
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6 September 1944: Strike at bridge near ZENICA, Yugoslavia, (Bosnia) (could not find target location with Google earth)
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7 September 1944: Attack on fortress and observation post on Ugljan Island, Yugoslavia, (Croatia)
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8 September 1944: Strike on the Italian liner "S.S. Rex" South of Trieste in Capodistria bay.
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12 September 1944: Strike on enemy barracks near the town of Edessa (Greece) (could not find target location with Google earth)
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13 September 1944: Attack railway line between Hotova and Gruda.(could not find target location with Google earth)
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19 September 1944: Offensive recce of Railway line between BROD and VINCOFCI, Yugoslavia, (Croatia) (could not find target location with Google earth)
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20 Sept 1944: Attack enemy barracks at BANJA LUKA, Yugoslavia, (Bosnia)
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22 September 1944: Attack 3 coastal defence guns at Aikaterini, Corfu, Greece (could not find target location with Google earth)
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23 September 1944: Attack on Timber mill near the town of Kriz, Yugoslavia, (Croatia)
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25 September 1944: Attack barracks at Kozani (Greece) in support of Partisan attack. (could not find target location with Google earth)
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27 September 1944: Attack the inner buildings of the old fort at BANJA LUKA (Serbia)
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28 September 1944: Take photographs of Barracks near TIRANA, Albania (could not find target location with Google earth)
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October 1944
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16 Oct 1944: Attack at monastery at TOMISLAVGRAD, Bosnia, on German troop and armour concentrations
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18 Oct 1944: Attack on enemy convoy off ATHERDHA point, GREECE (could not find target location with Google earth)
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25 Oct 1944: Attack rail yards at NOVSKA, Croatia (could not find target location with Google earth)
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November 1944
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5, 7, 15 Nov 1944: Attack enemy fortified positions at CASERMA ALIRIZA barracks at TIRANA, Albania
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19 Nov 1944: attack on Lussin Piccolo (Mali Losijn) Coves, Croatia
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22 Nov 1044: Attack rolling stock at CERVOLJANI (Gornji Cerovljani) Croatia
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23 Nov 1944: Attack village of DANILOVGRAD, Montenegro
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December 1944
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2 Dec 1944: Attack on enemy barracks in BJELOVAR, Croatia
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4, 6 Dec 1944, attack on the village of CRACAC, Croatia
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11 Dec 1944: Photo recce on marshalling yards at KARLOVAC , Croatia
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16 Dec 1944: Attack of enemy transports north of KLOPOT, Montenegro
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17 Dec 1944: Attack coastal guns on LUSSIN PICCOLO island
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22 Dec 1944: Attack on midget submarine base at Lussino island
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29 Dec 1944: Attack enemy MT at PRIJE POLJE road Serbia
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January 1945
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2 Jan 1945: Marshalling yards at KARLOVAC Croatia
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4 Jan 1945: Village of OBCINA
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5, 11, 15, 27 Jan 1945: Coastal guns on Lussino island
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19 Jan 1945: Coal wharf conveyer belt in ARSA CHANNEL (could not find target location with Google earth)
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February 1945
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1 Feb 1945: Photo recce on Lussin Island for possible landing
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2 Feb 1945: Attack on ZUZEMBERG, Slovenia
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5 Feb 1945: Rail yard at KUTINA (KUTINA was not attacked but POPOVACA instead)
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5 Feb 1945: Rail yard at BANOVA JARUGA, Slovenia (BANOVA JARUGA was not attacked but KUTINA instead)
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7 Feb 1945: Rail yards at SMARJE, Slovenia (SEVNICA was attacked and not Smarje)
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7 Feb 1945: Rail yard at DOBODO, Croatia (instead the rail yard at PRUDNICE was attacked)
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8 Feb 1945: Rail yards at SEVNICA (not SMARJE) Slovenia
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8 Feb 1945: Rail yards at PRUDNICE (not DOBODO) were attacked Slovenia
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9 Feb 1945: attack rail yard at POPOVACA Croatia.
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9 Feb 1945: attack rail yard at the village of DONJI. LAPAC, in Croatia. (could not find exact target location with Google earth)
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9 Feb 1945: Attack coaster ship at RAB island, Croatia
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10, 13 Feb 1945: Attack enemy strong point at ZAFARA, Slovenia
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14 Feb 1945: Attack marshalling yards at KARLOVAC Croatia
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15 Feb 1945: Attack village of VACE, Slovenia (The actual village attacked was not Vace but MORAVCE, Slovenia)
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15 Feb 1945: Photo recce of Idrija, Slovenia
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15 Feb 1945: photo recce GORENJA VAS, Slovenia
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16 Feb 1945: Photo recce RAB island Croatia
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18 Feb 1945: attack on village of IDRIJA (Slovenia) factory and barracks
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21 Feb 1945: attack on buildings north and south in NOVO MESTO, Slovenia
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22 Feb 1945: Attack on explosive boats and buildings surrounding CIGALE (CIKAT) cove in the LUSSIN islands, Croatia
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23 Feb 1945: Attack on VURBERK castle, Slovenia, HQ of SS 13 Div ??
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24 Feb 1945: Attack enemy concentrations in villages of PERUSIC and GOSPIC Croatia
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25 Feb 1945: attack MT (Motorised Transports) in NOVO MESTO Croatia
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26, 27 Feb 1945: Attack village of VACE. The village of MORAVCE was actually attacked and not VACE Slovenia
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27 Feb 1945: Recce at ST VID or SENTVID Slovenia
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27, 28 Feb 1945: recce and attack village of STICNA Slovenia
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March 1945
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1 March 1945: Photo recce CUDIN KLANAC (could not find exact target location with Google earth)
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1 March 1945: Attack on STICNA Slovenia
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3 March 1945: Attack gun positions on RAB island Croatia
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6 March: Attack on IDRIJA Slovenia
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8 March 1945: Attack barracks at SKOFJA LOKA Slovenia
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11 March 1945: Attack on BRSLJIN castle (Actually castle HMELJNIK was attack, north of Novo Mesto) Slovenia
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11 March 1945: Allied aircraft at ZADAR in Croatia
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12 March 1945: Attack barracks at SKOFJA LOKA Slovenia
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13 March 1945: Photo Recce of VIPACCO (VIPAVA) Slovenia
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14 March 1945: Attack on IDRIJA Slovenia
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18 March 1945: Attack explosive motor boats at LUSSIN island
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19 March 1945: Attack enemy HQ at PODCRKAVLJE (PODVINJE was not attacked, navigator error) Croatia
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20 March 1945: Attack on IDRIJA Slovenia
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21 March 1945: Attack targets on the BROB-POPAVACA rail line. (could not find target location with Google earth)
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22 March 1945: Attack castle at OZALJ Croatia
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23 March 1945: Attack enemy barracks at Postuma (POSTOJNA) Slovenia
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24 March 1945: Attack enemy barracks at STOCKARSKA, Bosnia
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25 March 1945: Attack town of IDRIJA Slovenia
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26 March 1945: Attack rail line at NOVA GRADISKA Croatia
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30 March 1945: Attack railway station and buildings at PALE (could not find exact target location with Google earth)
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April 1945
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1 April 1945: Attack on enemy stronghold at DVOR Slovenia
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2 April1945: Idrija Slovenia
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2 April 1945: TREBUSSA ( Dolenja Trebuša) Slovenia
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3 April 1945: SADINJA VAS Slovenia
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3 April 1945: DVOR Slovenia
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3 April 1945: VINKOV VRH Slovenia
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5 April 1945: DVOR Slovenia
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5 April 1945: GOTTEDRISAZZA (HOTEDRISCA) Slovenia
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6 April 1945: Attack on ZENICA Bosnia (could not find exact target location with Google earth)
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6 April 1945: Attack on JANJICI Bosnia (could not find exact target location with Google earth)
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7 April 1945: GOTTEDRISAZZA (HOTEDRISCA) Slovenia
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8 April 1945: ZUZEMBERK Slovenia
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8 April 1945: STRANSKA VAS (could not find exact target location with Google earth)
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9 April 1045: BACCACIA DI MADREA (BACA PRI MODREJU) Slovenia
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9 April 1045: ZENICA, (could not find exact target location with Google earth)
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9 April 1945: TETOVA Bosnia, (could not find exact target location with Google earth)
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10 April 1945: ZUZENBERK Slovenia
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10 April 1945: KAL Slovenia
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11 April 1945: PRICEKNI (PRI CERKVI STRUGE) Slovenia
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11 April 1945: Zuzemberg Slovenia
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12 April 1945: POSTUMA, (POSTOJNA) Slovenia
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14 April 1945: LASCE Slovenia
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14 April 1945: POLON (POLOM ) Slovenia
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16 April 1945: CARGARO (GRGAR) Slovenia
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17 April: POSTUMA (POSTOJNA) Slovenia
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18 April 1945: JASTRE BURSTO (JASTREBARSKO) Croatia
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18 April 1945: STRAZA Slovenia
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19 April 1945: DVOR Slovenia
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19 April: RIBNICA Slovenia
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20 April 1945: GROSUPLJE Slovenia
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21 April 1945: IDRIJA Slovenia
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21 April 1945: DOLOTTELZA ( Buidings in vicinity of PREDMEJA were attacked) Slovenia
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22 April 1945: IDRIJA Slovenia
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23 April 1945: ZOLLA (COL) Slovenia
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24 April 1945: BRIONI Croatia
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24 April 1945: ZUZEMBERK Slovenia
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25 April 1945: JASTRE BORSKO Croatia
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26 April 1945: VILLA DEL NEVOSO (ILIRSKA BISTRICA)
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May 1945
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4 May 1945: SKOFJA LOKA Slovenia
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4 May 1945: Radovljika Slovenia
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19 SQUADRON
THEN AND NOW ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS (WHERE STRIKE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE AVAILABLE) INCLUDING WAR DIARY DOCUMENTS AND GOOGLE EARTH IMAGES
CLICK ON THE OPERATION TO GO TO THE PAGE
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12 Sept 1944: Attack on German ferry boat Ithaca Island Greece
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31 Oct 1944: GG NOVI (Novi Vinodolski)
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16 Dec 1944: Gun position Lussin Island
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22 Dec 1944: Lussin Island
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5- 27 Jan 1945: Lussin Island
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2 Feb 1945: ZUZEMBERK
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3 Feb 1945: NOVSKA (not Novska but POPOVACA was attacked)
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5 Feb 1945: POPOVACA (photographs do not match Popovaca (Croatia) rail yard, must still find the actual target)
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7 Feb 1945: Karlovac
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9 Feb 1945: Banova Jaruga (KUTINA)
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10 Feb 1945: SADINJA VAS (DVOR actually)
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13 Feb 1945: ZUZEMBERK
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15 Feb 1945: NOVO MESTO
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21 Feb 1945: ZOLLA (COL)
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23 Feb 1945: VACE
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24 Feb 1945: FIUME (RIJEKA)
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26 Feb 1945: KARLOVAC
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27 Feb 1945: unidentified
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28 Feb 1945: St VID
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6 March 1945: ZOLLA
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8 March 1945: SKOFJALOKA
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11 March 1945: NOVO MESTO
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12 March 1945: SKOFJALOKA
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14 March 1945: KARLOVAC
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14 March 1945: CARGARO (GRGAR)
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16 March 1945: TARANOVA (TRNOVO)
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17 March 1945: RAB island
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19 March 1945: DOL PRI HRASTNIKU (not TRBOVLJE)
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20 March 1945; CERNIK
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20 March 1945: GRGAR
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21 March 1945: PODVINJE
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22 March 1945: ZOLLA (COL)
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23 March 1945: POSTUMA (POSTOJNA)
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24 March 1945: PETRINJA
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26 March 1945: CARGARO
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30 March: NOVO MESTO
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1 April 1945: SOKOLAC (target not identified)
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2 April: VOSCHIA (VOSJKO)
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3 April 1945: ZAFARA
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5 April 1945: BOS GRADISKA
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6 April 1945: BUSOVACA
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7 April 1945: Zolla,
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7 April 1945: GORENJA VAS
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8 April 1945: KAL
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8 April 1945: KOCEVJE
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9 April 1945: MOST NA SOÄŒI (ST LUCIA)
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10 April 1945: KOCEVJE
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10 April 1945: ZENICA, Bosnia (Target not identified)
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13 April 1045: TRBOVLJE
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14 April 1945: KOCEVJE
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16 April 1945: ZOLLA
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17 April 1945: POSTUMIA
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18 April 1945: JASTREBARSKO
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18 April 1945: AMRUSEVO (target not identified)
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19April 1945: KOCEVJE
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20 April 1945: KLINJA VAS (ZELJNE?)
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21 April 1945: BOS GRADISKA
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21 April 1945: ZOLLA
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23 April 1945: CANALE DISONZA, (KANAL )
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23 April 1945: St LUCIA ( MOST NA SOÄŒI )
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24 April 1945: BRIONE
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25 April 1945: AMROSEVO (target not identified)
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4 May 1945: RADOVLJICA
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SAAF WW2 HERITAGE SITE
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