Anzio-Nettuno, 1944

Ultra signals based on deciphered German messages about some of the early bomber operations against the Allied beach head.

NOTES:

"ZZZZZ" is the highest signal priority and usually inidcates information about a hostile operation that had yet to happen or was currently underway.

All times are GMT; add one hour for local (Central European) time.

241514Z/1/44 etc. are the times that the decrypts were issued: day and time GMT/month/year.

24 January

VL 4623

Reported by Luftwaffe Station Lucca on 23rd [January 1944] that at 15.30 hours same day a mixed formation of He 111 and Ju 88 was attacked by four British fighters. Two He 111 and one Ju 88 lost.

VL 4650

ZZZZZ

German Navy gave warning at 12.00 hours/24th that fairly large formations various types would fly low that afternoon and towards evening [on] route Marseille – Livorno and on to Nettuno. If cloudless, via Siena, if overcast via Elba and Civitavecchia. 241514Z/1/44

VL 4675

ZZZZZ

Further to VL 4650, German air activity to continue into night 24/25th. Last aircraft to return at about 22.00 hours. This according to information at 17.00 hours. 242047Z/1/44

VL 4699

ZZZZZ

According 22. Flak Brigade at 13.15 hours, Ju 88s to fly overland to Nettuno from 22.00 hours onward. (Comment: information 17.00hrs in VL 4675 was according 7. Defence Division). 250056Z/1/44

25 January

VL4985

After being set on fire by night fighter at 17.40 hours/25th, an aircraft of 5./KG 40 crashed about 10 km. north east of Anzio.

VL 4849

… according Flifü Luftflotte [2]: … 143 heavy bomber sorties by Luftflotte 2, nights 23/24 and 24/25 against landing fleet.

26 January

VL 4879

ZZZZZ

Naval authorities Benedetto informed by naval authorities Ancona 17.30/26 [that] German bombers to fly in two waves. First wave Ancona at about 17.00, east of Rome about 17.45 hours. Return route Grosseto about 18.45 hours. Second wave expected to follow same route. Out at about 02.00 hours.
262353Z/1/44

VL 4942

One Do 217 (slight indications 6./KG 100) made an emergency landing Perugia area (fair indications Castiglione del Lago) before 18.30 hours/26th. (Fair indications Istres) and KG 100 informed.

27 January

VL 4981

Fliegerdivision 2 quoted preliminary orders for night 27/28th: ops at dusk 27th by torpedo and (fair indications guided weapon) units with all available forces. Targets as hitherto.

Fliegerdivision 2 added that it was not anxious to operate at all.

VL 4999

According to Flifü evening 27th: the landing fleet and unloading ops attacked during night 26/27th by 107 heavy bombers. Effect of attack assumed to be considerably in excess of claims as details not observed owing darkness, dazzling by searchlights and defence by AA and night fighters.