COPY APPENDIX "A" — Orders & Appendices

Document

The National Archives' reference AIR 27/271/6
COPY APPENDIX "A"
NO. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F. 247
MARAUDER AIRCRAFT 'B' FOR "BLIKSEM" — NO. 561.
The above Squadron is a member of 3 Wing and part of

the Desert Air Force. The Squadron operated in East Africa,
North Africa, MALTA, SICILY and the ITALIAN Mainland.
In North AFRICA Maryland and subsequently Baltimore air-

craft were flown and attacks were carried out, day and night against
targets consisting of M.T. Parks, Troop Concentrations, Gun Posit-
ions, Dispersed Aircraft, Armoured Formations, Rail and Road Heads
and Bridges, Ammunition Dumps, Harbours and Shipping and Pamphlet
dropping. Bombs consisting of 250 and 500 pounders, 40lb fragment-
ation bombs and 4lb incendiaries.
The last raid by the Squadron in AFRICA with Baltimore air-

craft, was carried out against Rommel's Afrika Korps (the well-known
90th Light Panzer Division) on the 12th MAY, 1943.
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The last Squadron raid with Baltimores was made on the 18th
JULY, 1944 when Capt. ADAM — Pilot — (the first shall be last)
bombed a road bridge near DEL CASANA, ITALY. During JULY, 1944
the Squadron converted to Marauders MK F in the field, at PESCARA
thereafter daylight operations only being carried out.
Aircraft 'B' was taken on Squadron strength on the 5th JULY

1944, and participated in the first raid by 21 Squadron Marauders
which took place on the 15th AUGUST, 1944 when a formation
attacked the railroad siding at PORTOMAGGIORE.
This aircraft's last raid was made on the 24th APRIL when

enemy troops concentrations in the PO VALLEY were bombed at POLESELA
which was the last raid but one carried out by the Squadron prior to
the cessation of hostilities.
During her carreer 'B' attained a total of 108 raids and

flew 483.55 operational hours. Her duties included attacks on
heavily defended roads and rail bridges, marshalling yards, troop
and armoured concentrations, ammunition dumps, etc.
'B' led the most spectacular raid carried out by the

Squadron when the large ammunition dump at MAL CONTENTA near VENICE
was attacked on the 25th MARCH, 1945, and the dump area was virt-
ually destroyed. Huge fires and explosions resulted and columns
of smoke billowed up to a great height.
/'Bliksem'......
The National Archives' reference AIR 27/271/6
* 2 -
248
'Bliksem' also led the raid on the important Sugar
produsing Alchohol at CAVANELLA on the 8th APRIL 1945. This
target was very heavily damaged. Flak was experienced and one
aircraft had to force land at CESENATICO, but 'B' came through
unscathed.
Aircraft 'B' led the Squadron formations in the first raids
in support of the 8th Army's final offensive which commenced on
the 9th APRIL. The first target to be attacked being an armoured
concentration near MENATE.
The aircraft participated in ~~many~~ many raids in close
support of the 8th Army and targets included the pontoon bridges
used by the GERMANS in their withdrawal across the PO River.
These positions were heavily defended by heavy ack ack (88 and 105m
Her raids included targets in AUSTRIA, and YUGOSLAVIA.
She was the Squadron's leading aircraft in the first raid in
AUSTRIA, when the ST. VEIT Marshalling Yards were successfully
attacked.
'B' has never failed to take off on schedule, and, of
course, has never failed to return to base. Nor once has the
favourite amongst
aircraft faltered, and is obviously the ground servicing staff
and air crews, who take great pride in her activities and much
care is lavished on her by the ground crews.
Photographs of the ~~named~~ aircraft and some members of the
ground crew are attached as appendix "A".
When Aircraft 'B' completed her 400 hours flying at which
period an aircraft is taken off strength for return to a M.U. for
complete overhaul, the aircraft was in such perfect condition
that an extension of 50 hours was granted.
Lt., S.I.O.
21 SQUADRON S. A. A. F.

/ML.

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes")
Glossary of Terms
* 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.: No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force. This medium bomber unit served across multiple theatres, eventually becoming a primary component of No. 3 Wing SAAF within the Desert Air Force (DAF).
* 3 WING: No. 3 (SAAF) Wing, the administrative and tactical medium bomber formation overseeing the operations of 21 Squadron throughout the Italian Campaign.
* BA-BH (Martin Baltimore): The twin-engine medium bomber utilized by 21 Squadron until JULY 1944. The document notes the final Baltimore mission occurred on 18th JULY, 1944, targeting a bridge near Del Casana.
* BLIKSEM (No. 561): An Afrikaans term meaning "Lightning," used as the name for Martin Marauder III aircraft 'B'.
* MARAUDER MK F: A technical designation used by the squadron for their Martin Marauder III (B-26) aircraft. The unit converted to this type "in the field" at Pescara in JULY 1944, shifting from day/night operations to daylight strikes exclusively.
* MC/GP (Medium Capacity / General Purpose): Standard high-explosive ordnance utilized by the unit's aircraft, alongside 40 lb fragmentation and 4 lb incendiary munitions.
* MET: Meteorological data. Favorable daylight conditions were required for the squadron's Marauder operations, specifically for high-altitude precision strikes like the Malcontenta dump destruction.
* M.T. PARKS: Motor Transport parks, a primary tactical target for interdiction sorties.
* PAMPHLET DROPPING: Psychological warfare missions, such as the dispersal of "Protection of Geneva" leaflets during the final stages of the campaign.
Operational Context
Target File 271-6_6 serves as a definitive operational biography for Marauder 'B' for "Bliksem" (No. 561), a record-holding aircraft of No. 21 Squadron SAAF. The strategic significance of this aircraft's career mirrors the Allied progression through Italy, beginning with the first Marauder raid on 15th AUGUST, 1944, at Portomaggiore.
The aircraft's service highlights the shift from tactical interdiction of rail heads and bridges to massive structural destruction and troop neutralization. A pivotal moment occurred on 25th MARCH, 1945, when "Bliksem" led a strike against the Malcontenta ammunition dump near Venice. This raid resulted in the virtual destruction of the facility, creating columns of smoke and explosions that severely degraded the Axis logistical capacity to defend the Venetian Plain during the impending spring offensive.
During the terminal phase of the campaign, Operation Grapeshot, the aircraft was utilized to strike German bottlenecks south of the Po River. Its final mission on 24th APRIL, 1945, targeted troop concentrations at Polesela in the Po Valley. By the cessation of hostilities, "Bliksem" had achieved a remarkable 108 raids and 483.55 operational hours, a testament to the durability of the Martin Marauder airframe and the technical efficiency of the SAAF ground crews at Jesi. This record led to the aircraft being granted a 50-hour extension on its major inspection limit, allowing it to continue service during the squadron's post-war move to Udine.

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Phase 1: Verification & Extraction
Identity Check: No specific 'Date' column is present on this page; however, the narrative explicitly covers the period from 8th APRIL 1945 through the end of JUNE 1945, specifically documenting the granting of a 50-hour flight extension.
Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes")
Glossary of Terms
* 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.: No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force. This medium bomber unit was a key component of No. 3 Wing SAAF within the Desert Air Force (DAF).
* 88 and 105m (Ack-Ack): German anti-aircraft artillery (Flak). The 88mm (8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37/41) and 105mm (10.5 cm Flak 38/39) were the heaviest and most dangerous defenses encountered by medium bombers over northern Italy and Alpine passes.
* BA-BH (Martin Baltimore): The twin-engine medium bomber utilized by the squadron until late 1943/early 1944, when the unit converted to the Martin Marauder III (B-26).
* BLIKSEM (No. 561): Marauder 'B' of 21 Squadron. The name is Afrikaans for "Lightning" or "Thunderbolt".
* MC/GP (Medium Capacity / General Purpose): Standard Allied high-explosive ordnance (typically 250 lb or 500 lb) utilized by the unit's Marauders during the final offensive.
* MET: Meteorological data. Stable spring weather in April 1945 facilitated the high sortie rates described during the Eighth Army's final push.
* M.U.: Maintenance Unit. These rear-echelon depots performed major overhauls (typically every 400 flight hours for the B-26) which were beyond the capacity of squadron-level ground crews.
* S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer.
Operational Context
Target File 271-6_7 concludes the operational biography of Marauder 'B' ("Bliksem"), documenting its pivotal role during Operation Grapeshot, the final Allied spring offensive in Italy. The strategic importance of the targets mentioned—Cavanella, Menate, and the Po River crossings—reflects the systematic destruction of the German logistical and defensive infrastructure in April 1945.
The raid on 8th April 1945 against the alcohol production facility at Cavanella was critical; alcohol was a vital substitute fuel for the fuel-starved Wehrmacht. Despite heavy flak that forced another aircraft to land at Cesenatico, 'Bliksem' successfully led the formation through the defenses. Following the commencement of the main offensive on 9th April, the aircraft shifted to close support, targeting armored concentrations and the heavily defended pontoon bridges German forces used to retreat across the Po River.
As the front dissolved, 'Bliksem' led the squadron into new territory, participating in the first raids against targets in Austria (St. Veit Marshalling Yards) and Yugoslavia. The technical record of the aircraft is notable: it never failed a takeoff or a return to base throughout its career. By June 1945, although it had reached the mandatory 400-hour overhaul limit, the exceptional maintenance provided by the ground crews at Jesi resulted in a rare 50-hour flight extension. This allowed the "favourite" aircraft of the squadron to continue its non-operational "trooping" duties during the unit's final transition to Udine.

8
Phase 1: Verification & Extraction
Identity Check: No specific 'Date' column is present on this page; however, the narrative from the preceding appendices indicates these photographs document the condition and appearance of the aircraft in JUNE 1945.