APPENDIX "C"

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
* Abbreviations Expanded:
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
* W/O's: Warrant Officers.
* F/Sgts.: Flight Sergeants.
* Sgts.: Sergeants.
* Cpls.: Corporals.
* L/Cpls: Lance Corporals.
* A.M.'s: Air Mechanics.
* S.A.: South African.
* R.A.F.: Royal Air Force.
* R.A.A.F.: Royal Australian Air Force.
* N.E.A.S.: Non-European Army Services.
* Offs.: Officers.
* Ors.: Other Ranks.
* Cas.: Casualties.
* Observations about Individuals:
* While specific names are not listed, the report captures a snapshot of the squadron's "Messing Strength". The Officers' Mess supported 61 individuals, including two attached South Africans. The Mechanics' Mess was the largest, feeding 227 personnel responsible for keeping the squadron's bombers operational.
* The report documents 16 total casualties across the various corps, reducing the "Total on Duty" from 549 to 533. In this context, "Casualties" often included personnel who were sick, injured, or detached for training, in addition to those lost in combat.
* Information about the Location:
* Solomon Landing Ground (LG. 138), Libya: On July 1, 1943, 21 Squadron S.A.A.F. was stationed at this temporary desert airfield in the Cyrenaica region of Libya.
* Modern Name: This area is located in the desert of eastern Libya, near the border with Egypt. Most of these wartime landing grounds have since been reclaimed by the arid landscape.
* Historical Theatre Context:
* The Build-up to Operation Husky: Dated July 1, 1943, this return was filed just nine days before the Allied invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky). The unit was reorganizing its strength for the leap across the Mediterranean.
* Multinational Composition: The presence of R.A.F. and R.A.A.F. personnel (13 total) highlights the multinational integration within "Article XV" squadrons.
* Cape Corps and N.E.A.S.: The 148 members of the Attached Cape Corps and the 142 in the N.E.A.S. Mess underscore the vital role of non-European South African personnel in the Middle East Command. These men provided essential logistical, transport, and guard services that allowed the aircrews and mechanics to focus on flight operations.
* The Transition from the Baltimore: At this time, 21 Squadron S.A.A.F. was flying the Martin Baltimore light-medium bomber. These aircraft were the primary tactical strike force used to pound Axis airfields and shipping in preparation for the Sicilian landings.

7
The date written in the 'Date' line of the casualty return is 1st July 1943.