APPENDIX "A"

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 operated as part of No. 3 (SAAF) Wing within the Desert Air Force (DAF).
* AIR 27/271/6: The United Kingdom National Archives reference for the 1945 Operations Record Book (ORB) and Appendices of No. 21 Squadron SAAF.
* BA-BH (Martin Baltimore): The twin-engine medium bomber utilized by the squadron until late 1943/early 1944, prior to converting to the Martin Marauder III (B-26).
* BLIKSEM (No. 561): The name given to Marauder III aircraft 'B'. The term is Afrikaans for "Lightning" or "Thunderbolt".
* MC/GP (Medium Capacity / General Purpose): Standard Allied demolition bombs. Aircraft 'B' carried these munitions on 108 combat raids throughout the Italian Campaign.
* MET: Meteorological data. The clear conditions shown in the June 1945 photographs at Rivolto Airfield were ideal for documenting the aircraft's physical state following the cessation of hostilities.
Operational Context
Target File 271-6_8 consists of three archival photographs serving as Appendix "A" to the operational biography of Marauder 'B' for "Bliksem". These images were captured in June 1945 at Rivolto Airfield (near Udine) following the squadron's relocation from Jesi.
The strategic significance of this aircraft is established by its record-breaking service life of 108 raids and 483.55 operational hours. The bottom photograph clearly displays the "Bliksem" nose art and a comprehensive mission tally, which includes the aircraft's leadership of the pivotal Malcontenta ammunition dump strike on 25th March 1945.
The visual evidence supports the narrative that 'Bliksem' was the "favourite amongst ground servicing staff and air crews". Despite the high intensity of the final offensive in April 1945, which involved strikes against heavily defended Po River pontoon bridges and targets in Austria, the aircraft remained in such "perfect condition" that it was granted a rare 50-hour flight extension beyond its mandatory 400-hour overhaul limit. These photographs serve as a formal technical record of a high-performance medium bomber that facilitated the logistical and tactical success of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) until the terminal phase of the campaign.

9
Phase 1: Verification & Extraction
Identity Check: 5TH JUNE, 1945.