APPENDIX "F"

Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes")
Glossary of Terms
* 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.: No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force. By May 1945, this unit had transitioned from combat operations in the Italian Campaign to post-hostilities administrative and transport duties.
* AIR 27/271/5: The United Kingdom National Archives reference for the 1945 War Diary of No. 21 Squadron SAAF.
* BA-BH (Martin Baltimore): The twin-engine medium bomber previously utilized by the unit until late 1943, when the squadron converted to the current Martin Marauder III (B-26) equipment.
* JESI / SAN UBALDO: The primary base location for No. 21 Squadron from October 1944 through May 1945. San Ubaldo was the specific site of the squadron camp, located approximately 2.5 miles northeast of the Jesi Landing Ground.
* MC/GP (Medium Capacity / General Purpose): Standard Allied demolition bombs. While these munitions were utilized for high-intensity strikes against Po River crossings in late April, they had been returned to maintenance units or ferried to forward dumps by the date of this photograph.
* MET: Meteorological data. Clear spring weather is visible in the photographs, facilitating the large-scale outdoor assembly of personnel following the cessation of hostilities.
* THANKSGIVING SERVICE: A formal military religious assembly held to commemorate the official end of the European War ("VE Day") on 8th May 1945.
Operational Context
Target File 271-5_10 consists of two archival photographs documenting the official Thanksgiving Service of No. 21 Squadron SAAF held on 13th May 1945 at the San Ubaldo camp near Jesi, Italy. This event, cataloged as Appendix "F", serves as a visual record of the unit's transition from active combat within the Desert Air Force to a post-war footing following the unconditional surrender of German forces.
The strategic importance of the Jesi/San Ubaldo location was paramount during the final Allied spring offensive, Operation Grapeshot. From this base, the squadron's Martin Marauder III aircraft executed precision strikes that "corked" German escape routes at Po River ferry crossings and marshalling yards. The assembly shown in the photographs includes members of the Native Military Corps (N.M.C.), whose participation—specifically their capable singing of the National Anthem—was noted as an impressive contribution to the proceedings.
The top photograph captures the ceremonial center of the service, while the bottom photograph shows the massed ranks of squadron personnel seated in a shaded clearing. This assembly occurred just as the unit was preparing for its final relocation to Udine and Rivolto to facilitate "Air Trooping" missions and the eventual repatriation (R.T.U.) of long-serving personnel to the Union of South Africa. These images represent the definitive conclusion of 21 Squadron's combat history in the Mediterranean, providing a rare glimpse of the full unit strength at the moment of victory.

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