APPENDIX "H"

Undated Other pp. 245

Document

APPENDIX "H"
245
AWARDS FOR 17
S.A. AIRMEN (Note: "S.A. Airmen" is underlined, and "about 17" is handwritten in a circle next to it).
LONDON, Tuesday.—The names of 17 South African Air Force officers appear in the latest list of awards in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty. Two of them receive the Distinguished Service Order, Lieut.-Colonel Andrew Christian Bosman, D.F.C., who has at least 10 enemy aircraft destroyed to his credit and others damaged, and Lieut.-Colonel Alexander Christian Jandrell, D.F.C.
A Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross has been won by the following: Major Leslie Dawson-Squibb, No. 2 Squadron; Major John Thorne Seccombe, No. 1 Squadron; and Captain Rupert Reynolds Farrant, No. 21 Squadron.
Twelve officers receive the Distinguished Flying Cross. They are: Lieut.-Colonel Bruce Roy McKenzie, No. 17 Squadron; Major Walter Gilbert Andrew, No. 25 Squadron; Major Owen Park Gray, No. 12 Squadron; Acting-Major Pieter de Wet, No. 21 Squadron; Captain Donald Babile Brebner, No. 1 Squadron; Captain Gordon Raymond Connell, No. 7 Squadron; Captain Alexander Forrest, No. 12 Squadron; Captain Carlisle Walter-Pohl, No. 21 Squadron; Lieutenant Phillip Freeman, No. 1 Squadron; Lieutenant Dennis Louis Clur, No. 17 Squadron; Lieutenant Henry Phillip Freeman, No. 1 Squadron; Lieutenant Roy Clifton Theunissen, No. 40 Squadron, and Lieutenant Christiaan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, No. 21 Squadron.
The names of five other South Africans serving in the Royal Air Force and two Rhodesians also appear in the list of awards. Acting-Squadron-Leader Spencer Rowland Whiting, of Johannesburg, who, since July, 1944, has led his squadron on many low bombing operations in the Balkans, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Order. Acting Wing-Commander Edward James Morris, D.S.O., who was born in Benoni and whose home is now in Vryheid, wins the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Flight-Lieutenant Frank Harrison Foden, a Cape Town airman, has also been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He has been reported missing.
Other winners of the Distinguished Flying Cross are Flight-Lieutenant Clifford Scott Vos, of Johannesburg, and Flight-Lieutenant Derek Myles Alamont Smythe, who was born at Klerksdorp. The two Rhodesians to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross are Acting-Flight-Lieutenant Duncan Mitchell Mowbray and Acting-Flight-Lieutenant Hugh McFadzean Dodd.—SAPA.

Transcriber's Notes

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
* Abbreviations Expanded:
* S.A.: South African
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force
* D.F.C.: Distinguished Flying Cross
* D.S.O.: Distinguished Service Order
* Lieut.-Colonel: Lieutenant-Colonel
* Capt.: Captain
* SAPA: South African Press Association
* Observations about Individuals Mentioned:
* Lieut.-Colonel Alexander Christian Jandrell, D.S.O., D.F.C.: The previous Commanding Officer of 21 Squadron. Jandrell's D.S.O. recognized his exceptional leadership during the squadron's high-intensity operations in late 1944.
* Captain Rupert Reynolds Farrant, D.F.C. and Bar: A highly distinguished navigator from 21 Squadron, often serving as lead navigator for major formation raids.
* Acting-Major Pieter de Wet, Captain Carlisle Walter-Pohl, and Lieutenant Christiaan Hendrik van der Westhuizen: All members of 21 Squadron awarded the D.F.C. for their "gallantry in operations" during the Italian campaign.
* Flight-Lieutenant Frank Harrison Foden: A sobering inclusion in the awards list, noted as "reported missing" at the time of publication.
* Information about the Location:
* The Balkans: Mentioned in connection with Acting-Squadron-Leader Whiting's low-level bombing operations. This theater was a critical focus for SAAF units operating out of Italy, often targeting German supply lines and infrastructure across the Adriatic.
* Pescara (Base): While not in the clipping, 21 Squadron was based at Pescara Airfield (modern-day Abruzzo Airport) when these awards were officially announced to the unit in November 1944.
* Historical Context:
* The November Stand-Down and Morale: These awards reached the squadron during a period of forced inactivity due to "exceptional" rains and a "sea of mud" at their base. Official recognition of gallantry from the Union served as a significant morale booster for the aircrews stuck in the freezing Italian winter.
* Transition of the "Desert Lads": The announcement of these honors coincided with the rotation of many veteran "Desert Lads" back to South Africa after completing their second tours. These awards summarized the peak of their service during the intensive Gothic Line breakthrough of late summer 1944.
* The Martin B-26 Marauder III: The 21 Squadron members mentioned earned their decorations flying this demanding medium bomber in tight, defensive "box" formations over some of the most heavily defended flak sectors in Italy.

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Target File Verification: While this specific document does not have a formal 'Date' column, the heading explicitly identifies the period as NOVEMBER, 1944.