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Martin Baltimore

War Diary

The Operations Record Book, transcribed day by day from two independent witnesses and collated into a single text. 31 entries approved so far.

May 1941

  • Thu, 8 May 1941 (The following is a precis of the events normally recordable in War Diary, which, owing to the "plas…
  • Wed, 21 May 1941 Major Pretorius appointed O.C. The nucleus of the Squadron was to consist of approximately ten offic…
  • Sun, 25 May 1941 Every man in No.11 Squadron detachment was interviewed by the Adjutant with a view to settling any q…
  • Mon, 26 May 1941 Major B.E.F. Russell transferred ex No. 4 Squadron as Adjutant.…
  • Tue, 27 May 1941 O.C., Adjutant and the two Flight Commanders, Capts. M.H. Fowler and J.F. Britz met at A.H.Q., E.A.,…
  • Fri, 30 May 1941 Two Glen Martin “Marylands” delivered to Nairobi ex Union. These with one already at Nairobi formed …

Jun 1941

  • Fri, 6 Jun 1941 Major S. Curlewis appointed to A.H.Q., E.A., for the purpose of equipping squadrons with personnel. …
  • Thu, 12 Jun 1941 Nos. 15 & 16. Squadrons arrived (by Road convoy and sea) from the Union. Shortage of No. 21 Squadron…
  • Fri, 13 Jun 1941 On Friday 13th June, 2/Lt, FURSTENBURG, flying Aircraft No. 1657 crashed taking off. The accident wa…
  • Sun, 15 Jun 1941 There were now enough men posted to the Squadron to be able to divide them up into flights. Six air …
  • Mon, 23 Jun 1941 Col. C.F. STALLARD, Minister for Mines visited the station to inspect South African Units there and …
  • Thu, 26 Jun 1941 O.C. and Adjutant summoned to A.H.Q., E.A. and told of proposed departure of squadron to Middle East…
  • Fri, 27 Jun 1941 Instructions were received to send six of our pilots almost immediately to Middle East and, the move…
  • Mon, 30 Jun 1941 During this time the aircraft were being equipped for active service. They had been delivered with m…

Jul 1941

  • Thu, 3 Jul 1941 No. to the for July 14.…
  • Sat, 5 Jul 1941 Movement Order No. 526 received from Movement Control referring to the departure of the Squadron The…
  • Tue, 8 Jul 1941 Adjutant, two officers and 2 N.C.O.'s departed for Mombasa to make arrangements at the ship for acco…
  • Wed, 9 Jul 1941 Major BRITZ sent to MBEYA to collect a “Maryland" which had been, repaired there after a crash and w…
  • Sun, 13 Jul 1941 Instructions received whereby four aircraft and crews to depart immediately in advance of the rest. …
  • Tue, 15 Jul 1941 Squadron arrived by train and embarked on H.M.T. “Yoma” which departed for the Middle East via MOGAD…
  • Wed, 16 Jul 1941 At A.H.Q., E.A. the following signal was received from the D.G.A.F. and sent on to Major. J. D. Pret…
  • Fri, 18 Jul 1941 At A.H.Q., E.A. the following signal was received from the D.G.A.F. and sent on to Major. J. D. PRET…

Aug 1941

  • Fri, 1 Aug 1941 Arrival of main body of Squadron at SUEZ by sea. After waiting all day for opportunity to dis-embark…
  • Sat, 2 Aug 1941 Disembarkation of troops. Met on quay by Major PRETORIUS. Transport by road arranged by Movement Con…
  • Sun, 3 Aug 1941 All the Squadron now accommodated in camp. All responsible Officers (Q., T., Signals etc.) immediate…
  • Sat, 9 Aug 1941 Two more Marylands (Nos. 1612 and 1669) arrived from East Africa, piloted by Capt. R.J. STEWART and …
  • Mon, 11 Aug 1941 The funeral took place at Ismailia. Several Officers and men of the Squadron being in attendance.…
  • Sun, 17 Aug 1941 Major R. HUGHES, from D.H.Q., Pretoria, visited the Squadron and instructed concerning the new Nomen…
  • Sun, 24 Aug 1941 Colonel Wilmott arrived by a Communication Squadron aircraft at 09.00 hours from Heliopolis to visit…

Sep 1941

  • Mon, 1 Sept 1941 The new month saw us take our first step into the theatre of war operations, with which both the fly…
  • Thu, 4 Sept 1941 The new camp was rapidly taking shape and another step in the progress of our future home was made w…

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