Monday, 21 December 1942

21 Squadron War Diary

December 21 Soluch

1000Full parade held to collect all unauthorised weapons etc.A search of tents and kit followed but a very poor assortment of enemy weapons and only very few, were collected. The Advance Parties of three Wellington Squadrons have arrived and are putting up their camps round the landing ground. It is understood that they will be operating from here in the near future. One other rank posted to S.A.A.F. Depot on medical grounds. 693 arrived from Base (L.G.98) with post and part of our ‘Xmas cheer. The remainder is to be flown up on the 24th. and as this includes the dinner, it is devoutly hoped that the weather will not Interfere with, or prevent, delivery. Sixteen other ranks posted to S.A.A.F. Depot on expiration of tour of duty, for R.T.U.Oprep No. 141Extremely cold weather continues.2110Air Raid alert but no aircraft heard.‍

Transcriber's Notes

S.A.A.F: South African Air Force.
L.G. 98: Landing Ground 98 (Burj al Arab), the rear base to which the C.O. was returning.
R.T.U: Returned to Union (South Africa).
Air Raid: An alert at 2110 (9:10 PM) with "no aircraft heard" suggests a false alarm or a distant intruder, common in the tense forward areas.

Disciplinary Action (Confiscation of Weapons): Despite dismissing the claims, the O.C. No. 3 S.A. Wing (Colonel Martin) took them seriously enough to order the immediate withdrawal of "all firearms and explosives, not on issue." This suggests that soldiers had been carrying captured Axis weapons (like Lugers, Berettas, or grenades) as personal sidearms/trophies. The "Full parade" on December 21st to collect these "unauthorised weapons" was a measure to restore strict discipline and prevent any potential friction with the local population.

AIR 27/268 · The National Archives