Sunday, 10 January 1943 — War Diary

21 Squadron War Diary

January 10 Chel II

Ten trucks reported to Wing, for fetching 250lb. bombs from NOFILIA; four more fetched aircraft fuel from CHEL. Distance is one of the principal problems here: ration run is to MARBLE ARCH (105 miles away), water – extremely salty – at NOFILIA (50 miles) and, until B.G.M.C. puts in an appearance we shall have to run our own S. & T. It is feared that our M.T. Section – which is 14 under-strength – is in for rather a thin time while we are here. Five other ranks S.A.M.C. attached from S.A.A.F. Depot to replace Medical and Hygiene personnel who have been up here for more than two years.No flying: Oprep No. 161Lieut. DENTON routed to S.A.O.A., S.A.A.F. HQ., with a recommendation for compassionate leave to the Union.Wing advises that No. 239 Wing will be moving today and instructs that the Squadron move to its site on the NW corner of the landing ground. The move was made and the rest of the day spent preparing for the arrival of our aircraft which are expected tomorrow. Owing to the very stony nature of the ground, pegs could not be used for tents and sand-filled drums and petrol tins were substituted.‍

Transcriber's Notes

B.G.M.C: Likely Base General Maintenance Company (or Brigade General Maintenance Company), a technical support unit attached to the Wing structure.
M.T: Motor Transport.
S.A.M.C: South African Medical Corps.
S.A.A.F: South African Air Force.
S.A.O.A: Senior Air Officer Administration.
H.Q: Headquarters.
N.W: North West.

This immense burden fell on the M.T. Section (Motor Transport), which was already "14 [vehicles/men] under-strength," leading to the grim prediction of a "thin time while we are here."

B.G.M.C. (Base General Maintenance Company): The diary notes that the squadron had to "run our own S. & T." (Supply & Transport) until the B.G.M.C. arrived. This support unit normally handled bulk logistics, but the speed of the advance left the combat squadrons to fend for themselves.