21 Squadron War Diary
2350 hrs Hal Far, Malta
NO. 21 SQUADRON, SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE18th JULY, 1943BEN HAGEN | 18thfinally shot down in flames over the sea N.W. of GOZO Island,at 2350 hours. Lt Whittle was hit by a cannon shell in theright foot just as he baled out. He dropped in the sea and waspicked up by an American Destroyer at 0050 hours. The ship'ssurgeon amputated his leg above the ankle. He was transferredto a Hospital Ship on the 16th, and landed at Tunis where hewas admitted to the above Hospital. There is no news of theremainder of the crew and Lt. Whittle is unable to throw anylight on their fate.Lt.Col. Loftus, D.S.O., D.F.C. visited the Squadron this morn-ing.19th | 0125Four Baltimores took off at intervals of 20 minutes to bombmovement on roads leading from North and East into Nicosia.Bombs dropped on road and north of town. M.T. was also bombed4 miles north west of Nicosia. Results were good. Lieuts.Simpson and Willmot were attacked by enemy night fighters,further attacks were successfully evaded."Oprep" No. 344, Sortie Report and Crew List.The Malta move has been postponed for another 24 hours, howeverit is anticipated that this will definitely take place to-morrow. Lieut. Forsman posted to S.A.A.F. Adv. Base Depot.Air Sgt. Goldberg posted to 7 Squadron. 2 other ranks postedR.T.U. on compassionate grounds. Lieut Human (Pilot) arrivedon posting to the Squadron.20thAfter several days patient waiting the Malta move was at lastaffected. D.C.3's aircraft started to arrive from 0900 hoursAppendices "C1".224