Tuesday, 1 February 1944

21 Squadron War Diary

Tortorella, Italy

Nil operations. Lt. Col. A.C. Jandrell, D.F.C., who was previously a Flight Commander with the Squadron, reported for duty as Commanding Officer vice Lt. Col. C.P. Kotzé, D.F.C., posted R.T.U. as operational tour expired. To those who knew Lt. Col. Jandrell, it was a pleasant surprise as he was highly respected and a very capable Flight Commander.Information was received that Lieut. J.F. MacRitchie, the Admin Officer, was going to No. 1 Fighter Squadron to take over as Adjutant.The Adjutant returned from a well earned 7 days leave. Major Smit, a very popular Flight Commander, left for BARI on his return to the Union.

Transcriber's Notes

L.T: Local Time.
Lt. Col: Lieutenant Colonel.
Col: Colonel.
D.F.C: Distinguished Flying Cross (decoration for acts of valour, courage, or devotion to duty whilst flying).
C.P: Cape Province, South Africa.
R.T.U: Returned to Union (South Africa).
Major Smit: Another senior leader (Flight Commander) departing for South Africa via Bari, the primary Allied transit hub on the Adriatic coast.

Abbreviations:

People and Units:

Lt. Col. A.C. Jandrell, D.F.C.: Assumed command of 21 Squadron on this date.

Lt. Col. C.P. Kotzé, D.F.C.: The outgoing Commanding Officer.

No. 1 Fighter Squadron: Referring to No. 1 Squadron SAAF, a fighter unit also operating in the Italian theater at this time (flying Spitfires).

Historical Context:

AIR 27/268 · The National Archives