21 Squadron War Diary
1200 hrs
WAR DIARY - March 1944.CHEMICAL WARFARE:-As a result of "pressure brought to bear" by the Chemical Warfare Section, Desert Air Force, Anti-Gas activity is once more in full swing.Capt. Unger, of the U.D.F., who is attached to D.A.F. paid us a visit a week ago, and Anti-Gas measure were discussed with the Adjutant, Lt. R. Ferguson, Admin. Officer, has undertaken the duties of Gas Officer, and is assisting Air Corporal Pio in the organisation of Decontamination Squads, lectures, gas chamber tests, the checking of equipment and respirator drill.During the past week more than half the personnel of the Squadron were passed through a gas chamber, where equipment was carefully tested and personnel given a thorough "work out" in tear gas, an empty Nissen Hut being used for the purpose. The remainder of the Squadron could not be put through the tests on account of shortage of gas capsules.Mess and Kitchen staffs have been put through a series of lectures on the decontamination of foodstuffs. When the course was completed a written examination was passed by all European members with excellent results. Practical tests will be arranged in the near future, and Non-European members will shortly undergo similar training.Two other Decontamination Squads comprising members from each section of the Unit have been formed, and are also undergoing a course of instruction on the decontamination of aircraft, vehicles, weapons, buildings, equipment etc.All members of the Squadron will be lectured on War Gases, their characteristics and effects, elementary first aid for gas casualties and personal cleansing. Respirator drill will be carried out regularly, but in view of the forthcoming move to a new camp site, the training will be temporarily hampered.The Gas Officer has impressed upon all ranks the necessity for one hundred per cent efficiency in Gas Drill and serviceability of equipment.Air Corporal Pio, the Squadron's Gas Instructor, appears to be very capable, and is doing excellent work.HYGIENE:-The present camp site leaves much to be desired from a health and hygiene point of view. This fact is easily recognised even by the unqualified eye, and one which was wholeheartedly concurred with by the Commanding Officer.Not only is the area classified as being highly malarious by the Medical Authorities, but the close proximity to the local village of Campomarino, which contains an abundant reservoir of potentially infective local inhabitants, makes the site highly dangerous from the morbidity point of view, and may even lead to serious impairment of the Squadron's efficiency as a fighting force. This fact, combined with the disgusting habit of the local population of using the surrounding areas as a latrine, and the fact that most of the waste-matter draining from the village passes through the camp area, would indeed increase the already existing dangers of fly-borne infections such as Enteric, Dysentry and Diphtheria.Bearing these facts in mind, the Squadron Commander selected a new site far removed from the potential dangers. This has been well chosen and well planned with the able assistance of the Adjutant. Nissen huts for each Mess are being erected before the move takes place.Our present camp is directly under the hill upon which the village is built, and when heavy rains occur there is a great deal of seepage below. Recently heavy rains set in, resulting in a large flow of water through various parts of the camp. In the early hours of the morning the occupants of several tents woke up with the uncomfortable sensation coupled with memories of their childhood days, for by this time water had risen to a height of two to three feet in their dug-out tents, saturating bedding and completely soaking all personal belongings.PAGE 2.128Imagine a man's shock and surprise on answering Nature's call in the middle of the night leaving a warm bed and stepping into a foot or more of ice-cold water! Needless to add, the "distressed areas" were evacuated, and a busy day was spent pitching tents in different spots and borrowing various items of clothing from friends.The Hygiene Warrant Officer, endowed with a streak of inventive genius and blessed with an abundance of common sense, has, practically unaided, succeeded in erecting a "two-rose" ablution block. This not only serves as a preventative Hygiene measure against the ever present danger of lice (and so typhus) but also serves as a morale builder of prime importance.The incidence of common colds, that elusive and vague disease responsible for so much "ill-feeling", and which decreases only to a slight degree the efficiency of the ground staff, has taken its toll of victims among the Aircrews, whose efficiency it has impaired and has frequently led to their being grounded owing to the blocking of those intricate canals with which the human body has been cursed. All this is due to the rapid changes in Barometric pressure to which they have been subjected. As a preventative it is thought that improved accomodation in the way of properly erected Nissen huts for all aircrews, a deficiency which, it is hoped, will be rectified in the near future, will meet the case.Inoculations, that bug-bear of the Medical Officer's existence, that unpleasant (although painless according to our "Butch") operation, is proceeding "according to plan".As a result of the Squadron M.O.'s conscientious efforts all personnel are now fully protected against Typhus, Typhoid and Tetanus. Inoculations both yearly and initial courses are proceeding. It is noted with apprehension that 165 personnel at present on strength (according to their paybooks) had not been fully protected against these two diseases before leaving the Union. This state of affairs the Medical Officer has undertaken to rectify.STORES AND EQUIPMENT.In the early part of the month, difficulty was experienced in obtaining stores as A.S.P. had not moved up to this area, and though they had undertaken to deliver our requirements this was not quite satisfactory, so that both T & E Personnel had to exercise initiative and resource to supply the Squadron. As they have now moved up our difficulties have been solved.For some time now the Squadron has had to effect delivery of its own petrol and bomb requirements.The enterprising staff of "A" stores has now completely refitted one of its trailers, making the entire section "mobile". Where the fittings were obtained remains a mystery, but we now have an extra unit fitted with electric lights, office desk, racks, bins, etc. etc. so that tentage need no longer be used.There has been a slight improvement both in quality and quantity of rations. Fresh meat, vegetables, oranges and dried fruits have been in fairly regular supply, whilst a good variety of tinned foods has been available.The Squadron is indeed fortunate in having keen and capable cooks and caterers, so that all Messes enjoy a variety of dishes. They have even mastered the art of effectively (and satisfactorily) "camouflaging" bully beef and soya links.PAGE 3.129SPORTS:-Bad weather and lack of facilities have for some time past severely hampered sports activities.Meanwhile, the efforts of our Sports Officer have at long last been rewarded, and boots are now available for all members of a soccer or rugby team. A full set of jerseys and stockings has also been supplied.Two likely looking fields have been inspected near our new camp site, and posts have already been "acquired" from an unspecified source.A/Mech. G.G. Green took part in a six-mile athletic event at Bari during the month. He is to be congratulated on running 5th in a field of 36, for which performance he was presented with a medal. First and second places were won by runners who have in the past represented British teams. Green has again been invited to join the R.A.F. team which is to take part in a large representative gathering of all Units in C.M.F.A Company of South African Engineers which has recently arrived in this vicinity issued a challenge last week to our Rugby stalwarts, so Capt. Daantjie van Vuuren lost no time in taking it up. On Thursday 23rd, despite rain and intense cold weather, "Daantjie" lead a rugby fifteen on to the Engineers home ground - a ploughed field! Both sides were well matched, and in spite of the muddy conditions some good rugby was witnessed by a large and enthusiastic crowd of supporters. The match ended in a 5 - 0 win for the Squadron - a fair reflection of the game.A soccer match scheduled to take place the following day against the same Company had to be cancelled on account of operations. A lively soccer match took place between Aircrews and Ground Staff. All ranks thoroughly enjoyed the game, which ended in a win for the Ground Crews.A Company of Royal Engineers invited us to field a Rugby fifteen against them on Monday, 27th, but for some unknown reason they failed to put in an appearance.We are looking forward to keener sport in the near future, so we hope the weather clerk will be more generous than of late.GENERAL.The acknowledgement of a Squadron donation of £276.15. 9 to the South African Red Cross Prisoners of War Fund has been received from the Supervising Paymaster, U.D.F. In addition to this, the Squadron has recently made donations to Desert Air Force Red Cross, the "Battle for Britain" War Memorial Fund and 8th Army Red Cross Funds amounting to nearly a hundred pounds to which all ranks subscribed unstintingly.March has, to a certain extent, heralded the end of the consistently cold and damp winter weather and its attendant troubles hitherto not experienced by the "Africa Star" type of ground crews who have been with the Squadron since the relatively fine North African days.A period of bad luck and shortage of replacement aircraft has been experienced, and the rate of operations during the fine days of the month often found us hard pressed to supply the required number of serviceable aircraft for raids, but not once were the ground staff unable to deliver the required quota plus at least one reserve. The maximum effort came on the 3rd, when we were reduced to 14 badly shot-up aircraft, but by an all-night effort 14 serviceable machines were available the following day, but as luck would have it, all ops. were cancelled owing to adverse weather conditions.PAGE 4.130(continued).13 and 55 R.A.F. Squadrons, also flying Baltimores, recently arrived at our landing ground from North Africa. Both Squadrons were surprised to learn that we were still operating with the almost obsolescent Mark 111A's., some of which came to the Squadron before the end of the North African Campaign.However, at the end of the month the tide seemed to turn, and Headquarters Flight was allotted four new Mark V's.During the month we established what we think is a record, when our "Old Faithful" Baltimore No. 383 W., topped 110 raids. This Mk IV has been with us continuously since its arrival before the Squadron left North Africa, and is still going strong!On the 29th we did three operations in one day for the first time this year. Due to the amount of water found in fuel, it has been necessary to "chamois" all fuel used, and this has made refuelling for three ops a day quite a problem, particularly in view of the fact that our bowsers are relics of "Maryland" days. The situation is, however, under control.It is noted with satisfaction that a number of well deserved promotions and increments have been published in Part 11 Orders, but it is pointed out that to date no artisans on strength have been trade-tested at the Unit in connection with the regrading scheme now in force. A certain amount of misunderstanding and dissatisfaction exists among the artisans as a result of the Artisans Boards' rulings, and it is generally felt that a visit from the Board, or its representative, for purposes of trade tests, adjustments and explanations would go a long way towards re-instating the spirit which once existed.Aircrews, especially Pilots, when arriving at an operational Squadron, require more training in R/T procedure, and it is suggested that a practical radio drill be instilled into them whilst at O.T.U's.The Administrative staff is maintaining its high standard of efficiency and contributes to a great extent to the smooth running of the Unit. Air Sergeants MacDougall and Cohen of the Pay Section deserve a measure of praise for the speedy and efficient manner in which they handled pay affairs when Part 11 Orders were received notifying recent promotions, increments and remustering of aircrews and artisans.COMMANDING OFFICER'S REMARKS.TO : HQ MAAF (Attention 23rd SCORU)HQ NATAF (Attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU)SAOA SAAFFROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAFREF : 21/572DATE : 2nd March 1944MAP No. 572 for period 1200 Hrs to 2100 Hrs 2/3/44REF MAP ITALY 1:100,000 Sheet 150 ROMA.A: 12 Baltimores took off from BIFERNO L/G between 1258 and 1306 Hrs to bomb a gun assembly position at F.78451. They set course with an escort of 6 Spitfires and flew to the mouth of the VOLTURNO River, along the coast past ANZIO and turned on towards target. They bombed in two boxes of six line astern at 1425 Hrs from 14000' on a course of 060°. 8/10 cloud over target made observations difficult. The leading observer identified target area through a gap in the clouds and bombed through cloud, the formation bombing on him. Gaps in cloud immediately after bombing run enabled observers to report sticks of bombs from F.72450 carrying across the railway line. One red flash with black smoke observed - H/A slight and inaccurate from target area and from F.933467, also from CISTERNA area. One medium fire on Rd F.9233 with white smoke at 1422 Hrs. One small ship 210° TERRACINA 20/25 miles at 1436 Hrs. The formation flew back along coast to VOLTURNO and direct home. All a/c landed by 1537 Hrs.B: (1) 11 Baltimores Mk.4(11) NIL(1) 1 Baltimore Mk.5(11) NILC: NILD: (1) 27.30 Hours(11) NIL(1) 2.30 Hours(11) NILE: (1) 35200 x .303300 x .3037700 x .50(11) & (111) NIL(1) 3200 x .30300 x .303700 x .50(11) & (111) NILF: (1) 22 x 500 MC3 x 250 GP(11) As in (1)(111) & (iv) NIL(1) 2 x 500 MC3 x 250 GP(11) As in (1)(111) & (iv) NILAll fused 44 Pist. 52 Det. (Nose) 28 Pist. 49 Det. (Tail.G to V: NILW: (1) 1 Mk.3.(11) NILX: (1) .40 Minutes.(11) NILZ: NILS.L. Boshofffor Capt.SIO 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.