Tuesday, 25 April 1944

21 Squadron War Diary

25th Cont. Biferno, Italy

Nil operations. Another consignment of very welcome parcels arrived. An accident occurred on the Aerodrome- to-day when a Baltimore of 223 Squadron, piloted by a South African, Lieut. de KLERK, crashed on take-off and burst into flames.Squadron Routine Order No. 36/44.

Transcriber's Notes

The 223 Squadron Crash (Lieut. de Klerk):

Strategic Targeting (Fuel & Comms):

Weather Impact:

The end of April 1944 was marked by poor weather. The 26th and 27th were "dull" with "showers," preventing operations, and the 30th was "windy," grounding the fleet again. This start-stop operational rhythm was typical of the Italian spring, frustrating the Allies' overwhelming air superiority.

Abbreviations:

AIR 27/269 · The National Archives