21 Squadron War Diary
The National Archives' reference AIR 27/271/2 APPENDIX "P"
APPENDIX TO WAR DIARY - : 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F. - : 3 WING.74FEBRUARY, 1945.--------------- Between the 1st and the 19th of the month due to adverse weather conditions only one operation was carried out. On the 8th six aircraft attacked the GORIZIA Marshalling Yards with fairly good results. A Liberator landed when the Squadron was taking off and obstructed the runway and three aircraft were unable to take off.
A break in the weather from the 19th of the month afforded the squadron the opportunity to show its teeth. On the [strike-through: 20th] 21st and 23rd two raids a day were carried out. Four Marshalling Yards in Northern Italy were attacked with good results. One raid was abortive due to 10/10ths cloud over target area.
Other targets consisted of Sugar Refineries and a Cellulose Factory. On the 23rd outstanding results were obtained when 90% of bombs of 11 aircraft fell on the Ponto Longo Sugar Refinery.
Two R.R. Bridges, the Pordenone and Arsie were also targets for the month. Against the Pordenone Bridge delayed action bombs were used. Raid on the Arsie Bridge was abortive due to thick ground haze in Northern Italy. On this raid one aircraft piloted by Lt. Becke developed engine trouble five minutes before the target was reached. Aircraft broke formation, one engine was feathered and a course was set for base closely guarded by two Spitfires of the fighter escort. The coast was crossed just north of the Bombline en route and the sound engine sustained direct hits by 20 mm ack ack. The aircraft was nevertheless brought back as far as Cesenatico where a successful landing was made.
114 Sorties - 292.05 hrs. were completed and a total of 194 tons of Bombs were dropped.
Non-Operational flying totalled 57.20 hrs and were mostly devoted to Practice Bombing and the passing out of 1st Pilots.
S.L. Boshoff Capt. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.The National Archives' reference AIR 27/271/2 A P P E N D I X " Q " 75
No. 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. 28th February, 1945. MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE WAR. -----------------------------------
Twelve operational raids were carried out during February on targets in Northern Italy, chiefly Marshalling Yards. Little resitance was encountered from ack-ack. Enemy fighters interrupted once but caused no damage to this Squadron. Boxes of four and three aircraft were used throughout and Anti-Flak ships were used on two occasions with good results.
Rations continue to be adequate. A welcome ration of butter was enjoyed by all. Unfortunately the supply was limited and the Squadron is again eating the unlimited margarine.
The mobile showers are working to full capacity. These consits of a simple hand pump and a small motor pump pumping the water from a lake into two reservoirs — one for hot, and the other for cold water. The water is heated by a furnace.
Since the weather has changed, soft ball is played regularly in a large meadow in the camp grounds. Matches are arranged against other Squadrons as well as everyday local games. Squash courts have just been opened in Jesi, balls and raekets are provided and the Courts are open 24 hours a day.
Medical supplies are a problem with R.A.F. hospitals so far away and it is a regular occurrence to run out of certain drugs at the end of each month, for sometimes as long as 7 — 10 days. The situat- ion might be relieved entirely now that No. 11 British General Hospital have moved to Jesi and are willing to supply indents. A tremendous amount of time and work has been saved by this move as we admit all our patients to them. Previously it meant a daily trip for an ambul- ance of some 40 — 50 miles and was almost impossible for Medical Officers to keep a check on their cases there.
Two cases of infective hepatitis occurred during the month, one a relapse after being back in the Squadron for 3 days. The other was a fresh case occurring in a man on A.S.T. Both were ground crew.
Three fresh cases of V.D. occurred, all gonorrhoea. Two Cases of syphilis who had pencillin therapy, relapsed with positive kahns a month after returning to the Squadron. They were both readmitted to hospital.
No aircrew problems occurred, and no flying accidents took place.