21 Squadron War Diary
0124 hrs JESI LANDING GROUND, ITALY
The National Archives' reference AIR 27/271/5233SECRET MAY, 1945.WAR DIARYOF21 SQUADRON, SOUTH AFRICANAIR FORCE
MAY. JESI LANDING GROUND, ITALY."Ve" Day was a happy day for the Squadron, and a large crowdassembled to hear the broadcast of Prime Minister Churchill'sspeech. After a short, informal Service of Thanksgiving thecelebrations commenced in real earnest.On the 9th May an open air party in the form of a "braaivleis-aand" took place in the camp grounds and was a great success.The Adjutant, Major G. Wegger, travelled by air to Udine toselect the new Squadron campsite, and later in the month an AdvanceParty left to establish the camp.During the month of May "T" Stores continued to functionsatisfactorily and all urgent demands for equipment were suppliedby 31 A.S.P. without delay.The conversion of two Marauder aircraft to trooping machinescreated a big demand for wood and canvas. The canvas was obtainedafter a short delay ex 31 A.S.P., but the wood had to be obtainedex Army Engineers' Stores. Both aircraft were satisfactorilyconverted.Towards the latter end of May F/Sgt. Rauffe, the senior storesN.C.O. was granted a months Union leave. This N.C.O. had completed42 months service with 21 Squadron, and has at all times had theinterests of "T" Stores and the Squadron before him. No replacementwas posted in his stead consequently the burden of his work had tobe borne by the remaining staff, who, it might be added, have workedextremely well and are a credit to the Store."Q" Stores are well stocked and practically all demands on 31A.S.P. have been satisfied. Boots and socks have been in lightsupply, but recently socks started coming in. Owing to personnelwearing their boots beyond economic repair an abnormally highpercentage have been condemned, and replacements have not beenexchanged at the same rate thus creating a temporary shortage. Inthis connection an order has been published warning personnel thatdisciplinary action will be taken against those who wear their bootsbeyond repair.During the month F/Sgt. Hassall returned to the Union oncompassionate grounds and so far no replacement has been provided,thus reducing the "Q" Stores staff to two.The staff continue to carry out their duties in ~~an exemplary~~manner.The aircraft on strength to this Squadron remained at 16. Allflying was non-operational and amounted to 466 hours. Nine 50 hoursinspections were carried out.The month under review saw the departure of war operationsreplaced by peaceful flying. The conversion of two Marauders for"trooping" proved highly successful. The ground crews were full ofenthusiasm to get the conversions completed, no doubt influenced bythe fact of an early R.T.U.Ground crew morale remains very high and the prospect of theSquadron's move to Udine acted like a tonic after so long a stay atJesi.Very little flying took place during the last few days ofhostilities and aircraft serviceability remained high throughout themonth.The National Archives' reference AIR 27/271/5234<u>Page 2.</u>With the cessation of hostilities work in the Armament Sectionfalls off to maintenance only.Dispersal areas and bomb dumps were cleaned up, and all bombs,save four loads which were ferried to Udine, were returned to 124M.U.Two aircraft were stripped of all armament and converted intotroop carriers.45,000 rounds of .5" ammunition were also ferried by theseaircraft to Udine.The overhaul of maintenance equipment has taken place, and thecondition and quantity of tools is fairly adequate.Owing to the termination of hostilities in Europe and thecessation of operational flying - nothing of importance has takenplace in the Signals Section during the period under review.The month of May was a happy one for the M.T. Section, Peacein Europe bringing a very welcome relief from the hard work of thelast four weeks of war. Vehicles were prepared for the pendingmove to Udine and fifteen 3 Tonners conveyed the "A" Party there,suffering only one burst tyre in the total of 8,000 miles for thereturn trip.Ironically, after using improvised water tank carriers for theSquadron's water requirements for the duration of the European War,we were issued with 3 x 200 gallons Water Tenders during May.Serviceability at the end of May was excellent. Total mileagefor the month was 54,000 with no serious accidents.In spite of the cessation of hostilities the N.M.C. have beenkept fully employed and there has been only a slight reduction intheir labours.Lt. Col. Smith ADNEAS and Capt. Knoetze, DAAG/NEAS visited theSquadron on the 4th May, 1945 and inspected the N.M.C. lines.Rations continue to be well prepared and the meals are of avery high standard.Satisfactory progress is being maintained in the EducationalClasses and the regular attendance of pupils reflects credit on theteacher. The NE-AES lecturer continues to give weekly talks.Several inter-squadron matches have been played and enthusiasmis still high. Details were able to attend four cinema performancesthis month. A radio has been purchased for the N.M.C. Mess.No details were sent on service leave this month.The first half of the month was completely free from breachesof discipline, but in the second half two details were awarded FieldPunishment and several minor breaches of discipline occurred.Capt. P.H. Nicolay (pilot) arrived on a second tour with thisSquadron.Capt. J.N. Isted, Deputy Flight Commander, and Capt. R.P. Jones,Flight Gunnery Leader were posted for R.T.U. as O.T.E.Lieut. Wiggill, "I" Officer, was posted to No. 21 Squadron,S.A.A.F.Owing to the impending move little organised sport took placeduring May with the exception of several inter-section Softballmatches.The capitulation of the German forces in Italy was swiftlyfollowed by the disintegration of the remaining Nazi resistance inGermany. On the evening of the 7th May the prolonged tolling ofChurch bells announced the end of the European War, although noofficial Allied statement had been made. The following afternoonpractically the whole Squadron assembled in the open outside "Ops"to hear the Prime Minister's broadcast speech. As was generallyexpected he announced "Ve" Day and this was the signal for avigorous attack on the Ops bell by the Padre - the Rev. S.R. Skemp.The National Archives' reference AIR 27/271/5235<u>Page 3.</u>Then followed a short, informal Service of Thanksgiving conductedby the Padre. When this was over several members of the Squadroncontinued the attack on the Ops bell, but this was soon renderedU/S owing to the vigour of the onslaught. The celebrations thatfollowed were of a quiet nature as it was realised that we stillhad a War on our hands. The 9th of May was proclaimed a PublicHoliday and it was decided to hold a "braaivleisaand" in ourattractive Camp grounds. This was a great success — sandwiches wereprovided and drinks were "on the House." The huge fire made a finespectacle and this party will long be remembered as one of themost pleasant functions of our Squadron life.On Sunday, 13th May an open-air Church Service was heldconducted by the Padre, the Rev. S.R. Skemp. This was attendedby a large gathering of Squadron personnel, and a photograph ofthe service forms an appendix.Two open air cinema shows were held during the month andan excellent R.A.F. Band paid us a visitA donation was made to the South African Red Cross of£1,050 representing collections made over a period.During May it was announced that the Squadron would bemoving to Udine. The C.O. and the Adjutant selected the site forthe Squadron's new camp and after several postponements the AdvanceParty left for Udine. To most of the Squadron this was a welcomemove as we had been established at San Ubaldo for a long time anda change was needed.<u>OPERATIONAL SECTION.</u>With the final surrender of the German forces in Italy on the2nd May, 1945 the Squadron was left with very few targets withinrange and no operational flying was carried out during the month.From the 1st to the 5th the Squadron was on standby to bombSt. Veit Marshalling Yards but owing to bad weather and the some-what confused conditions in Southern Austria no operations tookplace.On the 10th normal work was resumed and the training of 1stPilots commenced. Cross-country flights incorporating formationflying practice were carried out daily.On the 14th eight aircraft led by Major Dieu, D.F.C. whoalso led No. 3 Wing formation, represented the Squadron in animpressive "Fly Past" at the 6th S.A. Division Victory Parade heldat Monza, north of Milan.A Desert Air Force "Fly Past" was held on the 26th atCampoformido, Udine. A formation of twelve aircraft of the Squadron,led by Lt. Col. D. Ord, D.F.C. participated. Ten Wings wererepresented and an address was given by Lt. Gen. J. Cannon, K.B.E.U.S.A.A.F. Air Commander-in-Chief, M.A.A.F.Bombs were transported from Jesi to Rivolta on the 18th and20th (250 lbs.)On the 27th the Squadron commenced on Air Trooping, conveyingpersonnel from Rivolta to Bari. For this purpose two aircraft"Q" and "S" were converted and fitted to carry ten passengers each.The conversion consists of the removal of gun turrets, guns andammunition and all outside armour plating. This represents asaving of 6,000 lbs. plus bomb-load. In the rear bomb-bay twocanvas seats facing each other have been fitted. These canaccomodate 10 passengers with further seating capacity in the tailThe National Archives' reference AIR 27/271/5236<u>Page 4.</u>section if required.Wooden floors and protective boxing to take luggage havebeen fitted in the main bomb-bay. The gangway has not been blockedand the crew can therefore keep in touch with the passengers.The stripped aircraft are capable of cruising comfortablyat 210 I.A.S. at 8,000' with a load of 3,000 lbs. which will makethem one of the fastest trooping aircraft at present in service.I have read over this diaryand the facts are correct.[handwritten signature] D. OrdLIEUT. DIARIST. LT. COL.COMMANDING. 21 SQUADRON. S.A.A.F.