21 Squadron War Diary
0100 hrs Cairo, Egypt
The National Archives' reference AIR 27/271/7254SECRET. JULY, 1945.WAR DIARYOF21 SQUADRON, SOUTH AFRICANAIR FORCE * JULY. RIVOLTO LANDING GROUND, ITALY.The highlight of the month was the visit of Field MarshalSmuts to Rivolta Aerodrome on 11th July, 1945, where he addresseda large gathering of South African personnel.The returning to 17 A.D. of surplus equipment continuedthroughout the month., as arranged with Section Heads, in order toobviate chaos prior to the move to North Africa.Three aircraft struck off strength to 3 Wing, R.S.U. formajor inspections and one received in return. The South AfricanEngineers were approached regarding a small supply of 3" x 3" timberin order to crate gun turrets removed from aircraft on troopingservice. This request was immediately attended to and the supplythereof effected without delay.A brief visit was paid to the Squadron by the S.E.S.O.,Bari, prior to R.T.U. posting.Five 50 hours inspections and one receipt inspection werecarried out during July. 268.55 hours trooping were flown — making339.05 hours total flying.Slight increase of activity during the month of July tookplace in the Armament Section, owing to the number of 50 hoursinspections, receipt inspections, and the construction of heavytimber cases for four mid-upper turrets.For some two months these turrets have been carefullycanvassed, awaiting the arrival of official turret cases. As theseare not forthcoming, timber has been utilized in making substantialframes in which these turrets may be transported in safety.Owing to lack of consistent work, a number of the ArmamentStaff have volunteered to aid various other sections who are shortstaffed due to postings.The willingness of the Armament Staff to apply themselvesto these other occupations for the sake of the squadron givessufficient evidence that their morale is of the highest degree.During the first week of July two wireless operatormechanics arrived replacing two "A" and "B" groups Mechanics, whohad left the previous month. In the second week a further twowireless mechanics arrived replacing two tour expired men, thusmaintaining the Signals Section up to strength in personnel.On the 13th July, 1945 five R.A.F. Sergeant W/Op — A/Gswrote examinations for up-grading from Grade 11 to Grade 1 and theBoard consisted of the Signals Officer as President with two leadingW/Op — A/G's as Members. They all qualified with an averageassessment.S.A.A.F. W. T/A.G's were given instruction on manipulationof the wireless equipment in use, especially the new arrivals, someof whom had not previously worked with the equipment. Wirelessprocedure and air operating was kept at a fairly good standard, inspite of adverse weather conditions often resulting in delays —especially during thunderstorms when static interference made italmost impossible for good reception.The equipment was maintained at a high standard of service-ability, no failures were reported during the month, and when spareswere needed they were always easily obtained.The National Archives' reference AIR 27/271/7Page 2. 255 The Squadron's total mileage for July was 72,064 - a
considerable drop from that of June and once again we are able toreport only one accident. We were unfortunate in having two vehiclesstolen - one three tonner and one 15 cwt. The three tonner has sincebeen recovered.Serviceability of vehicles has been up to standard but withfive Squadron trucks employed daily on aerodrome maintenance it hasbeen difficult to muster enough M.T. Drivers for all our internalrequirements. The morale of the N.M.C. attached to this Squadron remains
satisfactory, and they continue to render useful service.The high standard of preparation of the rations has beenmaintained.A set of football jerseys and boots has been obtained andthis has increased their enthusiasm. Inter-Squadron matches are stillbeing played. The bi-weekly camp cinema shows are usually wellattended by the N.M.C. The weekly information talks create a greatdeal of discussion and are appreciated.An N.E. Leave Centre is now in operation and 25 details havebeen sent on 7 days leave this month.Camp discipline is satisfactory. A nightly piquet has beeninaugurated and is functioning well.No GSC/NEAS N.C.O. replacement has been received. Considerable personnel movements took place in July.
Fourteen members of the Squadron were posted when "C" group wascalled for repatriation. It was found necessary to retain fourFitters, in order that essential trooping and other flying could becarried on, as replacements had not arrived for the "A" and "B"groups posted last month. It is hoped that replacements will soonbe forthcoming for these four men so that they will not be undulydelayed. The H.S.M., W.O.1. L.I. Dreyer, was posted with "A" group.All the R.A.F. Gunners with the Squadron were posted during July.We were sorry to see them go as they had been with us a long time andwere very popular with all ranks. The entire Medical Section hasbeen posted and all medical matters are now conducted through 3 Wing,S.A.A.F. July found this Squadron fairly well settled down and we
were able to concentrate a good deal on sport in general. We werehandicapped from time to time owing to some of our "star" playersproceeding on leave, or due to minor injuries sustained by some ofour regular players, but, all things considered, we coped quite well.The atmosphere which prevailed during all our games was oneof absolute friendliness and the hospitality extended by our opponentsusually left little to be desired.Here follows, briefly, a list of the inter-unit fixtures,and does not include the various domestic, inter-section matches whichwe play from time to time :-Saturday 1st : Cricket - 21 Sqdn. vs. 15 Sqdn. 21 were all out for79 but the match was abandoned due to heavy rain.Tuesday 3rd : Rugby - 21 Sqdn. vs. 12 Sqdn. Result : Draw 0 - 0Friday 6th : Rugby - 21 "B" vs. 24 "B" Result : Lost 0 - 11Monday 9th : Rugby - 21 Sqdn. vs. 15 Sqdn. Result : Won 11- 3Tuesday 10th : Cricket - 21 Sqdn. vs. 215 British Heavy A.A.A.A. were all out for 38. 21 all out for 128.Wednesday 11th: Cricket - 21 Sqdn. vs. 3 Sqdn. Abandoned due torain.Saturday 14th : Cricket - 21 Sqdn. vs. 215 British Heavy A.A. BritishA.A. won on first innings.The National Archives' reference AIR 27/271/7Page 3. 256Monday 16th : Rugby - 21 "B" vs. 15 Sqdn "B". 21 won 18 - 5.Wednesday 18th ; Rugby - 21 Sqdn. vs. 3 Sqdn. SAAF. 21 won 26 - 3.Friday 20th : Rugby - 21 Sqdn. vs. 15 Sqdn. " 21 won 3 - 0.Saturday 21st : Soccer - 21 Sqdn. vs. 215 British H.A.A. Britishwon 8 - 0.Monday 23rd : Rugby - 21 "A" vs. 12 Sqdn. "A" 21 "A" drew 3 - 3." 21 "B" vs. 12 Sqdn. "B" 21 "B" won 6 - 0.Friday 27th : Rugby - 21 Sqdn. vs. 3 Sqdn. 21 Lost 6 - 12.Sunday 29th : Soft Ball. 21 Sqdn. vs. 40 Sqdn. at Klagenfurt.Result 21 Sqdn. won 5 - 1.Monday 30th : Soft Ball. 21 Sqdn. vs. 24 Sqdn. 21 won 12 - 9. The Squadron had a Red Letter Day on 11th July when Field
Marshal Smuts addressed local S.A.A.F. Units and Non-Div. personnelat Rivolto Aerodrome. In a forceful address Field Marshal Smuts laidstress on the excellent performance of the S.A.A.F. which did awonderful job without getting the publicity which attended the activ-ities of the 6th S.A. Division. Three hearty cheers concluded hisaddress, followed by a spontaneous "Three Cheers" for Ouma. The weather deteriorated in July and several heavy rain
and thunderstorms were experienced. However, the ground driesrapidly in this district leaving little or no mud. Owing to several cases of Weils disease being reported in
this area washing and bathing in the canals is now prohibited.However, the Hygiene Section soon erected excellent showers and theloss of the canals for washing is not felt. Full advantage has been taken of the excellent leave
facilities for this Wing that exist at Riva on Lake Garda. Libertyruns on Sundays are as popular as ever, and several trips a week aremade to Pordenone to attend the lively dances that are held in thistown.OPERATIONAL SECTION. The Squadron has settled down at its new home at Rivolto
and training and trooping have continued without interruption duringthe month. Favourable flying weather was experienced and no aircraft
were held up or diverted due to weather. All trooping commitments were carried out and personnel
were flown to Bari, Naples and Foggia. Approximately 1,000 personnelwere transported during the month. Training included Cross-Country formation flying - the
routes being : Base - Venice - Begamo - Base; Base - Padua - Verona -Base; Base - Milan - Base. One Squadron Aircraft was detailed to carry personnel and
stores for the fighter escort which was to have accompanied the FieldMarshal to Cairo, but owing to a non-stop flight from Foggia to Cairothe aircraft was not required to continue from Foggia and returned toBase. During the month aircraft "B" (Bliksem) No. 561 completedThe National Archives' reference AIR 27/271/7256 A<u>Page 4.</u>450 flying hours but authority was received from the R.S.E. grantinga further 50 hours extension, making a total extension of 100 hours. The following three aircraft were returned to M.U. Naples
on completion of 400 hours flying : R. 471 - YY 537 - D. 454. Onereplacement, aircraft No. 696, was received, making the presentMarauder strength 16 aircraft. A statistical record of the months flying is shown here-
under :- Trooping flights - 60. Trooping hours - 273.10 hours. Other flying - 72.30 hours. Auster - 11.20 hours. Total hours for month - 345.40.
I have read over this Diary and the facts are correct.
[handwritten signature] D. Ord LT. COL. COMMANDING, NO. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.The National Archives' reference AIR 27/271/721 SQUADRON. 257AIRCREW. When hostilities in Europe ceased on 8th May, 1945 there
were 12 Aircrews on the Squadron with over 100 operational sortiesin Bomber aircraft to their credit, of the 12, 10 of them carriedout all their raids on 21 Squadron.A photograph of the aircrew including groundcrew of aircraft"B" which also has over 100 operational sorties to its credit ispublished herewith:—[Photograph: A group of ten uniformed personnel standing and squatting in front of the nose of Martin Marauder III "B" for "Bliksem", which displays extensive mission tallies.][Inset Photograph: A single head-and-shoulders portrait of an airman.] The names together with number of raids appearing in the
above photograph and reading left to right are:—Standing) Lt. M.J. Gildenhuys (105) Lt. P.J. Naude (111) Maj. G.N.Dieu D.F.C. (112) Lt/Col. D. Ord D.F.C. (104) Maj. W.J.O. Musgrove(110)Lt. D.B. Jordaan (108).Squatting) Capt. B. Forster (122) Lt. J.C. Smit D.F.M. (108) Capt.W.H. Hodges D.F.C.(102) Lt. J.G.E. Bedford (113) W/O. B. Peckitt (117).Sitting) Ground crew of aircraft 'B'. INSET LT THAHKLE (105)The ten aircrews referred to in para. 1 carried out theirraids on Baltimore and subsequently Marauder aircraft. Operationsincluded close support for the 8th Army, which entailed the bombingof Bridges, Railway Marshalling Yards, Factories, Ammo. Dumps, Harbourinstallations, Troop Concentrations etc.[handwritten signature]Lt.S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.July 1945.