21 Squadron War Diary
9 Jul 43. 1800 hrs Ben Hagen
War Diary31P O S T A G R A M.To : HQ.RAF.ME.From : SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.Serial No : 21 S/330.Date : 9 Jul 43.OPREP NO 330 for period ending 1800 hrs LT 9 Jul 43.A. TRAPANI-MILO AD.B. 1 Mk III and 1 Mk IIIA BALTIMORES.C. (i) Level Bombing (ii) 10000/10500 ft (iii) 0311/0355 hrs LT.D. (i)(a) 6 x 500 GP 49 Det .025.(b) 2 x 500 GP 39 Det 37 Pistol, 6/12 Rods.(c) 30 x 4 Incendiaries.(d) 2 x Recce Flares 4.5 Cap No 6.(ii) Nil.(iii) 3(a) and 1(b) dropped SE corner target area after droppingflares.3(a) and 1(b) and (c) dropped on ETA, target NOT illuminated,target probably hit as coast seen North of target on turn-on.2 bombs seen to explode and incendiaries to burn. NO resultsobserved.E.F. Nil. G. Unknown.H. (i) 0215 hrs LT (ii) 6 hrs 55 mins.J. Visibility fair to good over target. St.Cumulus and Cumulus 6/10 -1/10 in patches 3000/12500' especially on West coast of Sicily andaround islands.K. NO AA. 1 Searchlight from TRAPANI towards sea, approx 15 Searchlightsbetween TRAPANI and LG and South of LG, 4/5 Searchlights C.S.VITO -last only seemed fairly accurate and caused evasive action.Comm: Nil.TOO 1800 hrs. 9 Jul 43.(Signature: G.W. Thompson) Capt.SIO. 21 SQUADRON SAAF.