21 Squadron War Diary
Ben Hagen
R.A.F. Form 441 A.War Diary 57NIGHT OPERATION.SORTIE REPORT(Part A.)Sheet No. 1Oprep. Ref. No. 341Date. 15/16 JUL 43Squadron. 21 SAAFType of Aircraft. 8 BALTIMORES (4 Mk IIIA, 4 Mk III).Aircraft No. )Aircraft Letter. ) As per list.Captain Major JANDRELL.Lieut. CHRISTIE.Crew. .Rest of aircraft followed similar course at 10 min intervals.Time Up. 2100 LT (1st aircraft)Time Down. 0125 LT (last aircraft)Total Time. 21 hrs 10 min.Aerodrome or L.G. BEN HAGEN LG.Type of Cloud. S/Cu.Amount of Cloud. 9/10 over PantelleriaBase of Cloud. Tops 1500’Visibility. Hazy over entire route and target.General Weather. Good.Map or Chart Reference.SICILY1:500,000.NE 36/12.Task or Duty. Roads, M.T., in area B8228- STEPHANO – NICOSIA – LEONFORTE – CALTANISSETTA.| Time | Height | Place | Narrative ||---|---|---|---|| 2100 | | Ben Hagen | Airborne. || 2107 | 2100 | Ras el Fortass. | Set course KELIBIA. || 2117 | 4600 | Kelibia | Set course C. BIANCO. || 2152 | 6300 | C. Bianco | Set course TARGET. || 2250 | 4400 | Target | Bombed. || 2355 | 4000 | | Dropped incendiaries. || 2308 | | | Set course C. BIANCO. || 2310 | 5000 | C. Bianco | Set course KELIBIA. || 2346 | 2100 | Kelibia | Set course NABEUL. || 2355 | 3000 | Nabeul | Set course BEN HAGEN. || 0002 | 4400 | Ben Hagen | Over base. || 0015 | | | Landed. || | | | || 0125 | | | Last aircraft landed. |(Signature: J. S. Bester) Capt.SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.