Sunday, 18 July 1943 — War Diary

21 Squadron War Diary

2100 hrs Ben Hagen

R.A.F. Form 441 A.War Diary 62SORTIE REPORT(Part A.)Sheet No. 1Oprep. Ref. No. 343Date. 17/18 Jul 43Squadron. 21 SAAFType of Aircraft. 1 Mk III, 1 Mk IIIA BALTIMORES.Aircraft No. )Aircraft Letter. ) See overCaptain Major CORMACK,Lt. LOMBAARD & Crew.Crew.Other aircraft followed same courseTime Up. 2100 hrs LTTime Down. 0002 hrs LTTotal Time. 5 hrs 45 minsAerodrome or L.G. Ben HagenType of Cloud. ---Amount of Cloud. ---Base of Cloud. ---Visibility. GoodGeneral Weather. Slight hazeMap or Chart Reference.SICILIA1:500,000NE 36/12Task or Duty. Offensive recce by bombing on roads leading from WEST to TROINA (G5310)| Time | Height | Place | Narrative ||---|---|---|---|| 2100 | | Ben Hagen | Airborne || 2106 | 2300 | Ras el Fortass | Set course RAS EL MOSTEFA || 2116 | 4800 | Ras el Mostefa | Set course CAPE BIANCO || 2155 | 8500 | Cape Bianco | Set course TARGET || 2246 | 8000 | Cape Bianco | Set course KELIBIA || 2323 | 4000 | Kelibia | Followed coast to NEBUEL || 2330 | 3500 | Nebuel | Set course BASE || 2340 | 3000 | Ben Hagen | || 2345 | | | Landed || | | | || 0002 | | | Last aircraft landed. |(Signature: G.W. Thompson) Lt. for Capt.SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.

Transcriber's Notes

R.A.F: Royal Air Force.
S.A.A.F: South African Air Force.
L.T: Local Time.
Time Up: 13:48 A (Local).
Total Time: 22.00 hours represents the aggregate flight time for all 12 aircraft (approx. 1 hour 50 mins each).
L.G: Landing Ground.
Ben Hagen: The location of the Rear Party (Soliman, Tunisia).
N.E: North East.

Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded:

Mission Profile and Timing:

Observations about Individuals:

Location and Historical Context: