21 Squadron War Diary
1800 hrs Ben Hagen
War Diary70To : S.O.O. Officer AHQ. MALTA.Please repeat to : HQ. NAAF (attention 23rd SCORU)N.A.T.A.F. (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU)HQ. RAF. ME.SIO. TBF.From : SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.Ref : 21S/348.OPREP NO. 348 for 24 hrs ending 1800 hrs LT on 23 JULY 43.A. The formation took off at 1605 hrs LT, picked up escort of 12 Spitfires from SICILY and attacked RANDAZZO VILLAGE from 12700 ft on course 045° at 1733 hrs LT. Landed at base at 1904 hrs LT.The bombs fell across the Railway station, buildings, railroad and main road SE of village. NO results observed. Fairly accurate but slight HAA from PATERNO Village after bombing. Weather good, but visibility hazy.B. 12 Baltimores (8 Mk IIIA and 4 Mk III)C. NIL.D. 33 hours.E. (1) (8 Mk IIIA) 25600 x .30, 5600 x .50, 2400 x .303.(4 Mk III) 12800 x .30, 9200 x .303.(ii) (iii) NIL.F. (1) (8 Mk IIIA) 48 x 250 GP/Dets, 49 Tail fused.(4 Mk III) 24 x 250 GP/Dets, 49 Tail fused.(ii) (iii) NIL.G. H. J. V. W. X. Y. Z. NIL.(Signature: J. S. Bester) Capt.SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.