https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/ Operations Record Book of 21 Squadron SAAF, 1941-1945. Transcribed from two independent witnesses. en Fri, 31 Jul 2026 04:29:41 GMT https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-09-04/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-09-04/ Thu, 04 Sep 1941 12:00:00 GMT The new camp was rapidly taking shape and another step in the progress of our future home was made with the arrival today of a party of Royal Engineers to carry out construction of additional dug-outs (there were two in existence on arrival of the advance party) and to carry out improvements on stru... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-09-01/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-09-01/ Mon, 01 Sep 1941 12:00:00 GMT The new month saw us take our first step into the theatre of war operations, with which both the flying and ground personnel of this squadron were so eager to make acquaintance. This step had received no official blessing from higher quarters, but it was appreciated that the wheels of officialdom gr... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-08-24/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-08-24/ Sun, 24 Aug 1941 12:00:00 GMT Colonel Wilmott arrived by a Communication Squadron aircraft at 09.00 hours from Heliopolis to visit No. 21 Squadron semi-officially, having just arrived in M.E. to take Command on a new S.A. Wing. He stayed the night and departed the following morning at 10.00 hours.... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-08-17/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-08-17/ Sun, 17 Aug 1941 12:00:00 GMT Major R. HUGHES, from D.H.Q., Pretoria, visited the Squadron and instructed concerning the new Nomenclature Schedule. This was duly prepared in its correct form and signed by Major HUGHES and the Adjutant as agreed to take effect from 18/8/41. It must recorded here that Major Hughes’ visit was very ... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-08-11/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-08-11/ Mon, 11 Aug 1941 12:00:00 GMT The funeral took place at Ismailia. Several Officers and men of the Squadron being in attendance.... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-08-09/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-08-09/ Sat, 09 Aug 1941 12:00:00 GMT Two more Marylands (Nos. 1612 and 1669) arrived from East Africa, piloted by Capt. R.J. STEWART and Lieut. MANTE. Captain R.J. STEWART and Capt. A.L. THACKWRAY were appointed 2nd. in charge A and B Flights respectively (Capt. THACKWRAY had arrived first after the Squadron flew up.) 22.00 L.A.M. BROM... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-08-03/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-08-03/ Sun, 03 Aug 1941 12:00:00 GMT All the Squadron now accommodated in camp. All responsible Officers (Q., T., Signals etc.) immediately began work collecting stores and necessary material etc., from local R.A.F. sources. It must be recorded here that, although practically all the M.T. on establishment had been dispatched ex Union a... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-08-02/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-08-02/ Sat, 02 Aug 1941 12:00:00 GMT Disembarkation of troops. Met on quay by Major PRETORIUS. Transport by road arranged by Movement Control at SHANDUR, approximately 17 miles north of SUEZ, along Suez Canal. Aircraft had been flown up by O.C., and pilots, and these personnel with machines etc., were already accommodated at R.A.F., St... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-08-01/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-08-01/ Fri, 01 Aug 1941 12:00:00 GMT Arrival of main body of Squadron at SUEZ by sea. After waiting all day for opportunity to dis-embark returned to sea to avoid air raids, and stayed out all night.... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-07-18/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-07-18/ Fri, 18 Jul 1941 12:00:00 GMT At A.H.Q., E.A. the following signal was received from the D.G.A.F. and sent on to Major. J. D. PRETORIUS. “From Venter to Pretorius, 21 Squadron. On eve of your departure for Egypt I extend best wishes and good luck to all ranks your Squadron and am fully confident you will maintain tradition of Sp... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-07-16/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-07-16/ Wed, 16 Jul 1941 12:00:00 GMT At A.H.Q., E.A. the following signal was received from the D.G.A.F. and sent on to Major. J. D. Pretorius "From Venter to Pretorius, 21 Squadron. On eve of your departure for Egypt I extend best wishes and good luck to all ranks your Squadron and am fully confident you will maintain tradition of Spr... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-07-15/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-07-15/ Tue, 15 Jul 1941 12:00:00 GMT Squadron arrived by train and embarked on H.M.T. “Yoma” which departed for the Middle East via MOGADISHU, BERBERA and ADEN, arriving SUEZ on 2/8/41. During the voyage the general health was remarkably good considering the discomfort of troop accommodation in the holds etc. The food was below quantit... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-07-13/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-07-13/ Sun, 13 Jul 1941 12:00:00 GMT Instructions received whereby four aircraft and crews to depart immediately in advance of the rest. Nominal rolls for ship and air amended accordingly and aircraft departed 16/7/41 led by Major BRITZ.... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-07-09/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-07-09/ Wed, 09 Jul 1941 12:00:00 GMT Major BRITZ sent to MBEYA to collect a “Maryland" which had been, repaired there after a crash and was now allotted to the squadron.... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-07-08/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-07-08/ Tue, 08 Jul 1941 12:00:00 GMT Adjutant, two officers and 2 N.C.O.'s departed for Mombasa to make arrangements at the ship for accommodation etc. NOTE: It was difficult to obtain accurate records of the Squadron during this period as the Squadron was moving in several [Remarks Column for 8/7/41]: Squadron Movement Order No. 2 Att... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-07-05/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-07-05/ Sat, 05 Jul 1941 12:00:00 GMT Movement Order No. 526 received from Movement Control referring to the departure of the Squadron The departure date, after two amendments, was fixed for July 18. [Remarks Column for 5/7/41]: M.Order attached.... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-07-03/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-07-03/ Thu, 03 Jul 1941 12:00:00 GMT No. to the for July 14.... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-06-30/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-06-30/ Mon, 30 Jun 1941 12:00:00 GMT During this time the aircraft were being equipped for active service. They had been delivered with many guns short, but these were finally obtained and fitted.    An important modification was designed and constructed by Squadron personnel. A rotating turret was constructed giving a full sweep from ... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-06-27/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-06-27/ Fri, 27 Jun 1941 12:00:00 GMT Instructions were received to send six of our pilots almost immediately to Middle East and, the move was carried out (to attend a “Maryland” O.T.U. Course).... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-06-26/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-06-26/ Thu, 26 Jun 1941 12:00:00 GMT O.C. and Adjutant summoned to A.H.Q., E.A. and told of proposed departure of squadron to Middle East in approximately two weeks time. Personnel were to go by sea and aircraft and crews to fly overland. A movement order would be issued in due course by Movement Control. Crews were then chosen - not O... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-06-23/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-06-23/ Mon, 23 Jun 1941 12:00:00 GMT Col. C.F. STALLARD, Minister for Mines visited the station to inspect South African Units there and to address them. A guard of honour of 100 men was formed to welcome him on his arrival by air. After a formal inspection of the squadron which was formed up in front of aircraft and crews, he gave an ... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-06-15/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-06-15/ Sun, 15 Jun 1941 12:00:00 GMT There were now enough men posted to the Squadron to be able to divide them up into flights. Six air mechanics from No. 6 A.D. were loaned on approximately 1st June to service "Maryland" aircraft pending the arrival of Squadron personnel. These men were now returned to 6.A.D. By 10th June, most of th... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-06-13/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-06-13/ Fri, 13 Jun 1941 12:00:00 GMT On Friday 13th June, 2/Lt, FURSTENBURG, flying Aircraft No. 1657 crashed taking off. The accident was investigated and was found by the Court of Inquiry to have been due to the pilot having retracted his undercarriage before being properly airborne with the result that the machine settled down on it... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-06-12/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-06-12/ Thu, 12 Jun 1941 12:00:00 GMT Nos. 15 & 16. Squadrons arrived (by Road convoy and sea) from the Union. Shortage of No. 21 Squadron personnel now amounted to approx. 230 men. One hundred and fifteen men were immediately transferred to No. 21 Squadron from Nos. 15 & 16. This appeared to be the only way of accomplishing the manning... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-06-06/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-06-06/ Fri, 06 Jun 1941 12:00:00 GMT Major S. Curlewis appointed to A.H.Q., E.A., for the purpose of equipping squadrons with personnel. This accelerated matters considerably.... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-05-30/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-05-30/ Fri, 30 May 1941 12:00:00 GMT Two Glen Martin “Marylands” delivered to Nairobi ex Union. These with one already at Nairobi formed the first three aircraft of the Squadron’s equipment.... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-05-27/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-05-27/ Tue, 27 May 1941 12:00:00 GMT O.C., Adjutant and the two Flight Commanders, Capts. M.H. Fowler and J.F. Britz met at A.H.Q., E.A., and proceeded to fill the establishment as far as possible from available personnel. The 42 other ranks who arrived from Abyssinia were thus accommodated. There remained approximately 20 more detail... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-05-26/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-05-26/ Mon, 26 May 1941 12:00:00 GMT Major B.E.F. Russell transferred ex No. 4 Squadron as Adjutant.... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-05-25/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-05-25/ Sun, 25 May 1941 12:00:00 GMT Every man in No.11 Squadron detachment was interviewed by the Adjutant with a view to settling any queries re pay etc. In this connection it must be recorded that there were several complaints from the men which in most cases appeared to be justified. Broadly the complaints were as follows: - Owing ... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-05-21/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-05-21/ Wed, 21 May 1941 12:00:00 GMT Major Pretorius appointed O.C. The nucleus of the Squadron was to consist of approximately ten officers and sixty other ranks of No. 11 Squadron, which had just completed operations in Abyssinia and the personnel of which were already on their return journey to NAIROBI under the command of Capt. M.H... https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-05-08/ https://onoorwinlik.airforce/diary/1941-05-08/ Thu, 08 May 1941 12:00:00 GMT (The following is a precis of the events normally recordable in War Diary, which, owing to the "plastic" state of the Squadron in the early days of its formation and to the lack of clerical personnel during the first weeks, could not be kept daily. This was explained by the Adjutant to Capt. Legge o...