Sortie Report (Form 541)
P O S T A G R A M "J" -----------------
To : H.Q. R.A.F. M.E.From : S.I.O. 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.Serial No. : 21 Sqdn/219Date : 8 MAR 43. OPREP No. 219 for period ending 1800 hrs. 8 MAR 43. ----------------------------------------------------
A to K NIL.COMM. : 24 hrs. 30 mins. (Squadron move SERTAN to EL ASSA) T.O.O. 1800 hrs.
(Handwritten Signature: [Illegible]) for Capt. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- H.Q. R.A.F. M.E
- Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East.
- OPREP No. 219
- Operational Report Number 219, the standardized daily report format used to transmit a squadron's mission results and flight activity to higher command.
- COMM
- 24 hrs. 30 mins. (Squadron move SERTAN to EL ASSA): Communication flight. In this specific entry, it refers to the massive logistical effort of relocating the squadron's aircraft and aircrews. The 24 hours and 30 minutes of flight time represents the cumulative total for all squadron aircraft ferried during the relocation.
[AUTO-CLASSIFIED — VERIFY CATEGORY]
S.I.O. 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.: Senior Intelligence Officer of No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force. This staff officer was responsible for synthesizing tactical data and preparing daily operational summaries for the unit, which was primarily operating American-built Martin Baltimore light bombers at this stage of the campaign.