Operation

TO : H.Q. MAAF (attention 23rd SCORU) H.Q. NATAF (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU) SAOA SAAF FROM : SIO 21 SQUADRON SAAF REF : 21S/734 DATE : 27th June, 1944 OPREP No. 734 for the period ending 2100 hrs on the 24th June, 1944 A to V: NIL W: (i) 1 Baltimore Mk V (ii) NIL (i) 3 Marauders Mk III (ii) NIL X: (i) 1.00 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 2.00 Hrs (ii) NIL Y & Z: NIL Hallick Capt. S.I.O., 21 Squadron, SAAF.

1944-06-27

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * The "Lost Weekend" (Base Relocation): * Reporting Lag: There is a significant discrepancy between the Date of Issue (June 27th) and the Operational Period covered (ending June 24th). * The Cause: This three-day administrative gap corresponds exactly with the execution of Movement Order No. 2/44 (see File 56), which ordered "A" Party to move from Biferno to Pescara on the morning of Saturday, June 24th. The squadron was effectively offline while physically moving its headquarters, communications gear, and maintenance equipment 60 miles north. Paperwork was likely backlogged until the new Orderly Room was established at Pescara. * Operational Status: * "Nil" Combat: As expected during a major base move, no combat sorties ("A to V: NIL") were flown. The aircraft were either being ferried to the new airfield or grounded while ground crews packed up. * Heavy Transport Activity (The Marauders): * Increased Presence: The number of visiting "Marauders Mk III" increased from two (in previous reports) to three, flying for "2.00 Hrs.". * Role in the Move: While 21 Squadron did not operate Marauders, these larger medium bombers (likely from SAAF 12 or 24 Squadrons) were often used as ad-hoc heavy transports during base moves. Their larger fuselages could carry key personnel, heavy equipment, or urgent supplies that couldn't fit in the squadron's trucks or Baltimores, facilitating a faster setup at the new Pescara base. * Abbreviations: * MAAF: Mediterranean Allied Air Forces. * NATAF: Northwest African Tactical Air Force. * SCORU: Statistical Control and Operations Research Unit. * SAOA: Senior Air Officer Administration. * S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * OPREP: Operational Report. 59 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 27th June, 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 735) labeled 348 in the top right corner.