Operation

P O S T A G R A M. 56 To : HQ. RAF. ME. HQ. NAAF (attention 23rd SCORU). N.A.T.A.F. (attention 2nd Command Unit 23rd SCORU). SIO. TBF. From : SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF. Ref : 21 Sqdn/341. OPREP NO. 341 for 24hrs ending 1800 hrs LT on 16 JUL 43. OPERATION NO. - REF MAP SICILIA 1:500,000 NE 36/12. A. 8 Baltimores, first aircraft airborne at 2100 hrs LT (rest at 10 minute intervals) searched, bombed, dropped incendiaries, flares and pamphlets at various points on the main roads, from 2250 hrs to 2346 hrs, from 2/6000'. Last aircraft landed at base at 0125 hrs. In the area GANGI, ENNA, VILLAROSA, a fair number of MT were seen and attacked. Between CATERINA and KIRSI and in wadi running SW numerous MT were seen. Near misses scored and the area straffed. Some MT were seen NORTH of RIBERA and straffed. NO results observed. NO enemy fire encountered. Weather good but visibility poor in haze. B. 4 Mk IIIA and 4 Mk III Baltimores. C. (1)(ii) NIL. D. 21 hrs 10 mins. E. (i) Mk IIIA: 12800 x .30; 1200 x .303; 2800 x .5; Mk III: 12800 x .30, 9200 x .303. (ii) Mk IIIA: 800 x .5, 500 x .30; Mk III NIL. (iii) Mk III: 3200 x .30; 2300 x .303. F. (i) Mk IIIA. Mk III. 24 x 250 GP 43 Det Rods. 24 x 250 GP 43 Det. Rods. 7 x 4.5 Recce Flares No. 4. 8 x 4.5 Recce Flares No. 4. 120 x 4lb Incendiaries. 120 x 4lb Incendiaries. (ii) Mk IIIA Mk III 24 x 250 GP 43 Det Rods. 16 x 250 GP 43 Det Rods. 5 x 4.5 Recce Flares No. 4. 6 x 4.5 Recce Flares No. 4. 120 x 4lb Incendiaries. 30 x 4lb Incendiaries. (iii) NIL. NIL. (iv) NIL. 6 x 250 GP 43 Det. Rods. 2 x 4.5 Recce Flares No. 4. 30 x 4lb Incendiaries. G. (i) NIL; (ii) Mk III. AG 930 K (iii) NIL. H. MISSING: Lt. E. P. Hamilton, Pilot, Lt. S. B. Whittle, Observer, 2/Lt. O. P. Hodgkinson, WOP/AG, F/Sgt. D. Phelan, A/G. J. (i)(ii)(iii) NIL. V. (i)(ii) NIL. W. (i) 1 Mk IIIA; 3 Mk III 1: (ii) NIL. X. (i) Mk IIIA: 2.45 hrs; Mk III 50 mins; (ii) NIL. Y. Z. NIL. (Signature: J. S. Bester) Capt. SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.

1943-07-16

__o_O_o__

Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES * Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded: * HQ. RAF. ME.: Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East. * NAAF: Northwest African Air Forces. * SCORU: Section Control and Operational Research Unit. * N.A.T.A.F.: Northwest African Tactical Air Force. * SIO: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * TBF: Tactical Bomber Force. * SAAF: South African Air Force. * OPREP: Operational Report. * LT: Local Time. * MT: Motor Transport. * Mk: Mark (referring to the aircraft version). * GP: General Purpose (bombs). * Det. Rods: Detonator Rods (likely the 6-inch standoff rods used to trigger surface-level blasts). * Recce: Reconnaissance (flares). * WOP/AG: Wireless Operator / Air Gunner. * A/G: Air Gunner. * Individuals Mentioned & Operational Casualties: * Lt. E.P. Hamilton and Crew: The report lists aircraft AG 930 K as missing along with its entire crew: Lt. Hamilton (Pilot), Lt. Whittle (Observer), 2/Lt. Hodgkinson (WOP/AG), and F/Sgt. Phelan (A/G). This loss is particularly poignant as the narrative notes that "NO enemy fire [was] encountered," suggesting the possibility of a technical failure, navigational error in poor visibility, or a collision during the night operation. * Captain J.S. Bester: The SIO who certified this somber report. Bester was responsible for documenting the results of every 21 Squadron sortie throughout the Sicilian campaign. * Location and Historical Context: * Target Areas: The mission involved "offensive reconnaissance" across central and southern Sicily, specifically targeting the road networks around Gangi, Enna, Villarosa, Santa Caterina Villarmosa, and Ribera. * Modern Names: These towns remain known by their historic names today. Enna, located in the center of the island, was a vital high-ground fortress and logistical hub for Axis forces attempting to block the Allied advance north. * Operation HUSKY Context: Flown on the night of July 15/16, 1943 (D+5/6), this mission supported the Allied push into the "Yellow Line" and toward the "Blue Line". By attacking motor transport and strafing wadis where Axis troops were sheltering, the SAAF aimed to deny the enemy the ability to reorganize for counter-attacks under the cover of darkness. * Visibility Issues: The report specifically mentions "poor visibility in haze," which likely contributed to both the difficulty in identifying strike results and the loss of Hamilton's aircraft. * Ordnance and Tactical Notes: * Mixed Loadout: The eight Baltimores (4 Mk III and 4 Mk IIIA) carried a combined load of high explosives (48 x 250 lb bombs), 240 incendiaries, and 15 recce flares. * Ammunition Expenditure: The massive expenditure of machine gun ammunition (nearly 40,000 rounds across all calibers) reflects the intensity of the strafing runs performed when "numerous MT were seen". 80 The date written in the 'Date' column of the sortie report for target file 276-1_80.jpg is 15/16 JUL 43.