Sortie Report (Form 541)
- Date
- 26th August, 43
TO : SAOA SAAF HQ RAF ME (Attention S.O. Intelligence)FROM : S.I.O. 21 Squadron, SAAFREF : 21S/OPREP 324/Supp.DATE : 26th August, 43.Report on Interrogation of Lts. J.H.M. Pickerill, E.F. Herring and T. Sachs on 30 July, 43.1. AIRCRAFT AND CREWS SHOT DOWN 1051B 3 Jul. 43 OVER TRAPANI MILO A/D.Baltimore AG 142P : Maj. L.J. Schravesande, Lt. D.B. Campbell, F/Sgts V.V.C. Meyer and K.J. Stopforth.FA 345E : Capt G.L. McBride, Lt. J.H.M. Pickerill, F/Sgts W.O. Daniels and A.M. White.AH 977L : Lts. J.F.O. Meredith, E.F. Herring, F/Sgts S.C. Smith and M.C. Prout.AH 877J : Lts. A.S. Oakes, T. Sachs, Sgts. C. Clelland and J.E. Morrison.2. NARRATIVES OF RAID AND RESCUE.(A) Lt. Pickerill.On approach to target saw A/A on right of target in front and below a/c. Felt 2 bursts near and then felt a/c hit. Was jammed by gravity as a/c rolled and seemed a long time before did anything. Did not remember much about leaving a/c except that grid had to be opened. Must have been partially unconscious. Realized was in air and had to pull cord. Just as soon as the pull of the parachute felt, seemed to hit the ground facing West. Saw no one else from a/c. Heard 88mm. A/A behind. Felt heat and saw a/c burning 30 yards away. Had sides to escape in ground. Saw ditch with concrete slab 40 yards to North from which 40/50 Italians came. Was suddenly seen and picked up. One Italian soldier threatened to shoot but another knocked him away. Took off helmet which was full of blood, and walked about half a mile to Police Station. Was searched and given medical attention. Not hit by bullets or flak. Taken to town and hospital.(B) Lt. Herring.Saw "F" losing height in flames and "E" go down. As coast was crossed after raid saw cone of tracer fire from behind and underneath in series of small stars ahead of a/c and thought it was from fighter. Heard sound as a/c hit and when personally hit by small shrapnel. Pilot gave baling order. A/C straight and level. Very little trouble in baling though slightly held by helmet. Remembered nothing until parachute opened. Saw tail sticking up in water and a pilot parachute, not own, between star-board wing and tail. Saw no one else. Dinghy opened eventually. Had half inflated Mae West in air. Half hour in water, when picked up by engined fishing boat towing a rowing boat and taken to TRAPANI. While on boat circled but not stopped by M.T.B. with torpedo on side. Taken to emergency dressing station. Interrogated by Italian Naval Officer. Returned to docks and then by lorry to hospital at Trapani Milo. Forms given; Name, Number, Rank and accepting money and watch at hospital.Details for Vatican.(C) Lt. Sachs.Saw "E" go down - half starboard wing shot away. After bombing saw close bursts - heard fighter on tail. Received long bursts. Received order to prepare to bale. After another burst baled. Pushed to get out as water bottle and pistol jammed. Intense heat in cockpit. A/C on fire and saw circle of fire on water as hit sea. NO one else seen. 2 mins to go saw (5 mins to go)concrete slab 40 yards to North from which 40/50 Italians came. Wassuddenly seen and picked up. One Italian soldier threatened to shoot butanother knocked him away. Took off helmet which was full of blood, andwalked about half a mile to Police Station. Was searched and givenmedical attention. Not hit by bullets or flak. Taken to town and hospital.(B) Lt. Herring.Saw "F" losing height in flames and "E" go down. As coast was crossedafter raid saw cone of tracer fire from behind and underneath in seriesof small stars ahead of a/c and thought it was from fighter. Heard soundas a/c hit and when personally hit by small shrapnel. Pilot gave balingorder. A/C straight and level. Very little trouble in baling thoughslightly held by helmet. Remembered nothing until parachute opened.Kicked feet to face around. Had some black-outs. Landed in sea and a/ctail sticking up in water and a pilot parachute, not own, between star-board wing and tail. Saw no one else. Dinghy opened eventually. Had halfinflated Mae West in air. Half hour in water, when picked up by enginedfishing boat towing a rowing boat and taken to TRAPANI. While on boatcircled but not stopped by M.T.B. with torpedo on side. Taken to emergencydressing station. Interrogated by Italian Naval Officer. Returned to docksand then by lorry to hospital at Trapani Milo. Forms given; Name, Number,Rank and accepting money and watch at hospital.Details for Vatican.(C) Lt. Sachs.Saw "E" go down - half starboard wing shot away. After bombing saw closebursts - heard fighter on tail. Received long bursts. Received order toprepare to bale. After another burst baled. Pushed to get out as waterbottle and pistol jammed. Intense heat in cockpit. A/C on fire and sawcircle of fire on water as hit sea. NO one else seen. 2 mins to go down(5 mins to hour as parachute opened and watch stopped 2 mins later)Dropped approx. 3000 ft. Mae West inflated in air. Handles of dinghystarted tearing away - non swimmer - struggled into dinghy tipped overonce and climbed back again. Baled dinghy with boots. No paddles andtried paddling with hands. Then just waited. After 3/4 hour M.T.B. camethrew rope and dragged aboard. Cuts on leg and near ankle thought to havebeen caused in baling. Burns on leg. Taken to Levanzo Is. Naval Infirmary,wounds dressed, then to TRAPANI MILO hospital. Gave there Name, Number,Rank, watch and money. Aids to escape hidden on person except map whichwas taken.ENEMY INTERROGATION."A" ITALIAN. Initial details taken at Trapani Milo hospital. Personalsearch NOT in great detail. On 4 July 43 all three interrogated byItalian Officer. Also interrogated for first time, Capt. Donald EAnderson, P38 pilot, 48 Squadron, 14 Group, U.S.A.A.F. although shotdown on 15 Jan. 43. Interrogation consisted of Name, No. Rank andquestions of the American was fighting it outto whether it was only because Italy was an ally of Germany and Japan."B" GERMAN. 2 Officers, one English speaking having one silver strip and theother with two silver strips prompting. Air raid alarm went in middle ofinterrogation. Capt. Anderson, U.S.A.A.F. and Lt. Pickerill interrogatedtogether. Did NOT force questions. Interrogated as to base, as to home inTransvaal, whether glad to be out of Africa, and what a/c and type, but noinformation given, and seemed keen to know whether picked up by Italians orGermans, and what injuries were sustained. Only incident in interrogationwas during that of Lts. Herring and Sachs when the latter's name was given.In an surly tone he was asked, "That's a Russian name, eh?" The German officerthen offered him a cigarette in Russian which he refused in Russian - beingthe only question and answer in that language Lt. Sachs knows.
MAJOR SCHRAVESANDE
"A" All three officers saw "P" hit. Lt Herring saw it in flames losing about 500 ft in height and turning catherine wheels. "B" While in hospital Lts. Herring and Sachs saw a R.C. Priest with a book in which Major Schravesande's name was written. He asked the correct spelling and wished to know if his religion described as D.R.C. was Roman Catholic. This Priest would have seen Major Schravesande only in the hospital. He advised Lt. Herring that Major Schravesande was dead and that he was buried in the Trapani Town cemetery. Lt. Herring also saw a cross against his name in the book the Priest had. "C" Capt. Donald E Anderson, mentioned above saw from the Trapani Milo hospital 2 a/c shot down and 2 parachutes open from the former a/c but heard some Italians say that other parachutes had opened. "D" Italian Orderlies keen to pass information told Lt Herring that someone's parachute had burnt and the person was dead, and that another person had land- -ed unhurt and was taken straight to P.O.W. camp (in Italy). One orderly indicated that the person brought into hospital (thought to be Major Schravesande) was hurt in shoulder and thigh. It is pointed out that this secondary evidence was communicated in broken Italian. LT D.A. WILKINSON. This officer died in hospital according to the hospital authorities and his clothing handed to Lt. Herring.
TREATMENT AT HOSPITAL
General treatment was very kind. Qualified nurses were Nuns, otherwise Italian orderlies. Guard in passage outside. (B) FOOD. Fairly scarce. Condensed milk. When this refused one day Lt. Sachs was asked if he would like lemonade. Lt. Herring could not drink his soup and was given milk. Fats provided by olive oil - NO animal fats. When there was "no bombing" "Fiesta" was held and ice-cream was given.MORALE
(A) GENERAL. Orderlies very friendly and gave all information possible sometimes "duff gen" but believed by orderlies. B.B.C. news given at first sub rosa. Italian Carbeneri discussed his position when he became P.O.W. very worried as he did not wish to go to Italy. Most had homes on Sicily and had little opportunities of visiting their families. Considered ROME unsympathetic to bombing and wished Rome bombed. Very pleased when this took place. R.C. Sisters advised that Americans would be "here in 5 days". Mussolini hated but Italian King liked. After some drinks tramped on photo of Mussolini. Tyrolean Austrian in V.D. ward very dissatisfied. A milk farmer. "IF NOT fascist, no job!" Into civilian clothes as soon as Americans arrived. Most people seemed "bomb happy". Very afraid of Australians arriving. (B) ITALIAN/GERMAN. Very bitter against Germans, reports of fights between Germans and Italians in the towns and even rumours of same in front lines. Germans aped continually in derision. Germans stated to be "Grabbing". Reports of 40.000 troops, panzer and Herman Goering Posted to be ...This Priest would have seen Major Schravesande only in the hospital. Headvised Lt. Herring that Major Schravesande was dead and that he was buriedin the Trapani Town cemetery. Lt. Herring also saw a cross against his name in thebook the Priest had."C" Capt. Donald E Anderson, mentioned above saw from the Trapani Milohospital 2 a/c shot down and 2 parachutes open from the former a/c but heardsome Italians say that other parachutes had opened."D" Italian Orderlies keen to pass information told Lt Herring that someone'sparachute had burnt and the person was dead, and that another person had land--ed unhurt and was taken straight to P.O.W. camp (in Italy). One orderlyindicated that the person brought into hospital (thought to be MajorSchravesande) was hurt in shoulder and thigh.It is pointed out that this secondary evidence was communicated in brokenItalian.5. LT D.A. WILKINSON.This officer died in hospital according to the hospital authorities and hisclothing handed to Lt. Herring.6. TREATMENT AT HOSPITAL.General treatment was very kind. Qualified nurses were Nuns, otherwise Italianorderlies. Guard in passage outside.(B) FOOD. Fairly scarce. Condensed milk. When this refused one day Lt. Sachswas asked if he would like lemonade. Lt. Herring could not drink his soup andwas given milk. Fats provided by olive oil - NO animal fats. When there was"no bombing" "Fiesta" was held and ice-cream was given.7. MORALE.(A) GENERAL. Orderlies very friendly and gave all information possiblesometimes "duff gen" but believed by orderlies. B.B.C. news given at firstsub rosa. Italian Carbeneri discussed his position when he became P.O.W.very worried as he did not wish to go to Italy. Most had homes on Sicilyand had little opportunities of visiting their families. Considered ROMEunsympathetic to bombing and wished Rome bombed. Very pleased when this tookplace. R.C. Sisters advised that Americans would be "here in 5 days"Mussolini hated but Italian King liked. After some drinks tramped on photoof Mussolini. Tyrolean Austrian in V.D. ward very dissatisfied. A milkfarmer. "IF NOT fascist, no job!" Into civilian clothes as soon as Americansarrived. Most people seemed "bomb happy". Very afraid of Australiansarriving.(B) ITALIAN/GERMAN.Very bitter against Germans, reports of fights between Germans and Italiansin the towns and even rumours of same in front lines. Germans apedcontinually in derision. Germans stated to be "Grabbing". Reports of 40,000troops, panzer and Herman Goering Regt.(C) POPULACE.Americans advised, and later seen when motoring to AGRIGENTO, Peasants verypleased when invaded and cheered continuously.8. INFORMATION RE RAIDS, DEMOLITIONS ETC.ATTACKS ON AERODROME.(i) Raids with 250 lb did little damage to A/D. Soon repaired. Chiefeffect against morale. Fighters would go up after raids and return inevening or up in the evening and return next morning.(ii) 13 July 43 raid with 1000 lb bombs by B17. A/D out of commission. Germanshad A/D and started demolitions 14 July 43. Other Germans moved out.A/D burnt out and ammunition exploded.(iii) 19 July 43. After lull in demolitions large explosions S.E. of Hospital10 miles beyond A/D near satellite L/G. Ammo dump exploding from 1200hrs to 1800 hrs. Other dumps in secluded spots near hospital next dayand later days. (iv) 22 July 43. Oil fire from Trapani with heavy pitch black smoke, darkened the sun. Time 1400 hrs. to 2000 hrs.(v) As American troops approached, A/A taken from A/D and area, American mortar and Bazooka fire seen. Then 2 Piper Cubs arrived and nothing fired at them. If defence had been determined position would have been very difficult to take - similar seen en route AGRIGENTO.(vi) On top MT. MADONIE was castle stated to have a room with radio station.(vii) On A/D, chiefly ME 109s, Macchi 202s, Ju 88s, 52s and 323s.(viii) Reports 4000 people killed in raids on MARSALA(ix) German diary held by Americans.July "Wonderful twin finned a/c - where are ourplanes?"10 July "This is the great day"(x) Paratrooper reported seeing a ME pilot shot down II July 43 somewhere in South - discs showed born II July 27 - thus only sixteen when shot down.9. RELEASE.Released by Americans 23 July 43. On 25 July 43 went to ADV 56 Fd Hospital by Jeep to AGRIGENTO and DC3 to Tunis.10. SUGGESTIONS FOR BALING FROM BALTIMORE A/C. (Observer's Hatch).(A) As soon as probable have to bale, kick up grill.(B) Put seat back.(C) Push pistol and water bottle forward.(D) Kick feet out.(Signature: G.W. Thompson) for Capt.SIO 21 SQUADRON, SAAF.[Reverse of Page 315](Signature: G.W. Thompson) for Capt.SIO 21 SQUADRON, SAAF.
Transcriber's Notes
- SAOA
- South African Officer Administering.
- SAAF
- South African Air Force
- SAAF
- South African Air Force.
- HQ
- Headquarters.
- RAF ME
- Royal Air Force Middle East.
- S.O
- Staff Officer.
- S.I.O
- Squadron Intelligence Officer.
- OPREP
- Operational Report.
- Lts
- Lieutenants.
- A/D
- Aerodrome (Airfield).
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flak: Flugabwehrkanone (anti-aircraft fire)
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a/c: aircraft.
"duff gen": Slang for false or unreliable information/intelligence.
sub rosa: Latin for "under the rose" (secretly).
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Abbreviations Expanded:
a/c: aircraft
sub rosa: Latin for "under the rose" (secretly)
"duff gen": Slang for false or unreliable intelligence
lb: pound (weight)
hrs: hours
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Capt. Donald E. Anderson: A U.S.A.A.F. pilot (captured months earlier) who provided witness accounts of the July 3rd raid that downed the 21 Squadron aircraft.
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hrs.: hours
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