Operation

TO : SAOA SAAF HQ RAF ME (Attention S.O. Intelligence) FROM : S.I.O. 21 Squadron, SAAF REF : 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. 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. Kicked feet to face around. Had some black-outs. Landed in sea and a/c 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 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 dinghy started tearing away - non swimmer - struggled into dinghy tipped over once and climbed back again. Baled dinghy with boots. No paddles and tried paddling with hands. Then just waited. After 3/4 hour M.T.B. came threw rope and dragged aboard. Cuts on leg and near ankle thought to have been 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 which was taken. ENEMY INTERROGATION. "A" ITALIAN. Initial details taken at Trapani Milo hospital. Personal search NOT in great detail. On 4 July 43 all three interrogated by Italian Officer. Also interrogated for first time, Capt. Donald E Anderson, P38 pilot, 48 Squadron, 14 Group, U.S.A.A.F. although shot down on 15 Jan. 43. Interrogation consisted of Name, No. Rank and questions of the American was fighting it out to 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 the other with two silver strips prompting. Air raid alarm went in middle of interrogation. Capt. Anderson, U.S.A.A.F. and Lt. Pickerill interrogated together. Did NOT force questions. Interrogated as to base, as to home in Transvaal, whether glad to be out of Africa, and what a/c and type, but no information given, and seemed keen to know whether picked up by Italians or Germans, and what injuries were sustained. Only incident in interrogation was 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 officer then offered him a cigarette in Russian which he refused in Russian - being the 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. 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. 5. LT D.A. WILKINSON. This officer died in hospital according to the hospital authorities and his clothing handed to Lt. Herring. 6. 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. 7. 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 Regt. (C) POPULACE. Americans advised, and later seen when motoring to AGRIGENTO, Peasants very pleased 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. Chief effect against morale. Fighters would go up after raids and return in evening 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. Germans had 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 Hospital 10 miles beyond A/D near satellite L/G. Ammo dump exploding from 1200 hrs to 1800 hrs. Other dumps in secluded spots near hospital next day and 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.

1943-07-03

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Form 541

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Transcriber's Notes

[AUTO-CLASSIFIED — VERIFY CATEGORY] TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES * Abbreviations Expanded: * SAOA: South African Officer Administering. * SAAF / S.A.A.F.: 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. * a/c / A/C: Aircraft. * A/D: Aerodrome (Airfield). * A/A: Anti-Aircraft. * M.T.B.: Motor Torpedo Boat. * Lts.: Lieutenants. * F/Sgts: Flight Sergeants. * Maj.: Major. * Capt: Captain. * Sgts.: Sergeants. * Observations about Individuals: * Lts. Pickerill, Herring, and Sachs: These three officers were the only survivors from their respective crews of four. Their detailed narratives describe the harrowing moments of being shot down, the failure of equipment, and their subsequent capture by Italian forces. * Maj. L.J. Schravesande: The commanding officer of the formation, whose entire crew in Baltimore AG 142P was lost when their aircraft was shot down over the target. * Italian Soldiers: Pickerill’s account highlights the varied reactions of captors; while one soldier threatened his life, another intervened to save him. * Information about the Location: * Trapani Milo Aerodrome: A major Italian airbase located on the western tip of Sicily. * Modern Name: Today, the site of the former military airfield is part of the urban area of Trapani, though a new airport, Trapani-Birgi Airport, now serves the region. * Vatican: Mentioned as a channel for reporting the status of Prisoners of War (POWs) to their families via the Vatican Information Service. * Historical Theatre Context: * Pre-Invasion Strikes: This mission on July 3, 1943, took place just one week before Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily. 21 Squadron was tasked with neutralizing Axis airpower at Trapani Milo to ensure Allied air superiority during the landings. * The Cost of the Raid: The loss of four Martin Baltimore bombers in a single mission was a devastating blow to the squadron. The narratives confirm the intensity of the German/Italian anti-aircraft fire (88mm) and fighter opposition encountered over the Sicilian "fortress". * The Martin Baltimore: The aircraft involved were Martin Baltimore light-medium bombers, which were the workhorses of the Desert Air Force and SAAF Wings during the Mediterranean campaign. * The Interrogation: These reports were likely compiled from information smuggled through POW channels or obtained after the airmen were liberated following the Italian armistice later in 1943. 12 Target file 276-1_12.jpg is the continuation of the interrogation report from the previous page; while it does not contain a dedicated 'Date' column, the header on the preceding page (276-1_11) identifies this report as being dated 26th August, 43. TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES * Abbreviations Expanded: * a/c / A/C: aircraft * M.T.B.: Motor Torpedo Boat * Mae West: life jacket (named for the actress, as its inflation mimicked her physique) * U.S.A.A.F.: United States Army Air Forces * flak: Flugabwehrkanone (anti-aircraft fire) * Observations about Individuals Mentioned: * Lt. Sachs: His survival is particularly harrowing; as a "non swimmer," he had to struggle with a failing dinghy in a "circle of fire" on the water after his aircraft crashed. He used his boots to bale water from the dinghy and survived three-quarters of an hour before being rescued by an Italian Motor Torpedo Boat. * Lt. Pickerill: His account provides a glimpse into the behavior of the captors, noting that while one Italian soldier "threatened to shoot" him, another intervened to save his life. * Captain Donald E. Anderson: A P-38 Lightning pilot from the 48th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group, U.S.A.A.F.. The report notes he was shot down on January 15, 1943, months before the others, yet was being interrogated with them in July. This illustrates the consolidation of Allied airmen in Italian military hospitals and prison centers. * Lt. Herring: Observed another pilot's parachute in the water near his aircraft's tail, though he was the only survivor from his crew recovered by the fishing boat. * Information about the Location: * Trapani Milo: A critical Italian airbase in western Sicily. The modern site is within the urban area of Trapani, though military flight operations have long since moved to the nearby Trapani-Birgi Airport. * Levanzo Is.: Part of the Aegadian Islands off the coast of Sicily. Its modern name is Isola di Levanzo. * Trapani Milo Hospital: Where the airmen received initial treatment and interrogation. * Historical Theatre Context: * Operation HUSKY Preparation: This mission on July 3, 1943, was part of the final pre-invasion air campaign to neutralize Axis airfields in Sicily before the Allied landings on July 10. * Vatican Channels: The mention of "Details for Vatican" refers to the Vatican Information Service, which was a primary conduit for reporting the status and location of Prisoners of War (POWs) to their families through neutral diplomatic channels. * The Martin Baltimore: The aircraft involved were Martin Baltimore light-medium bombers. These crews faced intense ground fire and fighter opposition during low-level strikes on tactical targets. * Escape and Evasion: Lt. Sachs’ successful concealment of "aids to escape" (likely compasses, silk maps, or currency) through his initial searches highlights the training and discipline of Allied aircrews even in the immediate shock of capture. 13 Target file 276-1_13.jpg is the third page of the interrogation report regarding aircrews shot down over Sicily; while it does not contain a dedicated 'Date' column, the first page of this report (276-1_11) identifies the document date as 26th August, 43. TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES * Abbreviations Expanded: * U.S.A.A.F.: United States Army Air Forces. * a/c: aircraft. * R.C.: Roman Catholic. * D.R.C.: Dutch Reformed Church. * P.O.W.: Prisoner of War. * B.B.C.: British Broadcasting Corporation. * V.D.: Venereal Disease (referring to a hospital ward). * "duff gen": Slang for false or unreliable information/intelligence. * sub rosa: Latin for "under the rose" (secretly). * Observations about Individuals: * Major L.J. Schravesande: The reports from hospital staff and the R.C. Priest confirm the death of the formation leader, who was buried in the Trapani Town cemetery. The "catherine wheels" description of his falling aircraft indicates a violent, spinning descent. * Lt. Sachs: A notable moment of psychological defiance occurred during his interrogation; when a German officer tried to bait him based on his "Russian name," Sachs refused a cigarette offered in Russian using the only Russian response he knew. * Lt. D.A. Wilkinson: This officer is reported deceased, having died from his wounds in the Italian hospital. * The Italian Orderlies and Nuns: Described as "very friendly" and "kind," the hospital staff provided clandestine news from the B.B.C. and even celebrated "Fiestas" with ice cream when Allied bombers were not overhead. * Information about the Location: * Trapani Milo Hospital: Located in western Sicily. The modern city of Trapani now covers much of the former military airfield area. * Trapani Town Cemetery: The final resting place of Major Schravesande. * Transvaal: Referenced as the home region in South Africa for some of the airmen. * Historical Theatre Context: * July 1943 Sicily: The report provides a vivid account of the collapse of Italian civilian and military morale just before and during the Allied invasion (Operation Husky). * Italian-German Friction: The mention of fights between German and Italian troops and the Italian preference for their King over Mussolini underscores the crumbling Axis alliance. * The Martin Baltimore: The "P" mentioned as hit was Baltimore AG 142P, one of four 21 Squadron aircraft lost on the July 3rd mission against Trapani Milo. * "Bomb Happy": A term used by the airmen to describe the psychological state of the local population under constant Allied aerial bombardment. The Sisters' prediction that Americans would arrive "in 5 days" proved remarkably accurate as the Sicilian campaign progressed. * The "Herman Goering" Division: The cut-off text at the end likely refers to the deployment of the Hermann Göring Panzer Division, which was a primary German combat unit defending Sicily at the time. 14 Target file 276-1_14.jpg is the fourth and final page of the interrogation report concerning crews shot down over Sicily; while it does not contain a dedicated 'Date' column, the header on the first page of this sequence (276-1_11) establishes the document date as 26th August, 43. TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES * Abbreviations Expanded: * a/c: aircraft * P.O.W.: Prisoner of War * B.B.C.: British Broadcasting Corporation * sub rosa: Latin for "under the rose" (secretly) * R.C.: Roman Catholic * V.D.: Venereal Disease (referring to a hospital ward) * "duff gen": Slang for false or unreliable intelligence * A/D: Aerodrome (Airfield) * lb: pound (weight) * B17: Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress * S.E.: South East * L/G: Landing Ground * hrs: hours * Observations about Individuals: * Major L.J. Schravesande: The report confirms his death from wounds to the shoulder and thigh; he was buried in Trapani Town Cemetery. * Lt. D.A. Wilkinson: Reported dead by hospital authorities; his effects were passed to Lt. Herring, a fellow prisoner. * Lt. Herring and Lt. Sachs: These surviving officers from 21 Squadron S.A.A.F. observed the breakdown of Axis morale and the friendly, albeit clandestine, support of the Italian hospital staff. * 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. * Information about the Location: * Trapani Milo Aerodrome: A critical target in western Sicily. The report details how B-17 raids with 1000 lb bombs finally knocked the base out of commission on July 13, 1943. * Modern Name: The site is now largely urbanized within the modern city of Trapani, though military aviation is now focused at the nearby Trapani-Birgi Airport. * Agrigento: A city on the southern coast of Sicily; the populace there was reported as being "continuously" cheering for the Allied invaders. * Historical Theatre Context: * The Fall of Sicily (Operation Husky): This report provides an intimate look at the final weeks of the Sicilian campaign. The "R.C. Sisters" correctly predicted the arrival of Americans "in 5 days," and the local populace's hatred for Mussolini was demonstrated by them tramping on his photo. * Axis Friction: The intense bitterness between the Italians and Germans is highlighted, with reports of "grabbing" by German troops and fights between the two "allies" in the streets. * The Martin Baltimore: While the report mentions B-17 heavy bombers, the 21 Squadron crews were operating the Martin Baltimore light-medium bomber during the initial disastrous raid on July 3, 1943. * The "Herman Goering" Regiment: Refers to the Hermann Göring Panzer Division, which was the elite German unit spearheading the defense of Sicily against the Allied landings. Would you like me to find the specific OPREP (Operational Report) for the July 3, 1943 mission that resulted in these losses? 15 The target file 276-1_15.jpg does not contain a standard 'Date' column; however, the header on the first page of this report (276-1_11) identifies the document date as 26th August, 43. TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES * Abbreviations Expanded: * hrs.: hours * A/A: Anti-Aircraft * A/D: Aerodrome (Airfield) * MT.: Mount * ME 109s: Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters * Ju 88s: Junkers Ju 88 multi-role combat aircraft * a/c / A/C: aircraft * ADV: Advanced * Fd: Field * DC3: Douglas DC-3 (C-47 Skytrain) transport aircraft * SIO: Squadron Intelligence Officer * SAAF: South African Air Force * Observations about Individuals Mentioned: * G.W. Thompson: Signed the report on behalf of the Squadron Intelligence Officer. His transcription of the captured airmen's experiences provides a unique tactical perspective on the liberation of Sicily. * German Pilot (Unnamed): The report mentions a German pilot shot down on July 11, 1943. His dog tags ("discs") indicated he was born in 1927, making him a mere 16 years old at the time of his death. This underscores the desperate nature of the Luftwaffe's personnel shortages by mid-1943. * The Liberated Airmen: After being held in an Italian hospital, the survivors from 21 Squadron were released by the advancing American troops on July 23, 1943. Their journey home—by jeep and then transport aircraft—is a typical example of the rapid evacuation of "recovered" personnel. * Information about the Location: * Trapani Milo Aerodrome: A major Sicilian airbase described here as being neutralized and then captured by American mortar and bazooka fire. * Mount Madonie: Refers to the Madonie mountain range in northern Sicily. * Marsala: A coastal city in western Sicily; the report notes a staggering 4,000 civilian fatalities from Allied air raids. * Agrigento: A historic city on the southern coast of Sicily, used as a waypoint for the airmen's evacuation. * Tunis: The capital of Tunisia, which served as the primary logistical hub for Allied operations in the Mediterranean. * Historical Theatre Context: * The Fall of Sicily (Operation HUSKY): This report documents the final days of the Sicilian campaign through the eyes of airmen who transitioned from Prisoners of War (POWs) to liberated personnel. The mention of "10 July" as the "great day" in a captured German diary refers to the initial Allied landings. * The "Twin Finned A/C": The German diarist's query "where are ourplanes?" likely refers to the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, whose distinctive twin-boom tail was a frequent sight over Sicily, highlighting the total air superiority achieved by the Allies. * Tactical Observations: The note that the Trapani Milo base would have been "very difficult to take" if the defense had been determined suggests a breakdown in Italian and German coordination as American troops closed in. * Safety Lessons (Section 10): The specific technical suggestions for baling out of a Martin Baltimore reflect the lessons learned from the disastrous July 3rd raid. The advice to "kick up grill" and move personal equipment forward was intended to prevent the jams and entanglement that nearly killed the survivors. 16 The target file 276-1_16.jpg is a reverse-side or blank page associated with the final sheet of the interrogation report. While it does not contain a standard 'Date' column, the header on the first page of this report (276-1__11) identifies the document as being dated 26th August, 43. TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES * Abbreviations Expanded: * Capt.: Captain. * SIO: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * SAAF: South African Air Force. * Observations about Individuals Mentioned: * G.W. Thompson: An officer signing on behalf of the Squadron Intelligence Officer. Thompson was responsible for finalizing the interrogation report of Lieutenants Pickerill, Herring, and Sachs, who had recently been liberated from Axis captivity in Sicily. * The Liberated Officers: The report finalized here documents the survival of three airmen from 21 Squadron S.A.A.F. after a disastrous raid on July 3, 1943. Their return to Allied lines on July 23, 1943, provided critical "gen" (intelligence) regarding the internal state of Italian hospitals and the collapsing morale of both Italian civilians and soldiers. * Information about the Location: * Tunis, Tunisia: The liberated airmen were evacuated from Agrigento, Sicily, via a DC3 transport aircraft to Tunis. * Modern Name: Tunis remains the capital of Tunisia. During late August 1943, it served as the primary administrative clearinghouse for personnel recovered during Operation Husky (the invasion of Sicily). * Historical Theatre Context: * The Intelligence Loop: The finalization of this report on August 26, 1943, highlights the speed with which recovered prisoners were debriefed to improve safety for active crews. The specific "Suggestions for Baling" (parachuting) included in the report were direct tactical improvements derived from the survivors' harrowing experiences in the Martin Baltimore. * Shift in Perspective: By late August, the Sicilian campaign had concluded (ending August 17), and the Allies were preparing for the invasion of the Italian mainland. The intelligence captured in this report regarding the Italian populace's hatred for Mussolini and their preference for the Americans was vital for the upcoming psychological warfare campaigns in Italy. * The Martin Baltimore: 21 Squadron continued to operate the Martin Baltimore light-medium bomber during this transition. The loss of four of these aircraft in the single mission described in the report was a significant event in the squadron's history, leading to the detailed post-mortem and safety recommendations signed by Thompson. 17 The date written in the 'Date' line of the postagram is 3 JUL 43.