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/722 DATE : 16th June, 1944 OPREP No. 722 for the period ending 2100 hrs on the 15th June, 1944 to V: NIL W: (i) 1 Balt Mk III (ii) NIL (i) 2 Balts Mk V (ii) NIL X: (i) 0.30 Hrs (ii) NIL (i) 0.45 Hrs (ii) NIL Y & Z: NIL S.L. Boshoff Lt for Capt S.I.O., 21 Squadron, SAAF.

1944-06-16

__o_O_o__

Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes: * Operational Stand-Down (Weather): * "Nil" Return: This report confirms that no combat sorties ("to V: NIL") were flown for the period ending 2100 hours on June 15th. * Context: The War Diary for June 15th (File 4) explicitly states, "No operations owing to bad weather." This report is the administrative confirmation of that fact. The weather in mid-June 1944 was notoriously fickle, often grounding the tactical air force while ground troops slogging through the mud desperately needed support. * Routine Flying (Maintenance & Proficiency): * Test Flights: Despite the operational scrub, the squadron managed to launch three aircraft for short duration flights. One "Balt Mk III" flew for 30 minutes, and two "Balts Mk V" flew for 45 minutes. These were likely air tests to check engines or instruments during a brief break in the weather, ensuring the fleet was ready the moment the skies cleared. * Command Succession (Intelligence Section): * Lt. Boshoff: The report is signed by "S.L. Boshoff, Lt for Capt". This indicates Lieutenant Boshoff was acting on behalf of the primary Squadron Intelligence Officer, Captain Hallick (whose signature appears on most previous reports). This suggests Hallick was either on leave, sick, or attending to duties at Group Headquarters. Boshoff would later take on more responsibility as the campaign progressed. * 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. * Mk: Mark (Model). * Hrs: Hours. 42 Verification: Target File Verification: The document is dated 16th June, 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 723) labeled APPENDIX "T" (page number 331).