Operation

BA. SHIPPING AND HARBOUR INSTALLATIONS TERMINI IMERESE. BB. 0345 to 0405 hrs LT. Courses 160° to 195°. BC. MEDIUM LEVEL 10/10500 ft. 15 x 250 GP 43 Det. (3 x 250 GP 43 Det and 180 x 4 lb Incendiaries hung up and brought back to base). 16 Flares 4.5 Recce No. 10 (6 flares did not ignite). 180 x 4lb Incendiaries. BD. On arriving 3 fires were seen in Harbour close to quay. Identifi- cation of target greatly assisted by flares. One stick of bombs burst across the base of mole; one stick in Central Dock area and in town WEST of Northern Section of Docks. NO results observed. BE. Slight inaccurate LAA, one S/L flashed on for one moment. BF. NIL. BG. NIL. BH. Flares seen to burn for about one minute only. Fires in Harbour seemed like burning vessel. LIST OF AIRCRAFT AND CREW. 951 V Lt. Col. Coppen DFC, Capt. Farrant, F/Sgts. Lyne & Bradfield. 176 YY Major Jandrell, Lt. Christie, F/Sgts. Pearce & Le Roux. 136 M Lt. Dugmore, Lt. Masters, F/Sgts. Maasdorp & Rogers. 221 X Lt. Eaton, Lt. Gould, F/Sgts. Freestone (NZAF) & Van Rooyen. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F. Middle East Command DAILY CASUALTY RETURN Date 13th July 1943 51 i. S.A.A.F. PERSONNEL | | On Strength | Casualties | Total on Duty | |---|---|---|---| | Officers. | 57 | 2 | 55 | | W.O.'s | 6 | - | 6 | | F/Sgts. | 43 | 1 | 42 | | S/Sgts. | 30 | - | 30 | | Cpls. | 45 | 2 | 43 | | L.A.M.'s | 6 | - | 6 | | Airmen | 142 | 13 | 129 | | TOTAL. | 329 | 18 | 311 | ii. ATTACHED PERSONNEL i. S.A. | | On Strength | Casualties | Total on Duty | |---|---|---|---| | Officers. | 2 | - | 2 | | Sgts. | 5 | - | 5 | | Others. | 4 | - | 4 | | TOTALS | 11 | - | 11 | ii. R.A.F. : R.A.A.F. ETC. | | On Strength | Casualties | Total on Duty | |---|---|---|---| | Officers. | - | - | - | | Sgts. | 7 | - | 7 | | Others. | 3 | - | 3 | | TOTALS | 10 | - | 10 | iii. ATTACHED CAPE CORPS | | On Strength | Casualties | Total on Duty | |---|---|---|---| | Sgts. | 9 | - | 9 | | Cpls. & L/Cpls | 30 | - | 30 | | Ptes | 109 | 4 | 105 | | TOTALS | 148 | 4 | 144 | MESSING STRENGTH | Officers' Mess. | Sergeants' Mess. | Mechanics' Mess. | N.E.A.S. Mess. | |---|---|---|---| | Strength........ | Strength........ | Strength........ | Strength........ | | S.A........... | Att.S.A......... | Att.S.A......... | | | ............. | Ors............. | Ors............. | | | S. 57 | 58 | 125 | 144 | TOTAL 506 Csn. 22. 484. HOSPITAL 103872V Lieut Clutterbuck N.E. 1 C.C.S. 8/7/43 113377V " Van der Heever D.W. " " 29056 A/Cpl Van Tonder P.J. 25 M.R.S. 6/5/43 211934 A/M Tait W.H. do 27/5/43 327248 " Peters A.E. do 23/5/43 102030 " Bester J.P. 97 C.C. 1/7/43 288756 Pte Smith R. 97 C.C. 2/7/43 LEAVE 121557 A/M Smith W.R. Cairo (28 days) 28/3/43 DETACHED 208131V A/M Armstrong D.C. Salvage J.U.'s 15/5/43 573597 " Pettigher O.J. do " 211427V " Fold B. de C. do " 205511V F/Sgt Smith L.G. 3 (S.A.) Wing. 11/5/43 99217V A/Cpl Bothe C.J. do 11/7/43 313561V A/M Roper J.T. do " 212351V " Dollard R.S.P. do " 326525V " Hastie R. do " 326958V " Erasmus R. do " 326560V " Armstrong S. do " 212071V " Sutherland R.N. do " 0288119 Pte Prior F. Salvage J.U.'s 15/5/43 0303577 " Jones J. do " 0301436 " Van Wyk I. do "

1943-07-13

__o_O_o__

Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES * Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded: * LT: Local Time. * ft: feet. * GP: General Purpose (bombs). * Det.: Detonator. * lb: pound (weight of incendiaries). * Recce: Reconnaissance (flares). * LAA: Light Anti-Aircraft artillery. * S/L: Searchlight. * DFC: Distinguished Flying Cross. * F/Sgts.: Flight Sergeants. * NZAF: New Zealand Air Force (though more accurately RNZAF for Royal New Zealand Air Force). * Route and Timing Analysis: * Operation Window: The target was engaged over a 20-minute period from 03:45 to 04:05 hrs LT. * Strike Profile: The four aircraft attacked on southerly courses ranging from 160° to 195° while maintaining a medium altitude of 10,000 to 10,500 feet. * Visual Environment: Identification of the target was described as "greatly assisted by flares," though it was noted that the flares only burned for about one minute and six of the sixteen dropped failed to ignite. * Ordnance and Tactical Observations: * Payload and Failures: The formation successfully released 15 x 250 lb GP bombs and 180 x 4 lb incendiaries. However, significant mechanical issues were noted: 3 high-explosive bombs and 180 incendiaries "hung up" (failed to release) and were brought back to base. * Strike Results: Bombs were observed bursting across the base of the mole and in the central dock area. Of particular note was the observation of fires in the harbour that "seemed like burning vessel," suggesting a successful hit on Axis shipping. * Defensive Resistance: Resistance was remarkably light compared to previous nights, with only "slight inaccurate" Light Anti-Aircraft fire and a single searchlight that "flashed on for one moment". * Observations about Individuals Mentioned: * Lieutenant Colonel C.S. Coppen, DFC: The Commanding Officer (CO) of 21 Squadron leading the mission in aircraft 951 V. His "Lead from the front" approach is evident as he pilots one of the pathfinder aircraft responsible for illuminating the target area. * Major A.C. Jandrell: Pilot of aircraft 176 YY, continuing his role as a key leader in the squadron's nighttime interdiction efforts. * Flight Sergeant Freestone: Noted as being from the NZAF (RNZAF), highlighting the continued presence of New Zealanders and other Commonwealth personnel serving within South African Air Force squadrons. * Historical and Location Context: * Termini Imerese, Sicily: A strategic port on the northern coast, essential for the transit of Axis supplies from Palermo toward the defensive lines in central Sicily. * Modern Name: Still known today as Termini Imerese (Province of Palermo). The "mole" and "central Dock area" referenced remain primary features of the modern industrial and commercial port. * Operation HUSKY Momentum: Flown on the night of July 12/13, 1943 (D+3), this mission illustrates the intensifying Allied effort to isolate the Sicilian interior. The observation of a "burning vessel" indicates that the SAAF was successfully fulfilling its role of severing maritime supply routes. * The Martin Baltimore: 21 Squadron utilized Mk III and Mk IIIA variants. The Baltimore's capability for both pathfinding (carrying 16 recce flares) and direct strike (GP bombs and incendiaries) made it the ideal platform for these tactical night operations. 71 The date written in the 'Date' line of the casualty return is 13th July 1943. TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES * Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded: * S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force. * W.O.'s: Warrant Officers. * F/Sgts.: Flight Sergeants. * S/Sgts.: Staff Sergeants. * Cpls.: Corporals. * L.A.M.'s: Leading Aircraft Mechanics. * R.A.F.: Royal Air Force. * R.A.A.F.: Royal Australian Air Force. * L/Cpls: Lance Corporals. * Ptes: Privates. * Ors: Other Ranks. * N.E.A.S.: Non-European Army Services. * Observations about Personnel and Casualties: * Casualty Trends: This return, dated July 13, 1943, reflects the ongoing attrition of the Sicilian campaign. The squadron reported 18 SAAF casualties (including 2 Officers and 1 Flight Sergeant) and 4 Cape Corps casualties. These figures were largely a result of the high-intensity tactical missions flown between July 3 and July 12. * Cape Corps and N.E.A.S.: The return highlights the essential role of the Cape Corps and Non-European Army Services (N.E.A.S.) within SAAF operational units. Comprising 148 personnel, they provided critical logistical, transport, and ground support, suffering four casualties during this period. * Attached Personnel: The presence of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel within the squadron's "Messing Strength" (10 individuals) illustrates the continued integration of Commonwealth air forces in the Mediterranean theatre. * Location and Historical Context: * Ben Hagen LG, Tunisia: Although not explicitly named on this form, the squadron was operating out of this forward desert landing ground during the July 13 reporting period. * Operation HUSKY (D+3): On July 13, 1943, the Allied invasion of Sicily was entering its fourth day. 21 Squadron's Martin Baltimores were heavily engaged in night strikes against northern ports like Termini Imerese to prevent Axis reinforcements from reaching the front lines. * Operational Strain: The total "Messing Strength" of 506 personnel underscores the massive ground support tail required to keep a tactical bomber squadron operational in the field. The loss of 22 total personnel ("Csn. 22") represents a significant reduction in operational capability during a peak combat phase. 72 The first date written in the column on the far right of the page to confirm the image is 8/7/43. TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES * Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded: * Lieut: Lieutenant. * A/Cpl: Acting Corporal. * A/M: Air Mechanic. * Pte: Private. * F/Sgt: Flight Sergeant. * C.C.S.: Casualty Clearing Station. * M.R.S.: Medical Receiving Station. * C.C.: Likely Casualty Clearing (station). * S.A.: South African. * J.U.'s: Junkers (referring to Junkers Ju 88 aircraft). * do: ditto (referring to the entry above). * Observations about Individuals Mentioned: * Lieutenant N.E. Clutterbuck and D.W. Van der Heever: Both officers were admitted to the 1st Casualty Clearing Station on July 8, 1943, just two days prior to the invasion of Sicily. * Air Mechanic W.R. Smith: Noted as being on a significant 28-day leave in Cairo starting March 28, 1943. * The Salvage Team: Personnel such as Armstrong, Pettigher, and Fold were detached to "Salvage J.U.'s" starting May 15, 1943. This unit was likely involved in the technical recovery and intelligence gathering from downed German Junkers aircraft. * Information about Locations: * Cairo, Egypt: Served as the primary leave and medical hub for personnel in the Middle East and Mediterranean theaters. * Medical Facilities: The 1 C.C.S. and 25 M.R.S. were mobile or semi-permanent medical units that followed the front lines through North Africa into the staging areas for Sicily. * Historical Context and Theatre Events: * Operation HUSKY Staging: This personnel state, compiled in July 1943, shows the "tail" of the squadron—personnel who were not currently at the main base due to hospitalization, specialized detachments, or leave. * Operational Wing Detachment: A large group of Air Mechanics and Flight Sergeants (including Smith, Bothe, and Roper) were detached to 3 (S.A.) Wing headquarters starting July 11, 1943—the day after the Sicilian landings. This likely supported the coordination of heavy air traffic and maintenance requirements during the height of the invasion phase. * Technical Salvage: The detachment of airmen and privates to salvage Junkers aircraft (J.U.'s) from mid-May through July indicates the ongoing importance of recovering enemy technology and ensuring that crash sites were cleared as Allied forces consolidated their gains in the Mediterranean. 73 The date written in the 'Date' line of the postagram is 14 JUL 43.