Operation

O2 199 [Emblem of the Union of South Africa] UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA—UNIE VAN SUID-AFRIKA. OFFICE OF THE—KANTOOR VAN DIE .......................................................................................... List of Aircraft and aircrews attached to Sortie Report No. 247 dated 31 MAR 43. 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. 940 V Lt.col.Coppen, D.F.C., Capt. Farrant, F/Sgts. Bradfield & Lyne. 900 F Lt. Meredith, Lt. Sass, F/Sgts. Smith S.C. & O'Regan. 179 A Lt. A'Bear, Lt. Owen-Hughes, F/Sgts. Morrison & Pickup. 126 U Capt. McBride, Lt. Gibson, F/Sgts. Daniels & White. 176 YY Lt. Clutterbuck, Lt. Wright, F/Sgts. Raeburn & Fraser. 916 SS Lt. Eaton, Lt. Floor, F/Sgt. le Roux & Sgt. Gildon (RAF) 877 J Lt. Gardener, Lt. Kerr, F/Sgts. Pearce & Green. 942 G Lt. Oakes, Lt. Sachs, Sgts. Morrison (RCAF) & Cleland (RCAF) 104 S Capt. Ord, Lt. Hodges, F/Sgt. Walker & Sgt. Devenish. 862 D Lt. Hotchkiss, Lt. Morrell, F/Sgts. Mazet & Mills. 977 L Lt. Guard, Sgt. Smallman (RAF), F/Sgts. Steven & Forrest J.B. 904 BB Lt. Fugmore, Lt. Masters, F/Sgts. Maasdorp & Rogers C.L. 903 O Capt. Cormack, Lt. Pawson, F/Sgts. Winberg & McGee. 142 P Lt. Liddiard, Lt. Pickerill, F/Sgts. Zaaiman & Oliff. 982 H Lt. Peacock, Sgt. Edmeades (RAF), F/Sgts. Beaumont-Thomas & Clark. 110 Z Lt. Carr, Lt. Lombaard, F/Sgts. Toms & Wright. 850 X Lt. Simpson, Lt. Hocknell, F/Sgts. Roberts V.P. & Shepperson. 957 W Lt. Wood, Lt. Gould, F/Sgts. Groenewald & Purdon. F/L Formation Leader. B/L Box Leader. V/L Vic Leader.

1943-03-31

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

[AUTO-CLASSIFIED — VERIFY CATEGORY] Phase 2: Technical Expansion Glossary of Terms * S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force. * Sortie Report No. 247: The primary mission document for the multi-squadron strike on March 31, 1943, to which this nominal roll is annexed. * D.F.C.: Distinguished Flying Cross, held by the squadron commander, Lt. Col. Coppen. * RAF / RCAF: Royal Air Force / Royal Canadian Air Force. Personnel from these Commonwealth branches were frequently attached to SAAF squadrons like 21 Squadron. * F/L / B/L / V/L: Tactical formation designations: Formation Leader, Box Leader, and Vic Leader. * F/Sgt. / Sgt.: Flight Sergeant / Sergeant. * 940 V / 900 F / etc.: Aircraft serial numbers and squadron individual identification letters. Operational Context The crews listed in this document participated in a significant "First Operation of Day" on 31 March 1943. Led by the Officer Commanding (OC), Lt. Col. Coppen, this eighteen-aircraft formation of Martin Baltimores conducted a medium-level bombing strike against Axis aviation assets at Sfax El Maou Landing Ground. Strategically, this period marked the final days of March as the British Eighth Army pushed toward the Wadi Akarit defensive line following the breakthrough at the Tebaga Gap. Neutralizing Axis airfields like El Maou was critical to deny the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica the ability to harass Allied ground pursuit columns. The mission utilized a diverse array of munitions, including 250 lb General Purpose (GP) bombs with extension rods ("daisy cutters") and long-delay fuzes designed to detonate up to 18 hours post-impact. The coordination between SAAF light bombers and USAAF fighter escorts (from the 79th Pursuit Group) illustrates the integrated tactical landscape of the Desert Air Force during the final stages of the Tunisian Campaign. Despite intense heavy anti-aircraft fire from batteries in the Sfax harbor and surrounding olive groves, the formation successfully targeted aircraft shelters and dispersal areas, confirming the destruction of several Axis aircraft on the ground. 247 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 31 MAR 43