Sortie Report (Form 541)
"G1"
List of Aircraft and Aircrews attached to Sortie Report No. 232, dated the 21st March, 1943. - 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. ---------------------------------------------------------------------
* 900 F Capt. J.A. Mouton, Lt. H. Simon, F/Sgt. Carr G.M. and Wisenberg N. * 924 L Lt. J. Meredith, Lt. W.H. Sass, F/Sgt. Smith S.C. and F/Sgt. O'Regan B.S. * 942 G Lt. J.F. Carlisle, Lt. S. Webber, F/Sgt. Schumann M. and F/Sgt. Waldek V. * 904 BB Capt. A.G.M. Budd, Sgt. Smallman S.C. (R.A.F.), F/O W. Cornelius and F/Sgt. Woods C.R. * 179 A Lt. J.E. A'Bear, Lt. H.E.J. Owen-Hughes, F/Sgt. Harrison J.B. and F/Sgt. Pickup J.E. * 916 SS Lt. G.W. Eaton, Lt. L.G. Floor, F/Sgt. Le Roux H. and Sgt. Gilson S.L. (R.A.F.) * 176 YY Major A.C. Jandrell, Lt. J. Christie, F/Sgt. Morley R.R. and F/Sgt. Abraham W. * 126 U Lt. J.G. Orr, Lt. S.F.T. Lombard, F/Sgt. Wright G.D. and F/Sgt. Toms R.S. * 151 Y Lt. Pocock, Sgt. Edwards R.H. (R.A.F.) F/Sgt. Clark L.G. and F/Sgt. Beaumont-Thomas S.N. * 899 K Capt. A.C. Smit, Lt. G.S. Kay, F/Sgt. Perkins G. and F/Sgt. van Rooyen I.J. * 940 V Lt. N.S. Clutterbuck, Lt. R.M. Campbell, F/Sgt. Raeburn and F/Sgt. Fraser D. * 854 C Lt. B. Duemer, Lt. E.F. Henning, F/Sgt. van Coller J.J. and F/Sgt. Hoff H. H 152 P O S T A G R A M -----------------
To : H.Q. R.A.F. M.E.From : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.Serial No. : 21 Sqdn/233Date : 21 MAR 43. OPREP No. 233 for period ending 1800 hrs. 21 MAR 43. ----------------------------------------------------
A MT in and around Wadi at TZ 4621. (1:200,000 GABES)B 6 Bostons of 24 Squadron S.A.A.F.6 Bostons of 12 Squadron S.A.A.F.6 Baltimores 21 Squadron S.A.A.F.C (1) Medium level bombing attack.(11) 7500 ft.(111) 1340 hrs.D (1) 35 x 250 lb. G.P. 43 Det. (Rods)(11) Nil.(111) The target was very poor and approximately a dozenwell dispersed MT were seen. Two bombs fell near thecauseway at KETTANA and near two vehicles. No otherresults observed.E & F One A/C slightly damaged (AG 877 J) and one W.Op. AirGunner, F/Sgt. Moore J. wounded in buttock (Same A/C).G Nil.H (1) 1245 hrs.(11) 12 hrs. 00 mins.J General weather good. 4/10 - 6/10 Cu. NORTH GULF ofGABES. Visibility good.K H.A.A. WAS INTENSE BUT apart from a few shots, in-accurate - too low and behind the formation.4 guns at TZ 5714 and guns firing also from MARETHVillage.COMM. Nil. T.O.O. 1800 hrs.
(Handwritten Signature: [Illegible]) Capt. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
Transcriber's Notes
- 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F
- No. 21 Squadron of the South African Air Force. At this operational stage, the unit was utilizing the Martin Baltimore Mark III.
- F/Sgt
- Flight Sergeant.
- R.A.F
- Royal Air Force, identifying integrated British personnel serving within the S.A.A.F. flight crews.
- H.Q. R.A.F. M.E
- Headquarters Royal Air Force Middle East.
- OPREP No. 233
- Operational Report Number 233, a standardized daily transmission of combat activity.
- MT
- Mechanical Transport, referring to Axis motorized logistics and supply vehicles.
- Wadi
- A dry riverbed or valley, often used for the concealment of equipment and personnel in desert warfare.
- A/C
- Aircraft.
- W.Op. Air Gunner
- Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, the crew member responsible for radio communications and defensive armament.
- Cu
- Cumulus cloud formations.
Sortie Report No. 232: The formal administrative document detailing the tactical results of a composite formation strike against Axis mechanical transport.
S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.: Senior Intelligence Officer of No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force.
G.P. 43 Det. (Rods): General Purpose bombs fitted with No. 43 Detonators and extended nose fuzes ("rods" or "daisy cutters") designed to detonate above the surface to maximize fragmentation against unarmored targets like MT.