E. A/C 879 Cat 3 (Burnt)

CREW LIST and LIST of AIRCRAFT attached to Sortie Report No. 164 dated the 13th January, 1943 - 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. ------------------------------------------------------------

176 YY 915 S 918 T

Pilot Major A. Jendrell Capt. Bell Lt. Carr Observer Capt. Hatswell Lt. Levi Lt. Lombaard W.O.P. F/Sgt. Morley F/Sgt. Kosviner F/Sgt. Toms Gunner Lt. te Water Pohl F/Sgt. Myburgh F/Sgt. Wright 899 X 957 W 956 C Lt. Heslop Lt. Wood Lt. Elieden Lt. Arnold Lt. Gould Lt. Rose F/Sgt. Bernitz F/Sgt. Purdon F/Sgt. Jarvis F/Sgt. Clack F/Sgt. Groenewald F/Sgt. Smith L.W.

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108 B 879 K 877 J Major M. Barnby Capt. Budd Lt. Gardener Lt. Blackman Lt. Sadler Lt. Kerr Lt. Sandilands F/Sgt. Gibbons F/Sgt. Lane F/Sgt. de Villiers F/Sgt. White F/Sgt. Brown ROGERS C.L.

955 A 932 M 933 L Capt. Mouton Lt. Flette Lt. Meredith Lt. Cooper Lt. Davies Lt. Bass F/Sgt. Goodchild F/Sgt. Marr F/Sgt. Smith S.O. F/Sgt. Champion F/Sgt. Wisenberg F/Sgt. O’Regan

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904 BB 942 G 949 AA Capt. Cumming Lt. Carlisle Lt. Hamilton Lt. Evans H. Simon Lt. Whittle F/Sgt. Heyman F/Sgt. Schumann F/Sgt. Rogers F/Sgt. Lyne F/Sgt. Waldek F/Sgt. Phelan

910 H 873 N 842 SS Lt. Hotchkiss Lt. Liddiard Lt. Lindenberg Lt. Norrell Lt. Pickerill Lt. van Rynevelt F/Sgt. Mamet F/Sgt. Zaaiman F/Sgt. Engelbrecht F/Sgt. Mills F/Sgt. Kruger Sgt. MacIntyre (R.A.F.)

ooooooooooooooo "P" 22

From: Officer Commanding No. 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. To: (1) D.P.S.C., H.Q., R.A.F., M.E. (4) (2) A.D.A.I., S.A.A.F. H.Q., R.A.F., M.E. (1) (3) O.C. No. 3 (S.A.) Wing. (1) (4) A.O.C. REAR A.H.Q., W.D. (1) Date: ~~21S. 24/4/~~ 17th January, 1943. Ref: 21S. 34/4/ CIRCUMSTANTIAL REPORT ON MISSING

BALTIMORE III - AC. 842 and CREW:

Pilot: No. 103483 Lieut. S. Lindenberg, Observer: 206571 2/Lt. J. F. van Ryneveld, W/Op-Gunner: 206625 A/Sgt. Engelbrecht, C. A/Gunner: (R.A.F.) 1382870 Sgt. MacIntyre C.

This Squadron's signal T. 21 of 13 Jan. 43 refers.

* It is reported that the above-mentioned aircraft and

crew took off from Chel II at 08.00 hours on 13 Jan. 43, with 17 others to carry out a light bombing raid on the enemy aerodrome at Bir Dufan. * About ten minutes before reaching the target, the

formation was attacked by enemy fighters. It was noted that the above-mentioned aircraft was hit by fire from a Me.109 F. Just afterwards it was seen that the starboard engine was smoking and that the airscrew was feathered. When last seen, it was losing height, handing East over area ... Libya 1:500,000 Sheets 3/9 Misurata R (S) 95. It was under control. It was last seen at 09.24 hours on the date mentioned. * The area referred to was well within enemy lines at

the time mentioned and it is to be feared that the aircraft and crew fell into enemy hands. It is not known what casual- ties, if any, were suffered by the crew who are accordingly reported missing. (Handwritten Signature: [Illegible]) LT.-COLONEL, OFFICER COMMANDING NO. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F. Q 23 24

From: No. 100487 Lieut. J.T.G.Meredith. To: Officer Commanding No. 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. Date: 14th January, 1943. DAMAGE TO BALTIMORE III - A.C. 933. ----------------------------------

Sir, I beg to report that I took off in the above-mentioned

aircraft with 17 others at 07.55 hours on 13 Jan. 43, on a light bomber raid on an aerodrome in the vicinity of Bir Dufan. My crew consisted of:

Observer: No. 48036, Lieut. W.H. Bass, W/Op. 206300, F/Sgt. Smith, S.C. A/Gunner: 103816, F/Sgt. O’Regan, B.E.

When over Wadi Cheridan (M.R. Libya 1:500,000 Sheets 3/9

Misurata: (R) S 4330) the aircraft was hit by shrapnel from heavy A/A at about 11,000 feet. I remained with the formation and at (R) S 0550 (on the same sheet) I was attacked by a Me. 109 F. My gunner was opened fire but my aircraft was hit and there was an explosion in my starboard engine, followed by lots of black smoke. I remained with the formation for about a further minute and a half when the engine went into fully fine pitch. I feather- ed the engine and it went into fully fine pitch again with terrific vibration. I feathered it again and it remained feathered. The inter-comm. had been shot away. Having fallen out of formation when the engine went into fully fine pitch the first time, I set course North-East at a height of 7,000 feet. I endeavoured to open my bomb doors but the control was ineffective. I did not know whether the doors were open or closed and endeavoured to jettison from my cockpit. I could feel that the bombs were still there. I was losing height and managed to establish inter-comm. on Bendix when at 1,000 feet and about 18 miles from the coast. I avoided several enemy camps. When about 20 miles out at sea, we jettisoned our bombs singly and gained considerable height from the blast. I veered towards and made land about 6 miles West of Sultan and set course for base. I endeavoured to contact Base on W/T and R/T but without success. Dust was bad and I was un- able to find Base so I flew Eastwards and, on running out of fuel got up-wind of “A” track and forced landed wheels up alongside the track 16 miles South-East of Nofilia village (M.R. Libya 1: 500,000 Sheets 11/20 Agheila - Marada (S) V 0909). The crew were all safe and uninjured. The underside of

the fuselage was considerably damaged by the landing owing to the ground being stony. Damage by enemy A/A and Me. 109 fire was also considerable and the aircraft is Category Two. This was confirmed by a Sergeant of Adv. R.S.U., W.D. who arrived on the scene shortly afterwards. I returned to Base with this Sergeant, leaving my crew to look after the aircraft until a guard could be provided by the Squadron. Yours obediently,

(Handwritten Signature: J.T.G.Meredith) LIEUT.

(Handwritten Signature: [Illegible]) LT.-COL. OFF. COMMANDING 21 SQDN. S.A.A.F. "R" 24 25

From: No. 205517, LIEUT. G. A. LIDDIARD. To: Officer Commanding No. 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. Date: 15th January, 1943. Ref: 21 S. 34/4/-. NO. 206316 F/SGT. KRUGER, E. L. (Killed). ---------------------------------------- CAT. TWO DAMAGE TO BALTIMORE III - A.C. 873. -------------------------------------------

Sir, I beg to report that I was pilot of the above-mentioned

aircraft which took off from Chel II Landing Ground at 08.10 hours on 13 Jan. 43, with 17 other aircraft of the Squadron, to carry out a light bombing raid on Bir Dufan. * At 09.20 hours, just after crossing Wadi Zem Zem, the

aircraft was attacked by three Me. 109's. Two of these provided cover for the third which pressed home its attack from astern. * In this attack No. 206316 F/Sgt. Kruger E. L. who was

top gunner, was killed by a bullet which entered high in the neck and came out on the right cheek, breaking the neck. Death was un- doubtedly instantaneous. At the time there were numerous other enemy fighters in the vicinity. The bottom gunner No. 205557 F/Sgt. Zaaiman L. informed me that the top gunner had been badly hit and that he, Zaaiman, had bullet scratches on both hands and the right leg. F/Sgt. Zaaiman is not classified as wounded. I noted that my starboard outboard tank was holed, that the port wheel was probably shot away and that it would probably be neces- sary to crash land. * After bombing, the formation returned over the sea and on

nearing the Landing Ground, Tamet North, I broke formation and landed at 10.15 hours. After trying to get the under-carriage down without success, I crash-landed in soft sand at Tamet North. * Damage to the aircraft was extensive and included half the

port elevator shot away and numerous holes in the fuselage, main- planes, cowlings and airscrew blades. Bomb doors and airscrew were damaged in landing. * Assistance was obtained from No. 73 Squadron of No. 235

Wing, who attended to the burial of F/Sgt. Kruger. * On 15 Jan. 43, accompanied by my Observer No. 27327 Lieut.

J. H. Pickerill and F/Sgt. Zaaiman, I returned to Base by Bombay. (Handwritten Signature: GA Liddiard) LIEUT.

(Handwritten Signature: [Illegible]) LT.-COL. OFF. COMMANDING 21 SQDN. S.A.A.F. "S"

P O S T A G R A M 25 ----------------- 26 To : H.Q. R.A.F. M.E. From : S.I.O. 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. Serial No. : 21 Sqdn/165 Date : 14 JAN 43. OPREP No. 165 for period ending 1800 hrs. 14 JAN 43.

A. MT and dug-in positions at X3695 and X4096 (Ref. Map : LIBYA 1:500,000 ; Sheets 3/9 ; MISURATA. B. 9 Baltimores (led by 9 B25's of 25th. Bombardment Group, U.S.A.A.F. Capt. Whiting leading) C. (1) Medium level bombing attack (2) 10,000 ft. (3) 1135 hrs. D. (1) 52 x 250 lb. G.P. 43 Det. (Rods). (2) 2 x 250 lb. G.P. 43 Det. (Rods) Hang-ups. Jettisoned at sea. 500 rounds .303 and .300 ammunition. (3) One fire started. Four explosions seen after leaving target. E. A/C 879 Cat 3 (Burnt) A/C 885 damaged by Ack/Ack. F. F/Sgt. J.R. Gibbons (A/C 879) killed by enemy fighter. Lt. J.Sadler (A/C 879) wounded by enemy fighter. G. One ME 109 F damaged. H. (1) 1005 hrs. (2) 20 hrs. 15 mins. J. Good. K. Intense H.A.A. Fairly accurate. From GHEDDAHIA village. COMM. Operational Comm. NIL. Other Comm. 1 hr. 45 mins. (1 Baltimore) T.O.O. 1800 hrs. (B)

(Handwritten Signature: [Illegible]) Capt. S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.

1943-01-13

CREW LIST and LIST of AIRCRAFT attached to Sortie Report No. 164 dated the 13th January, 1943 - 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. ------------------------------------------------------------ 176 YY 915 S 918 T Pilot Major A. Jendrell Capt. Bell Lt. Carr Observer Capt. Hatswell Lt. …

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes") Glossary of Terms: * S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force. * W.O.P.: Wireless Operator/Poster. In the Martin Baltimore, this crew member was responsible for radio communications and often served as a lower-rear gunner. * R.A.F.: Royal Air Force. Sergeant MacIntyre is noted as an R.A.F. member integrated into the SAAF crew of aircraft 842 SS. * Sortie Report No. 164: The official narrative report summarizing the combat results of this specific mission. Operational Context: This crew manifest for 13 January 1943 details the 18 Martin Baltimore aircraft of No. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F. engaged in a high-stakes tactical interdiction mission during the final Allied push through Tripolitania. Strategically, the Desert Air Force was executing a "fully offensive" campaign to neutralize Axis air capabilities at Bir Dufan and Tauorga to facilitate the Eighth Army's advance on Tripoli. The formation was led by Major A. Jendrell (Aircraft 176 YY) and included other senior officers such as Major M. Barnby (Aircraft 108 B), underscoring the importance of the operation. The mission was plagued by severe environmental hazards, specifically dust storms and poor visibility, which forced the formation to divert from its primary objective at Bir Dufan to attack secondary targets of opportunity. The attrition rate recorded in the associated reports is reflected in this list. Aircraft 842 SS (Lt. Lindenberg) is recorded here with its full crew, all of whom were reported missing following the mission after being intercepted by Bf 109 F fighters. Similarly, Aircraft 873 N (Lt. Liddiard) carried Flight Sergeant Kruger, who was killed in action during the same engagement. This document, archived as Folio 21 of the AIR 27/274 series, provides the high-fidelity personnel data necessary to reconstruct the human cost of the MAAF’s tactical interdiction efforts as the North African campaign reached its climax. 23 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 17th January, 1943. Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes") Glossary of Terms: * D.P.S.C., H.Q., R.A.F., M.E.: Deputy Principal Staff Officer, Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East. * A.D.A.I., S.A.A.F. H.Q.: Assistant Director of Air Intelligence, South African Air Force. * O.C. No. 3 (S.A.) Wing: Officer Commanding No. 3 (South African) Wing, the parent formation of No. 21 Squadron. * A.O.C. REAR A.H.Q., W.D.: Air Officer Commanding, Rear Advanced Air Headquarters, Western Desert. * BALTIMORE III: The Martin Baltimore Mark III, a twin-engine light bomber. * W/Op-Gunner: Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. * R.A.F.: Royal Air Force. Sergeant MacIntyre is noted as an R.A.F. member integrated into this S.A.A.F. crew. * Chel II: Landing Ground (L.G.) Chel II, a forward operational airfield in Libya. * Me.109 F: Messerschmitt Bf 109 F "Friedrich" single-engine German fighter aircraft. * airscrew was feathered: The pilot adjusted the pitch of the propeller blades parallel to the airflow to stop the engine's rotation and reduce drag following a strike. * Misurata R (S) 95: Grid coordinates on the 1:500,000 Misurata map sheet. Operational Context: This Circumstantial Report, dated 17 January 1943, provides a formal administrative account of the loss of Baltimore AC. 842 and its crew during the "Fully Offensive" campaign of 13 January 1943. Strategically, the Desert Air Force (DAF) was conducting maximum-effort interdiction against Axis landing grounds to neutralize air resistance ahead of the Eighth Army’s final advance toward Tripoli. Tactically, the mission consisted of 18 Martin Baltimores (the crew manifest of which is documented in Folio 21) departing from Chel II at 08:00 hours. The formation was intercepted by German fighters approximately ten minutes before reaching the Bir Dufan aerodrome. Baltimore AC. 842, piloted by Lieutenant S. Lindenberg, was struck by fire from a Bf 109 F, causing the starboard engine to smoke and necessitating the feathering of the airscrew. The aircraft was observed losing height at 09:24 hours while heading east over the Misurata sector. Although the pilot appeared to maintain control, the location was well within Axis-held territory, leading the Officer Commanding to conclude the crew likely fell into "enemy hands" as prisoners of war. This document, archived as Folio 22, represents the high-fidelity reporting required to track personnel attrition during the MAAF interdiction campaign that shattered the Afrika Korps' logistical tail in Tripolitania. 24 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 14th January, 1943. Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes") Glossary of Terms: * S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force. * A.C. 933: Aircraft 933, a Martin Baltimore Mark III light bomber. * W/Op.: Wireless Operator. F/Sgt. Smith was responsible for radio communications and lower defensive armament. * A/Gunner: Air Gunner. F/Sgt. O'Regan manned the upper turret. * M.R. Libya: Map Reference Libya, utilizing the standardized 1:500,000 scale sheets. * A/A: Anti-Aircraft artillery fire. * Me. 109 F: Messerschmitt Bf 109 F "Friedrich" German fighter aircraft. * fully fine pitch: A propeller setting where the blades are at a minimum angle to the airflow, typically used for takeoff; here, it indicates a governor failure causing the engine to overspeed. * feathered: Adjusting the propeller blades parallel to the airflow to stop the engine's rotation and minimize drag after a failure. * inter-comm.: Internal communication system between crew members. * Bendix: A specific type of radio equipment utilized for backup communication. * jettison: To drop the bomb load in an emergency to reduce weight and drag. * W/T and R/T: Wireless Telegraphy (Morse) and Radio Telephony (Voice) communications. * Category Two: Damage classification indicating the aircraft is severely damaged but potentially repairable by a specialized unit. * Adv. R.S.U., W.D.: Advanced Repair and Salvage Unit, Western Desert. Operational Context: This personal report by Lieutenant J.T.G. Meredith provides a high-fidelity narrative of the "4th Show" on 13 January 1943. Strategically, the Desert Air Force (DAF) was conducting a maximum-effort "fully offensive" campaign to drive the Luftwaffe from forward bases at Bir Dufan, clearing the path for the Eighth Army's final advance on Tripoli. Tactically, Meredith’s account details the technical and environmental resilience required of SAAF crews. After being holed by "heavy A/A" at 11,000 feet, his aircraft was intercepted by a Bf 109 F. The resulting explosion in the starboard engine and failure of the propeller governor—forcing it into "fully fine pitch"—necessitated immediate withdrawal from the formation. The report highlights the critical hazards of desert operations: mechanical failure, combat damage, and the "bad" dust storms that ultimately prevented the crew from locating their base. The successful wheels-up forced landing 16 miles southeast of Nofilia preserved the lives of the entire crew, although the aircraft was written off to Category Two. This document, archived as Folio 24, represents the primary record of individual aircrew experiences during the definitive collapse of Axis resistance in Libya. 25 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 15th January, 1943. Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes") Glossary of Terms: * S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force. * CAT. TWO: Category Two damage classification, indicating the aircraft sustained serious damage requiring specialized repair at a depot or by a mobile repair unit. * BALTIMORE III - A.C. 873: The Martin Baltimore Mark III, twin-engine light bomber, aircraft serial number 873. * Chel II Landing Ground: A forward operational airfield in Tripolitania, Libya. * Me. 109's: Messerschmitt Bf 109 single-engine German fighter aircraft. * Wadi Zem Zem: A significant geographical feature and tactical defensive line in Tripolitania. * top gunner / bottom gunner: Crew positions in the Baltimore; the top gunner operated the dorsal turret, while the bottom gunner (often the Wireless Operator) manned the ventral or lower rear defensive positions. * main-planes: The primary wings of the aircraft. * cowlings: The removable metal coverings over the aircraft's engines. * airscrew: The aircraft's propeller. * No. 73 Squadron of No. 235 Wing: An R.A.F. fighter squadron and its parent wing, also operating within the Desert Air Force (DAF). * Base by Bombay: Refers to the crew's return to their home airfield via a Bristol Bombay transport aircraft. Operational Context: This personal report by Lieutenant G. A. Liddiard provides a definitive account of the fatal engagement on 13 January 1943 during the "Fully Offensive" campaign to collapse Axis air power in Libya. Strategically, Advanced Air Headquarters (A/AHQ) had prioritized the neutralization of the Bir Dufan landing grounds to deny the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica a base from which to harass the Eighth Army's westward advance toward Tripoli. The tactical details provided by Liddiard emphasize the lethal coordination of Axis fighter tactics. The formation was intercepted by Bf 109s just after crossing Wadi Zem Zem. The specific attack on Baltimore A.C. 873 involved three fighters: two providing cover while the third "pressed home its attack from astern," a tactic designed to exploit the defensive blind spots of the light bomber. This attack resulted in the instantaneous death of Flight Sergeant E. L. Kruger. The report further underscores the severity of the damage sustained, including a "holed" fuel tank and the loss of the "port wheel," which necessitated a high-risk crash-landing in soft sand at Tamet North. The administrative detail of assistance from No. 73 Squadron for the burial of F/Sgt. Kruger reflects the close inter-service cooperation within the Desert Air Force. This document, archived as Folio 25, serves as a primary record of the personal and material attrition suffered by No. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F. during the definitive breakthrough in Tripolitania. 26 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 14 JAN 43. Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes") Glossary of Terms: * P O S T A G R A M: A formal military communication method used by the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) to transmit operational data and intelligence summaries via signal or courier services. * H.Q. R.A.F. M.E.: Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East. * S.I.O.: Senior Intelligence Officer. The staff officer responsible for the synthesis of tactical data and filing official reports for the unit. * S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force. * OPREP No. 165: Operational Report number 165, recording the squadron's sequential mission results for the specified 24-hour cycle. * MT: Mechanical Transport, specifically referring to German and Italian ground vehicles within the designated map coordinates. * Baltimores / B25's: The Martin Baltimore light bomber and North American B-25 Mitchell medium bomber. * 25th. Bombardment Group, U.S.A.A.F.: The 25th Bombardment Group (Medium) of the United States Army Air Forces, which operated in conjunction with SAAF units within the Desert Air Force (DAF) framework. * ft.: Feet, the unit of measurement for the release altitude of 10,000 feet. * 250 lb. G.P. 43 Det. (Rods): 250-pound General Purpose high-explosive bombs utilizing No. 43 tail pistols and nose extension rods (known as "daisy cutters") to trigger detonation above the ground, maximizing the lateral fragmentation blast against soft targets. * .303 and .300 ammunition: Standard calibers for the aircraft's defensive machine guns. * A/C: Aircraft. * Cat 3 (Burnt): Category 3 damage, indicating the aircraft was beyond local repair and likely a total loss due to fire. * Ack/Ack / H.A.A.: Anti-Aircraft artillery, specifically Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire. * ME 109 F: Messerschmitt Bf 109 F "Friedrich," the primary single-engine German fighter encountered by Allied formations. * COMM.: Communication. Refers to non-combat signal liaison or transport flights. * T.O.O.: Time of Origin. Operational Context: OPREP No. 165 documents a combined Allied strike on 14 January 1943 against Axis Mechanical Transport (MT) and "dug-in positions" near Gheddahia, Tripolitania. Strategically, this mission occurred during the final Allied offensive in Libya, as the Eighth Army pushed westward to capture Tripoli. The Desert Air Force (DAF) was tasked with relentless tactical interdiction to shatter Axis logistics and defensive lines, specifically those organized along wadis and villages like Gheddahia. The mission utilized a combined formation of nine SAAF Martin Baltimores and nine USAAF B-25 Mitchells, illustrating the high degree of inter-service coordination within the MAAF. While the bombing run at 11:35 hrs successfully initiated a fire and four subsequent explosions, the formation faced intense resistance. "Intense" and "fairly accurate" Heavy Anti-Aircraft (H.A.A.) fire from Gheddahia village damaged A/C 885, while coordinated interception by German fighters resulted in the total loss of A/C 879. The human cost was significant: Flight Sergeant J.R. Gibbons was killed and Lieutenant J. Sadler was wounded when A/C 879 was targeted by an enemy fighter. Defensive gunners claimed damage to one Bf 109 F during the engagement. This document, archived as Folio 26, provides a primary record of the sustained attrition and high-stakes cooperation required to maintain air pressure during the definitive Axis retreat from Libya. 27 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 14 JAN 43.