Operation

"# 2" List of Aircraft and Aircrews attached to Sortie Report No. 241, dated the 26th March, 1943 - 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. * 930 K Major Barnby D.F.C., Lt. S.A. Evans, Lt. R.S. SANDILANDS and F/Sgt. Lotter W.G. * 862 D Lt. Hotchkiss, Lt. R.F. Hurrell, F/Sgt. Mazet J.R. and F/Sgt Mills J.E. * 942 G Lt. Oakes, Lt. P. Sachs, Sgt. Morrison (R.C.A.F.) and Sgt. Cleland (R.A.F.) * 919 H Lt. A.B. Murray, Lt. P.B. Ashton, F/Sgt. Bernitz S. and F/Sgt. Clack P.E. * 956 C Lt. S.J. Guard, Lt. B.L. Forsman, F/Sgt. Steven R.J.H. and F/Sgt. Forrest J.B. * ~~212 Z~~ Lt. R.A. Hargrave, Lt. P.C. Rees, F/Sgt. Bedford J.G.S. and Sgt. McQuown (S.O.A.F.) 104 S 186

1943-03-26

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion Glossary of Terms * Sortie Report No. 241: The specific mission record detailing the flight operations for the strike on March 26, 1943. * 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.: No. 21 Squadron of the South African Air Force, at this time operating Martin Baltimore light bombers. * D.F.C.: Distinguished Flying Cross, a high-level military decoration for bravery or devotion to duty while flying in active operations, held by Major Barnby. * F/Sgt. / Sgt.: Flight Sergeant / Sergeant. * R.C.A.F. / R.A.F. / S.O.A.F.: Royal Canadian Air Force / Royal Air Force / South African Air Force (likely a clerical error for S.A.A.F. in the original text). These indicate personnel from other Commonwealth air forces attached to the SAAF squadron. * 930 K / 862 D / 942 G / etc.: Individual aircraft serial numbers and their corresponding squadron identification letters. Operational Context The personnel listed in this document were the primary participants in the "blitz" strike conducted on the afternoon of 26 March 1943. This mission was a centerpiece of Operation Supercharge II, the decisive effort to breach the Tebaga Gap and outflank the Axis Mareth Line in Tunisia. Major Barnby, a highly experienced leader, spearheaded the formation. The presence of RAF and RCAF personnel within the crews highlights the integrated nature of the Desert Air Force (DAF) during the final stages of the North African campaign. The strategic objective for these crews was the suppression of Axis anti-tank screens and motor transport (MT) to facilitate the breakthrough of the 2nd New Zealand Division. Notably, the list includes the crew of aircraft 919 H (Lt. Murray, Lt. Ashton, F/Sgt. Bernitz, and F/Sgt. Clack), who were forced to land behind Allied lines following the engagement. It also lists the crew of 956 C (Lt. Guard, Lt. Forsman, F/Sgt. Steven, and F/Sgt. Forrest), who survived a crash-landing on the coast due to engine failure. This nominal roll serves as a primary record of the specific airmen responsible for the air-land coordination that General Montgomery subsequently described as achieving an intimacy and closeness "never in my knowledge... achieved before." 230 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 27 MAR 43