Operation

'P 2' 202 List of aircraft and aircrews attached to Sortie Report No. 248 dated 31 MAR 43. 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. 900 F Capt. Mouton, Lt. Simon, F/Sgts. Carr & Wisenberg. 977 L Lt. Guard, Lt. Campbell, F/Sgts. Steven & Forrest J.B. 108 B Lt. Carlisle, Lt. Webber, F/Sgts. Schumann & Waldek. 903 O Capt. Smit, Lt. Kay, F/Sgts. Perkins & van Rooyen. 176 YY Lt. Clutterbuck, Lt. Wright, F/Sgts. Raeburn & Fraser. 940 V Lt. Eaton, Lt. Floor, Sgt. Gildon (RAF) & F/Sgt. le Roux. 916 SS Lt. Smith, Lt. Arnold, Sgt. Freestone (RAF) & F/Sgt. Viljoen. 957 W Lt. Wood, Lt. Gould, F/Sgts. Purdon & Groenewald. 142 P Lt. Liddiard, Lt. Pickerill, F/Sgts. Zaaiman & Oliff. 126 U Lt. Hargrave, Lt. Rees, Sgt. McQueen (RCAF) & F/Sgt. Bedford. 982 H Maj. Schravensande, Lt. Herring, F/Sgts. Meyer & Stepforth. 904 BB Capt. Budd, Sgt. Smallman (RAF), F/O Cornelius (RCAF) & F/Sgt. Woods. 877 J Lt. Blieden, Lt. Rose, F/Sgts. Jarvis & Smith L.W. 179 A Lt. A'Bear, Lt. Owen-Hughes, F/Sgts. Morrison & Pickup. 862 D Lt. Hotchkiss, Lt. Morrell, F/Sgts. Mazet & Mills. 930 K Lt. Hamilton, Lt. Whittle, F/Sgts. Rogers & Phelan. 944 C Lt. Dugmore, Lt. Masters, F/Sgts. Maasdorp & Rogers C.L. 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

Phase 2: Technical Expansion Glossary of Terms * Sortie Report No. 248: The specific operational record for the second mission scheduled for March 31, 1943, to which this nominal roll is attached. * 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.: No. 21 Squadron of the South African Air Force, currently operating Martin Baltimore light bombers. * RAF / RCAF: Royal Air Force / Royal Canadian Air Force. These designations identify Commonwealth personnel serving as part of SAAF crews, such as Sgt. Gildon and Sgt. McQueen. * F/Sgt. / Sgt. / F/O: Flight Sergeant, Sergeant, and Flying Officer. * F/L / B/L / V/L: Tactical formation positions: Formation Leader, Box Leader, and Vic Leader (a "Vic" being a three-aircraft "V" formation). * 900 F / 977 L / etc.: Individual aircraft identification numbers and their corresponding squadron letters. Operational Context The personnel listed in this document were the designated crews for the Second Operation of Day on 31 March 1943. This mission was intended as a follow-up to the successful morning strike against the Sfax El Maou Landing Ground. Strategically, the neutralization of Axis airfields in eastern Tunisia was critical for the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) to prevent the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica from providing air cover for retreating Axis ground forces as they moved toward the Wadi Akarit line. Although this mission utilized a substantial force of 17 Martin Baltimores and one Douglas Boston, it was ultimately recorded as Abortive. The formation, led by Capt. Mouton in aircraft 900 F, set course from Pisida but was recalled by W/T (Wireless Telegraphy) just 35 minutes after take-off. The cancellation of the raid reflects the fluid tactical environment during the final stages of the North African campaign, where rapid ground advances by the Eighth Army could abruptly change target priorities or safety requirements for close air support missions. Despite the lack of an engagement, this nominal roll captures the scale of the intended strike force and the integrated nature of SAAF, RAF, and RCAF aircrews operating within the Desert Air Force. 251 Phase 1: Verification & Extraction Identity Check: 1.3.43. to 31.3.43.