Operation

FROM: SIO 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F. TO: H.Q. R.A.F. M.E. H.Q. NAAF (attention 23rd. S.C.O.R.U.) N.A. T.A.F. (attention 2nd. Command Unit 23rd. S.C.O.R.U. SIO. T.B.F. S.A.O.A. S.A.A.F. H.Q. ADV. AIR. REF: 21S/345 DATE: 21 JULY 1943 OPREP NO. 345 24 hrs. Ending 2100 HRS. LT 20 JUL. 43. A - V NIL W. (1) 1 (ii) NIL X (1) 45 mins. (ii) NIL Y - Z NIL (Signature: G.W. Thompson) Lt. for Capt. SIO 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.

1943-07-21

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Form 541

MAP

Transcriber's Notes

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES * Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded: * SIO: Squadron Intelligence Officer. * S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force. * H.Q.: Headquarters. * R.A.F.: Royal Air Force. * M.E.: Middle East. * NAAF: Northwest African Air Forces. * S.C.O.R.U.: Section Control and Operational Research Unit. * N.A. T.A.F.: Northwest African Tactical Air Force. * T.B.F.: Tactical Bomber Force. * S.A.O.A.: South African Officer Administering. * ADV. AIR: Advanced Air (Headquarters). * OPREP: Operational Report. * HRS. LT: hours Local Time. * Individuals Mentioned: * Lieutenant G.W. Thompson: Thompson, acting for the Squadron Intelligence Officer, Captain J.S. Bester, signed this report. His role involved the vital task of transmitting squadron status and operational results up the chain of command to the high-level headquarters listed in the "TO" field. * Operational and Historical Context: * Lull in Operations: This OPREP, covering the 24-hour period ending at 2100 hrs on July 20, 1943, shows almost no operational activity, as evidenced by the "NIL" entries for sections A through V. This follows a period of intense night missions where 21 Squadron's Baltimores were heavily engaged and stalked by German night fighters. * Theatre Context (Operation HUSKY): On July 20, 1943 (D+10), Allied forces were making significant gains in Sicily. General Patton's U.S. 7th Army was rapidly approaching Palermo on the north coast, while the British 8th Army was meeting stiff German resistance on the Catanian plain. * The Martin Baltimore: Despite the lack of combat sorties, Section W indicates that one Baltimore was active for a 45-minute test flight or non-combat transfer ("45 mins" in section X). These short flights were often necessary for air-testing aircraft after repairs, such as those required for FA 181, which had been damaged by cannon fire in the previous night's engagement. * Location: While the destination is not specified, 21 Squadron continued to operate from its Tunisian landing ground, Ben Hagen LG, providing tactical support to the ongoing ground campaign across the Mediterranean. 95 The date written in the 'Date' column of target file 276-1__95.jpg is 22nd July 43.