Operation P O S T A G R A M.
W. Di... 18
To : HQ. RAF. ME.
From : SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.
Serial No : 21 Sqdn/325.
Date : 4 Jul 43.
OPREP NO. 325 for the period ending 1800 hrs 4 JUL 43.
A to K NIL
Comm NIL
TOO 1800 hrs 4 JUL 43.
(Signature: J. S. Besson) Capt.
SIO. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.
P O S T A G R A M.
W. Di... 18
To : HQ. RAF. ME.
From : SIO. 21 SQUADRON. SAAF.
Serial No : 21 Sqdn/325.
Date : 4 Jul 43.
OPREP NO. 325 for the period ending 1800 hrs 4 JUL 43.
A to K NIL
Comm NIL
TOO 1800 hrs 4 JUL 43.
(Signature: J. S. Besson) Capt.
SIO. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.
__o_O_o__
Form 541 Transcriber's Notes TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
* Abbreviations Expanded:
* HQ. RAF. ME.: Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East.
* SIO: Squadron Intelligence Officer.
* SAAF / S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
* Sqdn: Squadron.
* OPREP: Operational Report.
* hrs: hours.
* Comm: Communications.
* TOO: Time of Origin.
* Capt.: Captain.
* Observations about Individuals:
* Captain J. S. Besson: As the Senior Intelligence Officer (SIO), Captain Besson was responsible for certifying these daily reports to higher command. Following the catastrophic losses of the previous day (July 3), where the squadron lost four aircraft and eighteen personnel were listed as missing, his "NIL" report on July 4 indicates a necessary operational pause for the unit.
* Information about the Location:
* Ben Hagen, Tunisia: At the time of this report, 21 Squadron S.A.A.F. was operating from this landing ground in North Africa.
* Modern Context: Many of these desert landing grounds were temporary strips created by the Allies during their advance through Tunisia and have since been reclaimed by the desert or agricultural development.
* Historical Theatre Context:
* Post-Strike Recovery: This report reflects the immediate aftermath of the disastrous medium-level bombing attack on Trapani Milo Aerodrome in Sicily on July 3, 1943. The squadron had been mauled by "intense and accurate" heavy anti-aircraft fire and persistent attacks by Messerschmitt Bf 109s and Macchi C.202s.
* Operation HUSKY Countdown: Dated July 4, 1943, this document marks just six days before the Allied invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky). While the report is "NIL" for combat operations, the ground crews at Ben Hagen were likely working frantically to repair the eight aircraft that returned with Category I and II battle damage.
* The Martin Baltimore: During this period, the squadron was utilizing a mix of Martin Baltimore Mark III and Mark IIIA bombers.
* Administrative Record: The handwritten "W. Di... 18" in the top right corner suggests this document was the 18th appendix or entry for the squadron's War Diary for that specific period. It serves as a stark contrast to the dense, multi-page reports of the day prior, highlighting the rhythmic nature of aerial warfare between intense combat and administrative maintenance.
24
The date written in the 'Date' line of the postagram is 5 JUL 43.
