Operation TO : H.Q. S.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION SCORU)
H.Q. T.A.F. ITALY ( ATTENTION SCORU)
S.A.O.A. S.A.A.F.
FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.
REF. : 859/21S.
DATE : 25th NOVEMBER, 1944
OPREP NO. 859 FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 2100 ON THE 24th NOV. 1944.
A TO V. : NIL
W : (i) 4 Marauders III (ii) NIL
X : (i) 8.15 Hrs. (ii) NIL
Y TO Z : NIL
(Signature: S.L. Boshoff) CAPT.
S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.
TO : H.Q. S.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION SCORU)
H.Q. T.A.F. ITALY ( ATTENTION SCORU)
S.A.O.A. S.A.A.F.
FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.
REF. : 859/21S.
DATE : 25th NOVEMBER, 1944
OPREP NO. 859 FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 2100 ON THE 24th NOV. 1944.
A TO V. : NIL
W : (i) 4 Marauders III (ii) NIL
X : (i) 8.15 Hrs. (ii) NIL
Y TO Z : NIL
(Signature: S.L. Boshoff) CAPT.
S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.
__o_O_o__
Form 541 Transcriber's Notes TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
* Abbreviations Expanded:
* H.Q.: Headquarters
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force
* SCORU: South African Corps of Records
* T.A.F.: Tactical Air Force
* S.A.O.A.: South African Officer in Charge of Administration
* S.I.O.: Squadron Intelligence Officer
* REF.: Reference
* OPREP: Operational Report
* NOV.: November
* Hrs.: Hours
* CAPT.: Captain
* Observations about Individuals:
* Captain S.L. Boshoff: Serving as the Squadron Intelligence Officer (S.I.O.), Captain Boshoff signed this report. During this period of limited flying, the Intelligence Officer's duties shifted from intensive mission briefings to meticulous administrative record-keeping and documenting training hours.
* Information about Locations:
* Pescara (Base): Throughout November 1944, 21 Squadron was stationed at Pescara Airfield on the Adriatic coast of Italy.
* Modern Name: The wartime airfield site is currently the Abruzzo Airport (Aeroporto d’Abruzzo). The Squadron's War Diary for this month famously describes the camp site as a "veritable 'sea of mud'" due to the heavy autumn rains.
* Historical Theatre Context:
* Non-Operational Status: OPREP No. 859 continues the trend of "NIL" combat operations ("A TO V. : NIL") for the reporting period ending November 24, 1944. This reflects the broader strategic stalemate in Italy where weather hindered the Allied advance toward the Po Valley.
* Practice and Formation Flying: While no combat missions occurred, section 'W' and 'X' record 4 Marauder III aircraft logging 8.15 Hours of flying time. This corresponds with the November War Diary's note that "towards the end of the month advantage was taken of two clear days to put in some practice bombing and formation flying".
* The Martin B-26 Marauder III: These practice hours were essential for maintaining crew proficiency and integrating ground crew replacements. The Marauder III was a demanding aircraft to fly and maintain, especially in the waterlogged conditions of the Pescara airfield where hard stands were still under construction.
* Administrative Diligence: This report, following several other "NIL" OPREPs earlier in the month, highlights the rigorous reporting standards of the S.A.A.F. even during periods of operational stand-down.
76
Target File Verification: The date written in the 'DATE' line of the memorandum is 26th NOVEMBER, 1944.
