Sortie — Sunday, 21 January 1945

Sortie Report (Form 541)

APPENDIX "E"9FROM : S.I.O. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.TO : H.Q. M.A.A.F. ( ATTENTION OPERATIONS RECORDS.)H.Q. M.A.T.A.F. ( SOCRU )S.A.O.A. ADV. S.A.A.F. H.Q. C.M.F.W.I.O. 3 SA WING S.A.A.F.REF. : 21S/ 914DATE : 21st JANUARY, 1945OPREP NO. 914 FOR THE 2400 HRS. ENDING 2100 HRS ON THE 20 : 1 : 1945 REF. MAPS YUGOSLAVIA 1:100,000 SHEET 12 CELJE. ITALY, 1:100,000 SHEET 59 - RAVENNA.

OPERATION NO. 142/21/M

A. — 9 Marauders took off from JESI L/G. at 10.17 Hrs.to bomb CELJER/R Bridge at R.(D) 973373.They set course from BELLARIA at 11.19followed by 12 Squadron and escorted by 8 Spitfires. 8/10th.to10/10th.multi-layer cloud extended from RIMINI Eastwards and North--wards 6000' base up to above 15000'.After 3 circuits gaining heightin a vain endeavour to get above cloud, the formation turned backat 11.50 Hrs.towards the alternative target,causeway at M.606608.10/10th.strata-cu.on coast and inland extending from the Southernshore of Lake COMACCHIO Northwards,5000'/7000' tops preventedbombing.All A/C returned with bomb-load and landed by 12.55 Hrs.B. — (1) 9 Marauder Mk.III (ii) Nil.C. — (i)&(ii) Nil.D. — (i) 22.30 Hrs. (ii) Nil.E. — (i) 30600 x .50 (ii)&(iii) Nil.F. — (i) 36 x 1000 G.P. fused 42-50 Nose, 30-49 Tail.(ii),(iii)&(iv) Nil.G to V; Nil.W. — (i) 2 Marauders Mk.III (ii) Nil.X. — (i) 3.10 Hrs. (ii) Nil.Y. — 16 x 10 lbs. Practice.Z. — 100 x .50 [Handwritten Signature] Captain, S.I.O. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

S.I.O: Senior Intelligence Officer.
S.I.O: Senior Intelligence Officer.
S.I.O: Senior Intelligence Officer.
S.I.O: Senior Intelligence Officer.
S.A.A.F: South African Air Force.
S.A.A.F: South African Air Force.
S.A.A.F: South African Air Force. Operational Context: Strategic Transition and Recognition By January 1945, 21 Squadron SAAF had transitioned from the tactical support of the Gustav Line to the strategic interdiction of German supply corridors in Northern Italy and Yugoslavia from its base at Jesi. The "inclement weather" characteristic of the 1944–1945 winter frequently grounded the unit’s Martin B-26 Marauders, allowing for administrative catch-up such as the publication of these Routine Orders. Paragraph 10 contains a high-level commendation from General Ira Eaker, C-in-C of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF). Eaker's praise for 1944 accomplishments highlights the squadron's role in the successful interdiction campaigns of that year, which were critical in degrading the German 10th and 14th Armies. Execution Constraints
S.A.A.F: South African Air Force. Operational Context: Airfield Security and the Winter Standstill By January 1945, 21 Squadron SAAF was operating Martin B-26 Marauder medium bombers from Jesi Landing Ground. While the strategic focus was the interdiction of German supply lines in Yugoslavia and Northern Italy, the severe "inclement weather" of that winter frequently grounded flight operations. On the very date these orders were issued, January 25th, the squadron was buried under 12 inches of snow and a "stand-down" was ordered. This specific Routine Order regarding "Ground Defence" reflects the persistent threat of German special forces (such as Fallschirmjäger) or Luftwaffe ground-attack missions attempting to sabotage Allied air power in central Italy. Despite the front being north of the Gothic Line, airfield security remained a high priority to protect vital airframes and technical personnel. Execution Constraints
S.A.A.F: South African Air Force. Operational Context: Winter Stalemate and Unit Administration (Jesi, 1945) In January 1945, 21 Squadron SAAF was operating Martin B-26 Marauder aircraft from Jesi Landing Ground. This period was defined by the severe winter of 1944–45, where a "heavy fall of at least 12 inches" of snow at the end of the month effectively grounded the squadron. During this operational lull, unit administration under Lt. Col. D. Ord, D.F.C. shifted toward camp discipline and personnel welfare. The "Casual Leave" and "Motor Transport" orders reflect the logistical reality of maintaining a large force in a liberated but still unstable theater. While the front line lay to the north at the Gothic Line, units in the rear areas like Jesi had to balance morale (trips to the "Cinema") with security concerns. The requirement for drivers on night runs to be "properly armed" indicates the ongoing risk of civilian theft rings or enemy stragglers behind the lines. Execution Constraints
S.A.A.F: South African Air Force.

The Government has approved the procedure to be follow- ed regarding the return of U.D.F. ex-North and the releases and discharges of the personnel of the Forces.

When demobilization takes place members of the Forces will be released or discharged according to their length of service.

All members of the U.D.F., except those mentioned in paragraph 6 below, will therefore be classified into groups according to their date of attestation as follows :— Date of Attestation. Group. Sep. 39 to 30 Apr. 40 Group A. 1 May to 30 Jun. 40 Group B. 1 Jul to 31 Dec. 40 Group C. 1 Jan to 30 Apr. 41 Group D. 1 May to 31 Dec. 41 Group E. 1 Jan. to 30 Jun. 42 Group F. 1 Jul. to 31 Dec. 42 Group G. 1 Jan. to 30 Apr. 43 Group H. 1 May to 31 Dec. 43 Group J. 1 Jan. to 30 Jun. 44 Group K. 1 Jul. to 31 Dec. 44 Group L. 1 Jan. 45 onwards Group M.

Upon the defeat of Germany members serving outside the Union will be returned in accordance with length of service or, in other words, members will be returned by groups in the above order as far as transportation arrangements, and in particular shipping facilities, will permit. Such members will on arrival be sent to their homes on leave without delay.

The policy governing releases and discharges will ensure that no unfair advantage will be given to members of the Forces who are in the Union when demobilization commences over those who are then serving outside the Union. In pursuance of this policy, only such members who are entitled to return to the employment they had at the time of enlistment, and for whom such employment is still available, will, unless their services have to be retained in the national interest, be released or discharged as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made. University students who apply to return to their studies will be similarly treated.

Two Flight Commanders and 50 fully armed Other Ranks will proceed to the Headquarters Flight Hard Stand. On arrival the senior officer will immediately contact 3 Wing H.Q. Operations Room by phone or runner and will be ready for any instructions that may be issued by Wing H.Q. A man will be maintained permanently at 21 Squadron H.Q. Flight phone.

The M. T. Officer will immediately despatch three vehicles with drivers to Officers' Mess, take the two Flight Commanders and 50 Other Ranks to the Air Field.

All communications will be made by phone, D.R. or runner. CAMP AREA.

The remaining M. T. Drivers will stand by at the M.T. Section with trucks fully mobilised and await instructions.

As many as possible of the remaining personnel will be armed and stand by awaiting instructions. They will come under the command of the O. C. and will be utilised to defend this camp area and as reinforcements for any area which may be seriously threatened.

* JANUARY, 1945.

Sorrentino Antonio - Italian Civilian Reg. No. 354 - Government Employee sustained injuries when struck by the port airscrew of Marauder Aircraft No. H.D. 539 (T) at Jesi Aerodrome on the

* Responsibility cannot be placed directly or indirectly on any person.

The accident was due to the deceased failing to keep a proper look-out when walking on an aricraft taxi-strip, propably due to the fact that he was severely shocked by an explosion twenty minutes earlier.

The injuries which proved fatal were sustained while on duty on the aerodrome.

* RAID ON BARRACKS AT M. 432747 ABOVE LAKE COMACCHIO : REF. MAP ITALY SHEET 77

* Capt. Nicolay ✓ P/O McDonald T. Lt. Nathan ✓ Sgt. Kilsby ✓ Capt. Jones Lt. Malan F.L. 561 B F/O Hanna ✓ Lt. Stuart Lt. Dickenson W/O Paxton ✓ W/O vd Berg W/O Oldfield A 474 D Lt. Gough Lt. Lowe ✓ Lt. Ryan ✓ 2/Lt. Andrews ✓ Sgt Collins Sgt Kennedy 519 G Lt. Napier Lt. Parsons Lt. O-Hughes 2/Lt. Koegelenberg Lt. Stubbs W/O Cilliers 429 A

Capt. Musgrove ✓ P/O Geble Lt. Jordaan W/O Goodwin ✓ Sgt Smith T.R. Sgt Cook 537 YY Lt. Becke ✓ Lt. Meyer ✓ Lt. Johnstone W/O Williamson Sgt Heale Sgt Gidlow 471 R Lt. Batley ✓ W/O Lang ✓ Lt. Adams ✓ Sgt Gillbank Lt. Butler W/O Eave 575 P Lt. Cloete ✓ P/O Blackford Lt. Smit Lt. Fairweather ✓ W/O Head W/O Venter 539 T

* RAID ON BARRACKS AT M. 432747 ABOVE LAKE COMACCHIO : REF. MAP ITALY SHEET 77