And so we come to the end of our first month in the New Year. Once more the opportunity is given to look back on another thirty days of Active Service life and again we can comment on what the past month has brought us.
Health & Morale
Despite the wintry conditions, the rain cold and wind, health has been of a surprisingly high standard. Viewing the circumstances the morale of all ranks can be described in the same terms.
It must be remembered that for the major portion of the month we have had to face up to trying conditions, of raids and possible raids by the enemy without the opportunity of hitting back effectively, with the consequent thought in the minds of many of us “Well, If we can't do anything what the heck are we sitting here for?”.
However, the foundation of the squadron spirit and morale, laid many weary months previous has seen us through and has proved invaluable. We withdraw from this campaign for the nonce with the feeling, however, of having achieved something despite the difficulties we have had to encounter, and if we didn't make abetter job of the task we had in hand ---- well, it simply wasn't our fault!
General
The task that lies before us is one of rebuilding the vigour of the squadron's personnel for the jobs that remain to be done. The fact that our personnel will be able to enjoy a reasonably lengthy period of leave will do much to restore physically and mentally weary men. A number of our flying personnel are due to leave for the Union for operational fatigue has taken its toll. Our Officer Commanding, Lt. Col. Pretorius is also due for recall down South and the future should see many oh changes in the appearance of the squadron but we are satisfied that whatever may befall the traditions of the early days shall continue to guide the squadron in the future.
The problem of water supply is becoming acute: yesterday the army removed the pumping plant from the well where we have been drawing pure water for the past fortnight. This point was 55 miles away and we had to revert to the salty solution supplied at NOFILIA (50 miles away). Today advice is received that the latter point is also closing down as the supply is exhausted. The next nearest adequate supply is ten miles West of the point which we have been using.
Representations were submitted to Wing for the return to the Union of six aircrews complete, all of whom have been on active service for more than 12 months.
Operational & Statistical Summary for the month of January, 1943 (on S.A.A.F. copy only).
News received that the O.C., Lt. Col. C.P. Kotzé and Major A.L. Stuart had been awarded the D.F.C. Both awards were most popular and were celebrated in the usual manner.
Summary
Owing to the inclement weather the squadron was grounded for most of the month. Only seven raids were carried out, mostly against Railroad bridges in Yugoslavia. During January the Squadron carried out its first "blind bombing" raid on a barracks area of Lake Comacchio and Wing was very satisfied with the effort although no results have been reported so far. A number of practice bombing sorties were also carried out.
On the 11th of January an aircraft belonging to 30 Squadron, S.A.A.F. crashed on take-off and exploded. An Italian labourer working on the Aerodrome was apparently dazed by the explosion and walked into the propeller of an aircraft of this squadron that was taxying to its dispersal area. The Italian was killed instantly and a copy of the resultant Court of Inquiry is enclosed as an appendix.
On the first of the month there was a light fall of snow and at the end of January a heavy fall of at least 12". Several tents were forced down, and branches broken from trees, but on the whole the damage was very light. Toboggans were rapidly constructed and snowball "battles" waxed fast and furious, casualties fortunately being nil, and everybody enjoyed themselves immensely. Snow is a novelty to most of us, especially to the N.M.C., and it formed a pretty picture in our well wooded camp site. At 11.45 on the 28th of January, when the snow was at its thickest, stand-down came through from Wing! This was considered quite a joke as the whole area was completely buried at the time.
On the 16th of the month Groups-Captain PIMLETT, the P.M.O. of D.A.F. visited the Unit and was impressed by our improvised kitchen stoves and the general cleanliness of the camp.
A number of arrivals and departures took place during January and details are incorporated in Appendix "O". A party was held in the Officers’ Mess to say good-bye to Capt. "Pierre" NICOLLE, who had been posted to 8 Wing, S.A.A.F. Pierre was very popular in the Squadron and performed valuable work in his capacity as Squadron Intelligence Officer. His calm unruffled manner and efficiency was an inspiration to all and we will miss him.
The Desert Air Force Band visited the squadron and their excellent music was enjoyed by a large gathering. Several good shows were seen in JESI, prominent among which was a revised version of the "Desert Song", and an excellent Italian Concert Party. A Camp Concert Hall has been constructed and will provide a first-class venue for concerts, film shows etc. It comprises several Nissen Huts joined together; a stage has been erected and seating accommodation provided. We are hoping to hold our first show during the coming month.
Owing to the inclement weather sport has been practically at a standstill. One of the members of this squadron (A/Cpl. G.C. GREEN) was selected to run for the R.A.F. against the Army in the S.E. Italy Services Cross-Country Championships.
Forms D.D.88 J were completed at this Unit at the end of December, 1944 and approximately 56% personnel signed the form.
Several were of the opinion that as they had already signed the General Service Oath another form should not be necessary. However, it was generally appreciated that the Authorities were trying to satisfy everybody and all hoped that further details would soon be available.
A number of parties were in progress on New Year's Eve, but the following day was spent very quietly, not necessarily as a result of the parties, but owing to the fact that it was "work as usual” on New Year's Day. The morale of the Squadron received a boost when the news of the Russian offensive was received, and it is hoped that soon we shall be writing our last monthly "War Diary".
Appendix to war diary – 21 Squadron S.A.A.F – 3 Wing – January 1945
Wintry showers, snow and bad weather generally kept the Squadron grounded most of the month. Only seven raids were carried out, mostly against R/R bridges in Yugoslavia.
On the 15th the Squadron did its first Blind Bombing Raid on a Barracks area north of Lake Comacchio and Wing was very satisfied with the effort. No results have been reported so far.
The last raid of the month, on the 27th, was against CASTEL FRANCO VENETO Marshalling Yards - no bombs in the target area. 62 sorties - 189.10 Hrs. were completed and 191,000 Lbs. of Bombs dropped, during the month.
On instructions from Wing Practice Bombing had to take preference over everything and 38 Sorties - 65.15 Hrs., were carried out on this type of exercise.