The month ended with gladdening news for some more of the flying personnel. All the "old" Air gunners, with a few exceptions are to return to the Union by Junkers on Tuesday,
Major O'Brien conveying this news to an overjoyed group of Air Sergeants who had been mournfully sipping their beer in the Mess a few moments previously. The Adj. who had just returned from CAIRO with these tidings suddenly found himself in the centre of a group of Sergeants, transformed into an animated, laughing and talking circle of men all pressing him to celebrate the occasion in accustomed fashion!
This is now the month-end and as has been done previously the activities of the month are reviewed:
General
Health has maintained a high standard among all ranks. Better food and living conditions have helped to restore many of those who were feeling "off” at the end of the last month and the position is very satisfactory at the moment. The present period is of course a difficult one. Those men who have been with the squadron since its inception and have experienced the rigours of the Libyan campaign do not take kindly to the seemingly monotonous routine of a “base camp” and many of them, too will be eligible for return to the Union in less than three months. So a great deal, in regard to the morale and spirit of the Squadron will depend on work having to be done to aircraft, either our own or types similar to the aircraft we may expect at some future date. To attempt to keep men interested in odd moments of sport, and four hundred of them at that, is no easy task – for dusty gales are by no means an encouragement for bored personnel to remain any longer in camp than is absolutely essential!
However the prospect of having aircraft to service or assemble remains, and with it the hopes. of re-creating once again the happy, healthy atmosphere of competitive workmanship in the Squadron.
No operational flying: Oprep No. 212
Wing's instructions of yesterday, to the effect that the whole Squadron is to be ready to move at short notice, is cancelled. All that is to be ready to move on short notice is a skeleton “B” Party consisting of sufficient ground personnel and reserve air-crews for a three-day's intensive blitz. It is anticipated that day and night operations will be carried out.
Operations and Statistical Summary, Serials Nos. 32/43 to 59/43being for the month of February, 1943
205406 Lieut. G. C. JACKSON posted to the Squadron from No. 1 A.D.U . and from the Squadron to No. 60 Squadron, w.e.f. 18 Feb. 43. 205822 Lieut. J. W. CHRISTIE who was injured by land-mine fragments on 7 Jan. 43. is posted back to the Squadron from S.A.A.F. Depot (non-effective). 103449 Lieut. H. A. PUTTOCK who has also been off-strength - non-effective - is posted back to the Squadron w.e.f. 9 Feb. 43. Two other ranks posted to the Squadron from S.A.A.F. Depot, w.e.f. 15 Feb. 43.
103022 Captain P. C. VIVIAN who was injured in the land-mine explosions on 7 Jan. 43, and who has been in hospital ever since, is posted R.T.U. ex Convalescent Home. The following other ranks are posted to S.A.A.F.Depot with effect from the dates stated: – One A/Gunner, non-effective, 23 Jan 43; Four for R.T.U. – 20 Feb. 43; one tor duty in any capacity – 21 Feb. 43—One other rank posted to No. 24 Squadron.
Squadron Statistical Summary for the period of the present operational tour (i.e. 6 Sep. 42, to 28 Feb. 43)
Twelve aircraft took off at 09.17 hours to bomb CHIETI Railway Station. The route out was LARINO LAMA across the mountains to the target. Stick of bombs fell across the railway line; two direct hits on railway and one direct hit on the road. Heavy, intense and accurate A.A. was encountered from the main road of PESCARA – POPOLI. The C.O.’s aircraft sustained a direct hit, but fortunately the shell did not explode, going through the aircraft and missing the C.O. by inches.
No movements were observed in the target area. One stationary train was observed in CHIETI Railway Station.
Sortie Report No. 567.
The second raid was at 14.43 hours and the CHIETI Cellulose Factory was the target. A cover of four Spitfires was provided over the target area. Visibility over the target area was good but bombing results were not well observed owing to evasive action through A.A., but it appeared that the target was slightly undershot. Heavy, intense and accurate A.A. was encountered soon after crossing the bomb line. Only eleven aircraft returned. The missing aircraft fell out of the formation soon after bombing. A message was received from the Army that the one aircraft crashed. Four parachutes were seen to open.
Three of the crew landed near ATESSA, where they were cared for by the 13th Corps. A further message was received that the pilot, Capt. T.A.B. v.d. Riet was killed. His remains were found and brought back to the Squadron.
Sortie Report No. 568
SUMMARY
Due to adverse weather conditions only one operation was carried out up to the 19th of the month. On the 8th six aircraft attacked the GORIZIA Marshalling Yards with fairly good results.
A Liberator landed when the Squadron was taking off and obstructed the runway and three aircraft were unable to take off. On the 20th, 21st and 23rd two raids a day were carried out. Four Marshalling Yards in Northern Italy were attacked with good results. One raid was abortive due to 10/10ths cloud over the target area. Other targets consisted of Sugar Refineries and a Cellulose Factory. On the 23rd outstanding results were obtained when 90% of bombs of eleven aircraft fell on the PONTO LONGO Sugar Refinery. Two Railroad Bridges the PORDENONE and ARSIE, were also targets for the month. Against the PORDENONE Bridge delayed action bombs were used. Raid on the ARSIE Bridge was abortive due to thick ground haze in Northern Italy. On this raid one aircraft piloted by Lieut. D.L. BECKE developed engine trouble five minutes before the target was reached. Aircraft broke formation, one engine was feathered, and a course set for base closely guarded by two Spitfires of the fighter escort. The coast was crossed just north of the Bombline en route and the sound engine sustained direct hits by 20 mm. ack-ack. The aircraft was nevertheless brought back as far as CESENATICO where a successful landing was made.
On the 27th February, the G.O.C. – Major General F.H. Theron visited the camp, accompanied by Lt. Col. Hudson and Major Kennedy, and appeared to be satisfied with the position and general condition of the Camp.
Early in February, Major L. G. Hamlet “A” Flight Commander and Capt. P. H. Nicolay Deputy "A" Flight Commander were posted for R.T.U. as operational tour expired. Lieut. J.O. Harle (observer) arrived on a second tour with this Squadron. the R.S.M. W.O.1.
L.A.J.Atkinson was posted for R.T.U. as tour of duly expired and W.O.1. L.I. Dreyer arrived as his replacement.
Towards the end of February the weather suddenly changed for the better. After several sunny days the mud began to dry and at last we were able to shed our gumboots, don ordinary footwear and could walk about the camp without the anxiety of losing a shoe at the next step!
Entertainment was of the usual high standard during February. The highlight of the month was the visit of an Italian Opera Company who put on the well known Operas “The Barber of Seville” “La Boheme” and “Rigoletto”. Their performances were first-class and compared favourably with those of the premier opera companies of Rome.
Owing to the bad weather and transport difficulty in providing covered trucks to Jesi, our nearest convenient centre for entertainment, some alternative had to be found. Lt. Col. D. Ord, D.F.C. the C.O. of the Squadron had a "brainwave" - which was to use a Nissen Hut as a Recreation Hall. The matter was discussed with Major Rautenbach (squadron Adjutant) who went one better and suggested joining two or three Nissen Huts, and further that the huts should be placed on sloping ground so as to obtain "modern theatre" construction effect. The Hall was built as suggested, lined with a brick floor, and a modern stage and dressing rooms were constructed.
Further credit is due to Lt. Col. Ord for his "scrounging ability" in obtaining from "unknown sources" sufficient benches to comfortably seat 250. The Padre, Rev. S.R. Skemp, rendered valuable assistance in supervising the completion of the interior fixtures. The Recreation Hall has already proved its worth -lectures and cinema shows have been held, and the conditions found to be excellent. It is confidently anticipated that our "Nissen Hut" Recreation Hall will be copied in the near future by 30 Squadron, S.A.A.F.
During February leave was resumed and weekly parties were sent to Florence and Rome. The Voortrekker Club in Florence is most popular with members of this Squadron. It is central, food and sleeping accommodation both excellent, and the Club provides that essential change from the normal camp routine.
Five members of this Squadron were selected for the 3 Wing Rugby Team who defeated No. 205 Group by 6 points to 3 at Foggia. With the welcome change in the weather Softball has begun once again. Apart from inter-section games this Squadron defeated No. 12 Squadron and 30 Squadron by a large margin of points. Of the inter-section teams the “Pilots” still seem to be on top.
Appendix to the War Diary : 21 Squadron S.A.A.F. : 3 Wing
FEBRUARY 1945
Between the 1st and the 19th of the month due to adverse weather conditions only one operation was carried out. On the 8th six aircraft attacked the GORIZIA Marshalling Yards with fairly good results. A Liberator landed when the Squadron was taking off and obstructed the runway and three aircraft were unable to take off.
A break in the weather from the 19th of the month afforded the squadron the opportunity to show its teeth . On the 20th, 21st and 23rd two raids a day were carried out. Four Marshalling Yards in Northern Italy were attacked with good results. One raid was abortive due to 10/10ths cloud over target area.
Other targets consisted of Sugar Refineries and a Cellulose Factory. On the 23rd outstanding results were obtained when 90% of bombs of 11 aircraft fell on the Ponto Longo Sugar Refinery.
Two R.R. Bridges, the Pordenone and Arsie were also targets for the month. Against the Pordenone Bridge delayed action bombs were used. Raid on the Arsie Bridge was abortive due to thick ground haze in Northern Italy. On this raid one aircraft piloted by Lt. Becke developed engine trouble five minutes before the target was reached. Aircraft broke formation, one engine was feathered and a course was set for base closely guarded by two Spitfires of the fighter escort.
The coast was crossed just North of the Bomb line en route and the sound engine sustained direct hits by 20 mm ack ack.
The aircraft was nevertheless brought back as far as Cesenatico where a successful landing was made.
114 Sorties – 292.05 hrs. were completed and a total of 194 tons of Bombs were dropped.
Non-Operational flying totalled 57.20 hrs and were mostly devoted to Practice Bombing and the passing out of 1st Pilots.