Another month – our first full month of operations – has passed and the various aspects of squadron life can be here reviewed:
HEALTH
Once again the standard of health among all ranks appears to be high. There are few cases of illness, the most prevalent being influenza or colds owing to the sudden change to winter conditions. Sports as a means of exercise is being encouraged and with swimming thrown in whenever the weather and time permit, a fairly clean bill of health in regard to the squadron may be shown.
ADMINISTRATION
All sections have been kept very busy and there is scant respite for hardly a single individual on the ground staff. However there has been a splendid response all round and the distinct growth of "squadron pride" and spirit is noticeable, and this as a contributory cause to good work is welcomed. Morale too is of a high order.
GENERAL
Despite the shortness of leisure hours, every effort to make themselves comfortable has been put forward by all sections.
Following the example of the officers in an earlier month, an unofficial “raid” on the nearest town was carried out by members of the Sergeant's Mess to provide the necessary furniture to equip their canteen.
Skilful camouflage was rapidly applied to most of the furniture as a move towards securing the other tenth in terms of the old adage that "possession is nine-tenths of the law".
Signal from AHQ, W.D., quoting signal received from Prime Minister, G.B. to all Flying Units, W.D.
One raid, 18 aircraft, four of which were holed by ack-ack, two extensively but no casualties.
Oprep. No. 126, Sortie Report and Crew List
Operations and Statistical Summary, Serials Nos. 1a – 8a and .1 – 23/42 for the month of October, 1942 (on S. A. A. F. copy only)
No Operations to-day. The Sergeants were given permission to utilise a nearby brick building as a Mess, a gesture much appreciated by the N.C.O.’s concerned. Steps were taken immediately to clean out the building and make it habitable.
No operations were carried out by this Squadron during the month of October. Continual rain grounded the Marauders at PESCARA; lack of suitable dispersal and a runway of insufficient length prevented ops at JESI. Although out of ops we unfortunately lost one machine (burnt out) and a further two were damaged when a U.S.A. Liberator burst a tyre taking off and crashed into one of our aircraft parked on the JESI Aerodrome. Fortunately there were no personnel casualties.
During October the Squadron moved from PESCARA to JESI. The move took place practically without incident, although several journeys were made, using the more robust of our war weary transport for the heavy work. The Squadron is experiencing great difficulty in keeping transport on the road owing to batteries becoming U/s. It would appear that replacements for these U/s batteries are extremely hard to obtain.
An advance party had been busy at the new site and when we arrived a Nissen hut was already erected for the Parachute Section, and the camp laid out in a most orderly manner. Much credit is due to the Adjutant, Major RAUTENBACH, for selecting this fine site and a toast of appreciation was proposed to him by the Commanding Officer during the course of an evening in the new Officer’s Mess.
The Officers' Mess is in a building formerly the residence of a Marquis, and a number of the officers are billeted in this villa. During their stay here the "Jerries" had "thoughtfully" erected two large well built huts which were undamaged. These huts we are now using for the Sergeants' and Airmens' Messes.
The Estate is situated approximately three miles from the quaint and somewhat attractive town of JESI. From the main road one enters the "estate" by a road of soft surface and comparative straightness. There are corridors of trees, dim and cool, where the road becomes greasy as it curves. The hillocks are banked with canvas and the silver gold of cultivated fields lies on either side of the site. The horizon can be likened to a turning wheel with the "Casa" as its hub. The Marquis lives in feudal style in a wing that lies adjacent and forms an artistic jig-Saw of houses, store chambers, garden and orchard. Their tea garden gives them privacy and recreational and social facilities but visitors appear to be few.
Let us walk through the gardens and lanes of the camp site drinking in the country in its autumn loveliness. We walk along our sloping road which is as a ruff about the throat of our camp, flanked on both sides by stately trees, and gaze with a pleasant thrill upon a swan occupied, once ornate pool. The surrounding countryside is softly undulating, and in the distance snow capped peaks are faintly visible. Colourful villages are silhouetted against the skyline, forming a picture of rare beauty. Such then, briefly, is SAN UBALDO – home of 21 Squadron.
Rain has fallen practically incessantly this month and we are marooned in an ocean of greasily dappled mud. The dark clouds continually pile up overhead until a bleak wind arrives with a great shiver, and strikes a quick chill into us and the grey rain sweeps down from cloud to earth, at first in single drops, but soon in a furious onslaught. Picture us advancing through slushy, treacherous mud, feeling the ground before us as we put weight upon it. We feel our way slowly around the trees from the Mess to the sanctuary of our tents, the wind and rain beating against us in frenzy fencing for a chink in the armour of our endurance.
Entertainment is far more plentiful in the Jesi district than that of many a previous site. Situated in Jesi itself is the U.D.F.I. Cinema, an E.N.S.A. Cinema and Theatre, and a U.S.A. Cinema. These nightly shows offer a welcome diversion to the monotony of camp life and our Squadron has taken full advantage of these facilities. Interesting instructional films were seen by the whole Squadron; the subjects being "Sex-Hygiene", "Malaria" and "The Louse". The films were presented in an attractive manner and contained much useful and sound advice. During the latter part of the month the D.A.F. Dance Band paid us a visit and their lively tuneful music was enjoyed by all.
The inclement weather has greatly handicapped sporting activities A Wing Athletic Meeting should have taken place during the month but this was also “washed out” by rain. However, several enthusiastic cross-country runners from the Squadron still venture out despite the rain and mud. Several Rugby and Soccer matches have been played and we have the nucleus of two sound teams. Until recently Soft Ball was a daily feature, but now extensive mud has made this popular game out of the question.
A number of new arrivals and departures took place in October.
Good news was received to the effect that Lieut. G. v.d.H. WHITEHOUSE (pilot); W.O. N.H. SWALE (WT/AG) - both apparently wounded - and F/Sgt. J.E. CARTER (pilot), who were reported missing last month, are all prisoners-of-war in German hands.
Lieut. G.B. Stewart (observer) who was reported missing in June of this year, has now been confirmed as a prisoner-of-war by the Germans.
October was a particularly dull month for 21 Squadron as no operations were possible owing to the aerodrome unserviceability at Pescara for the first fortnight of the month and aircraft congestion at lesi during the second fortnight.
The move of all Squadron aircraft — to lesi — was effected on the 15th and 16th, during a temporary improvement in the weather. This non-operational flying time — 18 sorties (25 hours 15 mins) — constituted the total flying time of the month.
Only one other incident during the month is worthy of note— namely, when, on the 16th, a USAAF Liberator crashed into three 21 Squadron aircraft, one of which burnt out whilst the other two sustained damage.
Owing to the abundance of spare-time at their disposal, Squadron personnel actively employed themselves in laying out the site of the new camp and establishing aircrews’ "Gen Rooms" which will shortly be ready for use.