Another freezer! Cold as the Artic with numbness in both feet and hands and ears. Balaclavas are all the rage now in camp. Stooging Jerry was again active this morning and he must have 75 and 76 well tabbed now with his little happy snaps!!
There were two shows today, the first was an early morning show bombing enemy M.T. concentrations between EL ADEM road and TRIGH CAPUZZO. Another good show was experienced with several direct hits and two fairly large fires were started. The second show was a concerted attack by nine Marylands from 21 and a similar number from 12 squadron on enemy M.T. on the escarpment SOUTH of SIDI REZEGH. Good results were achieved and direct hits were scored on M.T. vehicles and fires were again started. Indeed there is no mistaking old 21. When the aircraft leave the ground the wonderful flying discipline is self evident. In formation they leave without any fuss or bother they are on their way. And returning, what formation! There is no other squadron that we have seen that can compare with our lads formation flying.
Well we copped it good and plenty tonight and twenty one had its first real Air Raid. What a night! We had just about finished supper when a flare was seen close over our camp and without further ado we were on our way to our holes in the ground. Three jerries seemed to be stooging around and soon a stick of bombs fell about a mile from camp. Then we heard the welcome drone of a single engined fighter overhead and soon the battle was on. Round and round the camp they circled at no very great height and shortly afterwards there was a rat-tat-tat and a stream of tracers were seen racing across the moonlit sky and there was a sharp flash and the confident whine of the Hun's engine changed to a staccato bark and eventually to a whimpering cough-like voice that betokened a hit in his engine. Again two sharp bursts and one could hear the Hun definitely losing height, both aircraft circled lower and lower over the camp and finally the enemy plane well alight fell with a dull thud on the outskirts of the camp and continued to burn brightly for hours.
With the ack-ack on either side and the burning wreck on a third our camp was a lovely mark for Jerry and soon he began doing his stuff. Suddenly overhead we heard the hun throttle back and down he went – but we could not mistake the characteristic swiissh-swiissh-swiissh and the deafening whang booomp! as a stick of three bombs exploded on the edge of our camp and the shrapnel began to whine overhead and the customary "fireworks display" cut through the sky with startling brilliance and intensity. During a lull in the firing Jerry could be heard climbing and then turning followed by the now unmistakable sound of a plane diving.
Our signals personnel, whose vans had been brought into relief against the night sky by the burning plane, felt that their residences were being selected for personal attention by the bomber pilot and with one accord they did record time across the stretch of ground separating them from Abu ben Syko (2/Lt.E.Newman's) own private below-ground dwelling place. With one accord too they piled in on top of our Cypher Officer, who was already muttering corruptions about the presence about him of sundry individuals such as Japie and "One Pound Eddie" (Sgt Karlin - who had come for a day of rest to L.G.76!) who were reducing his accommodation considerably. Three deep they lay in this retreat, which they had reached only just in time. Wham, wham, wham!
Another stick hit the ground just behind the blazing aircraft and then the dwindling whine of Jerry's engines brought scared looking figures out into the open as clouds of dust raised by the bombs obscured tents. We all sniffed the night air apprehensively – there was a strong smell of cordite – and then suddenly gave vent to our feelings with a burst of conversation which rose up from all parts of the camp. But although there were no further bombs for us tonight, for same of our number the days adventures were not over. 2/Lieut. Newman and Japie sallied forth to inspect the burnt-out aircraft and now I let our worthy Cypher Officer take up the tale:
"We found a considerable number of other ranks gathered round the aircraft which was still burning well. Up to the time of my arrival at the aircraft it appeared that no effort whatsoever had been made to extinguish the blaze which was obviously a splendid beacon for any enemy aircraft about.
The aircraft was also unguarded and I heard that certain maps had been taken away by some of the other ranks. I Informed some of the 21 Squadron personnel at the scene that they should deliver any documents and items of a like nature to me. Two other R.A.F. ranks then informed me that the body of a German was lying some hundreds of yards away. I took the truck and in the company of Mr. Friedman proceeded to search for the body. The white parachute showing up clearly in the moonlight soon indicated the spot where it was lying. We folded the parachute on the body and loaded it on to the truck. Realising that the German might have important documents or papers on his person we proceeded to No. 3 Wing Operations Tent where we reported the matter to an officer who was lying in bed and seemed to evince little interest in the whole matter. In fact, the impression that both Mr. Friedman and I gained from our reception was that he was disinterested and a bit annoyed at being disturbed at night.
We were told to leave the body outside the operations tent and after having done this we drove off. Both of us were surprised that no immediate search was mode of the German's possessions as we had rushed the body off to enable such a search to be made. We also folded the parachute very carefully because it had come to our notice that the Intelligence authorities were keen on obtaining undamaged enemy parachutes.
The three salient points that struck us about the night’s happenings were the following:
(a) At a time when the sky was clear of enemy aircraft no attempt was made to extinguish a fire which was an obvious beacon to guide further night raiders to both L.G. 75 and 76.
(b) No guard was placed on the crashed enemy aircraft. As a result, lots of valuable Information, documents, etc., were all being taken away as souvenirs. Evidence of this is seen in the fact that at 2150 hours an Air Mechanic of this squadron brought to me a copy of the enemy aircraft's wireless code signals and extracts from the wireless operators logbook.
It appeared to me to be the German equivalent of our aircraft “X” signals and during the night I managed to decode some of the entries in the log. In the morning, I handed the signals code and log extracts to Captain Miller, A.I.L.O., attached to our squadron.
(c) The indifference with which the delivery of the body of the German was treated by the Operations Officer on duty at No. 3 Wing".
As the whole of the affair would appear to be our wing's "chicken” we are taking up the matter with them, for it is obvious that much valuable Information may be lost in such instances if the necessary action is not speedily taken.
The main aspects of the squadron's life during the past month are summed up below:
Health
The health of the squadron has been of the same high standard and the only "customers” that Doc Venn aid his cheery band of helpers have been able to coax into his comfortable quarters at "Bedside Manor” have been visitors to 0.21 who could not find accommodation for the night.
The present stage in the squadron's history has brought an abrupt end to most of our sporting activities but all ranks appear to be keeping in excellent trim with a new form of exercise — “The funk-hole sprint". The issue of battle-dress to all has forestalled most of the ills and chills that follow in winter's train and apart from the customary minor ailments a virtually clean bill of health can be presented on-behalf-of 21.
Morale
In customary terms of the array communique “Morale among all ranks is of a high standard”. To say that we have not all felt the blows that the squadron has suffered would be entirely incorrect, but, as mentioned previously, we have shown that “we can take It on the chin" and still come up smiling.The foundations upon which this squadron has been built and the spirit which has been the very life-blood of its existence continue and the newcomers who have come to our midst have quickly assimilated the cheery, yet determined outlook, which characteristics all phases of our present activity. Despite the difficulties which beset all of us and the hardships we must endure (including the distressing shortage of beer!) the realisation of the tasks which face us and the fact that we are carrying out those tasks in good company has tided us over the dark and gloomy periods.
General
A very pleasing feature now that the major portion of the squadron is in the "wilds" is the adaptability of all of us to settle down to whatever sort of life is before us. Despite the lack of material comfortable underground "dwellings" have sprung up all round our present camp – and very comfortable some of them are too (but don't inquire too deeply into the origin of some of the furniture that adorns our low-level homes, most of it having been conveniently "borrowed"!) ) Despite the paper famine "OH! 21" has continued its regular publication and dust-storms or not the “duplicating demons” can be seen, albeit dimly through the clouds of sand, churning out the weekly edition 2/Lt. Newman (alias Abu ben Syko) continues to provide us with a daily news bulletin at breakfast table and in conjunction Cap. Miller (A.I.L.O) produces the latest dope on the Libyan show.
“A" Party convoy left SIDI BARRANI and took the worst piece of road on the trip, to SALUM PASS. In the five months during which the enemy have been in Egypt, he has done nothing at all to keep the main road in repair and this sector is a succession of pot-holes and craters, many of the latter caused by our bombing of Jerry transport when he was on the run.
Surprisingly only one truck broke down on the section.
1100
“B” Party convoy (22) left L.G. 98 for TMIMI and camped near the junction of "Springbok Road". “A” Party, having been deviated via EL ADEM, camped just South of ACROMA. Since passing EL ALAMEIN, the road has passed through a succession of enemy M. T. vehicles interspersed with tanks – all of which have been burnt out either by us or by Jerry on abandonment. It is doubted whether, at any point on the road, several such wrecks are not in sight; most of the way dozens of them can be counted at a time.
Operations and Statistical Summary, Serials Nos. 24/42 to53/42, for the month of November, 1942 (on S. A. A.F. copy only).
Twelve of our aircraft took off at 12.03 hours to attack enemy troops and gun positions at C.330025 in the LANCIANO area. Heavy accurate Ack Ack was encountered, the guns being sited in the town of LANCIANO.
Sortie Report No. 468
The funeral took place to-day of Lt. Nel, F/Sgt. James and F/Sgt. Robertson. They were buried in FOGGIA cemetery.
Heavy rains during the month of November prevented completion of the necessary hard stands on the Aerodrome and no operations were carried out. This Autumn has been exceptionally wet and the once grassy slopes of our camp site are now a veritable "sea of mud".
Towards the end of the month advantage was taken of two clear days to put in some practice bombing and formation flying.
Brigadier Hingeston, accompanied by Col. Mossop, visited the Squadron early in the month. The camp was very wet and muddy but he inspected all three Messes. The Brigadier was impressed by the Sergeants' efforts to make themselves comfortable, the Gunners' Gen Room, and the improvised kitchen stoves.
Advice was received of honours won by former members of the Squadron. Lt. Col. Jandrell, D.F.C., the previous C.O. , has been awarded the D.S.O. for his splendid leading of 21 Squadron and gallantry in operations. Capt. R.R. Farrant, D.F.C. received the Bar to D.F.C.; Major P. de Wet, Capt. C. te Water-Pohl and Lieut. C. v.d. Westhuizen have all won the D.F.C. for gallantry in operations.
Many ground crew replacements arrived during the month and the face of the Squadron is slowly changing. Most of the "Desert Lads" have now gone R.T.U. , but several old members have returned on a second tour.
Despite the bad weather the Squadron participated in quite a number of rugby, soccer and softball matches, results as follows:-
Rugby. 21 Squadron 6 pts. 15 Squadron 6 pts.
21 " 9 « 3 Wing 0 W
21 " 13 " 24 Squadron h II
21 » 9 \* 12 Squadron 0 N
Soccer. 21 Squadron 4 goals 12 Squadron 3 goal 8
21 " 3 " 31 A.3.P. s N
21 " 2 \* 12 Squadron 6 II
soft Ball. 21 Squadron 13 Pts. 24 squadron 5 Pts.
A few softball matches were also played between the Officers, Sergeants and Airmen's Messes.
A member of the Squadron took part in a Services Cross-Country Race held at Ancona. The course was over 4 ½ miles hilly country and resembled an "assault course". However, the race was enjoyed at least by the spectators and our entrant finished 7th out of the 150 starters.
Advantage has been taken of the stand-down period to send leave parties to Rome and Florence. The opportunity of seeing the famous antiquities of these two cities was greatly appreciated and was a memorable experience to all concerned - in fact, an education to many. Rome, the cradle of civilisation, has been the major attraction. The Other Ranks are not in favour of staying at the Rest Camp at Rome. They feel that when on leave one should get away from the “military” atmosphere, and it is impossible to do so while staying at a Leave and Transit Camp. The Voortrekker Club at Florence is most popular and the accommodation facilities all that can be desired.
"Jackie", an Egyptian Gazelle and the Squadron Mascot, "celebrated" his second birthday during November. Jackie is one of the oldest members of the Squadron and has been with us since Egypt. He has adapted himself very well to the changes of climate and conditions, and his quaint antics provide us with a continual source of amusement.
At 22.00 hours on the 18th November information was received that a party of saboteurs were making for the Jesi Aerodrome. Guards were put on aircraft immediately but the expected visitors did not materialize.
Entertainment has been plentiful and varied and the nightly "bioscope runs" form a popular diversion to camp life.
Christmas preparations are afoot and a squad of turkeys, purchased at a fantastic price, duly reported for duty and we are looking forward to making their acquaintance on the 25th of next month. A strong effort is always made to render "Christmas in the Field" as bright and cheerful as possible, and it is hoped to make this Yuletide a "bumper effort".
Appendix to the War Diary – 21 Squadron – 3 SAAF Wing
Period 1st to 30th November 1944
Abundance of rain during the month of November, delaying the completion of hard stands for the Squadron's Aircraft, kept the Squadron out of operations.
Opportunity was taken of two clear days, 24th and 25th , to do some practice bombing and formation flying. 11 Non-Operational Sorties (21 Hours 25 minutes) were put in.
The completed Gunners "Gen" Room proved a big success. Notwithstanding the inactivity the morale of the whole camp is excellent.