Twelve Marauders airborne from IESI Landing Ground at 12.22 hours, led by Major HAMLET, to bomb CASTEL FRANCO VENETO Marshalling Yards. They formed up in three boxes of four aircraft each and after rendezvous with six Spitfires at BELLERIA, set course for the target. They climbed up to 15,000 feet over a bank of cloud but encountered another one which appeared to extend up to 17,000 feet. After searching vainly for a gap, the aircraft turned back about 20 miles South-East of VENICE. One aircraft had returned early owing to electric wires shorting and smoke issuing from under the navigator's table. The remaining aircraft after jettisoning their bomb-load at sea (on instructions from base, due to 20/25 m.p.h. crosswind on runway) landed safely by 15.35 hours.
Sortie Report No. 894.
SUMMARY.
After a stand-down period of nearly three months the Squadron was able to resume operations on the 21st December, 1944. All the hardstands were completed by the 13th but bad weather conditions prevailed until the 20th. Operating on eight days of the month the targets were Marshalling Yards and Rail objectives, and on the 28th the Squadron went to Yugoslavia.
On Christmas Day, while on the way to an attack on Treviso Marshalling Yards, the aircraft piloted by Lieut. Cloete developed a spin while passing through cloud. The pilot ordered the crew to bale and W.O.1. D.M. Hamilton, S.A.A.F. and F/Sgt. D.W. Evans, R.A.F. (both gunners) baled out. At 800 feet the pilot managed to pull the aircraft out of the spin. W/T. messages were sent to Air, Sea Rescue - a launch and three planes proceeded to search the area but without success the crew of this aircraft was Lieut. Cloete (pilot); P/O. Blackford (2nd pilot); Lieut. Nysschens (observer); W.O.1. Oldfield (WT/AG); W.O.1. Hamilton (A.G.) and F/Sgt. Evans (A.G.)
Brigadier Wilmott, S.A.A.F. and Lt. Col. Jandrell (the former C.O. of this Squadron) visited the Squadron during the month.
A/Cpl. "Dick" Goldstone, a popular member of the ground crew, died from natural causes on the 11th of the month. He was buried with military honours at the Ancona Military Cemetery and his cheery personality will be missed by all.
Entertainment was of a high standard this month, the outstanding items being the South African Concert Party “Bullytins” and the film "Thousands Cheer". An excellent concert party, organised by 31 A.S.P., was enjoyed by several members of this Squadron, who had been invited by our R.A.F. neighbours.
There was a light fall of snow on the 23rd and we had hopes of a "White Christmas" but a thaw sat in shortly afterwards and Christmas Day was as muddy as usual. While on the subject of weather it is mentioned that gumboots are still a problem. Supplies are coming in slowly, but there are still about 20% personnel who are without them.
In spite of operations Christmas was celebrated in the traditional manner. The decorations in all three Messes were of a high order and the very most was made of the limited materials available. The Cooks made a splendid effort and turned out a Christmas Dinner worthy of any table. There was sufficient beer even to satisfy the most thirsty members of the Squadron and, in all, our Christmas was the best possible under "Field" conditions. Detailed accounts of the festivities in the various Messes are given in Appendices "N", "0" and "P".
Sport was limited by bad weather and operations and no matches were played during the month. A team of boxers have started training for the forthcoming U.D.F., C.M.F. Championships to be held in Rome at the end of January. A member of this Squadron, Lieut. du Plessis, played in a rugby match in Rome on the 30th December between a South African XV. and a New Zealand Forces XV.
Information was received this month that Enemy paratroopers were in the vicinity of this camp, but nothing further seen or heard.
A signal was received to the effect that Capt. O.C. Elliot, a former observer of this Squadron, had been awarded the D.F.C. for gallantry in operations.
Appendix to war diary – 21 Squadron – 3 SAAF Wing
Period 1st to 31st December 1944
By the 13th of the month after determined struggles against bad weather, all the Hardstands were completed and the Squadron was ready to resume operations.
Bad weather conditions prevailed until the 20th of the month. On the 21st, however, the Squadron attacked the Treviso Marshalling Yards with some very good results. One A/C en route to the target developed engine trouble and returned to base, and on landing overshot the runway - A/C Cat.II. The same target was again attacked the next day.
On the 23rd and the 24th inclement weather conditions at base and target areas prevented operations.
Treviso was again attached on the 25th with some good results but unfortunately en route to the target, one A/C flying through cloud developed a spin. The Pilot ordered the crew to bale. Two gunners (W/O Hamilton and Sgt. Evans) since missing, baled out.
The Pilot managed to pull the a/c out of the spin and returned safely to base.
The rest of the month Rail Targets in Northern Italy were attacked and on the 28th the Squadron went to Yugoslavia.
Weather conditions not being favourable made navigation extremely difficult. Only one formation was able to locate the target, the other formation bombed a railway terminus some distance from the target.
Over Udine Marshalling Yards the Squadron experienced some intense, accurate Heavy Ack Ack and all 12 A/C were holed. One A/C Cat.II.
On the last day of the month the Squadron set out to bomb CASTEL FRANCO VENETO but heavy cloud en route forced the formations to return to base.
Operating on only eight days or the month the sorties and times( 95 Sorties - 243.30 Hrs.) put in, were well up to average. Bombs dropped total to 508 x 500 Lbs. and 539 x 250 Lbs.
Non-Operational Flying for the month was mainly devoted to training of 1st Pilots and Blind Bombing Practices.(Time: 47 Sorties 75.35 Hrs.)