After the rain and dust storms characteristic of these parts, today is a glorious day. The sun is shining from a cloudless blue sky and all over camp blankets are hanging out to air and many other even more energetic spirits are busy doing a spot of laundry.
Today we were told that five of our aircraft were to proceed to MALTA. A number of other aircraft are on stand by but nothing eventuated. It seems that there are no suitable targets for us at the moment.
Early this afternoon to the accompaniment of shrill blasts from the whistle of “Shorty” van Heerden our rear party arrived from DABA. Imagine their surprise when they discovered that the two slowest vehicles in their convoy had beaten them to it and had actually arrived last night. Making their own route at a brisk five to ten miles per hour the tractors and petrol bowser had easily beaten the main convoy. Fresh and full of beans from their comfortable stay at old L.G. 21 the members of the rear section dossed down for the night sleeping in most cases well above ground.
They were soon to learn.
No. 102658 Captain A.C. SMIT, pilot, 83643 Lieut. G.S. KAY, Observer and two other ranks (one R.C.A.F. attached) posted in from S.A.A.F. Depot. “B” Party arrived from TMIMI at 14.00 hours having taken five days to complete the journey. “A” Party is scheduled to leave for BIR AZZAB at 07.15 hours tomorrow and preparations for the journey are well in hand. The Orderly Room is to remain at SOLUCH with “B” Party so the Admin. Section found comfortable quarters in the village and moved in. “B” Party, consisting mainly of HQ Flight, is camping on the NE side of the aerodrome near the “Itie” hangar of which it is making use. No flying: Oprep No. 136
The weather, unbelievable as it seemed, was worse than that on New Year’s Day, ~~and~~ conditions being terrible. No operations were carried out.