Yesterday's bad weather compelled our kites to make landings all over Libya and the Western Desert, and this morning news came through that the last "missing machine" had landed at L.G. 21. The machines all returned at odd intervals throughout the day.
There was promise of some excitement today when an order came through that every available aircraft was to be on immediate standby but nothing eventuated. Nevertheless, nothing transpired. In addition, the MALTA trip has been postponed until tomorrow.
Just before lunch a party of those unsung heroes of this war – the demolition squads – set off a big D.A. bomb lying on the drome. It had been dropped yesterday morning.
For the past few days there has been on atmosphere of confusion which has vary definitely impaired the efficiency of the whole squadron. When this push commenced all the members of the squadron went forward with great enthusiasm and put all the energy at their disposal towards a bigger and better squadron effort. There was a job to be done with a definite objective in view and every officer and man felt that 21 squadron would be there to attain that objective.
During the last few days here at BU AMUD conflicting news, some of it admittedly due to the machinations of Dame Rumour, one day that we were moving forward another that we were moving back and yet again that we were not moving at all, led to a considerable waning in initial enthusiasm. For men who were very highly keyed up and working extremely hard under difficult conditions it was not unnatural that this vacillating policy should bring about such a state of affairs.
Hard on the heels of the South African Infantry's victorious advance into BARDIA, a special party of Squadron Twenty one's stalwarts followed, returning to BU AMUD with the spoils of victory to wit, copious supplies of Italian cordials and mineral water — "Limone" and lots of it!
Early start delayed by the non-appearance of the M.T. bowser until 09.00 hours. All vehicles with enough fuel to get them to the next P.S.P.were put on the road before then with instructions to camp that night just beyond NOFILIA village. Traffic on the road was extremely heavy and it was learned that the reason for the delay of the M.T Section on the previous evening had been the overturning of their workshop vehicle on a built-up section of the road, the driver having turned out to avoid being side-swiped by a tank-carrier. Fortunately little damage was done to the truck and no one was injured.
After doing approximately 25 miles, the leading vehicles turned off the road to wait for the rest of the convoy to come up. It was only when 19 vehicles were dispersed that it was discovered that the very promising dispersal area chosen for the stop was an enemy mine-field. Two vehicles were blown up in as many minutes and instructions were given prohibiting all further movements. The first explosion resulted In three casualties –fortunately all minor – and the second wounded Captain VIVIAN who was the senior officer present and was endeavouring to take the vehicles back onto the tarmac. First aid was rendered by the Squadron M.O. and Staff and the casualties sent off to the nearest C.C.S. Two and a quarter hours later all the remaining 17 vehicles were again on the road without further incident.
At NOFILIA Cross-road, the convoy was advised by the M.P.Information Post N.C.O. that a signal had been received instructing that our Wing and Squadrons were to be diverted onto “O” Track and that the rest of our journey, about 50 miles, would be through the desert. Camp was made for the night just this side of the village but the usual hot supper was missed as the cook - gharri was missing. Fortunately there were plenty of rations and an issue of "Ish" helped to keep the cold out.