Jerry did come over this morning but fortunately restricted his attentions to TOBRUK and we played the part of not exactly disinterested spectators.
Our "Malta boys" finally took off this morning escorted by a Beaufighter, which, it later transpired, was unarmed! At the same time seven Marylands took off in rapid succession for MSUS where they were to standby for an army cooperation show.
With a dozen “Mary’s” in the air and the odd Beaufighter the sky was a mass of whirling and wheeling aircraft. The formations sorted themselves out, the Beaufighter attached itself to its brood of five, and the craft set off for their respective destinations. The Army Co-op show not one of our best efforts but all planes returned safely...
As the result of the effort of our Padre Squadron Leader Davies who has moved over to us from 3 Wing, a N.A.A.F.I. van rolled up with lots of good things on board. The opportunity of bringing variety to a life of bully and biscuits was seized upon and long queues besieged the truck all day.
Many of us felt that today should bring forth news of our future movements but a visit to Wing by our O.C. and Adjutant was unproductive.
The day ended with a little sing-song in the Adj’s. van, Holly White with his “squashbox'’ and Watty with his Sax helping us to conjure up visions of dance-music in the Union.
Many of the members of the squadron were shocked to hear the report that Col. Marais had been killed while on an operational flight with one of our fighter squadrons. Col. Marais had been a guest of this squadron on a number of occasions.
Lt.-Col. WILLIAMS, Wing Ops. Officer, cheered the Squadron up by arriving with an unexpected mail, direct from CAIRO. It is anticipated that we shall be able to site our new camp tomorrow and it is fairly certain that we shall be located on CHEL II, about a mile from the present temporary camp. A signal, shown to the Adjutant at Wing, advises that our Commanding Officer, Lt-Col. A. D. IRVINE is posted to the Union – tour of duty expired – and that Major C. S. COPPEN, at present Second in Command, is promoted to Lt.-Col. and assumes command of the Squadron. It is regretted that the personnel of "A" Party (about four-fifths of strength) will not have an opportunity of saying farewell to Lt.Col. Irvine who has rendered sterling service in the 10 ½ months he has commanded the Squadron.
No flying: Oprep No. 160
The weather having improved considerably, the Squadron carried out an operation. The target was the town of PALERNO, and as the target was identified, the leader did a dummy run up. On the second run the leader’s bombs failed to drop and he was forced to jettison on his third run; the second box bombed on their first run up. The bombs were seen to burst in the S.W. portion of the town.
Sortie Report No. 510.
2nd / Lieut. E.A. van der Putte (Belgian Observer) reported for duty. A great deal of excitement was caused by the visit of the S.A.B.C. Recording Unit. Fifty Squadron personnel were given the opportunity of recording messages for their people at home. Lots were drawn for this privilege, and the lucky ones concerned were envied by all.