A little Bird whispers that the squadron is to proceed back to the Delta Area shortly but as an official visit to Wing by the AdJ. fails to bring “anything official” to light, we are still left wondering “When, where and why?”
A lone Jerry stooged over at a great height this morning on a leisurely recce. White ack—ack puffs burst about him in the clear sky and he circled lazily on what was apparently another photographic recce. of the area. Fighters took off from EL ADEM and came snarling after their prey over our drome. Later we received news that they downed him over the Mediterranean, so on this occasion Oberleutnant Willi didn't bring home the bacon!
Padre Davies with commendable enthusiasm and energy organised our squadron sports meeting which was held on the edge of the drome in the afternoon. Prior to the start of operations, the entire squadron grouped themselves about two Marylands and an official squadron photograph was taken.
The sports themselves provided lots of fun, particularly when Aapie and Bolshie, our faithful hounds, decided to join in in the sack race, with disastrous results to the competitors. The “Sandwaste Scroungers” who had taken unto themselves many motorbikes, formerly Jerry property, were able to let themselves really go in a hair- and dust- raising exhibition of dare-devil driving.
Round and round the drome, they reeled off the miles, a crash on the finishing straight (happily without casualties) and a grandstand finish bringing cheer upon cheer from the spectators and concluding the afternoon’s events. While all this fun and merriment was on the go “Buck” Sheedy, our engineering officer, was busily engaged in official converse with the Chief Engineer Officer, Air Headquarters, W.D. As a result 15 operationally unserviceable aircraft have been written off our strength.
Disposal instructions regarding all our aircraft will be received in due course, we learn. The day’s doings concluded with an impromptu concert and presentation of prizes for the sports events in the afternoon.
The Briefing Bell went before dawn but no target came through and there was no flying.—Colonel H.J. MARTIN, O.C. No. 3 (S.A.) Wing lunched with the Squadron and thereafter talked to pilots and observers regarding a signal received from the A.O.C. who appears to be extremely displeased with our formation flying and evasive tactics in ack-ack.We now have 40 complete crews fully trained for day ops.
Nil operations. Capt. E. Shaw of Advance S.A.A.F. Headquarters visited the Squadron.
Eight Marauders, one of which returned early owing to engine trouble after jettisoning bombs at sea, took off from JESI Landing Ground at 14.16 hours led by Capt. NICOLAY, to attack Barracks area at M.432747 by blind bombing method. Four Marauders from 12 Squadron, S.A.A.F. were to accompany formation but failed to rendezvous. Formation set course from RIMINI under control of ground station. Attack took place from 13,000 feet on a course of 345 degrees, both boxes in close line astern. Target obscured by cloud, bombs released on instructions from controller - no results observed. No enemy opposition.
All aircraft landed by 16.44 hours.