We took our farewell of Padre Davies, who with the return of the Squadron to the Delta area, is going back to 3 Wing.
A grand fellow, and very popular among all ranks of the squadron, Padre Davies will be missed by all of us. Apart from his cheery personality, his kindness and understanding have done much to help us in times of stress and difficulty. His farewell sermon was impressive and contained a deal of good advice. As the service ended we heard the familiar roar of a Maryland “shoot-up” announcing the return of the O.C. and Adjutant who informed us that the squadron would leave in convoy as early as possible tomorrow.
We took an official farewell of our Wing in the evening when Col. Willmott was asked to attend a farewell party in the Officers' Mess. Lt. Col. Pretorius, in taking leave of 3 Wing praised the work that had been done by this organisation, and thanked Col. Willmott for his collaboration and co-operation.
Col. Wilmott, in reply(!) said that he knew a number of pilots were due to return to the Union after their tour of duty. He asked them to consider returning to operations however as the war had yet to be won. While in the Delta area, he said, pilots should concentrate on night flying.
Oprep No. 171 for last night's raid. Crew List and Sortie Report
Routine Order No. 1/43 .
Wing advises having instructed our Admin. Section at SOLUCH to move to CHEL II. Burial Party sent to just SW of BUERAT to bury A/F/ Sgt. GIBBONS, Capt. BUDD's Gunner who was killed on the 14th. Jan. 43. Aircrews were employed on cleaning up the aerodrome after last night’s fire and explosions.
No operational flying today: Oprep. No. 139
Eleven of our aircraft required for tonight’s raids. It is understood that Jerry is still pulling out and that he has ploughed up the aerodrome and planted mines at BIR DUFAN.
No operations were carried out to-day. Capt. Nicolle, the new Intelligence Officer, reported for duty.
Seven aircraft took off from JESI at 10.27 hours, led by Lt. Col. ORD, D.F.C., to bomb the PIERIS Railroad bridge at H.558911. After rendezvous at BELLARIA with ten Spitfires they set course for target at 11.07 hours, behind 30 squadron, S.A.A.F. The leader of the first box had a partial hang up, only one bomb leaving the racks.. The other aircraft in the leading box dropped on the leader's bomb, pattern overshooting from H.559914 to H.562917. The bombsight of the 2nd Box Leader's aircraft went U/s. over the target and the aircraft bombed individually, all overshooting from H.557912 to H.559913. One aircraft had a complete hang-up due to bomb doors failing to open and jettisoned bombs at sea. Slight heavy ack-ack from target area after bombing - inaccurate. All aircraft landed by 13.12 hours.
Sortie Report No. 912.