The first and long-promised draft of Cape Coloured Corps to take over ground defence duties in the squadron arrived this morning under the command of Lieut. Ellwood – a party of over seventy. They will be responsible for maintaining guards in the camp and will be employed in ground defence duties, which, though not so important now, will be of considerable help to the squadron when it once again moves into forward areas where the protection of aircraft and personnel from possible ground and air attack assumes considerably greater importance.
02.00
The gale which has been blowing for the past two days increased and accounted for numerous tent poles and torn tents. Wherever possible M.T. vehicles were used as windbreaks for tents. By dawn only two E.P.I.P. tents were standing and most of the 180 pounder tents were at least torn. Occasional showers of rain and a 40 mile-per-hour wind continued throughout the day.
No flying: Oprep. No. 195
The weather improved, but not sufficiently to enable any operation to be carried out to-day.
Squadron Routine Order No. 9/44
Squadron Routine Order No. 11/44