Church service by Padre Pike at 9.30 am to-day in the Officers Mess attracted attention of those in camp. This was the second service of its kind and with the squadron based as it is at present, will become a regular feature of camp life on Sundays.
A telephone call from CAIRO this evening advised us of the arrival of our New. O.C., Lt. Col. Irvine in the Middle East.
Operations which were arranged for last night were cancelled on Met. report that conditions are very unfavourable in Tunisia. No flying: Oprep No. 205
The remainder of the ground crew left at TORTORELLA proceeded to the Advance Camp. The aircraft took off at 10.28 hours to carry out the first raid from the new landing ground. The formation of twelve aircraft flew to rendezvous with twelve Baltimores of No. 223 Squadron, at the mouth of the VOLTURNO RIVER, in ITALY.
The target was the railway station of CAMPOLEONE. The visibility over the target was impaired by a haze. Two direct hits were scored on the road. Heavy, intense and accurate A.A. was encountered. All aircraft returned by 13.01 hours.
Sortie Report No. 560.
A second raid was carried out in the afternoon and the aircraft took off at 14.43 hours to again bomb the CAMPOLEONE Railway Station. Rendezvous with 223 Squadron was again at the mouth of the VOLTURNO RIVER; but our aircraft failed to contact them and proceeded to bomb the target. Direct hits were scored on the railway station and marshalling yards. The rail junction and road immediately EAST of the station also received direct hits. One aircraft, due to A.A. and slight wounds sustained by 2nd Lieut. Case, had to force-land at POMIGLIANO. All the others returned safely.
Sortie Report No. 561
Squadron Routine Order No. 12/44
Eleven Marauders, led by Lt.Col. ORD, D.F.C. bombed the SERRIDE Sugar Refinery at F.869057. First two Boxes main weight of bombs in Northern half of briefed target; 2nd Box left error about 100 yards among adjacent buildings; of the two remaining aircraft, one had a slight left error and the pattern of the other commenced in the centre of target and ran out into open ground.
5 x 500 and 4 x 250 lbs. hung-up and were brought back. Pamphlets and window dropped in target area. Target clear but visibility poor due to haze. No enemy opposition.
Sortie Report No. 941.