A hearty cheer from a group of happy looking young men on a lorry early this morning signalled the departure for CAIRO, en route to the Union, of a number of the W/T Air Gunners of the squadron who had served the squadron well through hectic and dark days – many of them young men who had lived a lifetime in a matter of weeks. They had one and all enhanced the name and fame of the S.A.A.F. in the field of battle, and at least one of them – Ken. ("Duppie") Du Pré - was taking back with him evidence of outstanding achievements – the D.F.M.
Although we are somewhat far removed from the theatre of war, we still have some excitement here. Shortly after the departure of the “Union Cases”, a Boston belonging to our neighbours, No. 12 Squadron, was seen to "hit the deck" in a cloud of dust a few miles beyond the edge of our aerodrome. Black smoke began to plume upwards and a light delivery vehicle of this squadron complete with rescue crew set off for the scene of the accident without delay. On arrival the rescue party found great flames enveloping the entire aircraft and in the heat of the blaze, bullets could be heard "popping off". The crew had had an amazing escape all but the pilot escaping with nothing more than a bad shaking. The aircraft, while engaged in low flying and had hit the ground at over 200 m.p.h., and the observer had been hurled out of the broken nose of the aircraft which burst into flame shortly after impact. The pilot and gunners had managed to scramble clear just in time. The entire crew were handed over to the care of "Doc" Donen of Hospital Hill and No. 12 Squadron were advised.
The convoy consisting of 19 vehicles under Capt. STEYN left for EL ASSA at 08.30 hrs. this morning. Soon after they had left we heard that the ration truck had been overturned. The truck was righted and another sent out which was loaded and the damaged truck brought back to camp.
Three new arrivals et the Squadron this morning. They are Major. FEATHERSTONE, the new Adjutant, Lt. DUGMORE, a new pilot who has arrived uncrewed, and Lt. POCOCK, who has returned ex sick leave. Major HUNT returned from sitting on a Court Martial in TRIPOLI this afternoon and nearly swooned on hearing the news, of the arrival of the news.
No flying today. Oprep No. 213.
At 08.20 hours twelve aircraft took off to bomb an assembly and gun area in woods at F872375. After rendezvous with 12 escort fighters at LARINO, the formation set course for the VOLTURNO RIVER mouth thence along the coast to the target. One aircraft turned back near GAETA due to engine trouble and landed safely at base.
The formation attacked in two boxes almost in line astern at about 15,500 feet. One aircraft failed to bomb and returned to base with a complete load. Opening up to 40 yards, the target was straddled with short sticks in a long pattern. A large explosion with black smoke seen and two large fires (Brown smoke) observed ¾ mile S.E. of CAMPOLEONE station; about 20 open loaded railway trucks on the main line immediately EAST of station.
Two aircraft failed to return. No. 1 of the second Vic (Lt. Richards, pilot, Lt. Cockburn, observer, F/Sgt Robbertse , WT/AG & A/Sgt McCrindle, A.G.) collided with No. 3 of 1st Vic (Lt. Longmore, pilot, Lt Kendal, observer, F/Sgt Theunissen WT/AG, A/Sgt Mackay A.G.) No. 1 was seen to spin down without a tail, and one parachute was seen to open. This was F/Sgt Robbertse who later returned to the Squadron.
No. 3 was later observed along the coast losing height and heading for NAPLES. Later a signal was received that this aircraft had landed safely near NAPLES. Lt. Kendal baled out from this aircraft and made a safe landing, returning to the Unit the following day.
Sortie Report No. 571.
A second raid was carried out in the afternoon and twelve Baltimores took off to bomb a gun assembly position at F878451. The set course with an escort of 6 Spitfires and flew to the mouth of the VOLTURNO RIVER, along the coast past ANZIO and turned on towards target. They bombed in two boxes of six line astern from 14,000 feet. 8/10 cloud over target made observations difficult. The leading observer identified target area through a gap in the clouds and bombed through cloud, the formation bombing on him. Gaps in cloud immediately after bombing enabled observers to report sticks of bombs carrying across the railway line. One red flash with black smoke observed. Heavy Ack Ack, slight and inaccurate from target and CISTERNA area. The formation flew back along the coast to VOLTURNO and direct home. All aircraft landed by 15.37 hours.
Sortie Report No. 572.
Lieut. Lecocq, a Belgian pilot, reported for duty.