The new month opened on a somewhat hopeful note for the squadron.We now had "on strength" at least one aircraft and even if this did not really belong to us, it was felt by both flying and ground personnel that the arrival of this machine was a step towards the further training and re-equipping of the unit. This Baltimore aircraft No. A.G. 693 had been received from No. 223 Squadron and was to be employed for training purposes to which use it had been put by its previous "owners".
On arrival the engines had done approximately 97 hours apiece and though the aircraft was up-to-date in so far as modifications are concerned it was not fully operationally serviceable. A further three aircraft were to be “loaned” to the squadron for testing purposes and were expected to arrive shortly, as a result of conversations between the O.C., Lt. Col. Irvine and officials at Air Headquarters, Egypt.
Lt. Col. Irvine was himself still at PORT SUDAN arranging for the collection of the latter aircraft.
0900
This morning Capt. MOUTON led a formation of 18 Baltimores on a raid on SFAX el Maou L.G. The weather was fairly good and the bombs fell along the north of the L.G. amongst well dispersed aircraft in and out of the blast shelters. Two fires were started. A. A. was very intense and one aircraft was hit over the target and the port engine damaged, pilot made a one engine landing at BEN GARDANE, 4 other aircraft were slightly holed. F/Sgt. FORREST was wounded in the left am by A.A. splinters and his pilot landed at BEN GARDANE and left him with the M.R.S. there.
Oprep. No.249, Sortie Report & Crew List.
No operations to-day owing to inclement weather. Two Canadian Army officers arrived on the attachment policy now in operation between the Air Force and Army. We sent a pilot and observer up to the front line for a “look-see”.