Only Lieut. Mante of this squadron had had a "conversion course" to Baltimore aircraft and consequently, despite their eagerness to do some flying again, our other pilots had temporarily to curb their enthusiasm for trying the new machine until such time as conversion training could be arranged.
Interest in the first of the type of aircraft we are to fly and operate with in the future continues unabated but the efforts of one of our airgunner sergeants in the early hours of this morning was considered as rather over-doing it. He was found, and apprehended, by one of our security guard at 2 a.m. while endeavouring to enter the gunners' cockpit by way of the port engine! For his somewhat misplaced zeal he was appointed orderly N.C.O. for a fortnight.
0915
12 Baltimores and 6 Bostons of 24 Squadron led by Capt. CORMACK took off to attack enemy concentrations in squares,TZ 1070 or TZ 1080 (Ref. Map Tunisia 1:500,000 Gabes and Sfax). No enemy concentrations were seen in either square, so the formation dropped a long stick across the GABES–SFAX road and to the East of the road from TZ 3087 to TZ 3393. Two small fires were started and a direct hit was scored on the road on which there were 8-10 M.T. well dispersed. A.A. fairly intense but inaccurate. Oprep No.250, Sortie Report & Crew List.
Twelve Baltimores took off by 14.20 hours to attack FOLIGNO Marshalling Yards. Rendezvous was made with 223 Squadron. The formation bombed in two boxes line astern straddling the North portion of target in close pattern, with direct hits on power station and railroad yards. Three explosions observed followed by fires on the Eastern edge of target. Twelve Spitfires provided close escort and there was no enemy opposition. All the Aircraft returned to base by 16.40 hours. Sortie Report No. 616.
A S.A.A.F. Spitfire pilot, after shooting down a German Recce plane early in the morning, landed on this 'drome and had breakfast in the Officers’ Mess.
Capts. ROBINSON & MEAKER (Pilots), Lieut. KOTZÉ (Observer), W.Os, RAUTENBACH & ELLIOT (A.Gs.) reported for duty. Major PRITCHARD and Major Craig ANDERSON brought some good news about replacements, on returning from an official visit to BARI.
Capt. UNGER, S.A.A.F. in charge of Gas Defence paid the Squadron a visit. Squadron Routine Order No. 28/44.