Another two crews were transferred to-day again to 24 Squadron. This left us with 12 full crews – nine under establishment with some reserve flying personnel who had not been crewed up yet.
We did two shows today. The first show consisting of 18 Baltimores was led by the Commanding Officer to bomb the main road GABES–SFAX S.W.of MAHARES in three boxes of six aircraft, each box bombing on its own box leader. Four direct hits on the road and bombs burst among 15 very well dispersed M.T. on and beside the road. No A.A. was encountered.
Oprep. No.253, Sortie Report and Crew List.
Major BARNBY led the second show of 16 Baltimores to attack retreating M.T. on the road between Z 0296 and Z 0996 (Ref. Map Tunisia 1:500,000 Sfax). The formation attacked in 3 boxes. The leading box bombed across the road from Z 0296 towards Z0998, the other attacked the road in similar runs slightly further East. About 20 to 30 vehicles were dispersed on and along side the road. One direct hit on a vehicle. A few bursts of A.A. was seen below the formation.Three enemy fighters were seen one being identified as a FW 190. Escort seen to be engaged in combat.
Oprep. 256 Sortie Report and Crew List.
Capt. VILJOEN arrived to replace Lt. MILLAR on the Adm.Staff.
Squadron Routine Order No.22/43
Squadron Routine Order No. 23/43
Two raids were carried out to-day. On the first raid the GALLETO hydro-electric stations was the target and. NIKSIC in YUGOSLAVIA on the second. No enemy opposition encountered on either of these sorties.
Sortie Report No. 621.
Sortie Report No. 622. -
A terrible accident took place to-day on the Aerodrome involving 12 Squadron personnel. A 1,000 bomb was dropped while bombing up a Marauder destroying the aircraft and setting fire to the petrol dump. A second Marauder caught fire and as this was carrying bombs another explosion occurred. Several men were killed and a number injured.