The Adjutant Major O'Brien proceeded to 107 M.U. and SHANDUR this morning to visit the detachments of personnel from this squadron working at these canal zone areas. He found the men happy and contented and glad to be doing a job of work again and in conversations with officers in charge of sections he was told that the men were doing an excellent job of work.
The N.C.O. in charge of our larger detachment, A/Sgt Fridberg has evolved a plan for facilitating the balancing of aeroplane propellors, with the object of reducing a task which may at times take many hours to a matter of minutes. A/Sgt. Fridberg has submitted rough sketch plans which seem to indicate his suggestion is a feasible one and it is hoped to submit a definite plan to the competent authorities in the near future.
While here the Adjutant also visited A/Sgt Russell in hospital. This Air Gunner, a member of our squadron, had been wounded in November on an operational flight and had spent nearly four months on his back. He is making a slow but steady recovery.
Our Aircraft and “B” Party is still at HASBUB. One Aircraft piloted by the Commanding Officer was sent out last night to make a recce. for shipping in the area between K.5115 and K9172 (map. ref. Tunisia 1:500,000 Tunis).The visibility was very bad and prevented observation. No movement seen in whole area and the aircraft attacked the alternative target from 5,000 ft dropping its bombs on the road North of NABEUL. No results observed. Three Search Lights at HAMMAMET with AA firing up the beams were encountered on way to target and on return. Fairly intense but inaccurate. Oprep No.266, Sortie Report and Crew List.
The aircraft was crashed landed at HASBUB on return from this operation on account of the failure of the undercarriage to come out. None of the crew injured. “A” Party brought in stocks of fuel and bombs from the M.U., which is 50 miles away, this proves to be a drain on Squadron transport if continued.
Two attacks were made to-day on an Ammo. Dump near SPOLETO and no enemy opposition was encountered. Sortie Reports Nos. 633 & 634
Squadron-Routine Order No. 34/44