The squadron was asked to parade at the S.A.A.F. Base Camp in honour of the visit of the Duke of Gloucester. The order setting out the dress to be worn caused some consternation, however, as hardly five or six men could muster the exact equipment required, as the rigours of many months campaigning had made somewhat severe in roads on original U.D.F. issue kit as supplied in the Union, and most of the deficiencies had had to be made up with R.A.F. issue, which differs widely from our own.
However, we did the best we could under the circumstances, and as the Duke (fortunately!) inspected only the Guard of Honour provided by another squadron, our slight irregularities in dress passed muster at the parade. As the Duke of Gloucester delivered no address to the troops, the exact need for the presence of our men at the parade is not quite clear, as our turnout on this occasion could hardly have added to the laurels of the South African Air Force in general.
Some of our Observer Officers sport their second "pips" to-day and they were the chief "victims" at the Promotion Party in the Officers' Mess tonight. The cheerful spirit (and spirits) which predominated ended in the wee hours with some of the “new” Lieutenants endeavouring to place a Major under arrest!
The “blitz” by Jerry last night did not materialise and we had a night of rest, except those who slept in their slit trenches.
Major BARNBY led a formation of 18 Baltimores to bomb gun positions in square bounded by p.p. P.2389, 2689, 2659 and 2395 (Map. Ref. Tunisia 1:500,000sheet N.J.32 SE.–Tunis). The majority of the bombs fell in the southern half of the target area and fell in a good pattern among dug-in-positions. The nature of the country made full observation of results difficult. A.A. was fairly accurate but not intense. Oprep. No. 273, Sortie Report and Crew List.
We had breakfast at the Main L.G., and the Squadron moved over to EL DJEM North by Sections. The camp was nearing completion on the new site at lunch time when Col. MARTIN arrived with the news that A.A.H.Q.W.D. had not REALISED that 249 Transport Wing had been booked for this aerodrome and seeing that there is not enough room for us and the Wing we had to get out ......
By night fall our camp was once more pitched on its original site. Capt. LANGERMAN our new Medical. Officer arrived and our present Medical Officer Capt. STEYTLER nearly swooned on hearing the news for this means R.T.U. for him.
A very busy day as the Squadron moved to the new camp site on higher ground. There were two operations to-day . Sortie Reports No.s. 642 & 643.
Lieuts. WALTERS and BENNETT left for BARI on posting to the Union as O.T.E.