A telephone call from Air Headquarters, Eqypt this morning informed us that two Baltimore Aircraft (operational) awaited collection by this unit at KASFAREET. This was indeed cheering news, but spirits were dampened some hours later when Major Coppen returned from his flight to KASFAREET to bring over pilots for the collection of these aircraft. A hitch had occurred and all Baltimore aircraft had been grounded pending the introduction of a rudder modification. This included the aircraft at present on loan to us and so for an indefinite period there would be no further flying by this unit, all of which is very discouraging at the present moment.
Pilots, crews and ground personnel from No. 12 Squadron arrived here this afternoon to carry out night-flying practice. Flying will he carried out in their Boston aircraft and accommodation and night flying facilities have been afforded our visitors by this squadron.
Full-out operations as anticipated did not materialise and we did only one show which was led by the Commanding Officer. The formation of 18 Baltimores took off at 1355 hours to bomb enemy positions in St. CYPRIEN Area. Direct hits were scored on the main road and buildings. Intense and accurate A.A. was encountered. One aircraft was missing from the formation. The crew was Capt. A.G. BUDD, (Pilot) Lt. J. SADLER (Observer), F/O W.W.H. CORNELIUS (WirelessOperator), F/Sgt. C.R.WOODS (Air Gunner) and Major A.T.A. WALLACE (Special Army Observer- Bedfordshire – Hertfordshire Regiment). The aircraft was hit by heavy A. A. near the port engine and was seen to go down in a steep dive and explode on the ground, none of the crew was seen to bale out.
"Oprep” No. 287, SortieReport and Crew List.
It was confirmed today that Lt. ASHTON, who was a member of a crew reported missing on the 26th March, 1943, is now a prisoner of war. Nothing has been heard of the three other members.
Only one raid to-day and a Stores Dump east of LORETO was the target. Sortie Report No. 660.
Major EASTWOOD, Supervising Paymaster, M.E., and Capt. JENSEN visited the Squadron.