So the game is on – and Jerry is pushing this time – probably making a dash at TOBRUK. Judging by the amount of stuff that is going forward and with our communication in better form than last time we should be able to meet the Hun and give him better than he can give us. It seems strange that old 21 squadron, which was right in the thick of things last time, is now only a passive spectator, with no prospect whatever of being utilized in this campaign.
The Commanding Officer flew the O.C. Wing and other Squadron Commanders to SOLIMAN.
Major BARNBY returned from TUNIS, with the following report:- Monsieur Fissot, the French farmer states that after the aircraft was hit by A.A., it turned left then went into a dive. The engines and mainplanes fell off, there was no sign of the mainplanes near the crater caused by the bombs exploding and the engines were found separately some distance apart buried in the ground with airscrews uppermost.
No one was seen to leave the aircraft, one parachute fell from the aircraft with no one in it. Soon after the crash a German Officer appeared and removed a pay book from one of the bodies. Later a British Artillery Officer arrived and removed the rest of the papers. Next day a burial party arrived and the bodies were buried by a Padre. Monsieur Fissot definitely states that no one got out of the aircraft. The following details of identification of each member of the crew were found by Major BARNBY :-
Capt. BUDD: One shoe and flying helmet, identified as his. Bar coupon Book No. 2126 found and checked on records as sold to him. Lt. Sadler: Flying Helmet with initials J.S. and portion of a money belt, established as his property. F/O Cornelius: Portion of R.A.F. type sweater and R.A.F. type battle dress found and identified as his. A slip of paper placed on grave in bottle by burial party bears his name. Monsieur Fissot described him and stated that there was a R.A.F. Officer in the aircraft. F/Sgt. Woods: A khaki jersey found and identified as his. Also hair similar to his found lying about. Major Wallace: A pair of desert boots found similar to those worn by him before leaving on the flight. One Major’s crown found jammed in the mechanism of the scare gun. It is now presumed that they were killed.
One successful attack on the town of LIVNO. Sortie Report No. 693
Squadron Routine Order No. 49/44.