At first light the convoy was astir and after eagerly consumed breakfasts all personnel were ready to move off on the final stages of their "evacuation". The journey from MENA to our destination – EL FIRDAN – proved for the most part uneventful but interesting. In contrast to the desert stretches we had passed through the previous day, we traversed the road adjoining the Sweet Water Canal in the direction of ISMAILIA, passing green stretches of country and tree-lined portions of this canal. The convoy made fair progress and apart from one or two heavily laden vehicles which failed to survive the journey, all reached EL FIRDAN station in the late afternoon.
First impressions of the station were most gratifying as a number of permanent buildings were found which were put to use for accommodating the personnel of the squadron for their first night on this station.
A telephone call was received from Air Headquarters, Egypt almost immediately the convoy arrived at the station, requesting that twenty-four artisan-personnel be sent to No. 24 Squadron to assist them in the heavy operations that are now being undertaken by the Boston bombers. The personnel were sent on their way immediately to ISMAILIA aerodrome whence they left by Bombay aircraft for L.G. 98.
Coinciding with the opening of the new month our landing ground will in future be known as BEN HAGEN. A Sergeants’ Mess Dance is being held in TUNIS tonight. All aircrews who were on leave reported back today. F/Sgt. WIGGILL, Intelligence Clerk, promoted to 2/Lieut and posted to 12 Squadron. Lieut. THOMPSON posted to Squadron as assistant Intelligence Officer.
Squadron Operational State
Squadron Casualty as at 1st July 1943
There were two raids to-day. In the first raid twelve Baltimores took off at 09.33 hours (one aircraft returned shortly afterwards owing to engine trouble). Direct hits on buildings and on a secondary road junction. Ack-ack slight, inaccurate from target area. Sortie Report No. 743.
The second raid with twelve Balties took off at 14.15 hours to bomb a road bridge at lesi. One direct hit on Southern entrance of bridge and one direct hit on Northern entrance of bridge. No enemy opposition . Spitfires provided air cover.
From both these raids all aircraft returned to base.
Sortie Report No. 744.
For some reason or other a new piano suddenly made its appearance in the Officers' Mess, nobody could throw any light on how it got there, so no indiscreet enquiries were made. The old piano was given to the Airmens' Mess and was received with loud cheers.
Personnel have now settled down in our new camp which has been voted the best yet. The river has afforded a lot of fun for everyone. A wire rope has been erected across the river to prevent anyone being washed down. It flows very strongly.