The O.C. left for the Union this morning.
Official intimation was received in to-day’s mail that "Sandy" JOYNER, our live wire M.T. N.C.O., has been promoted 2/Lieut. and there was considerable rejoicing until a late hour in the Sergeants' Mess. The "Sandphonies"Orchestra was dragged in and the party took on a somewhat international tone what with the arrival of a United States Sgt Pilot and Observer, with an Aussie and New Zealand combination as the Gunners in this crew (posted this afternoon to the squadron) and the arrival of some members of the Greek and Free French Squadrons in mess later in the evening.
The recently created post of M.T. Officer in a bomber squadron supplies a long felt want – in the past members of flying crews have been delegated this important task – and 2/Lt. JOYNER is undoubtedly the "man for the job”.
Our personnel temporarily loaned to No. 24 Squadron have returned. Practically all state that there was really no work for them to do and that nobody seemed to know anything about their posting for temporary attachment to No. 24 Squadron. This seems to be one of those misunderstandings which have in our knowledge already occurred in the past. However, none of the lads are sorry for the only spot or excitement they have had in a long period of nothing-of-importance.
Invasion of SICILY. Four Baltimores took off 2100 hrs on a night raid on CANICATTI Village SICILY. Visibility was very good and features were easily distinguished owing to moonlight. Light A.A. encountered by some aircraft but no search lights. Part of invasion fleet was seen, landing operations did not start until a few hours later.
“Oprep” No. 331, Sortie Report and Crew List
0310
Two Baltimores raided TRAPANI/MILO L.G. Light and heavy A.A. encountered. The aircraft also dropped spikes on the L.G.,
“Oprep” No. 332, Sortie Report and Crew List.
5 Wireless Operator Air Gunners posted to Squadron.
Squadron Routine Order No. 51/43 dated 10.7.43
No raids to-day. CHIETI, a village about ten miles from here, has proved quite an attraction for Squadron personnel.
It is, in a way, quite an attractive village but is very pro-Fascist. All the PESCARA residents during the battles raging here left their homes with what they could carry and flooded CHIETI. 200,000 people were there until the fall of Pescara.
The Hun played havoc with Mussolini's pet town and demolished it pretty thoroughly.
Pescara airfield has proved a very useful landing ground for American aircraft returning from raids over Germany. It is almost a daily occurrence to see Liberators and sometimes Fortresses coming into land, having suffered some damage or other. Their officers are accommodated thro’ Wing and 21 has often had the pleasure of Uncle Sam's lads for meals and bed. There seems to be a great bond of friendship between the Yanks and South Africans. To Illustrate this, three Yanks O/R's came all the way from beyond Biferno to Pescara to spend their three days leave with some of our lads, whom they had met down there.