Instructions received whereby four aircraft and crews to depart immediately in advance of the rest. Nominal rolls for ship and air amended accordingly and aircraft departed 16/7/41 led by Major BRITZ.
Our aerodrome has been receiving a number of visits by aircraft of other units, but an unusual visitor to-day was an Amphibian Fairchild, piloted by a Squadron-Leader of the Sea Rescue organisation. This aircraft, we learned, had been responsible for the rescue of some seventeen flying personnel since it had been put into commission in the Mediterranean. Its curious appearance caused by the low-slung belly, seaplane floats and single engine perched high above the centre of the empennage, attracted the attention of a number of squadron personnel. The Squadron-leader also came to make enquiries about the length of our runways and whether the ‘drome could be used by aircraft of his organisation..........
0007
Two Baltimores took off to bomb TERMINI Harbour. One aircraft was picked up by search lights and evasive action was taken to sea. Returned to target and again picked up, dropped bombs on Western portion of town, thereafter violent evasive action resumed. A.A. fairly intensive and accurate. Aircraft holed.
“Oprep” No. 337, Sortie Report and Crew List
0220
Four Baltimores took off on a night raid on TERMINI/MERESE Harbour. The target was attacked from N.W. to S.E. Three large fires were seen in the harbour area. Visibility over the target fair but interrupted by smoke. No A.A. of searchlights were encountered.
“Oprep” No.338, Sortie Report and Crew List
Authority received for the appointment of the following Air Gunners to commissioned rank: F/Sgts de VILLIERS, GROENEWALD, HARRISON, HODGKINSON, le ROUX, LYNE, PEARCE, PICKUP, PURDON, RAEBURN, SCHUMANN, TOMS, VILJOEN, and WRIGHT.
Squadron Casualty Return dated 13.7.43
Two raids to-day. First raid with twelve Baltis was airborne at 08.45 hours (one aircraft returned early with bombs owing to engine trouble) to attack Fuel Dumps and suspected Headquarters at TAVOLA. First box scored four direct hits on buildings causing an explosion with red dust, smoke and fire. Second box straddled Northern end of plantation, smoke and dust persisting long after bombing. Heavy ack-ack, intense and accurate particularly from North of AREZZO and from PONTISIEVE and BIBBIENA area. Two aircraft holed. All aircraft landed at base by 11.25 hrs.
Second raid. Twelve Baltis (two of which returned with bombs owing to engine trouble) took off to bomb a road junction at R.025415. First box dropped a stick right lateral error straddling secondary road; second box also had a lateral error to the right from R. 029411 to R.031416. Slight heavy ack-ack, inaccurate from MONTEVAICHI. All aircraft returned. Area cover provided by Spits. Sortie Report No. 760.
Lieuts. GRANGER, HUSSEY, KRIEL (pilots); 2/Lt. LISTER (observer) and W/Os. ADAMS, HORSCROFT, JORDAAN, OLDFIELD, RABIE and SWALE (WT/AGs.) reported for duty.