At A.H.Q., E.A. the following signal was received from the D.G.A.F. and sent on to Major. J. D. PRETORIUS.
“From Venter to Pretorius, 21 Squadron. On eve of your departure for Egypt I extend best wishes and good luck to all ranks your Squadron and am fully confident you will maintain tradition of Springboks”.
Major O'BRIEN attended as Judge Advocate at a Court Martial at No. 15 Squadron to-day.
Lieut. CORMACK, one of our old pilots rejoined the squadron this afternoon. He had been in the Union after leaving us some four months ago but apparently finds the call of the desert too insistent! He received a royal welcome from the "old hands” still with us.
Three Baltimores took off at intervals from 2100hrs last night to bomb any movement on roads near TROINA. Dropped bombs, flares and incendiaries. No movement seen. One aircraft arrived inadvertently at PALERMO and bombed rail and good sheds. This aircraft encountered intense A.A. and search lights.
“Oprep” No. 343. Sortie Report and Crew List.
MALTA move was postponed for another 24 hours. Advice was received late this evening that Lt. WHITTLE, a member of Lt. HAMILTON's crew, who were reported missing on the 16th instant, is a patient in No.97 General Hospital. From his interrogation it was learned that their aircraft was picked up just after bombing by an enemy night fighter, which followed them on the course back and attacked them several times. The Baltimore was finally shot down in flames over the sea N.W. of COZO Island, at 2350 hrs. Lt. WHITTLE was hit by a cannon shell in the right foot just as he baled out. He dropped in the sea and was picked up by an American Destroyer at 0050 hours. The ship’s surgeon amputated his leg above the ankle. He was transferred to a Hospital Ship on the 16th, and landed at Tunis where he was admitted to the above Hospital. There is no news of the remainder of the crew and Lt. WHITTLE is unable to throw any light on their fate.
Lt. Col. LOFTUS, D.S.O., D.F.C. visited the Squadron this morning.
Last raid on Baltimores. Twelve Baltis airborne at 15.02 hours to attack road bridge 10 miles N. W. of ANCONA. Formation attacked in vics line astern at 16.00 hours at 11,500 feet. Pattern of whole formation straddled both rail and road bridges with direct hits on both and on buildings S. E. of target result in fires. Spits provided area cover. No enemy opposition encountered. A grand finale and a splendid adieu to our faithful old Baltis. Sortie Report No. 768.
Squadron stand-down to convert in earnest to Marauders.
This event, plus a few R.T.Us. was sufficient excuse for a grand party in the Mess that evening, and what a party !