The new month saw us take our first step Into the theatre of war operations, with which both the flying and ground personnel of this squadron were so eager to make acquaintance. This step had received no official blessing from higher quarters, but it was appreciated that the wheels of officialdom grind exceedingly slow, and prior to the move of the entire squadron into the Western Desert to the landing ground (officially) allotted to us, it was decided to take the Initiative In the matter and to send an advance party out to pave the way.
Accordingly, a convoy of fifteen vehicles in charge of the Adjutant, Major Russell, left here this afternoon for L.G. 0.21, our Operational landing ground In the Western Desert. Large quantities of equipment and brawny representatives of the squadron's ground-staff accompanied the convoy, so that a camp could be prepared for the main body of the squadron expected to move a fortnight hence.
The normal flying programme already in operation in the squadron was continued to-day. Apart from this and receipt of news of favourable progress of our third flight of aircraft from the Union, nothing of note to record on opening day of a new month.
A formation of 12 Baltimores took off at 0810 Hrs., escorted by six Spitfires to attack troop concentrations at SINOPOLI. Two of the aircraft received slight damage from H.A.A. Later at 11.55 Hrs. three Baltimores of a formation of twelve took off before they were notified that the operation had been cancelled, they jettisoned their bombs at sea and returned to base.
23 Marauders airborne from PESCARA to attack an Enemy strongpoint about three miles west of PESARO. Combining with other units six formations well covered the target area with 500 and 250 lbs fragmentation bombs and thousands of 20 lbs frag. bombs. Only the last formation encountered slight inaccurate heavy A.A. Last aircraft down by 14.50 hours.
Sortie Report No. 814.
12 Marauders airborne from PESCARA in three boxes of four at 10.00, 10.40 and 11.20 hrs. respectively to attack an irregular area of strongpoints about 14 miles West of PESARO.
Due to similarity in features and bad visibility the pattern of the first formation fell about 2500 yards East of the briefed target. However, photographic results show that bombs of one aircraft straddled what appears to be a concentration of gun-positions. The pattern of the second box crossed the southern portion of the briefed target, with all bombs in the target area. Third box had a left error of about 1000 yards. Moderate, accurate heavy AA. encountered in target area, four aircraft being holed.
Sortie Report No. 815.
12 Marauders in three boxes of four aircraft each airborne from PESCARa between 16.08 and 16.20 hrs. to attack CESENA Marshalling Yards. The whole formation bombed at about 17.30 hours, boxes bombing individually on leaders. Both undershot with patterns (1 & 3) which commenced in open country North of the target and finished box about 100 yards short of the Marshalling Yards. Second box did not bomb due to the leader experiencing trouble with bomb doors, but one aircraft released five bombs with unobserved results, Moderate, accurate, heavy A.A. during run-up with eight aircraft holed. All aircraft down by 18.32 hours.
Sortie Report No. 816.
Squadron Routine Order No. 79/44.
The following aircrews reported for duty to-day : Sgts. HOWDEN and EVANS. F/Sgt. JONES, W.Os. LIVINGSTON & WILSON (WT/AGs). W.Os. FLETCHER & VENTER, F/Sgt. KRUGER (A.G.s.).