Our convoy of vehicles of assorted shapes and sizes left at 1000 hours by road for the new camps. A farewell message from the Officer Commanding 223 Squadron, Wing Commander Roulston, reading :"GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY LANDINGS TO YOU ALL", sped us on our way. We responded with "VEELS GELUK" and "TOTSIENS".
The convoy made good progress and there were no heavy delays a steady pace of just on 20 miles per hour being maintained.
Lieut. L. F. GARDNER while taxying Baltimore A.G. 898 collided with two aircraft wing jacks, damaging his aircraft. All flying crews carried out dinghy drill practice.
This evening signalled instructions were received for the entire squadron to move to L.G. ”Z” in the QUASSASSIN area.
The move was to be the preliminary to a move by the squadron to L. G. "Y" which is to serve as our Base Landing Ground when we start operations.
The squadron was instructed to move from SHANDUR in order to make room for another squadron (No. 7 S A.A.F.) and consequently could not remain here until required for operations.
The move was discussed by the heads of all sections and arrangements made for the advance party to leave the following morning.
Another Armed Recce of roads was carried out by four Baltimores. Four other aircraft were stopped, owing to bad weather report, the weather was clear over the target, motor transport was seen and attacked.
Twelve Marauders in three boxes off from PESCARA by 11.25 hours to attack a strongpoint area near RIMINI. One aircraft returned with load after 25 minutes due to engine trouble. Remaining eleven bombed from 11,000 feet and covered an area about 1000 yards square with well dispersed patterns within the briefed pinpoints. Slight, inaccurate heavy A.A. from target.
Sortie Report No. 828