Considerable ingenuity was being shown by various sections engaged in digging themselves in – our Photographic Section excelling with a particularly fine "fortress" of sandbags with a huge tarpaulin (painted sand colour) covering their entire section. A few bushes "planted" on top of the tarpaulin which was propped up to represent sand dune undulations lent effect to the camouflage.
The Adj., Maj. RECK, proceeded to S.A.A.F. H.Q., on Admin. matters.
Late this evening the last of our crews ferrying Baltimores from the Union arrived by their aircraft at L.G. “Y” just before sunset and were brought across by No. 12 Squadron.
This last flight was led by "B" Flight Commander, Maj. COPPEN and the squadron was now at full strength as far as its flying personnel were concerned. One of the ferry-pilots, who was not however remaining on with the squadron, was Lieut. J. MANTE and all in all there was a happy re-union atmosphere about both the Officers' and Sergeants' messes this evening.
The incoming aircraft also brought the squadron's new Transport Officer Lieut. P. LOCKER.
E.N.S.A. provided a cinema show for the Squadron, which was much appreciated by all. Eight Baltimores attacked roads and M.T. in area : POLLA – EBOLI – POTENZA, leaving base at 23.08 Hrs., Bombs were dropped over the entire target area.
Twelve Marauders in three boxes of four aircraft each airborne from PESCARA at 13.30 hours to attack an enemy strongpoint S.W. of RIMINI. The first box had a left error – pattern across extreme S.W. corner of target area. Moderate, accurate heavy A.A. encountered - four aircraft holed. The second and third boxes straddled Western portion of target.
One aircraft returned with all bombs owing to bomb door U/s. The last aircraft down by 15.30 hours.
Sortie Report No. 831.
The C.O., Lt. Col. A.C. JANDRELL, D.N.C. was posted O.T.E. together with the following –
Lieur. MACKAY (observer); Capt. R.R. FARRANT, D.F.C. (observer); Lieut. J. THOMPSON and W.O.1. D.C. JACKSON (WT/AGs); W.O.11. SHEPPARD (A.G.).
The following new arrivals reported for duty :- Lieuts. du PLESSIS and FRASER, F/Sgt. RICHARDSON (RAF) , P/O HICKIE (pilots); Sgt. JENNER (RAF) (WT/AGs); F/Sgts. RICHARDSON and BARROW (A.Gs).