The following message was today received from Headquarters, Medium Bomber Wing
"PLEASE CONVEY CONGRATULATIONS AND APPRECIATION OF THE AIR OFFICER COMMANDING TO THE OFFICER COMMANDING NO. 21 S.A.A.F. AND THE WHOLE SQUADRON FOR THEIR MAGNIFICENT EFFORT IN BRINGING THE AIRCRAFT OF THE SQUADRON TO SERVICEABILITY IN SUCH A SHORT TIME AFTER BEING S0 BADLY SHOT UP ON THE RAID OVER BARDlA. THIS SPEAKS VERY HIGHLY OF THE ORGANISATION, KEENNESS AND EFFICIENCY IN THE UNIT AND REFLECTS GREAT CREDIT ON ALL CONCERNED. REQUEST A FULL REPORT IN DUE COURSE".
Of the nine Marylands participating in the raid seven were fairly badly damaged – something like 250 holes being made by shrapnel that had hit the machines. One of the best efforts was the work on aircraft 1672 which had 9 hydraulic pipelines shot through, the ignition wires shot through on the Starboard engine and holes in the fuselage, wings and flaps. This aircraft was fully serviceable in three days.
Another successful raid by nine of our Marylands, six from “A” flight and three from “B”, was carried out this morning, the objective again being the dump north of TOBRUK-BARDIA road. The road itself received a number of hits from our bombs while nearly 50% of the bombs dropped fell on the actual target. Instead of the customary “all planes returned safely" communique, this raid was a case of nine planes out and twelve back! At least this was how it appeared to those who awaited the planes return.
The additional three planes were accounted for later – they were two machines bringing our establishment up to full strength, the third machine having been employed to ferry our pilots across to 53 R.S.U. where the planes were collected. We now had our full complement of 21 Machines, together with one communication aircraft.
Operation training of aircrews continues. Squadron visited by Lt. Col. TINDALL and other 3 S.A. Wing Officers, to discuss the Squadron's pending move to L.G. 98.
Several times during the day instructions were issued in regard to the move and subsequently cancelled, the Squadron finally moved to the staging area near T.B.F. Headquarters, outside CATANIA. The aircraft and crews were left behind as they had been instructed to fly to GERBINI, as soon as it was possible to take off at CUTICCHIO. As the Aerodrome was serviceable they took off during the afternoon.