The second meeting of the Tactical Committee, held at Air Headquarters, Western Desert, was attended this morning by Lt. Col. Pretorius. The meeting proved most successful and an important decision that was reached was that both bomber and fighter squadrons be given 24 hours time for preparation for major operations.
Instructions were received that DERNA landing ground be "visited" again by our machines and nine planes were all lined up ready to go when a further message was received stating that in view of special instructions or information that was awaited, as many of our machines as were available should be held in readiness for instant operations. These machines remained on "standby" until 1400 hours when further advices released us from further work for the day, whereupon the flying crews were able to continue their serial baseball match "Officers versus Airgunners".
One other rank (Wireless Operator) recently lent to 3 S.A. Wing posted there. At 1600 hours a _haboob_ commenced and reduced visibility to nothing at all. The dust continued and intermittent showers of rain did nothing to improve conditions. Fortunately only a few tents collapsed during the night but the camp at B.L.G. fared worse and most of the personnel there were forced to take refuge in the various messes after their tents had blown down just before one particularly heavy shower of rain.
At 06.00 Hrs. the convoy moved off to the beach from where the party was ferried across to the mainland. The whole convoy were landed at approximately 10.00 Hrs. The convoy was divided into sections and were on their way NORTH within two hours. On reaching MILEYO, a halt was made for the night.