The show to-day was BENGHASI and ten planes – one acting as a reserve plane and carrying mechanics to assist in refuelling operations etc. – set off for L.G. 75 on the first stage of their Journey. Nine machines continued on to BENGHASI. Screamers had been fitted to our bombs and empty beer bottles were also tossed over the side when the raiders reached their objective, but unfortunately this visit to this axis port was more productive of sound than damage. Photographs revealed that most of the bombs had overshot their mark and had fallen in to the sea.
After a total of nearly 60 hours flying, all machines returned in the late afternoon.
Early this morning Major O'Brien was at PORT TEWFIK awaiting the disembarkation of the South African troops who were coming to swell the S.A.A.F. strength in the field. Although the S.A.A.F. draft were scheduled to disembark at 0900 there was little sign of help (or life!) from the Movement Control Officials on the quayside and it was not until 1300 hours that the various contingents had been sorted out and the South African Air Force personnel were available for transport to the transit camp.
By strange contrast with the thousands of Imperial Troops which disembarked and remained awaiting transport in comparative silence and a spirit of disinterestedness, the South Africans, a relatively small group, were soon celebrating their arrival on strange soil in song and merriment. Someone produced a guitar, another the inevitable mouth-organ and soon the dockside reechoed to the sound of sturdy voices hurling forth South African ditties as a challenge to the future.
The troops were conveyed to the transit camp pending their removal to their various units. The help received at this camp from a South African, Captain Francis in charge of the South African section was most gratifying.
Letter from S.A.O., R.A.F., SHANDUR
One raid of 12 sorties, with 6 Bostons of 12 Squadron, the target being dispersed aircraft on L. G. 104.
Sortie Report
Six Me. 109's provided a diversion this morning at dawn. They came over on a long-distance bombing raid and were welcomed by a fair amount of ack-ack none of which was accurate. We bombed about two miles N-W of the camp.
No. 96642. Lieut. J. R. MILLAR posted in from S. A. A. F. Depot as Administrative Officer. One R.A.F. Observer, other rank, posted to 24 Squadron. The two N.C.O's who were wounded on 20.10.42 are posted to S. A. A. F. Depot.
Air Vice Marshal Conyngham, A.O.C., W. D., delivered two "gen" talks, one to pilots and aircrews at L.G. 98 and the other to ground personnel at 24 Squadron, when he detailed the probable course of the operations about to commence. All leave is stopped and personnel are confined to camp until further instructions from A.H.Q., W.D.
At 07.00 Hrs. the convoy moved off travelling over a very bad road for seventy miles and halting at a place 15 miles WEST of TARANTO.