The Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Air Marshall A.W. Tedder accompanied by the Air Officer Commanding, Western Desert, Air Vice Marshal Coningham paid the squadron a brief visit.
Air Marshal Tedder complimented the squadron on its camouflage of the drome and the wide dispersal of aircraft. The A.O.C.-in-C left after a brief discussion with the Officer Commanding.
Following on the departure of the A.O.C-in-C., we were welcoming another visitor, Lt.Col. Hingeston, Senior Air Officer Administration, S.A.A.F.
Lt.Col. Hingeston was informed of the various difficulties encountered by the squadron on the side of administration and was able to give us a lead in some of the matters discussed. He was present at the return of our planes from another “Benghasi show"and left shortly afterwards for No. 12 squadron by plane.
The raid today on BENGHASI proved a most depressing one. The planes after taking off for L.G.075 landed at this point for refuelling. The Intelligence Officer gave the crews their full instructions at this landing ground after having been flown there on receiving, fuller information from 261 wing.
Unable to identify their target – shipping in BENGHASI harbour – the formation was turning in an endeavour to locate their exact position when a collision between the leading aircraft in the third “vic” and no. 3 in this formation took place. The latter aircraft which was piloted by Lt. Lamont with crew 2/Lt. Reyneke (Observer) and Sgts. Jonas and Blyth as gunners was seen to go down in a steep dive.
The leading craft in this flight D. 1661 piloted by Lt. A. Murray had a portion of its wing ripped away and also fell away rapidly from the formation. From the former aircraft two figures were seen to bale out before the aircraft was lost in cloud and haze.
The latter aircraft (D.1661) lost height exceedingly rapidly and with both Observer and Pilot tugging at the stick (the Observer yanked the dual control stick into play)
It finally levelled out at 2000’ By jettisoning all guns ammunition and loose fittings the aircraft was maintained at 4000' and despite raising a barrage of fire when passing over HALFAYA PASS at this height, when evasive tactics has to be employed, the pilot brought the machine in safely.
It was discovered that of the bombs which the observer was unable to jettison owing to failure of the electrical system following on the collision, one had begun to work loose and only the veriest thread on the vanes prevented that bomb from being alive when the aircraft landed.
The bombs of the other aircraft were dropped shortly after the collision occurred on what appeared to be a camp and administrative buildings. This it later transpired was a railway station and photographs revealed that considerable damage had been done, so that the loss of one of machines was not entirely in vain.
One Raid : Oprep No. 125, Sortie Report and Crew List
Eighteen sorties. Instructions received from O. C. 3 S.A. Wing for Base Party to be brought up from L.G. "Y" to L. G. 98. All necessary arrangements made and instructions given for all surplus kit to be stored at S.A.A.F. Depot.