The advance road party consisting of 50 details from this squadron and 50 from No 12 Squadron left at 1130 hrs bound for L.G. 76 under command of Capt Johnny Eccles.
Six Marylands from "B" FIight under Major Stewart attacked DERNA again. Weather conditions were adverse but the bombing results were satisfactory. Just after leaving the target our aircraft were attacked by ME 109’s. One venturesome Jerry pilot attacked the first flight and was met with a withering fire from the leader's two gunners "Spike" Petterson and "Tommy" Tucker. The 109 was hit amidships and was seen to hit the deck in a column of smoke and fire.
Tucker says “Immediately after dropping our bombs my top gunner (A/Sgt. Petterson) reported fighters and a moment or two later I heard him fire three or four bursts. He then shouted to our pilot (Major Stewart) to use our scare guns and I heard a burst fired from them. I then saw the enemy fighter which I took to be a ME 109, flatten out in a dive coming from our port quarter. As he flattened out he turned gradually to his left to fly on the same course as ourselves and I received the impression that he intended to throw his nose up and rake our belly with bullets. At a distance of about 250 yards I got him nicely in my sights, allowing a little deflection as he was overtaking us, and I gave him three longish bursts. He then dived away to his right and I watched him diving down as I thought it might be a ruse, but he continued his dive, passed through a wisp of cloud and a moment later he struck the ground exploding with a flash of red flame and a cloud of black smoke”.
Ill luck was still dogging us for we lost Capt. George Parsons and his crew in this engagement. The last that he was seen was close to the deck well out to sea with an enemy 109 on his tail and both his rear gunners firing away to the last. George had not been with us long, but he had , proven himself one the very best, his observer “Tiny” Meyer was one of the old brigade – a foundation member of squadron 21. and the two gunners “Stewie” Stewart and Paul Methven were inseparable pals and two of the very best, quiet and unassuming they were always ready to answer the call of duty. Their places – all four of them will be very, very hard to fill.
After this raid a definite gloom descended over the squadron – it could be felt, just like an enveloping mist around the camp. The squadron had taken it on the chin and though unshaken were heavy at heart. The atmosphere seemed leaden and sluggish and one was forcibly reminded of the words of Samuel Lover “In battles wild commotion, the proud and mighty Mars, with hostile scythes, demands the tithes of death in warlike cars”. Yea verily 21 has received its baptism of fire.
Four crews lost in such a short period, but we can take it, and taking it we will give back with Interest!
But in the evening the gloom had vanished like the mists for indeed “There was a sound of revelry by night". The squadron had stirred itself from its stupor and at the concert, kindly arranged by the “dugout demons", there was music and laughter and everything went as merrily as a wedding bell. Laughter is a medicine that is not appreciated enough by the medical profession whose motto should be(perhaps!) "Ten laughs a day keeps the quack away".
Japie (alias S/Major Jack Friedman) was in brilliant form and kept the audience in roars of laughter throughout the night. Our ever popular Holly White was again the backbone of the musical items, with his piano accordion and his lovely mellow voice he is indeed a treasure to the squadron. Nor must the other artists be forgotten one and all they gave an excellent show. Caid— the cad was responsible for the scenery and S/M Berwlck and Sgt Goldman added their quota both to the "screen schifting " and the concert proper.
Community singing was most popular and the evergreen “Hi,Hi, Yippie Yi” was flung up as if in challenging defiance to the Gods of battle on High. We had the pleasure of entertaining several of our neighbouring squadrons and the parties continued to a late hour at the Sergts and Officers Messes. Col .“Jimmy" Durrant D.F.C. Majors McConnell, Brink and Jansen and Capts Ascham, Goch and Jim. Puttick were amongst those present when Buster "filled the flowing bowl, until it did run over.”
The bomb line continues to move Westwards rapidly and now passes through SIDI BARRANI. Jerry is going out of Egypt very much faster than we left Libya last June.
Squadron Fire Orders
Twelve of our Baltimores led No. 12 and No. 24 Squadrons in an attack on Gun Positions (C. 412058 – 409052 – 418055) The weather was generally hazy. Some bombs fell in the sea but a direct hit was scored on Railway; other bombs fell among buildings. For the first time since North Africa the formation went out without fighter escort.
Sortie Report No. 437
Squadron Routing Order No. 86/43