Today there were two raids on GAZALA dumps. The bombing was fairly satisfactory in the first show with a few small fires in the target area. The Adj. together with Adjs. of 11 and 12 Squadrons attended a conference at Wing Headquarters to button up procedure in impending movements of squadrons.
The second show on the same target was resultant in some good bombing which resulted in another fairly large fire. Ten minutes after leaving the target our Marylands were intercepted by ME 109's - which by their yellow noses were from a crack Nazi squadron.
Our boys were attacked from a distance of 1000 yards by a heavy fire of cannon shells and after a time No. 3 in our second formation was seen to swing away from the formation and dived towards the coastline with white smoke pouring from his starboard engine. The aircraft did not return – another good pilot and crew gone.
This time it was Dick Roulston with Kilcommons his observer and "Lefty" Wright and Featonby-Smith his two gunners reported missing. — One and all were most popular figures in the squadron and their loss is most keenly felt. But we were well avenged for one of the attacking enemy aircraft was shot down by the scare guns of the leader “Major” Mike Fowler and was clearly seen spinning down and crashing into flames in the sea.
Plans were set afoot to send forward the second convoy to L.G.76 and to this end the Adj. went to Wing for a conference where final instructions were issued and the matter was buttoned up. The Air Mechanics were on their mettle today end created a personal record when the six aircraft that took part in the morning show were refuelled, re-serviced and re-bombed in an hour and one minute. A real good show.
No operational flying: "Oprep" No. 143 Fifteen aircraft did local formation flying.
No operations again to-day. On verbal authority of the D.G.A.F., during his visit to the Squadron, civilian Italian labourers were obtained for general duties in the Camp.
Squadron Routine Order No. 89/43.