Jack Friedman returned to 0 21 with the details to return to the Union. We are sorry to lose them one and all. Vic Kilburn “A” Flight, Flight Sergeant, Ken Harris, King of the 'Sparks'- Jock Ross, doyen of the 'WEMS'– D'Axon, Doran, Braithwalte, Jackson, Giesen and Oosthuizen – what a crowd of workers – one and all veterans of the Abyssinian campaign they thoroughly deserve a rest. The armourers will miss Loynes, of the expanding smile and Hanson and “T” Stores will not be the same without young Myers to guide them.
We also salute our old M.T. stalwarts. We shall miss old “Kairo” Kriel, the Squadron 'Mercury'– he of the ever ready smile and driver of our far famed Post truck also old Echardt, the Fire wagon expert. We seem to be losing all the foundation members of the squadron.– but one and all they have helped us to build the name and fame of our unit and we shall not forget them. Lets hope they make the Union by Xmas!! Now that Jock Ross is gone old Barlow will have to find another soul mate to entertain us with his “Flanagan and Allen” numbers – them were the days.
The cold miserable winter seems to have set in in real earnest today was a cold, overcast, miserable soggy day. The cold does not keep the dust down and the combination is a concoction of what weather should not be!! We were laconically informed by postagram today that old Tom Earnshaw had been awarded the DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL. Damn good show Tom! Tom is still with us acting as our pro tem Signals Officer, grounded after a very fine career as Wireless Air Gunner both in East Africa and here in the Western Desert. We were also Informed that Major Britz had been awarded the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS. Britsie is no longer with us but way back In the Union we know that he is still part of his old squadron. Good luck both of you.
The show today was again nine Marylands over BARDIA – This operation had to be abandoned owing to real foul weather over the target area which could not be located. 10/10 ths cloud all the way so the boys came home again. This evening was particularly cold and miserable with a drizzle of rain. Jerry gave us the go-bye and we had an undisturbed night's rest for a change.
0600
“A” convoy formed up ready to leave TMIMI when a Ju. 88 provided a diversion and delayed the departure for ¾ hr. by dropping flares over TMIMI Sat. 2 and then bombing and ground-strafing the road. Heavy vehicles and trailers are making slow going and having a spot of bother at a few of the causeways which enemy destroyed in his retreat. It was learned that a further amount of £230. has been received by the Squadron from the D.A.P., in addition to the £140 already well invested, towards ‘Xmas cheer. This amount of £370. will ensure that everyone in the Squadron is well provided with the necessities of the Season and everyone is most grateful to those in the Union who have made this happy position possible.
“A” Party had the pleasure of seeing the Ju.88 which held the convoy up this morning, burning some distance from the road.
It was ascertained later that one of our Spitfire pilots had intercepted him just after he left TMIMI.
At 09.38 hours a formation of twelve of our aircraft took off to attack defended positions in the SAN AMBROGLIO area; one aircraft returned early due to the engine overheating. The first box undershot with 2-3 bursts short of the river, the balance falling along the Eastern edge of the Southern portion of the target. The weather was good but intensely cold.
Sortie Report No. 470.
Squadron Routine Order No. 93/43.
Capt. Dieu and Lieut. MacRitchie arrived back in Camp from AGNONE where they had been to investigate, and ascertain the whereabouts of the two aircraft which had crashed on the 3rd of last month. Lieut. MacRitchie submitted his report to the Adjutant who immediately forwarded it to the authorities concerned. From the evidence it would appear that there was very little hope of any of the aircrews having survived.