Todays dust storm was definitely the worst we have seen in the miserable barren desert. What a miserable hole! Visibility during the greater part of the day was limited to about five yards and the various landmarks could hardly be seen at all. And it blew all day long without intermission. Flying was out of the question.
Chick has received a promotion to Acting Major and thoroughly well he has deserved it. His metamorphosis during this latter phase of our activities has been amazing – from a retiring and silent second-in-command he has changed into a confident and brilliant flight and squadron leader and only a mere youth of 21 years! Truly opportunity makes the man! Chick has been a tower of strength to the Squadron since Mike has gone. The O.C. has not been too well lately and has been laid up for the past few days with a bad dose of flu.
We crept into bed very early this evening with the wind howling around us and the dust still eddying about the camp. Jerry was over this morning and dropped a stick of bombs a few miles away.
0500
Jerry started a 40-minute raid on BENGHASI, the attraction doubtless being the five transports now being off-loaded in the harbour. Our A/A display improves with each performance.
1311
Squadron sortie (18 aircraft) bombed fairly well dispersed M.T. on the main road near MARBLE ARCH. Enemy A/A was heavy and accurate, seven of our aircraft (all repairable by unit) being hit. "Oprep" No. 134,Sortie Report and Crew List.
Major JANDRELL's aircraft sustained the worst damage, his top A/Gunner No. 207191 F/Sgt. FELTON L.J. was killed and his Observer, No. 206112 Lieut.H. C. WHEELER was wounded; Circumstantial Report
Considerable difficulty is being experienced in the catering departments as the Squadron now has Base at L.G. 98, B.L.G. at TMIMI, and O.L.G. here. This necessitates the running of seven messes (Including the Cape Corps) which certainly was not contemplated when the relevant Equipment Schedules were drawn up.
Although it was a bright and sunny day no operations were carried out. Capt. J. Lindsay, the new Armament Officer reported for duty. Lieut. Masters, Lieut. Groenewald, Lieut. Maasdorp and Flight Sergt. Jarvis were posted R.T.U.
Squadron Routine Order No.100/43