A new target today - MARBLE ARCH. Two of our aircraft accompanied by three of 12 Squadron attacked the L.G. and wreaked havoc amongst the poorly dispersed aircraft and two fires were started. On the way home the formation was attacked by two enemy aircraft (109’s). The attack lasted twelve minutes and two of the Marylands of 12 Squadron were shot down in flames.
Chick who was leading the attack landed at TMIMI on the way back from the raid with engine trouble. It was indeed bad luck for our sister squadron with the loss of such old campaigners as Lotz and Morgan with their crews.
Spent the day making the rest of, our camp which, although not 100% is much to be preferred to our last habitat. All around us are signs not only of the battle but also of the haste with which the Ities and Jerries finally broke and fled in retreat. We were treated to another fireworks display over TOBRUK tonight and the ack-ack boys sure know their stuff putting up a terrific barrage. With three searchlights probing through the clouds like fingers of fate we suddenly beheld them hold something in their beams and then all the guns in creation crashed forth and some JERRY got a load of hot lead apparently in his bomb-bay for we beheld the blazing craft disintegrate in mid-air, with a terrific explosion. Some minutes later another jerry kite flew very low over our camp and a few moments later there was a terrific explosion and the whole countryside was lit up in a brilliant yellow flash – the end of Jerry No. 2.
The Hun must have grown weary for he stooged off and did not return during the night.
Oprep No. 143
Cold weather continues; a light shower at 16.30 hours.
Nil operations. Authority was received for the posting O.T.E. of the majority of the R.A.F. aircrew personnel who have been attached to the Squadron; they were very popular, one of these W.O. Jensen, being P.M.C. of the Sergeant’s Mess at the time of his posting. They were given a hearty send off the night before they left.