The convoy of thirty six vehicles resumes its onward trek this morning and with the Adj. in the leading car with Leo the Lion to navigate the way we struck over the desert. Thanks to the good work of the M.T. Staff the convoy went like clockwork and in the early afternoon – practically on the original schedule time the convoy arrived at L.G. 76 – our new home where we were met with the stunning news that the 20th November, 1941 was the Blackest day in the squadron’s history - four of our gallant crews had gone down in flames.
We only seem to learn our lessons after severe losses but indeed in this case “someone had blundered”. At 1125 hrs nine Marylands under command of Roddy Stewart took off to attack enemy and tank concentrations near EL ADEM and were given no fighter protection whatever.
It’s one thing striking the enemy at 20,000 feet deep in his territory but it’s a horse of another colour to think that one can get away with low level attacks on a cornered and desperate enemy who have the striking power to hit back and hit hard.
Again our squadron was "arse-end Charlie" to the others and as before we got it in the neck to the tune of SIXTEEN 100% FELLOWS.
Before reaching the target our formation was overtaken by a formation of the yellow-nosed ME 109 F’s and immediately our aircraft were raked from front to stern with a withering hail of cannon and machine gun fire.
What chance has the medium bomber, the grand old Maryland flying at low level against one of the swiftest and fastest machines produced in this war. Capt. Johnny Eccles and Ernest Corbett were the first to go down in flames, followed shortly afterwards by Roy Haines and finally by Major Rod Stewart.
The gallant effort of old Mac in 1649 was a redeeming feature. For nigh on sixty miles he was chased by a yellow-nosed demon who poured his fire into an aircraft where the bottom gunner lay seriously wounded and Du Pré his mate had his guns jammed. Russell, the lower gunner was seriously wounded through both legs whilst crouching over the opened lower hatch and was falling through into space whilst his gallant half section dropped to his aid and tackled him, pulling him back to safety and there he tendered to him, applying first aid and dressing his wounds whilst the hellish raking was continuing. The while gallant Mac was twisting, turning and dodging and putting all he had into his gallant effort, finally with over a hundred holes in his craft and the tyres of his undercarriage and tailwheel shot to ribbons, he limped home. The enemy gave up the chase when nearing the “fence”. MacDonald made a perfect landing and Russell was immediately rushed off to hospital where he received the very best attention. Good show Mac and Du Pré, we are proud of you. Both have been recommended for immediate awards and both richly deserve them.
But what have we paid!! With the flower of our squadron we have answered the call. Ever smiling Rod Stewart with Don Duffus as his observer and Tommy Tucker and “Spike” Petterson, the 109 Kings as his gunners: Johnny Eccles and Eric Benzie with Frankie White and Aubrey Friedman : Roy Haines and Matt Vermeulen with Leslie Balcomb and Malcolm Jack and Ernest Corbett and Brian Garden with Bob Black and Gilbert James – They will be very difficult to replace.
As long as our squadron lasts – and after they will be remembered. Rod was one of our most experienced pilots in the squadron and universally popular, he had inherited a difficult task to take over from such a Flight Commander as Major Britz but right nobly had he succeeded in his task and his loss is indeed a heavy one. And, if possible a more crushing blow is the loss of old Don Duffus. Our crack observer and the man to whom our squadron is deeply indebted for its outstanding bombing results – never will we forget the devil-may-care twinkle deep down In his eyes and his ready gloom chasing laugh. A man of sterling character, one can say with deep sincerity that his place cannot be filled. The two gunners Tommy Tucker and "Spike" Petterson, were definitely the two most flamboyant and vivid characters in the Sergeants Mess. On the gloomiest of days they were at hand to cheer each and all with a ready smile and a soul inspiring laugh, both veterans in combat they were utterly fearless and were an inspiration to the whole squadron.
Johnny Eccles was one of the old brigade trusty and true, a demon at Bok-Bok, and an inspiring personality, Eric Benzie, quieter than the ordinary run was of true steel, capable and energetic, he entered into all squadron activities with a quiet zest, as a most efficient Mess Secretary he will be best remembered, the universal popularity of “0H 21” Officers Mess was due in no small measure to his tireless energy. Frankie White, the W/O A/G was also of a quiet disposition and as one of the Squadrons "official” cartoonist was deservedly popular, especially for the "Art Gallery" in the Sergeants Mess. As an artist he was of no mean repute and he had just completed a very fine Hurricane in charcoal for "Wings”. His co-gunner was Aubrey Friedman who will go down in squadron history for his splendid turns at our monthly concerts. Who will ever forget “The gun was gone” and a little bit of Scotch, Aub was quite a character and with his shaven poll and his ever-quizzical smile he went along from day to day, happy go lucky and full of fun.
The third crew had Roy Haines as pilot and Matt Vermeulen as observer. Roy was a regular guy, with a hearty laugh and an expanding smile he was full of energy and fun. Matt was a real squadron character, a former Pirates Johburg rugby captain he was a proper mess man, always on hand to entertain and with a fund of good stories and a real sense of humour he was deservedly popular with one and all. The two gunners were Leslie Balcomb, a veteran of the old 11 Squadron from Abyssinia and East Africa, he was quiet efficient and fearless his co-gunner was Malcolm Jack another of the characters of the Sergeants Mess, with a dry sense of humour and capable of being witheringly sarcastic as times he was respected by one and all as a straight talking guy. In the days of piping peace he was a most popular member of the Pirates cricket club in Johannesburg.
Ernest Corbett the pilot of the fourth machine was older than the balance of the squadron and of a quiet and reserved nature. His observer Brian Garden was another sterling character, very popular with high and low his ever smiling face will be sadly missed. The two gunners Gilbert James and Bob Black were newcomers to the squadron but were most popular with one and all. Black was big and rugged and said his mind when he felt like it. James was quiet and efficient.
It would appear from the evidence of some of those that took part that 1620 was tackled by one of the yellow-noses and as our Maryland was spiralling downwards the rear gunners got their man for both aircraft were seen to crash in flames. Three 109'e then repeatedly attacked the remaining eight aircraft and first Capt. Eccles and then Roy Haines were shot down. A second enemy aircraft was shot down by A/Sgt Thompson-Brundidge, an American attached to the R.A.F. who has been posted to our squadron recently and who is exceedingly popular with everyone and known to all as "Yank”. He states that the leader of the enemy formation was definitely a master pilot who "knew his stuff" his tactics were carried out with faultless precision and he was definitely responsible for the last three of our aircraft shot down.Yank says that one of the other Jerries in trying to imitate his leader was not quite quick enough and presented a nice target and he promptly gave him a few short bursts and saw the Hun spin over and crash to earth where the aircraft exploded.
Today was indeed a black day for the squadron. Someone was definitely at fault in allowing nine unprotected Marylands to go out on a close support show without any fighter protection.
A squadron reunion drunk up whilst very welcome did not succeed too well and the laddies went to bed with heavy hearts.