Had the pleasure of a visit from Col. Hingeston S.A.O.A. accompanied by Major Treadwell. Todays raid was one of the most smashingly successful, our squadron has had. Seven Marylands led by Capt. 'Chick’ Thackwray took part in a raid on DERNA Landing Ground. There were about 90 enemy aircraft on the landing ground, mainly JU 52's and they were not dispersed. Our bombs found their mark and eight direct hits on aircraft were obtained. Many large fires were started and apparently a large dump was set alight.
It was a Jolly good show and the old squadron spirit and the motto 'Onoorwinlik' is really reasserting itself.
In the late morning after the aircraft took off Col. Hingeston left on his way to CAIRO but immediately after taking off from the drome his engine cut and he was compelled to make a force landing in the bundu. He made a good landing and returned with Major Treadwell to camp.
Buck and his gang were on their way and the Gull was towed back to camp. It would appear that there was a goodly percentage of paraffin in the fuel drums and this caused the engine failure. On examination was found that several drums had this fault. Query – are these drums being filled by Gippos? One shudders to think what accidents could be caused by a band of these known "Fifth Columnists" meddling with aviation fuel!!
At 1600 hrs two Marylands took off on a ship recce near BARDIA and returned just after 1720 without locating the ship — sounds like the old elusive ship that haunted our earlier activities.
Cold and dust in the afternoon and an early bed after a real old sing-song, to make us warm and thereafter an undisturbed night. My idea of heaven at the moment!!
So the treacherous yellow livered and skinned Japs have taken the plunge. They will live to rue the day that they hitched their war wagon to Hitlers waning star!!.'