This morning started with the receipt of a congratulatory signal from the Air Officer Commanding, Western Desert:
PERSONAL FROM A.O.C. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR VERY FINE SHOW RAID ON DERNA. IT WAS A GRAND SHOW AND VERY DAMAGING”.
It would appear that our little surprise on DERNA was possibly the most devastating and damaging raid that we have had. The first show this morning was a single Maryland search for an enemy ship in BARDIA harbour. The ship was located and bombed but with no better result than two near misses!!
The second show was an attack on aircraft at DERNA landing ground by nine Marylands.
The show was a very good one and once again the aerodrome was given a good pasting, with two direct hits on aircraft and several good sticks of bombs among dispersed aircraft. On the way home our formation was attacked by enemy aircraft by 3 ME 109's and two G 50’s. During the ensuing combat, which was not pressed home by the enemy with the same determination as previously shown and one of our rear gunners, or possibly all of them succeeded in shooting one of the G 50's down in flames and damaging the second one very badly. In the early afternoon a further attack was made on the elusive ship in BARDIA harbour by two Marylands and again all we had was the consolation and cold comfort of our near misses! A truckload of parcels arrived by road from 21 and tomorrow promises another days eating and reading for the lads.