To-day is the 13th and things did go wrong!! This was our 83rd operation, and, as later transpired, our last in the present "push” when ten of our now familiar blue-bellied Marylands shook the crisp morning air with the full-throated roar of winged avengers out for business.......... but it was not to be.
Our target was shipping at BEURAT-EL-HSUN – alternative the jetty where stores were known to be unloaded – and as this was a long-range show our aircraft landed at MSUS. once again.
On arrival at MSUS, five of our machines struck trouble in the way of engine failures and faults, leaving five available to continue on to the target. One of these broke a tailwheel….. and then there were four.
And so the four little "Mary Boys” took off on the final stage. One of these was unable to keep up with the formation owing to loss of power .... and then there were three.
Then the weather took a hand and the remaining three were compelled to beat back....and then there were none.
The reconditioned (so-called!) engines we were receiving without doubt were responsible for the ineffectiveness of our raids. Pilots could no longer have the fullest reliance in their craft, for engines which had not been bench-tested prior to delivery to the squadron; while rendering a satisfactory performance on "running-up”, revealed unsuspected faults and failures after only a few flying hours. Glaring faults such as the absence of a complete carburettor were found on unpacking the engines which were sent to replace the “operationally fatigued\* ones in the aircraft of the squadron.
Many other faults could only be revealed after the aircraft had had the replacement engines fitted — and this meant hard but wasted efforts by our ground staff who worked with untiring zeal in carrying out, under the most trying circumstances, work which was nominally that of an R. S.U. or Maintenance Unit.
In Soviet Russia such a position – the delivery of "dud” engines – would no doubt have resulted in swift retribution against the persons responsible as people who were"sabotaging the war effort!” We all marvel at the splendid fight the Russians are waging to-day but all we do in an instance of such glaring inefficiency as this is to write voluminous reports which may or may not have the desired effect in two to three months time – or may be longer than that. Heigh ho! but we're fighting this war in the true spirit of democracy and so be it.......
Our Pilots and crews returned from to-day's fiasco thoroughly disgruntled and an atmosphere of gloom, in keeping with the dust which swirled about us all day long, descended on the squadron.
In a determined effort to raise the spirits of at least the Officer’s Mess, the O.C. produced an alleged birthday as the cause celebre and splendid organisation on the part of others produced sufficient in the way of bottled spirits to mark the occasion.
Two "Itie" hand grenades exploding signalled the start of the party which was soon in full swing. Visitors rolled in from 3 S.A. Wing and with the squadron band in attendance and our “Adj.” leading the sing-song all went merrily. "Bok-bok” then occupied the attention of those still capable of leaping great distances and the superiority of “A” as opposed to"B" flight was finally settled, “A” winning by two "casualties“ to nil.
Headquarters, unable to inflict even a minor abrasion on their opponents beat an early and ignominious retreat from the proceedings at an early stage.
The wailing Banshee sounds of Jerry ground Verey lights fired by some pyrotechnic enthusiasts among the revellers signalled the termination of hostilities and, simultaneously, exhaustion of the available supplies of gin... and so to bed.