And so we come to the end of our first month in the New Year. Once more the opportunity is given to look back on another thirty days of Active Service life and again we can comment on what the past month has brought us.
Health & Morale
Despite the wintry conditions, the rain cold and wind, health has been of a surprisingly high standard. Viewing the circumstances the morale of all ranks can be described in the same terms.
It must be remembered that for the major portion of the month we have had to face up to trying conditions, of raids and possible raids by the enemy without the opportunity of hitting back effectively, with the consequent thought in the minds of many of us “Well, If we can't do anything what the heck are we sitting here for?”.
However, the foundation of the squadron spirit and morale, laid many weary months previous has seen us through and has proved invaluable. We withdraw from this campaign for the nonce with the feeling, however, of having achieved something despite the difficulties we have had to encounter, and if we didn't make abetter job of the task we had in hand ---- well, it simply wasn't our fault!
General
The task that lies before us is one of rebuilding the vigour of the squadron's personnel for the jobs that remain to be done. The fact that our personnel will be able to enjoy a reasonably lengthy period of leave will do much to restore physically and mentally weary men. A number of our flying personnel are due to leave for the Union for operational fatigue has taken its toll. Our Officer Commanding, Lt. Col. Pretorius is also due for recall down South and the future should see many oh changes in the appearance of the squadron but we are satisfied that whatever may befall the traditions of the early days shall continue to guide the squadron in the future.