During this period the greater portion of the Squadron was enjoying well-earned leave in various parts of the Middle East and only a"skeleton" staff remained on at the camp to deal with current matters and provide a guard for a number of our original aircraft which had been flown over from AMARIYAH, to await disposal instructions. A group of flying crews – five in all – who had been posted to us just after the Squadron was withdrawing from operations were re-posted to No.12 Squadron returning to operations at short notice. —
Apart from being smothered in almost daily dust storms – the personnel who remained on in the opening week of this month in camp had nothing of great importance to record.
The Officer Commanding, Lt. Col. Pretorius, returning from leave with his party by way of CAIRO, received the joyful tidings that he was to return to the Union shortly. We learn that his successor is to be Lt.Col. Irvine who in Abyssinia commanded the famed fore-runner to this squadron – No. 11 S.A.A.F. Squadron.
Lt. Col. Irvine is expected in the Middle East in the next few weeks.