The O.C., Lt. Col. Pretorius, after a flying visit to CAIRO today brought back with him flight Commander Maj. "Chick" Thackwray who was recovering from a recent appendix operation. The O.C. also brought the news that he, too, had been diagnosed as suffering from appendix trouble and would require an early operation.
It had been agreed therefore that he return to the Union immediately, without awaiting the arrival of the new Officer Commanding, as had been previously intended. Maj. Thackwray who will be unable to fly in active operations for some considerable period, is also to return to the Union and so, in one fell swoop, we lose both O.C. and his deputy.