Camp awakened by the Ops. bell and 18 of our aircraft took off at 08.00 hours to raid an enemy landing ground in the vicinity of BIR DUFAN, the idea being to keep Jerry's aircraft on the ground – permanently for preference.
Three of our formation did not return: Oprep No. 164, three Sortie Reports and Crew list Circumstantial Report –
Baltimore III AG. 842 (Lieut. S. LINDENBERG, pilot and crew – first operational flight) missing, last seen going down under control well into enemy territory.
Circumstantial Report – Baltimore III AG. 933 (Lieut. J.F.G.MEREDITH, pilot - no casualties) Aircraft crash-landed East of base after being damaged by a Me. 109 F.
Baltimore III – AG. 873 (pilot Lieut. G. A. LIDDIARD) was attacked by three Me's. before reaching the target. His top gunner No. 206316 F/Sgt. KRUGER, E.L. was killed and considerable minor damage done to the aircraft. After bombing, casualty procedure was followed and as the under-carriage would not come out, the aircraft crash-landed at TAMET North. The Squadron is extremely grateful to No. 73 Squadron, R.A.F., for their co-operation and very willing assistance to the remainder of the crew of this aircraft.Circumstantial Report
Fourteen other ranks posted to S.A.A.F. Depot for R.T.U. on replacement. No. 102859 Captain G. L. McBRIDE and 103449 Lieut H.A. PUTTOCK returned to the Squadron from attachment to No. 1 A. D. U. for ferrying duty. No. 205405 Lieut. L.C. WEIR (non-effective) posted to S.A.A.F. Depot w.e.f. 16 Dec. 42. No.47476 Lieut. C.A.MARTIN (non-effective; 3 months) having broken his leg in a "soccer" match at L.G. 98, is posted to S.A.A.F. Depot w.e.f. 2 Jan. 43. No. 103004 Captain P.D. FOGARTY, who has been Squadron Engineer Officer Officer for over a year is posted to No. 3 S.A. Wing w.e.f. 15 Dec. 42. Three other ranks (including one air gunner) posted to S.A.A.F. Depot for R.T.U. on medical grounds. No. 605, Lieut. S. G. ISAACS (pilot) posted to S.A.A.F. Depot, to await disposal – medical grounds.