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Aviation History
1951
1951 - 0020.PDF
14 FLIGHT No. 6 SQUADRON R.A.F. for permission to join the other squadrons in strafing them. This request was refused, but the pilots were allowed to hunt in the southern sector. On one of these trips alone the score amounted to 12 lorries, three semi-tracked vehicles and one transporter destroyed. Another sortie got one Mark 4 special, two Mark 13s, one A.M.C., one Honey, two Crusaders and 17 lorries. Further confirmation of the effectiveness of the squadron's shooting came from the interrogation of a prisoner, who said his company had twelve tanks when they were subjected to a surprise attack by aircraft using armour-piercing shells. Of the twelve, six were knocked out and left burning; the other six, though repeatedly hit, were able to return to their own lines. One tank was hit six times and another had its turret pierced right through. A move forward was made to L.G. 172 and a small party capable of servicing six aircraft was kept ready to move forward at a moment's notice, but it gradually became obvious that as a tank-busting squadron No. 6 had had its work at least tem- porarily suspended. A squadron diary of the time uses the words "there supervened a restlessness and apprehension that the squadron would not be called upon to join the battle in the forward areas." A further disappointment came when they were ordered to transfer to A.H.Q. Egypt, re-equip with Hur- ricane 2Cs, and perform shipping-protection duties. This last straw provoked most of the pilots into asking for postings to squadrons which were busy chasing Rommel and his army. The squadron, for its new role, moved to Edku and became part of No. 219 Group. Meanwhile, a further submission was made to the appropriate authority that the unit's know- ledge and training as an anti-tank unit was being wasted. Con- voy patrols were flown over Alexandria harbour and practice interceptions made, using Bostons as the "enemy." But there was no shooting. At the turn of the year W/C. Porteous left the squadron and was succeeded by S/L. Weston-Burt. Orders came for a move to Sidi Bu Amudon, to which they staged via Mersa Matruh and Buq-Buq, arriving on January 31st, 1943—the squadron's 29th birthday. The air party left two days later, 21 strong, and all arrived safely with the exception of one Hurricane, which stood on its nose in a patch of soft sand at Mersa Matruh. Three weeks later a welcome order came to return the Hur- ricane 2Cs to the Delta, re-equip once more with 2Ds and pro- ceed to Castel Benito to resume tank-busting activities. The greatest enthusiasm was immediately apparent and a speedy pack was completed, despite an intense sandstorm at the time. No stop was made at Castel Benito and contact with the enemy was again made at Sorman. Operations were carried out in support of General le Clerq's Fighting French, and, as a result, the German forces opposing him were virtually annihilated. On one of these operations S/L. Weston-Burt returned with his main spar nearly severed. Warfare at this time was very fluid: four days later a further move was made to Senem. On this move the breakdown vehicle with the ground party ran over a landmine. No one was badly hurt, but L.A/C. Green suffered the indignity of having his trousers blown off. Operations in connection with the battle of the Mareth line were "on" immediately, but, while excellent results were ob- tained, the casualty rate went up to an alarming extent. Four Hurricanes were lost on the first sortie and in later operations sometimes as many as six aircraft would be lost out of ten or twelve involved. At the same time a surprisingly large per- centage of the shot-down pilots managed to find their way back to the squadron. Many epic stories could be told of crash landings and near-capture by the Italians or Germans. Congratulations were received from Air Marshal Coningham, and General Montgomery sent his "admiration and congratu- lations for the work today " (March 3rd, 1943). Seven D.F.C.s were gained and S/L. Weston-Burt received an immediate D.S.O. On April 1st the squadron was awarded the King's Standard, for which it had qualified, by its 25 years' service, in 1939. There followed a dull period. The unit moved on to Gabes and then to Sfax. Sorties were occasionally flown but no suit- able targets presented themselves. Cricket and football matches against local units passed the time away, with lectures, classes and impromptu-speech nights to help out. On May 12th, 1943, all organized resistance by the enemy in North Africa ceased. Coincidental with the end of the war in North Africa, S/L. Weston-Burt handed over command of No. 6 to S/L. A. E. Morrison-Bell, D.F.C. A move was made to Ben Gardane, where camp was pitched near the lake of Bahirel el Biban. Life was now a little easier. Working hours were 06.00 to 08.00 hr and 09.00 to 12.30. (Left) Squadron Tempests call at Asmara in Eritrea to refuel in 1947. (Centre) S/L A. E. Morrison-Bell, D.F.C., who commanded No. 6 in (Right) SiL. R. Slade-Betts, D.F.C., commander from the end of 1944 to July, 1946. (Below) Post-war practice on tanks at Ramat David in 1945. \
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