Diary of Garth Edward Sommerville Clabburn - 1942-1944 - Part 12

many friendly A/C in the area at the
time that they had difficulty in
sorting out the enemy formation.
I did a bomber escort & one B25
& one Baltimore were hit & had to
both land on their drome. We
bombed the 21st Panza division -
they have been bombed all day &
must now be very demoralised &
cut up.
Yesterday the Army knocked out 57
enemy tanks with anti tank guns
& 17 A/C were shot down so it
was a very good days work.
Evidently we definitely hold the
best cards but cannot play them
yet because of the extensive
minefields; these are gradually
being cleared - or big gaps made
through which we hope our
armour will be able to penetrate.
30th October After a day of extensive operations
many guests arrived at about
6 PM. for a few drinks in the
mess before adjoining to a N.A.F.F.I.
concrete building at L.G. 91 where
the whole squadron had dinner & drinks
together, celebrating the destruction of
our 200^th E/A. The food was excellent
- chicken, patties, salades & ham. Every one
had plenty to eat & drink & it
turned into a very noisy & happy
show towards 10 P.M. The atmosphere
over came me at about 10.30 P.M. &
I retired with several others to bed.
31 October Was up early but there was no
job until about midday when
I went off & dive bombed enemy
concentrations in the Northern Sectors.
Later on the boys carried out a
recco of Daba/Fuka area.
They found a big batch of Stukas &
escorting fighters & after a good
running fight, claimed a few
probables & damaged. Six of
us went to town in the evening,
& enjoyed a wonderful hot bath
excellent dinner a few
good drinks & a most
hilarious couple of hours at the

Metropolitan Carabret. I took
Minnie (the Turkish dancer) home
on the tram & we enjoyed each
others broken English & my
non existent Turkish.
We are very fortunate being pilots
close to Alexandria, for it is
a break to be able to go in
to town - even if it is only
about once every 3 weeks.
From now on there will be
no leave if all goes well
for we hope to advance
according to plan.
1st. November 1942.

Returned to Squadron after a
very nice breakfast at the Hotel
Le Roy. I did two bomber
escort jobs in the afternoon &
apart from ACK/ACK they were
uneventful.
Tonight the 8^th Army is going
to try & take all its armour
through the narrow gap made
in the minefields under cover
of a heavy infantry attack.
2nd Nov. Went out at 9 A.M. as top cover
to 450 sq while they bombed the
germans in the Northern sector.
No E/A interfered. From Bir el
Arab we turned back to intercept
some E/A but they made off.
Escorted bombers out over a
tremendous tank battle in afternoon
& their bombing was fair.
We have thousands of M.T. 800
Tanks & 3 columns of Armoured
cars now up against the enemy
West of his mine fields. A
tremendous battle is raging.
We left the bombers on their way
home & flew to just West of
Daba at 14000' where about
12 109's attacked our 8 A/C.
We had a grand fight but made
no definite claims although I
hit a couple as did Ritchie
& Regitti. I met a Stuka - (sick)
in the clouds & the boss was
attacked by a hurricane. The

Yanks found about 25 stukas &
15 fighters under the clouds &
bagged about 5-6. The war
in the Air was exceptionally
fast & furious for two hours
while we were airborne.
The Army position is favourable
& I think & hope that Rommels
Army is very short of gas &
food supplies.
Received 7 letters from home this
evening.
Unfortunately Sgt. Holder has
not returned from the last
fight. I shot a 109 off his
tail & he disappeared into
a large cloud & may have
crash landed. I feel that
if he is alive he will be
a P.O.W.
3rd The boys were up at 4.30 AM & carried
out a recco of the tank battle.
All seemed to be going in our favour
& they dive bombed a good target
of enemy M.T. I went off as
top cover to 24 bombers in the
afternoon & they went nearly to
Fuka to bomb enemy convoys
proceeding West on the Coast road.
We only had 6 A/C in top cover &
things were very sticky when 12 109's
attacked over the target. They did
not press home their attacks very
thoroughly considering their numbers.
Our good friend Sandy Jones was seen
to go down in flames & unfortunately
nobody saw him bale out. He
must have been hit by a long shot
or ACK/ACK - of which there was
quite a bit.
Enemy units are now withdrawing
from the Southern sector of the
front & this may be the prelude
to a general retreat.
4th Nov. Huck Finlason & Brian Harris
both collected 109 cannon shells
in their A/C on this mornings job.
We are still escorting bombers who
are doing over the coast road
convoys. The enemy must be

now very bomb happy. We lost
16 A/C today but have no doubt
that many of the air crews have
managed to land fairly safely.
Today I received six more letters
from the folks at home & they
told me many things I wanted to
know. My father wrote two
fine letters & I was very happy
to hear that he is quite at home
in his new position with the Federal
Government. Also things are very
peaceful & just as they should
be at Leith.
As I write dozens of medium
bombers are forming up overhead
prior to bombing the Axis forces
for the N^th time since dawn.
I did not fly this day except
to test an A/C.
5^th. Nov. The C.O. led out a six at dawn
on an armed recco of the area
East of Fuka. Unfortunately they
were attacked by 12 Plus E/A
over Fuka drome & a forty minute
fight followed all the way back to
El Alimien. Through good team work
& cool flying nobody was shot down
despite persistent attacks by the
enemy. Sgt. Stevens claimed a probable
& several of the enemy must have
been damaged. Unfortunately no
recco could be carried out under
the circumstances. Warren Thomas
has left the Squadron for a rest.
Flew to 106 this evening & landed
to ascertain the condition of the
drome. It is in good condition
& there was much loot about.
We plan to move to there at
dawn tomorrow. The Army is
moving West in tremendous numbers.
& all looks well for us.
6th November. Yesterday our advance party went
forward to L.G. 172. Danny Boardman
went off early to have a look at L.G. 106
& said all was O.K. to move. We
went off but had to return because
of a very heavy rainstorm which
covered our new drome. Had

lunch with 450 Sq. & met Sgt Gale
who I had not seen since leaving
England. We flew to L.G. 106 in the 
evening & got a few tents up. It
rained again during the night but
everybody had a good nights sleep.
7th Went out on a truck in the
morning to have a look over part
of the battle field. Found Holders
A/C belly landed & evidently he
was O.K. but a P.O.W. His A/C was
very heavily shot up by 109 cannon
shells - but he had crash landed
very well. Found loaded German
truck & had great fun rifling
its contents. I found a good
Tommy gun & the other boys
collected rifles & revolvers & bags
of other stuff which may — &
may not come in handy. Later
in the day got a big fright
when we found that we had
driven around in a large mine
field for about an hour. The
truck we had searched had
been blown up by a mine we
figured on second thoughts!
There were enemy dead about still
on the surface & they were a
most unpleasant sight. Eight of
us went out to bomb & straff
the road West of Matru & carried
this out successfully despite very
heavy rain storms & two 109's
attacking just as we were going
in to bomb. I set fire to one
truck. The enemy were only in
small isolated groups but put
up much light ACK/ACK. My A/C
was hit under the engine but
did not cease to fly well.
Our army were following up the
retreating enemy in great strength
but we were stuck in the mud
a little past Fuka. 112 & 66 sqs
shot down 5 more JW52's which
were trying to bring gas to their
M.T. & A/C - they must becoming
very sort of this stuff now.
8th Nov. Boys carried out a dawn recco

around Charing Cross & saw our Armour
moving towards Matru at speed. News
to hand that U.S.A, has stepped in &
landed a big force at Dakar, Oran,
& Algiers. The French have been asked
not to put their A/C into the air — & I 
think they would loose badly if they did.
This new front must be the long
talked of "second front" & the landings
could not have taken place at a more
opportune moment; with Rommels army
in full retreat towards Tripoli — he will
now be sandwiched. A Jeep was
blown up today by a mine & one
fellow lost an arm. The boys have set
many off this evening by rifle fire.
Tomorrow we move to Sidi Hadinist
& I will be happy to see again my
first desert camp. Three A/C crash
landed around the drome this day
— two were due to bad flying.
Troops of the Squadron have been out
collecting all sorts of gear & some have
gold watches, cameras & many guns. They
are all wearing Italian knee boots

& breeches & look like so many of

the enemy. I saw many E/A

stranded on dromes West of Fuka

yesterday evening & fear that our

quick advance coupled with the

heavy rain caught him with his

pants down.

9th Nov. The Squadron took off at dawn for LG 101

My A/C was sick & I did not take off

until about 2 hrs later. On landing after

a very interesting trip at zero feet

we found that A party had pushed

on & that none of the Squadrons had

petrol. We had to wait until 1.30P.M.

before the position was remidied & then

went off & bombed large enemy

concentrations trying to get up

Hellfire Pass. The dive bombing was

very accurate & many trucks were

hit. One plunged over the side of

the pass & fell about 1000' to the

sea. We jumped 2 109's F after leaving

the target. I followed one right 

up in a loop firing all the time &

the E/A spun at the top. I had

to get out of his way quickly for he

was directly above & I was looking

into 20MM cannon. I had hit this

A/C heavily & saw glycol come from his

[*F/Lt Kildy was

credited with one

destroyed and I 

with one damaged*]

engine. F/L Kildy also got two good

bursts into the other E/A but did

not see him definitely destroyed

Immediately after this encounter an

A/C was seen to crash & explode

on the ground so evidently one of

us destroyed one. We both put in

combat reports on returning & claimed

1 E/A damaged each.

Our 7th Armoured Div is now at

Bug Bug & armoured cars (Royals &

SA's) are closing in an Capulsso,

which means that much of the

enemy stuff may be cut off at

the top of Hell fire Pass.

Our convoy (B Party) arrived in at dusk

& we are now assured of a bed.

10th  I did not fly this day but the

Sq. carried out a 2½ hr. patrol over

our forward armour which is pressing

the enemy & having difficulty keeping

up. I  received a short letter from Minnie

at midday & during the evening we all

made merry in the mess.

11th November. Rose before dawn & the A/C took off for L.G.

[*1943*] 76 at first light. Stan & I set off by 

road at 0715  in the 15cwt truck &

arrived at 076 at about 11.30 A.M. We

had enjoyed a good lunch out in

the "Blue" with the occupants of

the CO's car. The squadron carried

out a recco & found the 21st

Panza to be West of Capuzzo -

heading West. Two 112 sq A/C collided

with another crashed A/C a crane &

two trucks on take off at 1600 hrs

& everything went up in flames.

Four of our air craftsman ran

through & into one flaming A/C &

got the pilot out - the other pilot

was already safe. Both were very

lucky to get away with their

lives.

We have only 9 servicable A/C. The

general news of the war is very

happy & we will advance again

tomorrow.

12th November. The A party moved off to Sidi

Iziz before dawn & they may

continue straight through to Gambut

for we hear that Jerry has already

evacuated that area. The squadron

went off to straff the road between

Tobruk & Gazala & have not

yet returned (11:30 AM) We heard

on this radio this morning that

the church bells over England will

be rung on Sunday in celebration

of our victory here in Egypt. I 

think this is a foolish thing to

do for the battle is not finished

yet & Jerry still has a great punch 

left in his heavy armour. Still —

let the Bells ring — it is good

for temporary moral lifting.

The squadron & 450 sq met up with 4-5

109's on their job & the E/A prevented

them doing an effective straffing job.

As it was they only managed to damage

about 5 trucks & one of the E/A. All

our A/C returned. Large fires were

seen around Tobruck & no E/A were

seen on Gambut dromes. We are out

of water today & have to drink cans

of beer — what a shame!!

13 Nov The 1st flight convoy left at dawn

for Gambut & we took off at about

1300 hrs & flew up. The old drome

was just the same & Jerry had left

3 JW87's round about off which

the boys lifted many compasses &

other odds & ends. We had a good

meal & I with many others have

to sleep on the ground this night

for we do not expect the convoy

to arrive until tomorrow.

[*14th. Nov.*] At dawn took off & carried out

a recco as far West as Dana. No

E/A, but we found about 400

enemy trucks & a bit of armour

30 miles West of Gazala making

West at speed. We returned hurriedly

& reported & after two hours the

whole wing went off after them

with bombs — two Squadrons at

a time. I found them strung 

out & the bombing was fair.

We all went down & straffed & the

results were excellent. We started

many fires & Danny Boardman knocked

out a big gun & trailer. After dis-

posing the A/C on returning I had

to push straight off to Gazala

with 5 other pilots by car. We had

a very interesting trip through Tobruk.

& arrived in the dark at the

new Gazala drome. The amount of 

gear & knocked out stuff around

Tobruck was amazing.

15th Nov. Went out early in the car over

the top of the escarpment & round

the minefields searching for a CR42

which I had seen the previous

day — but could not find it.

There were many mines along

the roadside & many trucks

had been blown up. 109s straffed

the road around Tobruck today

& killed 5 fellows. 2 JW88's

tried to bomb the same convoy

& one was shot down right

alongside our fellows — it exploded.

The A/C arrived at midday & so

did some sticky weather. Our recco

over Dena & Bengashi was cancelled

because of low cloud & rain so

the C.O. & I went off at 3 P.M. to

have a look around. We went

West for an hour & across some

of the most rugged country I

have ever seen. On a winding

road we found many enemy

M.T. & tanks & spent a very

exciting 1/2 hr. straffing them. We

knocked out 11-12 trucks between

us & then came home. 2 hr trip.

The C.O. also knocked out a very

large gun & trailer — it went up

in flames. Mathews crashed an A/C on landing.

16th. The sq. (6 A/C) went to Bengazhi this

morning under heavy cloud &

found heavy enemy convoys

leaving the town. They straffed

with good results, & it was

a 3 hr. trip. We must have

met the rear guard yesterday & 

what is left of the enemy is making

for Ogala ^Agheila then Tripoli. Things
look O.K. for us & we hope to

get on to Matula today — but
right now it is raining heavily.

Yesterday I saw our army following

up the enemy in great numbers.

Yesterday also a German strong post

was finished off about 8 ½ miles

from here. The army had gone around

it & armour & Gurkas were sent

in to polish it off.
[*Strachan Terry 

and two other

Wing personnel.*]

Today Sq/Ldr Terry & Sq/Ldr Strachan

were both killed by a mine explosion

on Timi Aerodrome. They were

in charge of our Wing Convoy,

& their going shocked all in the 

Wing.

17th Nov. The wing took off at dawn to

straff Magren Aerodrome but we

could not make it because of 

very low cloud & heavy rainstorms.

We split up into squadrons &

came back by various routes.

Sgt. Gilbert became lost & landed

wheels down near Timi. I was

leading top top cover & the trip was

uneventful except for a few of
the boys straffing a crashed E/A.

A Panza Division is out of fuel

on the road Nth. of Bengashi &

we are trying to prevent them becoming

mobile by shooting down JW52

carrying fuel to them. 250 sq. led

by old George Plinstern came across 

about 10-12 JW52's & 111's landing

on a drome close to the stranded

Division & shot the lot down in

flames.

The C.O. led out 10 A/C in the after-

noon around Benghazi on a 

recco. Four 109's attacked & one was 

shot down. 112 sq. shared this A/C.

P/O J. Upward collided with another

109 & they both spun in. John 

was a very fine fellow & we all

grieve his passing — we fear he

was killed, but there is always

a hope, that he survived the crash.

John Bray & I went for a walk

towards the sea during the afternoon

[*P/O Upward's A/C

inspected later in

the advance and 

he was found to 

have been killed*]