Diary of Garth Edward Sommerville Clabburn - 1942-1944 - Part 16

left in the ambulance plane this afternoon

but I did not see him to say

Au Revoir. I think he will have

quite a deal of trouble with that

self same toe. During the evening

I went to wing with the C.O.

after we had inspected all the

guns in the squadron. I forgot

to mention that last night we

all enjoyed a junk picture shown

in the open at Wing. "The seven

Sinners". It was good to us for 

we have seen no entertainment for

many months now.

This evening at Wing I had a

few rums with the W/C & F/O

Anderson. We discovered that we

knew many people back in Melbourne

& that he knew my Father quite

well. Andy used to work for

Egar & Co - he is a partner &

he married Betty Matear. He has

a fine sense of humour & is a

most likable fellow. This evening

the C.O. arranged for Redge Phiffer

to be taken off "affs". Redge was very

happy about this & bought many

drinks for four of us at the bar.

I drank one too many egg brandys &

was ill just before I jumped into

bed - much to Gordon's & George's mirth.

[*9th. Jan 1943.*] Was up at dawn & led the squadron

out on a dive bombing job well

west of Jamat. We could not 

find the previously reported 1600

M.T. but bombed a batch of

about 100. The results were

not worth the job & we returned

with out incident. The W/C flew as

my No.2 & knew his job. He

is very enthusiastic & a fine

leader. His enthusiasm is contagious

& I can see this Wing doing

even bigger things in the future

than it has done in the

past.

[*10th*] We were on readiness this morning

but only two A/C got a scramble.

A JW 88 or AE 111 came across

just after they had landed but

some spitfire's managed to shoot

it down about 30 miles West of us.

Three of the crew were taken prisoner.

I believe that after two of the

crew had been wounded the pilot

put his wheels down & landed so

that means that we now have

another serviceable heavy enemy

A/C in which to cart mail &

things.

Today I have moved into the CO's

tent & it is very comfortable.

[*11th.*] We all moved forward to a newly

constructed drome a few miles

East of the front line & everything

went off without a hitch - except

the wireless was broken for the

Nth time. After a conference

this afternoon the C.O. gave us all

the "Gen" on the coming push

for Tripoli & things sound

alright - but there is going

to be some heavy fighting in

the air.

I received to lovely parcels & a

very funny letter from Joy & Ken

this evening which have cheered

me up a lot. I went off this

morning & tested my guns &

was very satisfied for I only

had two stoppages in a whole

issue of ammo.

[*12th.*] There was to have been a bombing do

but we went on to standby after lunch.

The C.O. led the Sq. off on a scramble but

failed to intercept 6-8 109 who

swept across our three new dromes

at about 12000! 260 sq. met up

with them & one fellow was heavily

shot up with cannon shells. One

shell flew past his ear from dead

astern went through the armour plated

glass at about 45° as if the

glass had been a piece of cheese.

The pilot managed to land his A/C

even though his whole port evelator

plane was shot away & he had

little forward vision. None of

us now feel very safe behind

that thick glass which before 

we all had thought to be bullet

proof.

[*13th*] Pts standing to all the morning

for a bombing do, when they came

along at about 11 A.M. it was

too dusty for us to take off. —

fortunately. We were to have escorted

bombers to Bir Dufom aerodrome &

the show who tried the job before

us at about 9:30 A.M. lost about

11 of their escorting fighters  — all from

the American Group. They were

attacked by many 109's & the E/A.

were most aggressive & persistent in

their attacks. They must be experienced

pilots rushed here from France.

Spent a rotten afternoon on stand-by

sitting in the A/C all strapped up like

a mummy, & expecting to scramble

any second. Nothing turned

up.

[*14th*.] The C.O. insists on taking the first

show - which we all thought would

be fairly safe for we were close

cover to 18 bombers with another

three squadrons above us. 48 fighters

in all. Enemy fighters attacked as

soon as they crossed the coast &

continued right through out until

they crossed the coast on the way

home. The bombing was excellent

right amongst many E/A on the

drome. Flack was heavy all the

time over enemy territory. Five at

ours (C.O. included) & four of

460 sq. failed to return. All

the bombs got through. All

in all we lost 14 fighters

on this operation. Those

missing from this squadron are the

C.O. Rob Gibbs DSO, DFC. Sgt/Norm Caldwell

P/O Bill Diehm, Weatherburn, Tonkin

(1st off). Later in the day I

led out a show as top cover

to 450 sq with bombs. I had

to return with a faulty prop

motor. They were attacked by

5 109'o & P/O Bunny Austin

was shot down. We fear he did

not get out but went straight

in with his A/C. This may not

be correct for I did not see

the actual thing & never now

believe a fellow is killed until

it is definitely confirmed. So

many fellows have amazing

escapes. Two days ago George

O'Neill was forced down in

enemy lines. He hit his prop. whilst

straffing Torargo Aerodrome. This

is the third time he has been

forced down or bailed out over

enemy lines - & I have no doubt

he will be back safe & sound.

Sgt Hanky landed way back at our

last aerodrome after the last

scrap just he had lost his way.

[*15th*] No news of the 6 missing

fellows. I forgot to mention

that the big Army push started

on the night of the fourteenth.

We have made progress & the

New Zealanders have advanced

about 12 miles.

I led out a patrol of 460 sq

& No 3 sq. & we stayed over the

New Zealand Div for an hour.

Nothing turned up & at this time

they were all stationary & the enemy

was not engaged. F/Lt Watt was

this evening appointed C.O. & David

Ritchie has taken over B Flight.

F/Lt Boardman has been taken off

"Opps" Lucky fellow, but is staying

behind to help the W/C out where

he can, for a short time.

The W/C & the new S/Ldr flying, S/Ldr.

Overton & Sq/Ldr. Drake & Andy

were all across during the evening

for a few drinks & we celebrated 

the new promotions; the going homers

& the advance in general. I know I

enjoyed many free beers.

The last few days I have received

a few very fine parcels from

Australia & we have enjoyed

some good feeds in the tents

at night. Today a new Padre

arrived. He is in charge of things

for the R.A.A.F. in the M.E.F.

[*16th.

This day 

I with

many others 

bombed &

straffed 

Bir Dufan 

Aerodrome 

& met 

little

opposition 

except ACK/ACK

from enemy

concentrations

moving 

Northwards*.]

The army has advanced about 50 miles &

all is going according to plan. We have

a dive bombing job on at about 2:30.

Last night all the light bombers had 

a crack at all the Jerry stuff moving

up the coast road towards Homs.

I think they are now retreating generally

on this front & will try & link

up with their forces in Tunisia.

Yesterday afternoon I flew to Snhell

to see Hanky & found out that

his A/C needed an engine change.

Today the C.I.C.  A/F [[?]] Douglass

called this morning at the operations

truck & had a talk with the boys

who were on 15 mins at the time.

He mainly asked questions & told us

little except that they had stopped

building Kittys in the States.

The bombing job was quite successful

& F/Lt Watt is now S/Ldr & is

doing a fine job. Whoopee! news

to hand that S/Ldr Gibbs is O.K.

with the 7th Armoured Div.

[*17th] This day we moved forward to Sedada.

DC 3's & Lockheeds flew parties jeeps

gas bombs & gear forward. I flew

forward with the Kitties. I have the

flue badly & feel very sick. Sgt.

Stevens hit a Hurricane on take

of carrying bombs, & wrecked his A/C.

He hurt his leg slightly but was

very lucky to get out with out

being killed for his kite was

a wipe off. The boys bombed

& straffed troops retreating. Northward

with good results. I met S/Ldr

Gibbs again & he is very stiff

but well. He had walked 50

miles without food or water & 

had had many very close shaves.

Had nearly been captured 3 times

& many jerry trucks had passed

within 20 yds of him one

evening while he was trying

to look like a bit of a

camel bush. The Germans

were laughing & singing &

seemed happy to be retreating.

[*18th*] I slept in the ambulance last

night & did not fly today.

The boys did three jobs &

straffed & bombed the enemy

causing many fires. The ground

crews have done a grand job.

There are only a few of them

& they has maintained servicability

well.

This day our troops have reached

Tahuna & Homs & 800 prisoners

were taken in Misurata. We lost

17 tanks & knocked out 23 enemy

ones today. I am pretty sick

but hope to be on the job

tomorrow.

[*19th.*] Went out at dawn but could not

reach enemy because of low cloud.

Four A/C went on from 450 sq &

bombed. Andy Taylor was shot

down & another A/C badly holed.

Twice later in the day we

tried to get through but 

low cloud prevented. I flew

back to schell in the afternoon

& arranged for six new A/C to 

be flown up. We all got back

at about 5 P.M. Have been in the

air about 4 hrs this day. The enemy

are in full retreat but may

try to fight strong rear guards

on the Homs line.

Sorry diary - all that happened

yesterday - we flew to Dufan

this evening after a very heavy

days work. I flew back once

to our previous L.G. & collected

spare parts for an A/C after

poor old Gordon Jones had

lost his way trying to get

there & had landed beside

the army & asked where he

was. His compass was 40° out.

[*20th*] Today we went off & flew in a Wing

show way to the West & around

Tripoli. As we flew Northwards to

the city we saw one hell of

an explosion about  10 miles ahead.

Everything went up over an

area of about 40 acres to a 

height of about 2000'. I think it

must have a big demolition carried out

by the Jerries. We dived & bombed 

some big guns & buildings to the

East of Tripoli. 88mm. guns nearly

got me but I managed to get

away through very heavy but very

beautiful cloud formations. The

boys did a late job - a recco far

west & found some aerodromes with

A/C mucking about. There has been

great activity on the ground & 

in the air. The Boss, S/Ldr Gibbs

has taken over the Squadron again

until after Tripoli. The country looks

very beautiful around the Coast

to the North & it is such a

thrill to be back in the green once

more after the eternal desert.

[*21st.*] Early this morning 450 sq & we as

top cover with bombs flew nearly to

Tunis & then back along the coast.

The road was packed with the whole

enemy army moving West. We straffed

a painted shop upon a painted ocean.

A beautiful white sailed schooner was

ploughing Westwards just off shore & it

seemed such a thing of beauty &

not a vessel to be straffed by

"5" guns. Anyway three A/C pumped

it full of lead & explosive

bullets - she kept on sailing. We

bombed & straffed the road.

Sgt Goulder was hit by 88 M.M.

ACK/ACK which was very heavy.

Just where I straffed the 

road & he had to crash

land with hit A/C on fire.

We went low & saw him

get out & run around. He

will doubtless be a P.O.W.

The W/C led out the afternoon

show & successfully bombed &

straffed the road. Dave Ritchie

who is now B Flt. Commander,

bombed a building in a town.

I worked late getting a team

& A/C fired up for the

morning. The light bombers are

doing the coast road over tonight.

[*22nd.*] Was up well before dawn &

took off at first light. We

were leading with 450 sq on top.

The C.O. led us right out West

of Bengardan. There we found

an aerodrome on which were

15 fighters & one big transport.

Red section dive bombed with

fair accuracy. Sgt Willis &

Sgt Jones A/C collided in

the dive. I think Willis may

have been hit by the heavy

88 M.M. barrage & because of

that he collided with

Gordon. Willis spun right in

& burnt. Gordon did a

wonderful job & got his

A/C back with only 1 sq foot

of tail unit left. 30 miles

from Tripoli we ran into

3 big Ftr bombers "Savoria 790"

escorted by 7 Macchi 202. We

got in first & a couple

were destroyed. I may have

damaged two or 3 202's.

One of 450 sq's boys was hit

& let out an awful scream

over the R.T. He went in &

his A/C was on fire. [(Stone??)]

The next job was bombing &

straffing the road & 109s or

202's attacked - Allan Righetto's

A/C was set on fire by

cannon shells & he baled

out, & was seen to wave

from the ground. Likely to

be a P.O.W. Tom Russell

collected a cannon shell in

the cockpit & was wounded

in the shoulder. We have

lost 3 A/C so far & another

Cat 2.

I led out our top cover to

450 sq. to Zurua for the last

job of the day. We - or 450

who were leading managed to

catch up with 4  202 who were

just coming in to land & were

circling the town & harbour.

They dived from 10000' & fixed 

three of them. Frank Shaffe

was leading 450 & he bagged one.

Five invasion barges were heading

for the port & because of a 

call for help against 109's I

missed bombing them. We straffed

the road going through & one

at 450 sq was hit but got

back. It has been an eventful

day. Group Captain Carter W/C

Rosier & another grouper were

across today & had a beer. They

are leaving for England very soon

— Lucky Beggars!

Rex Bayley today reached his 200

hours — I wish I was

that far — I feel very tired

& have no offensive spirit left.

[*23rd.*] This morning Tripoli fell into Allied

hands. Something was attempted something

has been done. It is a fitting

reward for the hard effort put

forward by all concerned. Many

lives have been lost in the

striving & cannot ever be

brought back again but it is to be

hoped that those folks back home who

have lost their dear ones in the

struggle will gain consolance in the

knowledge that their men did not

die for a lost cause. The drive

from Alexandria to Tripoli  — over

1500 miles, has been one great success

for us & I feel proud to have

been right on the spearhead all

along. Our A party has moved

off today to a drome just South

of the city. Everybody fired "very"

lights off all around the desert

when the news arrived at about

9:30 A.M. George Oneill & Andy

Taylor who have both walked

back during the last 14 days

were across for a chat this

afternoo.n

[*24th*] After being held up by Wing

until about 10:30 A.M. we flew

out A/C forward to Castel Benito.

Our Recco & Air partz was

flown up in DC3's together with

all  our beds & gear.

I low flew around the city and suburbs

of Tripoli & it is all very

beautiful  — the green fields orchards

olive groves long avenues of great

gum trees & picturesque white

homes. The drome was mined

& a Lockheed was blown up

in front of me as I landed.

The explosion cut the tail unit

& half the fusalage clean off

but nobody was badly hurt.

All around this great grass

aerodrome were many hundreds

of Italian & German A/C in

various stages of disrepair.

Many are servicable — especially

Italian & the Squadron have

now on strength one 2 seater

bi plane like a Tiger Moth, one

twin engine light recco A/C one

three engined SM79 & a good

CR42. All the A/C will be

serviceable in a few days

& we will be able to use

them for transport of supplies when

we have to move again. The great

hangers & stores building's along the

Western edge at the drome were full

of A/C & the store were packed

with all sorts of serviceable gear.

Our ground crews found for

themselves marvellous tool kits

air compressors & handy machinery

of all kinds. I picked up for

myself a very fine aero compass

which I will endeavour to

hang on to. The amount of

equipment left around this

Aerodrome must be valued

by the enemy at many hundreds

of thousands of pounds — of

course it is of little use to our

Air Force but a dead loss to

the enemy.

 

Col Greeves has grabbed two

very fine Italian houses near

the drome — and now one is

our mess & the other our

sleeping quarters. We are very