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This story has been written onto the ´óÏó´«Ã½ People’s War site by CSV Story gatherer Jessica on behalf of John Hone. They fully understand the terms and conditions of the site.

Early 1943 brought some relief from the bombardment of Malta, but the Axis continued to re-enforce its North African armies by sea, and at night. Heavily guarded convoys risked the narrows between Marritims (Sicily) and Cape Bon sought out by the famous MARYLAND aircraft and reconnaissance ’Goofington’ WELLINGTONS. Night after night ALBACORE aircraft acted on their information, sending out ’flights’ of one radar equipped flare dropping aircraft, accompanied by three torpedo armed aircraft. Long night trips from Malta challenged both pilot - and myself as navigator to the utmost - there being barely ten knot margin between stalling and flying speed - which was very taxing for trips of four or more hours, out alone keeping radio contact and finding my way back to a strictly blacked-out and small island - my vital task!

One ’economical’ sortie in early January ’found’ a convoy of two merchant men, a destroyer and some flak ships. The first ‘fish’ broke the merchant man in two, the second one missed - but the third struck again leaving the second ship sinking. The flare dropping air craft saw the Destroyer circle away from the scene towards the shore, run aground, and blow up with a blinding flash. Sadly, the next night three ’fish’ were dropped sinking one vessel. The aircraft which scored this only ’hit’ was met by a terrific barrage and set ablaze on its run in. They carried on until, after dropping their ’fish’, they crashed into the sea. The whole gallant (but un-rewarded) attack had been seen by the illuminating aircraft circling above. Yet again, the next night Albacores were ’sitting targets’ in full moon light - the escorts positioning themselves so that the attackers must pass between themselves and the target. The gunners won that battle and one aircraft failed to return.

January ‘43 was a very unhappy month for our Squadron, in four weeks we had been reduced from 13 crew to 5 - the Squadron feeling the strain of constant operations in Africa during the proceeding months, and then in Malta, with its frugal living and scarce messing conditions, which, together, took their toll.

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