27 November 1940
Northern Front
The Hawker Hardy K4311 (Flying Officer Paul A. Holdengarde; Sergeant Alan P. Burl) takes off for a reconnaissance of the Gallabat – Metemma sector. Above, they are intercepted at around 05h45 by two Fiat CR.42s of 412a Squadriglia CT. Machine gunner Alan P. Burl is killed, while the aircraft is seriously damaged. Flying Officer Paul A. Holdengarde is, however, able to land in his lines near Guriangana. The Hawker Hardy is able to be transported to Khartoum for repair.[1]
At the same time, No.237 (Rhodesia) Squadron receives reinforcements with five Westland Lysander Mk II coming from No.102 (RAF) Maintenance Unit : L4676, L4679, L4715, L4725 and L4915. The arrival of the aircraft seems, however, to take longer and it will be necessary to wait until mid-January to see the first flights.
According to the memories of Pilot Officer Eric Smith:
« The speed and range announced were very optimistic, but the rate of fire of the rear machine gun was good and they did not stop like the Lewis of our old biplanes. »[2]
[1] No.237 (Rodesia) Squadron : Operations Record Book (Form 540 and Form 541). Kiew : TNA, AIR 27/1450 ; SALT Beryl. A Pride of Eagles, The Definitive History of the Rhodesian Air Force : 1920 – 1980. Johannesburg : Covos Day, 2001, p. 72 ; SHORES, Christopher ; RICCI, Corrado. Dust Clouds in the Middle East – The Air War for East Africa, Iraq, Syria, Iran and Madagascar, 1940 – 1942. London : Grub Street, 2010 (Reprinted). p. 80 ; SUTHERLAND, Jon. Air War East Africa (1940 – 1941). The RAF versus the Italian Air Force. Barnsley : Pen and Sword Aviation, 2009. p. 79.
[2] SALT Beryl. A Pride of Eagles, The Definitive History of the Rhodesian Air Force : 1920 – 1980. Johannesburg : Covos Day, 2001, p. 72.
