Northern Front

The day is marked by the loss of Bristol Blenheim Mk I L8456 of No. 8 (RAF) Squadron. The aircraft takes off from Aden at 16:20 to bomb Djidjiga aerodrome, where a Fiat CR.32 is reported damaged (though it may have been destroyed by L6648 operating over Djidjiga between 06:00 and 10:45). The British bomber itself then falls to Italian fighters. Severely damaged, it force-lands on the coast of French Somaliland; the crew (Flying Officer Kenneth A. H. Lawrence, Sergeant William H. Tamlin, and A.B. Houston) are interned.[1]

Meanwhile, No.8 (RAF) Squadron receives two Bristol Blenheim Mk IV (L9042 and L9044) from No.203 (RAF) Squadron[2], while ground and flying personnel are reinforced by the arrival of 89 men from England[3]. The same applies to No.47 (RAF) Squadron with forty men[4], and to No.203 (RAF) Squadron with a further draft of 131[5]. Finally, six Vickers Wellesley of No.223 (RAF) Squadron, under Squadron Leader Jack F. Roulston, arrive at Gordons Tree airfield in preparation for forthcoming operations.

Besides two unsuccessful reconnaissance sorties, No. 14 (RAF) Squadron is tasked to trial a night patrol to protect Port Soudan against Italian bombers. Three aircraft take off and step up to approximately 8,900 ft, 10,800 ft, and 13,100 ft. The concept is that, in bright moonlight, crews can observe the sky to a vertical distance of about 500 ft above and below. The outcome is mixed. Pilots report no sightings, even at close range, despite the presence of several Gloster Gladiator of K Flight, tasked to intercept them.[6]

Southern Front

On the southern front, General Alan G. Cunningham continues to prepare his dispositions for the forthcoming offensive from Kenya. The opening move is the capture of the wells at El Yibo and El Sardu on the frontier to ease logistics. The task is assigned to the South Africans, specifically the 2nd South African Infantry Brigade under Brigadier F. L. A. Buchanan. He has the 1st Natal Mounted Rifles under Lieutenant-Colonel N. D. McMillian, supported by five vehicles of No.2 (S.A.) Armoured Car. In parallel, patriots of the 2nd Abyssinian Irregulars are to harass Italian troops in their rear. Finally, No.40 (SAAF) Squadron provides air support.

On 16 January, the entire force moves towards the El Yibo—El Sardu sector. The attack is to begin the following day. However, extreme weather conditions make the advance difficult : 

« Even the Abyssinians, having consumed their water, fell back in distress. In their iron-clad armoured cars the crews roasted in temperatures up to 150°F. »

The pilots of No.40 (SAAF) Squadron also describe extreme conditions : 

« We knew that appalling district well. We had over it for weeks watching the tracks the Italians might use for an invasion of Kenya. Heat was terrific, the glare from the salt and soda desert blinding, mirages fantastic in their distortions. »[7]

By late afternoon, the crews of No.40 (SAAF) Squadron report that the five armoured cars have not yet covered half the required distance. In addition, the troops are behind schedule.