Northern Front

This first day of 1941 is relatively quiet. The only notable event is a return trip to Egypt (Heliopolis) by Flight Sergeant George M. Keith of No.47 (RAF) Squadron to pick up an additional Vickers Wellesley to strengthen the No.47 (RAF) Squadron’s equipment.[1]

Southern Front

There was also little activity in the south. Thus the War Diary of No.2 (SAAF) Squadron is limited to the following exclamation, referring to the New Year festivities: “What a night !!!!”.[2]

So the SAAF just sends a Junkers Ju.86 of No.12 (SAAF) Squadron on a maritime patrol, from Mombasa.[3]

Furthermore, a message between General Alan G. Cunningham and Pierre van Ryneveld[4] gives an idea of the rather catastrophic situation of the No.60 (SAAF) Squadron, whose three aircraft (two Avro Anson and one British Aircraft B.A.IV Double Eagle) are reported as unavailable or fit for scrap.

Moreover, a second exchange, this time between Pierre van Ryneveld and Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore[5] illustrates the weakness of the available aircrafts. Thus, following a request to obtain a few recent bombers to perfect the training of crews in South Africa, the RAF indicated that it could only deliver one Vickers Wellesley and two Gloster Gauntletts, whose instruments are not functional… It was specified that the demand was such that they were at present : 

« forced to repair modern types so long as wrecks recognisable as aeroplanes ».