Northern Front

The Regia Aeronautica continues its attacks to slow the advance of British troops on the Eritrean frontier.[1]

The RAF shows greater vigour today. In the morning, Flight Sergeant Leslie A. J. Patey (T1994) and Sergeant Roy G. Gilmore (T1818), of No.14 (RAF) Squadron, are detailed for a photographic reconnaissance of the Agordat (Eritrea) and Keren (Eritrea) sectors between 05:15 and 09:15. A little later, six Bristol Blenheim Mk IVs take off to strike the stations at Ad Manna (Eritrea) and Hagaz (Eritrea) between 07:00 and 12:43, but without result.[2]

For its part, No.47 (RAF) Squadron dispatches six Vickers Wellesleys to bomb the station at Biscia (Eritrea), as well as various vehicle concentrations, between 11:05 and 15:50. Conditions on the forward landing ground at Blackdown (Sudan) appear poor; two cases of dysentery are reported.[3]

No.1 (SAAF) Squadron reports an engagement between its Gloster Gladiators and Fiat CR.42s. Captain Gerald J. Le Mesurier and Lieutenants Johan J. Coetzer and E. A. Jarvis (Gloster Gladiators) take off at 11:30 from Sabderat (Sudan) to join two Hawker Hurricanes (Lieutenants John L. Hewitson and Leonard le Clues Theron) for an attack on Agordat (Eritrea) aerodrome. Over the target they engage two Fiat CR.42s. In the ensuing combat, two South African aircraft are claimed destroyed; however, Lieutenant E. A. Jarvis returns with damage to the starboard wing, and Captain Gerald J. Le Mesurier reports a Fiat CR.42 damaged. Notably, Lieutenant John L. Hewitson (Hawker Hurricane Mk I V7655) also reports a Caproni Ca.133 on the ground near Agordat (Eritrea) severely damaged at about 10:20.[4]

Logbook of Lieutenant John L. Hewitson

Finally, B Flight of No.237 (Rhodesia) Squadron is transferred to the forward landing ground at Sabderat (Sudan), while four Hawker Hardys and three Westland Lysanders operate over Biscia (Eritrea), where three Fiat CR.42s are reported, and over Umm Hagar (Eritrea) to harass Italian troops between 15:00 and 17:10.[5]

Southern Front

The Regia Aeronautica also remains active against movements along the frontier: troops of the Transvaal Scottish come under several bomb attacks in the Digh Merer (Italian Somaliland) sector,[6] at Gerile (Italian Somaliland), and at Baghtiti (Italian Somaliland).[7]

SAAF activity is devoted chiefly to photographic reconnaissance. A Martin Maryland takes off from Nairobi (Kenya) for Bardera (Italian Somaliland) to locate a secondary Regia Aeronautica landing ground and observe activity at the main aerodrome at Bardera (Italian Somaliland). At the same time, an Avro Anson of No.60 (SAAF) Squadron is tasked with an aerial photography mission over the Goobso (Italian Somaliland) sector.