25 September 1940
Northern Front
The day before, seven Vickers Wellesley of No. 47 (RAF) Squadron were instructed to join Khartoum airfield at 09h00. The next day five planes take off to bomb Gondar at 03h43. However, the Vickers Wellesley K7728 (Squadron Leader James E. Pelly-Fry) encountered an engine problem. Unable to cross the mountains of western Ethiopia, he made the decision to divert the formation to Metemma airfield. Arrived above the target, several Caproni Ca.133 are observed on the ground. Despite several bomb attacks and machine guns, the crews were unable to confirm any damage [1].
In connection probably with this event, several aircraft of No.430 (RAF) Flight are also sent to attack this airfield. Flight Lieutenant A.B. Mitchell claims a damaged Caproni Ca.133 there [2].
Southern Front
Three Hawker Fury : K3735 (Captain Frank J.M. Meaker), K5663 (Lieutenant Douglas D. Pannell) and K5672 (Lieutenant Robert K. Stephenson) are send to Archers Post, while Hurricane Mk I n°272 (Captain Alfred Q. Masson) and 277 (Lieutenant John S.R. Wells) join Mombasa[3].
Hawker Hurricane Mk I n°277 « Q » (L1909). Collection : SAAF Museum, via Tinus le Roux
[1] No. 47 (RAF) Squadron : Operations Record Book (Form 540 and Form 541). Kew : TNA, AIR 27 / 463.
[2] SHORES C., RICCI C. « East Africa ». In : Dust Clouds in the Middle East – The Air War for East Africa, Iraq, Syria, Iran and Madagascar, 1940 – 1942. London : Grub Street, 2010. p.63 ; GUSTAVSSON H. « Gloster Gauntlet ». In : Biplane Fighter Aces from the Second World War : http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gauntlet.htm ; GUSTAVSSON H. « Flight Lieutenant A. B. Mitchell ». In : Biplane Fighter Aces from the Second World War : http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/commonwealth_mitchell.htm
[3] No.2 (SAAF) Squadron : War Diary. Kew : TNA, AIR/54/1.
