Author: ajcrou

4 January 1941

4 January 1941 Northern Front After the accident of the day before, No.237 (Rhodesia) Squadron lost two more aircraft. Three Hawker Hardy take off, at 14:10, to attack Italian troops in the vicinity of Metemma (Jebel Miriam Waha). They are escorted by five Gloster Gladiators (Captain Gerald J. le Mesurier; Lieutenant Thomas Condon; E.A. Jarvis;…
Read more

3 January 1941

3 January 1941 Northern Front A Bristol Blenheim Mk IV (L8874), of No.14 (RAF) Squadron, takes off at 05:40 hours on a photographic reconnaissance mission over Massawa Harbour to monitor shipping traffic. The crew (Flight Lieutenant John K. Buchanan; Sergeant Kenneth C.A. Ball and Chaplin) dropped several bombs on the jetties where a destroyer is…
Read more

2 January 1941

2 January 1941 Northern Front No.223 (RAF) Squadron began the month with relatively intense activity. A formation of five Vickers Wellesleys took off at 07:35 to bomb the town of Kassala at about 09:35 at an altitude of about 2 600 metres. Although the bombs are reported to fall in the centre of the town,…
Read more

1st January 1941

1st January 1941 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…
Read more

31 December 1940

31 Décember 1940 Northern Front The last day of December 1940 is relatively calm except a sortie by three Bristol Blenheims, of No.8 (RAF) Squadron, over Assab, where once again reports are limited to noting that “most of the bombs may have fallen in the area of attack – no damage observed”. This rather insignificant…
Read more

30 December 1940

30 December 1940 Northern Front No.8 (RAF) Squadron continued its operations from Aden over the northern coast of Ethiopia and Eritrea. On this day, Bristol Blenheim Mk I L8456 (Pilot Officer Gordon Hall, Sergeant Oultram and Pool) took off at 07:00 for a reconnaissance over the former British Somalia territory and Djibouti. A few bombs…
Read more

29 December 1940

29 December 1940 Southern Front Following the reconnaissance carried out the previous day by the Martin Maryland of No.14 (SAAF) Squadron, four Hawker Hurricane of No.2 (SAAF) Squadron took off from Ndege’s Nest at 15:25 to attack Bardera airfield: Flight Lieutenant Robert S. Blake (V7382), Captain Alfred Q. Masson (R4103), Lieutenant Adrian M. Colenbrander (P3254)…
Read more

28 December 1940

28 Décember 1940 Southern Front A Martin Maryland, of No. 14 (SAAF) Squadron [1], is sent on a photographic reconnaissance mission over Kismaayo, Gobwen, Afmadow, Jilib and Bardera (where three Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 and three Fiat CR.42 are reported on the airfield). An Italian fighter, of  413a Squadriglia CT, take off to repel the South African plane.…
Read more

27 December 1940

27 December 1940 Northern Front The day is mainly marked by a surprise attack by 412a Squadriglia CT on the airfield of Gedaref with six Fiat CR.42 taking off from Gura and by Capitano Antonio Raffi, Tenente Niso Provinciali, Sottotenente Filippo Sola and Rosmina, as well as Sergente Maggiore Enzo Omiccioli. The identity of the…
Read more

26 December 1940

26 December 1940 Northern Front Taking advantage of the very low air activity at the end of December, which is limited to a few maritime traffic protection patrols by the Bristol Blenheims of No.14 and 203 (RAF) Squadron, No.223 (RAF) Squadron is ordered to prepare a Vickers Wellesley for a series of aerial photographs. Flying…
Read more

Aviation AOI
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.