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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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)…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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25 December 1940 Northern Front Following the previous day’s event, Flight Lieutenant Eric Smith and Flying Officer John W.J. Taylor took off, between 06:30 and 07:40, in two Hawker Hardy in order to search for the Caproni Ca.133 shot down the previous day.[1] According to Eric Smith : « At 04:00 on Christmas Day, just when…
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