Behind their defences along the River Sangro the German artillery was becoming increasingly active at the expense of our forward troops. Counter battery fire was also intensified with the result that 285 Wing was called upon for more artillery reconnaissance. With all these demands it became clear that more Squadrons were required in the Wing, particularly as 40 Squadron was feeling the strain. It was at this stage that news arrived that 208 Squadron and 318 (Polish) Squadron, both from the Middle East, were arriving to strengthen the Wing.
The Squadron commanded 
by Lieutenant Colonel Blaauw an ex-40 Squadron pilot, arrived at Trigno on 17th March almost intact but not quite. Unfortunately two of the new Spitfires collided en route causing both pilots to bale out. One, Flying Officer Hanbury, left his aircraft in a flat spin and sustained a severe flesh wound to his thigh as he was caught by a damaged aileron on the mainplane. The other pilot, Flying Officer Rockett, experienced great difficulty in opening his hood and when he finally did so, only just got out in time. The other hold-up arose on the voyage to Italy of the ground party. A New Zealand soldier on board contracted smallpox consequently all Squadron members on board had to be vaccinated. They were then put in quarantine for twelve days in an Army Transit Camp on reaching their port of disembarkation. Nevertheless the day after the Squadron arrived at Trigno it commenced flying. The first aim of the Squadron was to become operational in the area and with this in mind every pilot was familiarised with the area by flying as weaver to a member of 40 Squadron whilst flying on a tactical reconnaissance sortie. This familiarisation with the area was essential before the Allied offensive commenced.
40 Squadron 
was about to move over to the west coast of Italy to help 225 Squadron meet the mounting reconnaissance demands from 5th Army and 12th Air Support Command. 208 Squadron was shortly to be joined by 318 (Polish) Squadron at Trigno where along with 682 Squadron, they came under the direct control of 285 Wing, commanded by Group Captain E.G.L. Millington DFC.
