The remaining aircraft airborne were diverted to Pisa. The work of all on the aerodrome that night was of the highest order and in particular bravery was shown by the Fire Section and the Medical Staff. It was sad that several people were killed during this incident, one of whom was a Squadron airman.
The weather was deteriorating all the time and the airfield area had become a sea of mud by mid-October. With the winter approaching the Squadron began searching for more permanent quarters and finally settled down in the village of Campi four miles from the aerodrome. At this time Squadron Leader Perrens, DFC was posted in from 285 Wing headquarters where he had been filling the post of Squadron Leader Operations and took over as second-in-command of the Squadron. Cloud and bad visibility continued to hamper the pilots observations during tactical and artillery reconnaissance sorties and considerably reduced the number of sorties flown. Particular attention was being paid to the Spezia, Bologna, Modena and Reggio areas and trains were favourite targets.
Good news came through in November that Flying Officer Sloan had been awarded the DFC, a very satisfactory way to finish a tour of 151 hours on operations. Flight Lieutenant Bradley who left the Squadron in September was also awarded the DFC.
During November the worst floods for over a hundred years hampered operations in the extreme. The two wheel drive vehicles had to be exchanged for four-wheel drives which saved the situation and these were invaluable for towing out bogged aircraft and transport. Routes to railheads and supply points were on occasions increased in distance by 50 miles as bridges were washed away and roads became impassible. However the Squadron flew whenever possible and sometimes when it appeared not to be.
It was on a tactical reconnaissance sortie in the Bologna area on 2nd December that Flying Officer Groom was jumped by four Thunderbolts.
