Bat Yam. A section of four were sent into strike this target with cannon and machine guns, an almost sacrilegious task but did so to such effect that the terrorists immediately withdrew.
May however must have been an almost unforgettable month for the members of the Squadron remaining on detachment at Ramat David for until the 22nd they had continued with their reconnaissance for the Army and provided continuous cover for their evacuation from Palestine. On this day, however, at 0600 hours while all were asleep, a lone Spitfire IX appeared over the airfield, circled it, then proceeded to dive and drop bombs on the line of Spitfires. Two of 32 Squadron’s aircraft caught fire. Nothing could be done however as the enemy aircraft returned several times to strafe the airfield. Seven Squadron aircraft received shrapnel damage from these attacks.
As soon as it departed a standing patrol of two aircraft was put up over the airfield as a defence against further attack and the aircraft were dispersed.
On the flying side two items of news reached the Squadron in April. One was that the old faithful airspeed indicator graduated in miles per hour was to be replaced by an indicator calibrated in knots; this caused a certain amount of consternation as the first of these instruments had already been fitted in some aircraft and so both were in use at the same time. The other item of news arose in the form of a new flying order which as yet was not applicable on the Squadron. It concerned the Martin-Baker ejection seat fitted to high speed aircraft such as the Meteor. Although this order did not apply to the Squadron it aroused considerable interest as to when the Squadron was going to be re-equipped with jets. Though tests had been carried out no jet aircraft as yet had been found suitable for fighter reconnaissance work.
Towards the end of April the Squadron was given the opportunity to fire in anger. Jewish forces had attacked Jaffa causing the Army to intervene. In the ensuing battle they formed a strong point in the Gold Star Brewery at
