Italian air activity appeared to be on the increase and several attacks were carried out on our forward airfields by Savoia S79 bombers. Because of the likelihood of enemy reprisals on our airfields headquarters 202 Group decided to disperse aircraft on Qasaba aerodrome and a flight was ordered to proceed to Bir Kenayis, a well some 20 miles down the Mersa Matruh-Siwa track. Their job was to prepare a strip and provide telephonic communications. At this time 33 Fighter Squadron arrived from Mersa Matruh and operated from Qasaba until their satellite airfield at Garawla was ready.
A noticeable build up of defences in the Fort Capuzzo area had been observed during reconnaissance flights and a photographic reconnaissance aircraft was beaten off by Italian fighters Fiat CR 42s, operating from El Adem. Fighter escort was becoming more and more desirable if any tactical or photographic information was to be obtained by our Lysander pilots and it was decided that on the next mission over the enemy defences of Capuzzo and Bardia a fighter escort from 33 Squadron would be provided. The success of this tactic went without saying as seven of the enemy formation of CR 42s were shot down during the sortie and the required information was obtained.
Although the Squadron’s primary role was reconnaissance in co-operation with the Army, this did not preclude the pilots from ‘having a go” at the enemy when the chance presented itself. The guns in the aircraft were used not only as a defence against air attack but also for ground strafing. A case in point occurred on 28th July, during a search for a lost patrol of the 11th Hussars, when the pilot’s attention was drawn to an Italian aircraft landing beside another aircraft parked on a landing ground a few miles east of El Adem. The pilot pressed home several attacks on these aircraft firing alternately with front and rear guns and succeeded in setting both aircraft on fire while the crews ran for their lives. Permission was also given for reconnaissance aircraft to carry bombs, both 20 lb HE and 25 lb incendiary bombs being used, however delivery seemed to be somewhat inaccurate. Nevertheless at one stage separate aircraft were kept on stand by for bombing operations on enemy transport concentrations although this policy did not last long.
