Secondly the Squadron headquarters and “A” Flight were to be based at Ramleh acting as a reserve to the detachment with the Australian Corps and Habforce.
One of the main objectives left at this time was the taking of Damascus. The French holding Damascus had been asked to surrender by 0500 hours on 19th June. This they refused to do with the result that the Free French Forces massed an attack. Two pilots were sent on a dawn recce in the Damascus area to determine whether the enemy were escaping from the town or whether reinforcements were being brought up. Despite poor visibility due to ground mist they were able to detect a large convoy of approximately 100 vehicles on the road leading northeast out of the town. They were hidden under trees and were facing north. Having thus established that the enemy were moving out, our forces had no difficulty in taking Damascus. However savage fighting took place in the Mezze area around Damascus aerodrome before it was completely captured, and 200 prisoners were taken in the Vichy counter attack. Thus the entire Damascus area was in allied hands.
Once the Army was established in Damascus policy regarding artillery shoots was reviewed and it was agreed that as the Squadron had recently been provided with a photographic Hurricane any demands for air shoots should be preceded by photographic reconnaissance in order to avoid the difficulty in locating enemy battery positions. On 30th June good news reached the Squadron. The Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded to Squadron Leader J R Wilson and Flight Lieutenant L G Burnand. These were to be among the first of many won by the Squadron before the war was over.
208 Squadron under command of Sqn Ldr J R Wilson DFC
