It is considered that Pilot Officer Moss displayed conspicuous courage in completing his task and amazing coolness and cleverness in outwitting the enemy in a machine which, fitted with three cameras, was far less manoeuvrable and slower than the ordinary Hurricanes.
This officer has during his short period on the Squadron carried out the most valuable reconnaissances and is strongly recommended for the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.”
See Pilot Officer Moss’s award in the
Honours Section at this Link:
As the battle fluctuated and the enemy advanced East again retaking Agedabia the Squadron lost Antelat and had to operate from Tmimi. By the end of the month the enemy had occupied Benina and Benghazi. During the next few days the enemy continued with his thrust and on 2nd February 13 Corps decided to move to Acroma, the Squadron moving with it. The intention of the Army was to fall back to the Gazala-Bir Hacheim line and consolidate. The Squadron continued with reconnaissance flights and confirmed 51 enemy movements towards Tmimi, observing good ground strafing targets, which were soon dealt with by fighters.
On several previous occasions the Squadron
had been instructed to intercept small formations of enemy bombers. The latter, normally Junkers 88, only operated when there was sufficient cloud cover to effect an escape and on being menaced by the Hurricanes jettisoned their bombs and disappeare
d into cloud. Although on several occasions the Squadron succeeded in damaging these intruders the combat was rarely long enough to ensure a positive kill. On 7th February the Squadron moved its headquarters yet again, this time to Sidi Azeiz, having an advance flight at Acroma. Both photographic and tactical reconnaissance continued, the Squadron aircraft strength being increased after collecting six long range Hurricanes from 33 Squadron.
