1940
June 21 : HMAS Sydney bombards Italian positions in Bardia. Sydney's Supermarine Seagull is attacked by Gladiators due to misrecognition. F/Lt Thomas Price nurses the plane to Matruh. July 4 : F/O Greg "Shorty" Graham of 80 Sq RAF shoots down an Italian bomber, he is the first Australian to DES an enemy aircraft in North Africa. July 15 : The officers and men of 3 RAAF sail for the Middle East. Sept 16 : 3 Sqn RAAF embarks for Helwen, two flights are to be equipped with Gladiators and one with Lysanders, there are also four Gauntlets attached to the squadron. 3 Sqn's role is to be close support rather than Army Co-op. November 19 : Three 3 Sqn RAAF Gladiators are attacked by eighteen CR.42's. Pelly, Rawlinson and Boyd each shoot down a Fiat. 3 Sqn's CO, S/Ldr Heath is killed in the battle. December 13 : 3 Sqn RAAF shoot down a bomber near Sollum, but are bounced by Cr.42's, two are DES, but five Gladiators fall, with F/Lt Gaden being killed. Due to other losses, and crash landings the sqaudrons serviceability drops. The next day the squadron has only one serviceable Gladiator for operations. 1941
January 5 : The 6th Division AIF takes Bardia. Over 40 000 prisoners are captured, plus 500 guns, 115 light tanks, 12 medium tanks and 708 motor vehicles. Australian losses are 130 killed and 326 wounded. January 22 : The 6th Division takes Tobruk. Over 25 000 prisoners are take and 208 field guns. Australian losses are 49 dead and 306 wounded. January 25 : 3 Sqn RAAF encounters the Fiat G50 for the first time. It is far superior to the Gladiator in everything but manoeuvrability. January 29 : 3 Sqn receives it's first Hurricanes. February 6 : The Australians take Benghazi. February 8 : 3 Sqn turns over it's remaining Gladiators to 274 Sqn RAF who is being rested. In return they receive 274's Hurricanes. February 12 : Rommel arrives in Tripoli. February 15 : F/O J Saunders shoots down a Ju.88, it is the squadrons first meeting of a German aircraft. February 16 : 450 Sqn RAAF is formed at Williamtown, NSW. February 17 : 3 Sqn moves to Tobruk to operate with 73 Sqn RAF. February 18 : 3 Sqn shoots down eight Stuka's near Mersa Brega. February 19 : The Luftwaffe scores it's first victory in North Africa when Bf 110's of III/ZG 26 shoot down P/O Gatward of 3 Sqn, who is killed in the engagement. F/Lt Perrin is also shot down but crash lands despite the loss of one eye. The Australians claim one Stuka and one 110 DES. April 4 : German and Italian forces take Benghazi. April 5 : 3 Sqn claims ten of the fourteen aircraft destroyed by the DAF that day with F/Lt :Jock" Perrin claiming three Stuka's. April 6 : The Australian 9th Division begins to pull backfrom Derna to Tobruk. April 7 : 3 Sqn strafes two Ju.52's on the ground, destroying both. April 10 : Tobruk is under siege. Inside is the Australian 9th Division, a British infantry brigade, an AA regiment and a tank regiment. April 14 : F/O Arthur and Tennant both claim bf110's as probables. German records list one 110 as lost. Tennant was a South African flying with 3 Sqn. April 15 : 3 Sqn's new CO, Peter Jeffrey, catches four Ju.52's unescorted, he shot one down and the others force landed. Jeffries strafes them until the remaining three are in flames. April 20 : 3 Sqn hands over it's Hurricanes to 274 Sqn RAF, adn goes on leave before receiving P40 Tomahawks. 3 Sqn has destroyed 47 enemy aircraft, 10 probables and damaged 13 for the loss of 12 aircraft and 6 pilots. May 3 : Due to the shortage of aircraft and trained personnel, 450 Sqn RAAF is amalgamated with 260 Sqn RAF and commanded by ex 3 Sqn F/Ldr Steege. To keep pace with operational losses, Australian fighter crews are posted to RAF squadrons in the theatre, such as 112 Sqn RAF and the newly formed 250 Sqn RAF. The RAAF pilots will soon comprise approx 45% of the RAF's complement of personnel in those two squadrons. Many RAAF EATS trained personnel are posted to 257 Wing in Wellingtons. By the end of May there are 50 RAAF aircrew flying Wellingtons, 15 RAAF aircrew flying Maryland bombers and more in the Blenheim squadrons. May 4 : The German and Italian attack on Tobruk is abandoned. June 8 : Syria is invaded by allied forces including the 7th Australian Division, 4th Indian brigade and the Free French Division. Syria is held by numerically superior Vichy French forces. The AIr contingent consists of 3 Sqn RAAF ( Tomahawks ), 80 Sqn RAF ( Hurricanes ), 208 Sqn RAF ( Lysanders and Hurricanes ), X Flight ( Gladiators ), 815 FAA ( Swordfish ). June 15 : S/Ldr Jeffrey and F/O Turnball each destroy a Vichy Glenn Martin bomber. June 17 : Australian trooops in Syria capture Jezzine. June 21 : 260/450 Sqn ( Hurricanes ) joins the battle in Syria as do 45 Sqn RAF ( Blenheims ). June 26 : Near Tobruk, 250 Sqn RAF clash with 30 bf109's. P/O Clive Caldwell destroys a bf109. In Syria, 3 Sqn RAAF clashes with four Vichy LEO 45's and shoot down three. June 28 : 3 Sqn RAAF intercepts six Vichy Martin bombers near Palmyra. All are shot down. June 30 : Tomahawks of 250 Sqn RAF clash with a force of 30 fighters and 20 Stuka's while covering a convoy. Caldwell shoots down two Stuka's and shares a probable bf110 with Sgt Rob Whittle. July 1 : HMAS Waterhen sinks after being crippled by Stuka's. She is the first Royal Australian Navy ship to be lost to enemy action in WWII. July 10 : Five Dewoitine D520's of the Vichy French shoot down three Belnheims before they are attacked by Tomahawks of 3 Sqn RAAF. All the French aircraft are shot down. July 11 : The Vichy commander, General Dentz, accepts the armistice terms dictated by the allies. The Vichy had 3500 casualties during the campaign, the allies 2500. Of these 1600 are Australian, including 416 killed. July 29 : No1 Air Ambulance Unit makes it's first flight from Heliopolis in the DH-86 which opens the first base close to the 1st Australian Field Hospital. August 9 : First mission of 451 Sqn RAAF ( tactical - Hurricanes ). August 10 : P/O Hudson shoots down an Hs.126. It is 451 Sqn's first victory. August 22 : Due to pressure from the Australian Government, the AIF troops at Tobruk are finally releived by the Polish brigade. The Australians in the time they had defended Tobruk through the siege had come ot be known as the "Rats of Tobruk". August 24 : 3 Sqn RAAF returns to the North African theatre from Syria. There are now four operational P40 squadrons in North Africa including 112 Sqn RAF, 250 Sqn RAF and 2 Sqn South African Air Force ( SAAF ). August 29 : Caldwell while acting as weaver is bounced by Lt Werner Schroer of I/JG 27, who is credited with number 61 of his 114 victories. Caldwell despite being wounded in the back, left shoulder, leg and neck, watches the flames in his Tomahawk die out. Caldwell with the consumate skill he has earned a name for, destroys a 109 before nursing his damaged plane back home. September 13 : 3 Sqn RAAF begin practising a a "fluid pairs" formation to ward off the attacks of the 109's. September 24 : Tomahawks from 3 Sqn RAAF and 250 Sqn RAF escort SAAF Marylands of 21 Sqn to Bardia and are bounced by 109's. A Maryland and Tomahawk are shot down for the claims of three 109's, one by Caldwell. September 28 : SAAF Marylands again bomb Bardia, this time escorted by Hurricanes, Tomahawks and RNFS Martletts. Caldwell claims a 109 and a Naval pilot claims a G.50. October 1 : To facilitate adequate air support for future land operations, No.1 Australian Air Support Control is formed under the command of Major Malloy AIF. The unit works closely with 451 Sqn RAAF and No.200 Air Intelligence Liason Unit. October 12 : 3 Sqn RAAF patrolling with 2 Sqn SAAF, are attacked by a force of 109's, the Australians lose three aircraft and the South Africans two, the RAAF and SAAF pilots claim one in return. October 22 : All Australians of the 9th Division have been evacuated from Tobruk. October 29 : 94 Sqn RAF ( Hurricane ), commanded by the Australian Battle of Britain Ace, S/Ldr Clive Mayers arrives at the LG 103 aerodrome after serving as night fighters in the Seuz Canal area. October 30 : Allied squadrons now fly in pairs, to avoid individual weavers falling to enemy fighters, the whole squadron now weaves. November 17 : No.1 Air Ambulane Unit RAAF now consists of three DH.86 aircraft and one Lodestar on loan from the SAAF. November 18 : Operation Crusader is launched. November 19 : Four 109's strafe 451 Sqn RAAF's airfield, Fischer of 3 Sqn RAAF has turned back with engine trouble when he surprises the 109's. He shoots one down but the remaining three force him to crash land. Three Hurricanes were damaged in the strafing. November 20 : 3 Sqn RAF and 112 Sqn RAF sweep over the 7th Armoured Divisions positions. Each squadron claims two bf110's destroyed. November 22 : 3 Sqn RAAF loses three pilots in an early morning engagement while escorting Blenheims, later in the day four more pilots do not return, and two others return on foot. IN exchange the Squadron claimed two German aircraft destroyed. With the loss of nine aircraft in one day, 3 Sqn is unable to operate again until the 24th. November 24 : Sgt Foskett flying with 80 Sqn RAF shoots down a bf110 and is surprised to see four aircrew climb out of the crashed wreck. November 25 : F/O Jewell of 3 Sqn RAAF is shot down and captured, he gives his captors wrong directions and leads them directly to a New Zealand Army patrol. 3 Sqn shoots down seven enemyu aircraft in an engagement with a formation of 60 German and Italian aircraft. November 27 : HMAS Parramatta is struck by a torpedo and sinks. The New Zealnd 4th and 6th brigades link with Allied units in Tobruk. November 30 : 3 Sqn RAAF shoots down eight enemy aircraft in the fierce fighting around Tobruk. They furthur damage 12, and 112 Sqn RAF shoots down another three of the 40 strong Axis formation. December 5 : Tomahawks of 112 Sqn RAF and 250 Sqn RAF meet a large formation of Stuka's and destroy 13 of them, Caldwell claiming five. December 17 : 3 Sqn RAAF hands four of its remaining Tomahawks to 112 Sqn RAAF, and two each to 2 and 4 Sqn SAAF. The squadron will be re-equipped with the Curtiss P40 Kittyhawk. December 28 : 3 Sqn RAAF flies it's first mission in a Kittyhawk. 1942
January 1 : Nine Kittyhawks of 3 Sqn RAAF encounter a force of sixteen Ju.87's and six bf109's.The squadron claims five for the loss of one. One of the scorers is F/O Nicky Barr, a former Australian Rugby Union International, who was to be 3 Sqn's leading scorer. January 8 : 3 Sqn RAAF meets a formation of German and Italian aircraft and destroys seven for the loss of one. John Jackson scores his eighth berore returning to Australia to command 75 Sqn RAAF in the defense of Port Moresby where he was to lose his life. January 11 : "Nicky" Barr destroys a G.50 and a 109 before attempting to land to pick up a downed Australian. He is bounced by two 109's and with his wheels half retracted, shoots one down before crash landing himself, and then getting strafed and wounded. Barr on his return to the squadron is awarded the DFC. He has scored seven victories in only two weeks of combat. January 14 : Sqn Ldr Clive R Caldwell takes command of 112 Sqn RAF, he is promoted from 250 Sqn RAF. January 15 : 3 Sqn RAAF is rested for a week. January 21 : Rommels second offensive begins. January 29 : Rommel retakes Banghazi. February 10 : 459 Sqn RAAF forms with two Hudsons and four Blenheims as it's complement. February 14 : 3 Sqn RAAF and 112 Sqn RAF meet 32 German and Italian aircraft, they shoot down 20 for no loss. February 15 : Two Kittyhawks of 3 Sqn are bounced while taking off to intercept a raid. One pilot crashes and dies instantly, the other bails out, despite being wounded and survive s a parachute fall from 300 ft. They were both victims of Marseille of I/JG 27. February 17 : 458 Sqn RAAF ( wellingtons ) arrives in the Middle East via way of Gibraltor. February 19 : 450 Sqn RAAF flying Kittyhawks carries out it's first operation. February 21 : Caldwell fires into the 109 German ace Lt Hans-Arnold Stahlschmidt who crashes in no mans land. Stahlschmidt is recovered by a German patrol. March 8 : 12 Kittyhawks of 450 Sqn RAAF and 3 Sqn RAAF led by Nicky Barr intercept Ju.87's escorted by Italian Mc.200's, Mc.202's and Italian 109's. The Australians destroy seven fighter aircraft without loss. The remainder of the formation then meets 112 Sqn RAF on the way home who shoots down two more. March 10 : Caldwell makes the first test drop of a 250 pound bomb from a Kittyhawk. March 21 : 3 Sqn RAAF with long range fuel tanks spend the day flying patrols over a Malta bound convoy. April 20 : A lone long range Spitfire PR IV, on it's way from Gibraltor force lands in Tunisia. It's pilot, Sgt Clifton RAAF, burns the aircraft and then is interned. April 26 : 3 Sqn RAAF join 112 Sqn RAF and 250 Sqn RAF in the newly formed 239 Wing led by Battle of Britain veteran Clive Mayers. May 12 : beaufighters of 272 Sqn RAF are escorted by elements of 250 Sqn RAF with the intent of intercepting Ju.52 transports flying between Crete and North Africa. 250 Sqn claims 10 Ju.52's and 2 bf110's destroyed with John Waddy claiming two Ju.52's. May 13 : Marseille shoots dwon two 3 Sqn RAAF Kittyhawks. May 16 : Marseille shoots down a Kittyhawk of 3 Sqn RAAF and another from 450 Sqn RAAF. May 19 : Marseille froces two 450 Sqn RAAF Kittyhawks to force land. May 24 : Caldwell is posted to England to take command of 452 RAAF and 80 Wing RAAF which will fly Spitfires in the South Pacific. Caldwell leaves the theatre with 20.5 victories, it is the highest obtained by any pilot in the Western Desert. June 5 : Bir Hacheim falls to German and Italian attacks. June 12 : 3 Sqn RAAF carries out an attack mission near El Adem, Sgt Gray is shot down by flak in flames. June 13 : 14 Kittyhawks of 450 Sqn RAAF and 112 Sqn RAF are attacked out of the sun by 109's. Two 450 Sqn pilots are killed and aremost likely teo of the four kills claimed by Marseille in this fight. June 16 : Nicky Barr flies a record six sorties. June 17 : Wing Commander Mayers leads 239 Wing comprising 112 Sqn RAF, 250 Sqn RAF, 450 Sqn RAAF and 3 Sqn RAAF, to attck the German aerodrome at Gazala. The Kittyhawks strafe 15 bf109'ss without loss. June 20 : Rommel attacks Tobruk. Kesselring brings in every bomber in the mediterainian to support the attack. June 21 : Tobruk surrenders and 30 000 prisoners as well as large amounts of food, supplies and munitions. June 24 : General Auchinleck takes over the 8th Army and begins to form a line at El Alamein.There are now approximately 200 RAAF aircrew scattered across the Wellington squadrons in the Middle East. June 26 : While escorting South African Bostons, Nicky Barr is attacked by 109's, his aircraft dives steeply pouring flames. Barr is badly burnt but manages to bail out at 4000 ft and is captured. In six months Barr has acheived 12 kills and a srtring of probables and has been awarded the DFC and bar. July 1 : 3 Sqn RAAF and 450 Sqn RAAF have a running battle with 109's. Sgt O Neil is shot down out to sea near El Alamein. He swims to shore and is found wearing only a wristwatch by South African troops. July 5 : The British 8th Army is reinforced by the Australian 9th Division which takes positions at Ruweisat Ridge. July 11 : Australian troops storm Tel el Eisa Ridge and take 500 prisoners without losing a man. July 19 : 450 Sqn RAAF on a mission to bomba german airfield meet four Ju.52's and a Ju.87 coming in to land. They shoot them all down without jettisioning their bombs. The squadron then strafed five Ju.87's, three bf109's and a Ju.88. July 20 : Clive Mayers is lost in the days combat. Searching Spitfires find his Kittyhawk, but the cockpit is empty. It is believed Mayers was captured and was shot down in a Ju.52 while being transported to a german Prison camp in Europe. Mayers had 11 kills and was Wing Commander of 239 Wing. July 22 : 3 Sqn RAAF drops their 1000th bomb since May 26. A record for the Western Desert squadrons. July 28 : 459 Sqn RAAF begins attacks on German F Boats. In a 17 day period, the Hudsons of 459 Sqn RAAF will account for twelve of the sixteen F Boats sunk in a 17 day period. August 13 : General Montgomery assumes command of the 8th Army. August 29 : Sgt Markle of 450 Sqn RAAF is shot down and has an armour piercing bullet in his skull. Markle survives and later rejoins the squadron. August 30 : Rommel begins his attack. September 1 : Allied forces lose 20 single seat aircraft and two beaufighters to enemy action against a Luftwaffe claim of 26. Marseille claims 17 of the 26 aircraft. September 2 : Rommel withdraws. September 5 : The 66th US Fighter Squadron is attached to 239 Wing. September 7 : 462 Sqn RAAF becomes the first fully established Halifax Sqn in the Middle East. September 14 : British raids on Tobruk and Benghazi fail. September 27 : 450 Sqn RAAF receives new Kittyhawk Mk III's, their MkI's are divided up between 112, 250 RAF and 3 Sqn RAAF. September 30 : Marseille is flying a new Bf109 G when it catches fire, Marseille bails out but hits the tail and dies. Marseille is credited with 158 victories, of which 151 were scroed in the Western Desert. October 7 : Pilots of 3 Sqn RAAF report being attacked by a Luftwaffe plane with yellow cowling and wingtips, possibly a FW190. October 9 : Reconn reports the Axis airfields of Daba and Fuka unusable due to recent rains. The Desert Air Force flies 500 sorties in an effort to destroy the Luftwaffe on the ground. October 19 : Beaufighters of 272 Sqn RAF intercept 32 Ju.52's escorted by Bf 110's. Sqt Paterson RAAF shoots down a Ju.52. October 20 : Mitchell and Baltimore bombers attack Luftwaffe landing areas escorted by 3 Sqn RAAF and 450 Sqn RAAF. October 21 : Mitchell bombers escorted by 3 Sqn RAAF, 450 Sqn RAAF and 350 Sqn RAF attack a German airfield. October 23 : 1000 Atillery guns begine firing at 2140 hours as the Battle of El Alamein begins. October 25 : Beaufighters of 272 Sqn RAF intercept a formation of 35 Ju.52's escorted by 6 Bf 110's. The Beaufighters shoot down four for the loss of one. October 26 : Waddy now with 92 Sqn RAF flying Spitfires shoots down a 109 and brings his official score to 14. October 27 : 92 Sqn RAF Spitfires bounce nine 109's of II/ JG27. 92 Squadron claims two destroyed and one damaged, with Waddy claiming the damaged. Three 109's belly landed from the engagement in Axis lines. October 30 : 3 Sqn RAAF celebrates their 200th victory. In the celebrations Sgt Hookes beloved walrus moustache is shaved off. October 31 : Australian Infantry breaks through at Thompsons Post and German retalitory attacks against the Australians fail, at great cost to both sides. The 2/224th and 2/48th Battalions originally 1300 string are now 95 men strong. 450 Sqn RAAF's CO, J. Williams is shot down in an engagement with 109's. Williams is later murdered by the Gestapo after the huge escape from Stalag Luft III in 1944. November 1 : Kittyhawks of 112 Sqn RAF and P40F's from the US66th Fighter Squadron intercept Stuka's over Alamein. 30 Ju.87's jettison their bombs on their own troops. November 3 : 80 Sqn RAF ( Hurricanes ) shoots down seven Stuka's for the loss of one. November 4 : The British 1st Armoured Division breaks through at El Alamein in the north and the New Zealanders and British 7th Armoured Division breaks through in the south. November 5 : The pace of the German and Italian retreat quickens and DAF squadrons are kept busy bombing and strafing Axis troops. November 8 : Operation Torch, the allied invasion of French North Africa begins. Sgt Markle of 450 Sqn RAAF is shot down by flak and tells his Italian captors he is an Officer. he spends the rest of the war in captivity as an officer. November 9 : In an engagement with 109's in which Sgt Kildey of 3 Sqn RAAF claims a 109, Sgt Borthwick is shot down in flames. Despite being wounded in both legs, he crawls for four days through the desert until he was picked up by the advancing allied army. November 10 : 462 Sqn RAAF despite being an RAAF squadron contains not one Australian in the Squadron. November 11 : The 8th Army reaches Bardia. Beaufighters from 272 Sqn RAF attack a He 115 Floatplane. Rankin and Coate have a half share each in credit for it. November 12 : Seven Beaufighters of 272 Sqn RAF meet a formation of sixteen Ju.52's and thirty S.81 troop carriers off Tunisia. The sqn claims six destroyed and six probable. November 17 : Kittyhawks of 3 Sqn RAAF and 112 Sqn RAF are attacked by 109's. P/O Upward of 3 Sqn and a Bf 109 flown by Fw Buter of II/JG 27 collide, killing both. November 18 : Kittyhawks of 3 Sqn RAAF strafe Magrun airfield destroying a Ju.52 taking off and two He.111's and a Bf 109 on the ground. The squadron returns later that day and destroying two more Ju.52's, three Bf 109's and an unknown aircraft. November 19 : F/O John Waddy returns to Australia credited with 15.5 victories. November 22 : Sgt John Payne RNZAF flying with 450 Sqn RAAF flies into a heavy storm after engaging a Ju.88. He and his aircraft disappear. November 24 : F/O Coate of 272 Sqn RAF destroys a monstrous Blohm and Voss Bv 222. It is the first Blohm and Voss to be lost in action. Coate also damages a Do.24 before being chased off by 109's. December 1 : A German and Italian counter attack at Tebourba in Tunisia is beaten back by Allied forces with heavy losses. The Italians have shipped in 90 000 tonnes of supplies to Tunisia since Operation Torch began. December 5 : Night Fighter beaufighters of 89 Sqn RAF shoot down three He.111's. Australian Spurgin and Norris claim one. December 9 : Beaufighters of 272 Sqn RAF meet a formation of thiry two Ju.52's escorted by Bf 110's and Ju/88's. Coate sends one down in flames and the other breaks up on crash landing. December 18 : An advanced party of 3 Sqn RAAF sets of an S mine. Three die instantly and another dies while being flown to hospital, a fifth dies later from wounds. December 21 : Kittyhawks of 3 Sqn RAAF strafe German and Italian aircraft at Hun. They destroy two SM.79's, a Ju.88, a Bf 110, two Ju.52's, a glider and a Hs.126. Both Bayley and Bee are shot down by Flak, but Bayley is saved when Sqn/Ldr Gibbes lands and picks up Bayley. December 30 : Seven Kittyhawks of 3 Sqn RAAF engage Bf 109's of II JG 77. The Australians destroy three and claim a fourth as a probable. 1943
January 8 : P/O Rose from Dalgety NSW of 92 Sqn RAF attacks six Bf 109's which are attacking two recce Hurricanes in Tunisia. An army unit reports the lone Spitfire fought the 109's fro 15 minutes before spinning into the ground. The Hurricanes escaped. Rose failed to return. January 13 : 239 Wing DAF strafes Churgia landing ground in Tunisia. January 14 : 239 Wing is heavily attacked by 109's and Mc.202's while escorting Bostons to attack Bir Dufan airfield. Seven aircraft of 3 Sqn RAAF and 450 Sqn RAAF are shot down, including Gibbes. Gibbes returns on foot one week later, two others also return on foot. Janury 21 : 450 Sqn RAAF strafes the Zuara - Tripoli road, later the squadron strafes Castel Benito leaving three aircraft flamed and seven damaged. January 22 : Five Bf109;s are bounced by elements of 450 Sqn RAAF. Three 109's are shot down. January 24 : 454 Sqn RAAF is re-established at Giancaclis in Egypt with Baltimores. February 16 : The 8th Army arrives at Medenine, a few miles south of Rommels "Mareth Line". February 25 : The battle of Kesselring ends with the Allies occupying the city. the allies take 10 000 casualtis, of which half were US casualties. February 26 : 3 Sqn RAAF engages 109's and claim two. 450 Sqn RAAF while acting as top cover does not engage but P/O Glendenning dives on a 109 and destroys it. March 7 : 3 Sqn RAAF engages 109's and Italian fighters claiming one. March 17 : Australian P/O Paul Brickhall of 92 Sqn RAF is shot down while attacking 109's. Brickhall was to take part in the escape from Stalag Luft III documenting the episode in "The Great Escape". He also wrote the Biography of Douglas Bader in "Reach for the Sky". March 20 : The New Zealand Corps reach the Tebaga Gap. April 5 : The allies begin Operation Flax, designed ot stop the massive Axis airlift operations between Sicily and Tunisia. Over the next two weeks Ju.52's, SM 82's and Me 303's are intercepted mainly by USAAF aircrews. April 7 : The British 8th Army links with American 1st Army near Graiha. April 23 : P/O "Rusty" Kierath is shot down and captured. He will be one of fifty Officers murdered by the Gestapo following the escape from Stalag Luft III. May 12 : General von Arnim, surrenders to the Allies. May 13: Field Marshall Messe surrenders to the Allies.
Reference : Clash of Eagles, Dennis Newton. Kangaroo Press 1996.