FlyPast 06.2018

June 2018 FLYPAST 43

amid growing serviceability crises
with the worn-out Kittyhawks.
Failure of the Allison V-1710s
remained a constant threat despite
the efforts of ground crew in the
harsh environment – the engines
had simply reached the end of
their useful lives. It was a problem
destined to plague the entire wing’s
operations for several months.
The assault on the Mareth Line in
southern Tunisia opened on March
20, the squadron escorting bombers
as they attacked defensive positions.
Within two days their brief had
been adjusted to include strafing
runs on vehicles and dive-bombing
gun positions. Despite intense flak,
4 Squadron’s only loss during the
assault was Lt B Merrington, who
was killed in an accident on the 21st.
On March 26 the wing
participated in the attack on the
Tebaga Gap, a massive assault
along the length of a valley offering
the defenders natural protection
in the mountainous terrain. The
Kittyhawks, briefed to target gun
positions ahead of the advancing
Eighth Army infantry, dive-bombed
with consistent accuracy in the face
of withering anti-aircraft fire. They
then flew along the length of the
target area to strafe transport and
troop concentrations.

LAST STAND

By the evening of the 27th the

enemy had begun a retreat to Wadi

Akarit and the Kittyhawks turned

their attention to the columns

of trucks struggling northwest

through El Hamma. By evening

of April 6, the defences had been

broken with the Axis armies pulling

back to Sfax before reaching

Enfidaville in northeast Tunisia

on the 11th for a last determined

stand in Africa.

In an attempt to supply fuel to the

battered forces, the Luftwaffe had

resorted to flying transports laden

with fuel under heavy escort from

Sicily across the Gulf of Tunis. If

these could be intercepted, enemy

resistance in the final push towards

Tunis would be greatly weakened.

Operation ‘Flax’, the destruction of

these airborne convoys, began on

April 5.

Patrols were maintained over the

Gulf, but the South Africans failed

to make contact until the 19th.

On that day 2 and 5 Squadrons

intercepted a large formation while

4 Squadron provided top cover.

Three days later 20 six-engined

Me 323 Gigants escorted by a

mixed group of Bf 109s, MC.202s

and Reggiane Re.2001s were

confronted. On this occasion it was

2 Squadron’s turn to watch from

above as the Kittyhawks of 4 and 5

attacked alongside the Spitfires of 1

Squadron SAAF.

In a combat lasting little more

than 20 minutes, all the transports

were shot down with 4 Squadron

claiming nine. The few escorts that

attempted to intervene were swiftly

disposed of by 1 and 2 Squadrons.

This rout proved the culmination

of Flax, as further supply sorties

were undertaken under the cover of

night.

The assault on Enfidaville began

during the moonlight hours of

April 18 by Indian and New

Zealand divisions. Although the

town was captured within 24

hours, an enemy retreat into the

surrounding hills saw the offensive

come to a halt and develop into an

artillery duel.

On the 22nd the three squadrons

of 7 Wing flew sorties against the

guns and the last Axis landing

grounds in northern Tunisia as a

prelude to the inevitable Eighth

Army breakthrough at Enfidaville.

Kittyhawks began sweeping the

Gulf of Tunis on the 28th for

vessels thought to be carrying

fuel into the capital’s harbour and

evacuating troops on the return

journey to Sicily. Ferries, caiques,

Above left

Fort Capuzzo, near

the Libyan-Egyptian

border, was built by the

Italians in 1930-1931. It

changed hands several

times during the desert

campaign and became

an obvious target for air

strikes from both forces.

Above

‘Ops’ offi cer Captain

McMasters at El Adem

with a fuel bowser

painted with an early

version of 4 Squadron’s

badge. The motto

translates as ‘Closer

to the poles’, possibly

in reference to the

nation’s love of the

game of rugby.

Below left

Initially allocated the

code ‘DX’, 4 Squadron

changed to ‘KJ’

as the former was

already carried by 245

Squadron.

Below

On August 9, 1942 while

landing at LG 97 2nd

Lt A R Schultz struck a

patch of soft sand and

Tomahawk AK725 fl ipped

onto its back. Schultz

suffered concussion.