WAR IN THE DESERTWAR IN THE DESERT CONVOY ATTACKSCONVOY ATTACKS
In words that intimated heartfelt relief and appreciation, General Bernard
Montgomery conveyed his thanks for the outstanding efforts of 38 Squadron and
201 Group RAF: “Recent attacks carried out against enemy ships so vital ... were a
wonderful achievement. I would be grateful if you would convey to those responsible
our gratitude for operations carried out ... epic against ships at sea.”
Winning the battle in the desert in 1942 is regarded by many as a major turning
point in the war. Relating his thoughts on those momentous events, Winston
Churchill is quoted in his memoirs as saying: “It may almost be said, before Alamein
we never had a victory. After Alamein we never had a defeat”.HIGH PRAISE FROM ‘MONTY’ AND CHURCHILL
“In reality, the RAF had eliminated all of
Rommel’s remaining options bar one –
acceptance of defeat and an ignominious
retreat westward from El Alamein”Above
On July 6, 1943
No.15 Squadron
SAAF Bisley BA374
‘S’ was destroyed
when struck by a
16 Squadron SAAF
Beaufort (DD890)
taking off from an
airfi eld in North
Africa. VIA STEVE
MACLEANRight
A rarely seen image
of Wellington VIII
HX485 ‘N’ of 38
Squadron at Gianaclis
during late 1942. The
aircraft joined the
unit on July 23, 1942.
VIA ANDY THOMASBottom right
Aircrew pose with an
unknown 15 Squadron
Bisley. VIA STEVE
MACLEANbattle of El Alamein may have
taken a very different course. In
reality, the RAF had eliminated all
of Rommel’s remaining options bar
one – acceptance of defeat and an
ignominious retreat westward from
El Alamein.
Lloyd Wiggins was awarded the
DSO for the sinking of the Tergestea.
In 1944 he was posted as CO to
455 Squadron at RAF Dallachy in
Scotland, flying Beaufighters until
being promoted to wing commander
prior to the end of the war. After
leaving the RAF, Lloyd returned
to Adelaide in South Australia and
established his own auction company.
In December 2015 in his 100th year,
Wing Commander Wiggins DSO DFC
MID passed away at his home
in Adelaide.Rommel ordered a general retreat
on November 4.
It is, of course, purely speculative
to try and imagine what the
consequence might have been if
either the Proserpina or Tergestea
had made it to Tobruk. But given
Rommel’s experience and aggressive
nature as an innovative battlefield
general, it seems extremely probable
that he would have attempted a
surprise counterattack and the58 FLYPAST June 2018