ABOVE:Another image of the Dewoitine D.520 inspected during
the visit to the ‘Glenn Martins’. The fighter was the most active of
theVichyFrenchaircraftrangedagainsttheAllies,andmade
claims for Blenheims, Fulmars, Hurricanes and the one 3 Squadron
Tomahawk. The aircraft had been flown out to Syria, a journey
involving several very long over water legs, and their operational
effectivenesswashamperedbyalackofsparesandgroundcrew.
They were also particularly vulnerable when on the ground due to
the poor defences of the Vichy airfields.[AWM image P12424.034]LEFT:Standing proudly in front of one the squadron’s brand new
Tomahawksare,lefttoright,EdwardJackson,StanMcDonnell and
John Jackson. Edward was one of John’s younger brothers. He
joined the squadron in April 1941 while it was still in Egypt, but was
struck down with appendicitis as the move to Palestine got
underway. He eventually rejoined and John noted in his diary that
they flew together on Ed’s first op, escorting Blenheims, on 8 June.
He returned to Australia in mid-1942 and finished the war as a
squadron leader. Stan McDonnell was a doctor friend John had
known before the war during his time in St. George, Queensland.FLIGHTPATH | 25LEFT: The Yugoslav Royal Navy operated twelve examples of the Dornier Do 22 seaplane. The German designation for the
Yugoslav order was Do 22 Kj. Eight of the Yugoslavian aircraft escaped the German invasion in early April 1941 by flying to Egypt.
These aircraft were impressed into RAF service (the Sunderland-equipped 230 Squadron flew several) until a lack of spares
grounded them in early 1942. Given the markings on this aircraft, John must have seen it while he was still based in Egypt. Note
that the floats are braced to both the fuselage and the wings. [AWM image P12424.074]
THIS IMAGE: The Bloch MB.200 was a medium bomber classed as obsolete at the start of the war. At least six were still active in
Syria at the time of the invasion and these flew several sorties. This example is possibly one of the aircraft left at Rayak.
[AWM image P12424.038]
Photo: AWM image P12424.086