[Col Bruggy]

Hi Brian,

What do you make of this?

No.152 Sqdn - Sunday 9th (May, 1943).

1/ When 152 went out early this morning they could find nothing worth bombing and so perforce brought their bombs back, all that is except 'Killer' Kingsford*, who p&##@$ off on his own out to sea, and finding a 40ft schooner with 70 to 100 men aboard, proceed to drop both bombs in the middle of it. After having first shot off the mast with his cannon, there seems little doubt that every Hun aboard can be counted as confirmed.
Later the squadron was out again, shooting up transport, each aircraft making two runs along the length of the convoy. On this trip F/Lt Baynham had trouble with his oil pressure, and Sgt Smith had to land at Medjez with an internal oil leak. (p.48).

2/ Log Book of 1376328 Sgt Leonard Alfred SMITH RAFVR (later 182872, DFM).
From April 27 (1943) to May 9th (1943).

1943 - Paddington Strip - Souk-el-Khemis - Tunisia.

May 9.

1.20 - Turned back with bombs - bad weather - bags of flak, hit in prop.

1.30 - Direct hit on ship - no flak - ground strafed barges.

1.35 - Direct hit on Fw 190 set it on fire - ground strafed dromes.

1.40 Direct hit on road staff car ran into it - had to force land at Medjez through glycol leak engine a right[sic] off.

* 1251830 Roy Stuart KINGSFORD (102557)

See:
Birth of the Black Panthers - 152 (F) (Hyderabad) Squadron.
Smith,William S.
Ely:Melrose Press,2012.
1/ p.48
2/ p.69.

Col.