2nd Tour
After Bomb served for nearly 6 months at 73 OTU, he was again transferred to 1 squadron stationed in Sicily (Sept. 1943). When Bomb arrived at the sqdn it was commanded by Hannes Faure and later Johnny Seccombe, both old squadron pals from the Desert days. Bomb himself was promoted to captain as a flight leader.
During his time at 1sqdn they flew mainly bomb line patrols, shipping escorts, top cover for fighter bombers and recce missions. Eventually the German and Italian fighters had diminished to insignificant numbers and later the aerial dog fighting became the exception. The main enemy threat to the squadron was now anti- aircraft fire.
Aircraft used by 1 squadron were Spitfires Mk V, Mk VIII and MK IX.
In March 1944 Bomb was promoted to Major and transferred to command 2 squadron. They mainly flew escort, bombing and strafing missions with Spitfires Mk. V's and Mk. IX's.
Bomb's tour ended June 1944 with 206 hours flown in 133 operational missions. See the flying log book entries for his 2nd tour here.
Back in the Union Bomb had a short spell with 11OTU situated at Waterkloof, Pretoria. See the flying log book entries of Bomb at 11 OTU here.
3d Tour
Bomb returned to Italy for his 3d tour to lead 2 Squadron until the end of hostilities in 1945. With this tour his squadron flew mostly bombing and ground strafing missions and in some cases for close support of our ground forces. See the flying log book entries for his 3d tour here
Capt BombFinney on the left as flight leader with Hannes Faure as 1 Squadron leader and ? as the other sqdn flight leader. Note the 1 sqdn logo on the Spitfire nose.
Bomb in his Spit DB-Z as OC of 2 sqdn