The Wings of Pegasus by George Chatterton, chapter 9, independent operations.

In the next few months many operations were planned, but most of them, for varying reasons,

had to be cancelled. Some of those that were carried out didn't make headlines, but

nevertheless they are of interest, and to the men who took part in them they were important

and deserve recording here.

The first, by an unknown narrator, deals with the invasion of the south of France from

an Italian base.

The independent squadron, late number 3 squadron, left Italy before the first airborne

division embarked for home. This may have been authority being thoughtful, or it might

have meant that the squadron was destined for an operation that never materialised,

a practice all too common in airborne planning.

Be that as it may, the squadron embarked in American C-47s at Guadaladel Culi in southern

Italy, on route for Uja in French Morocco. Uja at that time was the American Airborne

Forces training centre. Here the squadron established itself and was engaged upon training

and ferrying newly constructed gliders, Waco C-G4A from Casablanca to Uja.

The squadron remained there for about a month, during which time it settled down very well.

The members of the unit managed to get the going home feeling out of their systems,

and became resigned to the fact that they would be away from the UK for at least another

year.

Uja was a friendly station, it was in fact a veritable United Nations. There were South Africans,

French, Americans and ourselves. This regular Allied organisation got along very well together,

and its camp permanent staff did their utmost to ensure that we had everything that we required

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