RAAF Flying Officer Angus McDonald of No. 102 Squadron RAF has his plaster cast signed by RAAF Flight Sergeant Thomas Williams. McDonald, who had just completed his tour unharmed, broke his ankle in the officers' mess after his last operation. Was this the result of a robust mess party? Certainly they were no exception at No. 460 Squadron RAAF. Christmas 1943–1944 was celebrated at the height of the great area bombing offensive against Germany, when losses were high and the need to let off steam paramount: The sergeants' mess in particular was a sight to behold on Christmas morning. Bike races had been held during the Christmas Eve party, until there were no bikes left serviceable, whereupon someone wheeled in a motor bike and started up. It did a few circuits of the mess, during which someone who had gone to sleep on the mantelpiece, fell off and was promptly run over by the budding track rider. [Peter Firkins, Strike and return, Westward Ho, Perth, 1985, p. 123; AWM UK0554]
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