"Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943." Handley Page Halifax Mark II Series I, W1170 'U', of No. 462 Squadron RAAF, taxying out at Fayid, Egypt, for a night raid on Axis positions in North Africa. The photograph was taken shortly after the formation of the Squadron when Nos. 10/227 and 76/462 Combined Squadrons were merged at Fayid on 7 September 1942. Although nominally an Australian unit, 462 Squadron contained a preponderance of British personnel at this time.