"Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943." Handley Page Halifax B Mark II Series I, W1176 'Z', of No. 462 Squadron RAAF, awaits its load of 500-lb MC bombs, being prepared by armourers in the foreground, at Fayid, Egypt, before a night raid to Benghazi or Tobruk (the "Mail Run") is undertaken. 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.