Seven Gloster Gladiators of No. 3 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force make a low pass in loose line abreast formation over the Squadron's mobile operations room at their landing ground near Sollum, Egypt, from which they operated during Operation Compass, December 1940-February 1941, when British and Commonwealth forces attacked Italian forces in Western Egypt and Eastern Libya (photo IWM CM 354).Victor Sierra

Low pass

North Africa: Two members of No 3 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, prepare a cross for the grave of Squadron Leader P. R. Heath who was shot down in air combat on 19 November 1940 when four of the Squadron's Gladiator aircraft were attacked east of Rabia by eighteen Italian CR-42 fighters. Victor Sierra

A cross for a pilot

Pilots of No. 3 Squadron RAAF-Royal Australian Air Force study a map on the tailplane of one of their Gloster Gladiators at their landing ground near Sollum, Egypt, before an operation over Bardia during the closing stages of Operation Compass, January-February 1941. Victor Sierra