 Crombie was transferred to the Mediterranean and Middle East Theatre and posted to No. 89 Squadron RAF in October 1941 , operating over Egypt and Malta . Also flying Beaufighters , Crombie piloted his first foray with the unit on 21 October , and by the end of the year had been accredited with the destruction of six Axis aircraft , with an additional two probables . Throughout 1942 , the squadron continued to operate over North Africa and the Middle East , with Crombie adding three more aircraft to his tally . 
