His second ‘rest period’ was much like the first. On a flight in an old biplane, the aircraft’s engine failed over the desert. Warby force landed, then walked out, earning the unofficial ‘flying boot’ emblem which he then wore on his left breast pocket. Of great significance was a flight, Warby's first, in a PR Spitfire with which 2 PRU were being equipped. From May, he flew them almost exclusively covering Greece and Crete and many of the Greek Islands. He also often photographed the coastal road along which Rommel was advancing toward Egypt. By 11 August, he was on his way back to Malta, in a PR Spitfire. He arrived in the middle of Operation PEDESTAL, a vital convoy for Malta. The following day, he checked up on the Italian fleet at Taranto on two separate missions. Promoted to squadron leader, he took command of 69 Squadron. Under the new AOC, Air Vice-Marshal Keith Park, 69 Squadron expanded into three flights, each operating a different type of aircraft: the Baltimore, Spitfire, and Wellington. A challenging command. Warby was awarded a second Bar to his DFC in October.