Action This Day

[warshipbuilder]

9 Sqn 16.2.40:

Six aircraft stood by for special sweep.

0916 - (See App. B.5.) Information received that no cross country flying was to be carried out, and that sweep was not to proceed.

2000 - Embargo withdrawn but aircraft were engaged in local flying and sweep was cancelled.

Weather. W. wind less than 5 m.p.h. becoming S.E. 10-15 m.p.h. Weather mainly cloudy. Cloud 10/10 2000-3000 becoming cloudless later. Visibility 2000 yds. deteriorating to 500 then mainly 2 miles.

16 Sqn (Lysander II) was now operating from Hawkinge.

[warshipbuilder]

9 Sqn 17.2.40:

Local flying carried out. Night flying carried out according to App. B.6.

Weather - E. wind 20 m.p.h. Failing light towards midnight. Slight sleet or snow between 0500 and 0900 hrs. 10/10 cloud cover in day.

Visibility: 2 miles falling in snow, improving to 6 miles.

[warshipbuilder]

9 Sqn 18.2.40:

Squadron standing by for special operations in accordance with telephone message consequent by observations made by Whitley at 0100 hrs. Whitley observed 4 large warships, 2 of which appeared to be Battle Cruisers and 3-4 miles S.W. of HELIGOLAND a line of 9 or 10 warships of which 2 or 3 at Northern end were probably destroyers. Remainder were destroyers and one vessel appeared to be an ice-breaker was seen one mile north of this line. All were surrounded by ice which extended from German coast to at least 10 miles west of HELIGOLAND. These observations were made at 200 feet. The C. in C. required squadron to mobilize at maximum strength for operation night of 18/19/2. Signal Ops. 333 (App. C.11) cancelled operation. Local flying carried out during the day.

[warshipbuilder]

9 Sqn 19.2.40:

Headquarters 3 Group Operations Form B.79 and 80 received.

Squadron stood by for operations in accordance with 3 Group Form B.79

2248 - Squadron stood down.

3 Group Operations Order No. 76 received.

[warshipbuilder]

9 Sqn 20.2.40:

Squadron stoodby according to 3 Group Operation Instructions no. 79.

1600 - Squadron stood down. NO FLYING CARRIED OUT.

Weather: - S.E. Wind 10-15 m.p.h. Overcast with slight rain or drizzle between 0500 and 1000 hours. Fog from 0800 hrs. onward. Cloud 10/10 at 1000 ft. at first, gradually lowering to 300-600 ft. Visibility 2000 yds. Deteriorating to 500 yds. at 0800 hrs. and to 200 yds. at 1600 hrs.

[warshipbuilder]

9 Sqn 21.2.40:

Squadron reverted to normal training. NO FLYING CARRIED OUT.

Weather: - S. Wind 5-10 m.p.h. mainly overcast with fog before 1000 hrs. and after 2100 hrs. Cloud mainly 10/10. 200 ft. at first gradually lifting to 1000 ft. Visibility: 200-500 yards becoming 2000-4000 yards deteriorating to 100 yards at midnight.

[warshipbuilder]

87 Sqn 22.2.40:

Twelve pilots and machines took-off from Seclin, by now in extremely bad condition, and landed at Le Touquet aerodrome which was in relatively good condition.
The men were billeted in an empty villa.

[warshipbuilder]

87 Sqn 23.2.40:

Both Flights began training. Three machines at readiness, the rest allowed to practice formation, aerobatics, air-to-ground firing etc. "A" Flights did two patrols, both uneventful. The weather was fair and warm. One machine struck a bad patch taking off and went up on its nose.

[warshipbuilder]

87 Sqn 24.2.40:

Training continued in excellent weather. Fighter attacks with both Flights co-operating. No patrols.

[warshipbuilder]

87 Sqn 25.2.40:

Weather conditions bad in the morning. Training was carried out in the afternoon and one patrol.

[warshipbuilder]

87 Sqn 26.2.40:

Training continues at high pressure. No patrols. Squadron Leader Hill posted to 81 No. 81 Squadron as Commanding Officer.

[warshipbuilder]

87 Sqn 27.2.40:

Unfavourable weather restricted training in the morning. Formation attacks were practiced in the afternoon.

43 Squadron (Hurricane I) was now at Wick.

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87 Squadron 28.2.40:

Weather good. Training continued as usual, one machine struck a soft patch while taxying and went up on its nose. One plot was reported in the afternoon. Aircraft identified as friendly. Sargeant Howell attached to Fighter Pool for training.

6 Sqn (Ramleh Palestine) flies its last mission in the Hawker Hardy.

56 Sqn (Hurricane I) is now based at North Weald.

[warshipbuilder]

87 Sqn 29.2.40:

Training continued uneventfully.

[warshipbuilder]

87 Sqn 1.3.40:

Both Flights still at Le Touquet.

After considerable negotiation a drogue was obtained so that the pilots could practice quarter attacks. This unfortunately was lost at sea.

Squadron Leader Hill left for 81 Squadron at Amiens.

[mark dolby]

Was the drogue lost on the first day of usage?

[warshipbuilder]

Was the drogue lost on the first day of usage?

From what I can tell, yes.

[warshipbuilder]

87 Sqn 2.3.40:

"A" Flight did one patrol in the morning - nothing sighted. Training continued as usual.

72 Sqn (Spitfire I) is now based at Acklington.

[warshipbuilder]

87 Sqn 3.3.40:

Four pilots did a practice Air to Ground on Bofors and Bren guns at Stella Plage. This show was so much appreciated that a request was made for daily practice of this attack and several notable generals came down to see it.

Flying Officer Smith and Sergeants Tomas and Plenikett were posted to Sutton Bridge.

75 Squadron (Feltwell) fly their first mission in the Wellington IA.

[warshipbuilder]

87 Sqn 4.3.40:

Training carried on as usual in weather conditiond<sic> that suddenly had become spring like. Aerodrome in good condition. Another practice attack on anti-aircraft gun posts, and in the afternoon "B" Flight left for Seclin to take part in affiliation exercises.