Action This Day

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87 Sqn 11.12.39:

"A" Flight at 15 minutes available. "B" Flight at readiness.

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87 Sqn 12.12.39:

"A" Flight released. "B" Flight at 15 minutes available.

Three machines from "A" Flight practicing low flying attacks on tanks.

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87 Sqn 13.12.39:

Six machines of "A" Flight detached to Le Touquet. "B" Flight 15 minutes available.

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87 Sqn 14.12.39:

"B" Flight released. Two machines of "A" Flight on patrol from Le Touquet.

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87 Sqn 15.12.39:

"B" Flight at readiness. Two machines of "A" Flight on patrol from Le Touquet.

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87 Sqn 16.12.39:

Visit to the station by the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Neville Chamberlain. Procedure was the same as the visit of H.M. the King on Dec. 6th. Squadron Leader Dewar, Pilot Officer Glyde and Sgt. Howell being presented to P.M.

"B" Flight at 15 minutes available. "A" Flight at Le Touquet - three patrols.

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87 Sqn 17.12.39:

"B" Flight at 15 minutes available. Seven patrols by "A" Flight at Le Touquet.

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87 Sqn 18.12.39:

"B" Flight readiness. "A" Flight detached at Le Touquet.

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87 Sqn 19.12.39:

"B" Flight at readiness. Three machines of "A" Flight returned from Le Touquet.

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87 Sqn 20.12.39:

"B" Flight 15 minutes available. "A" Flight released.

Two machines of "A" Flight returned from Le Touquet, leaving one detached.

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87 Sqn 21.12.39:

"A" Flight readiness. "B" Flight released.

Practice night flying by 4 machines from "B" Flight and 2 of "A" Flight.

One machine of "A" Flight at Le Touquet.

Party of 80 Officers and men visited LENS for a show "Me and My Girl" with Lupino Lane and Teddy St Dennis.

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87 Sqn 22.12.39:

"A" Flight at 15 minutes available. "B" Flight at readiness.

No flying - thick fog.

One aircraft detached at Le Touquet.

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87 Sqn 23.12.39:

"A" Flight released. "B" Flight at 15 minutes.

No flying - thick fog.

One machine detached at Le Touquet.

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87 Sqn 24.12.39:

"A" Flight readiness. "B" Flight released.

Thick fog.

One aircraft detached Le T.

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87 Sqn 25.12.39:

Both flights at 30 minutes available on account of fog.

According to custom the Officers Mess invited the Sergeants Mess to drink the loyal toast and afterwards both Officers and N.C.O.'s served the mens' Xmas dinner.

26.12.39:

"A" Flight at 15 minutes available. "B" Flight at readiness.

Fog and later in the evening snow.

27.12.39:

"A" Flight released. "B" Flight at 15 minutes available.

Snow and fog.

28.12.39:

"A" Flight 15 minutes available. "B" Flight at readiness.

Co-operation with Blenheim aircraft for practice of fighter attacks and training of air gunners.

29.12.39:

"B" Flight 15 minutes available. "A" Flight at readiness.

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87 Sqn 30.12.39:

"A" Flight 15 minutes available. "B" Flight readiness.

One machine still detached at Le Touquet.

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87 Sqn 31.12.39:

"A" Flight at readiness until 12OO hours, then 15 minutes available.

"B" Flight at 15 minutes available. "B" Flight arrived a.m. at LE TOUQUET.

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87 Sqn 1.1.40:

Le Touquet - Eight pilots and seven machines of "B" Flight detached.

Five patrols carried out on 'B' Line (ten miles N.W. from a point six miles west of Calais) and then GRIZ-NEZ to Calais.

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87 Sqn 2.1.40:

Seclin - Four Pilots, three machines and crews proceeded to ROSIERES on detachment and four pilots, three machines and crews proceeded to POIX - all from "A" Flight.

Le Touquet - Eleven patrols carried out over 'B' Line at 10,000' and GRIZ-NEZ at 20,000.

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87 Sqn 3.1.40:

Rosieres - Three machines on affiliation exercises with Blenheim bombers of 18 & 57 Squadrons.

Le Touquet - Fourteen patrols carried out over 'B' Line and GRIZ-NEZ.

F/O Joyce in Hurricane N2353 accidentally selected 'wheels up' instead of 'flaps up' on landing and damaged propeller tips and mainplane.