Action This Day

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87 Sqn 4.1.40:

Rosieres - Two machines on affiliation exercises with Blenheims.

Poix - No flying

Le Touquet - No operational flying - low clouds and fog.

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87 Sqn 5.1.40:

Le Touquet - Seven patrols over 'B' Line and GRIZ-NEZ. No flying at POIX and ROSIERES.

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87 Sqn 6.1.40:

Le Touquet - Six patrols over 'B' Line and BOULOGNE to GRIZ-NEZ.

No flying at POIX and ROSIERES.

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87 Sqn 7.1.40:

Le Touquet - One patrol only, weather deteriorated rapidly and pilots recalled.

No flying at POIX and ROSIERES.

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87 Sqn 8.1.40:

Le Touquet - No operational flying - bad weather.

No flying at POIX and ROSIERES.

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87 Sqn 9.1.40:

Le Touquet - Two patrols - BOULOGNE to GRIZ-NEZ at 20,000'.

Road party left for SECLIN.

No flying at POIX and ROSIERES.

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87 Sqn 10.1.40:

Seclin - All detached flights returned. "B" Flight at readiness.

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87 Sqn 11.1.40:

"A" Flight at 15 minutes available. "B" Flight 30 minutes available.

Visit of R.A.F. Official Photographer. Shots taken of Pilots running to machines: receiving orders from the C.O.: studying maps and carrying and signing war trophies.

12.1.40:

"A" Flight readiness - "B" Flight 15 minutes available - later brought to readiness.

Plots of enemy reconnaissance machines reported - Section patrolling aerodrome, coast and VALENCIENNES at 25,000' but no engagements.

13.1.40:

"B" Flight readiness - "A" Flight released. Three machines of "B" Flight on patrol.

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87 Sqn 14.1.40:

Leave cancelled by signal:- H.Q. A.A.S.F. P94 14-1 Following received from GHQ all leave cancelled from 1300 today till further notice. Due to possibility of German invasion of Belgium and Holland.

Discussion between C.O. and all pilots on tactics and attacks.

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87 Sqn 15.1.40:

Both flights 15 minutes available - no flying.

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87 Sqn 16.1.40:

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

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87 Sqn 17.1.40:

Six machines of "A" Flight detached at Le Touquet - five patrols - "B" Flight at 30 minutes available.

S/Ldr Dewar and F/Lt Jeff proceeded to ORLEANS BRICY to fly an Me 109 but machine unserviceable. S/Ldr Dewar returned to Seclin, F/Lt Jeff remained.

Limited leave recommended - message received by Station Adjutant by phone.

F/O Glyde assumed command of "B" Flight while F/Lt Jeff detached.

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87 Sqn 18.1.40:

Le Touquet - Three patrols over 'B' Line.

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87 Sqn 19.1.40:

Seclin - "B" Flight at readiness - one patrol.

Le Touquet - Six patrols carried out.

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87 Sqn 20.1.40:

Seclin - "B" Flight inoperative.

Le Touquet - Two patrols carried out.

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87 Sqn 21.1.40:

Seclin - "B" Flight inoperative

Le Touquet - No operational flying.

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87 Sqn 22.1.40:

Seclin - "B" Flight inoperative.

Le Touquet - Six patrols by "A" Flight.

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87 Sqn 23.1.40:

Seclin - "B" Flight inoperative.

Le Touquet - Six machines on patrol.

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87 Sqn 24.1.40:

Seclin - "B" Flight inoperative.

Le Touquet - Nine patrols by "A" Flight.

25.1.40:

Seclin - "B" Flight at readiness - three aircraft.

Le Touquet - Fourteen patrols by "A" Flight.

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87 Sqn 26.1.40:

Seclin - "B" Flight 30 minutes available - five aircraft.

Le Touquet - Six patrols by "A" Flight.