Action This Day

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9 Sqn 21.9.39:

Air Firing and Bombing practice carried out.

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87 Sqn 22.9.39:

Air to Ground firing practice carried out on targets on aerodrome by individual members of Squadron.

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9 Sqn 23.9.39:

Air Firing and Bombing practice carried out.

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From the ORB of 21 Sqn (Blenheim IV) 24.9.39:

Squadron aircraft moved back to Bassingbourne.

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87 Sqn 25.9.39:

Air to Ground firing practice carried out on targets on aerodrome by individual members of Squadron.

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12 Sqn 26.9.30:

Three aircraft of 'A' Flight made demonstration of new Wing markings to French Air Force and A.A. Units Crews were:-

F/O. Pitfield. Sergt. Alderson. A.C. Ferebee.
F/O. Pitcairn. Sergt. Shelton-Jones. A.C. Wright.
P/O Sall. Sergt. Young. A.C. Campion.

The M.T. Convoy arrived and was unloaded and dispersed.

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12 Sqn 27.9.39:

Three aircraft of 'B' Flight carried out a reconnaissance of the area 15 miles inside the French frontier. No opposition was encountered. Height 3000 feet.

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87 Sqn 28.9.39:

"A" Flight available at 30 minutes notice, "B" Flight released.

Advance party moved to Merville, Nord, by rail.

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401 Sqn 29.9.39:

Formation flying with R/T procedure.

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87 Sqn 30.9.39:

Squadron ready to operate from new base. "A" Flight at readiness, "B" Flight at 15 minutes.

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87 Sqn 1.10.39:

"A" Flight released, "B" Flight at readiness.

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87 Sqn 2.10.39:

"A" Flight at 30 minutes available, "B" Flight released.

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87 Sqn 3.10.39:

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

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87 Sqn 4.10.39:

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

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87 Sqn 5.10.39:

Demonstration flight over Lille and district. Sgt Witty flying in sub-flight killed in flying accident at forest of Nieppe when section broke up on return. (Hurricane L1776 written off). Excerpt from letter forwarded to A.M.:- "A squadron formation of four sections each of three aircraft had flown over the anti-aircraft batteries defending Lille, Tourcoing, and Armentierre, at the request of the French O.C. who was commanding these batteries, who was anxious that his gunners could recognize the Hurricane aircraft. On returning to the Aerodrome on a flight that lasted less than an hour, the squadron broke up into four separate sections....The rear flew on for about two miles until the Section Leader had satisfied himself that he was clear of the other sections and he then ordered the section to break up. Sgt. Witty who was flying on his right broke away sharply and steeply to the right, who according to eye-witnesses fast flying speed and spun into the ground at the Forest of Nieppe. Sargeant Witty was killed outright. This accident was thought to be due to an error of judgement on the part of the pilot!"

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87 Sqn 6.10.39:

"A" Flight 30 minutes available. "B" Flight released.

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87 Sqn 7.10.39:

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

0900 Sergeant Witty buried with full military honours in Imperial War Graves Cemetery at Merville. Service conducted by R.A.F. Chaplain and contingents of Royal Air Force and French Army present.

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87 Sqn 8.10.39:

0800 Roman Catholics of Squadron attended High Mass for Sergeant Witty at Merville.

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

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87 Sqn 9.10.39:

"B" Flight readiness. "A" Flight released. Practice Raid alarm.

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87 Sqn 10.10.39:

"A" Flight 30 minutes available. "B" Flight released.