Action This Day

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1 Sqn 1.5.40:

The month opened quietly, the weather being dull. "B" Flight arrived at available whilst "A" Flight visited the French Lafayette Squadron at NANCY.

First and Last Operational Missions

64 Sqn(Church Fenton) flew its first OM in the Spitfire IA.

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1 Sqn 2.5.40:

Five machines flew to AMIENS and four were exchanged for the new constant speed airscrew Hurricane. F/O. M.H. Brown (37904) was called upon to fly to AMIENS from ORLEANS in M.E.109 captured intact.

Base Changes

87 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Senon.

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1 Sqn 3.5.40:

S/Ldr. P.J.H. HALAHAN led a flight of six machines to AMIENS to view the M.E.109. F/O M.H. Brown <unreadable> to some purpose, and having got use to its vagaries had a practice skirmish, with a Hurricane, F/O Hanks mounted. One gathers the spectators were more shaken than the pilots concerned. From this exhibition several facts emerged. The Hurricane is infinitely more maneuverable at all heights and although appearing tricky to fly and not particularly fond of ground possesses. Many fine features to off set its disadvantages, it has an excellent view to the rear.

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1 Sqn 4.5.40:

F/Lt. Walker lead his flight to AMIENS but had to return due to weather conditions being impossible beyond REIMS. In the afternoon, however they got through just in time to see F/O M.H.Brown (37904) take off in the M.E. 109 for Boscombe Downe escorted by three Blenheims and one Hudson.

First and Last Operational Missions

10 Sqn(Dishforth) flies its last OM in the Whitley IV.

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1 Sqn 5.5.40:

W/O. Lee granted a commission and consequently will be leaving the Squadron. Three new pilots arrived - we can do with them.

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1 Sqn 6.5.40:

'Mel' of the Tatler paid us a visit and sketched members of the Squadron who had any claim to fame.

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1 Sqn 7.5.40:

F/O. Crusoe departed for a course on Air Fighting Tactics. F/O. Kilmartin and 2nd/Lt. Demozay, our ubiquitous French interpreter, flew to AZELOT in the Magister on what he assured us was a matter of national importance. Several large lorries arrived and proceeded to dump a wooden mess in sections to the huge delight of the local peasantry who, no doubt, had visions of finding the summers fuel problems gratuitously settled for them.

First and Last Operational Missions

75 Sqn(Feltwell) flew its first OM in the Wellington IC.

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1 Sqn 8.5.40:

Alarms and excursions resulted in the entire Squadron being brought to Readiness at 4.00 a.m. The weather however closed down and the Squadron was back at Available by 7. a.m.

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1 Sqn 9.5.40:

A quiet day and in the light of subsequent events, the calm before the storm. The news and information from other sources gave promise of momentous events.

First and Last Operational Missions

92 Sqn(Northolt-Spitfire IA) flew their first mission of the war

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Tick...........BOOM goes the dynamite!

1 Sqn 10.5.40:

It has come. Today, for us, war broke out and there was ceaseless activity. "A" patrol consisting of F/Lt. Walker, F/O. M.H. Brown, F/O Kilmartin, P/O. Richey and Sgt. Soper accounted for a Dornier 215 near LONGUYON. Bombers objectives appears to be Railheand and the Station near by. Later in the morning FLt. Hanks and Lewis brought down a Dornier 17Z. P/O. Mould and F/O. Drake each destroyed a ME 110 but P/O. Mould's machine was shot about but he managed to reach aerodrome where his machine passed out. P/O. Mould's overalls were ripped at the ankle by a bullet, though he himself was untouched. F/Lt. Walker, in a later engagement, was shot about and landed wheels up east of VERDUN. F/O. Lorimer, in the same fight was set on fire and bailed out. Meanwhile at NEUVILLE drones of Dorniers are passing overhead at regular intervals and orders were received to take every machine that was flyable into the air and circle madly around the aerodrome. One of the Hurricanes had no guns. F/O. Palmer departed by car to pick up F/Lt. Walker and P/O. Lorimer and at mid-day the Squadron moved to Berry-au-Bac Nr. Rheims. Less than an hour after arriving at the new Aerodrome the Boche came over andleft their visiting cards in the form of 14 anti-personnel. Unfortuanetly three French labourers and three horses were killed. The Operations tent was immediatley removed to a more salubrious position. This proved to be a wise precaution.

Base Changes

3 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Merville
29 Sqn(Blenheim IF) moved to Debden
56 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Gravesend
73 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Reims
79 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Mons-en-Chaussee
87 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Lille

First and Last Operational Missions

15 Sqn(Alconbury) flew their first OM in the Blenheim IV
145 Sqn(Tangmere-Hurricane I) flew their first mission of the war

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1 Sqn 11.5.40:

Meanwhile, at Neauville, a rear party of approx. 100 men had been left in case the Squadron was ordered to return. At Berry-au-Bac the morning was uneventful, but in the afternoon two patrols <unreadable> considerable embarrassment was caused by the Huns. "b" Flight was first and North East of RETHEL at 17,000 ft. ran in to a flock of ME 110. A general melee resulted and three enemy aircraft may definitely be claimed. One managed to force and west of CHEMERY and two prisoners were taken by the French. Later in the afternoon, "A" Flight took off 18.15 hrs at 7,000 ft., encountered about 40 enemy bombers escorted by 12 ME 110. "A" Flight attacked the escorts, the bombers turning North and a good time resulted. Questioning pilots immediately after combat it has been found extremely difficult to obtain concrete information as to what actually happened, as most pilots, after aeroplaning themselves in to a stupor, were still imaginary buttons and pulling plugs and hour or so after landing. The wreckages of two ME 110 and one Hurricane were found. F/O. Richey having commenced a long series of parachute jumps. In passing it is as well place on record the gratitude of the Squadron as a whole at the unfailing kindness and ready welcome accorded us by Madame Jean at the Hotel Metz at Bar-le-Duc. It was a home from home for all of us for many months. May the misfortunes of war pass her by.

Base Changes

13 Sqn(Lysanders) moved to Douai.
73 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Rouvres.

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1 Sqn 12.5.40:

The rear party at Neuville move <unreadable> to Berry-au-Bac. The C.O. S/Ldr. Halahan, led a patrol over MAASTRICHT on the border of Belgium and Holland and the flight had much excitement in contact with various types of e/aircraft. The C.O.(S/Ldr. Halahan) destroyed an ME.109 and an Arado, but being hit in the engine he force landed successfully wheels up. F.O. Lewis got an ME.109 but was himself set on fire and leapt nimbly overboard and landed safely by parachute minus one eye. Kilmartin collected an HE.112. The C.O.(S/Ldr. Halahan) had a grand stand seat after landing and witnessed a battle royal between French and German tanks and remarked that the Belgian troops were running faster than the refugees. F/O. Lewis aroused doubts in the minds of the simple locals and was slung in the 'cooler' for an hour or so. He was liberated <unreadable> and speeded on his way back to the Squadron in a French car.

Base Changes

56 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to North Weald.
79 Sqn(Hurricnae I) moved to Norrent Fortes.

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1 Sqn 13.5.40:

At this time the most fantastic rumours are circulating and no one seemed to know the true position of the German forces. Bombing raids are now of frequent occurrance and many people for the past six months who had been wearing <unreadable> to keep their feet from slipping off their desk moved about with some alacrity. Wing Headquarters retired in a cloud of dust to the cellar due to a bomb dropping on the Station opposite. "B" Flight destroyed a HE.111 (F/Lt. Hanks) which landed in the same field as an ME.110 brought down on the 11th. F/O. Lorimer force landed at St. Loupe-terria. In an earlier engagement, Mould, Clisby and Goodman accounted for 3 HE.111 and 2 ME.110 F/O Clisby landed beside one of the machines shot down and chased the startled crew over the country side, waving a revolver. He wanted their auto-graphs!!

Base Changes

111(Hurricane I) moved to Northolt.
151(Hurricane I) moved to Martlesham Heath.

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1 Sqn 14.5.40:

"B" Flight tackled a group of 15 ME.110. F/Lt. Hanks washed out 2, Lewis, Mould and Boot one each, but in the fracas Hanks got a shell in the gravity tank, caught fire and went in to a cluster of spins, but landed safely. Due to be bathed in glycol, F/Lt. Hanks arrived with eyes like poached eggs. Unfortunately Clisby and Lorimer were shot down in this engagement and have since been listed as missing. Both of these pilots had put up an extraordinarily stout show to date and their loss is a heavy blow to the Squadron. "A" Flight carried out a patrol over SEDAN which was then in German hands. It was intended to be a cover patrol, but they were fully involved in saving themselves, due to the unwelcome attention of squads of ME.109's. Before they came home Kilmartin accounted for two, Soper one, F/O. Brown one ME.109 and one JU.87. Sgt Clowes als0 a ME.109 and a JU.87, F/O. Statton and Palmer a 109. P/O. Salmon had gone by road to MEZIERES to fly back a Hurricane force landed there by P/O. Richey. Salmon and his men arrived in the midst of a large scale raid on MEZIERES and spent an hour clawing earth whilst the Huns methodically blasted the place out of all recognition. During the lull, a dash was made for the aerodrome where it was found the Maintenance Party had spent their time dashing madly in all directions pursued by the delighted Do.215's. The lorry was written off and while we congratulating ourselves on having seen the last of them, 8 Dorniers came down and proceed to shoot up the reamining French machines. Everyone embraced Mother Earth whilst the Hun played havoc up and down the 'drome. They made a technically thorough job of it, even put in a burst in to the unfortunate Hurricane. In the end our Hurricane was the only machine not on fire. During this time the French ground personnel scattered in all directions.

Base Changes

73 Sqn (Hurricne I) moved to Reims.

First and Last Operational Missions

105 Sqn(Villeneuve-les-Vertus) flew their last OM in the Battle I.

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1 Sqn 15.5.40:

There have been several sorties but nothing definite claimed. The Huns must rate us pretty highly as they paid us another visit and laid a stock of heavy stuff across the entire 'drome. Soper had just landed, flung himself flat on his tummy and the explosions lifted him clear off the ground and flung him back down again. Salmon took three replacement pilots to No. 501 Squadron by road and on the way witnessed a fight between No.501 and some Dorniers. One of the Germans bailed out and was captured by Salmon and taken to No. 501 Mess. Some French troops on the way became obstructions and attempted to hold up the car and claim the prisoner. On the return another fight was witnessed at an extremely low altitude six machines of No.73 Squadron and 8 ME.110's, three 110's went down, also two Hurricanes. F/O. Orton cannon shell in his shoulder and his machine a mass of flames umped at 600 feet and landed safely. Finally, one Hurricane was left and 4 ME.110's. The Almighty sure took over the controls. The Hurricane stayed in a tight vertical bank while the ME's took their time shooting bits off it. It finally got away and went off at nought feet for REIMS.

Base Changes

15 Sqn(Blenheim IV) moved to Wyton
26 Sqn(Lysanders) moved to Authie
79 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Merville
150 Sqn(Battle I) moved to Pouan

First and Last Operational Missions

51 Sqn(Dishworth) flew its first OM in the Whitley V

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1 Sqn 16.5.40:

More raids today - Aerodrome defence machines took off several times after raiders, but failed to make contact. Paul Richey qualified as a member of the Caterpillar Club by leaping successfully once again but had the satisfaction of knocking off one ME.110. In the same encounter, F/Lt. Walker added a further 2 ME.11o's to his score, as did also Soper one and Kilmartin one. Refugees have been streaming past the camp for some days.

Base Changes

4 Sqn(Lysanders) moved to Lille
12 Sqn(Battle I) moved to Eschimines
19 Sqn(Spitfire IA) moved to Duxford
64 Sqn(Spitfire IA) moved to Kenley
66 Sqn(Spitfire IA) moved to Horsham St Faith
73 Sqn(Hurricnae I) moved to Villeneuve-les-Vertus
88 Sqn(Battle I) moved to Les Grandes Chapelles
103 Sqn(Battle I) moved to Rheges
105 Sqn(Non Op) moved to Eschermines
142 Sqn(Battle I) moved to Faux-Villecerf

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1 Sqn 17.5.40:

At dawn we had orders to move the Squadron to CONDE-sur-MARNE. For the past few days there has been a heavy guard placed on the aerodrome at night in anticipation of possible attempts to land paratroops. Machines took off at dawn and 2 Hurricanes that were u/s, were pushed in to a bomb crater in the middle of the 'drome and burnt. No sooner had the sound of their engines died away than 8 Dorniers appeared at low altitude then a number of bombs were dropped on the edge of our village at PONTAVERT. <Unreadable> to be practically deserted and the party had some difficulty making its way through the streams of refugees encumbering the main road. On arrival at CONDE we found ourselves sharing both the airfield and the mess with No. 114 Squadron (Blenheims). They had taken a serious beating a few days previously and then had a total 5 a/c left out of 16. Their ground defense personnel put up a great show, and had accounted for 8 enemy machines making low flying attacks on the aerodrome. The same night, due to conflicting reports on the Hun's advance, the Squadron started a further move at 2 a.m., only to be recalled as the last lorry left. The troops were accommodated in a marshy pod at this stage.

Base Changes

18 Sqn(Blenheim IV) moved to Poix
57 Sqn(Blenheim IV) moved to Poix
151 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Manston

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1 Sqn 18.5.40:

"A" Flight accounted for 6 ME.110's and the Squadron move ANGLURE. <Unreadable> leaving the aerodrome, a nondescript party observed shambling along the skyline some distance away Sgt. Roper took off to investigate the possibility of their being parachute troops. It turned out it was a number of French Air Force personnel who had evacuated their 'drome and were making their way elsewhere on foot as convoy transport were at this period being bombed continuously.

Base Changes

18 Sqn(Blenheim IV) moved to Crecy
73 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Gaye
151 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Vitry-en-Artois

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1 Sqn 19.5.40:

We took over a Cafe at PLEURS and it appears we would have been very comfortable if we had time to settle down instead of dashing off in a frenzy within 48 hours as we had been doing. At the rate we had been running, many of us were suffering from 'fallen arches', peculiar complaint for pilots. The troops once again were in a wood - day was nearly turned in to night, so thick were the branches. The greatest peril of all was the plague of mosquitoes - far worse than any Hun attacks experienced. The aircraft left CONDE for ANGLURE about mid-day. Sgt. Roper's machine had been so shot about it resembled <unreadable> a Swiss Cheese and was accordingly cremated with full honours. As the rear party left P/O. Stavart hiked in to the area, having parted with his Hurricane several miles away. He was a trifle incoherent, but one gathered that, after having shot down a Dornier he pushed off at a rate of knots in what he fondly imagined was a homeward direction, seeing an aerodrome beneath him bethinking of him of tall filled tankards he approached to land. After putting his flaps down he realized it was German, and seeing a Heinkel landing ahead, shot it down and pushed off with all speed, his petrol lasting until over friendly territory. Whereupon he triumphantly landed in a ploughed field.

Base Changes

2 Sqn(Lysanders) moved to Lympne
14 Sqn(Wellesley I) moved to Port Sudan
16 Sqn(Lysanders) moved to Lympne
26 Sqn(Lysanders) moved to Lympne
53 Sqn(Blenheim IV) moved to Crecy-en-Ponthieu
57 Sqn(Blenheim IV) moved to Crecy-en-Ponthieu
59 Sqn(Blenheim IV) moved to Crecy-en-Ponthieu

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1 Sqn 20.5.40:

"A" & "B" Flights carried out a barrier patrol north of REIMS. Enemy formations were sighted but left alone due to having a definite mission. On the return trip a flock of HE.111's were seen and a fight ensued. The Squadron went in to flight echelon starboard. F/Lt. Hanks and Lewis landed NE of NANGIS on a French aerodrome, but soon took off again. Kilmartin landed 20 kilos from PARIS at MEAUX, 6 machines were definitely bagged and a possible 2 others. Most of the Heinkels jettisoned their bombs as soon as they were attacked and several fields of crops were seen to be on fire. The remaining Heinkels took refuge in the clouds. Richey was shot down and wounded in the neck, fortunately not seriously.

Base Changes

2 Sqn(Lysanders) moved to Bekesbourne
3 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Kenley
18 Sqn(Blenheim IV) moved to Watton
20 Sqn(Blenheim IV) moved to Andover
59 Sqn(Blenheim IV) moved to Lympne
79 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Biggin Hill
87 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Merville
151 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to North Weald

First and Last Operational Missions

38 Sqn(Marham) flew its first OM in the Wellington IC
94 Sqn(Sheikh Othman - Gladiator II) flew its first OM of the war