Matrix Games Forums

41 Sqn 1.11.40

Weather. Wind South Westerly 10 m.p.h. Cloudless at first becoming cloudy later. Visibility moderate to poor.
0800 Ten aircraft ordered to patrol.
1430 Ten aircraft ordered to patrol.
1550 Nine aircraft ordered to patrol.
P/O. N.M. Brown struck a balloon cable in conditions of bad visibility causing the aircraft to crash. The pilot was uninured.

Base Changes

57 Sqn(Blenheim IV) moved to Wyton

First and Last Operational Missions

80 Sqn(Sidi Haneish South) flew its last mission in the Gladiator I
263 Sqn(Drem) flew its first mission in the Hurricane I

310 Sqn 2.11.40

9 aircraft took off to patrol Dover at 23,000ft. Sgt/Pilot KOMINEK was forced to bale out owing to his aircraft catching fire. He landed unhurt. The patrol lasted from 0815 – 0920 hours and was uneventful.

Base Changes

72 Sqn(Spitfire IA) moved to Coltishall

First and Last Operational Missions

113 Sqn(Maaten Bagush) flew its first OM in the Blenheim IV

111 Sqn 3.11.40

Blue section 111 Squadron Sgt WALLACE DFM P/O KELLETT and Sgt BLEWINSKI were ordered on to patrol to intercept a raider Eastwards along the Moray Firth presumably <unreadable> to Margate. The raider was intercepted and identified as a Heinkel 111 8 miles E of Peterhead and was chased 30 miles to sea. Unfortunately, the guns of Blue 1 were not properly cocked and only 2 guns were firing. The whole section engaged from astern and also by Blue 1 & 2 from abeam, it was left flying 400’ feet above sea level one wing low. From later reports, it was confirmed it reached <unreadable>. Its speed <unreadable> was estimated at 120 mph. Bue 3 Sgt BLEWINSKI was formating for his second attack when he dived into the sea. Presumably through an error of judgment.

Base Changes

30 Sqn(Blenheim IF) moved to Eleusis
141 Sqn(Defiant I) moved to Gravesend

46 Sqn 4.11.40

Rain and low cloud restricted our activity and no patrols were carried out.

310 Sqn 5.11.40

Blue Section patrolled base from 0735 – 0805 hours. Twelve aircraft of the Squadron lead by the C.O. took off at 1030 hours with 19 and 242 squadrons to patrol Dover and Canterbury district at 22,000 feet. They were apparently surprised and dived upon from out of the sun by a formation of M.E. 109s which inflicted damage and were away before they had been even seen. Not one pilot of 310 Squadron even fired his guns. J/Lt. JEFFERIES landed near HORNCHURCH with his undercarriage up owing to a Glycol leak. SGT. JIROUDEK was forced to bale out near FAVERSHAM owing to his aircraft having been hit and disabled by A.A. fire. SGT. PUDA baled out owing to oxygen failure. SGT. DVORAK crashed near the Debden satellite aerodrome. SGT. MLEJNECKY who had a large hole in his tail plane and his port mainplane caused by cannon shells and was in consequence was unabled to manoeuvre his flaps crashed on landing at base and overturned. As he collided with and upset a petrol tanker and was upside down when extracted from his machine and was lucky to escape with a cut forehead. These misfortunes were unfortunately not the sum total of the days, because P/O. F.HRADIL who had been temporarily lent with three others pilots to 19 Squadron was brought down in the sea near SOUTHEND and killed. This can only be regarded as an unfortunate and most unsatisfactory day – the worst so far the Squadron has experienced.

Base Changes

102 Sqn(Whitley V) moved to Topcliffe

145 Sqn 6.11.40

Weather – Fine. Visibility – Fair. The Squadron carried out ttwo non-interceptive patrols during the morning. At 1420 hours the Squadron were sent up to patrol Base and afterwards were vectored towards the Isle of Wight. Whilst flying at 16,000 ft. the Squadron, with the exception of four aircraft, dived when sighting enemy aircraft. The remaining four continued circling and whilst doing so, P/O J.H.M.Offenburg saw two aircraft glint in the sun to the South. He flew over to investigate and, on diving, saw one M.E.109 cross in front of the clouds. He closed with it and it disappeared into the clouds. He followed it through and on emerging he found he was at a range of approximately 200 yards. He fired one short burst and blue smoke immediately emanated from the starboard engine, whilst the pilot jettisoned his hood. Immediately thereafter, the second of the two aircraft he had originally seen and which he now identified as a Hurricane appeared and continued the attack as the enemy was circling toward the sea into which it eventually crashed. The squadron letters of the Hurricane were U.S.-D. Meanwhile the remainder of the Squadron had not been able to get within effective range, although P/O Newling fired a short burst at approximately 600 yards without visible effect on the enemy aircraft at which he aimed. No 748611 Sergt-Pilots Haire was shot down and killed, whilst No 754959 Segt-Pilot Weber was shot down and had to “bale-out”. He was uninjured. Both aircraft were wrecked. The Squadron landed at 1530 hours.

First and Last Operation Missions

608 Sqn(Thornaby) flew its last OM in the Botha I.

145 Sqn 7.11.40

Weather – Fine. At 1430 hours eleven aircraft took off to patrol over the Isle of Wight, during patrol they were ordered to return and patrol “Base” at 20,000 ft. In endeavouring to comply with this order they found they were being shadowed by 50 M.E.109’s, who were flying in three formations, namely – ahead, astern and South. The Squadron was unable to turn without exposing themselves. They accordingly continued to climb and the enemy then detached apirs which picked off the rear pilots of “B” Flight as follows:- F/Lt. R.W.Bungey was shot down into the sea off Laurence-Isle of Wight. He was slightly injured. P/O J.H.Ashton went down in the centre of the Isle of Wight and was uninjured (except for a bruise on his head). No. 748418 Sergt-Pilot D.B.Sykes went down near Ventnor and was slightly injured. No. 748610 Sergt-Pilot J.McConnell was shot down near Wittering and was slightly injured.
Whilst continuing the climb, F/Lt. Riley seized an opportunity to attack one detached M.E.109 which he pursued towards France. When 20 miles South of the Isle of Wight, he sighted a squadron of 12 enemy aircraft (J.U. 87’s) flying West at a height of 13,000 ft. in line astern. He immediately attacked and shot one down (probable). The M.E.109 which he had originally chased had now turned to attack him so he broke off the action and returned to his base. The Squadron (less five aircraft) landed at approximately 1500 hours.

Base Changes

37 Sqn went to North Africa
66 Squadron(Spitfire IIA) moved to Biggin Hill
257 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Martlesham Heath

46 Sqn 8.11.40

The Squadron moved from STAPLEFORD to NORTH WEALD, the rainy weather of the past week having made the aerodrome practically unserviceable.
Several patrols were carried out during the day. F/Lt. FARLEY (410 Flight) who flew with the Squadron on one of these, failed to return, but successfully bailed out.

Base Changes

46 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to North Weald
607 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Drem

First and Last Operational Missions

306 Sqn(Ternhill – Hurricane I) flew its first OM of the war

17 Sqn 9.11.40

F/Lt. Bayne and F/O. Niemiec patrolled base from 0820 to 0850 hours. Yellow section patrolled from 0850 to 0935 hours, Blue Section from 0955 to 1015 hours and Red Section from 1100 o 1140 hours.No E/A was sighted on any of these patrols. Four aircraft patrolled base from 1435 to 1455 hours but made no interception. Yellow section patrolled convoy from 1600 to 1700 hours and sighted two aircraft one of which Sgt. Griffiths chased and identified as an Anson. Red 1 and Red 2 attacked the other which they identified as a Do.17 firing all their ammunition into it. The E/A got away but it was claimed as damaged.

Base Changes

211 Sqn(Blenheim I) moved to Ismailia

17 Sqn 10.11.40

Red Section patrolled base from 1300 to 1315 hours. P/O. Wissler and Sgt. Stewart patrolled from 1530 to 1610 hours. No E/A was sighted and no further flying was carried out.

Base Changes

64 Sqn(Spitfire IA) moved to Hornchurch

First and Last Operational Missions

12 Sqn(Binbrook) flew its last OM in the Battle I

17 Sqn 11.11.40

The Squadron patrolled convoy from 0915 to 1040 hours but saw no enemy aircraft. At 1145 hours the Squadron again took off to patrol convoy off Burnham-on-Crouch. At 1215 S/Ldr. Miller sighted 2 formations of 20 J.U.87’s with a close escort of anything up to 100 Me109’s. S/Ldr. Miller lead the Squadron to attack the bombers, but they were immediately attacked by the Me.109’s. P/O. Wissler was last seen diving into the J.U.’s and was thought to have been caught in their cross-fire. He did not return from patrol. Sgt. Stewart engaged 4 Me.109’s which were attacking the rear of the Squadron. He destroyed one and probably destroyed another. P/O. Chelmecki also destroyed an Me.109. S/Ldr. Miller then ordered the Squadron to return to the convoy and wait for the J.U.87’s below the cloud with the result that the Squadron destroyed 3 and probably 4 more. The Squadron claimed a total of 2 Me.109’s and 3 J.U.87’s destroyed, 1 Me.109 and 4 J.U.87’s probable. Nine Hurricanes landed at Martlesham by 1250, P/O. Wissler missing, Sgt. Hogg crashed near Manston and was killed. At 1330 hours eleven aircraft scrambled base but no enemy aircraft were sighted and they landed at 1430 hours.

Base Changes

222 Sqn(Spitfire IA) moved to Coltishall
232 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Skitten

17 Sqn 13.11.40

P/O/ Leary and Sgt. Steward patrolled Felixstowe from 0900 to 0945. Red Section patrolled from 1045 to 1055 and Yellow Section from 1100 to 1115. No E/A was intercepted on any of these patrols. At 1255 Blue Section took off to patrol Felixstowe and sighted a Do.17 over Aldeburgh. Owing to clever tactics by E/A the Section was only able to make stern attacks and encountered heavy rear gunfire until an attack by P/O. Leary killed the rear gunner. E/A was chased 60 miles out to sea and down to sea level but it escaped and was claimed as damaged. Blue Section landed at 1420 hours.

Base Changes

73 Sqn moved to the MTO

17 Sqn 14.11.40

Green Section took off from Martlesham at 1055 hours to patrol Clacton at 20,000 ft. and was joined by the rest of the Squadron with 257 Squadron at 1105 hours. A battle was seen over Manston but the Squadron was ordered to maintain convoy patrol and was not engaged. At 1540 hours the Squadron patrolled Clacton to Felixstowe with 257 Squadron. No E/A was sighted and the Wing landed at 1615 hours.

605 Sqn 15.11.40

A fine day, practically cloudless. The Squadron were on patrol at 07.51hrs., and it was not until 09.30hrs. that they were vectored on to about 50 Me.109’s flying North over N. Foreland. We were at 28,000ft. and the enemy aircraft at 32,000ft. Seven Me.109’s split and turned South, the Squadron chasing. Later 7 or 8 more Me.109s split and turned South, placing us between them and the first split, but 3-4,000ft. below the Me.109’s – an unhappy position. P/O. Gauze was killed and Sgt. Jones bailed out uninjured. At 12.50hrs. the Squadron again were on patrol and when over Gravesend at 25,000ft. saw 9 Me.109’s at 20,000ft. directly below them. We half-rolled and dived upon them, F/Lt. Currant, Sgt. Wright and Sgt. Howes each destroying one, Sgt. Pettit probably destroying another and P/O. Aldwinkle damaging another. A telegram of congratulations was received from the A.O.C.

17 Sqn 16.11.40

F/Lt. Bayne and P/O. Niemiec patrolled convoy from 1020 to 1140 hours. Convoy patrols were also carried out by the Squadron from 1215 to 1345 hours, by “A” Slight from 1515 to 1650 hours and by “B” Flight from 1635 to 1725 hours. No E/A were sighted on any of these patrols.

Base Changes

84 Sqn(Blenheim I) moved to Menidi
211 Sqn(Blenheim I) moved to Menidi

17 Sqn 17.11.40

F/Lt. Harper and F/O. Czernin patrolled base from 0800 to 0830 hours. No E/A was sighted. The Squadron took off from Martlesham with 257 Squadron on convoy patrol at 0905 hours and were given vector to intercept enemy raid. The Squadron sighted about 40 E/A consisting of two formations of bombers with Me.109’s above and behind. The E/A were believed to have been about to attack Wattisham aerodrome when intercepted. F/O. Czerin attacked the leading formation which he identified as Fiat B.R.20’s. He damaged one but was attacked by Me.109’s and baled out. The Squadron attacked the second formation which were Me.110’s of which they destroyed three and damaged two. The Squadron landed at 0940 hours and F/O. Czernin returned later by transport.
Blue Section patrolled base from 1120 to 1200 hours but sighted no E/A. At 1300 hours the Squadron was ordered to patrol Clacton, but ordered to land almost immediately.
The Squadron patrolled a convoy in the Thames Estuary from 1510 to 1640 hours. During the patrol they intercepted 12 aircraft but when about to attack identified them as Hurricanes.

First and Last Operational Missions

29 Sqn(Wellingore) flew its first OM in the Beaufighter IF.

17 Sqn 18.11.40

Sgt. Griffiths and Sgt. Furneaux patrolled base from 0830 to 0855 hours, Blue Section from 0905 to 0930 hours, “A” Flight from 0910 to 0925 hours, Green Section from 0915 to 0925 hours and Yellow Section from 0940 to 1000 hours. No E/A were sighted on any of these patrols.

17 Sqn 19.11.40

F/Lt. Bayne P/O. Niemiec patrolled convoy from 1005 to 1120 hours. At 1100 hours “A” Flight took off to patrol convoy and were joined by four aircraft of “B” flight at 1125 hours. Before this patrol “A” Flight flew over Woodbridge to salute the Commanding Officer on the occasion of his wedding. The Squadron sighted a Do.215 when on convoy patrol which they chased out to sea but without observing result. The Squadron landed at 1230 hours. The Squadron patrolled Orfordness and Lowestoft from 1315 to 1345 hours and patrolled base from 1525 to 1640 hours. No E/A were sighted on either of these patrols.

Base Changes

80 Sqn(Gladiator I/II) moved to Trikkala

First and Last Operational Missions

613 Sqn(Firbeck) flew its last OM in its Lysander IIs & IIIs.

17 Sqn 20.11.40

Sgt. McPhee was posted to the Squadron from 249 Squadron. There was no flying during the day.

Base Changes

53 Sqn(Blenheim IV) moved to Thorney Island

First and Last Operational Missions

14 Sqn(Port Sudan) flew its last OM in the Wellesley.
57 Sqn(Feltwell) flew its first OM in the Wellington IC
272 Sqn(Aldergrove-Blenheim IVF) flew its first OM of the war

17 Sqn 21.11.40

P/O. Whitney and P/O. Stevens patrolled from 0800 to 0815 hours but made no interception. At 1100 hours Green Section took off to patrol convoy and sighted a Do.17 which they chased to within ten miles of the Belgian coast. They fired a few short bursts but observed no definite results. The Section landed at 1150 hours. At 1000 hours F/Lt. Bayne took off on a weather test and sighted a Do.215 over a convoy, which he attacked, using all his ammunition. Return fire from the E/A rear gun caused one bullet to strike his starboard main plane. The E/A disappeared into cloud with its starboard engine on fire and is claimed as damaged. F/Lt. Bayne landed at 1035 hours. Four aircraft of Red Section patrolled convoy from 1140 to 1240 hours and four aircraft of Blue Section from 1235 to 1340 hours. No E/A sighted.