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17 Sqn 10.12.40

P/O. Czernin and P/O. Stevens patrolled base from 0925 to 1000 hrs. Blue Section patrolled a convoy from 1115 to 1225 hrs. At 1515 P/O. Stevens took off on a weather test and joined two aircraft of Green Section who were vectored to intercept a bandit 10 miles east of Clacton. The bandit (an Me.110) was flying towards the coast near Harwich, and as P/O. Stevens closed to attack from astern the other two Hurricanes climbed to join him. Heavy A.A. fired opened up in the vicinity of Harwich, the shells bursting behind the Me.110 but among the Hurricanes. P/O. Stevens engine caught fire and stopped, and he force landed near Butley, sustaining only slight bruises. The Me.110 turned and made off seawards and was chased by the other two Hurricanes for 50 miles; but they were unable to overtake it.

Base Changes

219 Sqn(Blenheim IF/Beaufighter IF) moved to Tangmere

First and Last Operational Missions

217 Sqn(St. Eval) flew its last OM in the Anson I

114 Sqn 11.12.40

6 crews stood by for battle order to attack invasion ports and aerodrome in occupied territory, the latter being in the nature of an offensive patrol.
Weather conditions were not favourable.
R3744 SGT BARNES, SGT SEWARD and SGT WALSH attacked EVREUX aerodrome with 4/250 lb bombs. Bursts were seen in the target area. Southeast of EVREUX an enemy aircraft was seen with navigation lights. This aircraft was chased and the air gunner fired 100 rounds but did not observe the results. A further aircraft was seen at 2113 hours with a searchlight h<sic> adlamp. A burst of 150 rounds was fired at this machine which immediately doused its lights. On the way home a dummy flare path was seen at BOOS (southeast of ROUEN). Here the gunner and pilots fired at the ground lights which were not extinguished. The task completed to their satisfaction this crew landed safely at base at 2256 hours.
R3745 SGT STAPLES, SGT INGHAM and SGT McELROY took off to attack CAEN but struck bad weather in the ENGLISH CHANNEL and lost their way well on a course CALAIS-GHENT. They had an interesting experience in that when caught in searchlights and fired at by FLAK they fired a two star cartridge (Red and Yellow) several times and on each occasion the searchlights doused and guns ceased fire. Our aircraft returned to base at 2257 hours.
The following two crews on their first operational flight T1830 F/O MYERS, SGT WILLIAMS, SGT MANN, L9020, P.O.CLARKE, SGT GRINDLEY, SGT ALLEN took off to attack BOULOGNE and each had satisfaction on reaching their objectives and seeing their bombs burst within the target area. These aircraft returned to base at 2005 and 2105 hours respectively.
Operations for the remaining two aircraft were canceled due to unfavourable weather.

Base Changes

87 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Charmy Down

17 Sqn 12.12.40

F/O Czernin took off at 0805 hrs., and while orbiting in Margate vicinity was fired on by A.A. for approximately 3 minutes, having apparently been plotted as an enemy raider. His a/c was not hit, and he landed at 0900 hours. S/L Miller and Sgt. Bartlett patrolled base from 0945 to 1055 hrs and Yellow Section from 1125 to 1135 hrs. At 1140 hrs 10 a/c of the Squadron took off to patrol Rochford escorted by 257 Squadron. The Squadron sighted two Me.109’s south of Rochford and dived to attack. The e/a, however, were lost in cloud, and the wing landed at 1305 hours. Ground firing practice was carried out between 1410 and 1635 hrs., and at 1610 hrs the Squadron again took off to patrol Rochford with 257 Squadron, landing at 1705 hrs. The patrol was uneventful. Sgt. Cameron patrolled base from 1620 to 1630 hrs., but saw no e/a.

Base Changes

43 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Drem
607 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Usworth

78 Sqn 13.12.40

7 aircraft detailed for operations. 4 attacked and bombed the Primary Target. One an alternative target. One aircraft had to jettison its bombs in Sea off Flamboro owing to engine failure. One aircraft failed to return to base from these operations. Two of crew parachuted and were picked up uninjured. Body of 2nd pilot found in sea several days later.

Base Changes

603 Sqn(Spitfire IIA) moved to Drem

First and Last Operational Missions

217 Sqn(St. Eval) flew its last OM in the Anson I

17 Sqn 14.12.40

F/O Niemiec did some local flying from 1045 to 1130 hours, apart from which there was no flying for the day.

Base Changes

46 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Digby
47 Sqn(Wellesley I) moved to Gordons Tree
611 Sqn(Spitfire IA) moved to Rochford

77 Sqn 15.12.40

Weather. Foggy with some drizzle and rain. Visibility very poor.

Nine crews were briefed (P/O. BAGNALL. P/O. MILLER. SGT. TAYLOR. P/O. SVENSON. F/LT. BAILEY. SGT. DOWLING. P/O. PINKHAM. S/L. HOWARD. and SGT. ROWE.) SGT. ROWE crashed in sea twenty miles off SCARBOROUGH on return journey. P/O. SVENSON likewise crashed in sea thirty miles off YARMOUTH. Crews of both aircraft missing. P/O. BAGNALL successfully attacked primary. SGT. TAYLOR successfully attacked factory at SPANDAU. F/LT. BAILEY successfully attacked factory in southern BERLIN. P/O. PINKHAM and S/L. HOWARD attacked marshalling yards at MAGDEBURG. SGT. DOWLING attacked primary target. SGT. WILLIAMS was killed. Other members of crew escaped with slight injury.

Base Changes

1 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Northolt
32 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Middle Wallop
229 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Wittering

First and Last Operational Missions

605 Sqn(Croydon) flew its last OM in the Hurricane I

101 Sqn 16.12.40

Weather. Occasional slight rain or drizzle – moderate SW winds – visibility poor.
Operations Night Target Manheim (Abergail) Seven aircraft. Three aircraft attacked primary target, bombs seen to burst in target area. One aircraft unable to locate target and bombed a small town with railway from 12,000 feet. Bursts observed in town but railway missed by 100x. Time of attack 2310 hrs. One aircraft abandoned task owing to sickness of W/T A.G.
Two crews were lost. They were:-
Sgt. Pilot Clarke, Sgt. A.Obs. Wilcox, Sgt. W/T A.G. Hesney
Sgt. Pilot Skipworth, Sgt. A.Obs. Need, Sgt. W/T A.G. Stephenson.
Sgt. Pilot Clarkes aircraft was last heard sending S.O.S. St. Quentin, France. A W/T fix was passed to the aircraft but no further communication was received.
Sgt. Pilot Skipworth had broadcast S.O.S. and a W/T fix and courses to steer had been given to the aircraft. The aircraft crashed at Fairlight, Hastings and burnt out. All of the crew were killed. Three aircraft were lost on the return flight P/O C.R. Brown and crew landed with wheels up in a field at Cornfwood, near Plympton, Devon. P/O C.E. Hill and crew ran out of petrol off Plympton and abandoned aircraft. All the crew landed safely. F/Lt Graham and crew landed at Christchurch aerodrome without a flare path. The aircraft was landed without sustaining any damage. W/Cdr Singer was the only aircraft to land at base after proceeding to target.

Base Changes

242 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Martlesham Heath

217 Sqn 17.12.40

Six Beauforts started on bombing sorties on Bordeaux but one aircraft abandoned the sortie due to weather conditions and severe icing.
The other five aircraft reached their objectives and TIMs were dropped in the target area.
One aircraft failed to return to Base. The crew were Sgt Matthews Captain, Sgt Massey Navigator, Sgt Ayre air gunner and Sgt Hastie wireless operator.

Base Changes

56 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to North Weald
257 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Coltishall
501 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Filton
601 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Northolt
602 Sqn(Spitfire IA) moved to Prestwick
615 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Kenley

First and Last Operational Missions

2 Sqn(Sawbridgworth) flew its last OM in the Lysander II

99 Sqn 18.12.40

Wellingotn IC R1333 Op:Ludwigshafen
T/O Newmarket and crashed 2128 into Devils Dyke shortly after becoming airborne. Four members of the crew died in the crash, two were injured.

Wellington IC T2803 Op:Mannheim
T/O Newmarket. Ditched off Thorney Island. Crew rescued.

Base Changes

38 Sqn(Wellington IC) moved to Shallufa
96 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Cranage
242 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Martlesham Heath (Incorrectly posted 16.12.40)
504 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Exeter

17 Sqn 19.12.40

Yellow section patrolled base from 0935 to 1015 hrs. and Green section patrolled convoy from 1040 to 1140 hrs. Four a/c of “A” flight patrolled base from 1340 to 1450 hrs., and S/L Miller and P/O Leary patrolled base from 1420 to 1440 hrs. No e/a were sighted on any of these patrols.

Base Changes

72 Sqn(Spitfire IA) moved to Acklington
610 Sqn(Spitfire IA) moved to Westhampnett

20 Sqn 20.12.40

0900 – Crew Conference held by S/L. Sawyer in the Crew Room.
1130 – Informed that Stations Operations Room that six operational and one nursery crew would be required tonight. S/L. Sawyer, P/O. Brant,P/O. Williams, P/O. Bridson, Sgt. Hickling and Sgt. Towell detailed with P/O. Humby detailed for the nursery. Briefing to be at 1430 hours.
1210 – Informed that bomb load would be 2/500, 3/250 all G.P. N.D.T., 1/250 M.L.D. and three containers of incendiaries for the main operations and 2/500 and 4/250 and two containers of incendiaries for the Nursery.
1225 – Informed by Station Operations Room briefing would now be at 1330 hours.
1330 – Crews briefed by S/L. Tomlinson for operations over Berlin.
S/L. Tomlinson to be Officer i/c Flying and Sgt. Byrne Aerodrome Control Pilot with Sgt. Sturney under instruction.
1615 – Informed that Sgt. Humby would not take off until 2000 hours.
1622/1715 – All six operational crews took off for operations over Germany, P/O. Bridson taking the spare aircraft as his was unserviceable.
2040 – P/O. Humby was unable to take off due to unserviceable guns in the rear turret.
0152 – Sgt. Towell landed at Base after operations over Berlin.
0211 – P/O. Brant landed at Base after operations over Berlin.
0228 – Sgt. Hicling landed at Base after operations over Berlin.
0234 – S/L. Sawyer landed at Base after operations over Berlin.
0240 – P/O. Bridson rang up from Burston saying that all his crew had abandoned the aircraft by parachute and the aircraft had crashed due to engine trouble at 0110 hours, all the crew were safe except the w/operator who had not been contacted.
0400 – P/O. Williams landed at Base after operations over Germany.
All aircraft located Berlin with the exception of P/O. Williams who successfully attacked an aerodrome near Rotterdam. All reported leaving large fires in the target area in spite of difficulty experienced in finding target due to thick ground haze. Intense Searchlight and Flak were encountered at various stages of the trip but no casualties to crews were sustained. Sgt. Hickling’s machine was hit in three places and P/O. Bridson’s suffered engine failure when over Norfolk on the return journey and all crew escaped by parachute.
Base Changes

103 Sqn(Wellington IC) moved to Newton

First and Last Operational Missions

15 Sqn(Wyton) flew its first OM in the Wellington IC
218 Sqn(Marham) flew its first OM in the Wellington IC

17 Sqn 21.12.40

Blue section patrolled base from 0855 to 0915 hours, red section from 0940 to 1045 hours, F/Lt. Bayne and P/O Ross from 1235 to 1250 hours, F/Lt Bayne and P/O Vykoukal from 1305 to 1340 hours and yellow section from 1415 to 1440 hours. No e/a were seen on any of these patrols. At 1435 hours red, blue and green sections patrolled Manston with 242 Squadron. The patrol was uneventful, and the wing landed at 1555 hours.

First and Last Operational Missions

40 Sqn(Wyton) flew its first OM in the Wellington IC
150 Sqn(Newton) flew its first OM in the Wellington IC

10 Sqn 22.12.40

0135 P/O. Humby and crew returned to Base by transport from Linton.
0900 P/O. Wakefield returned to duty from leave.
0905 Transport sent with crew sent to Linton to bring back the aircraft there.
1010 Informed that one Nursery would be required for operations tonight, operating from Dishforth, Sgt. Hoare detailed for this, possibly eight operational crews will be required.
1110 Informed that no major operations would be carried out tonight, bomb load for the nursery would be 2/500, 3/250 50% N.D.T. and 50% instantaneous, 1/250 M.L.D. and two containers incendiaries.
1125 Informed that the briefing for the Nursery crew would be 1130 hrs. take off at 1300 hrs.
1140 Sgt. Ottway detailed to be Aerodrome Control Pilot for tonight.
1145 Night flying arranged for tonight per programme issued 19/12/40.
1145 Sgt. Hoare’s crew briefed for operations by S/L. James.
1335 Sgt. Hoare took off for Dishforth for operations, Dishforth to be used as advanced Base.
1400 A conference was held by S/L. Sawyer with Flight Commanders and the Navigation, Signals and Armament officers of the subject of crews.
New crews formed as following:- six operational, seven nursery and six training crews.
1440 Nursery Operations cancelled, Sgt. Hoare’s crew returned to Base at once.
1500 Night flying will be carried out, S/L. Sawyer to be Officer i/c Flying.
1800 Night flying commenced, four details arranged.
1915 P/O. Gough with P/O. Flewilling crashed in Whitley P.4994 near Newton Picket Farm behind aerodrome. This aircraft caught fire afterwards, P/O. Flewilling was killed and P/O. Gough, Sgt. Somerville and Sgt. Hogan were injured.
1930 The remainder of the night flying programme was cancelled in view of this crash. F/O. Skryme was the only pilot to complete the programme.

Base Changes

151 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Wittering
228 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Speke


First and Last Operational Missions

219 Sqn(Tangmere) flew its last OM in the Blenheim IF
300 Sqn(Swinderby) flew its first OM in the Wellington IC
301 Sqn(Swinderby) flew its first OM in the Wellington IC

58 Sqn 23.12.40

What was destined to be the last sorties of the month were carried out on the night of 23/24th December when six aircraft raided MANNHEIM and two aircraft made sorties on BOULOGNE. One aircraft had to return owing to engine trouble (dropping revs, erratic boost and inability to climb), bombs were jettisoned into the sea and the aircraft crashed on landing at LEEMING but nobody was injured. The primary target was not located owing to bad weather conditions but a town West of SAARBRUCKEN was attacked and other buildings and a Railway Station in the target area were bombed from 9500 feet and 12000 feet, small fires and explosions were caused. One aircraft landed at BOSCOMBE DOWN and one at ABINGDON. One aircraft captained by Sergeant Smith failed to return from operations and is posted missing with the crew. Up to the present time no further news has been received concerning this aircraft.
One aircraft successfully located and attacked target at BOULOGNE from 9500 feet and bursts were observed West of No. 3 Dock and fires started. On arrival over the target area a large fire was observed on the North bank of the Canal. This aircraft returned safely to Linton. The remaining aircraft captained by F/O. Clemmenti returned to Base at 19.30 hours and on landing crashed into a parked Lysander. The aircraft was burnt out and bombs exploded at intervals. Sergeant Johnston was killed and the other members of the crew suffered from severe burns and shock.
No further operations were carried out in December.

217 Sqn 24.12.40

Five Beauforts carried out bombing sorties against Merignac aerodrome. One aircraft turned back with engine trouble, two failed to locate the target due to 10/10th clouds and two carried out bombing and machine gun attacks against the objective.
Beauforts of “B” flight carried out <unreadable> day and fourteen night training sorties. P/O. R.A. Robertson killed in crash

217 Sqn 25.12.40

Beauforts carried out two night training sorties. Operational sortie called off.

217 Sqn 26.12.40

Five Beauforts carried bombing sorties against Bordeaux, but three aircraft returned due to heavy icing and bad weather conditions.
From these sorties one aircraft failed to return and was not picked up on R.D.F. The crew were P/O. Tilson captain, Sgt. Wild navigator, Sgt. Bradshaw airgunner and Sgt. Miflin w/t operator.

77 Sqn 27.12.40

Weather. Cloudy, some light rain. Visibility, moderate to poor. Surface wind moderate North Westerly, failing light.

Operations. Six crews (F/L. GOMM. P/O. PINKHAM. SGT. DOWLING. P/O. BAGNALL. W/C. JARMAN. S/L. ROBINSON.) were briefed to bomb MERIGNAC AERODROME. Two nursery crews P/O. BARRELL and SGT. JAMES were briefed to bomb LORIENT.

Only two crews located target (P/O. PINKHAM and SGT. DOWLING) but results could not be observed. W/C. JARMAN bombed the docks at BREST: results of attack could not be observed. P/O. BAGNALL and F/L. GOMM and the two nursery crews bombed LORIENT, but definite results of attack could not be observed. S/L. ROBINSON was unable to locate target and jettisoned bombs in the sea, and crashed at ST. ATMAN. SGT. DOWLING and P/O. GOMM crashed at ABINGDON. Other crews landed safely.

50 Sqn 28.12.40

10 aircraft were detailed to attack CC.26 – docks at LORIENT.

6 aircraft were successful in reaching and locating the target area. Unfortunately, the area was covered by 10/10ths cloud and bomb aiming was made difficult. All the aircraft, however, launched attacks on the area and many flashes and bursts were reported. One large fire was seen to start. Actual results were not observed due to cloud. Heavy A.A. and searchlight activity was encountered over the whole area.

2 aircraft returned to BASE with bombs still on, one as a result of W/T failure and the other being unable to locate any target. A third aircraft jettisoned its bombs “safe” in the English Channel as bomb-aimer did not release owing to intercom failure.

One aircraft failed to return and is presumed to have been brought down as a result of enemy action.

A total of 24 x 500lb. G.P. bombs was expeneded.

75 Sqn 29.12.40

Operations. BOMBING ATTACKS ON TARGETS M.434 AND HAMM

Three Wellington aircraft of this Unit were detailed to carry out individual bombing attacks against the above targets. One of these aircraft captained by P/O Norman failed to return. Moderate A.A. fire was experienced, and few searchlights were encountered. Weather was not good. 10/10 cloud being experienced.

401 Sqn RCAF 30.12.40

No scrambles were participated in and with one section being away, there were no aircraft available for practice flying. F.O.’s Tuile and Kunsel departed the station on leave. Capt. Nodwell and P.O. Boomer arrived on the station from Inverness. Capt. Boyanner departed on leave. Group Captain Dunn together with Wing Cmndr. Atcherley visited the officers of the squadron in the mess this evening.

Base Changes

45 Sqn(Blenheim I) moved to LG.81
73 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Sidi Haneish

114 Sqn 31.12.40

Five crews stood by for battle order to attack enemy aerodromes and industrial targets. Good cloud cover was forecast.

L9267 P.O. KNOWLES, P.O. KELLOW, SGT FENWICK took off on weather recco and after reporting weather conditions favourable on the other side set course for ROTTERDAM. Here they located the oil storage tanks at VLAARDIGEN and attacked with 2/250 lb and 12/40 lb bombs. Bursts were seen on the target. Their task completed this aircraft returned to base at 1122 hours after being in the air for 3 hours.

T1830 P.O. LONG, P.O. DAWSON, SGT TAYLOR.
R3897 SGT YOUNG, SGT BROWN, SGT COATES.
Took off to attack aerodromes at BERCK-SUR-MER and GILZE RIJEN. The former encountered bad weather over the Channel and returned to base at 1328 hrs. The latter crew unfortunately did not return.

Operating in France and later in England the Squadron made 201 sorties and attacked 118 targets during 1940.

Base Changes

45 Sqn(Blenheim I) moved to Menastir