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401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire VB) 25-10-41

Convoy patrols were ordered early in the afternoon and were carried out without incident. Some air firing was done during the morning.

Base Changes

11 Sqn (Blenheim IV) moved to LG.116
30 Sqn (Hurricane I) moved to LG.102

First and Last Operational Missions

130 Sqn (Harrowbeer) flew its first OM’s in the Spitfire VA & VB
317 Sqn (Exeter) flew its last OM in the Hurricane IIA

57 Sqn (Feltwell – Wellington IC) 26-10-41

8 aircraft operation HAMBURG, 1 CHERBOURG. Sgt. EDWARDS overshot on landing. P/O. WALTERS and crew missing. P/O. WATSON and crew crashed Nr. HONINGTON. P/O. WATSON killed, front gunner injured, crew safe.

ADDENDUM – 57 Sqn Wellington IC Z8946 DX-S: hit by 1.& 3./lei. Res. Flak Abt. 767 and 2. & 3./lei Res. Flak Abt. 836, crashed in tidal waters 8 km SE of List (Sylt Island) at 00.20 hrs. Three crew killed three POWs.
115 aircraft to Hamburg shipyards and 2 city aiming points. 4 aircraft lost. Crews reported good bombing in moonlight and Hamburg reports more damage and casualties than on average. It is believed that 27 people were killed and 129 injured and 10-12 fires started.

Base Changes

14 Sqn (Blenheim IV) moved to Lydda
48 Sqn (Hudson V) moved to Skitten

First and Last Operational Missions

19 Sqn (Matlask) flew its first OM in the Spitfire VB
88 Sqn (Attlebridge) flew its last OM in the Blenheim IV
139 Sqn (Horsham St. Faith) flew its last OM in the Blenheim IV
412 Sqn RCAF (Wellingore) flew its last OM in the Spitfire IIA

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire VB) 27-10-41

Two convoy patrols were ordered in the morning and carried out without incident. Later on the Squadron was ordered on a Wing Sweep with 609 and 72 Sqns. The Wing was attacked by a very considerable number of enemy aircraft – mostly ME.109’s and Focke-Wulf 190s. P/O Harley was credited with one ME.109 damaged and F/O Neal with one ME.109F probable and one damaged. F/O Wallace and P/O Small are sharing one enemy aircraft shot down. Sgt.Pilot Thompson’s aircraft crashed near Deal. The pilot was heard to say he was bailing out. His body was found near his aircraft, ‘chute unopened. F/O Neal crash-landed near R.A.F. Station, Rye, but sustained no injuries. Sgt.Pilot Whitney bailed out at 600 feet but his ‘chute did not open until he was within approximately 100 feet from the ground. He landed quite heavily but was uninjured. F/O Wallace, P/Os Small & Floody & Sgt.Pilot Hodgkinson are all reported missing after the sweep. No report concerning them has been received.

ADDENDUM – Spitfire VB AB991 F/O CAB Wallace KIA in combat with NE 109s of JG26
Spitfire VB W3964 P/O CW Floody shot down in combat with Me109s of JG 26. PoW.
Spitfire VB AB983 P/O JA Small RCAF KIA in combat with Me109s of JG 26
Spitfire VB W3955 Sgt. BG Hodgkinson KIA in combat with Me109s of JG 26. Possibly shot down by Adolf Galland.

Base Changes

87 Sqn (Blenheim IV) moved to Amriya
94 Sqn (Hurricane I) moved to LG.103

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire VB) 28-10-41

Bomber escort duties and interceptions were the only operational orders for the day, three being carried out without incident. Some air firing was also carried out. P/O.s Gilbert and D.J. Blakeslee were taken on strength.

Base Changes

22 Sqn (Beaufort I/II) moved to St. Eval
217 Sqn (Beaufort I) moved to Thorney Island

First and Last Operational Missions

153 Sqn (Ballyhalbert – Defiant I) flew its first OM of the war
317 Sqn (Exeter) flew its last OM in the Hurricane IIB
456 Sqn RAAF (Valley) flew its last OM in the Defiant I

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire VB) 29-10-41

The only flights carried out today was air firing and sector recco. There were no operational orders performed.

Base Changes

140 Sqn (Spitfire PRIV) moved to Weston Zoyland

First and Last Operational Missions

504 Sqn (Ballyhalbern) flew its last OM in the Hurricane IIB

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire VB) 30-10-41

Poor weather conditions permitted only a few hours flying which consisted mainly of air firing and local recco.

Base Changes

237 Sqn (Non-Op) moved to LG.010
258 Sqn (Non-Op) left for the Far East

49 Sqn (Scampton – Hampden I) 1-11-41

1050 – 2 aircraft detailed to lay mines in the Baltic, and two to attack shipping at sea North of Frisian Isles.
1950 – All aircraft took off, and the two gardeners successfully planted mines in the primary position, in conditions of bright moonlight. Wing bombs were returned in each case. Of the two aircraft attacking shipping, one saw bombs fall near 3rd ship in convoy, the remainder probably overshot. Aircraft was hit by flak and rear gunner injured and hydraulics were rendered u/s. The other aircraft was missing from operations.

ADDENDUM – 49 Sqn Hampden AE224 EA-Z was shot down by flak from the convoy. This was the first Hampden to be lost from a night anti-shipping operation. The crew was killed and the bodies were not recovered.

Base Changes

111 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Debden
129 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Debden

First and Last Operational Missions

302 Sqn (Harrowbeer) flew its first OM in the Spitfire VB

615 Sqn (Manston – Hurricane IIB/C) 2-11-41

Dawn patrol by two aircraft. The sections were scrambled to patrol base without establishing contact. Then at 1710 hours two sections of No. 615 Sqn. Each with a section of 607 Bombers left for shipping recco. Red Section went South down to Le Treport and returned without incident, except bad weather, Blue Section went up the coast. When in the region of Ostend the leader, F/Lt. Slade saw two ships and went in to attack them. The other three aircraft apparently did not see them, and though the leader was followed when he climbed the others has had no idea as to the direction of the target. When the leader wheeled around and dived the others were not prepared for the maneuver and as a result F/Lt. Slade went in alone into an inferno of flak and was seen by S/Ldr. Craig of 607 Squadron to hit the sea. Evidently, the two vessels were Corvettes or smaller Destroyers, because they put up a terrific barrage. Only S/Ldr. Craig got back after dropping his bombs from 500 to 1,000 feet. Terribly sorry to lose John Slade and F/Sgt. Gooderham. The dusk patrol was carried out by one aircraft.

612 Sqn (St. Eval – Whitley V) 3.11.41

An A/S Sweep was carried out by F/O McRobbie in “X” and Sgt. Knights in “D”. F/O. Harrop took off on the same sweep at 06.45 in “O” but was forced to abandon it through engine trouble at o7.25. F/O. Harrop took off in “S” at 20.55 to carry out a creeping line ahead. Patrol started at approx. 190° at St. Eval and 30° N of Spanish Coast. He was due back at base at 06.00 4.11.41. At 08.00 no signal had been received from him and though a search of the area was carried out by Hudsons no trace of he or his crew was found.

ADDENDUM – Crew was never found.

First and Last Operational Missions

274 Sqn (Sidi Haneish North) flew its first OM in the Hurricane IIA

316 Sqn (Churchstanton) flew its first OM in the Spitfire VB

501 Sqn (Ibsley – Spitfire VB) 4.11.41

Four pilots carried out a Rhubarb and shot up four goods trains. At 16.20 hours, P/O.s Newberry & Shore and Sgts. Taller and Lynch set out on another Rhubarb. Red Section (P/O. Shore and Sgt. Lynch) became separated from Blue Section on reaching the French coast. Neither section were able to locate the target owing to local snow showers. Red Section were attacked by two Me109s. Sgt. Lynch considered that P/O. Shore’s aircraft was hit in the engine and the pilot was last heard to say on the R/T. that his oil pressure had gone and that he must make a forced landing. Sgt. Lynch was hit in the port wing but managed to get back safely. P/O. Shore posted as “Missing – over enemy occupied territory.”

ADDENDUM – P/O. E.H. Shore PoW.

Base Changes

14 Sqn (Blenheim IV) moved to LG.015
140 Sqn (Spitfire PRIV) moved to Benson

First and Last Operational Missions

19 Sqn (Matlask) flew its last OM in the Spitfire IIA

611 Sqn (Hornchurch – Spitfire VB) 5.11.41

Operations limited to two aircraft who took off at 08.45 hours on Rhubarb operations to PASSCHENDAELE. Sgts. WRIGHT and DALES, Red1 and Red2. Sgt. WRIGHT lost partner at KNOCKE, flew down coast to Target Area. Shot up a motor barge and look houses. Made for base out between OSTENDE and DUNKIRK. He fired at 1xMe109 on his port quarter but was attacked by 2 109’s on his starboard quarter. He evaded them in cloud and made for home. Sgt. DALES missing. No news not a squeak.

ADDENDUM – Sgt. WP Dales KIA.

First and Last Operational Missions

500 Sqn (Bircham Newton) flew its first OM in the Hudson V

52 Sqn RAAF (Redhill – Spitfire VB) 6.11.41

The Squadron in company with 485 and 602 Sqns took part in a Tomahawk Escort. Over Cap Gris Nez they were attacked by 6 E/E.
F/Lt. Smith destroyed 1 Fw.190 and 1 Me.109F damaged.
F/Lt. Truscott destroyed 1 Me.109F
3 Me.109F’s damaged by S/Ldr. Bungey, P/O. Lews, F/O. Sly.
Sgt. Geissman and Sgt. Schrader Missing.

ADDENDUM – Sgt. EH Schrader shot down by Fw.190. KIA.
Sgt. BM Geissman FTR KIA.

Base Changes

80 Sqn (Hurricane I) moved to LG.111

First and Last Operational Missions

400 Sqn RCAF (Odiham – Tomahawk IIA) flew its first OM of the war

72 Sqn (Gravesend – Spitfire VB) 7.11.41

RODEO - 11 a/c with Wing made a sweep of the Dunkirk – St. Omer – Berck area. The French coast was crossed with little incident. When leaving the Berck area, Blues Section was attacked by Fw. 190s from above and behind. F/Lt. Campbell Yellow Leader, and P/O. Rosser Yellow 2 dived in turn on one of these Fe. 190, opening fire at extreme range by cannon. P/O. Rosser saw pieces come away from the E/A which began to lose height rapidly. Both of Yellow Section followed the E/A down. P/O. Rosser closing in, fired all his ammunition until exhausted. The E/A was still going down at 400 feet off Boulogne, but owing to heavy Flak that was now encountered both of our a/c broke off and regained height. Sgt. Rutherford, Yellow 3, reported he saw a Spitfire, believed to be one of Blue Section, going down between Berck and Boulogne.
One Fw. 190 damaged by P/O. Rosser. P/O. Birkland (Canadian) failed to return. 2a/c, S/Ldr. Masterman and F/Lt. Campbell landed at Biggin Hill at 14.48 hours. 8 a/c landed between 14.07 and 14.53 hours.

ADDENDUM – P/O. H Birkland RCAF PoW. He was one of 6 Canadian and 50 RAF officers who were murdered by the Gestapo for their participation in “The Great Escape.”

Base Changes

94 Sqn (Hurricane I) moved to LG.109

First and Last Operational Missions

69 Sqn (Luqa) flew its last OM in the Hurricane I

CIRCUS 110

211 Sqn (Watton – Blenheim IV) 8.11.41

Six aircraft of 21 Squadron (Plus 6 aircraft of 82 Sqn) were detailed for a circus. The target was the Railway Workshops at Lille. The aircraft rendezvoused at Manston at 1130 hours at 14000 feet with fighters. Owing to an error in navigation the formation turned into the French coast too soon and followed a course taking them West of Lille. They penetrated as far as Lens then turned right and on the return journey bombed Gosnay Chemical Works. Hits were claimed on this though, due to the camera shutters freezing up, no photographs were successful in showing results. The Bodney aircraft had left the formation and turned back soon after leaving Manston owing to an R.T. failure in the leaders' aircraft.

Base Changes

33 Sqn (hurricane I) moved to Giarabub
137 Sqn (Whirlwind I) moved to Coltishall
250 Sqn (Tomahawk IIB) moved to LG.109

408 Sqn RCAF(Syerston – Hampden) 9.11.41

4 Freshman crews were detailed for an attack on the docks at OSTENDE and were instructed, before proceeding to return to North Luffenham, following completion of raid, owing to possibility of fog at base. 3 of these crews reached and successfully bombed their target but, on returning to North Luffenham, one of the aircraft crashed making a heavy landing, breaking the tail boom. Correct drill carried out but the flare path was unfortunately sited on a slope of the aerodrome. The remaining aircraft, Hampden AE438 was reported missing following these operations. It is regretted that no word has been received of the whereabouts of the crew and aircraft and it is impossible, at this time to give adequate report as to their location or what happened to them following the time of take-off, which was 17.55 hours this date. All necessary action has been taken with reference to signals and reports and advice of next of kin.

ADDENDUM – Hampden AE438 EQ-D was shot down by Oblt. Wilhelm Dimter (7th victory) of Stab 1./NJG1 near Maasbree, 30 km W. of Venlo at 21.45 hours. Crew PoW.

First and Last Operational Missions

500 Sqn (Bircham Newton) flew its last OM in the Blenheim IV
611 Sqn (Hornchurch) flew its last OM in the Spitfire VB

402 Sqn RCAF(Warmwell – Hurricane IIB) 10.11.41

No operational flying. Sector reccos.

Base Changes

3 Sqn RAAF (Tomahawk II) moved to Sidi Haneish

402 Sqn RCAF(Warmwell – Hurricane IIB) 11.11.41

12 Hurricane IIB(Bombers) took off from Warmwell with 2x250 G.P. 21 second delay bombs each, and flew to Marston aerodrome. Took off from Marstone at 14442 hours and rendezvoused with 501 and 234 Squadrons at 1450 hours to carry out a low Ramrod Operation on an ammunition dump in the Foret de St. Caens.
R71606 Sgt. (Pilot) M.R.H. Vair failed to return from the above operation. As the French coast was reached approximately five miles west of Dieppe, it was necessary to pull up from sea level, at which the Squadron had crossed the channel in order to go over a cliff. In doing this, the Squadron entered cloud and it was at that time that Sergeant Vair was last seen.

ADDENDUM – FS(P) Marshall Ross Robert Vair in Hurricane IIB BE472 was shot down five miles west of Dieppe. He is buried in the Janval Communal Cemetery, Dieppe.

Base Changes

232 Sqn (Non-Op) left for the Far East.
4 Sqn SAAF (Tomahawk IIB) moved to LG.110

401 Sqn RCAF(Biggin Hill – Spitfire VB) 12.11.41

Aircraft were grounded today owing to heavy intermittent rains and ground fog.

Base Changes

17 Sqn (Non-Op) left for the Far East.
260 Sqn (Hurricane I) moved to LG.109
603 Sqn (Spitfire VA/VB) moved to Fairlop

First and Last Operational Missions

236 (Carew Chariton) flew its first OM in the Beaufighter IF

401 Sqn RCAF(Biggin Hill – Spitfire VB) 13.11.41

Poor conditions prevailed again today and the aircraft were grounded.

Base Changes

1 Sqn SAAF (Hurricane IIB) moved to LG.130
3 Sqn RAAF (Tomahawk II) moved to Madelena
229 Sqn (Hurricane I/IIB/C) moved to LG.111
238 Sqn (Hurricane IIB/C) moved to LG.123
274 Sqn (Hurricane IIA/B) moved to LG.130

First and Last Operational Missions

611 Sqn (Drem) started a second tour of service in the Spitfire IIA

401 Sqn RCAF(Biggin Hill – Spitfire VB) 14.11.41

Though weather conditions improved somewhat today, it was not considered suitable for flying.

Base Changes

45 Sqn (Blenheim IV) moved to LG.075
112 Sqn (Tomahawk IIB) moved to Sidi Barrani
113 Sqn (Blenheim IV) moved to Giarubub
237 Sqn (Non-Op) moved to LG.075

First and Last Operational Missions

130 Sqn (Harrowbeer) flew its last OM in the Spitfire IIA