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October 1940
1.10.40 Numerous patrols were carried out during the day over the ROCHFORD area.10.35 F/SGT TYRER was detached from Red Section in order to patrol a convoy near the TONGUE LIGHTSHIP and investigate a bandit. Over land clouds were 9/10 at 5,000 ft. and over sea 9/10 from 3,500 to 5,000 ft. No enemy aircraft were seen on any patrol. 2.10.40 The Squadron patrolled with No. 249 Squadron on three occasions in the vicinity of HORNCHURCH and South of the THAMES ESTUARY, but no enemy aircraft were sighted. Clouds were 5/10 at 5,000 ft. 4.10.40 A standing patrol was kept over the convoy “BOSOM” from 09:34 hours, when it was just North of MANSTON, until 11.35 hours, when the convoy was near SOUTHEND. The Squadron patrolled in flights, working from ROCHFORD aerodrome, and returned to base (STAPLEFORD) at 12.30 hours. Weather at first was poor, with clouds 10/10 at 500 ft., but improved rapidly until clouds were 6,000 –7,000 ft. and 2/10., visibility becoming good, and weather excellent. 5.10.40 Two patrols were carried out over the MAIDSTONE area. Clouds were only 2/10 at 2,000 ft. and clear up to 20,000 ft., but no enemy aircraft were seen. 6.10.40 Squadron Leader A.R. COLLINS assumed command of No. 46 Squadron with effect from today, to replace Squadron Leader J.R. MacLACHLAN posted to S.H.Q. NORTH WEALD, ineffective sick. 7.10.40 The Squadron patrolled in the vicinity of ROCHFORD at 20,000 ft. several times during the day. Clouds were 6/10 varying from 2,000 to 5,000 ft. No enemy aircraft were sighted on any of these patrols. 8.10.40 Various patrols were carried out; “A” Flight were ordered to patrol a convoy between HAWKINGE and RAMSGATE but there was no convoy in the district. The Flight searched the district for some considerable time, clouds were not unduly thick, but there were only three Trawlers minesweeping, and these were definitely not the convoy. Later in the day other patrols were carried out, and Sections patrolled a convoy entering the Estuary from 13.50 hours to 16.20 hours. 9.10.40 A single patrol was carried out over MARTLESHAM HEATH. Clouds were 5/10 at 3,000 ft. No enemy aircraft were seen. 10.10.40 Yellow Section, consisting of two aircraft, were engaged in a protective patrol from 07.00 hours for forty minutes off MANSTON and DOVER. Weather was cloudless, and visibility 30 miles. Two further patrols were carried out by the Squadron, on the first occasion in the HORNCHURCH, RAMSGATE, EASTCHURCH districts and later South of the THAMES Estuary at 25,000 ft. Clouds increased during the day until they occurred in patches up to 25,000 ft. No enemy aircraft were seen. 11.10.40 Patrols were carried out over the THAMES Estuary and in the HAWKINGE district, clouds were 2/10 to 5/10 at 5,000 ft. No enemy aircraft were sighted. SGT PEARCE was posted to the Squadron for flying duties. 12.10.40 The morning patrol was carried out over KENT in conjunction with two other Squadrons. The weather was clear, and no enemy aircraft were seen. At 15.50 hours the afternoon patrol commenced with No. 257 Squadron and the Wing patrolled between EATBOURNE and DOVER. On returning they saw 20 enemy aircraft flying South over CANTERBURY and 5,000 ft above them, but did not intercept. Clouds were 6/10 at 2,000 ft. 13.10.40 The Squadron was three times ordered to patrol the HORNCHURCH line at 20,000 ft. in company with No 249 Squadron, who were to lead. On the first and third occasion no enemy aircraft were encountered, but on the second patrol in the DUNGENESS district Green Section were attacked from above and astern by six ME 109’s which escaped before a counter attack could be made. Sgt. PEARCE was wounded in the arm and force landed at BIGGIN HILL. 15.10.40 12.30 Commencing at 12.30 a patrol was carried out by the Squadron over SEVENOAKS and GRAVESEND. While flying at a height of over 20,000 ft. they were vectored East and attacked from the Sun by a Flight of ME 109’s., three of our aircraft being shot down. P/O REID attacked and destroyed one of the enemy but the others made a successful escape. It is recorded with regret that P/O P.S. GUNNING was killed when his aircraft crashed near LITTLE THURROCK, Essex. F/SGT E.E. WILLIAMS was missing from this patrol, but it was later confirmed that his machine had crashed near GRAVESEND and his death had occurred. Sgt GOODERHAM escaped from his aircraft by parachute. He was suffering from burns but was not detained in hospital. 16.10.40 A security patrol was carried out over BURNHAM at 20,000 ft. by two aircraft of Red Section, but there was nothing of interest to report. 17.10.40 Two patrols were made by the Squadron from BIGGIN HILL district to DUNGENESS. There was 10/10 cloud from 500 ft. to 2,500 ft. but above the weather was clear. On account of the low cloud base Sgt d’HAMALE was unable to find his base on the first patrol, and force landed at FYFIELD, some three miles North of CHIPPING ONGAR, Essex. The pilot was unhurt, but the undercarriage was damaged. 18.10.40 A single patrol was carried out by the Wing, led by No. 249 Squadron, over MAIDSTONE at 15,000 ft. for approximately two hours, but there was no engagement. Four new pilots were today posted to the Squadron for flying duties; they were P/O C.R. YOUNG, P/O F. SURMA, P/O HEDLEY, and P/O P.G. LEGGETT.
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