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07.45 F/L JAMESON did a weather test and decided that the weather was unfit for a patrol to NORTH COATES. 10.30 Three aircraft did half an hour’s local flying training. 11.40 The Squadron was ordered to NORTH COATES, patrolled two convoys until 17.40 hrs. and returned to DIGBY at 18.35. The weather was fine, cloud 5/10 at 2,000 ft., visibility 4-5 miles. 28.2.40 10.00 F/L STEWART tested an aircraft after inspection. There was no other flying carried out by the Squadron. Throughout the day there were showers of rain, clouds were 10/10 at 2,000 ft. and visibility about 2 miles. Surface wind was strong and gusty. 29.2.40 The weather was fair, clouds 9/10 at 10,000 ft., visibility good, wind Northerly 15 mph. Three aircraft of “A” Flight were engaged in Cine Camera Gun firing, and three aircraft of “B” Flight did some local flying during the morning. 12.00 The Squadron were sent to the Forward Base and maintained patrols over three convoys, which were between EAST DUDGEON
March 1940
1.3.40 07:30 Red Section went on Convoy Patrol, and the remainder of the Squadron (six aircraft) proceeded to Forward Base (NORTH COATES). The weather conditions were perfect; no cloud, wind light, visibility excellent. Yellow Section relieved Red Section at 08:45 and continued the Convoy Patrol until 10.30 hours. 09:55 at 09:55 the Squadron was recalled to do tactical exercises for the A.O.C. 14:00 From 14:00 hours the Squadron returned to NORTH COATES and recommenced the Convoy Patrols until 18:30, when all aircraft returned to DIGBY. 3.3.40 08:25 The Squadron was ordered to NORTH COATES, carried out Convoy Patrols until 15:00 and returned to DIGBY in the late afternoon. Except for slight mist in the early morning the weather was fine with little or no cloud, good visibility and bright sunshine. 4.3.40 The weather was fine at first with 3/10 low cloud, visibility 2-6 miles. Later the North-West wind strengthened to gale force in exposed places. 10:10 Three aircraft were engaged in Camera Gun Practice and aerobatics, and (11:00) three others flew to 25,000 ft. 5.3.40 10:20 Six pilots did an hour’s flying training and interception practice. 10:50 Blue Section were sent to patrol a line from NORTH COATES to DONNA NOOK, and were vectored to intercept an “X” (unidentified) raid. 11:35 Red Section were ordered to patrol NORTH COATES at 9,000 ft. to intercept an “X” raid approaching from the sea. Out to sea there were scattered, but heavy, snow showers, reducing visibility, where these occurred, to nil. In fine patches visibility was 5-10 miles, cloud 8/10 at 1,000 ft. No enemy aircraft were seen. 15:30 Three pilots of Green Section were engaged in local flying during the afternoon. 6.3.40 Digby 07:20 Blue Section made a weather test and proceeded to patrol the MOUTH of the HUMBER where “ARENA” had been anchored overnight. The weather was poor at NORTH COATES, but fine to fair elsewhere. North Coates 09:30 The Squadron went forward to NORTH COATES, and patrolled the convoy all day. 16:20 Yellow and Red Sections were instructed to investigate an “X” raid 20 miles out to sea. No enemy aircraft were seen. The Squadron returned to DIGBY at dusk. Digby Since No 229 SQUADRON were commencing Hurricane flying training, and therefore non-operational, Blue Section, 46 SQUADRON did the night readiness, and took advantage of this opportunity to night fly. 20:00 F/O LYDALL and SGT LAWSON made separate patrols to investigate “X” raids, but although considerable activity was reported, no enemy aircraft was seen. 22:10 The death of F/O W.T. SCOTT, which occurred when his aircraft struck a tree whilst night flying, is recorded with regret. 7.3.40 Weather was fine but with ground mist and poor visibility, only improving slowly throughout the day. P/O LEFEVRE flew to HUCKNALL to bring W/COMMANDER WYLIE back to DIGBY in order that he might obtain information to paint a picture of the engagement with the HEINKEL 115’s on OCTOBER 21, 1939. Five pilots of “A” Flight set off for firing practice at SUTTON BRIDGE, but unfavourable weather conditions necessitated their early return. 8.3.40 08:10 Red and Yellow Sections patrolled the Convoy which was leaving the MOUTH of the HUMBER, until the weather became too poor for further flying. “A” Flight remained at NORTH COATES. “B” Flight maintained the night preparedness at DIGBY. 9.3.40 11.40 Red and Yellow Sections patrolled separate convoys and returned to DIGBY at 13.15 hours. The weather was fair but cloudy, with mist and fog patches in the early morning. Four pilots of “B” Flight were engaged in local flying during the afternoon. “B” Flight again maintained the night preparedness. 10.3.40 The dawn brought rain and thick clouds. 07.30 S/LDR Cross twice made a weather test. The weather slowly improved and (11.40) “A” Flight went to the Forward Base. Two pilots of “B” Flight practiced cloud flying for an hour. After an uneventful day, with no patrols, “A” Flight returned to DIGBY. 11.3.40 12.35 In cloudy, misty weather Red and Yellow Sections patrolled the convoy until 14.40 when very bad visibility made it impossible for the patrol to continue. “B” Flight, who were responsible for the Night Readiness, commenced night flying practice, but were obliged to cancel the programme when visibility deteriorated and there were periods of light rain. 12.3.40 06.40 Blue Section were on patrol before dawn, and they were relieved by Red and Yellow Sections, who patrolled until 16.00 hours. In the morning the Convoy was just leaving the MOUTH of the HUMBER, and by mid-day two further convoys had entered the Sector. 14.00 Five pilots of “B” Flight did an hour’s flying training; two at cloud base over SCUNTHORPE and three, local flying near the aerodrome. 13.3.40 There was no flying during the day. In the evening pilots of “A” Flight flew from 19.00 hours until 23.20 hours. Visibility was 1-4 miles, and there was slight rain or drizzle falling. 14.3.40 The weather was mainly fair with cloud 7/10 at 2,000 ft., visibility 2 miles. 11.55 Blue Section went on Convoy Patrol over “ARENA”. Visibility was 20 miles and cloud 6/10-7/10 at 1,500 to 2,000 ft. Green Section continued the patrol in the evening. The convoy comprised 25 ships and five Naval vessels. There was also a submarine in the district, and visibility was excellent. Blue Section took up the patrol once again until 19.40 hours. Visibility 10-15 miles, cloud 4/10 at 2,000 ft. Night Flying practice was carried out until 21.00 hours, when snowstorms made it impracticable to continue. 15.3.40 In dull weather with cloud 10/10 at 3,000 – 4,000 ft., visibility 1500 yrds. “B” Flight went to the Forward Base. “B” Flight patrolled the Convoy until 16.00 hours and returned to DIGBY at 17.00. “A” Flight were night flying until 23.15. The weather was fine, with clear moonlight and no cloud. 16.3.40 06.50 “B” Flight went to the Forward Base (NORTH COATES), but returned at 11.00 hours in order to carry out interception exercises for the A.O.C. 14.30 The Squadron went on Air Firing at SUTTON BRIDGE. The weather was perfect, little or no cloud, visibility 12 miles. 16.05 “B” Flight again went to NORTH COATES, and returned to DIGBY at 18.40, having done no patrols. 17.3.40 There was no flying. P/O LEFEVRE went to SUTTON BRIDGE to supervise Air Firing on the range. 18.3.40 P/O BANKS, successor to the late F/O SCOTT, commenced his flying with the Squadron with an “experience on type” flight. Night flying was carried out by “A” Flight until 00.15 hours, 19.3.40, although there were occasional heavy showers of rain. 19.3.40 11.40 with cloud 6/10-10/10 at 4,000 ft and visibility 2 miles “B” Flight patrolled the Convoy by sections of two aircraft, until 18.10. The South-westerly wind strengthened to gale force in exposed places, and was very gusty. SGT EARP flew to SUTTON BRIDGE to relieve P/O LEFEVRE at the range. 20.3.40 10.15 Two pilots were engaged in an hour’s Cine Camera Gun Firing between BARDNEY and WOODHALL SPA. 12.30 The Squadron went to SUTTON BRIDGE for air to ground firing. The weather was fair and sunny, cloud 8/10 at 3,000 ft., visibility good. Pilots of “B” Flight night flew until 01.25 hours 21.3.40. At 21.25 hours F/LT JAMESON was ordered to patrol MABLETHORPE at 2,000 ft. to investigate “X” (unidentified) plots. Visibility was excellent, and there was a bright Moon, but no enemy aircraft were seen. 21.3.40 10.20 “A” Flight patrolled three Convoys from 10.20 until 16.40 hours by Sections of two aircraft. Weather in the morning was fine, but gradually deteriorated throughout the day. P/O BANKS climbed to 25,000 ft in a HURRICANE. “B” Flight were engaged in night flying exercises until 02.00,22.3.40. These consisted of interceptions by two aircraft; instructed by the Sector Controller, of a third, who was plotted by the Observer Corps and Searchlight Batteries . 22.3.40 10.15 F/LT STEWART and P/O BANKS did formation and air drill during the morning. 13.55 The Convoy was patrolled until 16.00 hours in fine weather with 30 miles visibility. “B” Flight carried out a night flying programme similar to that of yesterday. 20.50 F/LT JAMESON was ordered to patrol DIGBY when it was reported that FINNINGLEY had been bombed. Evidently the report was incorrect, for F/LT JAMESON landed again at 20.57. 23.3.40 08.40 “A” Flight; working by Sections of two aircraft, patrolled two Convoys which were leaving the MOUTH of the HUMBER, until 16.10 hours. There was mainly very little cloud out at sea, but considerable haze up to 5,000 ft., reducing visibility to 3-5 miles. 24.3.40 In fine sunny weather, with cloud 2/10 at 10,000 ft. and excellent visibility, “A” Flight patrolled the Convoy during the afternoon. Interceptions by night were again practiced by “B” Flight. 25.3.40 08.30 Commencing at 08.30 hours “A” Flight patrolled Convoys throughout the day until 15.00, the weather being fine, cloud 5/10 at 5,000 ft., visibility 15-20 miles. 20.30 “B” Flight commenced night flying, but were obliged to postpone the programme, when fog closed in from the east. 27.3.40 Five pilots of “A” Flight carried out Ciné Camera Gun Firing and Formation Flying practice. 11.35 “B” Flight went to Forward Base (NORTH COATES), and patrolled the Convoy until evening, when it returned to DIGBY. 28.3.40 “B” Flight, working from the Forward Base, patrolled the Convoy from 11.00 till 16.00 hours. “A” Flight pilots practiced night flying, commencing at 20.00 hours, and continuing until 03.50, 29.3.40, when the weather became very misty. 30.3.40 “B” Flight went to the Forward Base, patrolled the Convoy from 11.00 until 15.30, and returned to DIGBY for Air Firing Practice at SUTTON BRIDGE.“A” Flight also carried out air firing practice, and in the evening commenced a night flying programme. This latter had to be cancelled through low mist which made taking off and landing very hazardous. 31.3.40 14.30 Nine aircraft were flown for an hour in an affiliation with three HAMPDENS, on whom they carried out attacks. The weather was cloudy, and the wind very strong with 50 mph gusts. In the evening the clouds lowered and visibility became very poor, so no night flying was carried out.
April 1940
1.4.40 It is worthy of note that during the month of March the total number of 668 hours 50 minutes were flown by No. 46 Squadron. The number of hours flown by night, 139 hours 35 minutes, creates a record for the Station. 06:25 In showery rain “B” flight went to NORTH COATES, patrolled the convoy all day, and returned to HOME BASE at 15.45 hours. 20.25 Aircraft of “A” Flight represented bombers for searchlight co-operation, whilst other aircraft attempted to intercept by instructions received from the Sector Controller (22.45). Pilot Officer AMBROSE and Pilot Officer MEAKER were this morning posted to the Squadron. 2.4.40 Numerous petrol consumption tests were made. The weather was showery, but there were considerable fine periods. 3.4.40 The weather was dull during the day, with rain in the morning. The evening was fine with 2/10 cloud. “B” Flight night-flew, but were restricted to circuits and landings when mist arose. 4.4.40 06.10 “A” Flight went forward. Weather at NORTH COATES was fine, cloud 7/10 at 2,000 ft., visibility one mile. Convoy patrols were maintained until the flight returned to DIGBY at 20.30 hours. 20.30 Pilots flew in co-operation with searchlight units, whose efforts still leave much to be desired. 5.4.40 10.15 Pilots of “A” Flight practiced air combat in dull weather, cloud 8/10-10/10 at 4-5,000 ft., visibility 2-4 miles. 20.30 Further searchlight co-operation was carried out, but without marked success on the part of the searchlights. The night was black, with no Moon, and many stars. 6.4.40 “A” Flight did numerous practice flights, including a battle climb to 25,000 ft. in sections and interception exercises. “B” Flight continued searchlight co-operation. 7.4.40 09:30 Working from the Forward Base “A” Flight patrolled the Convoy, returning to DIGBY at 18.00 hours. Weather was fair, cloud 10/10 at 2-3,000 ft., visibility 2 miles. 8.4.40 “A” Flight carried out air combat and formation practice. 20.45 In a very black night, with no Moon, and some thick clouds “B” Flight endeavoured to intercept a Hampden bomber, and then continued searchlight co-operation in the usual manner. 9.4.40 09.40 Pilots of “A” Flight were engaged in local flying and Cine gun practice. At night the weather was poor, cloud 10/10 at 1,000 ft., visibility 1,200 yrds., with slight drizzle; consequently night flying was postponed. 10.4.40 11.20 The weather was cloudy, but with fair intervals, visibility 6 miles, improving. “B” Flight were sent to the Forward Base, where weather was fair, cloud 5/10 at 3,000 ft., visibility 6 miles, surface wind 30 mph, and from there carried out convoy patrols until 18.00 hours. 21.00 After an hour’s searchlight co-operation, which had to be postponed owing to bad R.T. reception, circuits and landings were carried out until 01.15 hours 11.4.40. Weather was fine, no haze. 11.4.40 05.55 “B” Flight went to Forward Base, where they were at readiness all day, carried out no patrols, and returned to DIGBY at 20.20 hours. The weather was cloudy, and slowly deteriorated all day. 12.4.40 10.50 “B” Flight pilots did an hour’s formation practice and Cine gun attacks. 14.10 Nine pilots flew to SCAMPTON for exercises with HAMPDEN aircraft. “A” Flight again flew in co-operation with searchlight units. 13.4.40 Sergeant LONSDALE was to-day posted to the squadron. Clouds were 10/10 at 4,000 ft. and visibility 2,000-4,000 yds. Considerable practice flying was done by pilots of both flights. There was no night flying. 14.4.40 “B” Flight did some practice flying, and petrol consumption tests. The weather was fair but cloudy, with visibility 6-12 miles. In the evening clouds lowered to 1,000-2,000 ft. and 10/10, with occasional rain later. 20.40 After a weather test by Squadron Leader CROSS night flying was postponed. |
