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15.4.40 Pilot Officer McGAW was to-day posted to the squadron. Weather was fair with fine periods, cloud 4/10 at 2,000 ft., visibility 3-5 miles. “B” Flight flew to SUTTON BRIDGE for air firing, which was, however, unable to be carried out. 19.15 Pilots flew on courses for interception by searchlights, but again the searchlights (23.15) were quite ineffective. 16.4.40 Weather was fine to fair, cloud 3/10 cumulus at 2,000 ft., visibility 6 miles. 05.15 “B” Flight went to the Forward Base (NORTH COATES) until 14.00 hours. No patrols were ordered and “B” Flight returned to DIGBY. 19.15 Night flying consisted of patrols for searchlight interception. These were postponed at 23.30, when haze began to spread. 17.4.40 10.15 In fine weather with no cloud and excellent visibility six aircraft of “B” Flight did an hour’s aerobatics. 13.30 “A” Flight went to the Forward Base to relieve the readiness squadron. “B” Flight became responsible for the night readiness, and searchlight co-operation was carried out. 18.4.40 Weather was mainly cloudy with visibility 6-8 miles, wind varying from 5 to 25 mph. 10.30 Six aircraft of “A” Flight carried out fighter attacks, in pairs, during which the starboard aileron of L1801 failed, and the machine yawed over in a spiral dive, necessitating the descent by parachute of the pilot, Pilot Officer BANKS, which was successful. 19.4.40 Three pilots of “B” Flight did an hour’s formation practice in very cloudy weather. Visibility varied from 4 to 6 miles, and the wind veered from the N.W. at 15 mph in the morning, to Easterly and calm in the evening. 20.4.40 Weather was very misty at first, with visibility 200 yards. When the mist had cleared (10.40) “A” Flight went to the Forward Base. Practice flying consisted of a climb to 25,000 ft., and formation practice. Visibility improved to 4-9 miles, with cloud 10/10 at 3,000 – 5,000 ft. 21.4.40 In fair but cloudy weather, visibility 4 miles “B” Flight carried out practice attacks. “A” Flight went forward in the afternoon to relieve the readiness squadron, returning at 20.30 hours. The searchlight co-operation carried out by “B” Flight was very successful, aircraft being held in the beam consistently. 22.4.40 08.15 Squadron Leader CROSS, Flight Lieutenant JAMESON, and Flight Lieutenant STEWART flew to REIMS and AUBERIVE via TANGMERE in preparation for the time when the squadron may be required to move to FRANCE. The start was delayed by mist and poor visibility, but weather improved later to fair, with 7/10 high cloud. Weather in FRANCE was perfect, with blue skies and 50 miles visibility. There was no practice night flying, but six aircraft were ordered to patrol to intercept raids at the MOUTH of the HUMBER. Lewis gun fire, and considerable searchlight activity were observed, but no enemy aircraft were seen. 23.4.40 Weather was cloudy, visibility 2,000-4,000 yards. Several aircraft tests were made, and three pilots of “A” Flight did formation air drill. 15.00 Squadron Leader CROSS, Flight Lieutenant JAMESON, and Flight Lieutenant STEWART, returned from FRANCE. 24.4.40 10.30 The squadron was, this morning, released from operational flying until further notice, pending its departure to FRANCE. The weather was fair at first, visibility 4 miles, but clouds lowered later in rain with visibility less than 1,000 yards.
The Norwegian Campaign
26.4.40 15.00 S/L CROSS left for EVANTON at 15.00 hours 26.4.40 on receipt of a signal from Fighter Command, ordering him to proceed there, thence to go by Sunderland or long-nosed Blenheim to ANDALSNES, Norway, to report on the aerodrome there, particularly with regard to the operation of Hurricanes from it. S/L CROSS reached Kintore, Aberdeen, and was forced to land owing to thick fog. He proceeded to Evanton by car and then to Invergordon, arriving at 23.00 hours, but was unable to leave because of thick fog. S/L CROSS left by Sunderland at 12.30 hours on 27.4.40 and arrived at ANDALSNES at 20.00 hours, having been delayed by enemy action in the form of bombing by Heinkels 111(k). S/L CROSS inspected the landing ground and returned to the Sunderland flying boat at 02.00 hours on 28.4.40, left for the Shetlands at 03.00 hours and arrived at 07.00 hours. He left for Invergordon at 10.00 hours, arriving at 13.30 hours, went by car to Dyce and the following day flew to Acklington, but was forced to continue his journey to Air Ministry by train owing to bad weather. He returned to Digby at 19.00 hours on the 30.4.40
May 1940
1.5.40 14.00 Six aircraft practiced “rumble” landings, i.e. landings with the engine. 2.5.40 10.00 Aircraft again practiced “rumble” landings. 3.5.40 09.15 Three Hurricane aircraft were flown to PRESTWICK so that Fleet Air Arm Pilots could make tests for landing on an Aircraft Carrier. 5.5.40 P/O DRUMMOND flew to PRESTWICK with Magister. The establishment of the Squadron was increased by approximately 120 in preparation for the movement overseas. 6.5.40 Prestwick 11.00 F/O COWLES and Sgt TAYLOR flew from PRESTWICK to DIGBY in a Magister. Digby 11.30 Sgt EDWORTHY flew to PRESTWICK with a replacement for the Hurricane damaged in tests. 7.5.40 Prestwick 10.30 P/O DRUMMOND, F/Sgt SHACKLEY and Sgt EDWORTHY set off to return to DIGBY via the coast. Clouds descended to 100 ft. at STRANRAER necessitating their return to PRESTWICK. 8.5.40 Prestwick 10.15 P/O DRUMMOND, F/Sgt SHACKLEY and Sgt EDWORTHY again left for DIGBY. The two first mentioned pilots arrived, but Sgt EDWORTHY encountered bad weather and landed at SILLOTH, from whence he later flew to DIGBY via BLACKPOOL, SEALAND and TERNHILL. 9.5.40 Digby 14.40 The Squadron left as a formation of 18 aircraft for ABBOTSINCH, and arrived at 16.00 hrs., having flown above cloud for the majority of the journey. 10.5.40 Abbotsinch Aircraft were taxied through fields to Messrs. Blackburn’s Wharf at ABBOTSINCH, and were hoisted on to lighters, taken 20 miles down the river Clyde to GREENOCK, where H.M.S. GLORIOUS was berthed. After some difficulty (owing to the overhang of the Hurricanes’ wings) they were brought alongside. Eight Hurricanes were loaded that day. 11.5.40 Greenock Remainder of the aircraft hoisted aboard the “GLORIOUS” without incident. 12.5.40 Greenock 13.00 H.M.S. Glorious containing the C.O., 17 pilots and 18 Hurricanes of 46 Squadron, put to sea, but returned in the evening on receipt of a signal from the Admiralty. Digby 20.00 The advance party of 46 Squadron left DIGBY for GLASGOW. 13.5.40 Glasgow The advance party embarked in M.V. BATORY from GLASGOW. 14.5.40 Greenock H.M.S. GLORIOUS sailed from GREENOCK in company with H.M.S. FURIOUS, containing No. 263 Squadron, R.A.F., escorted by four destroyers. 15.5.40 to 17.5.40 At sea en route for NORWAY. 17.5.40 Harstad, Norway Advance party arrived at HARSTAD, NORWAY. 18.5.40 Skaanland, Norway Advance party arrived at SKAANLAND landing strip, 16 miles South of HARSTAD. 21.5.40 Signal received on H.M.S. GLORIOUS that SKAANLAND could not receive 46 Squadron aircraft until May 26, so after disembarking No. 263 Squadron, in very bad weather, from H.M.S. FURIOUS, the aircraft carriers and their escort returned to SCAPA FLOW. 23.5.40 Scapa Flow Arrived at SCAPA FLOW. The officers of No. 46 Squadron were the guests at dinner of the Ward Room, H.M.S. GLORIOUS. 24.5.40 Scapa Flow H.M.S. GLORIOUS refuelling until 12.00 hours., when she sailed in a thick fog. 25.5.40 The rear party left DIGBY and arrived at GLASGOW at 21.00 hrs. 26.5.40 H.M.S. GLORIOUS reached a position 40 miles off the Norwegian Coast and 100 miles North of Skaanland. On receipt of a signal saying that SKAANLAND was ready to receive 46 Squadron, the first six Hurricanes were ranged on deck. Owing to the flying-off deck having a ramp at the forward end, there was some doubt whether the aircraft would be airborne by the time they reached the top, as, according to the figures produced by the Air Ministry, 272 ft. were required for take off, provided a 30 knot wind was obtained. Unfortunately a flat calm prevailed at the time but thanks to the Captain and the Commander Engineer, almost 30 knots was obtained over the deck. The first take off was carried out by the Squadron Commander and proved quite successful, the Hurricane taking off easily just before the top of the ramp. All 18 aircraft were flown off successfully. The first flight landed at SKAANLAND at 21.30 hrs. and one accident occurred owing to the soft surface of the aerodrome. On the arrival of the second flight another accident occurred for the same reason and the decision was then made to send the remaining aircraft to BARDUFOSS, 60 miles North. Orders were given to this effect to aircraft by R/T from aircraft on the ground. These aircraft arrived safely at BARDUFOSS. 26.5.40 Gourock, Scotland The rear party embarked on the M.V. ROYAL SCOTSMAN. 27.5.40 Skaanland 07.20 A patrol consisting of S/L CROSS, F/O FROST and P/O BUNKER took off at 07.20 hrs. to intercept 3 He.III’s approaching the aerodrome. The enemy formation was sighted but as they were going away from the landing ground they were not engaged, orders having been received that aircraft were not to be attacked unless SKAANLAND itself were attacked. One aircraft crashed on landing from this patrol and permission was asked for 46 Squadron to evacuate SKAANLAND until such time as the aerodrome surface should prove suitable. This permission was received and by 18.00 hrs. all serviceable aircraft (15) had arrived at BARDUFOSS. Bardufoss 19.30 At 19.30 the first patrol over NARVIK was carried out by a section of three aircraft led by the Squadron Commander and patrols were maintained until 04.15 /28th when fog covered the aerodrome and the eighth returning patrol was fortunate in having half the runway clear to land. During these patrols, carried out at 18,000 ft. a very fine view of the attack by Naval vessels and land forces was obtained. At one time as many as seven large fires were seen in NARVIK town and ten at ANKENES on the side VEISSFJORD. A column of smoke reached a height of 7,000 ft. 28.5.40 Gourock, Scotland 03.00 The rear party sailed in the M.V. ROYAL SCOTSMAN with an escort of two destroyers. 28.5.40 Bardufoss 09.15 Patrols were resumed by the same pilots, who had no sleep for two nights, and at approximately 11.00 hours F/O LYDALL shot down a Ju.88 over OBOTFJORD. Later, F/L JAMESON, F/O KNIGHT and P/O JOHNSON destroyed two four-engined flying boats on the surface of ROMBAKSFJORD. 29.5.40 Bardufoss Patrols maintained over the NARVIK area. At 00.40 hrs, F/L JAMESON shot down a Ju.88. P/O DRUMMOND missing from this patrol. Later a message arrived from H.M.S. FIREDRAKE saying that P/O DRUMMOND had descended by parachute and had been picked up by them. “Firedrake” confirmed the destruction of a Ju.88 by F/L JAMESON and also that DRUMMOND had shot down a He.III which crashed in the Fjord close by. DRUMMOND’s aircraft had been set on fire by return fire. 15.40 In the afternoon P/O BANKS shot down a four-engined Junkers which was bombing TROMSO. In the evening 26 enemy aircraft approached VESTFJORD from the South and split up into formations of five aircraft. Nine 46 Squadron aircraft were on patrol at the time and in subsequent encounters with superior forces F/O LYDALL and P/O BANKS were shot down and killed. F/Sgt SHACKLEY shot down one Ju.88 and two more enemy aircraft were destroyed, probably by forces F/O LYDALL and P/O BANKS. 30.5.40 Bardufoss Patrols were stopped owing to weather. 31.5.40 Bardufoss Patrols over HARSTAD and SKAANLAND maintained. Three patrols sent at 23.45 to cover the evacuation of BODO by British Forces. Harstad The rear party arrived at HARSTAD.
June 1940
1.6.40 Bardufoss Very bad weather. Three patrols carried out over HARSTAD. 2.6.40 Very bad weather at first, improving later. P/O DRUMMOND and Sgt TAYLOR on patrol over NARVIK saw two Ju.87’s attacking a destroyer by dive bombing. They attacked, and the 87’s separated and made off, twisting and turning. The pilots waited for their chance and shot them down South East of NARVIK. The rear gunner of the Ju.87 that DRUMMOND attacked used the rear gun after this aircraft had crashed. F/O FROST and Sgt TYRER chased a Ju.87 and severely damaged it before it dived into the clouds. FROST’s windscreen was hit by a bullet which splintered it, but did not penetrate. F/Sgt SHACKLEY and P/O BUNKER engaged five Me.110’s without result. The 110’s on sighting our aircraft formed line astern and then went into a circle. Each time our aircraft joined in, two more would get on their tails. After a time the 110’s went off South, easily out-distancing our aircraft. F/Sgt SHACKLEY tried a long distance shot. 3.6.40 Weather bad. Two patrols attempted but not completed. Officers of the 6th Battalion Chasseurs Alpin dined with 46 Squadron. 4.6.40 Bardufoss Seven patrols carried out over SKAANLAND, HARSTAD and NARVIK. 50 men of 46 Squadron including P/O WESTCOTT and 3 Warrant Officers left at 03.00 for an unknown destination, carrying only marching order kit; and at 20.00 F/L PEOCK left with a further 29 men. Scapa Flow The rear party arrived at SCAPA FLOW from Norway. 5.6.40 Patrols carried out over NARVIK and HARSTAD. Squadron Leader CROSS went by Walrus to H.M.S. ARK ROYAL and H.M.S. GLORIOUS to make arrangements in secret for the flying on of 46 Squadron in the event of evacuation from Norway. Returned same day. 6.6.40 Patrols carried out over NARVIK, SKAANLAND, LODINGEN and HARSTAD. Two aircraft provided an escort for 5 Walruses bombing in the neighbourhood of NORFOLD. 7.6.40 S/L CROSS and P/O LEFEVRE engaged four He.IIIk’s over BARDUFOSS with unknown results. F/O KNIGHT and P/O DRUMMOND engaged 3 He.IIIk’s over NARVIK. Result unknown. Pilots were warned that they would have to evacuate Norway that night, and volunteers were asked to fly on to H.M.S. GLORIOUS. 100% volunteered. Tests were carried out with extra weight in the tail of the Hurricanes. At 18.00 F/L JAMESON, F/O KNIGHT, and Sgt TAYLOR took off for H.M.S. GLORIOUS, and landed successfully. At 18.10 and 18.15 F/O MEE and P/O DRUMMOND returned from a patrol over NARVIK, during which they had engaged 4 He.III’s. Each pilot claimed to have shot down one enemy aircraft, and P/O DRUMMOND attacked and damaged the other two. 8.6.40 S/L CROSS, F/L STEWART, F/O’s COWLES, FROST, and MEE, P/O BUNKER and F/Sgt SHACKLEY took off for H.M.S. GLORIOUS from BARDUFOSS. The remainder of the officers and men embarked on the M.V. ARANDORA STAR. 9.6.40 H.M.S. GLORIOUS, containing the Commanding Officer, nine pilots and ten Hurricanes of No. 46 Squadron, was sunk by a section of the German Fleet. S/L CROSS and F/L JAMESON were rescued some three days later from rafts and taken to the Faroe Isles. 10.6.40 Gourock, Scotland Officers and men who had embarked on H.M.S. VINDICTIVE on June 5, disembarked at GOUROCK, and proceeded to DUNFERMLINE. 11.6.40 Glasgow Officers and men who had embarked on the S.S. MONARCH of BERMUDA on June 6, disembarked at GLASGOW. The rear party disembarked at ABERDEEN and proceeded to DUNFERMLINE. 12.6.40 Dunfermline and Glasgow The above personnel of 46 Squadron entrained for DIGBY, arriving there on the morning of June 13. |
