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Considerable practice flying was done by “A” Flight, principally in formation and aerobatics. F/O PLUMMER re-joined “A” Flight from “B” Flight; F/SGT WILLIAMS left “A” Flight and joined “B” Flight today. 15.8.40 Local flying was engaged in from dawn until the evening. 12.55 Five aircraft of “A” Flight patrolled first MABLETHORPE and then SPURN. No enemy aircraft were sighted, but thirteen friendly fighters were seen. 14.00 Six aircraft of “B” Flight took over the patrol and remained at 15,000 ft. over ARENA, a convoy comprising in all twenty eight ships. There was a belt of haze between 10,000 and 12,000 ft. 16.8.40 There was no operational flying. Throughout the day local practice flights were made, and F/O AUSTIN, newly posted to the Squadron, had his hour’s experience on Hurricane aircraft. 17.8.40 10.20 F/LT BURNETT and P/O LEFEVRE investigated reports that two aircraft were bombing in the NOTTINGHAM, DERBY district, but no enemy aircraft were seen. 17.05 Red Section were ordered to patrol GRANTHAM at 20,000 ft and were then vectored to BIRMINGHAM to intercept two unidentified aircraft, but although the weather was very good, no interception was obtained. Many local practice flights were made by “A” Flight pilots, and F/O AUSTIN of “B” Flight carried out reconnaissance of the Sector. 18.8.40 Duxford 13.40 The Squadron was ordered to proceed to DUXFORD for lateral reinforcement, and was ordered to patrol NORTH WEALD. Red Section, led by F/LT RABAGLIATI, intercepted enemy aircraft and accounted for one conclusive, two probable, and four were damaged. The Squadron remained at Duxford for the night. 19.8.40 Digby 06.00 The Squadron returned to DIGBY. Ternhill 10.50 “A” Flight were detached to TERNHILL to carry out day readiness in the Western half of the Sector. Essential crews were ferried by two HARROW aircraft, and a road party took necessary equipment and stores. P/O PINCER accompanied the road party as Intelligence Officer and Adjutant. Digby 10.25 Four pilots of “B” Flight flew to SUTTON BRIDGE for air firing. 16.20 A patrol of ninety minutes duration was carried out by Blue Section. 20.8.40 Ternhill 10.30 Several pilots at TERNHILL were engaged in reconnaissance of the Sector for an hour. Two pilots flew to DIGBY to proceed on leave, and one pilot, having returned from leave, flew to TERNHILL from DIGBY. Digby “B” Flight carried out no flying. 21.8.40 Ternhill 06.45 Four pilots flew locally during the morning on Sector reconnaissance. 12.05 Red Section were ordered to patrol base at below the clouds, but no enemy aircraft were seen. Digby 10.25 Beam, and No. 5 attacks were carried out by four pilots of “B” Flight and several pilots practiced cloud flying in formation. 16.40 Green Section went on patrol. 22.8.40 Ternhill Numerous practice flights and reconnaissance were carried out. 10.20 Red Section were ordered to patrol the aerodrome at cloud base and twenty minutes later Yellow Section were vectored away to intercept two bandits, but no enemy aircraft were sighted. Digby 14.55 A section of two aircraft were on patrol for half-an-hour. 15.30 F/O AUSTIN was engaged in 45 minutes attacks on F/LT BURNETT, using Ciné guns. 23.8.40 Ternhill There was some local practice flying at Ternhill. At 14.00 hours P/O AMBROSE was sent to patrol SEALAND, but although visibility was excellent he saw no enemy aircraft. 16.30 P/O LEFEVRE was ordered on patrol, but the order was cancelled almost immediately. 17.45 F/O PLUMMER took off to attempt to locate and shoot down a free barrage balloon. The weather was hazy and he was re-called before sighting the balloon. Digby 07.20 Beam attacks by a section of three aircraft on a fourth were done by “B” Flight. 07.25 One pilot did an hour’s local flying, including aerobatics. 24.8.40 Ternhill The morning was spent in practice flying. 10.35 Two aircraft went on patrol over STAFFORD at 10,000 ft. No enemy aircraft were sighted. Digby 11.40 “B” Flight carried out an hour’s practice attacks, principally No. 5 and beam attacks. 14.30 Again in the afternoon a section was engaged in attack practice, and devoted considerable attention to No. 1 and beam attacks. F/LT BURNETT flew as target. 25.8.40 Ternhill There was no operational flying from TERNHILL although several practice flights were made. Digby 07.40 A “Sergeants’” Section, led by Sgt EDWORTHY patrolled MABLETHORPE at 10,000 ft for an hour. No enemy aircraft were seen. 26.8.40 Ternhill Apart from a patrol of two aircraft to OAKENGATES at 10,000 ft. there is little to record. Digby At DIGBY, too, there were only two flights, of ten minutes duration, when two pilots flew to L1 for night readiness. 27.8.40 Ternhill The morning was occupied with local flying. 16.45 Red Section were ordered to patrol SEALAND at 5,000 ft. Digby The two pilots of “B” Flight returned from L1 after keeping night readiness; tow other pilots returned in the early evening. 18.45 A section was ordered to patrol INNER DOWSING, and this patrol was continued for an hour. 28.8.40 Ternhill The Flight spent the morning carrying out practice attacks on a formation of three ANSONS from No. 10 F.T.S. TERNHILL. After landing at KEMBLE to re-fuel pilots returned to TERNHILL at 13.30 for readiness. A few other flights were made in the afternoon and evening. Digby 18.06 “B” Flight were ordered on patrol. One section to patrol HORNCASTLE and the other DIGBY. HORNCASTLE was patrolled for more than an hour, but the DIGBY patrol was discontinued after ten minutes. 29.8.40 Ternhill and Digby 11.45 “A” Flight flew to DIGBY in order that aircraft could be fitted with “V.H.F.” Six aircraft returned to TERNHILL in the early evening. 10.10 “B” Flight went to TERNHILL to relieve “A” Flight. 13.10 Blue Section were ordered to intercept an “X” raid. This proved to be a WHITLEY, and was escorted to LICHFIELD for identification, where it was found to be friendly. 14.10 Green Section patrolled TERNHILL for 50 minutes. 18.15 “B” Flight returned to DIGBY. 30.8.40 Ternhill 11.35 Yellow Section patrolled CHESTER at 30,000 ft. 14.30 Red Section ordered to patrol SEALAND at 20,000 ft. Yellow were ordered to patrol WARRINGTON at 20,000 ft. Digby 16.20 Blue Section ordered to patrol LOUTH. 18.10 Green Section (two aircraft) ordered to patrol DERBY at 30,000 ft. In all the above cases no enemy aircraft were seen. Ternhill There was some local flying and combat practice during the morning. 31.8.40 Ternhill and Digby 09.25 “A” Flight commenced local flying, and throughout the morning seven pilots flew for about an hour. 13.45 Red Section were ordered to patrol and vector 350˚ at 15,000 ft. The section continued the this patrol for 55 minutes, but no enemy aircraft were sighted. 16.00 Yellow Section were ordered on patrol at 15,000 ft, and vectored 345˚. Two ANSONS were sighted, but no enemy aircraft seen. 18.45 “A” Flight were ordered to return to DIGBY, in order to proceed to NORTH WEALD as soon as possible. Six aircraft returned in the early evening, the remaining two following next morning. During their stay at TERNHILL “A” Flight operated from tents at the edge of the flying field. Considerable difficulty was experienced in taking off and landing since ANSONS and HARVARDS of the F.T.S. were flying and taxying about the aerodrome increasingly. Generally, aircraft took off individually and joined their sections in the air. Although many formation landings were carried out it was, at times, found necessary to land individually. Officers and Senior N.C.O.’s were accommodated in their respective Messes. Airmen, who had brought their own blankets, slept in the principle Lecture Rooms at S.H.Q. with straw-filled paliasses, and were well cared for in the Airmen’s Mess.
September 1940
1.9.40 Digby 10.00 The Squadron left DIGBY and flew to NORTH WEALD, from which Station it was intended to operate for the ensuing month . Ternhill 13.30 Personnel of “A” Flight, who had been operating from TERNHILL, were ferried to STAPLEFORD TAWNEY, the satellite aerodrome of NORTH WEALD, by air. A small road party returned to DIGBY to prepare for the move to STAPLEFORD. Digby Personnel of “B” Flight moved by road to STAPLEFORD. Stapleford The aircraft were flown on to STAPLEFORD from NORTH WEALD and a short patrol was carried out in the ROCHFORD district at 15,000 ft. The aerodrome was found to have a pronounced slope down towards the hangars, there were several ridges running across the ‘drome and the surface was extremely rough. Aircraft were dispersed around a wood, which ran along one edge of the landing field, crews and equipment were housed in Hurricane and Bell tents, and Marquees. There were two corrugated iron huts, and several trenches for protection from blast. A small stream running through the wood was used by airmen for washing purposes. 2.9.40 Stapleford The Squadron were twice ordered to patrol ROCHFORD at 15,000 ft. but no enemy aircraft were seen on either occasion. 16.35 Whilst on patrol enemy aircraft were intercepted and a dog fight ensued. Some damage was inflicted upon the enemy. F/LT RABAGLIATI force landed near SITTINGBOURNE and was uninjured. P/O BAILEY was missing from this patrol.3.9.40 09.55 Thirty JUNKERS 88s flying West in six large vics at 10,000 ft, and escorted by fifty MESSERSCHMITTS 109 and 110 at 22,000 ft. were attacked by the Squadron whilst on patrol over SOUTHEND. P/O LEFEVRE and SUB/LT CARPENTER each claimed the destruction of enemy aircraft, and six other enemy aircraft were damaged by our pilots. Our casualties were as follows. P/O MORGAN GRAY and SGT BLOOR were both obliged to abandon their aircraft and made successful descents by parachute. F/SGT WILLIAMS landed at DEBDEN suffering from shrapnel wounds in the leg, but was able to fly back to STAPLEFORD in the evening. SGT EDWORTHY did not return from this patrol. Two further patrols were carried out by the Squadron at 14.35 and 18.30 hours, but there was no engagement. 4.9.40 09.00 The Squadron patrolled ROCHFORD at 20,000 ft., but no enemy aircraft were seen. 12.45 A second patrol was carried out over ROCHFORD and “A” Flight was attacked from astern by ME 109s which then escaped in the clouds. F/O PLUMMER and P/O AMBROSE bailed out in the vicinity of SOUTHEND, the former was detained in hospital at ROCHFORD, the latter returned to his unit. P/O BARBER force landed at MALDON and sustained fractures of the neck and lower jaw bone. 5.9.40 Two patrols were carried out during the day; on the first no enemy aircraft were sighted, but on the second the Squadron sighted several Me 109s. F/LT RABAGLIATI was flying the four cannon Hurricane, and upon firing at one of the Me 109s it completely disintegrated. P/O JOHNSON and SUB/LIEUT CARPENTER each destroyed a Me 109. 6.9.40 The Squadron carried out three patrols over ROCHFORD during the day. The latter patrol was in conjunction with No. 249 Squadron, but, on each occasion, no enemy aircraft were seen. 7.9.40 17.00 “A” Flight engaged a formation of 18 Do 215s escorted by Me 109s and Me 110s South of the THAMES and over THAMESHAVEN. The Flight attacked the bombers and a dog fight ensued, which resulted in the damage of three enemy aircraft, and the probable destruction of a fourth. Casualties to our personnel were nil, and to aircraft, one category two. 8.9.40 Co-operating with No. 504 Squadron, the Wing sighted 30 Do 215s and an escort of a large number of Me 109s and 110s, flying from 18,000 to 30,000 ft. The bombers were first attacked and the ME’s then came down to join in a dog fight over the ISLE of SHEPPEY. Our casualties were, one pilot missing, SUB.LIEUT CARPENTER , R.N. (A)k, and one, F/LT BURNETT, injured and detained in hospital. Enemy casualties were 2 destroyed, 2 probables, and 5 damaged. 9.9.40 16.45 A single patrol was carried out by the Squadron, working with No. 249 Squadron, over ROCHFORD. No enemy aircraft seen. 10.9.40 The Squadron was released from Operational Flying, for the day, but since the weather was poor, with clouds 10/10 and frequently less than 1,000 ft. No flying was able to be done. 11.9.40 Numerous patrols were made throughout the day in the STAPLEFORD district, in the morning by Sections of two aircraft, and later by Flights. At 15.10 hours the Squadron was ordered to patrol NORTH WEALD in company with No. 504 Squadron. They encountered a large number of Do 215s escorted by ME 109s and ME 110s 10 miles North of DUNGENESS POINT. The bombers were attacked from the beam and the escorting fighters came down to intercept the Hurricanes. A dog fight ensued in which some damage was inflicted upon the enemy. Our casualties were; P/O McGREGOR, who force landed and was detained in hospital; SGT d’HAMALE, who descended by parachute at HURST GREEN, SUSSEX, unhurt; and SGT PEACOCK, who was missing from this patrol. SGT C.A.L. HURRY joined the Squadron as a Pilot, he had lately been serving with No. 43 Squadron. 12.9.40 No patrols were carried out. At 10.50 hours the Squadron was ordered to rendezvous No 249 Squadron. The order was, however, cancelled as soon as the Squadron was airborne, and the aircraft of SGT ANDREW broke formation and spun to the ground. SGT ANDREW, who had been a member of No. 46 Squadron for 17 months, was killed. 14.9.40 Numerous short security patrols were made in the morning by Sections of two aircraft. Commencing at 15.45 hours the Squadron went on patrol for an hour in the vicinity of NORTH WEALD. In none of the foregoing patrols were any enemy aircraft seen. 18.00 At 18.00 hours the Squadron was ordered to rendezvous No. 504 Squadron and proceed to MAIDSTONE at 15,000 ft. Fifty or sixty ME 109s were sighted near BIGGIN HILL at 15-20,000 ft and heading west. We attacked from underneath and a dog fight ensued, with some damage resulting to the ME 109s. All our aircraft returned unhurt. 15.9.40 11.35 In conjunction with No 249 Squadron, the Squadron intercepted a formation of 20 Do 215s over S.E. LONDON at 18,000 ft and escorted by a large number of ME 109s. The Do’s broke formation and attempted to find cover in the clouds. Some of the ME 109s dived down to join in the fight, but most made no attempt whatsoever to assist the bombers. The fight extended from LONDON to DOVER, and considerable damage was inflicted upon the enemy. All our aircraft returned safely. 14.05 The Squadron was ordered to intercept a raid near HORNCHURCH. The main body of the Squadron never saw the enemy, but two members left the formation and engaged several enemy aircraft resulting in the destruction of two bombers. 17.25 A third patrol was carried out over NORTH WEALD with No 249 Squadron but no enemy aircraft were seen. Three pilots reported to the Squadron today, they were P/O W.B. PATULLO, from No 249 Squadron, SGT A.T. GOODERHAM, from No 151 Squadron; and SGT G.W. JEFFERYS, from No 43 Squadron. It is recorded with regret that F/O R.P. PLUMMER died in hospital today, from injuries received on September 4, 1940. |
