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16.9.40 Apart from a single patrol over NORTH WEALD at 20,000 ft for ninety minutes there is no flying to record. No information has come to light to explain the non-return of P/O J.C. BAILEY, missing since September 2nd and he must therefore be regarded as killed. 17.9.40 Three patrols were ordered during the morning but nothing of incident occurred. A patrol was carried out by the Wing for the duration of an hour in the vicinity of the base, but no enemy aircraft were sighted. There were three new pilots joined the Squadron, P/O K. MRAZEK, A Czech pilot from 43 Squadron; SGT J.P MORRISON from 43 Squadron; and SGT R.F. SELLERS from 111 Squadron. SGT EDWORTHY, who has now been missing for 14 days, must be regarded as killed. 18.9.40 Four patrols were carried out, each one as a Wing with No 249 Squadron. 12.20 On the mid-day patrol approximately 15 DORNIER 215s with fighter escort were sighted South of the Thames Estuary flying at 18,000 ft. No 249 Squadron were leading and a head-on attack was made, which broke up the formation. Some damage was inflicted on the enemy, and three of our pilots were obliged to bale out. P/O LEFEVRE and SGT HURRY escaped with burns and minor injuries. SGT JEFFERYS attempted a parachute descent, it is believed that his parachute failed to open, and he was killed. 19.9.40 Throughout the day the weather was bad with 10/10 low clouds and poor visibility. There was no flying. 20.9.40 10.45 The Squadron patrolled CHELMSFORD at 15,000 ft in company with 504 Squadron but no enemy aircraft were seen. A further patrol was carried out by two aircraft at 3,000 ft over STAPLEFORD. 21.9.40 18.00 Only one patrol was carried out, in the company of No 249 Squadron over the Estuary of the THAMES for ninety minutes duration. No enemy aircraft were seen. 22.9.40 11.20 A short security patrol was carried out by two aircraft over the base at 20,000 ft. The weather was overcast with 10/10 clouds at 1500 ft. and below. During the afternoon a JUNKERS 88 crossed the ‘drome at cloud base, and flying quite fast. Several aircraft of “A” Flight took off in pursuit to try to affect an interception but were unsuccessful. SUB LIEUT CARPENTER must now be regarded as killed. He was missing from patrol on September 8, 1940. 23.9.40 09.25 A single patrol was carried out by the Wing, comprising 46 and 249 Squadrons over NORTH WEALD at 20,000 ft. No enemy were sighted and after ninety minutes the patrol was abandoned. Maintenance and Headquarters Flight of 46 Squadron were detached from DIGBY to STAPLEFORD. 24.9.40 10.00 P/O AMBROSE was ordered on Security Patrol between ROCHFORD, BRADWELL and MANSTON. He patrolled for an hour without sighting any enemy aircraft. Late in the morning the Squadron patrolled ROCHFORD at 25,000 ft., but did not sight the enemy. 25.9.40 08.45 Again the Squadron patrolled ROCHFORD for an hour’s duration at 15,000 ft. 13.10 A Security patrol was carried out by a single aircraft. Nothing of interest was observed. SGT PEACOCK has been missing from patrol for 14 days, and must now be regarded as killed. 26.9.40 Several security patrols were carried out by the Squadron. Two sections of two aircraft made short patrols in the morning, and in the afternoon a single aircraft patrolled for two hours. No enemy aircraft were sighted. 27.9.40 The Squadron was today thrice in action . 08.50 The morning commenced with fog which cleared away slowly. At 08.50 the Squadron was ordered to patrol NORTH WEALD at 10,000 ft. Visibility was only 700 yards and the Squadron took off singly, and in pairs and joined NO 249 Squadron, who were to lead. Twenty ME 110s were sighted in a defensive circle, and a dog fight ensued. The Squadron claimed 4 destroyed, 1 probable and 1 damaged. All our aircraft returned safely. 12.50 A patrol was ordered over ROCHFORD at 15,000 ft in conjunction with No 249 Squadron. A number of Me 109s were engaged and one of them destroyed. One of our aircraft force landed with a bullet in the engine, pilot unhurt. 14.50 In company with No 249 Squadron, the HORNCHURCH line was patrolled at 20,000 ft. and a number of Ju 88’s were intercepted together with their escort of Me 109s and 110s. One Ju 88 was certainly destroyed by F/L RABAGLIATI and others were damaged severely. Our casualties to aircraft and pilots were nil. 28.9.40 Two patrols were carried out by the Squadron and on each occasion no enemy aircraft were sighted. On the first DOVER was patrolled, and then MAIDSTONE. Clouds were 4/10 cumulus from 3-4,000 ft. Both patrols were carried out in co-operation with No. 249 Squadron. 29.9.40 16.20 A patrol was carried out in the vicinity of MAIDSTONE. Clouds were 10/10 from 2,000–4,000 ft. No enemy aircraft were seen. 18.20 Two aircraft were ordered to patrol WEST MERSEA at 10,000 ft and were vectored on a course of 080˚ at 12,000 ft. Clouds were 10/10 from 1,000-8,000 ft. No enemy aircraft were sighted. 30.9.40 The Squadron were three times ordered to patrol in the vicinity of HORNCHURCH at 20,000 ft. Several ME 109’s were seen on the first patrol and a smoke trail on the third but no interceptions were made.
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