70 Years ago from the Archives - August 1944

Wing Commander J. Butterworth remains the Station Commander for R.A.F. Station Harrowbeer and signed the Station Operation Record Book for the month of August.

Visitors to R.A.F. Harrowbeer included:-

          ?    ?    ?    ?  -  Air Officer Commanding No.10 Group

          His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall

          Group Captain Hope  -  Sector Commander for R.A.F. Exeter

Weather

          2nd August     Bad weather today making it a no flying day.

          3rd August     Another day of inactivity due to the very low cloud which seems to be a frequent occurrence at R.A.F. Harrowbeer.

          7th August    The weather has improved slightly making it a beautiful day.

          9th August     The good weather continues which is enjoyed by all personnel. pilots and ground crew especially.

          10th August     Today turned out to be a day of varied weather.  The day started with a good old R.A.F. Harrowbeer mist and then it eventually slowly improved towards the evening when there was some strong sunshine.

          12th August     The early part of the morning was really bad, but gradually improved as the day progressed.

          17th August     The weather conditions today were not at all favourable for flying and by the evening it had clamped down completely.

          18th August     The bad weather continues all day.

          19th August     The weather was fitful all day, there were storms for most of the time.

          20th August     More rainstorms throughout the day.

          21st August     The weather is still very unreliable and towards the evening there were terrific cross-winds making flying impossible.

          22nd August     The weather today is much worse than usual.

          29th August     Another day of bad weather during which the aircraft were unable to move off the ground.

          30th August     Today began with bad weather which gradually improved later on in the day.

          1st August     No 126 Squadron and No.64 Squadron were led by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson  DFC and Bar to escort Mosquito aircraft in an attack on an oil storage unit at Angers ( No.10 Group Ramrod No.161 ).  The bombing was inaccurate but the Wing had considerable success afterwards.  The following targets were attacked and sustained various degrees of damage :- 30 - 40 railway trucks,  1 - lorry,  1 - camouflaged staff car,  5 - large camouflaged luxury type buses,  1  camouflaged van and 20 - 30 soldiers.  Ian addition Wing Commander Bird-Wilson shot down an ME 109 enemy aircraft following a tree to chase, the pilot baling out safely.  A No.64 Squadron pilot also shot down an ME 109 enemy aircraft in the same area, the pilot baled out but hit the ground before his parachute could open.          Warrant Officer L. Hinton ( R.A.A.F. ) of No.126 Squadron was returning alone across the English Channel when he crashed his aircraft near Totnes and was killed.          A section of No.126 Squadron was scrambled to assist a Lysander aircraft with a u/s radio transmitter to land at R.A.F. Winkleigh in foggy conditions.

          4th August     Twenty four Spitfire aircraft of No.64 Squadron and No.126 Squadron led by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson provided an uneventful withdrawal cover to bomber aircraft on No.11 Group Ramrod No.160.

          5th August     Twenty four Spitfire aircraft of the Harrowbeer Wing led by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson escorted Lancaster aircraft on No.10 Group Ramrod No.162.  The bombing was well concentrated.  On the return journey a Radar Station to the north of Lanmeur was attacked and left smoking.  Near to Ladivisia four military cars ( one towing a trailer ) were also attacked, three of these and the trailer burst into flames.  The other car was damaged and 10 - 12 men got out and took cover in a ditch which was strafed, but unobserved.  A heavy armoured trailer was attacked by a section of No.64 Squadron and left smoking.  Flak was intense in the area, Flying Officer Thorpe was hit and had to bale out of his aircraft and was eventually picked up by a Walrus aircraft uninjured.  On this operation Flight Lieutenant Meharry was last seen just before the attack and is reported missing.          Ramrod No.163 was carried out by twenty four Spitfire aircraft of No.126 and No.64 Squadron who were to act as withdrawal escort to bomber aircraft.

                           No.64  Squadron  information  from  other  sources :-

                                       From  the  Archivist  -  Michael  Hayes

          5th August     Flight Lieutenant Henry Joseph Meharry  R.N.Z.A.F.,  Service No.41992 was only twenty seven years old when he lost his live whilst on Ramrod No.162.          Before joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force Flight Lieutenant Meharry lived at home with his family in Reefton, Nelson, New Zealand.

Flight Lieutenant Henry Meharry is buried in the Hottot-Les-Bagues  War  Cemetery, France.     Plot 1.  A.  2.                         May  he  rest  in  peace.

          6th August     No.10 Group Rodeo No.193 was carried out by No.126 Squadron and No.64 Squadron acting as second and third fighter sweeps.          No.126 Squadron attacked and claimed as damaged :- 10 - railway trucks,  5 or 6 tankers and 2 locomotives.  No.64 Squadron attacked and damaged some thirty goods trucks apparently loaded with wood.  Some military motor transport was spotted in a wood, this was attacked by the Squadron resulting in a violent petrol fire.  Flight Lieutenant Gurr ( R.C.A.F. ) of No.64 Squadron made a successful forced landing due to mechanical trouble ten miles from Mont St. Michel.        ( R.A.F. Harrowbeer has since learnt that he is back safe and uninjured ).          No.10 Group Ramrod No.165 was carried out by Lancaster Bomber aircraft which attacked the U - boat pens at Lorient.  The bombing was concentrated.  Twenty three Spitfire aircraft of the Harrowbeer Wing carried out an uneventful escort to these bombers.

          7th August     Twenty Spitfire aircraft of No.126 and No.64 Squadron led by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson repeated the operation of the 6th August by acting as rear escort to Lancaster Bomber aircraft which were attacking Lorient in No.10 Group Ramrod No.166.  The attack was not carried out and the bombs were jettisoned into the sea.

          8th August     Nine Spitfire aircraft of No.64 Squadron operating from R.A.F. Tangmere on No.10 Group Rodeo No.198 attacked a motor transport convoy consisting of fifteen hundredweight lorries led by a despatch rider with a large blue limousine in the centre.  In addition approximately seventy to eighty railway goods trucks were damaged and a locomotive was set on fire.          Nine Spitfire aircraft of No.126 Squadron took off from R.A.F. Manston on No.10 Group Rodeo No.197 and claimed one staff car destroyed and one damaged, ten barges Cat. III, four locomotives Cat. B and one medium tank damaged.          No.838 Fleet Air Arm Squadron left R.A.F. Harrowbeer today.

          9th August     Twenty one Spitfire aircraft of No.64 Squadron and No.126 Squadron led by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson acted as withdrawal cover to Lancaster Bomber aircraft and Mosquito aircraft attacking Pallice.  The operation was successful.

          12th August     No.10 Group Ramrod No.170 was carried out successfully by twenty two Spitfire aircraft of the Harrowbeer Wing led by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson to escort Mosquito aircraft attacking a tank repair factory to the east of Bazancourt where intense activity had been noticed.  The bombing results were very good and on the return journey our Spitfire aircraft attacked and damaged a staff car and fifty two barges.

          13th August     Twenty four Spitfire aircraft led by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson operated from R.A.F. Tangmere on No.10 Group Rodeo No.200 to the south of Soissons.  The formation found and damaged three trains, three locomotives and twelve railway goods wagons.  In addition forty three barges and one small motor vessel of about one hundred tons and three small vehicles were damaged and one lorry destroyed.          Today the Air Officer Commanding No.10 Group visited the Station.

          14th August     This was the most outstanding day of the month for operational results.  In the afternoon twenty four Spitfire aircraft moved up to R.A.F. Tangmere where they flew as three Squadrons of eight aircraft each on No.10 Group Rodeo No.202.  The Squadron that was led by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson attacked a DO 217 enemy aircraft on the ground which was being dismantled or repaired, it is considered that after the attack it would be more impossible to repair the DO 217 and is therefore claimed as destroyed.          The Squadron that was led by Squadron Leader Plagis ( all  happened to be from No.126 Squadron ) were lucky enough to bounce ten enemy aircraft that were about to land with the following results :- 3 - FW 190 enemy aircraft destroyed,  3 - ME 109 enemy aircraft destroyed,  1 - ME 109 probably destroyed and 1 - ME 109 plus 2 - half ME 109's damaged.  All our aircraft returned safely to base.

         15th August     Twenty five Spitfire aircraft of the Wing operated from R.A.F. Manston on No.11 Group Ramrod No.203 escorting one hundred Lancaster Bomber aircraft on a bombing raid to Le Culot Airfield.  The bombs were seen to burst in the target area but the escort was uneventful.

          16th August     Four Spitfire aircraft from No.64 Squadron gave penetrative cover in the afternoon to a pathfinder force of Lancaster Bomber aircraft in an attack on La Pallice.  A little later eight other aircraft of No.64 Squadron took off as penetration cover to the main body of sixty four Lancaster Bomber aircraft.  This was No.10 Group Ramrod No.179.  All the bomber aircraft were twenty minutes late at the rendezvous point.  Later eleven Spitfire aircraft of No.126 Squadron provided withdrawal cover to the same Lancaster Bomber aircraft who were again late, with the result that our aircraft were obliged  to land at Rennes Airfield to spend the night,  They patrolled the rendezvous point for twenty eight minutes without seeing the bombers.

          19th August     His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester arrived from R.A.F. Mount Batten by car and was met by the Air Officer Commanding No.10 Group, the Sector and Station Commanders.  His Royal Highness took off at 1721 hours for Polebrook.

          23rd August     Twenty four Spitfire aircraft of the Harrowbeer Wing ( twelve from No.64 Squadron and twelve from No.126 Squadron ) moved up to R.A.F. Manston to carry out two sweeps in No.10 Group Rodeo No.204/  The following results were achieved :-  2 - lorries destroyed,  1 - troop laden lorry damaged,  2 - staff cars damaged,  1 - steam yatch damaged and 87 barges damaged.  The sweep also found four JU 88 enemy aircraft at a satellite airfield to the west of Arras and claimed all four were damaged on the ground along with an unidentified twin-engined aircraft.  As the formations were returning to R.A.F. Manston a " Diver " ( VI pilot-less flying bomb, Doodle-bug ) was seen ten miles to the east of base.  Flying Officer Flinterman of No.126 Squadron followed a Hawker Tempest aircraft in to attack it.  The " diver " was seen to dive and blow up in a wood to the south west of Canterbury.  Flying Officer Flinterman is therefore claiming half a flying bomb destroyed.

          26th August  Twenty four Spitfire aircraft flew to R.A.F. Bradwell Bay to carry out No.11 Group Ramrod No.234.  The Squadron each carried out a sweep with the following results :- No.64 Squadron  =  4 - lorries destroyed,  2 - lorries probably destroyed,  9 - lorries damaged,  1 - motor cycle destroyed,  16 - railway trucks damaged and 1 - bowser destroyed.        No.126 Squadron  =  7 - lorries destroyed,  3 - lorries probably destroyed,  3 - lorries damaged,  1 - electric train damaged and 2 - locomotives Cat. B.          During this operation Flying Officer Schmitz ( Belgium ) of No.64 Squadron was seen to hit a house which resulted in his aircraft crashing and bursting into flames.  Flying Officer Smiley of No.64 Squadron was hit in the windscreen by a rifle bullet ad baled out, he was later rescued unhurt by the Air Sea Rescue service.

                           No.64 Squadron  information from  other  sources :-

                                       From the Archivist  -  Michael  Hayes

          26th August     Flying Officer Claude Alain Marie Schmitz,  R.A.F.V.R.,  Service No.129053 was twenty four years old when he died.          He was born and lived in Brussels, Belgium before joining the Royal Air Force as a Voluntary Reserve.          

 He died while taking an active part in Ramrod No.234.          Flying Officer Schmitz is buried in Borre British Cemetery, France.   Plot 2, Row J,  Grave 5.

                                                  May  he  rest  in  peace.

          27th August     Thirty two Spitfire aircraft of No.64 Squadron, No.126 Squadron and No.611 Squadron took off from R.A.F. Lympne on No.11 Group Ramrod No.236 and provided target cover on an attack on Eindhoven.  The operation was uneventful.

          29th August     A Dakota aircraft completely lost and running short of petrol on returning from France was contacted and safely brought back to base.

          30th August     Group Captain Hope visited the Station to say goodbye to Wing Commander Bird-Wilson and the pilots of No.64 and No.126 Squadrons.  The Wing took off and after a last formation fly-over set course for their new Station, R.A.F. Bradwell Bay.  A very sad day for all, but our best wishes went with the Wing which gave the Station a fighting finish.

          31st August     R.A.F. Harrowbeer was ordered to a ' Care and Maintenance Base ' with effect from 1st September 1944.

          This is the last sheet which will be compiled from this Station which certainly did not come to a lingering end.  The history of this Station proves that it has more than justified it's existence.  It is lifting that at the end the Station will not be " an unconscionable long time dying ".

Appendix  ' A '

                                      Sports,  etc.               August  1944

          During this month the swimming pool at the Moorland Link Hotel was put in commission again.  As this coincided with a spell of hot weather extensive use was made of the pool by the Station personnel and several periods of dinghy practice / drill were put in by the air crew.

          A regular scheme of P.T. for the " Air Mountain Rescue Station " was initiated and was well supported on a voluntary basis by thirty to fifty members of the service including the Senior Medical Officer.

          A strong and go ahead committee was an operation in the organisation for the forthcoming soccer season and plans are well laid for a successful season in co-operation with the Plymouth Combination League.

          The plans for marking out spare ground near the Gymnasium was proceeded with and these included the laying out of a nine hole putting green with courts also for volley ball and clock tennis.  Some interest has been shown in soft-ball and it is hoped to form a team, well packed with Canadians from their Squadrons.

          These plans and those for the close of the Summer season were interfered with constantly by unsettled weather, postings and finally the closure of the Station.

          Active interest in fitness and sport were maintained by a large percentage of personnel over this period and the advent of the Autumn and Winter seasons appeared to be attracting greater numbers.  They will now have to seek an outlet for their energies elsewhere.

         Entertainment     This reached a peak in August as the whole entertainment organisation for the Station was well settled and running smoothly.

          Cinema     Shows took place on four nights each week.

          Weekly dances were revived under a reconstituted though much reduced band.

          Between £3.00 and £4.00 per week was raised for National Savings by the Whist Drive organised by keen helpers of the N.A.A.F.I.

          The music circle continued to be attended by a regular clientele numbering between twenty five and thirty each week.

          In addition to E.N.S.A.  shows now i the " red " category which was presented fortnightly in the theatre, the building was also used during August for the concert given by A.D.G.B.  Military Band and a Southern Command Army Concert Party.

         Altogether during this month there has not been a single night when some form of entertainment was not available on the Station.

                                                                                                            Unsigned

                                         Station  Sick  Quarters  -  Form  540 

          1st August     Strength of Station :-     R.A.F.  =  824      W.A.A.F.  =  271      Army  =  136      A.T.S.  =  18      Naval  =  179

          4th August     Number of patients admitted to the S.S.Q. and Hospital for week-ending today :-     R.A.F.  =  12      W.A.A.F.  =  5      Naval  =  1      Army  =  1

          11th  August     Number of patients admitted to the S.S.Q. and Hospital for week-ending today :-      R.A.F.  =  10      W.A.A.F.  =  5      Naval  =  1      Army  = 1

          18th August     Number of patients admitted to the S.S.Q. and Hospital for week-ending today :-      R.A.F.  =  4      W.A.A.F.  =  4      Naval  =  1

          25th August     Number of patients admitted to the S.S.Q. and Hospital for week-ending today :-      R.A.F.  =  5      W.A.A.F.  =  4     Army  =  1

  The Form 540 for the Station Sick Quarters for the month of August was signed by :-

                                                                                                      Little.

No.64 Squadron :-

          1st August     Up until mid-afternoon the Squadron spent an enormous amount of time on a programme of air-firing.          The Harrowbeer Wing took off at 1515 hours to escort Mosquito aircraft who were to bomb a target at Bouchmaine near Angers.  The bombing was inaccurate but some of our aircraft strafed the target with good results, smoke and flames were seen in the area.  Over an airfield near Chomptose to the west of Angers, Wing Commander Bird-Wilson  DFC  and Bar destroyed an ME 109 enemy aircraft.  The enemy aircraft was first seen heading for the airfield at zero feet.  It was chased across the airfield through flak and the pilot was later seen to bale out.  Some of the other pilots saw the ME 109 hit the ground and burst into flames.  On the return flight six of our aircraft landed back at base at 1745 hours and two at 1815 hours.

          2nd and 3rd August     Two days of no flying due to bad weather conditions.  The Squadron spent both days on aircraft recognition various forms of training and watching combat films.

          4th August     Today the Harrowbeer Wing entered what they believe will be a new phase in it's activities.  Owing to the brilliant success of the Americans on the Brest Peninsular the days of long range Rhubarbs are obviously over.         No.64 Squadron spent the morning wondering what their next operation would be.  The afternoon was spent on dinghy drill.           At 1740 hours the Wing was ordered to provide withdrawal cover to two hundred and fifty Lancaster Bomber aircraft which were returning from a bombing mission in the Bordeaux area.  The escort was uneventful for the Squadron aircraft but they did encounter some very interesting sights on the ground.  The airfield at Vannes was seen to be in flames as were several places along the coast to the west of St. Brieux.  Transport columns were observed and investigated en-route but all turned out to be American.  Four ships were investigated in Lezardrieux comprising two small ones and two of about five hundred tons in size which put up a terrific barrage which discouraged our aircraft from taking any further action.  The Wing returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer after the operation, landing at 2045 hours.

          5th August     During the morning between 1045 hours and 1315 hours the Harrowbeer Wing were ordered to escort Lancaster Bomber aircraft which were to bomb the U-boat pens at Brest.  All went according to plan and the bombing was accurate and concentrated.  The No.64 Squadron section of the Spitfire aircraft escort strafed various ground targets on the return journey.  Four Spitfire aircraft attacked four military cars and a small trailer near Landivisian. Tree of the cars burst into flames and the other was seriously damaged.  Troops who dismounted from their cars took cover in a lodge at the roadside which was also strafed by the Spitfire aircraft.  Another four Spitfire aircraft attacked a Radar Station to the north of Lanmeur, strikes and smoke were seen to come from the buildings.  The last four Spitfire aircraft of No.64 Squadron attacked a heavily armed trawler or a similar type ship of approximately one thousand tons in Lezardrieux which was seriously damaged,  extensive strikes and smoke being observed.  Flying Officer Thorpe was very badly hit by the intensive flak from the anti aircraft gun-positions on the land and ships in the estuary.  He baled out from his Spitfire aircraft between Brehat and Talbert where he was picked up safe and sound one and a quarter hours later by a Walrus aircraft of No.276 Air Sea Rescue Squadron.  Flight Lieutenant Meharry of ' A ' Flight was last seen pulling away from the target after the attack.  We have had no news of him since, but are hoping that he may have landed in friendly territory and is safe.          In the evening between 1815 hours and 2115 hours the Wing gave withdrawal cover to a force of Lancaster Bomber aircraft returning from a bombing mission.  The escort was uneventful, but extensive shipping was observed at St. Lorient and Trinite-Sur-Mer.  It was difficult to identify the shipping on account of height and flak, but it appears that there were nine destroyers, two light cruisers, one supply ship and two other vessels plus a large quantity of smaller ships.

          6th August     A Rhubarb was laid on at about lunchtime ( 1355 hours ) for the Harrowbeer Wing which surprised them as they had thought that they had already completed their last Rhubarb.  The Wing was given strict instructions not to attack any ground targets north of the Loire.  No.64 Squadron did manage to find two good targets very quickly to the south of the river.  Four Spitfire aircraft attacked thirty railway goods trucks on the railway lines to the south east of Thouarle.  Many strikes were observed and smoke was seen rising from the trucks.  The remaining eight Spitfire aircraft attacked some motor transport in a wood near Ponceau with very good results.  Naturally the target was very hard to recognise as it was concealed amongst the trees.  The overall results were very drastic with violent flames erupting and black smoke mounting to around one thousand feet high..  One of our pilots developed engine trouble and forced landed safely five to ten miles to the south of Mont St. Michel.          The rest of the Squadron returned to base after the operation landing at 1700 hours.          Lancaster Bomber aircraft again went out to bomb Lorient and No.64 Squadron were ordered to escort them on their mission.  Take off for the Squadron was at 1915 hours.  The bombing results were favourable inspite of lots of flak, but the escort was uneventful from the Squadrons point of view.  All our aircraft landed back at base at 2130 hours.

          7th August     The morning was spent on training which included dinghy drill at the swimming pool ( Moorland Links Hotel ).           After lunch the Harrowbeer Wing flew o R.A.F. Tangmere for a possible operation.  This was to be a flight around Paris in the hope of tempting up enemy aircraft that might be in the area.  After the Wing briefing and the aircraft taking off at 1600 hours the hopes were shattered as they were ordered to return to base.          Instead of sweeping Paris the Wing were detailed at 1920 hours to escort  couple of dozen Lancaster Bomber aircraft to bomb St. Lorient.  However this was not all, on reaching the  target the Lancaster Bomber aircraft turned around and jettisoned their bombs in the sea.  It is presumed that St. Lorient had been captured by the Americans, so the Wing returned to base landing at 2135 hours.

          8th August     The Squadron again operated from R.A.F. Tangmere today and managed to carry out a sweep around Paris between 1500 hours and 1730 hours.  They were disappointed in the fact that they had no encounters with enemy aircraft but never the less they considered that the sweep was successful due to a number of ground targets that were found.  A motor transport convoy and some railway goods trucks were strafed and one locomotive was destroyed.  The locomotive had steam-up and when it was strafed there was a brilliant flash and the steam came pouring forth.  Our boys then returned to base to enjoy the party given by the pilots to the ground crew.

         9th August     " Panic " reigned during the early part of the day as a show was laid on requiring ninety gallon jet-tanks of fuel, but there were non of these tanks available on the Station.  The result was that most of the Squadron aircraft had to fly to R.A.F. Bolt Head to have the jet-tanks fitted.  The operation however proved uneventful which was to be a withdrawal cover to Lancaster Bomber aircraft which were to carry out a bombing raid on La Pallice.  The operation took place between 1225 hours and 1450 hours. 

          10th August     There was no operational flying today, only four or five air tests were carried out despite the weather being fairly reasonable.          Squadron Leader C. P. Rudland  DFC took over command of No.64 Squadron from Squadron Leader J. N. Mackenzie  DFC.  The Squadron welcome the new appointment and wish Squadron Leader Mackenzie  DFC the very best in the future.

          11th August     The Harrowbeer Wing was to operate from R.A.F. Manston today between 1750 hours and 2000 hours.  The Wing were ordered to escort Mosquito aircraft to bomb a factory near Rheims. Some flak was experienced in the area and the bombing fairly accurate.  On the return flight No.64 Squadron attacked a long line of barges damaging them considerably.  At least two were seen to blow up.  The Squadron had to stay over at R.A.F. Manston after their return which meant missing a rather good E.N.S.A. show being given at R.A.F. Harrowbeer.

          12th August     The Harrowbeer Wing was unable to fly back to R.A.F. Harrowbeer until the late morning arriving at noon due to bad weather conditions.  After the Squadron had landed and settled in they were ordered to take off again at 1500 hours to provide withdrawal cover to a force of Lancaster Bomber aircraft which had been bombing Bordeaux.  There was slight flak experienced around the area of Kerlin Bastard.  The Wing also spotted three Landing Craft Tanks ( LCT's ) beached in the bay near to St. Michel-En-Greve.  After the operation the Wing returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer landing at 1755 hours.

          13th August     At first light the Harrowbeer Wing flew to R.A.F. Tangmere to operate from there.  A sweep around Paris was carried out with the Wing taking off at 0900 hours.  A number of ground targets were attacked, but there was no sign of any enemy aircraft to be found.  The best target was three tracked vehicles similar to bren-gun carriers, all three were attacked by cannon and machine-gun, two of the vehicles burst into flames.  A large quantity of barges and railway rolling stock were also attacked on this sweep.  After this operation all the aircraft flew to R.A.F. Tangmere landing at 1120 hours.The Wing then returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer during the afternoon.

         14th August     The Wing provided fighter cover to a force of Lancaster Bomber aircraft in the morning which were detailed to bomb shipping at Brest.  The operation was carried out between 0935 hours and 120 hours.  Two ships were strafed with bombs in the inner harbour and smoke was seen coming from one of them when the formation left the area.  Some very heavy and accurate flak was experienced from the target area.         During the afternoon the Wing flew to R.A.F. Tangmere where they were to operate as three Squadrons of eight on a sweep to the south of Paris.  Eight Spitfire aircraft of No.64 Squadron led by Squadron Leader Rudland took off at 1550 hours and were unlucky in the fact that they spotted no targets.  They returned landing at 1820 hours.      The second Squadron of eight aircraft ( four from No.64 Squadron and four from No.126 Squadron ) were led by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson.  This section took off at 1445 hours and were most successful by attacking three staff cars and damaging a Dornier 217 enemy aircraft which was being dismantled on an airfield at Courbalay.  This section returned after the attack and landed at 1715 hours.          The third Squadron of Spitfire aircraft, all from No.126 Squadron were even more successful and was led by Squadron Leader Plagis.  This section observed a mixed quantity of ME 109's and FW 190 enemy aircraft preparing to land on an airfield.  Squadron Leader Plagis destroyed two enemy aircraft as did Pilot Officer Risley.  Flying Officer Flinterman destroyed another enemy aircraft which gave a Squadron total of five enemy aircraft destroyed.  In addition there were two probable's and three damaged enemy aircraft recorded.  No.64 Squadron sen their heartiest congratulations to Squadron Leader Plagis and the pilots of No.126 Squadron on a splendid effort.  The Wing all landed at R.A.F. Tangmere after the operation where they stayed overnight before flying to R.A.F. Manston for an operation due to take place on the following day.

          15th August     U.S.A.A.C. ( United States Army Air Corps ) was in progress and No.64 Squadron were ordered to assist in escorting one hundred Lancaster Bomber aircraft that were to bomb Le Culet Airfield.  The operation began at 115 hours and was carried out with great success, the bombing was accurate.  No enemy air opposition was encountered but there was some heavy flak from some of the larger towns that were flown over during the operation.  On completion of this mission the Wing returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer landing at 1300 hours for a well deserved rest.

          16th August     During the day plenty of practice / training was carried out by the Squadron.          In the evening between 1735 hours and 2050 hours No.64 Squadron were detailed to provide penetrating escort cover to Lancaster Bomber aircraft.  The Squadron arrived at the rendezvous point but the Lancaster Bombers were twenty minutes late which resulted in our Spitfire aircraft running short of fuel.  Out  of  twelve Spitfire aircraft that were sent out only seven got back to R.A.F. Harrowbeer, the remaining five landed on the beach-head in France.

          17th August     The five Spitfire aircraft from last evenings operation returned back to R.A.F. Harrowbeer this morning.  Only practice / training was carried out during the rest of the day until the evening when the weather clamped down completely.

          18th August     A no flying day due to poor weather conditions.

          19th - 22nd August     Four days of terrible weather resulting in the Squadron carrying out practice flying and various forms of training.

          23rd August     No.64 Squadron flew to R.A.F. Manston to operate from there.          In the evening between 1830 hours and 2045 hours a sweep was laid on to the north east of France.  Ground targets were attacked which included around thirty barges strafed and damaged, one motor transport destroyed and a steam yatch attacked and damaged in the area north east of La Cateau.  The Squadron then returned to R.A.F. Manston where they spent the evening

          24th August     Two operations were laid on today from R.A.F. Manston for No.64 Squadron but unfortunately they were both cancelled.  The Squadron attempted to return to R.A.F. Harrowbeer during the afternoon but a violent rainstorm forced them to return to R.A.F. Manston.  Four of our Spitfire aircraft suffered severe damage to their propellers and are now awaiting for the propellers to be changed for new ones.

          26th August    The Squadron moved to R.A.F. Bradwell Bay today in order to operate in the Pas De Calais.  Between 1640 hours and 1800 hours the Squadron were detailed to carry out strafing runs on enemy transport. their tally for the day was :-  four motor transport destroyed,  two motor transport probably destroyed,  nine motor transport damaged,  one motor cycle and rider destroyed and sixteen railway goods wagons damaged.  Unfortunately on this operation Flying Officer Schmitz failed to pull out of a dive and crashed into a house.  His Spitfire aircraft burst into flames and it is feared that he was killed.  Flying Officer Schmitz was a recent intake to ' A ' Flight of No.64 Squadron.  Flying Officer Smiley on the return journey back to base had to bale out over the sea.  It is thought that he ditched safely but it is likely that his rescue could be delayed due to sea mist and the approaching darkness.  The rest of the formation returned safely to base.

          27th August     The Wing left R.A.F. Harrowbeer for R.A.F. Lympne in the morning to carry out a bomber escort duty/  The operation they carried out was to escort Lancaster Bomber aircraft in an attack on a target in Homberg, Germany.  This was to be the first time that the Squadron had escorted bomber aircraft into the ' Fatherland '.  Very intensive flak was experienced both on the way out and on the way back, otherwise the trip was considered uneventful for the Squadron.  After the operation the Squadron landed back at R.A.F. Lympne and were greeted with the news that Flying Officer Smiley was safe and well.  He had spent the night in his dinghy ( a total of eighteen hours ) and picked up by high speed launch in the morning.  The Squadron flew back to R.A.F. Harrowbeer in the evening.

          28th August     The Squadron that remained at R.A.F. Harrowbeer were occupied in getting ready for the Squadron move to R.A.F. Bradwell Bay.  Everything was packed and loaded onto vans and trains accordingly.  An advance party took off in the Squadron Tiger Moth aircraft to make the way clear for the arrival of the main party.          A message from operations has decreed that No.64 Squadron would come to readiness at a quarter of an hour before first light on the 30th August.  The reason being that they may be required to escort a York aircraft with an important personage on board to London.

          29th August     The road and rail parties left for Bradwell Bay, but the rest of the Squadron had to wait at R.A.F. Harrowbeer due to poor weather conditions.

          30th August     The Squadron eventually after a poor start with the weather managed to get airborne for R.A.F. Bradwell Bay.  The Dakota aircraft carrying the Squadron personnel and equipment were the first to leave followed by the Squadron Spitfire aircraft.  No64 Squadron reached R.A.F. Bradwell Bay soon after three o'clock in the afternoon and the remainder of the day was spent finding rooms and settling in.

                      The Squadron O.R.B. for the month of August was signed by :-

                                             Squadron Leader C. P. Rudland.

No.126  Squadron :-

         1st August    Between 1515 hours and 1825 hours Wing Commander Bird-Wilson  DFC led a Squadron of twelve Spitfire aircraft with Squadron Leader Plagis who was to lead a section of four Spitfire aircraft on Ramrod No.161 escorting Mosquito aircraft to a target which required the bombing of storage tanks.  The rendezvous point was made on time but the bombing was inaccurate.  No.126 Squadron followed in after the bombing and set the target on fire with strafing runs.  In a valley to the south east of the target thirty to forty railway wagons were attacked and set on fire.  Wing Commander Bird-Wilson intercepted and destroyed a ME 109 enemy aircraft about ten to fifteen miles to the north west of Angers.  When the formation was ten miles to the north east of Chateaubriant a three ton lorry was attacked and damaged.  At a village ten miles north west of Angers five large camouflaged luxury type buses and a small camouflaged van was strafed along with twenty to thirty soldiers that were standing around.  The result of the attack was one bus left as a smoker and two damaged along with many casualties among the soldiers.

                        No.126 Squadron  information  from  other  sources :-

                                               Archivist  -  Michael  Hayes

          1st August     During the above operation Pilot Officer Lachlan Douglas Hinten  R.A.A.F.,  Service No.413998 was killed in action.  He was only twenty one years old. 

Pilot Officer Hinten lived at home with his parents at Eungai Railway, New South Wales, Australia before enlisting into the Royal Australian Air Force. 

Pilot Officer Hinten is buried in the Bath ( Haycombe ) Cemetery,  Plot 39,  Section H,  Row  B,  Grave  240.               May  he  rest  on  peace.

          4th August  Between 1745 hours and 2045 hours Squadron Leader Plagis led a Squadron of eleven Spitfire aircraft on Ramrod No.160 to escort the withdrawal of bomber aircraft.  The bombers were flying at ten to thirteen thousand feet with the Spitfire aircraft flying at fourteen thousand feet.  The escort was considered to be uneventful.

          5th August     Ramrod No.162 was laid on for 1040 hours when Wing Commander Bird-Wilson leading a Squadron of twelve Spitfire aircraft and Squadron Leader Plagis leading a section of four Spitfire aircraft took off.  The operation was to escort bomber aircraft that were flying at eighteen thousand feet, our Spitfire aircraft were to fly at twenty thousand feet.  One of our Spitfire aircraft had to return early from the operation due to engine trouble.  The escort to the bombers was classed as uneventful, however the Squadron did manage to strafe an R.D.F. Station ( Radio Direction Finder ) to the north of Lanmeur and left smoking, the buildings, freyer and chimney all being strafed with direct hits being scored.  The formation returned to base after their attack landing at 1320 hours.          At 1845 hours Squadron Leader Plagis led a Squadron of twelve Spitfire aircraft on Ramrod No.163 which proved to be an uneventful escort to heavy bomber aircraft in the Lorient area.  All aircraft returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer where they landed safely at 2115 hours.

          6th August     Between 1350 hours and 1700 hours Squadron Leader Plagis again led a Squadron of twelve Spitfire aircraft on Rodeo No.193 ( third sweep ).  On this operation ten railway wagons and guard's van covered in camouflaged netting was strafed in the area to the south of Chattelerault.  Near Beaumont thirty railway wagons, five or six railway tankers and two locomotives were also strafed and damaged.  When the formation went in for the attack it was found that the tankers had already been damaged in a previous attack.          Twelve Spitfire aircraft took off at 1845 hours on Ramrod No.163 which turned out to be an uneventful escort to heavy bomber aircraft in the Lorient area.  The twelve Spitfire aircraft returned to base after the operation landing at 2115 hours.          During the evening between 1915 hours and 2140 hours Squadron Leader Plagis led a Squadron of twelve Spitfire aircraft on Ramrod No.165 which involved escorting heavy bomber aircraft which were mostly bombing U-boat pens at Lorient.

          7th August     Flight Lieutenant Collis led a Squadron of Spitfire aircraft on Ramrod No.166, taking off at 1915 hours.  The operation proved to be an uneventful escort to heavy bomber aircraft.  The bomber aircraft jettisoned their bombs in the sea and did not bomb the target.  The Squadron observed a large amount of shipping at Brest and along the coast down to Brittany.  The Squadron returned to base at 2130 hours.

          8th August     At 1600 hours Flight Lieutenant Collis took off leading a Squadron of nine Spitfire aircraft on Rodeo No.197 which required a sweep of Tournal - Grammont areas.  On this trip one staff car was destroyed and one damaged, four locomotives were damaged, ten barges damaged and one tank was destroyed.  After the attacks the Squadron returned to base where they landed at 1745 hours.

          9th August     Between 1220 hours and 1505 hours Ramrod No.167 was laid on with nine Spitfire aircraft which proved to be an uneventful withdrawal escort to heavy bomber aircraft.

          11th August     Wing Commander Bird-Wilson led a Squadron of twelve Spitfire aircraft with Squadron Leader Plagis leading on section of four Spitfire aircraft on Ramrod No.170.  They took off at 1800 hours, this was to be a close escort operation to Mosquito aircraft.  The bombing of the Mosquito aircraft was very good.  No.126 Squadron after the attack strafed fifty two barges with explosions being seen on some of them.  One staff car to the south west of Merville was strafed and seen to run off the road, it is claimed as damaged.  The Squadron flew back to base after these attacks arriving at 2030 hours.

          12th August     Between 1415 hours and 1730 hours sixteen Spitfire aircraft acted as withdrawal escort to Lancaster Bomber aircraft.

          13th August     Sixteen Spitfire aircraft were airborne at 0900 hours on Rodeo No.200 and flew to an area south of Soissons.  When in the area three trains were strafed while on the east of Compeigne three locomotives and two trains were strafed along with one motor vessel and a large barge.  At Hoatillon Colligny fifteen barges were strafed and damaged along with twelve barges at Montargis ad six barges at Monteresson.  To the north east of Nogent twelve wagons were strafed along with three small tracked vehicles ( two flamers and one damaged ) and one M.E.T. also strafed and destroyed.  The formation then returned to base landing at 1200 hours.

         14th August     Between 0930 hours and1200 hours Squadron Leader Plagis led a Squadron of twelve Spitfire aircraft on Ramrod No.175 which was an uneventful escort to Brest.  Two out of three ships in the area were seen to be straddled with bombs from the heavy bomber aircraft.          Between 1500 hours and 1800 hours Rodeo No.202 was laid on which Wing Commander Bird-Wilson led a Squadron of twelve Spitfire aircraft and Squadron Leader Plagis led one section of four Spitfire aircraft.  One of the Spitfire aircraft developed engine trouble and had to be escorted home.  To the east of Paris ten enemy aircraft were bounced as they were about to land.  Their heights varied between five hundred and eight hundred feet, their wheels and flaps could clearly be seen.  All the enemy aircraft were attacked and all became casualties.  The following scores were recorded :-  2  -  FW 190 destroyed,  4  -  ME 109 destroyed,  1 and 2 halves  - ME 109 damaged,  1  -  ME 109 scared and 1  -  ME 109 probably destroyed.  On the ground a DO 217 was strafed,  2  -  staff cars were attacked,  ( 1 -  staff car was run off the road and hit a tree the other is claimed as damaged ).

          15th August    Squadron Leader Plagis led a Squadron of twelve Spitfire aircraft on Ramrod No.203, taking off at 1000 hours which was to escort heavy bomber aircraft to Le Culet.  Bombs were seen to burst in the target area.  After the operation the Squadron returned to base landing at 1210 hours.

          16th August     Between 1855 hours and 2135 hours Flight Lieutenant Collis led a Squadron of eleven Spitfire aircraft on Ramrod No.178.  The rendezvous was not made with the heavy bomber aircraft that they were detailed to escort, the reason is not known.  The Squadron then had to refuel at Rennes before returning to base.

          23rd August     Flight Lieutenant Collis took off at 1820 hours leading a Squadron of twelve Spitfire aircraft on a Rodeo in the Cambrai - Sedan area.  On an airfield to the west of Arras four JU 88 enemy aircraft in dispersal pens were attacked and damaged.  To the south and south west of Cambrai two staff cars were damaged.  At Etreux ten barges were damaged in the canal, and to the north of Guise eighteen barges were damaged whilst to the south of Denian twelve barges were damaged and to the south of Lille another twelve barges were damaged.  One large M.E.T. ( large lorry ) was attacked causing damage in the area south of Dunkirk while to the south of Armentiers a train was strafed.  After the various attacks the formation flew back to R.A.F. Manston where they landed at 2040 hours.  When Flying Officer Flinterman was preparing to land he shot down a " Diver "  ( flying bomb, Doodle-bug ) ten miles to the east of the airfield following an attack by a Tempest aircraft on it.  The " diver " landed in a wood to the south of Canterbury .

          26th August     Squadron Leader Plagis led a Squadron of twelve Spitfire aircraft on Ramrod No.234 in the area of Lille.  The Squadron took off at 1620 hours and flew to the south of Dixmude where they attacked and destroyed one large M.E.T. ( large lorry ) and a motor cycle.  To the east of Roules one M.E.T. ( lorry ) was destroyed and four barges damaged to the south east of Ypres.  Approximately six miles to the south of Lilles the Squadron attacked one M.E.T. destroying it and damaging another two M.E.T.'s  Another casualty was one staff car probably destroyed.  In the Courtrai area one electric train was damaged and also a locomotive with six railway wagons damaged.  In the same area one A.F.V. was attacked and damaged, two M.E.T.'s destroyed, One locomotive and twelve railway wagons damaged, another two M.E.T.'s destroyed and three M.E.T.'s probably destroyed.  After the operation the Squadron returned to base landing at 1800 hours

          27th August     Between 1255 hours and 1540 hours Wing Commander Bird-Wilson led a Squadron of nine Spitfire aircraft along with Squadron Leader Plagis leading a section of three Spitfire aircraft on Ramrod No.236.  This operation was an escort to heavy bomber aircraft which were to bomb a synthetic oil refinery at Romburg.  The weather was hazy so the bombing results could not be observed.  The formation experienced heavy and intensive flak

          30th August     The Squadron move from R.A.F. Harrowbeer to R.A.F. Bradwell Bay.

                     The Squadron O.R.B. for the month of August was signed by :-

                                                 Squadron Leader Plagis.

No.234  Squadron :-

          19th August     Four aircraft from R.A.F. Predannack were used to escort the Duke of Gloucester from R.A.F. Pembroke to R.A.F. Mount Batten.  The escort landed and waited at R.A.F. Harrowbeer for the onward journey to Polebrook.

               R.A.F. Harrowbeer was ordered to a " Care  and  Maintenance  Base " 

                                       with effect from the 1st September 1944.

         R.A.F. Harrowbeer was taken over by the  U.S.A.A.F.   for September, October, November and December 1944.  

          What Units / Command were they, what aircraft were they using and what were they doing is still not  clear ?

          If you can shed any light on these questions it would be most appreciated.

                                                             Many thanks,  the  Archivist  -  Michael  

                                                                                E-mail :- knightstonetea@yahoo.co.uk