80 Years ago from the Archives - July 1944

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

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

          Air Vice Marshal Steele  -  Air Officer Commanding No.10 Group

          Air Vice Marshal Cole Hamilton  -  Air Officer Commanding No.10 Group

          Air Commodore D'aeth  -  No.19 Group

          Air Commodore Harvey  -  S.A.S.0.  No.19 Group

Weather :-

          1st July     The weather maintained it's usual bad state for the start of July.  The airfield was in cloud from dawn until dusk and there was heavy rain at frequent intervals.

          2nd July     Another day of low cloud and rain.

          3rd July     Today the weather was a little improved allowing a small amount of flying to take place.

          4th July     Again today the weather was slightly better than of late.

          5th July     Another slight improvement in the weather enabling more flying to be carried out, unfortunately the weather closed in again during the evening which ended any form of flying.

          6th July     The weather was not too promising in the morning, but cleared sufficiently at lunch-time for flying to commence.

          7th July     Today the weather was non-operational for the early part of the morning, but again clearing around lunch-time.

          8th July     A reasonable day for a change.

          9th July     Today we have returned to the normal " Harrowbeer " climatic conditions with plenty of rain and cloud at zero feet.

          10th July     Another day of bad weather.

          11th July     Yet more bad weather.

          13th July     Still the bad weather continues.

         14th July     A slight improvement in the weather, but not much.

          15th July     More of the bad weather again.

         16th July     The weather remains non-operational, but cleared later in the day to allow a little local flying to take place.

          17th July     Back to bad weather.

          18th July     A reasonable start to the day, but not for too long.  Most of the day was spent watching the various types of cloud, fog, mist and rain that Harrowbeer can experience within a very short space of time.

          21st July     The weather was bad all day on the airfield.

          24th July     Glorious sunshine today which is experienced all too little at Harrowbeer these days.

          25th July     The weather was rather bad for the greater part of the day, but it did improve enough in the afternoon for some flying to take place.

          26th July     Operations were cancelled owing to the weather conditions,  It was a day of watching - some of the day was spent watching the driving rain and the rest of the day watching for signs of improvement in the weather.

         28th July     The weather is still unsettled, one minute good and one minute bad.

          29th July     A gloomy day to start with, however with one of those tricks with the weather we have learnt to expect here the conditions brightened in a very short space of time.

          1st July     R.A.F. Regiment No.2883  Squadron moved to R.A.F. Station Hawkinge, Kent.

          3rd July     Flying Officer Smart  R.C.A.F.  No.64 Squadron whilst on a shipping patrol reported mechanical trouble with his aircraft and was ordered back to base.  He further reported that he would try to crash land.  His aircraft was seen by the Royal Observer Corp to crash in flames from a low altitude.  Flying Officer Smart was killed.

         6th July     Air Vice Marshal Steele - No.10 Group, Air Officer Commanding visited the Station.

         7th July     Flying Officer Dryburgh whilst on the way out to take part in a fighter sweep led by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson  DFC  reported that he was going to ditch into the sea.  He was ordered by ' Grassverge ' to give " Mayday " but there was no reply.  His No.1 searched and found a patch of oil on the water but no wreckage.  The aircraft crashed into the sea off Bolt Head, Flying Officer Dryburgh is presumed killed.

          8th July     Flight Lieutenant R. Collis of No.126 Squadron while during a fighter sweep led by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson  DFC  baled out from his aircraft and was later picked up and taken to the beach-head.

         17th July     Air Vice Marshal Cole Hamilton - Air Officer Commanding No.10 Group visited the Station.

          19th July     A Walrus aircraft of No.276 Air Sea Rescue Squadron picked up a U - boat Commander, Ober Leutnant Lawaetz about thirty miles south of Bolt Head.  He was one of forty six survivors from  U - boat attack and on arrival at R.A.F. Harrowbeer he was placed under the custody of the Station Commander.   Air Commodore D'aeth of No.19 Group along with Officers of the Naval Intelligence at Plymouth came to interrogate the prisoner.  He appeared to be talkative bu security minded.  Later the U - boat Commander was flown to R.A.F. Northolt in a Dominie aircraft and handed over to a representative of the Admiralty.  While the U - boat Commander was at R.A.F. Harrowbeer he was searched, given a bath and a shave and given some dry clothes to wear on the advice of the Naval Intelligence Officers, as they considered that with good treatment he would become more talkative.

          24th July     At 2105 hours  H.F.D.F.  ( High Frequency Direction Finder ) Station reported an S.O.S. which was heard with heavy interference.  At 2140 hours a bearing of two hundred and thirty degrees was obtained and passed to No.19 Group.  The crews of the aircraft in distress was subsequently reported as being safe.          During an operation to the east of Angers, Squadron Leader Plagis and Flight Lieutenant R. Collis of No.126 Squadron destroyed one enemy aircraft each over enemy territory and in both cases the pilots of the enemy aircraft were seen to bale out.          Flight Lieutenant Harder of No.64 Squadron during a sweep led by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson  DFC  which attacked stationary trucks, baled out of his aircraft shortly after the attack and appeared to land safely in the Aron area.

          25th July     At 0005 hours a distress call was heard at ' Darky ' from a Liberator aircraft requiring an emergency landing.  In view of the fact that Runway 17 was in use the Liberator aircraft was diverted to R.A.F. Exeter where it made a successful landing with one engine u/s and fire amidships.

          27th July     Flight Lieutenant Drew during a fighter sweep led by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson  DFC  engaged enemy aircraft which was later considered by the Wing Commander to have been destroyed.

          29th July     A very successful operation was performed by the " Harrowbeer Wing " led by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson  DFC  against a German Headquarters at Serignac.  A message from the Maquis stated that the village had been evacuated and the German troops were billeted there as a centre for operations against the Maquis.  A bombing attack was carried out and more than three quarters of the village was destroyed.  The two Squadron Commanders, Squadron Leader Plagis  DFC  and Squadron Leader Mackenzie  DFC  flew up to London to give the post-script to the B.B.C. 9 o'clock news, it came over very well and was tannoyed throughout the Station.  Personal congratulations were received from the Air Marshal Commanding  A.D.G.B. for this successful show.

          30th July     Air Commodore Harvey  -  S.A.S.O.  No.19 Group arrived by air on a visit to the Station.

          General :-     Altogether the " Harrowbeer Wing " had a very successful month, having destroyed approximately two hundred lorries, railway engines, trucks, staff cars and other enemy transport in addition to three enemy aircraft and ground targets such as Wireless Transmitters and Radio Direction Finder Stations.

                                           Station  Sick  Quarters  -  Form  540  

          1st July     Strength of Station :-  R.A.F.  =  750      W.A.A.F.  =  253      Army  =  135      Naval  =  283

          7th July     Number of patients admitted to the S,S,Q, and Hospital for week-ending today :-  R.A.F.  =  8      W.A.A.F.  =  1      Naval  =  2      Army  =  1

          14th July     Number of patients admitted to the S.S.Q. and Hospital for week-ending today :-  R.A.F.  =  12      W.A.A.F.  =  3      Naval  =  1      Army  =  2  

          21st July     Number of patients admitted to the S.S.Q. and Hospital for week-ending today :-  R.A.F.  =  6      W.A.A.F.  =  0      Naval  =  0      Army  =  0

          28th July      Number of patients admitted to the S.S.Q.  and Hospital for week-ending today :-  R.A.F.  =  6      W.A.A.F.  =  7      Naval  =  0      Army  =  1      A.T.S.  =  3  

          29th July     A  W.A.A.F.  Corporal was attached to the ' Domestic Science Catering School, Gloucester ' on a ' Moral Leadership Course '.

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

                                            Squadron Leader F. Constable  S.M.O.

No.64  Squadron :-

          1st July     A bad beginning to a new month.  There was not a single opportunity to try out the new planes ( Spitfire IX aircraft ) during the whole of the day.

          2nd July     Another day of low cloud and rain.  For once Sunday was truly a day of rest.

          3rd July     No.64 Squadron carried out shipping patrols from 8 o'clock in the morning until 3 o'clock in the afternoon.         The Squadron's new Spitfire IX aircraft were tried out and met with universal approval, but the Spitfire V's claimed their last victim from the Squadron.  Flying Officer Smart while on a shipping patrol reported mechanical trouble and said he was going to try and crash land his aircraft.  In doing so he hit a patch of bad ground, the Spitfire aircraft overturned and Flying Officer Smart was killed.  This tragic event was made doubly by the fact that the time of losing the Spitfire V's was so close.  Another day or so and they would have all gone.  As it is we have been robbed of one of our most experienced and popular pilots, he will be missed by the whole Squadron.

                           No.64  Squadron  information  from  other  sources :-  

                                                Archivist  -  Michael  Hayes

         3rd July     Flying Officer Wallace Allan Smart  R.C.A.F.     Service No. J/18660

Flying Officer W. A. Smart was born in Sidney, British Columbia, Canada where he lived with his family before enlisting into the R.A.F.  He got on well with his fellow pilots and was only twenty six when he was killed in a forced landing. Flying Officer Smart is buried in the ' Brookwood Military Cemetery ' , Surrey.    Grave - 52 . A .1   

     Where he is ' Remembered with Honour '.                            May he rest in peace.

          4th July     Today No.611 Squadron left R.A.F. Harrowbeer thus breaking up a partnership with No.64 Squadron which has lasted for many months.  They were replaced by No.126 Squadron led by Squadron Leader J. A. Plagis  DFC and Bar.          There was no operational flying today, but the Squadron were able to get in plenty of flights in their new Spitfire IX aircraft.          During the afternoon there were several Squadron photographs taken.

          5th July     Practice flying consisting of air and cannon tests were carried out in the morning.  At noon the Squadron had a lecture on the " the new section call signs " by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson  DFC.         There was to be a practice operation during the afternoon but unfortunately it had to be cancelled  due to bad cloud conditions.  The Squadron were able to carry out some local flying and Squadron formations.

          6th July     The weather was not too good in the morning, but around lunch-time four of our Spitfire IX aircraft took off on a ' Rhubarb ' in the Brest Peninsular area between 1230 hours and 1430 hours.  The Squadron were unlucky in as much as there were no targets to be found.  However they did experience quite a large quantity of light flak from Mur De Bretagne and St. Michel En Creve.          In the afternoon at 1650 hours thirteen Spitfire IX LF aircraft of No.64 Squadron led by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson escorted Typhoon aircraft of No.263 Squadron to the Bois De Malavney to attack a storage dump.  After the Typhoon aircraft had carried out their rocket projectile attack our Spitfire IX aircraft went in with cannon and machine guns blazing and observing strikes on the buildings.  The Spitfire IX aircraft later attacked a stationary locomotive with twelve coaches in the Station of Dole.  More strikes were observed and some of the carriages were left smoking. After the attack the Squadron returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer where they landed at 1840 hours and enjoyed a well deserved rest.

          7th July     Again the early part of the morning was non-operational due to weather conditions, but just before lunch-time between 1040 hours and 1225 hours four Spitfire IX aircraft carried out a ' Jim Crow ' on the Channel Islands - St. Malo - Lezardrieux.  Four vessels were spotted in St. Helier and another seven vessels at St. Malo, our Spitfire IX aircraft got a taste of the infamous flak from Jersey and Guernsey.          Inspite of bad weather both No.64 Squadron and No.126 Squadron took off on a ' Rhubarb ' in the Brest Peninsular area at about 1800 hours.  Owing to the bad weather the operation could not be carried out so all aircraft returned to base where they landed at 1905 hours.  On the flight out Flying Officer Dryburgh developed engine trouble and reported that he was going to ditch in the sea.  After that report nothing more was heard from him and the Coast Guards reported that they saw his aircraft go right into the sea.  Flying Officer Dryburgh was a newcomer to the Squadron but had settled in remarkably well and had earned the affection of the whole Squadron and with his death we have lost a very good pilot and friend.

                          No.64 Squadron  information  from  other  sources :-

                                               Archivist - Michael Hayes

          7th July     Flying Officer Walter Thomas Dryburgh  R.A.F.V.R.   Service No.152186

Flying Officer W. T. Dryburgh was only twenty two when he lost his life in the English Channel.  He was born in Woodside, Markinch, Fife where he lived with his family before enlisting into the R.A.F.  

Flying Officer Smart is ' Remembered with Honour ' on the Runnymede Memorial '      Panel No.205.                        May  he  rest  in  peace.

          8th July     Two ' Rhubarbs ' were carried out today in the Brest Peninsular area and targets attacked on both of the operations.          On the first ' Rhubarb ' which was carried out between 0855 hours and 1045 hours three lines of goods trucks approximately thirty to forty in number were attacked at Plelau and smoke was seen rising from the target area after the attack.  On this operation two lorries were also attacked, one to the north of Uzel and one to the south west of Dinan.          On the second ' Rhubarb ' which was carried out from 1900 hours until 2120 hours the targets that were attacked included two armoured vehicles and one field gun in the Broons area, two camouflaged staff cars, two three ton lorries, one small camouflaged lorry and a fifteen hundredweight lorry.  Quite a good days work.  On the return flight the weather was so bad that the Squadron got split up which resulted in two Spitfire IX aircraft landing at R.A.F. Harrowbeer, six Spitfire IX aircraft landing at R.A..F. Bolt Head and two Spitfire IX aircraft at R.A.F. Exeter.

          9th July     Today the airfield has returned to the normal " Harrowbeer " climatic conditions, plenty of rain and cloud down to zero feet.

          10th July     The Squadron pilots were up and about very early this morning in order to prepare for a show that might take place.  Nothing happened due to bad weather and in the afternoon another attempt was made but still there was no luck.          The " Wing " took off from R.A.F. Ford from where they were supposed to operate, but this was cancelled just after the " Wing " got airborne.  There was a collision between two Spitfire IX aircraft on landing which made an unfortunate end to a rather trying day.

          11th July     More bad weather today.  The Squadron did manage to have a " Wing " practice in readiness for the operation they had hoped to carry out from R.A.F. Ford, Sussex.          Bad luck however, seems to be dodging our footsteps these days as there were two accidents on landing.  One pilot's engine cut out while he was making his approach and he span in from a considerable height.  To everyone's amazement and joy the pilot escaped with only minor injuries.  Another Squadron Spitfire IX aircraft was slightly damaged when another aircraft of No.126 Squadron taxied into it.          During the afternoon the " Wing " moved to R.A.F. Ford, Sussex but were unable to carry out the operation as arranged owing to the weather conditions.         The " Wing " returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer in the evening just in time to carry out a very late uneventful shipping reconnaissance between 2120 hours and 2300 hours.

          12th July     No.4 Squadron took off for R.A.F. Ford, Sussex at about 0800 hours and spent a trying day there waiting for a show which took a very long time to materialize owing to the continued bad weather.  They did manage eventually to take off in the evening at 1930 hours to escort Lancaster Bomber aircraft which were to bomb a special target.  This was the first time that the majority of the Squadron had escorted Lancaster aircraft and they agreed that the experience was worth the days wait at R.A.F. Ford.  The Lancaster Bomber aircraft bombed through the cloud so the results were not observed, but even so the Squadron was most impressed.  The Squadron landed back at R.A.F. Ford after the operation landing at 2130 hours and had to remain there overnight.

          12th July     The Squadron spent the whole day getting back to R.A.F. Harrowbeer from R.A.F. Ford.  This had to be done in two legs owing to the terrible weather conditions and was finally completed at 1730 hours.

          14th July     Six Spitfire IX aircraft of ' A ' Flight led by the Commanding Officer carried out a ' Rhubarb ' in the Brest Peninsular area, taking off at 1125 hours in which two pilots shot up two lorries.  As soon as ' A ' Flight had landed at 1355 hours they were off again to R.A.F. Ford, Sussex where they waited until evening for a show to take place.          At 1500 hours the " Wing " took off for R.A.F. Ford, Sussex.  Eventually the show was cancelled and the " Wing " and Squadron Spitfire IX aircraft returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer the same evening.

          15th July     The only flying carried out today was three air tests by ' A ' Flight and two trips in the Tiger Moth aeroplane.

          16th July     The bad weather continues so the Squadron re,mains non-operational.          The day was spent watching Squadron pilots combat films until the weather cleared sufficient to carry out some cine-camera practice flying.          There was also a trip in the Tiger Moth aeroplane which looks very smart with it's new propeller.

          17th July     A most terrible morning spent waiting for operations that never happened thanks to the weather conditions.  The Squadron were meant to be going to R.A.F. Ford, Sussex but all hope was eventually abandoned.          The Squadron was next briefed for a bombing show and eight Spitfire IX aircraft were fitted out with bombs.  This too was cancelled and the Squadron were ordered to fly to R.A.F. Tangmere, Sussex at very short notice.  The ground crew had to fight against time to remove the bombs and re-fit long range fuel tanks.  Eventually the Squadron managed to get airborne for R.A.F. Tangmere, Sussex.

          18th July     An early show was carried out from R.A.F. Tangmere, Sussex at 0625 hours.   The Squadron took off to escort about seven hundred Lancaster Bomber aircraft which were to bomb enemy targets to the east of Caen.  The bombing results were excellent though the flak was rather hot over the target area.  After the attack the Squadron returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer landing at 0845 hours.

          19th July     Two Spitfire IX aircraft were scrambled at 1405 hours to cover some Air Sea Rescue work which was underway to search to the south of Start Point.  The distressed ' types ' were a German U - boat Captain and his crew.  The German Captain was picked up by a Walrus aircraft and brought to R.A.F. Harrowbeer landing at 1535 hours while the rest of the crew were taken ashore in boats.          While this activity was in progress between 1455 hours and 1710 hours the Squadron was away shooting up a train to the south of Carbaux, two barges to the south of Pontivy and one motorcycle complete with dispatch rider near Rohan.  By the time the Squadron landed back at R.A.F. Harrowbeer the German U - boat Captain was on his way to London complete with armed guards.          Four Spitfire IX LF aircraft of No.64 Squadron carried out a ' Jim Crow ' off the Channel Islands between 2045 hours and 2230 hours.

          20th July     The day was spent expecting to move somewhere, but nothing materialized and the day passed quite uneventfully.

          21st July     Bad weather again today.          The only operation was an escort shipping duty off Land's End, Cornwall at 1050 hours.  This was carried out by a Spitfire IX aircraft and continued inspite of rainstorms and poor visibility as the vessels being escorted were in difficulties.  The job was successfully completed by 1445 hours.

          22nd July     The only operation today was a weather reconnaissance between 1400 hours and 1600 hours by four Spitfire IX aircraft led by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson.  The flight went on a route over the French Coast and then around the Channel Islands.  The weather report that they brought back was bad resulting in limited flying taking place.

          23rd July    Four ' Jim Crows ' were carried out during the day - one at first light 0545 hours until 0735 hours, one at lunch-time 1220 hours until 1404 hours, one at tea-time 1655 hours until1740 hours and one at dinner-time 1906 hours until 2100 hours.  All these proved uneventful apart from the lunch-time duty when some shipping was spotted.          At 0800 hours a long ' Rhubarb ' was laid on which was to take the Squadron as far as Nantes, unfortunately the Squadron had to turn back owing to the bad weather.  Two Spitfire IX aircraft of No.64 Squadron were ordered to accompany four aircraft of No.126 Squadron to escort five Mosquito aircraft back home from the French Coast, but when they reached the rendezvous the birds had flown, owing strangely enough to the bad weather we occasionally experience in these parts.   All our aircraft land back at base at 0930 hours.

          24th July     An eventful day for the Squadron although it began very quietly.          During the morning there were some Squadron photographs taken and in the afternoon a " Wing " photograph.  These were all done in good sunlight so they should turn out well.          In the evening there was an operation that took place between 1755 hours and 2050 hours which turned out to be the most interesting one carried out by the Squadron since their arrival at R.A.F. Harrowbeer.  The operation was to cover a large area taking approximately two and a half hours and requiring ninety gallon fuel tanks.  No.126 Squadron were also on this operation and were even luckier than our Squadron ( No.64 ) as they came upon seven ME 109's and managed to shoot two of them down.  The victors were Squadron Leader Plagis  DFC and Bar with Flight Lieutenant Collis, both of No.126 Squadron.  No.64 Squadron came upon an excellent ground target comprising forty loaded goods wagons at Voutre.  The wagons were attacked and left in a thick smoking blazing condition.   Flak was experienced in the area and it appears that Flight Lieutenant Harder's Spitfire IX LF aircraft was hit by some of it, shortly afterwards he baled out in the Arou area to the east of Mayenne.  It is fairly certain that he landed safely which is quite a relief.  Flight Lieutenant Harder will be greatly missed, but we hope to see him again fairly shortly.

          25th July     The weather today was quite bad for most of the day, however it did improve a little in the afternoon to allow an operation to take place between 1355 hours and 1645 hours.  This operation was again a rather long one lasting about two and a half hours which made the fact that the Squadron sighted hardly any targets, even more exasperating than it would have been in a shorter operation.  No enemy aircraft were sighted and the only enemy target attacked was five or six empty goods wagons in a siding about three miles south, south east of Mentan.  While the Squadron was flying around in the hope of stirring up some enemy aircraft a Flying Officer happened to fly over some stationary goods wagons to which he gave a burst of machine gun fire to show that there were no ill feelings.  So passed another day.

          26th July     A operation had been planned for today, but it had to be cancelled owing to the bad weather.  The day turned out to be a day of watching.  Some of the day was spent watching the driving rain, some of the day watching Squadron combat films and the rest of the day watching for any signs of improvement in the weather.

         27th July     An operation was laid on which was an attack on a target requested by the Maquis in the Brest Peninsular area.  Eight Spitfire IX aircraft took part in the operation that began at 1645 hours and finished at 1835 hours comprising of four Spitfire IX aircraft from No.64 Squadron led by Pilot Officer Couper and four Spitfire IXB aircraft from No.126 Squadron led by Flight Lieutenant Collis.  The target was Wireless Transmitter Station which was located and thoroughly strafed leaving it giving off smoke at an amazing rate when our aircraft left the area.  The eight pilots who were on this mission received No.10 Group Headquarters congratulations on a splendid effort.  This was followed by a second operation ( a ' Rhubarb ' ) from 1855 hours until 2140 hours in which No.64 Squadron Spitfire IX LF aircraft came across seven ME 109 enemy aircraft flying in formation about twenty miles north east of Nantes.  There was too much cloud cover about and unfortunately six of the ME 109's managed to get away.  The seventh ME 109 was attacked by one of our Spitfire IX aircraft giving it about a seven second burst which caused it to dive at about forty degrees.  The pilot observed strikes on the port wing root and on the fuselage close to the cockpit resulting in the ME 109 giving off a brownish - yellow smoke.  Unfortunately although a column of black smoke was seen coming from the ground a few minutes later non of the pilots saw the ME 109 hit the ground, so only a probable destruction could be claimed ( maybe the claim will be upgraded after a confirmation ).

          28th July     The Squadron were advised of a prospective move to R.A.F. Manston, Kent early in the day, but this was cancelled owing to the bad weather conditions.  When the weather permitted practice flying was carried out including air firing practice.         At 1655 hours thirteen Spitfire IX LF aircraft were airborne on a  ' Rhubarb '.  Eight of the Spitfires carried out a sweep while the other five Spitfire IX LF aircraft joined up with Spitfire aircraft of No.126 Squadron led by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson,  The main section of the Squadron attacked fifteen goods wagons at Serge and another twenty goods wagons at Chateaubriant, seriously damaging them.  The section also attacked three canvas covered dumps which looked like the remains of a camp which the pilots spotted in the wood north east of Angers.  During the operation while they were flying in the Nantes area two ME 109 enemy aircraft were seen in the distance, but they turned into the sun and contact was lost.          The mixed Squadron section also attacked railway trucks at Ponterson, one was seen to go up in flames and the rest were left smoking.  One of our pilots had to land at the beach-head ( at 1810 hours ) as he was escorting a No.126 Squadron Spitfire which had developed mechanical troubles, the remainder of the Squadron landed back at R.A.F. Harrowbeer between 1940 hours and 2000 hours.

          29th July     The " Harrowbeer Wing " were briefed for an extremely interesting show which nobody thought could possibly take place.  The job in hand was to destroy the village of Serignac, which according to information received had to be evacuated of it's civil population and had been taken over completely by the Germans.  The aircraft of the " Wing " took off at0715 hours carrying five hundred pound bombs with a eleven second delay fuse.  The target was located and plastered with bombs, all of which went home.  The last aircraft to leave the target area reported that the target appeared to be eight tenths destroyed but the church was still standing.    The "  Harrowbeer Wing " returned after the operation to base, landing at 0900 hours.  The appreciation of the Commanding Officer of No.64 Squadron ( Squadron Leader J. N. Mackenzie  DFC ) and the Commanding Officer of No.126 Squadron ( Squadron Leader J. A. Plagis  DFC and Bar ) flew to London to broadcast a short description of the bombing after the 9 o'clock news.  This broadcast was tannoyed to the whole airfield at R.A.F. Harrowbeer and received a good deal of interest and enthusiasm.

          30th July     Yesterday's show received a lot of publicity and most of the Squadron spent some happy moments reading about themselves in the newspapers.          Only one operation was to take place today from R.A.F. Bolt Head, but inspite of an early take off from R.A.F. Harrowbeer they did not leave R.A.F. Bolt Head until 1700 hours.  The Squadron Spitfire IX aircraft were to escort Mosquito aircraft to bomb an ammunition train, unfortunately the target could not be located so a secondary target was bombed instead..  The fighter aircraft attacked two small collections of railway trucks and six locomotives causing extensive damage.  The formation also destroyed one large camouflaged lorry and a small petrol tanker.  The Squadron then returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer after their escort duty had been carried out landing at 1955 hours.

          31st July     Eleven Spitfire IX LF aircraft led by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson carried out a sweep from Anger - Le Mans - Laval between 1445 hours and 1715 hours.          At 2045 hours there was a scramble involving two Squadron Spitfire IX LF aircraft which proved to be uneventful and the aircraft landed back at base at 2115 hours.

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

                                                Squadron Leader Mackenzie.

No.126  Squadron :-

          3rd July     No.126 Squadron move today to R.A.F. Harrowbeer from R.A.F. Culmhead.

          4th July    At 1125 hours Squadron Leader J. Plagis ( Squadron Commanding Officer ) led two sections of four Spitfire IXB aircraft to escort Typhoon aircraft on Rhubarb No.304.  Two of the Squadron Spitfire IXB aircraft returned to base early at 1135 hours due to engine trouble.  The Rhubarb was uneventful and eventually had to be abandoned due to bad weather.  The two sections returned to base where they landed at 1240 hours.

          5th July     Eleven Squadron Spitfire IXB aircraft took off at 1350 hours to escort Typhoon aircraft on Rhubarb No.306.  On the Guincamp Pontrieux Road two lorries and twenty to thirty troops in a ditch were strafed.  Further along the same road another lorry, a car and fifteen troops were strafed.  All the motor transport is being claimed as destroyed.          One section of two Spitfire IXB aircraft went off on patrol at 2030 hours but had to be re-called as the patrol had to be cancelled due to bad weather.  The section landed back at base at 2105 hours.

          6th July     One section of four Spitfire IXB aircraft led by Flight Lieutenant Collis took off on Rhubarb No.308.  One locomotive and ten to twenty closed railway trucks were strafed near Jugon, a stationary lorry loaded with troops about ten miles north west of Rennes was strafed and damaged and another lorry was destroyed near Tinteniac.  All our aircraft returned to base after the operation landing at 1445 hours.          A shipping reconnaissance was laid on at 1555 hours to St. Malo - Lezardrieux - Lanion with four Spitfire IXB aircraft,  One of our aircraft had to return early from the operation at 1605 hours due to an overload tank trouble.  At St. Malo eight T.T.A's, twenty two barges and two motor vessels of one thousand and one thousand five hundred tons were sighted, otherwise, otherwise there was nothing significant observed.  The section returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer where they landed at 1755 hours.

          7th July     At 1055 hours Wing Commander Bird-Wilson led twelve Spitfire IXB aircraft on Rhubarb No.309 to an area five to eight miles north west of Rennes.  They found a camouflaged lorry which they attacked and was seen to blow up.  To the west of Rennes the formation saw and damaged approximately forty railway trucks and eight miles to the west of Rennes they damaged another camouflaged lorry, a black car and destroyed a motor cycle combination.  At Plenan the R.D.F. ( Radio Direction Finder ) Station was strafed whilst three to five miles to the south of Dinan a lorry and a black car was destroyed.  About thirty railway trucks and yard buildings were strafed and damaged at Lambalu before the formation turned for home where they all landed safely at 1315 hours.          Rhubarb No.310 was laid on for 1755 hours again led by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson with two sections of Spitfire IXB aircraft.  Unfortunately this duty was not carried out due to bad weather and the sections landed back at R.A.F. Harrowbeer at 1920 hours.

          8th July     Nine Spitfire IXB aircraft of No.126 Squadron were airborne at 0850 hours on Rhubarb No.311.  One of the Spitfires had to return to base early due to engine trouble.  To the west of Dinan the remaining aircraft damaged a fifteen hundred weight lorry, and to the south east of Dinan a thirty hundred weight lorry was left smoking in a ditch.  Close by four military type wagons were seen, attacked and also left smoking.  The formation of Spitfires flew on to the east of Combourg attacked and hit a two ton lorry in the engine compartment.  To the south east of Combourg a W.T. ( Wireless Transmitter ) Station consisting of four masts and buildings were attacked, orange flames were observed coming out of the buildings and the whole area was left burning and smoking.  On the way home to the west of Fougeres a one ton lorry was attacked and claimed as a flamer.  The formation carried on home to R.A.F. Harrowbeer landing at 1105 hours.          Wing Commander Bird-Wilson led thirteen Spitfire IXB aircraft at 1900 hours on a Rhubarb.  At approximately 1915 hours, five miles to the west of Carteret Flight Lieutenant Collis had to bale out of his aircraft.  The remaining twelve Spitfire IXB aircraft carried on with the Rhubarb obtaining the following results :-

          One fifteen hundred weight lorry damaged to the south east of Lamballe.

          One fifteen hundred weight lorry damaged between Lamballe and Jugon.

          One three to lorry damaged north of Rennes.

          One small lorry and trailer also severely damaged north of Rennes.

          One fifteen hundred weight lorry damaged near Caulnes.

          One three ton lorry on the Montfort - Beddee Road destroyed.

          One staff car east of Rennes severely damaged.

          One two ton lorry south of Plougeneuc a flamer.

          One fifteen hundred weight lorry north west of Antraine damaged.

          One water tower damaged ten to fifteen miles south of St. Michel.

                         The formation then returned to base landing at 2200 hours.

          9th July     No operational flying by the Squadron.

          10th July     No operational flying by the Squadron today.

          11th July     No operational flying by the Squadron today.

          12th July     Squadron Leader Plagis,  the Squadron Commanding Officer led thirteen Spitfire IXB aircraft operating from R.A.F. Ford, Sussex on an uneventful escort to Lancaster Bomber aircraft which were ordered to bomb some storage areas near Paris.  The Lancaster Bomber aircraft were escorted at a height between eighteen thousand and twenty thousand feet.  The bombing was carried out through 10/10ths cloud cover.  After the raid the formation returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer where they landed at 2130 hours.

          13th, 14th, 15th and 16th July     No operational flying for the Squadron over these four days.

          17th July     The Squadron Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader Plagis led twelve Spitfire IXB aircraft on Rhubarb No.317 taking off at 1820 hours.  The target was to be horse drawn artillery at Goudelan.  The target could not be found but the road was strafed anyway. While on the operation, en miles to the south of Guincamp one camouflaged staff car was attacked and set on fire along with one motor cycle destroyed.  A few miles to the north of this position a green camouflaged staff car was damaged, then twelve miles south east of Guincamp a four wheeled horse-drawn cart covered with camouflaged netting was strafed.  Twelve miles to the south of St. Brieuc a camouflaged dump was seen at a cross roads and was strafed and left smoking.  all our Spitfire aircraft returned to base after these attacks landing at 2010 hours.

          18th July     Squadron Leader Plagis led nine Spitfire IXB aircraft to escort Liberator aircraft over Caen.  The Squadron took off at 0625 hours and rendezvoused with the Liberator aircraft which were flying at fifteen thousand feet, No.126 Squadron were to escort them at a height of eighteen thousand feet.  The bombing that was carried out by the Liberator aircraft was very accurate and concentrated.  Unfortunately three of the Liberator aircraft were seen to be shot down by very accurate, heavy intensive anti-aircraft gun fire.  After this operation No.126 Squadron returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer landing at 0840 hours.

          19th July     Eight Spitfire IXB aircraft led by Squadron Leader Plagis took off at 1455 hours on a Rhubarb of St. Brieuc - Rennes - Laval - Mont St. Michel.  This operation was uneventful apart from only one dark camouflaged car which was sighted five to ten miles to the south east of Laval, this was attacked and destroyed, the eight Spitfire aircraft landed back at R.A.F. Harrowbeer at 1725 hours.

          20th July     At 0540 hours four Spitfire IXB aircraft of No.126 Squadron were airborne on a shipping reconnaissance.  When in the area between Jersey and Guernsey at 0630 hours they observed five small D / D's heading in the direction of Guernsey at fifteen to twenty knots per hour.  The Spitfires dropped their overloads and flew to within half a mile of the D / D's.  Light and heavy intensive anti-aircraft gun fire was experienced from the D / D's.  At this stage the section decided to abandon the rest of the reconnaissance due to shortage of fuel in the aircraft.  The section then returned to base landing at 0720 hours.

          21st July     Wing Commander Bird-Wilson took off at 1030 hours leading a formation of twelve Spitfire IXB aircraft to escort five D / D's to the west of Brest.  The formation had to return to base early owing to the very bad weather conditions they encountered without being able to find the D / D's.  10/10ths  Cumulus cloud was experienced with a base of five hundred feet, rain squalls were frequent and visibility varied between one and three miles.  Six of our Spitfire aircraft landed at 1150 hours and the remaining six at 1200 hours all at R.A.F. Harrowbeer.

          22nd July     At 2105 hours eight Spitfire IXB aircraft were airborne on a shipping reconnaissance from Granville - St. Malo - Lezardrieux and the Channel Islands, again the weather was very bad, 9/10ths cumulus cloud with a base of twelve thousand feet.  In the Channel Islands visibility was down to one thousand yards, improving slightly at the French Coast.  Fairly accurate, intense flak was experienced in the St. Malo area, all of which appeared to be of the twenty millimeter explosive type.  All our Spitfire aircraft returned to base landing at 2245 hours.

          23rd July     Four Spitfire IXB aircraft took off early at 0630 hours with the intention of escorting Mosquito aircraft, however the Mosquito aircraft could not be found so the four Spitfire aircraft returned to base at 0810 hours.  It is believed that the Mosquito aircraft returned early from this mission.          At 0755 hours Squadron Leader Plagis led eight Spitfire IXB aircraft on Rodeo No.186.  This was another unsuccessful operation which could not be completed owing to bad weather.  The cloud base was down at two thousand feet, topping out at four thousand five hundred feet with a density of 10/10ths.  Visibility was very hazy and varied between one and four miles.  The eight Spitfire aircraft landed back at R.A.F. Harrowbeer at 0930 hours.

          24th July     A section of two Spitfire IXB aircraft took off at 054 hours to escort M.T.B.'s ( motor torpedo boats ) in an area sixty miles to the south of Start Point and back towards Start Point.  There were no incidents experienced and the section landed back at base at 0740 hours.          At 0755 hours Squadron Leader Plagis led eight Spitfire IXB aircraft on Rhubarb No.321 in the Rennes - Angers - Laval - Follingny areas.  At 1930 hours to the east , south east of Angers our section of Spitfire aircraft were flying between four and five thousand feet when five to seven ME 109's appeared behind and slightly below them.  Our formation of aircraft took on the enemy ME 109 aircraft in a dog-fight in which Squadron Leader Plagis and Flight Lieutenant Collis both shot down an ME 109 each.  Both enemy pilots were seen to bale out of their aircraft and both ME 109 enemy aircraft were seen to crash into the ground.  There was no loss to our formation and after the attack we returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer landing at 2045 hours.

          25th July     Wing Commander Bird-Wilson led eight Spitfire IXB aircraft on Rodeo No.189.  Squadron Leader Plagis led one section of four Spitfire aircraft on this operation which proved to be very successful.  The tally for this mission was :- six lorries destroyed and one tank destroyed which were in the middle of four petrol tankers that were also set on fire and destroyed.  Three lorries were damaged and four staff cars destroyed.  A large storage camp of seven or eight huts and a tower were strafed and damaged.  All our Spitfire aircraft returned safely, landing back at base at 1635 hours.

          26th July     No operational flying for the Squadron today.

          27th July     At 1645 hours Flight Lieutenant Collis led a section of four Spitfire IXB aircraft for an attack on a wireless transmitter station reported to be near Goareo.  Flight Lieutenant Collis found the target which they strafed leaving the building burning fiercely.  The section also claim as destroyed three hut type buildings with flat roofs and surrounded by blast walls.  The whole show proved successful resulting in No.10 Group Headquarters telephoning congratulations to all who took part in the operation.  This section of four Spitfire aircraft returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer landing at 1830 hours.          Rhubarb No.324 was laid on for 1900 hours and led by Squadron Leader Plagis with eight Spitfire IXB aircraft.  The operation was carried out but nothing was seen  One of the eight aircraft was late taking off and was unable to catch the other seven up so it returned to base after fifteen minutes.  The remaining seven Spitfire aircraft landed back at R.A.F. Harrowbeer at 2120 hours.

          28th July     Wing Commander Bird-Wilson took off at 1700 hours on Rhubarb No.325 with twelve Spitfire IXB aircraft split into three sections of four aircraft.  Squadron Leader Plagis led one section of four Spitfire aircraft which damaged twenty railway trucks and probably destroyed a lorry.  The third section of four Spitfire aircraft found four stationary tanks on a road fifteen miles north west of Angers and strafed them, claiming several damaged.  During this operation one Spitfire aircraft returned to base early due to engine trouble, one Spitfire aircraft landed on the beach-head owing to engine trouble and one Spitfire aircraft was hit by flak and returned landing at R.A.F. Bolt Head.  The remaining Spitfire aircraft returned to base where all of them had landed by 2000 hours.

          29th July     At 0715 hours Ramrod No.158 was laid on which was to be a bombing of the village of Scrignac, a German Headquarters.  The Squadron of twelve Spitfire IXB aircraft was led by Squadron Leader Plagis.  The bombing was from west to east in a shallow dive from four thousand feet down to fifty feet.  The fuses on the bombs were set at eleven second delayed and all bombs landed in the target area causing great destruction.  It was estimated that eight tenths of the target was destroyed.  After the bombing the church was left still standing intact.  Flak was experienced by the first wave of Spitfire aircraft that went in, but was silenced by the bombing.  Squadron Leader Plagis ( No.126 Squadron ) and Squadron Leader Mackenzie ( No.64 Squadron ) described the attack in the postscript to the B.B.C. News on the same evening.  A signal was received by the Air Officer Commanding No.10 Group congratulating the Squadron on the operation.

          30th July     Four Spitfire IXB aircraft were airborne at 0550 hours on a shipping reconnaissance to St. Peter Port - St. Malo - St. Helier - Lezardrieux.  In the harbour at St. Malo next to the river a motor vessel of two to three thousand tons and one small one funneled vessel were observed.  The four Spitfire aircraft returned to base landing at 0735 hours after this operation.          Ramrod No.161 was laid on for 1650 hours and led by Wing Commander Bird-Wilson with thirteen Spitfire IXB aircraft of No.126 Squadron.  The operation was to escort four Mosquito aircraft on a bombing raid,  unfortunately the bombing results were not observed.  The Spitfire aircraft of No.126 Squadron strafed six empty railway trucks, damaging them.  After the operation our Spitfire aircraft returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer landing at 1950 hours.

          31st July     At 1515 hours Squadron Leader Plagis led a Squadron of eleven Spitfire IXB aircraft on Rodeo No.192 ( second sweep ).  Nothing was seen in the target area and so ground targets of opportunity were strafed.  In the Angers area three lorries were claimed as flamers, whilst one lorry was probably destroyed and three lorries and a motor cycle were damaged.  On a landing strip to the south of Mayenne a hut and a hangar were strafed and left smoking.  To the south of Laval one camouflaged staff car was probably destroyed while three or four railway trucks were left smoking at Villeuque.  After these attacks the formation flew home landing at R.A.F. Harrowbeer at 1815 hours.

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

                                                        Flight Lieutenant Collis. 

No611  Squadron :-

          1st July     A no flying day for the Squadron.  Rain and a Devon mist continued all day

          2nd July     The weather didn't clear at all.  It's still raining and visibility is not more than one hundred yards.  The day is being spent on packing up ready for tomorrows move, seems that this is the only activity No.611 Squadron is likely to get.

          3rd July     No.611 Squadron move to R.A.F. Predannack today with the aircraft taking off at 1100 hours from R.A.F. Harrowbeer and landing at R.A.F. Predannack at 1130 hours.          On arrival there was a general survey of the airfield followed by a lecture from the Senior Control Officer in the afternoon and getting dispersals in order to operate tomorrow.

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

                                               Squadron Leader W. A. Douglas.

No.838  Fleet  Air  Arm  Squadron :-

          Unfortunately i have still not been able to locate the Squadron ' Day Books ' or     ' O.R.B.'s ' so have no details of work or duties.

          If you can help in any way of locating these or have relevant information i would be most grateful if you would contact me,  ( the Archivist :- Michael Hayes  on  Tel :- 01822 853679  or  E mail :- knightstonetea@yahoo.co.uk