80 Years ago from the Archives - May 1944
Wing Commander J. Butterworth remains the Station Commander for R.A.F. Station Harrowbeer and signed the Station Operation Record Book for May.
Visitors to R.A.F. Harrowbeer included :-
Flying Officer Durnford - No.19 Group Coastal Command
? ? ? - The Commander in Chief of Coastal Command
Air Vice Marshal Steele - Air Officer Commanding No.10 Group
Group Captain Sir A. Hope - Senior Medical Officer for Headquarters No.10 Group
Weather :-
1st May May opened with the first dull and cloudy day for a fortnight, there were a few bright periods as the day progressed.
2nd May Overcast during the morning, sunny and cloudless in the afternoon with drizzle towards dusk.
3rd May A bright sunny day with an average of 2/10ths to 4/10ths cloud.
4th May A strong south wind brought unsettled weather and low clouds. It was fine at dawn which steadily deteriorated with drizzle during the morning and heavy rain developing after lunch. There was a fine spell in the late afternoon but with heavy rain again in the evening.
5th May Heavy showers, strong winds and low cloud with bright periods between.
6th May Bright and sunny today with a bit of cloud, but rather cold owing to an easterly wind.
7th May Very variable wind and weather today.
8th May Not much change in the weather, sunny with cloud and haze.
9th May Still remaining bright and sunny but with chilly wind coming from the south east during the morning.
10th May There is no break in the warm sunny weather.
11th May Another warm , sunny day.
12th May There seems to be no end of this good weather as today remains warm and sunny.
13th May The day starts with 10/10ths cloud which lasts until around 1000 hours when the weather began to clear again.
14th May A fine warm day again with an easterly wind.
15th May The weather is somewhat colder today but still bright and dry. There is 5/10ths cloud at five to eight thousand feet.
18th May Today there are fine bright periods, but generally it is overcast with intervals of showers.
19th May The day commences warm and bright, but a haze occurred with the sun shining for the greater part of the day.
20th May An unsettled cold and hazy day, but no rain. There is 5/10ths cloud at five thousand feet which turned to 10/10ths mist in the late afternoon. Flying patrols landed at R.A.F. Harrowbeer with the aid of a mortar canopy in duff last light at 2250 hours.
21st May Today was overcast with some sunny bright spells.
22nd May Cloud up to 5/10ths at times.
23rd May A clear sunny day.
25th May The weather has turned very bad making flying impossible due to low loud.
26th May The weather remains bad with rain and cloud right down making another no flying day.
27th May Another poor mixture today during the morning consisting of sun and pearly low cloud or mist which cleared in the late afternoon.
28th May A much improved day today turning into a hot bright day.
29th May A fairly reasonable day to start which allowed flying to take place all day from first light, again turning very hot later on.
30th May A no flying day. In the afternoon there was a thunderstorm, one which had been expected for several days owing to the unusual heat.
From the Station O.R.B.
1st May No.838 Fleet Air Arm Squadron lost three Fairey Swordfish aircraft in their first operation.
3rd May Flying Officer Durnford from No.19 Group, Coastal Command gave a lecture on escaping to the pilots of No.131 Squadron and No. 263 Squadron.
4th May The Commander in Chief of Coastal Command and the Air Officer Commanding No.10 Group visited the Station.
5th May The Air Officer Commanding No.10 Group - Air Vice Marshal Steele had a talk with the pilots of No.131 Squadron, No.263 Squadron and Officers of the R.A.F. Regiment in the Pilot's Room. He was accompanied by Group Captain Sir A. Hope.
14th May Eight Dakota aircraft from Aldermaston arrived on a freighter run.
16th May Spitfire aircraft of No.131 Squadron carried out exercises with a U.S. Navy Liberator aircraft from R.A.F. Dunkerswell. Pilots of No.23 Squadron had an aircraft recognition test followed by discussions afterwards.
17th May A pilot from No.131 Squadron is missing from a result of offensive operations.
19th May A Beaufighter aircraft from R.A.F. Davidstowe Moor returned here from ' Roadstead No.108 ' badly shot up, the undercarriage would not lower and the aircraft crash landed. The pilot was wounded and the Navigator is safe.
21st May A pilot of No.263 Squadron is missing from an offensive operation after his aircraft was hit by flak.
24th May No.131 Squadron and Servicing Echelon left R.A.F. Harrowbeer for R.A.F. Culmhead. No.610 Squadron and Servicing Echelon arrived on the Station from R.A.F. Bolt Head.
28th May A pilot from No.610 Squadron is reported as missing from an offensive operation, his aircraft was hit by flak. A pilot from No.263 Squadron struck the church tower of St. Paul's Church, Yelverton when taking off. The aircraft crashed and the pilot was killed.
Appendix ' A '
Sports, P.T. and Entertainment
Sport :- This month has seen the most un-cricket like weather possible and match after match had to be cancelled owing to the bad weather. In addition the majority of our first team players have been posted. The results for this month are :- Played - 2 won - 1 lost - 0 and one match had to be abandoned.
Squash :- This sport has increased in popularity but badminton has suffered owing to the encroachment of the cinema seating on floor space in the Gymnasium. It is hoped to paint a new court in the ' small ' space left to provide for the coming season.
As the weather is showing signs of improvement, outdoor games are becoming popular again. Inter - section cricket is being taken up again and we welcome the W.A.A.F. who are entering a team. For what is left of the Summer we shall be using the Moorland Link Hotel ' swimming pool ' as we did last year. Members of the various aircrews will also make use of the swimming pool for dinghy drill.
P.T. :- Defence Flights are the main followers of a regular P.T. programme and these have now been increased by members of the ' Air - Mountain Rescue Service ' who follow a specialised programme of three half hour periods per week in addition to their weekly classes.
Soccer :- Plans have been made for a successful soccer season. Once again the Station has linked up with a Devon County League ( Plymouth area ) and there is interest among various sections for an inter - section play in the ' Joliffe Cup ' competition. It is a great relief to know that when the West Devon weather cannot dampen the football enthusiasm of the players and always manages to ' wash out ' the games.
Entertainment :- Our programme continues to be very full as the following weekly summary of activities will show :-
Cinema :- Four weekly performances with an average attendance at each performance of two hundred and seventy people.
E.N.S.A. Shows :- One performance each fortnight with an average attendance of three hundred people per show.
Dances :- One Station Dance per week with an attendance in excess of three hundred persons per dance.
Other regular amusements include :- Music circle concerts and whist drives.
From time to time there were other shows, the most notable being from the ' Adelphi ' players who played Ibsen's ' Ghosts ' to a large and enthusiastic audience and a visit from the Plymouth Orchestral Society in a light classical concert.
Unsigned
Station Sick Quarters - Form 540
1st May Strength of Station including R.A.F. Bolt Head and units attached for medical administration :- R.A.F. - 1916 W.A.A.F. - 466 Army - 114 Naval - 261
3rd May The Senior Medical Officer from Headquarters No.10 Group visited the Station for a review of a scheme for ' Evacuation of Casualties ' - points mentioned are being incorporated in a revised scheme.
5th May Patients admitted to the Station Sick Quarters and hospital for week-ending today :- R.A.F. - 10 W.A.A.F. - 3 Army - 0 Navy - 1
6th May An L.A.C. motorcyclist of the Station Headquarters was involved in a motor cycle accident and sustained injuries to his head and concussion. He was admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth on 7 / 5 / 1944 and place on the seriously ill list.
12th May Patients admitted to the Station Sick Quarters and hospital for wee-ending today :- R.A.F. - 11 W.A.A.F. - 4 Army - 0 Naval - 2
19th May At 2130 hours a Beaufighter aircraft of No.144 Squadron returning from operations made a wheels up landing on the runway extension. The Observer was unhurt but he pilot was suffering from a lacerated wound to his left forearm and multiple abrasions to his left thigh. The Observer had applied a tourniquet to the pilot's arm enabling them to reach R.A.F. Harrowbeer. The patient was admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth.
19th May Patients admitted to the Station Sick Quarters and hospital for week-ending today :- R.A.F. - 16 W.A.A.F. - 4 Navy - 1
26th May Patients admitted to the Station Sick Quarters and hospital for week-ending today :- R.A.F. - 11 W.A.A.F. - 4 Navy - 2
27th May With effect from today R.A.F. Bolt Head became self accounting for medical stores and administration.
28th May A Typhoon aircraft struck the tower of Yelverton Church on take-off and crashed in a field and caught fire immediately. Rescue work was impossible as the aircraft was on it's back and on fire before it could be reached, subsequent examination showed that the pilot had probably been killed on impact from multiple injuries. The pilot and aircraft belonged to No.263 Squadron.
The Form 540 for the month of May was signed by :-
Squadron Leader F. Constable S.M.O.
From the Squadron O.R.B's
No.1 Squadron :-
30th May In the evening eight of No.1 Squadron's Spitfire aircraft escorted Typhoon bomber aircraft of No.263 Squadron ( from R.A.F. Harrowbeer ) on an armed shipping reconnaissance. Luck was with them when ten miles south of Ushant they spied a convoy of mine-sweepers, auxiliaries and a power driven barge. The Typhoon aircraft of No.263 Squadron bombed the convoy and although no actual hits were registered some went mighty close with a possibility of damage being registered. There was some flak experienced from the convoy but nobody was hit.
No.2 Squadron :-
1st May Nine pilots and their Mustang aircraft were detailed to fly to R.A.F. Harrowbeer from R.A.F. Gatwick for a Naval spotting exercise.
9th May The nine pilots and their Mustang aircraft returned back to R.A.F. Gatwick after completion of their duty.
No.131 ( County of Kent ) Squadron :-
1st May There were two scrambles carried out by No.131 Squadron today. The first was from 1935 hours until 2120 hours. The stand-by section f ' A ' Flight were scrambled and sent to patrol off Guernsey and Cherbourg at twenty two thousand feet. This was later reduced to one thousand feet and the patrol line shifted to the north of the Sept Isles. The second scramble was from 2045hours until 2140 hours. A section of Spitfire aircraft were sent to patrol off the Ille De Batz at twenty thousand feet. Neither patrol had anything of interest to report.
2nd May The operational flying today consisted of eight standing patrols between 1220 hours and 2050 hours, these were carried out over Lyme Bay at twenty two thousand feet. The last patrol was cut short and brought back to R.A.F. Harrowbeer owing to low cloud and a base of seven hundred feet which was blowing up from the south west. The only thing of interest during the day was when one of the patrols was vectored south at 1725 hours to investigate a suspicious aircraft that turned out to be a Lightning aircraft.
3rd May In the afternoon the Squadron took part in No.10 Group Roadstead No.103 acting as target cover to Typhoon aircraft bombing a beached Elbing class destroyer east of Vierge. The Squadron took twelve aircraft for a change, eight having been the usual number for several months. Take off was at 1620 hours and the formation set course from Stoke Point at sea level. When they were within twenty miles of the French Coast they made a rapid climb to cross the Ile Vierge at twelve thousand feet and swept to port towards the target. Zero hour was set at 1700 hours and the target cover was to arrive there two minutes earlier. Although the Spitfire aircraft of No.131 Squadron were there at 1658 hours the bombing had already started. One section of No.131 Squadron had been detailed to take special note of the bombing results. They observed one hit just aft of the mid-ships which produced clouds of steam and white smoke. The bows of the destroyer which was facing inshore were awash which had not been the case two days earlier according to photographic reconnaissance pictures. There was a small amount of light flak from either the target or shore batteries. The Squadron landed back at base at 1805 hours. At 1950 hours one section of No.131 Squadron was scrambled and sent south at fifteen thousand feet. They were then told to climb to twenty thousand feet as there was a ' bandit over Plymouth ' at twenty four thousand feet, still climbing the section reached twenty eight thousand feet and saw flak bursts over Plymouth. People on the ground at R.A.F. Harrowbeer had been seeing the enemy aircraft vapour trails for some time and it seemed that an interception was very likely. Unfortunately the Spitfire aircraft could not see the vapour trails and waited for information from operations. This was a long time coming which allowed the bandits to get ten miles ahead of the Spitfires. The section gave chase reaching a speed of four hundred and twenty miles per hour I.A.S. but could not see them so they were re-called when south west of Guernsey, landing back at base at 2030 hours.
4th May Flying was much reduced today owing to the state of the weather. The morning was spent on the Link Trainer, the rifle range and on intelligence. In the afternoon a discussion group was held which was attended by nineteen pilots and the Intelligence Officer, the topic for discussion was :- ' Post War Demobilisation '. In the evening the Squadron had one scramble and carried out two patrols which all turned out to be uneventful.
5th May Operational flying today consisted of seven patrols at twenty thousand feet up to twenty two thousand feet in mid-channel. Each patrol flew to the south of Start Point and towards Portland Bill, between 0715 hours and 2220 hours. All the patrols were uneventful.
6th May The Squadron were detailed to escort a convoy of two motor vessels with attendant small craft from six miles east of Start Point until they reached Plymouth Sound. Two sections were engaged on this from 1700 hours until 1825 hours and from 1800 hours until 1940 hours. There was a scramble at 1825 hours which was uneventful.
8th May The stand-by section was scrambled at 1535 hours and vectored south, they were immediately put on an ordinary standing patrol between Start Point and Portland Bill for one hour and forty minutes. It is hoped that this sort of thing won't develop any further. If operations cry ' Wolf ' too often ( by scrambling the the stand-by section when all that is required is a relief petrol to take off, they will find that the pilots won't take genuine scrambles seriously ). Between 1455 hours and 1545 hours one section carried out some co-operation work with Coastal Command - practice attacks on a Sunderland Flying Boat.
9th May Between 0955 hours and 1015 hours one section were sent out to carry out co-operation exercises with a Sunderland Flying Boat. No.131 Squadron took part in No.10 Group Rodeo No.132. At 1500 hours twelve Spitfire aircraft were to fly as forward cover to No.165 Squadron in the La Rocuelle area. They climbed across the Channel to the Ile Vierge at fifteen thousand feet, then swept around Kerlin Bastard and Vannes gradually losing height to meet No.165 Squadron at Gael at 1600 hours and to cover their withdrawal. The weather was perfect with good visibility and no cloud. There was no enemy reaction, neither flak or fighter aircraft making the whole trip uneventful except that one Spitfire aircraft developed plug trouble on the way back and had to land at R.A.F. Bolt Head. The remaining eleven Spitfire aircraft landed at R.A.F. Harrowbeer at 1655 hours.
10th May The usual standing patrols were carried out between Start Point and Portland Bill at twenty two thousand feet all day. The patrols began at 0705 hours and lasted until 2240 hours. During the 1930 hours and 2100 hours patrol the section were vectored towards the Cap De La Hague after bogeys. Four aircraft were intercepted near Sark and identified as Spitfire Mark IV's. At 2025 hours the readiness section were scrambled onto the four bogeys mentioned above so were re-called and landed back at base at 2100 hours.
11th May The Squadron continue the patrols from Start Point to Portland Bill at high altitude from 0610 hours until 1200 hours. All patrols were uneventful.
12th May Again the customary standing patrols were kept up all day with the first taking off at 0600 hours and the last one landing at 2225 hours. During some of the patrols various sections were vectored onto suspected bogeys. In many of the cases these bogeys turned out to be various marks of Spitfire aircraft. The interesting thing regarding the bogeys is that it is suspected that the enemy have been using captured Spitfire aircraft, possibly three of which were around at that time. Two of the pilots involved in chasing the bogeys were called to R.A.F. Bolt Head to attend a conference held by the Sector Controller on this point, but other than stating the facts no other information was given, so the outcome is as to whether there are hostile Spitfire aircraft in the area or not ! Therefore the pilots must be on their guard and expect that this is a possibility.
13th May Two Squadron Spitfire aircraft were airborne at 0615 hours to carry out a patrol but had to return after five minutes as one of the Spitfires developed R/T trouble. A second patrol was laid on from 0750 hours until 0925 hours from Start Point to Portland Bill. They were to fly at twenty four thousand feet instead of the usual twenty two thousand feet owing to a thick layer of cloud from twenty thousand feet up to twenty four thousand feet.
14th May The usual standing patrols were carried out as previously between 0550 hours and 2135 hours. At 1250 hours one of the sections was scrambled and sent south east of Start Point but this proved to be uneventful. The section returned to base landing at 1405 hours.
15th May The day started with the normal standing patrols from 0545 hours until 1715 hours which all proved uneventful. Another section of No.131 Squadron was also sent up at 0545 hours to carry out a patrol which experienced plenty of light flak from two E-boats entering St. Malo but there was no sign of any enemy aircraft. This section returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer landing at 0715 hours. Four Squadron Spitfire aircraft took off on Roadstead No.107 at 0920 hours acting as cover to No.263 Squadron. The operation was uneventful and No.131 Squadron returned to base landing at 1045 hours. At 1115 hours a shipping reconnaissance was carried out by four Spitfire aircraft on which two vessels believed to be merchant vessels and three mine-sweepers were sighted. No action is reported and the four Spitfires returned to base landing at 1345 hours. The day finished off with another patrol from Start Point to Portland Bill from 1910 hours until 2100 hours which was uneventful.
16th May Another day of high flying patrols starting at 0750 hours and lasting until 2225 hours. There was nothing to report on any of these patrols. At 0845 hours two Spitfire aircraft were scrambled and vectored south east to a height of thirty one thousand feet, later they were sent on a vector north east of Alderney. Nothing was sighted and the aircraft returned to base landing at 0940 hours.
17th May At 0545 hours a shipping reconnaissance was laid on which was carried out by four Spitfire aircraft of the Squadron. The Spitfires reconnoitered the areas of Aber Vrach, Ushant and Brest at zero feet. Two small mine-sweepers were seen at Lezardrieux. Unfortunately one of our pilots failed to return from this operation and is reported as missing. The other three Spitfires landed at R.A.F. Harrowbeer at 0735 hours. The usual high flying patrols commenced at 0750 hours and continued until 1320 hours. Another shipping reconnaissance was laid on at 2045 hours with four Squadron Spitfire aircraft. At 2125 hours, when the formation was north west of Camaret they sighted from a distance of one thousand yards four motor vessels ( three island, single funnel types ) of between one thousand five hundred tons ad three thousand tons, being led by a tug or small coaster steering on a course of one hundred and forty degrees at about five to ten knots. Light inaccurate flak was experienced from these vessels but no one was hit by it. The four Spitfire aircraft returned safely back to R.A.F. Harrowbeer landing at 2217 hours. Throughout the morning fifteen pilots of No.131 Squadron attended the Intelligence Office to take the periodic ' Air Defence of Great Britain Recognition Test '. All the pilots obtained eighteen or more marks out of twenty and therefore passed the test.
19th May High flying patrols in the Lyme Bay area were flown again today commencing at 0640 hours until 1825 hours. Four Spitfire aircraft took off at 1700 hours on a shipping reconnaissance. Two of the aircraft flew at zero feet to Aber Vrach and Goulet De Brest but saw nothing., they landed back at base at 1825 hours. The other two aircraft flew at zero feet level with the sea to St. Malo and Lezardrieux. On approaching St. Malo the Spitfires climbed to four thousand feet to observe the harbour and sighted a white camouflaged vessel with two masts and prominent cross-trees, superstructure amidships and no obvious funnel ( possibly an oil burning vessel ). Three small trawler type vessels were later seen at Lezardrieux. The two aircraft landed back at base at 1829 hours. At 1955 hours Roadstead No.108 was laid on involving twelve Squadron Spitfire aircraft, the purpose being to act as escort cover to twelve anti-flak Beaufighter aircraft and twelve rocket projectile Beaufighter aircraft attacking shipping off Ushant. The formation rendezvoused with the Beaufighter aircraft and the close escort over the Lizard, Cornwall and flew out to a point near Ushant at sea level before climbing to one thousand five hundred feet to cover the attacking force. At 2045 hours about five miles east north east of Ushant a convoy of two destroyers and five or six merchant vessels were seen steaming east. The Beaufighter aircraft went in to attack scoring direct hits on one destroyer and one motor vessel and leaving the latter on fire. One of the Beaufighter aircraft was seen to go into the sea. Intense light flak was experienced from the ships. Nothing of interest happened to our formation which landed back at R.A.F. Harrowbeer at 2134 hours having had to circle the airfield for about ten minutes owing to a Beaufighter aircraft which had to make a forced landing with it's wheels up having been hit by flak over the target.
20th May There was an early morning scramble by two Spitfire aircraft at 0635 hours, but they were re-called after ten minutes. Patrols were flown from 1145 hours until 1845 hours, but of a different nature to the usual patrols. It was rumoured that an enemy submarine was at large in the Channel. The patrols were detailed to fly between one thousand feet and three thousand feet in the area between Sept Isles and Jersey. Thick haze prevented any systemic search of the water and necessitated instrument flying for most of the time, so the patrols were of little or no value. Six Spitfire aircraft took part in Roadstead No.109 at 2030 hours which was a repeat of Roadstead No.198 the previous day. At 2125 hours a convoy of three enemy Naval vessels of the destroyer type and five motor vessels were sighted about five miles off Ushant. To the great surprise of the Squadron the Beaufighter aircraft made no attempt to attack the ships and the whole formation returned uneventfully. No.131 Squadron landed back at R.A.F. Harrowbeer at 2220 hours.
21st May The Squadron were back this morning on their high flying patrols in Lyme Bay from 0700 hours until 0840 hours and again in the afternoon from 1430 hours until 1640 hours.
22nd May Today the usual high flying patrols started at 1440 hours and carried on until 2115 hours. Rhubarb No.225 was laid on at 1700 hours which involved three Spitfire aircraft of No.131 Squadron now that the ban on attacking trains in France had been lifted. The formation of three Spitfires flew to a point between Jersey and the French Coast, they climbed to four thousand feet and carried out a reconnaissance in the Avranches area. At 1740 hours they sighted s stationary locomotive at a junction and the formation went down to thirty feet to attack it with cannon and machine gun fire. Al pilots reported strikes and extensive damage with clouds of steam and debris. Four minutes later south west of Pensubouls they found a goods train and again they all went in to attack and report numerous strikes on the locomotive. It was then decided that as fuel was running short that the formation should head for home where they landed at 1835 hours.
3rd May Two Spitfire aircraft were detailed to carry out an Air Sea Rescue patrol at 0735 hours between Start Point and the Channel Islands. There had been a report of what looked like strips of wood seen on the sea but nothing of interest was found or seen to report so the two aircraft returned to base landing at 0915 hours. The usual high flying patrols were carried out from 0840 hours until 1225 hours which were all uneventful. Another Air Sea Rescue patrol was carried out between 1105 hours and 1245 hours but again nothing was seen. At 1630 hours twelve Spitfire aircraft of No.131 Squadron took part in Ramrod No.131 which required them to act as escort cover to twenty four Mitchell aircraft bombing Dinard / Pluertuit Aerodrome. Bombing of the target was quite uneventful and there was no enemy activity from flak or enemy fighters. The formation returned to base landing at 1805 hours.
24th May No.131 Squadron and the Servicing Echelon left R.A.F. Harrowbeer for R.A.F. Culmhead. The pilots flew over with eighteen Spitfire aircraft during the morning.
28th May The Tiger Moth was flown from R.A.F. Culmhead to R.A.F. Harrowbeer with a spare pilot to collect a Spitfire that had been left there when the Squadron moved.
The Squadron O.R.B. ( Form 540 ) for the month of May was signed by :-
Flying Officer C. Flick - Squadron Intelligence Officer.
The Squadron O.R.B. ( Form 541 ) for the month of May was signed by :-
Squadron Leader I. A. MacDougall.
No.165 ( Ceylon ) Squadron :-
1st May Four Spitfire IXB aircraft of No.165 ( Ceylon ) Squadron took off from R.A.F. Predannack at 1800 hours on a shipping reconnaissance on which they reported seeing a medium / small vessel lying on it's side with the bottom facing out to sea in the estuary at Abervrach. The section landed back at R.A.F. Harrowbeer at 2000 hours.
2nd May Two Spitfire IXB aircraft were detailed to patrol between the Lizard, Cornwall and Start Point from 1500 hours until 1645 hours. At 1600 hours a shipping reconnaissance was carried out by the Squadron. A section of four Spitfire IXB aircraft proceeded from base at zero feet to the vicinity of Morlaix and then from there they flew to the north of Ushant, climbing to eight thousand feet and then proceeded to return to R.A.F. Harrowbeer. The beached destroyer was still beached near Pontusval and three smaller launches were still present in Abervrach and there were four boats which may have been E-boats also in the estuary. There was no opposition of any kind.
The Squadron O.R.B. for the month of May was signed by :-
Squadron Leader M. E. Blackstone.
No.263 Squadron :-
1st May May opened with the first cloudy day for a fortnight. The day was spent in re-establishing serviceability of the Squadron aircraft.
2nd May Dive-bombing of shipping in Lezardrieux. Seven No.263 Squadron Typhoon aircraft IB took off on Roadstead No.101 at 1856 hours. The formation dive-bombed out of the sun onto three motor vessels of between two thousand and three thousand tons, each with seven other smaller ships in the Lezardrieux Estuary. The bombs were grouped among the ships, but no claims were made. The cine-camera gun from one of the pilots shows cannon damage during the dive to one of the motor vessels ( category 3 or 4 ) and from a low level attack on an M class motor vessel ( category 3 or 4 ). There were balloons and accurate flak experienced on this operation but strong winds were the hardest thing to cop with. All the Typhoon aircraft returned safely landing back at R.A.F. Harrowbeer at 2008 hours.
3rd May There were three morning patrols laid on from Start Point to the Lizard, Cornwall all flown at six thousand feet. The first patrol was between 0845 hours and 0945 hours, the second patrol was between 1005 hours and 1130 hours and the third patrol from 1110 hours until 1230 hours. Each patrol was flown by two Typhoon IB aircraft and were uneventful. Eight Typhoon IB aircraft of No.263 Squadron took off at 1355 hours on Roadstead No.102 - Part 1, but they encountered 10/10ths cloud at four thousand feet when ten miles from the coast so the operation was abandoned. The aircraft returned to base where they landed at 1500 hours. PRU ( Photo Reconnaissance Unit ) has at last established that there are two beached ships' opposite ' each other. One is in Abervrach and the other ( a destroyer ) near Kerlouan. At 1755 hours eight Typhoon aircraft again took off on Roadstead No.102 - Part 2, which was a standard dive-bombing operation of a beached Elbing destroyer off Kerouak. A PRU of the target two minutes later confirms exactly our observations and claims of four near misses to the bows of the ships and one probable direct hit amidships ( category 3 ). The eight Typhoon aircraft returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer after the attack, landing at 1905 hours.
4th and 5th May Practice flying and the fitting of rocket projectiles to the Typhoon aircraft was carried out today. One Flight is to be released for intense training on this weapon. The Air Officer Commanding No.10 Group - Air Vice Marshal Steele visited R.A.F. Harrowbeer and was introduced to the pilots in dispersal. There was no mention of a second front.
6th May No.263 Squadron pilots went to R.A.F. Bolt Head to see Squadron Leader Gonay, and two other pilots to demonstrate successfully the rocket projectile against a rock and tanks ( all three had practiced at S.L.A.I.S. Milford on the use of rocket projectiles ). Unfortunately the Typhoon aircraft used in the demonstration at R.A.F. Bolt Head showed marked signs of strain in their wings - rivets pulled out, etc. - so the rocket projectiles were removed from all other Typhoon aircraft which had them fitted pending investigation.
7th May Practice flying only carried out today.
8th May A dive-bombing operation of Dinard - Plourtuit and a dusk shipping reconnaissance carried out today. Nine Typhoon IB aircraft took part in Circus No.61, taking off from base at 1520 hours on a standard dive-bombing operation of Dinas / Pleurtuit Airfields. This was the first time that the Squadron had attacked this target. Two pilots fired their cannons on a flak post positioned on a hulk in the River Rance Estuary. The flak position in the area were surprised and did not return fire. The Squadron returned safely and landed back at base at 1640 hours. At 2056 hours a shipping reconnaissance was carried out by four Typhoon IB aircraft which found and reported minor concentrations of shipping in Morlaix and the Abervrach Estuaries. The formation then headed for home landing safely at 2215 hours.
9th May Practice flying and night exercises.
10th May An exercise " Driver " with H.M.S. Glasgow and also ' 263 / 1 ' with the Plymouth guns was carried out by some of the No.263 Squadron pilots throughout the day. Eight Typhoon IB aircraft were detailed to carry out four patrols with the first patrol taking off at 1245 hours and the last one landing back at base at 1820 hours. All these patrols were from Start Point to the Lizard, Cornwall and return to Start Point flying at a distance ten miles to the south and at a height of six thousand feet. The patrols all proved uneventful. At 1750 hours until 1950 hours and then from 1850 hours until 2010 hours two more patrols were carried out between Bolt Head and the Lizard, Cornwall, with a final dusk patrol on the same line at 2100 hours until 2235 hours. There was a Squadron scramble at 2025 hours on which two Typhoon aircraft were vectored to mid-channel for Dinard - Alderney plots, but nothing was sighted resulting in the two Typhoon aircraft being re-called to base landing at 2110 hours. A total of twenty one hours of defensive operational flying has been undertaken. This was followed by night flying exercises.
11th May Continuation of exercise " Driver "and " 263/1 " carried out by the Squadron Typhoon aircraft. In the evening there was a dive-bombing practice at Bolt Head. Two of our aircraft were hotly but inaccurately engaged by heavy anti-aircraft fire.
12th May Roadstead No.105 was laid on at 0930 hours which involved seven Squadron Typhoon IB aircraft on a standard dive-bombing operation on which they attacked out of the sun onto three small - medium sized motor vessels in Abervrach. All the bombs overshot their targets with possible damage to the harbour and installations and to the medieval town. The Typhoon aircraft were back at R.A.F. Harrowbeer at 1100 hours. Roadstead No.106 was underway at 1520 hours with eight Squadron Typhoon IB aircraft. The Commanding Officer's aircraft became u/s when he was half way across the Channel so he and his section of four Typhoon aircraft returned to base with him, The other four Typhoon aircraft continued under the leadership of Flight Lieutenant Rutter who scored a pair of direct hits on a motor vessel ' M65 ' which was a ship of one thousand and sixty four tons and rendered as ( category 3 ). This section of four Typhoon aircraft returned to base after the attack landing at 1640 hours.
13th May A practice and local flying day for the Squadron although the weather was very hazy.
14th May Six Typhoon IB aircraft were flown from R.A.F. Harrowbeer to R.A.F. Tangmere, Sussex at 1658 hours and took part in Rodeo No.135 which was a low level sweep around Paris which was uneventful, except for damaging two or three barges on the Seine and near Compeigne. The six Typhoon aircraft returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer landing at 1912 hours. The usual defensive patrols were also carried out throughout the day.
15th May At 0928 hours Roadstead No.107 was laid on involving eight Typhoon IB aircraft which proved to be and unsatisfactory operation. The only target that was found in Abervrach was two landing barges and a beached merchant ship. These were dive-bombed with poor results. All the Typhoon aircraft returned safely landing at 1035 hours.
16th March A fighter affiliation with three Liberator aircraft from R.A.F. Dunkeswell was laid on today. The rest of the day was spent on defensive patrols, recognition tests, ship recognition, lectures and tactical lectures by Squadron Leader Gonay.
18th May The Squadron's normal state has now become established as the aristocratic state that we enjoyed with the Whirlibombers ( Whirlwind aircraft armed with bombs ). Eight Typhoon aircraft and pilots are at sixty minutes availability for bombers.
19th May In the afternoon twelve pilots and Intelligence Officer went to R.A.F. Mount Batten for a pleasant and useful cruise in a pinnace around Plymouth Harbour to Devonport for ship recognition. Today was another day of patrols with two being carried out from R.A.F. Predannack and two from R.A.F. Harrowbeer. ( 1 ) 2110 hours until 2205 hours, R.A.F. Predannack - Start Point - R.A.F. Harrowbeer. ( 2 ) 2000 hours until 2105 hours, R.A.F. Predannack - Start Point - R.A.F. Predannack ( 3 ) 2150 hours until 2245 hours, Start Point - Lizard, Cornwall and
( 4 ) 2155 hours until 2330 hours, Start Point - Lizard, Cornwall.
All the patrols proved to be uneventful.
20th May In the late evening the Squadron flew it's first low level shipping strike with the Typhoon aircraft. One of our pilots is missing in not very hopeful circumstances. He was a pilot that was liked by all of us in the Squadron. He was one of those people who served steadily and did well in Training Command without ever losing sight of the ambition to fly on operations. It was a hazy evening on the airfield and at 2205 hours two Squadron Typhoon IB aircraft took off to patrol between Start Point and the Lizard, Cornwall. This patrol required a dusk landing back at R.A.F. Harrowbeer at 2250 hours, the visibility over base was very poor so the landing had to be made with the aid of a signal mortar and canopy which was successfully achieved.
21st May At 2109 hours eight Typhoon IB aircraft were airborne on Roadstead No.110 which was an operation which was carried out for reasons not disclosed but was very necessary to prevent a convoy of eight M class merchant ships ( or other small warships ) which were leaving St. Malo from continuing their operation and since there was cloud at two thousand feet this strike was laid on at low level. The convoy was met head on ten miles north north west of Cap Frehel and after a very good anti-flak attack by No.610 Squadron left one of the ships on fire, our Typhoons then went in with cannon fire and bombed from mat height. The results were difficult to observe, but one of the ships is claimed as ( category 3 ). It is reported that the enemy ships were deterred from their proposed operation. The Typhoon aircraft returned to base after the attack and landed at 2231 hours.
23rd May Today saw three Squadron Roadstead operations, dive-bombing ships off Brest and in the Lezardrieux Estuary. There were some good results. The first of these was Roadstead No.111 which took place with eight Typhoon IB aircraft of No.263 Squadron flying down to R.A.F. Predannack. The eight Typhoons took off from there at 0555 hours to dive-bomb a convoy of three M class merchant ships and two destroyers off St. Mathew Point. A direct hit was scored on one of the destroyers, damaging it claiming it to be ( category 3 ). All the Typhoon IB aircraft returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer landing at 9655 hours. In the late afternoon at 1725 hours eight Typhoon IB aircraft were airborne on Roadstead No.112. The operation required the dive-bombing of two motor vessels in Lezardrieux, one of them of one thousand tons and the other of three thousand tons. After the attack both vessels are thought to be damaged by bombs straggling them resulting in near misses but causing damage. The two vessels are claimed as ( category 4 but possibly category 3 ). Intense flak was experienced from the area, but all the Typhoon aircraft returned safely landing back at R.A.F. Harrowbeer at 1838 hours. Another operation ( Roadstead No.113 ) was laid on in the evening with eight Typhoon IB aircraft which took off at 2056 hours again to dive-bomb ships in Lezardrieux. There was cloud at six thousand feet which prevented a proper dive-bombing attack which resulted in the bombs overshooting or going wide.. The Typhoon aircraft landed back at base at 2208 hours from this operation. No.263 Squadron has completed sixty offensive operations and three hundred and fifty four offensive sorties with Typhoon aircraft since 2nd February 1944.
27th May There has been little flying practice during the past few days owing to low cloud and mist. Today the Squadron spent the afternoon on fighter affiliation duties.
28th May The morning was take up by air to air firing and dive-bombing practice. At 1155 hours while taking off for this practice flying, Flight Sergeant J. Pringle ( Paddy ) hit the top of Yelverton Church ( the pinnacle of St. Paul's Church tower dislodging half a dozen stones ) and crashed fatally in the fields below. ' Paddy ' Pringle was a keen and able pilot and an excellent friend. A evening armed shipping reconnaissance was laid on at 1640 hours when nine Typhoon OB aircraft were airborne to search an area from Brehat to Abervrach but flying overland looking for shipping or trains. Nothing was found so the formation dive-bombed six barges in Abervrach with poor results. The nine Typhoon aircraft flew back to base after this attack where they landed at 1810 hours.
29th May No.263 Squadron were released from 1600 hours until 0800 hours for a Squadron party in the N.A.A.F.I. Beer drinking and dancing was enjoyed by everyone. A Flying Officer who was the Master of Ceremonies achieved perfect timing in an unrehearsed act, he concluded a display of aerobatics on the cross-bar of a bicycle by falling head first into a brimming fire bucket.
30th May Two Roadsteads from R.A.F. Predannack were laid on for today by No.263 Squadron. The first of these was in the morning at 1145 hours when eight Typhoon IB aircraft loaded with bombs took off on Roadstead No.116. These eight Bombphoons ( Typhoons armed with bombs ) carried out an armed reconnaissance of the approaches to Brest and sighted a three thousand five hundred ton motor vessel off the Goulet probably towed by a tug. Our dive-bombing secured the nearest results to date. Twelve of the bombs ( 500 lb multi cluster with a 025 second fuse ) fell in the stern area of the ship. One was a direct hit, another produced debris, the ship is claimed as ( category 3 ) but it is believed by this unit to have been sunk. All the Typhoon aircraft returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer landing at 1300 hours without incident. In the evening at 2000 hours Roadstead No.117 was underway by six Typhoon IB aircraft as a follow up to this mornings operation. This time five trawler type auxiliaries and a barge were found south of Ushant, but the dive-bombing was poor owing to the Typhoons diving too early. Rendezvous was made with a Spitfire aircraft Squadron at R.A.F. Bolt Head or R.A.F. Predannack, they crossed the Channel at just above sea level then made a rapid climb to ten thousand feet from twenty miles off the French Coast. The standard approach was made as for all dive-bombing operations during the month. Dive-bombing of the target was from ten thousand feet down to three thousand feet out of the sun or from the stern of the ship. The formation then made an orbit offshore at three thousand feet to reform before returning to base where all aircraft landed safely at 2115 hours.
31st May Practice flying and a shipping reconnaissance that unfortunately found no ships were the only activities carried out today by the Squadron.
General :- This month the Squadron took part in sixteen offensive operations involving one hundred and twenty sorties being flown which caused considerable damage to enemy shipping ( which is still being assessed ). There has been a great improvement in the accuracy of dive-bombing attacks which has been made as a result of constant practice.
The Squadron Adjutant who has been with us since November 1941 has been posted to a Squadron Leader post at R.A.F. Predannack. He had a nickname of ' Bish ' and seemed the immortal figure-head of the Squadron despite his years. He was an excellent companion and an inimitable raconteur. It goes without saying that he was adept to penetrate and control the mysteries of the Squadron ' bumph '. As a man of the law and an inveterate weigher up of sporting chances, he was particularly helpful to anyone involved in any sort of sticky or delicate situation. He will be greatly missed by us all and we wish him all the best of luck. Flight Lieutenant G. C. Racine has been posted back to Canada after his brilliant evasion.
The Squadron O.R.B. for the month of May was signed by :-
Squadron Leader H. A. C. Gonay.
No.263 Squadron Information from other sources :-
Archivist - Michael Hayes
Flight Lieutenant David Patrick Bell R.A.F.V.R., Service No.115406 was twenty one years old when he lost his life on an operation on the 20th May 1944.
Flight Lieutenant D. P. Bell lived at home with his family in Berwick - on - Tweed, Northumberland.
He is remembered with Honour on the Runnymeade Memorial, Panel No.201.
May he rest in peace.
Flight Sergeant Jack ( Paddy ) Donnelly Pringle R.A.F.V.R., Service No.1485878 was twenty one years old when he was killed in a tragic accident. Flight Sergeant Jack Pringle liked to be known as ' Paddy '. His home was in Belfast, Ireland where he lived with his family before joining the Royal Air Force. Paddy had already lost his Father and one of his brothers during the early 1940's. He had not long turned twenty one when his Mother was taken seriously ill and was rushed into hospital ( not expecting to survive ). Paddy was granted compassionate leave to return to Ireland and look after the rest of the family. Paddy's mother made a remarkable recovery and was released from hospital. Paddy had to return to R.A.F. Harrowbeer on Friday the 26th May 1944. We do not know how long he was on leave for but on Sunday the 28th May 1944 he took his first flight for a while. Paddy took off in a Typhoon aircraft as No.2 to another pilot Flight Sergeant Ian Dunlop on a practice / familiarisation flight early on the Sunday morning. There was a church service underway when Flight Sergeant Paddy Pringle's Typhoon aircraft wing-tip struck the pinnacle of St. Paul's Church of England Church, Yelverton, this caused six stones to be dislodged and roll down the roof. The service carried on, but the children ran outside to see what was happening. The Typhoon after hitting the pinnacle nose-dived into the ground landing in a field at Gratton Bottom, the aircraft caught fire and Paddy was killed instantly.
Flight Sergeant Jack ' Paddy ' Pringle's body was taken back to Ireland to be laid to rest in the ' Carmony Cemetery Belfast ' in Section - AL Grave - 36.
May he rest in peace.
No.610 ( County of Chester ) Squadron :-
22nd May No.610 Squadron at present is based at R.A.F. Bolt Head and today they have received orders to move to R.A.F. Harrowbeer near Yelverton, Devon.
23rd May Two Officers and eight airmen proceeded to R.SA.F. Culmhead to attend to packing and transportation of the equipment there for onward shipment to R.A.F. Harrowbeer. An advance party of No.6610 Servicing Echelon also proceeded to R.A.F. Harrowbeer.
24th May The Squadron Spitfire XIV aircraft were flown over from R.A.F. Bolt Head to R.A.F. Harrowbeer in the evening and the road party from R.A.F. Culmhead arrived along with a further party from R.A.F. Bolt Head.
25th May Four Spitfire XIV aircraft of No.610 Squadron took off on a shipping reconnaissance at 0650 hours covering the French Coast from St. Malo to Abervrach. A little shipping was seen at St. Malo. The weather over France was good but on returning to R.A.F. Harrowbeer the Squadron experienced some very bad weather. The aircraft landed safely back at base at 0730 hours. There was no further flying from base owing to the weather conditions.
26th May No flying from R.A.F. Harrowbeer today owing to bad weather, cloud right down on the deck and rain. The pilots carried out aircraft recognition tests followed by a short lecture on shipping recognition. The Squadron has now settled down here. The aerodrome is rather small, surrounded by main roads and houses. The Squadron's dispersals are the furthest away from the main camp ares and to reach them the aerodrome has to be circumnavigated. The Officer's are billeted at ' Ravenscroft ' - a large house which is a ' United Services ' building in that on the ground floor there are crew rooms and offices of a Fleet Air Arm Squadron ( No.838 ) and an American Courier Unit, on the first and second floors No.610 Squadron sleeps and on the roof the R.A.F. Regiment has a gun-post. N.C.O.'s and personnel of No.6610 Servicing Echelon lives on sites near the Messes. All Messes are on one Domestic Site about one and a half miles from dispersal entailing much traveling at mealtimes, bicycles are available however and Motor Transport duty runs are organised.
27th May Three sections of two Spitfire XIV aircraft flew high level patrols throughout the evening, one flew as far as Morlaix but there were no incidents on any of the patrols. On the first patrol from 1850 hours until 1920 hours the flight was cut short owing to one of the Spitfires developing engine trouble. The same two pilots went off on the second patrol from 1955 hours until 2130 hours. The third patrol took place from 1930 hours and lasted until 2025 hours.
28th May At first light, 0550 hours two Spitfire XIV aircraft were detailed for a shipping reconnaissance which was ordered in the area from Abervrach to Goulet De Brest. There were no sightings of any shipping and therefore the Spitfires returned to base landing at 0720 hours. In the afternoon four Squadron Spitfire XIV aircraft took part in Rhubarb No.259 at 1700 hours. On this operation a goods train was attacked near Lasndivisiean and stopped. A second stationary train was attacked south east of Lamballe, the engine giving off much steam and an explosion occurred in the middle of the train. Flak wagons on the train put up intense flak and one of our Spitfires was hit. The pilot force landed about eight miles south south east of Lamballe, the Spitfire breaking up on landing, but there was mo fire. It is thought that the pilot is all right as he was heard on his R/T saying that he was going to land. As far as we know this is the first Spitfire XIV aircraft to land on enemy occupied territory. The remaining three Spitfires landed back at base at 1755 hours. In the evening from 2125 hours until 2255 hours a special sweep of four No.610 Spitfire XIV aircraft was sent out from R.A.F.Harrowbeer to find and destroy the crashed aircraft. A combination of intense flak, poor light and a haze made the sortie unsuccessful.
29th May A shipping reconnaissance was laid on again at first light, 0550 hours by two Spitfire XIV aircraft. This operation was to search the area from St. Peter Port to Lezardrieux, but no sightings were made and both aircraft returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer where they landed at 0730 hours. At 1100 hours, four Spitfire XIV aircraft took part in Rhubarb No.261 which was a sweep on Lamballe, Rennes, Redon and Pontivy crossing out at Yffiniac. No attacks were made and there were no incidents. All four Spitfires landed safely back at base at 1250 hours. Two Spitfire XIV aircraft were detailed to carry out a shipping reconnaissance of St. Peter Port - St. Malo - Sept Isles at1530 hours. One vessel was seen at St. Malo but no attacks were made on it. Both Spitfires returned to base landing at 1655 hours. Another shipping reconnaissance was put in place using two Spitfire XIV aircraft from 1545 hours until 1715 hours in the Sept Isles to Ushant area. Shipping was sighted at Morlaix and Abervrach and a smoke screen to the west of Brest. Again there were no attacks made and no incidents. Four Squadron Spitfire XIV aircraft were ordered off on two standing patrols during the afternoon, but these again were uneventful.
30th May There was no operational flying carried out today. A ' Rhubarb ' that was planned was cancelled. In the afternoon there was a thunderstorm, this had been expected for several days on account of the unusual heat.
31st May Eight Squadron Spitfire XIV aircraft took part in four shipping reconnaissance operations. The first was from 0600 hours until 0725 hours and took part in the St. Peter Port to Lezardrieux area. The second was from 0600 hours until 0710 hours between Morlaix and Abervrach. The third sortie was from 1330 hours until 1445 hours in the area of St. Peter Port and St. Malo. This had to be abandoned due to poor weather conditions. The fourth was from 1335 hours until 1450 hours from the Sept Isles to Ile Vierge. There was no sighting of any shipping on any of these reconnaissance patrols.
General :- Operationally May was a very busy month. A total of 562 hours being flown by the Squadron including some non-operational flying. During the past two years this is the highest number of flying hours recorded and also the highest in No.10 Group for the month.
The Squadron has two pilots who were lost on operations on the 21st May 1944 and the 22nd May 1944 and are posted as missing. On the 28th May 1944 another pilot force landed near Lamballe after being hit by flak ad it is hoped that he is safe.
The Squadron has now settled down at R.A.F. Harrowbeer and with big things impending during the next few months it expects to be even busier than it has been.
The Squadron O.R.B. for the month of May was signed by :-
Squadron Leader R. A. Newbury.
No.610 Squadron Information from other sources :-
Archivist - Michael Hayes
Flight Lieutenant Ronald West D,F,C, and Bar, R.A.F.V.R., Service No.89405 was twenty five years old when he lost his life on an operation over France on the 24th May 1944. Ronald West lived at home with his family in Lossiemouth, Scotland.
Flight Lieutenant R. West had returned with his section after a Ramrod operation and crash landed back at base. He was severely injured and died later from his wounds. Flight Lieutenant R. West is buried at the ' Lossiemouth Burial Ground, Morray, Scotland ', Grave No.369. He is remembered with Honour.
May he rest in peace.
No.838 Fleet Air Arm Squadron :-
1st May No.838 F.A.A. Squadron lost three Fairey Swordfish aircraft on their first operation.
No.838 Fleet Air Arm Squadron Information from other sources :-
Archivist - Michael Hayes
No, 838 Fleet Air Arm Squadron :- They arrived at R.A.F. Station Harrowbeer on the 20th April 1944 with Fairey Swordfish aircraft from R.A.F. Machrihanish, Scotland.
The Squadron were only here for a very short period leaving R.A.F. Station Harrowbeer on the 8th August for duties at R.A.F. Worthy Down, Hampshire.
While at R.A.F. Harrowbeer the detachment was a General Reconnaissance Wing which was formed in Knightstone House ( now the Knightstone / R.A.F. Harrowbeer Archive, Educational and Heritage Centre ) ' The Original Watch Office ' on the 22nd April 1944 under the control of No.19 Group. The Squadron became part of No.156 Wing Coastal Command.
On the night of the 30th April 1944 twelve Fairey Swordfish aircraft were sent off on an operation out in the English Channel. It is believed that the mission was to fire rockets at a beached German Destroyer somewhere off the French Coast. Unfortunately they were given wrong co-ordinates. The ones given turned out to be that of a Mine-sweeper in a heavily defended harbour, ( Abervrach ) approximately 10 - 15 miles further to the East which Typhoon aircraft had been attacking during the day. R.A.F. Harrowbeer and No.838 F.A.A. Squadron lost three aircraft and their crews in the very early hours of May 1st 1944. Two of the aircraft crashed in France, the third was badly damaged and ditched in the sea off the English Coast. The remaining nine aircraft immediately turned for home where they landed safely.
The air-crew of the three aircraft were :-
Lieutenant ( A ) J. B. Cook
Pilot Officer Airman R. C. Grapes
Sub-Lieutenant ( A ) S. F. Such
Sub-Lieutenant E. T. Clarke
Pilot Officer A. Rockley
Sub-Lieutenant ( A ) I. L. R. Wilson
Sub-Lieutenant ( A ) D. J. Hanson
Sub-Lieutenant ( A ) . F. Hayward
Leading Airman B. L. Rowntree
For many years the nephew of Sub-Lieutenant Leslie Frank Hayward
had an ' In Memoriam ' placed in one of the National Newspapers.
A customer to the ' Knightstone Tearooms ' showed me ( the Archivist )
a copy of this and contact was made with Leslie's nephew and his family.
This resulted in a visit by them to R.A.F. Harrowbeer and a tour of the
airfield and a look at the research that had been carried out regarding
the incident. Four families of the nine air-crew have been in touch with
the Archives and information has been exchanged for which we are
particularly grateful. The Archives recognise these nine airmen as real
heroes and should never be forgotten - May they rest in peace.
IN MEMORIAM THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE
HAYWARD :- In memory of Sub-Lt. ( A ) Leslie Frank Hayward RNZNVR,
pilot of Swordfish II NE923 / G 838 Squadron F.A.A.
R.A.F. Harrowbeer, and his crew, Sub-Lt. ( A ) David Hanson
F.A.A. and Leading Airman Brian Rowntree F.A.A., shot down
by flak over Baie des Anges, Brittany at 00:15hours, 1st May
1944. Uncle Les is proudly remembered by his family both
in New Zealand ad the U.K.
No.1697 ( ADLS ) Flight :-
Air Despatch Letter Service
6th May This Unit transferred from R.A.F. Hendon to R.A.F. Northolt.
16th May At 0630 hours the first mail run was flown in a Hurricane aircraft from R.A.F. Northolt to R.A.F. Thorney Island and R.A.F. Harrowbeer by Squadron Leader Storrar. The flight was made in bad weather with visibility at twenty five yards for all of the journey, but it was successfully completed.
18th May There were two flights made today to R.A.F. Harrowbeer in Hurricane aircraft. The first was a mail run and refuel in the Hurricane from 1355 hours until 1455 hours. The second was a mail run and return from 1425 hours until 1740 hours.
26th May A Warrant Officer pilot flew a Hurricane aircraft on a mail run at 1340 hours from R.A.F. Northolt to R.A.F. Thorney Island and then onto R.A.F. Harrowbeer. While he was attempting to pass round the left side of Plymouth with a low cloud base he collided with a barrage balloon cable which fortunately snapped, but seeing and feeling no damage to the aircraft he returned and touched down safely at R.A.F. Thorney Island where the Hurricane aircraft remained for repairs. The pilot returned to R.A.F. Northolt with another Hurricane aircraft and brought on the mail suffering no injury.
The No.1697 ( ADLS ) Flight O.R.B. for the month of May was signed by :-
Squadron Leader J. E. Storrar.