North Weald 1 Dec 1939 0900 F/Lt. Thompson, O.C. “A” Flight has now passed out Sgt. Atkinson as a fully trained operational pilot by day which now enables this pilot to fill the place of any other pilot who may be absent for duty. Nothing further to report. North Weald 2 Dec 1939 1000 All “A” Flight pilots carried out a short practice flight including some formation practice for the new sergeant pilots. 1400 Six “B” Flight pilots took off to practice flight formation and section attacks. F/Lt. Ives led no.1 section and P/O. Newton No. 2 section. The weather today has been exceptionally fine for the time of the year; visibility 30 miles, 1/10 cloud at 4000feet. An order has been issued by F/O. Walch who is now O.C. Link Trainer, that all pilots are to do at least 2 hours per month in the Link Trainer. North Weald 3 Dec 1939 Weather fine. Visibility 4 to 6 miles, slight haze, Wind S.W. 10m.p.h., cloud 4/10 at 5000feet. 1200 An order has been received from the Operations room that instead of only one flight being at “Readiness” the whole of the squadron will be at “Readiness” for the rest of the day. This order was passed on from Group as reports had been received of large numbers of enemy aircraft over Belgium. There was however no activity as a result of this order. North Weald 4 Dec 1939 0700 The whole of the squadron brought to “Readiness” instead of the usual one flight. 0730 As the weather was so fine several of the pilots carried out a short local practice flight. 0750 P/O. Wright took off to fly to Eastchurch to give a demonstration of Hurricane aircraft to army units. 1030 Squadron reverted to one flight “Readiness” and one flight “Available” Weather, overcast with mist. Wind S.W. 10m.p.h. Visibility 1 mile, cloud 5/10 at 2000feet, 10/10 at 7000feet. 1100 P/O. Lovell and P/O. Courtney took off to do A.A. and Searchlight Co-operation. F/Lt. Thompson detailed by the Station C.O. to visit Hunsdon which is one of the satellite aerodromes for North Weald and report on the conditions. On returning he reported that he considered the aerodrome would not be fit to operate from until July 1940. 1200 A phone message was received from P/O. Wright that on returning from Eastchurch he had forced landed at Little Have about two miles north of here, owing to his not being able to find North Weald in the mist. He reported that no damage had been done to the aircraft, that he had 35 gallons of fuel left, but he was not certain whether the aircraft could be flown out of the field or not. 1400 Squadron Leader Donaldson left in the Ford Van to investigate the above, taking with him a starter battery. 1430 Squadron Leader Donaldson landed in P/O. Wright’s machine having successfully flown it out of the field where it had been forced landed. To do this it was necessary to unlock the automatic boost control. North Weald 5 Dec 1939 Weather fine. Wind. S.W. 5 – 10m.p.h. Visibility 10 – 15 miles. Cloud 4/10 at 5000feet. Nothing to report. Appendix: 0001hrs 1 Dec 1939 to –hrs 5 Dec 1939. Hurricane L1758 P/O. Milne Training 0915 1015 No.1 Formation Air Drill for Sgt Moffatt. 2/12/39 Hurricane L1724 Sgt. Moffat Training 0915 1015 No.2 Formation Air Drill for Sgt Moffatt. 2/12/39 Hurricane L1764 Sgt. Currant Training 0915 1015 No.3 Formation Air Drill for Sgt Moffatt. 2/12/39 Hurricane L1734 Sgt Saville Training 1110 1210 Sector E. Recco 2/12/39 Hurricane L1758 Sgt Atkinson Training 1030 1130 Sector E Recco 2/12/39 Tutor K6120 F/O Atkinson Ferry 1120 1205 To Benson 2/12/39 Hurricane L1758 P/O Hamar Test 1100 1115 Test after 30hour inspection. 2/12/39 Hurricane L1758 P/O. Hamar Training 1115 1150 Practice Air Combat 2/12/39 Hurricane L1756 F/Lt Thompson Training 1115 1150 Practice Air Combat 2/12/39 Hurricane L1749 F/O Walch Training 1455 1525 No. 1 Practice No. 1 Fighter Attack. 3/12/39 Hurricane L1724 Sgt Moffatt Training 1455 1525 No. 2 Practice No. 1 Fighter Attack. 3/12/39 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Training 1455 1525 No. 3 Practice No. 1 Fighter Attack. 3/12/39 Hurricane L1758 P/O Milne Training 1455 1525 Target for above. 3/12/39 Hurricane L1756 F/Lt Thompson Training 0735 0800 Local flying. 4/12/39 Hurricane L1749 F/O Walch Training 0740 0820 Practice Air Combat 4/12/39 Hurricane L1758 P/O Milne Training 0740 0820 Practice Air Combat 4/12/39 Hurricane L1764 P/O Lovell Co-op 1020 1120 A.A. Co-operation 4/12/39 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Ferry 1015 1045 To Manston 4/12/39 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Ferry 1130 1200 From Manston 4/12/39 Hurricane L1724 P/O Courtney Co-op 1125 1140 Searchlight Co-op 4/12/39 Hurricane L1746 S/LDR Weaver Training 1050 1200 Formation Practice 2/12/39 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Askin Training 1050 1200 Formation Practice 2/12/39 Hurricane L1798 F/Lt Ives Training 1400 1530 Blue 1 Practice Fighter Attacks 2/12/39 Hurricane L1747 P/O Allen Training 1400 1530 Blue 2 Practice Fighter Attacks 2/12/39 Hurricane L1757 Sgt Trice Training 1400 1530 Blue 3 Practice Fighter Attacks 2/12/39 Hurricane L1769 P/O Newton Training 1400 1530 Green 1 Practice Fighter Attacks 2/12/39 Hurricane L1746 P/O Courtney Training 1400 1530 Green 2 Practice Fighter Attacks 2/12/39 Hurricane L1799 P/O Lovell Training 1400 1530 Green 3 Practice Fighter Attacks 2/12/39 Hurricane L1769 P/O Allen Training 1000 1115 Formation practice for Sgt Aslin 3/12/39 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Aslin Training 1000 1115 Formation practice for Sgt Aslin 3/12/39 Hurricane L1798 F/Lt Ives Training 1120 1135 Local flying & aerobatics 3/12/39 Hurricane L1766 P/O Wright Ferry 0750 0825 To Eastchurch 4/12/39 Hurricane L1766 P/O Wright Ferry 1120 1155 From Eastchurch. Forced landed at Little Howes. 4/12/39 Hurricane L1769 P/O Allen Training 1425 1500 Local flying 4/12/39 Hurricane L1746 P/O Ward Training 1530 1615 Local flying 4/12/39 Hurricane L1757 Sgt Trice Training 1510 1530 Local flying 4/12/39 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Badger Training 1510 1530 Local flying 4/12/39 Hurricane L1798 F/Lt Ives Training 1425 1505 Local flying 4/12/39 Hurricane L1798 P/O Newton Training 0805 0900 No.1 Formation practice 5/12/39 Hurricane L1769 P/O Lovell Training 0805 0900 No.2 Formation practice 5/12/39 Hurricane L1747 P/O Courtney Training 0805 0900 No.3 Formation practice 5/12/39 Hurricane L1798 P/O Newton Training 0910 0940 Aerobatics Hurricane L1769 P/O Lovell Training 0920 0950 Practice Air Combat 5/12/39 Hurricane L1747 P/O Courtney Training 0920 0950 Practice Air Combat 5/12/39 Hurricane L1746 Sgt Badger Co-op 1000 1100 A.A. Co-operation 5/12/39 Hurricane L1769 Sgt Atkinson Co-op 1125 1230 A.A. Co-operation 5/12/39
North Weald 6 Dec 1939 Weather, Wind N.E. 10m.p.h. Visibility 10miles, 5/10 cloud at 3000feet clearing in afternoon to no cloud, visibility 20miles. Nothing to report. North Weald 7 Dec 1939 A very heavy fog prevailed all day. If flying had been necessary it would have been impossible to take off as visibility was only 20yards. Nothing to report. North Weald 8 Dec 1939 Weather. Fog. Visibility 100 – 200yards. No flying. With the continued damp weather the aerodrome has become very boggy and when taxying it is necessary to keep on the runways otherwise the machines are likely to get bogged. Nothing to report. North Weald 9 Dec 1939 Weather: Fog. Visibility 800 – 1000yards. No flying. Nothing to report. North Weald 10 Dec 1939 Weather: Haze. Visibility 2000yards. Wind S.W. 15m.p.h. Cloud 3/10 at 4000feet. 1000 “B” Flight pilots each carried out a short flight. 1400 “A” Flight took off led by F/Lt. Thompson and carried out some section and flight attacks. North Weald 11 Dec 1939 Weather: Fog. Visibility varying from 20 to 200yards. 1330 A raid was plotted that should have been dealt with by this squadron but another squadron had to be detailed as the weather here was too bad. Visibility at this time was about 20yards. North Weald 12 Dec 1939 Weather: Low cloud 10/10 at 1000feet. Visibility 4 miles. Wind N. 10 – 15m.p.h. No flying. Nothing to report. North Weald 13 Dec 1939 Weather: Cloud 10/10 at 2000feet. Visibility 4 – 6miles. Wind 10m.p.h. N.E. 1130 Squadron Leader Donaldson gave a short lecture on new R/T procedure to all pilots. Each pilot has now been given a call sign which is a number commencing at No.14 up to 34. For use only when flying singly. 1430 Six pilots of “B” Flight took off led by F/Lt Ives to practice flight and section attacks. 1500 A section was ordered onto patrol, the reason for this being that a convoy was passing the sector front. The Yellow section led by P/O Newton took off. On landing at 1615 P/O. Newton reported that the remained on patrol from Malden to Colchester for one hour. No enemy were sighted. Appendix: 0001hrs 6 Dec 1939 to Hurricane L1749 F/O Walch Practice 0810 0840 Local flying 6/12/39 Hurricane P/O Hamar Practice 0810 0840 Local flying 6/12/39 Hurricane L1977 Sgt Atkinson Training 0955 1125 To Sutton Bridge Air Firing 6/12/39 Hurricane L1724 P/O Newton 1150 1320 To Sutton Bridge Air Firing 6/12/39 Magister L8164 S/LDR Donaldson Training 1440 1525 Local flying 6/12/39 Hurricane L1755 S/LDR Donaldson Training 0950 1055 Air firing at Sutton Bridge 6/12/39 Hurricane L1799 F/O Atkinson Training 0950 1055 Air firing at Sutton Bridge 6/12/39 Hurricane L1746 P/O Ward Training 0950 1055 Air firing at Sutton Bridge 6/12/39 Hurricane L1747 P/O Courtney Training 1155 1310 Air firing at Sutton Bridge 6/12/39 Hurricane L1766 P/O Lovell Training 1155 1310 Air firing at Sutton Bridge 6/12/39 Hurricane L1799 P/O Wright Training 1155 1310 Air firing at Sutton Bridge 6/12/39 Hurricane L1798 F/Lt Ives Training 1420 1450 Local flying 6/12/39 Hurricane L1747 P/O Allen Training 1420 1450 Local flying 6/12/39 Hurricane L1757 Sgt Trice Co-op 1445 1545 A.A. Co-operation 6/12/39 Hurricane L1757 P/O Allen Practice 1045 1105 Aerobatics Local 10/12/39 Hurricane L1798 F/Lt Ives Practice 1055 1115 Aerobatics Local 10/12/39 Hurricane L1746 P/O Ward Practice 1130 1150 Aerobatics Local 10/12/39 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Badger Practice 1055 1105 Aerobatics Local 10/12/39 Hurricane L1757 Sgt Trice Practice 1115 1155 Aerobatics Local 10/12/39 Hurricane L1756 F/Lt Thompson Practice 1415 1515 Red 1 Practice section and flight attacks. 10/12/39 Hurricane L1977 P/O Hamar Practice 1415 1515 Red 2 Practice section and flight attacks. 10/12/39 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt. Muirhead Practice 1415 1515 Red 3 Practice section and flight attacks. 10/12/39 Hurricane L1749 F/O Walch Practice 1415 1515 Yellow 1 Practice section and flight attacks. 10/12/39 Hurricane L1758 P/O Milne Practice 1415 1515 Yellow 2 Practice section and flight attacks. 10/12/39 Hurricane L1764 Sgt Atkinson Practice 1415 1515 Yellow 3 Practice section and flight attacks. 10/12/39 Magister L8164 S/LDR Weaver & F/Lt Hadsford Experience 1235 1250 Experience on type for F/Lt. Hadsford. 11/12/39 Magister L8164 S/LDR Donaldson 1225 1235 Local flying. 12/12/39 Hurricane L1756 F/Lt. Thompson Test 1510 1540 Local flying 12/12/39 Hurricane L1758 P/O Hamar Test 1510 1530 Local flying 12/12/39 Hurricane L1850 P/O Newton Operation 1515 1615 Yellow 1 Standing patrol Malden to Colchester below cloud. No enemy sighter. 13/12/39 Hurricane L1749 P/O Courtney Operation 1515 1615 Yellow 2 Standing patrol Malden to Colchester below cloud. No enemy sighter. 13/12/39 Hurricane L1764 P/O Lovell Operation 1515 1615 Yellow 3 Standing patrol Malden to Colchester below cloud. No enemy sighter. 13/12/39 Hurricane L1798 F/Lt Ives Training 1400 1450 Blue 1 Practice fighter attacks. 13/12/39 Hurricane L1769 P/O Wright Training 1400 1450 Blue 2 Practice fighter attacks. 13/12/39 Hurricane L1766 Sgt Aslin Training 1400 1450 Blue 3 Practice fighter attacks. 13/12/39 Hurricane L1747 P/O Allen Training 1400 1450 Green 1 Practice fighter attacks. 13/12/39 Hurricane L1746 Sgt Badger Training 1400 1450 Green 2 Practice fighter attacks. 13/12/39 Hurricane L1757 Sgt Trice Training 1400 1450 Green 3 Practice fighter attacks. 13/12/39
North Weald 14 Dec 1939 The following is a list of modifications we have to carry out on our machines. (a)Camera guns to be fitted in starboard mainplane. (b)Electro-heated pressure head. (c)Rear armour plating to be fitted. (d)Starter gear to be modified. (e)V.P. Airscrews to replace F.P. wooden airscrews. (f)Modification to engines to allow 100 Octane fuel to be used. It is considered here that the best way to go through this long list would be to put one machine u/s at a time, but this is not possible owing to spares and fittings not being available. The engine modifications will be done by exchanging our engines for modified engines from an engine pool. 1130 A party of schoolboys from Harlow College paid a visit to the squadron. They were shown around by P/O. Courtney and a short flying display was given by Squadron Leader Donaldson. A machine was placed on the stop-butts and the guns fired for the benefit of the boys. Each morning for the last two weeks a party of soldiers from the R.E. visit this squadron to be give a lecture on recognition of aircraft. After the lecture they are shown the machines and given recognition hints of Hurricanes by No.3 of each available section. 1200 Weather: Cloud 10/10 1500feet. Visibility 2 miles. Wind N.E. 10m.p.h. 1500 Six “A” Flight pilots including the new pilot Sgt. Moffatt took off led by F/Lt. Thompson to practice No. 5 F.A. The cloud however had come below 1000feet so the attacks were cancelled and some flight formation practice carried out. P/O. Newton led No. 2 section. North Weald 15 Dec 1939 Weather: Cloud 10/10 500 to 100feet. Visibility 600yards. Nothing to report. North Weald 16 Dec 1939 Weather: Cloud 10/10 2000feet. Visibility 4 – 6miles. Wind E. 10 – 15m.p.h. 1400 A section ordered to patrol Malden – Colchester for Convoy protection purposes. The Blue Section led by Squadron Leader Donaldson took off. They were relieved on the patrol line at 1500 by the Yellow section led by P/O. Milne. The Yellow section landed at 1615hours. No action took place. 1600 F/Lt. Thompson, F/O Walch, F/Sgt. Muirhead, Sgt. Currant each took off to carry out duck landings in preparation for further Floodlight co-operation and confirmation trials which are scheduled to be carried out tonight. F/Lt. J. Carruthers has been attached to this squadron from No. 11 Group to act as Co-ordinating officer during these Floodlight confirmation trials. 1630 During these dusk landings F/O. Walch was obliged to land at Northolt. This was due to the pilot losing R/T touch, through and error the R/T was closed down when this machine was still in the air. North Weald 17 Dec 1939 0020 F/Sgt. Muirhead put in 0115hours night flying carrying out floodlight trials. It was a suitable night for the tests although very dark. There was 10/10 cloud at 2000feet. Wind 10 – 15m.p.h. 1000 Eight pilots of the squadron carried out an air firing programme at Sutton Bridge commencing at this hour. Weather: Cloud 10/10 at 3000feet. Visibility 6miles. Wind East 10 – 15m.p.h. Squadron Leader Donaldson has been relieved of duty for two days due to the fact that he has slipped off a machine and put his knee out. F/Lt. Thompson is looking after the duties of C.O. in Squadron Leader Donaldson’s absence. 1400 “B” Flight pilots took off to practice formation and fighter attacks. The Blue section was led by P.O. Ward and the Green section by P/O. Newton. P/O. Ward has been authorised to sign vouchers in respect of “B” Flight from 16 – 12 – 39 to 19 – 12 – 39 while F/Lt. Ives is on leave. North Weald 18 Dec 1939 0100 F/Sgt. Muirhead and Sgt. Currant each did an hours night flying in connection with the floodlight confirmation trials. The weather was suitable for the tests. Cloud 10/10 at 1000feet. Wind N.E. 5 – 10m.ph. 1400 Weather: Cloud 10/10 at 1000feet. Visibility 1mile. Wind N.E. 10 – 15m.p.h. Nothing further to report. North Weald 19 Dec 1939 1000 Weather: Low cloud 10/10 at 500feet. Visibility 1mile. Wind East 10 – 15m.p.h. North Weald 20 Dec 1939 1000 Weather: Low cloud 10/10 at 300feet. Visibility 1mile. Wind East 10m.p.h. Slight rain. 1400 F/Lt. Ives took off to carry out a weather test, and, as the weather had improved, carried out some A.A. co-operation. North Weald 21 Dec 1939 1000 Weather: Fine, cloud 2/10 at 8000feet. Visibility 10miles decreasing at 1400hours to 1mile. 1045 One section of “A” Flight led by F/O. Walch carried out some local formation flying. 1400 Six machines of “B” Flight led by F/Lt. Ives carried out some fighter attack practice. Appendix: 0001hrs 14 Dec 1939 to 2359 21 Dec 1939 Hurricane L1756 F/Lt Thompson Training 1500 1535 Red 1 Practice NO 5 F.A. 14/12/39 Hurricane L1758 P/O Hamar Training 1500 1535 Red 2 Practice NO 5 F.A. 14/12/39 Hurricane L1724 Sgt Moffatt Training 1500 1535 Red 3 Practice NO 5 F.A. 14/12/39 Hurricane L1850 P/O Newton Training 1500 1535 Yellow 1 Practice NO 5 F.A. 14/12/39 Hurricane L1850 P/O Newton Training 1500 1535 Yellow 2 Practice NO 5 F.A. 14/12/39 Hurricane L1749 P/O Courtney Training 1500 1535 Yellow 3 Practice NO 5 F.A. 14/12/39 Hurricane L1758 F/Lt Thompson Test 1600 1620 Night flying tests 16/12/39 Hurricane L1749 F/O Walch Test 1555 1630 Night flying tests 16/12/39 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Test 1555 1625 Night flying tests 16/12/39 Hurricane L1764 Sgt Currant Test 1555 1625 Night flying tests 16/12/39 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Co-op 0020 0135 A.A. Co-operation in floodlight trials 17/12/39 Hurricane L1764 Sgt Currant Co-op Cancelled Hurricane L1758 P/O Milne Training 1130 1250 Air firing at Sutton Bridge 17/12/39 Hurricane L1977 P/O Hamar Training 1130 1250 Air firing at Sutton Bridge 17/12/39 Hurricane L1850 Sgt Moffatt Training 1130 1250 Air firing at Sutton Bridge 17/12/39 Hurricane L1758 F/Lt Thompson Test 1540 1600 Night flying Tests 17/12/39 Hurricane L1749 F/O Walch Test 1540 1600 Night flying Tests 17/12/39 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Test 1540 1600 Night flying Tests 17/12/39 Hurricane L1764 Sgt Currant Test 1540 1600 Night flying Tests 17/12/39 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Co-op 0100 0220 Silhouette detection in connection with floodlight trails. 18/12/39 Hurricane L1764 Sgt Currant Co-op 0100 0220 Silhouette detection in connection with floodlight trails. 18/12/39 Hurricane L1850 F/Sgt Muirhead Test 1430 1440 Test of a/c after overhaul. Hurricane L1757 P/O Lovell Training 1050 1155 Formation practice 16/12/39 Hurricane L1747 P/O Courtney Training 1050 1155 Formation practice 16/12/39 Hurricane L1798 P/O Newton Training 1050 1155 Formation practice 16/12/39 Hurricane L1755 S/LDR Donaldson Operation 1350 1455 Convoy protection patrol – Malden – Colchester No Action. 16/12/39 Hurricane L1725 P/O Ward Operation 1350 1455 Convoy protection patrol – Malden – Colchester No Action. 16/12/39 Hurricane L1799 P/O Wright Operation 1350 1455 Convoy protection patrol – Malden – Colchester No Action. 16/12/39 Hurricane L1798 P/O Milne Operation 1450 1600 Convoy protection patrol – Malden – Colchester No Action. 16/12/39 Hurricane L1757 P/O Hamar Operation 1450 1600 Convoy protection patrol – Malden – Colchester No Action. 16/12/39 Hurricane L1769 P/O Courtney Operation 1450 1600 Convoy protection patrol – Malden – Colchester No Action. 16/12/39 Hurricane L1798 F/O Atkinson Training 0920 1050 Air firing at Sutton Bridge 17/12/39 Hurricane L1746 P/O Ward Training 0920 1050 Air firing at Sutton Bridge 17/12/39 Hurricane L1757 Sgt Atkinson Training 0920 1050 Air firing at Sutton Bridge 17/12/39 Hurricane L1757 Sgt Saville Training 1120 1300 Air firing at Sutton Bridge 17/12/39 Hurricane L1769 P/O Newton Training 1420 1450 No. 1 Formation practice 17/12/39 Hurricane L1766 P/O Courtney Training 1420 1450 No. 2 Formation practice 17/12/39 Hurricane L1757 P/O Lovell Training 1420 1450 No. 3 Formation practice 17/12/39 Hurricane L1726 P/O Ward Test 1400 1425 D/7 Hansinig(?) Test 18/12/39 Hurricane L1798 F/Lt Ives Operation 1420 1430 Weather Test 20/12/39 Hurricane L1798 F/Lt Ives Operation 1430 1520 A.A. Co-operation 20/12/39 Hurricane L1749 F/O Walch Training 1100 1200 No.1 Local formation practice Hurricane L1758 P/O Milne Training 1100 1200 No.2 Local formation practice Hurricane L1748 Sgt Atkinson Training 1100 1200 No.3 Local formation practice Hurricane L1764 Sgt Currant Co-op 1100 1215 A.A. Co-operation 21/12/39 Hurricane L1764 Sgt Currant Test 1540 1600 Night flying tests 21/12/39 Hurricane L1749 F/O Walch 1550 1600 Night flying tests 21/12/39 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Test 1535 1555 Night flying tests 21/12/39 Magister L8164 P/O Newton Local 1155 1225 Local flying 21/12/39
North Weald 22 Dec 1939 0005 As the weather was suitable F/O. Walch put in an hours night flying in connection with the floodlight trials. 1000 Weather: Visibility 1 mile, hazy. 1110 Five machines of “B” Flight who were carrying out local individual practices were ordered over the R/T to join up with Blue 1 (F/Lt. Ives) at 4000feet over the aerodrome. This was quickly effected and orders were passed to patrol Colchester at 10,000feet as a raid was reported to be approaching the coast. This raid however turned North and no interception was possible and the machines were ordered to land. The landing was made in exceptionally poor visibility. North Weald 23 Dec 1939 1000 Weather: Thick fog. No flying. Nothing to report. North Weald 24 Dec 1939 1000 Weather: Fog. Flying was attempted but had to be abandoned due to weather. Nothing to report. North Weald 25 Dec 1939 1000 Weather: Thick fog. No flying possible. Today was one of the rare occasions when everyone was glad to see fog, and Christmas was celebrated by the squadron in a traditional manner. North Weald 26 Dec 1939 1000 Weather: Thick fog. No flying. Nothing to report. North Weald 27 Dec 1939 1000 Weather Fine Visibility 10/15miles 2/105 clouds @ 10,000feet. 1100 “A” Flight Pilots carried out some local Flying practice. P/O Allen promoted to the Rank of Flying Officer w.e.f. 24/12/39. North Weald 28 Dec 1939 1000 Weather 10/10 low cloud with snow showers. Visibility NIL. No Flying possible. Nothing to report. North Weald 29 Dec 1939 0750 Weather: Fine. Visibility 15miles. Wind W. 5m.p.h. Pilots were however warned to beware as snow storms had been reported over the East Coast. Commencing at this hour the Squadron maintained a standing convoy protection patrol between Colchester and Manningtree at 4000feet until 1245. No action took place. 1400 The emergency section was ordered to Patrol West Mersea as a “Blue” raid was plotted off the coast. The Blue section led by F/Lt Ives took off. Upon reaching the Patrol Line orders were given to the Section to land as the raid was no longer appearing on the board. During the afternoon Formation air drill was given to new Sergeant Pilots by F/Sgt Muirhead and other flying was carried out. Instructions have been received from the A.O.C. that more flying was to be carried out as Pilots were not getting sufficient practice and many accidents were due to this cause. Orders have therefore been given by the C.O. that as much flying as possible is to be carried out. 1500 P/O Milne takes over the duties of Adjutant while F/O Atkinson is away on 4 days leave. North Weald 30 Dec 1939 1000 Weather 10/10 clouds 500feet. Fog. Visibility 500yards. No flying, weather unsuitable. Although there is a layer of snow about 1inch deep on the Aerodrome this does not seriously interfere with flying provided the runaways are used. Nothing further to report. North Weald 31 Dec 1939 1000 Weather: Thick Fog. Visibility NIL. Flying impossible. Nothing further to report. Appendix: From –hrs 21 Dec 1939 to 2349hrs 29 Dec 1939 Hurricane L1749 F/O Walch Co-op 0005 0115 A.A. Co-operation in connection with floodlight. 22/12/39 (NOTE: appeared on the appendix previous sheet in the ORB appendix, but because it appears within the ORB for 22 Dec 1939, I have moved it to here for continuity). Hurricane L1798 F/Lt Ives Training 1410 1520 Blue 1 Practice Fighter Attack 21/12/39 Hurricane L1746 P/O Ward Training 1410 1520 Blue 2 Practice Fighter Attack 21/12/39 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Badger Training 1410 1520 Blue 3 Practice Fighter Attack 21/12/39 Hurricane L1769 P/O Allen Training 1410 1520 Yellow 1 Practice Fighter Attack 21/12/39 Hurricane L1757 P/O Wright Training 1410 1520 Yellow 2 Practice Fighter Attack 21/12/39 Hurricane L1766 Sgt Aslin Training 1410 1520 Yellow 3 Practice Fighter Attack 21/12/39 Hurricane L1798 F/Lt Ives Operation 1110 1205 Machines ordered from individual practices to join F/Lt Ives & patrol Colchester 10000ft. No enemy sighted. 22/12/39 Hurricane L1757 Sgt Trice Operation 1115 1205 Machines ordered from individual practices to join F/Lt Ives & patrol Colchester 10000ft. No enemy sighted. 22/12/39 Hurricane L1746 P/O Ward Operation 1110 1205 Machines ordered from individual practices to join F/Lt Ives & patrol Colchester 10000ft. No enemy sighted. 22/12/39 Hurricane L1799 P/O Allen Operation 1115 1205 Machines ordered from individual practices to join F/Lt Ives & patrol Colchester 10000ft. No enemy sighted. 22/12/39 Hurricane L1769 P/O Wright 1115 1205 Machines ordered from individual practices to join F/Lt Ives & patrol Colchester 10000ft. No enemy sighted. 22/12/39 Hurricane L1799 F/Lt Ives Training 1100 1115 Local flying, abandoned due to weather. 24/12/39 Hurricane L1763 P/O Allen Training 1100 1120 Local flying, abandoned due to weather. 24/12/39 Hurricane L1756 F/Lt Thompson Test 1010 1030 Test after 60hour inspection. 27/12/39 Hurricane L1724 P/O Milne Training 1110 1200 Practice Aerial Combat. 27/12/39 Hurricane L1839 P/O Newton Training 1110 1200 Practice Aerial Combat. 27/12/39 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Training 1110 1205 Local flying. 27/12/39 Hurricane L1749 F/O Walch Training 1445 1545 Formation drill. 27/12/39 Hurricane L1744 Sgt Moffatt Training 1445 1545 Formation drill. 27/12/39 Hurricane L1749 P/O Hamar Training 1145 1220 Aerobatics 27/12/39 Hurricane L1977 P/O Newton Training 1130 1215 Aerobatics 27/12/39 Magister L8164 P/O Courtney Training 1515 1605 Local flying. 27/12/39 Magister L8164 S/LDR Donaldson P/O Labond 1045 1105 Local. 28/12/39 Hurricane L1759 F/O Allen Training 1410 1435 Local Flying 27/12/39 Hurricane L1757 P/O Courtney Training 1415 1435 Local Flying 27/12/39 Hurricane L1746 P/O Newton Training 1410 1435 Local Flying 27/12/39 Hurricane L1766 P/O Lovell Training 1415 1435 Local Flying 27/12/39 Hurricane L1798 F/Lt Ives 1500 1515 Local Flying 27/12/39 Hurricane L1757 Sgt Trice Operation 0900 1025 Convoy protection patrol Colchester – Manningtree. No Action. 29/12/39 Hurricane L1766 Sgt Currant Operation 0900 1025 Convoy protection patrol Colchester – Manningtree. No Action. 29/12/39 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Operation 0900 1025 Convoy protection patrol Colchester – Manningtree. No Action. 29/12/39 Hurricane L1769 F/Lt Ives Operation 1340 1425 Blue 1 Patrol West Mersea. No interception raid turned away. 29/12/39 Hurricane L1746 P/O Ward Operation 1340 1425 Blue 2 Patrol West Mersea. No interception raid turned away. 29/12/39 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Badger Operation 1340 1425 Blue 3 Patrol West Mersea. No interception raid turned away. 29/12/39 Hurricane L1769 F/Lt Ives Training 1515 1545 Blue 1 Formation air drill 29/12/39 Hurricane L1746 P/O Ward Training 1515 1545 Blue 2 Formation air drill 29/12/39 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Badger Training 1515 1545 Blue 3 Formation air drill 29/12/39 Hurricane L1749 F/O Walch Operation 0750 0925 Yellow 1 Convoy protection patrol Colchester – Manningtree. No Action. 29/12/39 Hurricane L1977 P/O Milne Operation 0750 0925 Yellow 2 Convoy protection patrol Colchester – Manningtree. No Action. 29/12/39 Hurricane L1724 P/O Hamar Operation 0750 0925 Yellow 3 Convoy protection patrol Colchester – Manningtree. No Action. 29/12/39 Hurricane L1749 F/Lt Ives Operation 1005 1125 Green 1 Convoy protection patrol Colchester – Manningtree. No Action. 29/12/39 Hurricane L1977 P/O Courtney Operation 1005 1125 Green 2 Convoy protection patrol Colchester – Manningtree. No Action. 29/12/39 Hurricane L1724 Sgt Atkinson Operation 1005 1125 Green 3 Convoy protection patrol Colchester – Manningtree. No Action. 29/12/39 Hurricane L1756 P/O Milne Operation 1100 1230 Red 1 Convoy protection patrol Colchester – Manningtree. No Action. 29/12/39 Hurricane L1748 P/O Hamar Operation 1100 1230 Red 2 Convoy protection patrol Colchester – Manningtree. No Action. 29/12/39 Hurricane L1749 Sgt Currant Operation 1100 1230 Red 3 Convoy protection patrol Colchester – Manningtree. No Action. 29/12/39 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Training 1415 1520 No. 1 Formation practice. 29/12/39 Hurricane L1724 Sgt Moffatt Training 1415 1520 No. 2 Formation practice. 29/12/39 Hurricane L1764 Sgt Saville Training 1415 1520 No. 3 Formation practice. 29/12/39 Magister P2496 F/O Walch & Sgt Allen Experience 1510 1550 Local Flying 29/12/39 Magister L8164 P/O Sutton Ferry 1135 1210 To Martlesham Magister L8164 S/Ldr Weaver & P/O Sutton Ferry 1445 1520 From Martlesham to North Weald 29/12/39
North Weald 1 Jan 1940 1000 Weather: Although the weather was fine early it deteriorated, a heavy fog coming up making flying impossible. Nothing to report. North Weald 2 Jan 1940 1000 Weather: Fine. Slight Ground Haze. Visibility 10 miles. No cloud. 1600 A considerable amount of practice flying and training has been carried out today as it has been so fine. Nothing further to report. North Weald 3 Jan 1940 0005 F/O. Walch, F/Sgt. Muirhead and Sgt. Currant each carried out some night flying in connection with the floodlight silhouette detection trials. The weather was fine with no cloud but little moon and a slight haze. 1000 Weather: Fine. Visibility 2 miles, slight ground haze, 2/10 cloud high. Wind East 5-10m.p.h. 1600 Owing to this fine weather a good amount of practice and training flying has been carried out. Appendix: From 0001hrs 1 Jan 1940 to 2359hrs 3 Jan 1940 Hurricane L1756 F/Lt Thompson Test 1030 1140 New Engine Running in & Section Q Recco. 2/1/40 Hurricane L1756 S/Ldr Weaver Practice 1205 1245 Local flying 2/1/40 Hurricane L1756 Test 1600 1610 N.F.T. Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Training 1025 1135 No. 1 Formation. 2/1/40 Hurricane L1977 Sgt Saville Training 1025 1135 No. 2 Formation. 2/1/40 Hurricane L1977 F/Sgt Muirhead Training 1215 1245 Air Contact Practice. 2/1/40 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt. Muirhead Test 1600 1610 N.F.T. 2/1/40 Hurricane L1749 F/O Walch Training 1030 1130 No. 1 Formation. 2/1/40 Hurricane L1724 Sgt. Atkinson Training 1030 1130 No. 2 Formation. 2/1/40 Hurricane L1749 Sgt. Currant Training 1215 1245 Air Combat practice. 2/1/40 Hurricane L1749 F/O Walch Training 1335 1440 No. 1 Formation. 2/1/40 Hurricane L1724 P/O Milne Training 1335 1440 No. 2 Formation. 2/1/40 Hurricane L1977 Sgt Currant Training 1335 1440 No. 3 Formation. 2/1/40 Hurricane L1977 Sgt Saville Training 1220 1255 Sector E Recco 2/1/40 Hurricane L1764 Sgt Currant Co-op 1025 1140 I.A.2 Co-operation. 2/1/40 Hurricane L1724 Sgt Atkinson Co-op 1130 1300 Sd. Co-operation. Hurricane L1977 Sgt Currant Training 1505 1540 No. 1 Formation practice. 2/1/40. Hurricane L1724 Sgt Saville Training 1505 1540 No. 2 Formation practice. 2/1/40. Hurricane L1749 P/O Hamar Training 1505 1540 Sector E Recco. 2/1/40 Magister L8164 S/Ldr Toland & LAC Reed Local 1510 1550 Local flying. 2/1/40 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Co-op 0005 0120 Silhouette Detection Trials with Floodlights. 3/1/40 Hurricane L1756 Sgt Currant Co-op 0005 0120 Silhouette Detection Trials with Floodlights. 3/1/40 Hurricane L1749 F/O Walch Co-op 0115 0205 Silhouette Detection Trials with Floodlights. 3/1/40 Hurricane L1768 F/O Allen Co-op 1430 1530 S.L. Co-op 2/1/40 Hurricane L1766 P/O Wright Training 1430 1455 Local Flying 2/1/40 Hurricane L1746 Sgt. Badger Co-op 1430 1530 A.A. Co-op 2/1/40 Hurricane L1757 Sgt. Trice Co-op 1430 1530 A.A. Co-op 2/1/40 Hurricane L1756 F/Lt Thompson Practice 1145 1240 Formation Air Drill 3/1/40 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Practice 1145 1240 Formation Air Drill 3/1/40 Hurricane L1756 F/Lt Thompson Training 1410 1500 No. 1 Formation attacks. 3/1/40 Hurricane L1724 Sgt Moffatt Training 1410 1500 No. 2 Formation attacks. 3/1/40 Hurricane L1748 Sgt Currant Training 1410 1500 No. 3 Formation attacks. 3/1/40 Hurricane L1749 F/O Walch Training 1145 1225 Sector E recco 3/1/40 Hurricane L1749 F/O Walch Training 1430 1505 Aerobatics 3/1/40 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Test 1505 1600 N.F.T. and Aerobatics. 3/1/40 Hurricane L1724 P/O Hamar Training 1145 1225 Sector E Recco. 3/1/40 Hurricane L1977 P/O Milne Training 1440 1520 Engine Test & Sector E Recco. Hurricane 1798 F/Lt Ives Training 0930 1030 No. 1 Formation Practice. 3/1/40 Hurricane L1746 S/Ldr Weaver Training 0930 1030 No. 2 Formation Practice. 3/1/40 Hurricane L1746 P/O Lovell Training 0930 1030 No. 3 Formation Practice. 3/1/40 Hurricane L1748 F/Lt Ives Training 1105 1205 No. 1 Formation Practice. 3/1/40 Hurricane L1766 P/O Courtney Training 1105 1205 No. 2 Formation Practice. 3/1/40 Hurricane L1746 Sgt. Aslin Training 1105 1205 No. 3 Formation Practice. 3/1/40 Hurricane L1798 F/Lt Ives Training 1420 1535 No. 1 Formation Practice. 3/1/40 Hurricane L1766 P/O Courtney Training 1420 1535 No. 2 Formation Practice. 3/1/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Lovell Training 1420 1535 No. 3 Formation Practice. 3/1/40 Hurricane L1746 P/O Newton Training 1420 1535 No. 4 Formation Practice. 3/1/40 Hurricane L1769 F/O Allen Training 1420 1535 No. 5 Formation Practice. 3/1/40
North Weald 4 Jan 1940 1000 Weather: Overcast, 10/10 cloud at 2000feet. Wind East 5-10m.p.h. Visibility 4 – 6miles. 1015 Eight pilots of the squadron carried out air-firing practice at Sutton Bridge commencing at 1015 and finishing at 1200hours and also due to good weather a considerable amount of flying training has been done. Nothing further to report. North Weald 5 Jan 1940 Weather: Fine. No cloud. Ground Haze, visibility 4miles. Wind East 5m.p.h. 0745 The Green section took off to patrol Colchester – Manningtree for Convoy protection purposes. The Green Section was led by P/O Allen. 0840 The Blue section led by P/O. Newton took off to relieve the Green section on the patrol line. The Blue section landed at 0930 and reported no action other than patrolling. North Weald 6 Jan 1940 1000 Weather: Heavy Fog. Visibility Nil. Flying Impossible. Nothing to report. North Weald 7 Jan 1940 1000 Weather: Thick Fog. Visibility Nil. Flying Impossible. Nothing to report. North Weald 8 Jan 1940 1000 Weather Fine. No low cloud. Wind S.E. 5m.p.h. Visibility 15-20miles declining later in the afternoon to 2miles. 1030 “A” Flight led by F/Lt. Thompson took off and practiced flight and section attacks. 1430 Sic “B” Flight machines carried out an A.A. Co-operation. 1600 Sgt. Moffatt who had been sent to carry out a Sector E. recco. At 25000feet reported that he had forced landed 3miles east of Sudbury. This forced landing was carried out because the pilot stated he was lost, the field was a large one and the aircraft undamaged. Sgt. Moffatt stated he was unable to get in touch with the ground station by R/T, but it is thought that this was due to inexperience in the manipulation of the R/T set. Appendix: 0001hrs 4 Jan 1940 to 2359hrs 8 Jan 1940 Hurricane L1798 F/Lt Ives Training 1130 1255 Air firing at Sutton Bridge. 4/1/40 Hurricane L1746 P/O Wright Training 1130 1255 Air firing at Sutton Bridge. 4/1/40 Hurricane L1757 Sgt Trice Training 1130 1255 Air firing at Sutton Bridge. 4/1/40 Hurricane L1766 Sgt Aslin Training 1130 1255 Air firing at Sutton Bridge. 4/1/40 Hurricane L1766 Sgt Badger Co-op 1430 1540 A.A. Co-operation. 4/1/40 Hurricane L1798 F/O Allen Ops 0745 0910 Green 1. Convoy protection patrol, Colchester – Manningtree. No Action. 5/1/40 Hurricane L1766 P/O Wright Ops 0745 0910 Green 2. Convoy protection patrol, Colchester – Manningtree. No Action. 5/1/40 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Atkinson Ops 0745 0910 Green 3. Convoy protection patrol, Colchester – Manningtree. No Action. 5/1/40 Hurricane L1755 P/O Newton Test 0725 0755 Air Test 5/1/40 Hurricane L1755 P/O Newton Ops 0840 0930 Blue 1. Convoy protection patrol, Colchester – Manningtree. No Action. 5/1/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Lovell Ops 0840 0930 Blue 2. Convoy protection patrol, Colchester – Manningtree. No Action. 5/1/40 Hurricane L1746 P/O Courtney Ops 0840 0930 Blue 3. Convoy protection patrol, Colchester – Manningtree. No Action. 5/1/40 Hurricane L1756 F/Lt Thompson Training 1000 1125 Air firing at Sutton Bridge 4/1/40 Hurricane L1749 P/O Hamar Training 1000 1125 Air firing at Sutton Bridge 4/1/40 Hurricane L1977 Sgt Saville Training 1000 1125 Air firing at Sutton Bridge 4/1/40 Hurricane L1724 Sgt Moffatt Training 1000 1125 Air firing at Sutton Bridge 4/1/40 Hurricane L1756 F/Lt Thompson Training 1500 1600 No. 1 Formation Training 4/1/40 Hurricane L1850 P/O Hamar Training 1500 1600 No. 2 Formation Training 4/1/40 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Training 1500 1600 No. 3 Formation Training 4/1/40 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Training 0900 1015 Aerobatics & Sector E Recco. 4/1/40 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Training 1055 1215 A.A. Co-operation 4/1/40 Hurricane L1977 P/O Newton Training 1135 1225 Aerobatics 4/1/40 Hurricane L1850 P/O Milne Test 1030 1040 Engine Test Hurricane L1850 P/O Milne Co-op 1030 1215 A.A. Co-operation Hurricane L1758 P/O Hamar Test 1420 1430 Test after Engine repairs. Magister L8164 F/O Allen Co-op 1445 1539 Local flying Magister P2496 F/Lt Ives Ferry 1505 1530 To Hendon Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Training 1025 1145 No. 1 Formation Training 5/1/40 Hurricane L1724 Sgt Moffatt Training 1025 1145 No. 2 Formation Training 5/1/40 Hurricane L1977 Sgt Saville Training 1025 1145 No. 3 Formation Training 5/1/40 Hurricane L1756 F/Lt Thompson Training 1040 1140 Formation Air Drill 5/1/40 Hurricane L1758 P/O Hamar Training 1040 1140 Formation Air Drill 5/1/40 Hurricane L1850 Sgt. Currant Co-op 1045 1215 A.A. Co-operation 5/1/40 Magister L8164 P/O Hamar Co-op 1410 1445 Aerodrome Defence Co-op 5/1/40 Magister L8164 S/Ldr Tolland & P/O Head Practice 1515 1610 Local flying. Hurricane L1798 P/O Courtney Training 1135 1203 Aerobatics 5/1/40 Hurricane L1798 P/O Lovell Training 1205 1230 Aerobatics 5/1/40 Hurricane L1850 Sgt Saville Training 1425 1625 Sect E Recco. 25000ft. 5/1/40. Pilot got lost D/F homing give. Hurricane L1756 F/Lt Thompson Training 1150 1245 Red 1 No. 5 Fighter Attack practice by flight & Section. 8/1/40 Hurricane L1748 Sgt Moffatt Training 1150 1245 Red 2 No. 5 Fighter Attack practice by flight & Section. 8/1/40 Hurricane L1850 P/O Hamar Training 1150 1245 Red 3 No. 5 Fighter Attack practice by flight & Section. 8/1/40 Hurricane L1724 F/O Walch Training 1150 1245 Yellow 1 No. 5 Fighter Attack practice by flight & Section. 8/1/40 Hurricane L1758 P/O Milne Training 1150 1245 Yellow 2 No. 5 Fighter Attack practice by flight & Section. 8/1/40 Hurricane L1977 Sgt Currant Training 1150 1245 Yellow 3 No. 5 Fighter Attack practice by flight & Section. 8/1/40 Hurricane L1748 Sgt Moffatt Training 1400 1530 Height Test 25000ft. Pilot got lost & forced landed 3 miles East of Sudbury. Aircraft undamaged. 8/1/40 Magister P2496 F/O Atkinson Co-op 1400 1430 Aerodrome Defence Co-op 8/1/40 Magister P2496 F/Lt Thompson Co-op 1530 1600 Local flying. 8/1/40 Magister L8164 S/Ldr Weaver & P/O Solway Ferry 1520 1540 To Hendon Magister L8164 S/Ldr Weaver & P/O Solway Ferry 1455 1515 From Hendon
North Weald 9 Jan 1940 1000 Weather: Overcast 10/10 cloud at 1500feet. Visibility 4 – 6miles. Wind N.E. 10m.p.h. 1500 The forced landed aircraft was successfully flown out of the field and back to the aerodrome by F/Sgt. Muirhead. Very little other flying has been done today owing to the weather conditions. North Weald 10 Jan 1940 1000 Weather: Fine. No low cloud. Visibility 4 – 6miles. Wind East 5m.p.h. 0815 From this hour on until 1615 the squadron has maintained a standing convoy protection patrol. One section at a time has been used on the patrol, not leaving the patrol line until relieved by the next section. The patrol has been from the coast line to about 20miles out to sea all along the sector front. No enemy action took place. No flying training has been carried out today as the squadron has been busy with its patrol duties. The weather remained fine all day. Appendix: -hrs 8 Jan 40 to –hrs 10 Jan 40 Hurricane L1798 F/Lt Ives Test 1145 1215 Air Test after 30 hour inspection 8/1/40 Hurricane L1747 P/O Newton Test 1145 1225 Air Test after engine repairs 8/1/40 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Badger Training 1145 1245 No. 1 Formation practice 8/1/40 Hurricane L1766 Sgt Aslin Training 1145 1245 No. 1 Formation practice 8/1/40 Hurricane L1798 F/Lt Ives Co-op 1430 1540 A.A. Co-operation 8/10/40 Hurricane L1799 Sgt. Badger Co-op 1430 1540 A.A. Co-operation 8/10/40 Hurricane L1746 P/O Newton Co-op 1430 1540 A.A. Co-operation 8/10/40 Hurricane L1747 P/O Courtney Co-op 1430 1515 A.A. Co-operation 8/10/40 Hurricane L1766 P/O Lovell Co-op 1430 1544 A.A. Co-operation 8/10/40 Hurricane L1724 F/O Walch Operation 1100 1220 Yellow 1 Convoy protection patrol. From coast to convoy position. No Action. 10/1/40 Hurricane L1758 P/O Milne Operation 1100 1220 Yellow 2 Convoy protection patrol. From coast to convoy position. No Action. 10/1/40 Hurricane L1977 Sgt Currant Operation 1100 1220 Yellow 3 Convoy protection patrol. From coast to convoy position. No Action. 10/1/40 Hurricane L1756 F/Lt Thompson Operation 1145 1330 Red 1 Convoy protection patrol. From coast to convoy position. No Action. 10/1/40 Hurricane L1850 P/O Hamar Operation 1145 1330 Red 2 Convoy protection patrol. From coast to convoy position. No Action. 10/1/40 Hurricane L1961 F/Sgt Muirhead Operation 1145 1330 Red 3 Convoy protection patrol. From coast to convoy position. No Action. 10/1/40 Hurricane L1977 P/O Newton 0925 0940 Returned Aerodrome R/T U/S. Hurricane L1724 P/O Newton Operation 0945 1045 Blue 1 Convoy protection patrol. From coast to convoy position. No Action. 10/1/40 Hurricane L1798 P/O Courtney Operation 0925 1045 Blue 2 Convoy protection patrol. From coast to convoy position. No Action. 10/1/40 Hurricane L1799 P/O Lovell Operation 0925 1045 Blue 3 Convoy protection patrol. From coast to convoy position. No Action. 10/1/40 Hurricane L1724 F/Lt Ives Operation 1440 1615 Green 1 Convoy protection patrol. From coast to convoy position. No Action. 10/1/40 Hurricane L1747 F/O Allen Operation 1440 1615 Green 2 Convoy protection patrol. From coast to convoy position. No Action. 10/1/40 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Trice Operation 1440 1615 Green 3 Convoy protection patrol. From coast to convoy position. No Action. 10/1/40 Magister L8164 S/Ldr Weaver & AC Clarke Local 1500 1530 Local flying 10/1/40 Magister L8164 S/Ldr Weaver & P/O Ward Local 1535 1550 Local flying 10/1/40 Magister L8164 P/O Ward & Capt Standed Local 1555 1630 Local flying 10/1/40 Hurricane L1798 F/Lt Ives Training 1105 1140 Formation Training 9/1/40 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Aslin Training 1105 1140 Formation Training 9/1/40 Hurricane L1747 P/O Lovell Training 1100 1130 Local flying 9/1/40 Hurricane L1747 F/O Allen Operation 0815 1010 Green 1 Convoy protection patrol. No Action. From coast to convoy position. No Action. 10/1/40 Hurricane L1755 P/O Wright Operation 0815 1010 Green 2 Convoy protection patrol. No Action. From coast to convoy position. No Action. 10/1/40 Hurricane L1766 Sgt Trice Operation 0815 1010 Green 3 Convoy protection patrol. No Action. From coast to convoy position. No Action. 10/1/40 Hurricane L1755 P/O Newton Operation 1340 1515 Blue 1 Convoy protection patrol. No Action. From coast to convoy position. No Action. 10/1/40 Hurricane L1766 P/O Lovell Operation 1340 1515 Blue 2 Convoy protection patrol. No Action. From coast to convoy position. No Action. 10/1/40 Hurricane L1798 P/O Courtney Operation 1340 1515 Blue 3 Convoy protection patrol. No Action. From coast to convoy position. No Action. 10/1/40
North Weald 11 Jan 1940 1000 Weather: Fine. No cloud. Wind East 10m.p.h. Visibility 15 – 20miles. Starting at this hour the squadron again maintained a standing convoy protection patrol until 1600hours. No action took place except at 1200hours when the Yellow section were on patrol they were ordered to search for unidentified aircraft. F/O Walch, the leader, on landing reported that he carried out an extensive search but could make no contact. 1115 F/Lt. Thompson and P/O. Hamar were both in the air carrying out engine tests. They heard the ground station trying without success to get in touch with the Green section who were on patrol, to order them to investigate with caution unidentified aircraft over Felixstowe. F/Lt. Thompson called up the ground station and received permission to carry out the investigation. He proceeded to Felixstowe accompanied by P/O. Hamar and the aircraft were identified as “friendly” fighters. 1140 A machine was ordered to shoot down a drifting barrage balloon. P/O Allen took off and although he followed directions given to him by the control room he reported on landing that he was unable to make contact with the Balloon. 1230 An air raid warning was given out on the station at this hour ordering all personnel not on duty to take cover. This was due to unidentified aircraft flying high over the aerodrome. The “All clear” was given 30minutes later. 1300 The Blue section were ordered to “stand by” but did not take off and reverted to Readiness at 1330hrs. 1430 The Red section led by P/O. Newton took off to do I.A.Z. A.A. co-operation. 1555 The Emergency section ordered to patrol the aerodrome at 25000feet. The Yellow section led by F/O. Walch took off and climbed to 7000feet. They then received an order to contact a convoy reported due East of Felixstowe. On the way out F/O. Walch sighted flashes thought to be gunfire. He reported this to the Operations room and proceeded to investigate. On reaching a position East of the Convoy the section received orders to attack enemy aircraft reported to be attacking the convoy. A thorough search was carried out but no enemy aircraft were sighted. It was now dark and the Controller ordered the Section to proceed to Martlesham and carry out a night landing. F/O. Walch reported the Yellow section had carried out this order at 1710hrs. North Weald 12 Jan 1940 0730 Weather: Fine. No cloud. Visibility 20 miles. Wind East 10m.p.h. From this hour until 1100hours the squadron carried out a standing convoy protection patrol. The patrols were carried out East of the convoy about 20miles out to sea. No action took place. 0930 The Yellow section returned from Martlesham. 1100 The Red section led by F/Lt. Thompson were on patrol when they were ordered to patrol Chelmsford at 18000feet S.E. of the aerodrome. The section proceeded as ordered and searched but no aircraft were sighted so they landed to refuel. 1130 The Blue section led by F/O. Walch took off on orders to patrol the aerodrome at 1000-feet. After being in the air for a short while the section received orders to land as the raid had been identified as “Friendly”. 1600 Emergency section brought to “Stand by” but did not take off. Appendix: 0001hrs 11 Jan 1940 to 2359hrs 12 Jan 1940 Hurricane L1724 F/O Walch Operation 1000 1135 Yellow 1 Refuel at Martlesham. 11/10/40 Hurricane L1758 P/O Milne Operation 1000 1135 Yellow 2 Refuel at Martlesham. 11/10/40 Hurricane L1977 Sgt Moffatt Operation 1000 1135 Yellow 3 Refuel at Martlesham. 11/10/40 Hurricane L1724 F/O Walch Operation 1215 1350 Yellow 1 Convoy protection patrol E of convoy 20 miles at Sea along Sector front. No Action. 11/1/40 Hurricane L1758 P/O Milne Operation 1215 1350 Yellow 2 Convoy protection patrol E of convoy 20 miles at Sea along Sector front. No Action. 11/1/40 Hurricane L1977 Sgt Moffatt Operation 1215 1350 Yellow 3 Convoy protection patrol E of convoy 20 miles at Sea along Sector front. No Action. 11/1/40 Hurricane L1756 F/Lt. Thompson Test 1115 1200 Two machines ordered from engine test to identify aircraft over Felixstowe. (Friendly fighter) 11/1/40 Hurricane L1850 P/O Hamar Test 1115 1200 Two machines ordered from engine test to identify aircraft over Felixstowe. (Friendly fighter) 11/1/40 Hurricane L1756 F/O Walch Operation 1555 1705 Yellow 1 Aircraft sent to identify aircraft over convoy. No enemy sighter. Section landed Martlesham. 11/1/40 Hurricane L1758 P/O Milne Operation 1555 1705 Yellow 2 Aircraft sent to identify aircraft over convoy. No enemy sighter. Section landed Martlesham. 11/1/40 Hurricane L1977 Sgt. Moffatt Operation 1555 1705 Yellow 3 Aircraft sent to identify aircraft over convoy. No enemy sighter. Section landed Martlesham. 11/1/40 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Badger Co-op 1030 1130 A.A. Co-operation. 11/1/40 Hurricane L1766 F/O Allen Operation 1140 1240 Attacking drifting Barrage Balloon. Balloon not sighted. 11/1/40 Hurricane L1798 F/Lt Ives Operation 1100 1230 Blue 1 Convoy Protection patrol. 20 miles at Sea E of Convoy along Sector front. No action. 11/1/40 Hurricane L1758 P/O Ward Operation 1100 1230 Blue 2 Convoy Protection patrol. 20 miles at Sea E of Convoy along Sector front. No action. 11/1/40 Hurricane L1747 Sgt Trice Operation 1100 1230 Blue 3 Convoy Protection patrol. 20 miles at Sea E of Convoy along Sector front. No action. 11/1/40 Hurricane L1747 F/O Allen Operation 1400 1545 Green 1 Convoy Protection patrol. 20 miles at Sea E of Convoy along Sector front. No action. 11/1/40 Hurricane L1746 P/O Wright Operation 1400 1545 Green 2 Convoy Protection patrol. 20 miles at Sea E of Convoy along Sector front. No action. 11/1/40 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Badger Operation 1400 1545 Green 3 Convoy Protection patrol. 20 miles at Sea E of Convoy along Sector front. No action. 11/1/40 Hurricane L1654 F/Lt Ives Test 1510 1530 Engine & A/F Test 11/1/40 Hurricane L1756 F/Lt Thompson Co-op 1420 1530 I.A.Z. Co-operation 11/1/40 Hurricane L1859 P/O Courtney Co-op 1420 1530 I.A.Z. Co-operation 11/1/40 Hurricane L1951 P/O Lovell Co-op 1420 1530 I.A.Z. Co-operation 11/1/40 Magister L8164 S/Ldr Weaver & P/O Weaver 1100 1130 Local flying 11/1/40 Magister L8164 S/Ldr Weaver & AC Muster 1135 1240 Local flying 11/1/40 Magister L8164 F/O Atkinson & AC Elliott 1440 1505 Local flying 11/1/40 Hurricane L1769 F/Lt Ives 0830 1025 Convoy patrol 12/1/40 Blue 1 Hurricane L1746 P/O Ward 0830 1025 Convoy patrol 12/1/40 Blue 2 Hurricane L1654 Sgt Aslin 0830 1025 Convoy patrol 12/1/40 Blue 3 Hurricane L1747 F/O Allen 09130 1125 Convoy patrol 12/1/40 Green 1 Hurricane L1755 P/O Wright 09130 1125 Convoy patrol 12/1/40 Green 2 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Trice 09130 1125 Convoy patrol 12/1/40 Green 3 Hurricane L1769 F/Lt Ives 1130 1230 Blue 1 Interception. No Action. 12/1/40 Hurricane L1746 P/O Ward 1130 1230 Blue 2 Interception. No Action. 12/1/40 Hurricane L1654 Sgt Aslin 1130 1230 Blue 3 Interception. No Action. 12/1/40 Hurricane L1749 F/Lt Thompson 0730 0930 Red 1 Convoy Patrol 12/1/40 Hurricane L1977 P/O Hamar 0730 0930 Red 2 Convoy Patrol 12/1/40 Hurricane L1850 F/Sgt Muirhead 0730 0930 Red 3 Convoy Patrol 12/1/40 Hurricane L1749 F/O Walch 1400 1415 Yellow 1 X Raid. No enemy aircraft sighted. 12/1/40 Hurricane L1977 Sgt Currant 1400 1415 Yellow 2 X Raid. No enemy aircraft sighted. 12/1/40 Hurricane L1758 P/O Milne 1400 1415 Yellow 3 X Raid. No enemy aircraft sighted. 12/1/40 Hurricane L1756 F/Lt Thompson 1030 1210 Red 1 Convoy patrol. X Raid – no enemy aircraft sighted. 12/1/40 Hurricane L1977 P/O Hamar 1030 1210 Red 2 Convoy patrol. X Raid – no enemy aircraft sighted. 12/1/40 Hurricane L1850 Sgt Atkinson 1030 1210 Red 3 Convoy patrol. X Raid – no enemy aircraft sighted. 12/1/40 Hurricane L1756 F/O Walch 0930 0950 Yellow 1 Return from Martlesham 12/1/40 Hurricane L1758 P/O Milne 0930 0950 Yellow 2 Return from Martlesham 12/1/40 Hurricane L1961 Sgt Moffat 0930 0950 Yellow 3 Return from Martlesham 12/1/40 Magister P2496 F/O Atkinson 1420 1450 Ground defence Co-op 12/1/40 Magister P2496 Sgt Atkinson 1455 1520 Ground defence Co-op 12/1/40 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead 1520 1535 Aircraft Engine Test 12/1/40
North Weald 13 Jan 1940 0800 Weather: Fine. No cloud. Visibility 4-6miles. Slight Ground haze. The Blue section took off at dawn to commence Convoy patrol duties but were ordered to land again as the convoy had not yet entered the sector front. 0845 The Yellow section took off to commence convoy patrol. 1100 The Blue section who were on patrol at this hour were sent North to identify aircraft. They were identified as friendly fighters. These patrols were maintained by the squadron without further action until 1300hours. Nothing further to report. North Weald 14 Jan 1940 0800 Weather: Thick Fog. Flying impossible. Patrols cancelled. Nothing to report. North Weald 15 Jan 1940 0800 Weather: Fog becoming worse later. Patrols cancelled. Nothing to report. North Weald 16 Jan 1940 0730 Weather: Mist. Visibility 400 – 600yards. Due to the local weather and snowstorms on the coast a large programme of patrols had to be cancelled. 1100 The weather cleared a little and some local flying training was carried out. 1300 At this hour snow commenced to fall developing into a good storm leaving the aerodrome covered with about one inch of snow when it passed. Nothing further to report. North Weald 17 Jan 1940 0730 Weather: Fine but very cold. Heavy frost. Wind N. 10m.p.h. Visibility 15 – 20miles. 0731 The Yellow section took off to commence convoy patrol duties. 1030 Further convoy patrols were carried out by the Green and Blue sections. No action took place. 1045 The squadron was visited by French newspaper officials. The Red section led by F/Lt. Thompson gave them a demonstration of a quick operational take off and a section attack on some target Blenheims over the aerodrome. A machine also fired on the stop-butts for demonstration purposes. 1500 Two machines of “A” Flight fired on the ranges at Sutton Bridge. 1505 The Green section led by F/O Allen took off to attempt further convoy patrol duties but had to abandon this owing to a heavy snow storm. Appendix: 0001hrs 13 Jan 1940 to 1515hrs 17 Jan 1940 Hurricane L1789 F/Lt Ives 0735 0750 Blue 1 Local formation flying 13/1/40 Hurricane L1799 P/O Ward 0735 0750 Blue 2 Local formation flying 13/1/40 Hurricane L1755 P/O Lovell 0735 0750 Blue 3 Local formation flying 13/1/40 Hurricane L1769 F/Lt Ives Operation 0930 1130 Green 1 Convoy patrol 13/1/40 Hurricane L1755 P/O Ward Operation 0930 1130 Green 2 Convoy patrol 13/1/40 Hurricane L1700 Sgt Badger Operation 0930 1130 Green 3 Convoy patrol 13/1/40 Hurricane L1654 P/O Newton Operation 1130 1245 Blue 1 Convoy patrol 13/1/40 Hurricane L1766 P/O Courtney Operation 1130 1245 Blue 2 Convoy patrol 13/1/40 Hurricane L1769 F/Lt Ives Operation 1215 1235 Blue 1 Refuel & Return from Martlesham 13/1/40 Hurricane L1755 P/O Ward Operation 1215 1235 Blue 2 Refuel & Return from Martlesham 13/1/40 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Badger Operation 1215 1235 Blue 3 Refuel & Return from Martlesham 13/1/40 Hurricane L1749 F/O Walch Operation 0845 1025 Yellow 1 Convoy patrol 13/1/40 Hurricane L1977 Sgt Currant Operation 0845 1025 Yellow 2 Convoy patrol 13/1/40 Hurricane L1758 P/O Milne Operation 0845 1025 Yellow 3 Convoy patrol 13/1/40 Hurricane L1977 Sgt Atkinson Co-op 1430 1545 A.A. Gun Co-operation 13/1/40 Hurricane L1756 F/Lt Thompson Operation 1030 1225 Red 1 Convoy patrol 13/1/40 Hurricane L1850 P/O Hamar Operation 1030 1225 Red 2 Convoy patrol 13/1/40 Hurricane L1961 F/Sgt Muirhead Operation 1030 1225 Red 3 Convoy patrol 13/1/40 Magister L1864 P/O Milne & AC1 Black Co-op 1445 1515 Local flying 13/1/40 Magister L1863 P/O Milne & AC1 Ingliss Co-op 1520 1550 Local flying 13/1/40 Hurricane L1757 F/Lt Ives 0925 0945 Engine & airframe test & weather test. 16/1/40 Hurricane L1755 F/Lt Ives 1110 1155 Blue 1 Local formation flying 16/1/40 Hurricane L1798 P/O Ward 1110 1155 Blue 2 Local formation flying 16/1/40 Hurricane L1766 Sgt Badger 1110 1155 Blue 3 Local formation flying 16/1/40 Hurricane L1755 F/Lt Ives 1345 1405 Blue 1 Local formation flying 16/1/40 Hurricane L1798 P/O Ward 1345 1405 Blue 2 Local formation flying 16/1/40 Hurricane L1766 Sgt Badger 1345 1405 Blue 3 Local formation flying 16/1/40 Hurricane L1756 P/O Newton 1115 1200 Red 1 Local formation flying. 16/1/40 Hurricane L1961 Sgt Saville 1115 1200 Red 2 Local formation flying. 16/1/40 Hurricane L1749 F/O Walch Test 1120 1210 Aerobatics & Rigging Test 16/1/40 Hurricane L1758 Sgt Currant 1115 1215 Aerobatics 16/1/40 Hurricane L1758 P/O Milne Test 1115 1210 Engine & Airframe Test 16/1/40 Hurricane L1749 F/O Walch Operation 0720 0920 Yellow 1 Convoy patrol 17/1/40 Hurricane L1961 P/O Milne Operation 0720 0920 Yellow 2 Convoy patrol 17/1/40 Hurricane L1977 Sgt Currant Operation 0720 0920 Yellow 3 Convoy patrol 17/1/40 Hurricane L1754 F/O Walch 1515 1650 Yellow 1 Air to Ground Firing Sutton Bridge. 17/1/40 Hurricane L1977 Sgt Currant 1515 1650 Yellow 2 Air to Ground Firing Sutton Bridge. 17/1/40 Hurricane L1756 F/Lt Thompson 1115 1140 Red 1 Demonstration for French journalists. 17/1/40 Hurricane L1766 P/O Hamar 1115 1140 Red 2 Demonstration for French journalists. 17/1/40 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead 1115 1140 Red 2 Demonstration for French journalists. 17/1/40 Hurricane L1769 F/Lt Ives Operation 0825 1005 Blue 1 Convoy patrol 17/1/40 Hurricane L1766 Sgt Aslin Operation 0825 1005 Blue 2 Convoy patrol 17/1/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Ward Operation 0825 1005 Blue 2 Convoy patrol 17/1/40 Hurricane L1765 F/O Allen Operation 0930 0945 Green 1 Convoy patrol 17/1/40 Hurricane L1761 P/O Wright Operation 0930 0945 Green 2 Convoy patrol 17/1/40 Hurricane L1754 Sgt Badger Operation 0930 0945 Green 3 Convoy patrol 17/1/40 Hurricane L1747 F/O Allen Operation 1435 1515 Green 1 Convoy patrol 17/1/40 Hurricane L1766 P/O Courtney Operation 1435 1515 Green 2 Convoy patrol 17/1/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Wright Operation 1435 1515 Green 2 Convoy patrol 17/1/40
North Weald 18 Jan 1940 1000 Weather: Fine but with haze and poor visibility. Wind S.W. 10mp.h. 1030 The Yellow section led by F/O Walch took off on patrol duties. The section remained on patrol for one hour escorting the Harwich-Calais ferry. No action took place. 1400 A considerable amount of flying training and A.A. Co-Operation has been carried out today. F/O. Walch assumes command of “A” Flight w.e.f. 18/1/40 vice F/Lt. Thompson posted. F/Lt. Thompson has been posted to take command of No. 111 (F) Squadron. F/Lt. Thompson has been with the squadron since it was reformed in 1936, and although the whole squadron is pleased for him in his new appointment his loss will be keenly felt. Due to these alterations Squadron Leader Donaldson will now fly in “A” Flight leading the Red section (No. 1 Section). North Weald 19 Jan 1940 0730 Weather: Fine with slight ground mist. No low cloud. Visibility fair. Wind S.E. 10.mp.h. 0745 The Green section led by F/O Allen took off on convoy patrol duties. No action took place during this patrol. The section landed at Martlesham Heath to refuel. 0855 The Blue section led by F/Lt. Ives took off to relieve the Yellow section. No action took place but the section leader reported on landing that the patrol had to be carried out very low due to low cloud and snow. 1600 Nothing further to report. Appendix: 0001hrs 18 Jan 1940 to 1505hrs 19 Jan 1940 Hurricane L1756 F/Lt Thompson 0740 0810 Red 1 Formation flying 18/1/40 Hurricane L1724 P/O Hamar 0740 0810 Red 2 Formation flying 18/1/40 Hurricane L1749 F/Sgt Muirhead 0740 0810 Red 3 Formation flying 18/1/40 Hurricane L1756 P/O Hamar Co-op 1115 1215 A.A. Gun co-operation 18/1/40 Hurricane L1724 F/O Walch Operation 1020 1210 Yellow 1 Convoy Patrol 18/1/40 Hurricane L1961 F/O Milne Operation 1020 1210 Yellow 2 Convoy Patrol 18/1/40 Hurricane L1850 Sgt. Currant Operation 1020 1210 Yellow 3 Convoy Patrol 18/1/40 Hurricane L1961 Sgt Currant Co-op 1415 1515 I.A.Z. Co-operation 18/1/40 Hurricane L1747 P/O Newton – 0925 1025 1 Formation flying. 18/1/40 Hurricane L1766 P/O Courtney – 0925 1025 2 Formation flying. 18/1/40 Hurricane L1654 P/O Lovell – 0925 1025 3 Formation flying. 18/1/40 Hurricane L1747 P/O Newton – 1100 1230 1 Formation flying. 18/1/40 Hurricane L1654 P/O Lovell – 1100 1230 2 Formation flying. 18/1/40 Hurricane L1798 P/O Courtney Test 1215 1235 Engine & Airframe Test 18/1/40 Hurricane L1769 F/Lt Ives – 1400 1505 Blue 1 Flight formation & flight attacks 18/1/40 Hurricane L1977 P/O Ward – 1400 1505 Blue 2 Flight formation & flight attacks 18/1/40 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Badger – 1400 1505 Blue 3 Flight formation & flight attacks 18/1/40 Hurricane L1747 P/O Newton – 1400 1505 Blue 4 Flight formation & flight attacks 18/1/40 Hurricane L1798 P/O Courtney – 1400 1505 Blue 5 Flight formation & flight attacks 18/1/40 Hurricane L1654 P/O Lovell – 1400 1505 Blue 6 Flight formation & flight attacks 18/1/40 Hurricane L1977 P/O Ward – 1520 1600 Blue 1 Formation flying 19/1/40 Hurricane L1798 P/O Courtney – 1520 1600 Blue 2 Formation flying 19/1/40 Hurricane L1654 Sgt Aslin – 1520 1600 Blue 3 Formation flying 19/1/40 Hurricane L1747 F/O Allen Operation 0750 0930 Green 1 Convoy Patrol 19/1/40 Hurricane L1798 P/O Wright Operation 0750 0930 Green 2 Convoy Patrol 19/1/40 Hurricane L1654 Sgt Trice Operation 0750 0930 Green 3 Convoy Patrol 19/1/40 Hurricane L1747 F/O Allen Operation 1045 1105 Green Return from Martlesham 19/1/40 Hurricane L1977 P/O Wright Operation 1035 1105 Green 1 Return from Martlesham 19/1/40 Hurricane L1654 Sgt Trice Operation 1035 1105 Green 2 Return from Martlesham 19/1/40 Hurricane L1769 F/LT Ives Operation 0850 1025 Blue 1 Convoy Patrol. 19/1/40 Hurricane L1977 P/O Courtney Operation 0850 1025 Blue 2 Convoy Patrol. 19/1/40 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Badger Operation 0850 1025 Blue 3 Convoy Patrol. 19/1/40 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Badger – 1200 1300 1 Local formation flying 19/1/40 Hurricane L1769 Sgt Aslin – 1200 1300 2 Local formation flying 19/1/40 Hurricane L1769 F/LT Ives – 1420 1520 Blue 1 Local formation flying 19/1/40 Hurricane L1654 Sgt Badger – 1420 1520 Blue 2 Local formation flying 19/1/40 Hurricane L1798 Sgt Trice – 1420 1520 Blue 3 Local formation flying 19/1/40 Hurricane L1747 F/O Allen – 1450 1550 Green 1 Local formation flying. 19/1/40 Hurricane L1798 P/O Wright – 1450 1550 Green 2 Local formation flying. 19/1/40 Hurricane L1756 F/Sgt Muirhead – 1110 1210 Red 1 Local formation flying. 19/1/40 Hurricane L1850 P/O Hamar – 1110 1210 Red 2 Local formation flying. 19/1/40 Hurricane L1961 Sgt Atkinson – 1110 1210 Red 3 Local formation flying. 19/1/40 Hurricane L1756 P/O Newton – 1225 1300 1 Local formation flying. 19/1/40 Hurricane L1850 P/O Lovell – 1225 1300 2 Local formation flying. 19/1/40 Hurricane L1961 P/O Courtney – 1225 1300 3 Local formation flying. 19/1/40 Hurricane L1756 F/Sgt Muirhead – 1405 1505 Red 1 Local formation flying. 19/1/40 Hurricane L1850 Sgt Moffatt – 1405 1505 Red 2 Local formation flying. 19/1/40 Hurricane L1961 Sgt Aslin – 1405 1505 Red 3 Local formation flying. 19/1/40
North Weald 20 Jan 1940 0800 Weather: Fair. 7/10 cloud at 2000feet. Visibility good. Wind East 10m.p.h. Some snow. 0820 The Red section led by F/Sgt. Muirhead took off to commence convoy patrol duties. 1100 These patrols were maintained by the squadron until 1100hours. No action took place. 1515 The Red section led by F/Sgt. Muirhead took off on patrol duties. They were notified of unidentified aircraft in the vicinity of the convoy. They proceeded at full speed and carried out a search but no contact was made. The weather at the time was bad with poor visibility and snowstorms over the sea. 1630 P/O. Milne has been promoted to the rank of Flying Officer w.e.f. 12/1/40. North Weald 21 Jan 1940 0900 Weather: Overcast. Low cloud 10/10 at 500 feet with snowstorms. Visibility bad. A programme of convoy patrols was cancelled due to this weather. 1200 P/O. Newton takes over the duties of Link Trainer Instructor w.e.f. 21/1/40 vice F/O. Walch. 1600 No flying. Nothing further to report. North Weald 22 Jan 1940 0900 Weather: Overcast and fog. Low cloud 10/10 at 500feet. Some snow. Visibility bad. Wind N.E. 10m.p.h. No flying. Nothing to report. North Weald 23 Jan 1940 0900 Weather: Overcast with fog. 8/10 cloud at 1500feet. Some local snow. Visibility poor. Wind N.E. 10m.p.h. No flying. Nothing to report. North Weald 24 Jan 1940 1000 Weather: Overcast with some fog. 10/10 cloud at 2000feet. Visibility poor. Wind S.E. 10m.p.h. 1600 A night flying programme was arranged and night flying tests were carried out but the programme had to be cancelled due to the weather. P/O. Newton has developed ear trouble and has to go to the R.A.F. Hospital at Uxbridge. In his absence No. 5 Section will be led by F/Sgt. Muirhead and Sgt. Atkinson will be No.3 in No.1 – the C.O.’s section. Nothing further to report. North Weald 25 Jan 1940 0830 Weather: No low cloud. Haze up to 3000feet. Visibility fair. Wind S.E. 10m.p.h. 0835 The Yellow section took off led by F/O. Walch on convoy patrol duties. They remained on patrol for one hour. They landed at 1035 hours and reported no action took place. The section came home on a D/F course as the weather had thickened up considerably. No further patrols took place. Nothing further to report. North Weald 26 Jan 1940 0730 Weather: Overcast 10/10 cloud at 1500feet. Ground haze. Visibility poor. Wind 5 – 10mp.h. East. 0800 A programme of patrols was cancelled due to the weather. 1015 Between this hour and 1200 nine pilots of the Squadron carried out air firing practice at Sutton Bridge. 1340 The Blue section led by F/Lt. Ives took off on convoy patrol duties. Rain was falling however and on the way F/Ly. Ives noticed ice accretion on his windscreen. He also noted ice on his No. 2’s leading edge so he turned back and landed. No further patrols took place. North Weald 27 Jan 1940 Weather: Overcast with fog. Snow storms. Flying impossible. Nothing to report. North Weald 28 Jan 1940 Weather: More snow. The aerodrome is now unserviceable except for emergency as snow lies about twelve inches deep. Nothing to report. North Weald 29 Jan 1940 Weather: Snow storms and high winds. No flying. Nothing to report. North Weald 30 Jan 1940 Weather: Overcast and fog. Visibility poor, 10/10 low cloud at 500feet. Some rain. 1000 Work has commenced clearing the runways on the aerodrome to enable machines to land and take off in emergency. No flying. Nothing to report. North Weald 31 Jan 1940 Weather: Overcast with fog. Visibility poor. Low cloud 500feet. 1000 The runways on the aerodrome have now been cleared. No flying. Nothing to report. Appendix: 1445hrs 19 Jan 1940 to – hrs Magister P2496 P/O Hamar 1445 1515 Local flying 19/1/40 Hurricane L8164 F/Lt Thompson 1015 1045 Flying to Northolt. 19/1/40 Hurricane L8164 F/Lt Thompson 1600 1630 Flying from Northolt 19/1/40 Hurricane L1769 P/O Newton 0930 1145 Blue 1 Convoy patrol 20/1/40 Hurricane L1629 P/O Courtney 0930 1145 Blue 2 Convoy patrol 20/1/40 Hurricane L1798 P/O Lovell 0930 1145 Blue 3 Convoy patrol 20/1/40 Hurricane L1757 Sgt. Trice Test 1155 1220 Engine and airframe Test. 20/1/40 Hurricane L1798 P/O Wright Co-op 1430 1540 A.A. Gun Co-operation 20/1/40 Hurricane L1756 F/Sgt Muirhead Operation 0830 1030 Red 1 Convoy patrol 20/1/40 Hurricane L1850 P/O Hamar Operation 0830 1030 Red 2 Convoy patrol 20/1/40 Hurricane L1691 Sgt Atkinson Operation 0830 1030 Red 3 Convoy patrol 20/1/40 Hurricane L1756 F/Sgt Muirhead Operation 1535 1650 Red 1 Convoy patrol 20/1/40 Hurricane L1750 P/O Hamar Operation 1535 1650 Red 2 Convoy patrol 20/1/40 Hurricane L1748 Sgt Atkinson Operation 1535 1650 Red 3 Convoy patrol 20/1/40 Hurricane L1755 F/O Walch 1025 1150 Yellow 1 Convoy patrol 20/1/40 Hurricane L1725 F/O Milne 1025 1150 Yellow 2 Convoy patrol 20/1/40 Hurricane L1758 F/O Milne Test 1615 1635 Engine Test 20/1/40 Magister L8164 F/Lt. Thompson 1140 1210 To Hendon Aerodrome. 20/1/40 Magister L8164 F/Lt Thompson 1520 1550 From Hendon to N. Weald 20/1/40 Magister P2496 F/Lt Ives 1105 1205 To Northolt & Return N. Weald 20/1/40 Magister P2496 F/Lt Ives 1055 1155 To Northolt & Return N. Weald 22/1/40 Hurricane L1769 F/Lt Ives 1350 1420 Weather Test 22/1/40 Hurricane L1747 F/O Allen 1120 1220 Local formation flying 22/1/40 Hurricane L1757 Sgt Trice 1120 1220 Local formation flying 22/1/40 Hurricane L1798 Sgt Aslin 1120 1220 Local formation flying 22/1/40 Hurricane L1755 S/Ldr Donaldson 1435 1455 Weather Test & Night flying Test 24/1/40 Hurricane L1724 F/O Walch 1520 1540 Night flying test after 30hrs inspection 24/1/40 Hurricane L1758 Sgt Atkinson 1545 1620 Night flying tests 24/1/40 Hurricane L1859 P/O Hamar 1545 1600 Night flying tests 24/1/40 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead 1545 1600 Night flying tests 24/1/40 Hurricane L1961 Sgt Moffatt 1520 1530 Night flying tests 24/1/40 Hurricane L1747 F/O Allen 1529 1530 Night flying tests 24/1/40 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Badger 1525 1535 Night flying tests 24/1/40 Hurricane L1977 F/Lt Ives 1525 1540 Night flying tests 24/1/40 Hurricane L1766 F/Lt Ives 1555 1605 Night flying tests 24/1/40 Hurricane L1798 Sgt Trice 1520 1530 Night flying tests 24/1/40 Hurricane L1766 Sgt Aslin Air to Ground firing 1020 1135 Air firing To Sutton Bridge & Return 26/1/40 Hurricane L1769 F/Lt Ives Air to Ground firing 1020 1135 Air firing To Sutton Bridge & Return 26/1/40 Hurricane L1798 Sgt Trice Air to Ground firing 1020 1135 Air firing To Sutton Bridge & Return 26/1/40 Hurricane L1947 F/O Allen Air to Ground firing 1020 1135 Air firing To Sutton Bridge & Return 26/1/40 Hurricane L1977 Sgt Moffatt Air to Ground firing 1115 1245 Air firing To Sutton Bridge & Return 26/1/40 Hurricane L1757 Sgt Saville Air to Ground firing 1115 1245 Air firing To Sutton Bridge & Return 26/1/40 Hurricane L1769 F/Lt Ives Operation 1340 1410 Blue 1 Convoy Patrol 26/1/40 Hurricane L1766 Sgt Aslin Operation 1340 1410 Blue 2 Convoy Patrol 26/1/40 Hurricane L1977 Sgt Badger Operation 1340 1410 Blue 3 Convoy Patrol 26/1/40 Hurricane L1756 F/O Walch Operation 0835 1035 Yellow 1 Convoy Patrol 26/1/40 Hurricane L1758 F/O Milne Operation 0835 1035 Yellow 2 Convoy Patrol 26/1/40 Hurricane L1961 Sgt Currant Operation 0835 1035 Yellow 3 Convoy Patrol 26/1/40
North Weald 1 Feb 1940 Weather: Overcast with fog. Low cloud 500feet. Visibility bad. No flying. Nothing to report. North Weald 2 Feb 1940 Weather: Overcast with fog. 10/10 low cloud at 500feet. Visibility very poor. Some rain. No flying. Nothing to report. North Weald 3 Feb 1940 Weather: Overcast and fog. 10/10 low cloud at 300feet. Visibility poor. Rain and drizzle. 1000 F/O Walch promoted to the acting rank of Flight Lieutenant. No flying. Nothing further to report. North Weald 4 Feb 1940 Weather: Thick fog. Flying impossible. 1000 P/O. Newton has returned from Hospital but until medical examination is fit only for light duties. Nothing further to report. North Weald 5 Feb 1940 Weather: Thick fog. Flying impossible. 1500 P/O. Fenton posted to the Unit for flying duties from 11 Group Fighter Pool. This pilot has been posted to “B” Flight and as he did no flying at all at the Pool the responsibility for his training in fighter duties will rest with his flight commander. North Weald 6 Feb 1940 Weather: Thick fog. Flying impossible. Nothing to report. North Weald 7 Feb 1940 Weather: Fog. No flying. Nothing to report. North Weald 8 Feb 1940 Weather: Fog. No flying. Nothing to report. North Weald 9 Feb 1940 Weather: Overcast, low cloud and fog. 1000 P/O. Hancock has now returned to the Squadron after an absence of four months due to his injured shoulder. He has been posted to “A” Flight and will be trained with all speed. P/O. Newton is now fit for full duties. No flying. Nothing further to report. North Weald 10 Feb 1940 Weather: Fine. No low cloud. Visibility good. Wind N.E. 15 – 20m.p.h. 0800 Two machines led by P/O. Newton took off on Convoy patrol. They landed after one hours patrol and reported no action. 1000 “B” Flight carried out some practice and training flying. 1100 P/O. Fenton took off on his first solo flight on a Hurricane. Through not correctly operating his flap gear the pilot made four attempts to land with flaps in the “up” position. On the fifth attempt still with the flaps up the pilot touched down late and fast and overshot, crashing into a wooden hut at the end of the runway. Considerable damage was done to the aircraft but the pilot was not injured. North Weald 11 Feb 1940 Weather: Overcast. Slight haze. 10/10 cloud at 3000feet. Visibility fair. Wind East 10m.p.h. 1045 P/O. Hamar who was carrying out a landing at Debden aerodrome in a Magister stalled the aircraft near the ground and made a heavy landing. The undercarriage collapsed and the airscrew was smashed. The pilot was uninjured. 1150 The Red section led by Squadron Leader Donaldson took off on Convoy patrol duties. The section landed at 1330 and reported no action. 1600 F/O. Walch and F/O. Milne took off on patrol duties but as the weather had deteriorated they were recalled on reaching the coast where visibility was 400yards. North Weald 12 Feb 1940 Weather: Fine. No low cloud. Visibility good. Wind N.E. 10m.p.h. 0730 Although the local weather was fine early patrols were cancelled due to snow storms on the coast. 1100 Heavy snowfall. 1400 Five machines of “A” Flight led by Squadron Leader Donaldson carried out A.A. Co-operation. Appendix: 0001hrs 26 Jan 1940 to 12 Feb 1940 Hurricane L1724 F/Sgt Muirhead Air to Ground Firing 1030 1135 To Sutton Bridge – Air Firing & Return. 26/1/40 Hurricane L1756 P/O Hamar Air to Ground Firing 1030 1135 To Sutton Bridge – Air Firing & Return. 26/1/40 Hurricane L1850 Sgt Currant Air to Ground Firing 1030 1135 To Sutton Bridge – Air Firing & Return. 26/1/40 Hurricane L1769 F/Lt Ives Weather Test 1500 1510 Weather Test 6/2/40 Hurricane L1977 F/Lt Ives Weather Test 1055 1100 Weather Test 8/2/40 Magister P2496 S/Ldr Donaldson 1535 1610 Local flying 6/2/40 Hurricane L1747 F/O Allen Operation 1015 1235 Green 1 Convoy patrol 10/2/40 Hurricane L1757 Sgt Trice Operation 1015 1235 Green 2 Convoy patrol 10/2/40 Hurricane L1766 Sgt Aslin Operation 1015 1235 Green 3 Convoy patrol 10/2/40 Hurricane L1799 P/O Wright 1030 1115 Local flying 10/2/40 Hurricane L1977 P/O Fenton 1030 1045 Local flying 10/2/40 Hurricane L1798 F/Lt Ives 1055 1110 Local Aerobatics 10/2/40 Hurricane L1798 P/O Ward 1115 1140 Local Aerobatics 10/2/40 Hurricane L1747 F/O Allen 1550 1650 Green 1 Local formation flying. 10/2/40 Hurricane L1799 F/Lt Ives 1550 1650 Green 2 Local formation flying. 10/2/40 Hurricane L1798 P/O Ward 1550 1635 Local flying 10/2/40 Hurricane L1749 F/Lt Walch 1545 1630 Sector Recco flying 10/2/40 Hurricane L1720 Sgt Currant 1545 1639 Sector Recco flying 10/2/40 Hurricane L1850 P/O Newton Operation 0835 1030 Yellow 1 Convoy patrol 10/2/40 Hurricane L1748 Sgt Atkinson Operation 0835 1030 Yellow 2 Convoy patrol 10/2/40 Hurricane L1850 P/O Newton Operation 1320 1410 Yellow 1 Convoy patrol 10/2/40 Hurricane L1748 P/O Hamar Operation 0835 1030 Yellow 2 Convoy patrol 10/2/40 Hurricane L1748 P/O Courtney 1105 1210 Sector Recco 10/2/40 Magister P2496 F/Lt Ives (Pass) F/O Fenton 1405 1420 Local flying 10/2/40 Magister P2496 S/Ldr Weaver (Pass) P/O W(?) 1535 1655 To Martlesham & return North Weald 10/2/40 Magister P2496 P/O Hamar 1025 1045 To Debden 11/2/40 Hurricane L961 F/O Allen 1515 1615 Green 1 Local formation flying. 11/2/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Wright 1500 1610 Green 2 Local formation flying. 11/2/40 Hurricane L1798 Sgt Aslin 1500 1610 Green 3 Local formation flying. 11/2/40 Hurricane L1766 P/O Ward 1500 1610 Local flying 11/2/40 Hurricane L1766 F/O Allen 0825 0905 Green 1 Local formation 12/2/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Wright 0825 0905 Green 2 Local formation 12/2/40 Hurricane L1798 Sgt Trice 0825 0905 Green 3 Local formation 12/2/40 Hurricane L1747 F/O Allen Co-op 100 1045 A.A. Cooperation 12/2/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Ward Co-op 100 1045 A.A. Cooperation 12/2/40 Hurricane L1749 S/Ldr Evans Test 1530 1600 R/T Test 11/2/40 Hurricane L1755 S/Ldr Donaldson Operation 1150 1350 Red 1 Convoy patrol 11/2/40 Hurricane L1756 F/O Milne Operation 1150 1350 Red 2 Convoy patrol 11/2/40 Hurricane L1725 Sgt Currant Operation 1150 1350 Red 3 Convoy patrol 11/2/40 Hurricane L1756 F/Lt Walch Operation 1600 1650 Yellow 1 Convoy patrol 11/2/40 Hurricane L1724 F/O Milne Operation 1600 1650 Yellow 2 Convoy patrol 11/2/40 Hurricane L1749 F/Lt Walch 1050 1110 Yellow 1 Formation Drill 12/2/40 Hurricane L1758 F/O Milne 1050 1110 Yellow 2 Formation Drill 12/2/40 Hurricane L1724 Sgt Currant 1050 1110 Yellow 3 Formation Drill 12/2/40 Hurricane L1756 S/Ldr Donaldson 1050 1110 Red 1 Formation Drill 12/2/40 Hurricane L1850 P/O Hamar 1050 1110 Red 2 Formation Drill 12/2/40 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead 1050 1110 Red 3 Formation Drill 12/2/40 Hurricane L1749 Sgt Currant Co-op 1540 1640 Sector Recco 12/2/40
North Weald 13 Feb 1940 Weather: Overcast 10/10cloud at 2000feet. Visibility poor. Snow showers. 0700 Early patrols cancelled due to weather. 1600 Later in the day the weather cleared and training and practice flying was carried out. Nothing further to report. North Weald 14 Feb 1940 Weather: Fair 6/10 cloud at 1500feet. Visibility good. Wind N.E. 5m.p.h. 0700 The Red section led by Squadron Leader Donaldson commenced convoy patrol duties. No action took place. 0940 The Yellow section led by F/Lt. Walch took off on Convoy patrol. No action took place. 1130 The Blue section led by F/Lt. Ives took off on Convoy patrol. No action took place. P/O. Newton and P/O. Ward have been promoted to the rank of Flying Officer w.e.f. 1/1/40. 1540 The Blue section led by F/Lt. Ives took off on convoy patrol. Sgt. Atkinson who was No. 3 in this section had to carry out a forced landing due to engine failure. The pilot was flying to join up with his section when his engine failed. All efforts to restart the engine failed and the pilot decided to carry out a forced landing with the undercarriage retracted. The landing was made at Netteswell map reference, Sheet 9, RAF edition, ¼in. to mile, WL 9038. Extensive damage was done to the aircraft but the pilot was uninjured. The pilot had little chance to select his field as he was only at 500feet when the engine failed. Appendix: 1640hrs 12 Feb 1940 to 1600hrs 14 Feb 1940 Hurricane L1756 S/Ldr Donaldson Co-op 1425 1500 Red 1 A.A. Co-operation 12/2/40 Hurricane L1850 P/O Hamar Co-op 1425 1500 Red 2 A.A. Co-operation 12/2/40 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Co-op 1425 1500 Red 3 A.A. Co-operation 12/2/40 Hurricane L1749 F/Lt Walch Co-op 1425 1500 Red 4 A.A. Co-operation 12/2/40 Hurricane L1755 F/O Milne Co-op 1425 1500 Red 5 A.A. Co-operation 12/2/40 Hurricane L1799 F/Lt Ives Operation 1155 1305 Blue 1 Convoy patrol 13/2/40 Hurricane L1746 P/O Ward Operation 1155 1305 Blue 1 Convoy patrol 13/2/40 Hurricane L1747 F/O Allen Operation 1535 1605 Green 1 Convoy patrol 13/2/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Wright Operation 1535 1605 Green 1 Convoy patrol 13/2/40 Hurricane L1798 Sgt Trice Operation 1535 1605 Green 1 Convoy patrol 13/2/40 Hurricane L1799 P/O Fenton Operation 1535 1615 Local flying 13/2/40 Hurricane L1799 F/Lt Ives Operation 1430 1510 Blue 1 Flight Drill & Fighter attacks 13/2/40 Hurricane L1746 P/O Ward Operation 1430 1510 Blue 3 Flight Drill & Fighter attacks 13/2/40 Hurricane L1766 Sgt Aslin Operation 1430 1510 Blue 3 Flight Drill & Fighter attacks 13/2/40 Hurricane L1747 F/O Allen Operation 1430 1510 Blue 4 Flight Drill & Fighter attacks 13/2/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Wright Operation 1430 1510 Blue 5 Flight Drill & Fighter attacks 13/2/40 Hurricane L1798 Sgt Trice Operation 1430 1510 Blue 6 Flight Drill & Fighter attacks 13/2/40 Hurricane L1749 F/Lt Walch 1445 1545 Yellow 1 Local formation 13/2/40 Hurricane L1758 F/O Milne 1445 1545 Yellow 2 Local formation 13/2/40 Hurricane L1724 Sgt Currant 1445 1545 Yellow 3 Local formation 13/2/40 Hurricane L1758 P/O Hancock 1250 1315 Local circuit & Landing 13/2/40 Hurricane L1599 Sgt Trice 1200 1220 To Northolt 13/2/40 Magister P2496 F/Sgt Muirhead 1200 1220 Air Tests 13/2/40 Hurricane L1756 S/Ldr Donaldson Operation 1715 0915 Red 1 Convoy Patrol 14/2/40 Hurricane L1724 P/O Hamar Operation 1715 0915 Red 2 Convoy Patrol 14/2/40 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Operation 1715 0915 Red 3 Convoy Patrol 14/2/40 Hurricane L1749 F/Lt Walch Operation 0940 1120 Yellow 1 Convoy Patrol 14/2/40 Hurricane L1758 F/O Milne Operation 0940 1120 Yellow 2 Convoy Patrol 14/2/40 Hurricane L1748 Sgt Currant Operation 0940 1120 Yellow 3 Convoy Patrol 14/2/40 Hurricane L1758 F/O Milne Operation 1420 1505 Yellow 1 Formation practice 14/2/40 Hurricane L1724 Sgt Moffatt Operation 1420 1505 Yellow 2 Formation practice 14/2/40 Hurricane L1749 P/O Hancock Operation 1430 1540 Local flying 14/2/40 Hurricane L1749 F/Lt Walch 1220 1245 Target aircraft 14/2/40 Hurricane L1850 F/O Milne 1220 1245 No. 1 Attack Camera Gun 14/2/40 Hurricane L1758 Sgt Currant 1535 1620 Aerobatics Local 14/2/40 Hurricane L1724 F/O Atkinson 1520 1550 Sec E Recco 14/2/40 Hurricane L1850 F/Lt Walch 1620 1700 No. 1 Attack Camera Gun 14/2/40 Hurricane L1724 Sgt Moffatt 1620 1640 Target aircraft 14/2/40 Hurricane L1799 F/Lt Ives 0925 1030 Blue 1 Formation practice 14/2/40 Hurricane L1746 F/O Ward 0925 1030 Blue 2 Formation practice 14/2/40 Hurricane L1766 Sgt Aslin 0925 1030 Blue 3 Formation practice 14/2/40 Hurricane L1799 F/Lt Ives Operation 1130 1300 Blue 1 Convoy Patrol 14/2/40 Hurricane L1746 F/O Ward Operation 1130 1300 Blue 1 Convoy Patrol 14/2/40 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Aslin Operation 1130 1300 Blue 1 Convoy Patrol 14/2/40 Hurricane L1799 P/O Fenton 1355 1455 Local flying 14/2/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Newton 1455 1625 Green 1 Formation practice 14/2/40 Hurricane L1747 P/O Lovell 1455 1625 Green 2 Formation practice 14/2/40 Hurricane L1766 P/O Courtney 1455 1625 Green 3 Formation practice 14/2/40 Hurricane L1961 F/Lt Ives Operation 1540 1710 Blue 1 Convoy Patrol Hurricane L1746 F/O Ward Operation 1540 1710 Blue 2 Convoy Patrol Hurricane L1798 Sgt Atkinson Operation 1540 1600 Blue 3 Convoy Patrol L1798 Engine cut. Forced landed 1600hrs.
North Weald 15 Feb 1940 0700 Weather: 10/10 cloud at 2500feet. Visibility fair. Wind 5 – 10m.p.h. 1200 During the morning practice flying and A.A. Co-operation was carried out. 1325 The Yellow section led by F/Lt. Walch took off on convoy patrol duties. No action took place. 1425 The Red section led by F/Sgt. Muirhead took off to relieve the Yellow section on the patrol line. No action took place on this patrol. Nothing further to report. North Weald 16 Feb 1940 0700 Weather: Fog. Visibility 400yards. Early patrols cancelled due to weather. 1200 All the aircraft in the squadron have now been modified and the new 100 Octane fuel is being used enabling 12lbs. boost to be used in cases of emergency without damage to the engine. No flying. Nothing further to report. North Weald 17 Feb 1940 0700 Weather: Snow storms. Visibility fair. 10/10 cloud at 800feet. Early patrols cancelled owing to the weather. 1400 Weather: Fine. Visibility good. Six pilots of “B” Flight led by F/Lt. Ives took off to carry out flight drills and attacks. Other flying training also carried out. 1540 The Blue section led by F/Lt. Ives took off on convoy patrol duties. The patrol was carried out and no action took place. North Weald 18 Feb 1940 0700 Weather: Fog with snow storms. Visibility poor. Wind East 10m.p.h. 1000 The weather improved and between this hour and 1200hurs 12 pilots of the squadron carried out air firing practice at Sutton Bridge. P/O Hancock posted to this squadron from 615 Squadron. 1610 P/O. H.A. Lovell was killed when the aircraft he was flying struck a tree. He was flying No. 3 in a section with F/O. Newton leading and P/O Hamar No. 2. The section was returning to the aerodrome and were forced to fly low owing to the weather. The accident took place near Waltham Abbey, Map reference, WL8222, 10miles to 1in. RAF Edition. The section was flying in line astern and therefore neither of the other pilots saw the accident, the real cause of which is not known. Appendix: 0001hrs 15 Feb 1940 to 1235 18 Feb 1940 Hurricane L1967 F/Lt Ives Co-op 1050 1145 Blue 1 A.A. Co-operation 15/2/40 Hurricane L1746 F/O Ward Co-op 1050 1145 Blue 2 A.A. Co-operation 15/2/40 Hurricane L1766 Sgt. Aslin Co-op 1050 1145 Blue 3 A.A. Co-operation 15/2/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Lovell – 1325 1410 Local aerobatics 15/2/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Courtney – 1425 1510 Local aerobatics 15/2/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Newton 1520 1610 Local aerobatics 15/2/40 Hurricane L1749 F/Lt Walch Operation 0700 0810 Yellow 1 Convoy Patrol 15/2/40 Hurricane L1758 F/O Milne Operation 0700 0810 Yellow 2 Convoy Patrol 15/2/40 Hurricane L1748 Sgt Currant Operation 0700 0810 Yellow 3 Convoy Patrol 15/2/40 Hurricane L1756 F/Sgt Muirhead Operation 1420 1625 Red 1 Convoy Patrol 15/2/40 Hurricane L1859 P/O Hamar Operation 1420 1625 Red 2 Convoy Patrol 15/2/40 Hurricane L1724 Sgt Atkinson Operation 1420 1625 Red 3 Convoy Patrol 15/2/40 Hurricane L1749 F/Lt Walch Operation 1325 1515 Yellow 1 Convoy Patrol 15/2/40 Hurricane L1724 F/O Milne Operation 1325 1515 Yellow 2 Convoy Patrol 15/2/40 Hurricane L1748 Sgt Currant Operation 1325 1515 Yellow 3 Convoy Patrol 15/2/40 Hurricane L1749 P/O Hancocks – 1045 1145 Sec E Recco 15/2/40 Hurricane L1748 Sgt Atkinson Co-op 1050 1210 A.A. Co-operation 15/2/40 Hurricane L1850 F/Sgt Muirhead Co-op 1045 1145 No. 1 Attack with C in c-gen 15/2/40 Hurricane L1724 P/O Hama Co-op 1040 1130 Target for C in c –gen 15/2/40 Hurricane L1946 Sgt Currant Test 1300 1320 Air test after 180hrs inspection 15/2/40 Hurricane L1961 F/Lt Ives Test 1420 1435 Flap test on Aircraft 16/2/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Wright Test 1600 1610 Under carriage test. 17/2/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Fenton – 1615 1645 Local flying practice, 17/2/40 Hurricane L1769 F/O Allen – 1600 1700 Local flying 17/2/40 Hurricane L1961 F/Lt Ives – 1430 1525 Blue 1 Formation Drill 17/2/40 Hurricane L1746 P/O Ward – 1430 1530 Blue 2 Formation Drill 17/2/40 Hurricane L1766 Sgt Badger – 1430 1530 Blue 3 Formation Drill 17/2/40 Hurricane L1769 F/O Allen – 1430 1520 Blue 4 Formation Drill 17/2/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Wright – 1430 1450 Blue 5 Formation Drill 17/2/40 Hurricane L1654 Sgt Trice – 1430 1525 Blue 6 Formation Drill 17/2/40 Hurricane L1961 F/Lt Ives – 1550 1615 Blue 1 Local formation 17/2/40 Hurricane L1746 F/O Ward – 1550 1612 Blue 2 Local formation 17/2/40 Hurricane L1766 Sgt Badger – 1550 1620 Blue 3 Local formation 17/2/40 Hurricane L1961 F/Lt Ives Operation 1540 1550 Blue 1 Convoy Patrol 17/2/40 Hurricane L1746 F/O Ward Operation 1540 1550 Blue 2 Convoy Patrol 17/2/40 Hurricane L1766 Sgt Badger Operation 1540 1550 Blue 3 Convoy Patrol 17/2/40 Hurricane L1756 P/O Hamar – 1450 1550 Local flying 17/2/40 Hurricane L1756 P/O Courtney – 1725 1740 Instrument test 17/2/40 Hurricane L1748 Sgt Atkinson – 1455 1600 Sec E Recco 17/2/40 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead – 1600 1700 Sec E Recco 17/2/40 Hurricane L1755 S/Ldr Donaldson – 1600 1645 Local flying 17/2/40 Hurricane L1850 P/O Newton – 1620 1640 Instrument Test 17/2/40 Hurricane L1749 P/O Newton – 0720 0900 Air firing Sutton Bridge. 18/2/40 Hurricane L1724 P/O Courtney – 0715 0900 Air firing Sutton Bridge. 18/2/40 Hurricane L1756 P/O Lovell – 0715 0900 Air firing Sutton Bridge. 18/2/40 Hurricane L1748 Sgt Moffatt – 0715 0900 Air firing Sutton Bridge. 18/2/40 Hurricane L1749 P/O Hamar – 1110 1235 Air firing Sutton Bridge. 18/2/40 Hurricane L1724 F/O Atkinson – 1110 1235 Air firing Sutton Bridge. 18/2/40 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead – 1110 1235 Air firing Sutton Bridge. 18/2/40 Hurricane L1755 S/Ldr Donaldson – 1110 1235 Air firing Sutton Bridge. 18/2/40
North Weald 19 Feb 1940 0700 Weather: Fog and low cloud. Visibility bad. 1100 The squadron was visited by Mr. Gault Macgowan of the New York Sun. A flying programme was arranged for his benefit but had to be cancelled owing to the weather. He was however shown everything of interest on the ground. Nothing further to report. No flying. North Weald 20 Feb 1940 0700 Weather: Fog and Drizzle. Visibility bad. – 400yards. Early patrols cancelled due to weather. 1100 All officers and N.C.O.’s of the squadron attended a lecture on gas given by the Station Gas Officer. No flying nothing further to report. North Weald 21 Feb 1940 0700 Weather: Fog. Visibility 300yards. Patrols cancelled due to weather. 1500 As the weather cleared a little some flying training was carried out. Nothing further to report. North Weald 22 Feb 1940 0700 Weather: Fog. Visibility 300yards. Patrols cancelled due to weather. Pilot Officer H.A. Lovell was today buried with full military honours. North Weald 23 Feb 1940 0600 Weather: Low cloud 600feet. Visibility poor. Patrols were cancelled due to weather but a little local flying was carried out during the morning. 1045 F/Lt. Ives took off to carry out tests of various identification lights and signals with a Blenheim from 110 (B) Squadron. North Weald 24 Feb 1940 0700 Weather: Fine. Cloud 3/100 at 3000feet, Wind E. 25m.p.h. Visibility 10miles. Starting at 0750hrs. a series of patrols was maintained at intervals throughout the day. A considerable amount of flying training was also carried out. Appendix: 1235hrs 18 Feb 40 to 1445hrs 24 Feb 40 Hurricane L1856 P/O Courtney – 1115 1145 Aerobatics Local 18/2/40 Hurricane L1764 Sgt. Atkinson – 1020 1155 Air firing Sutton Bridge 18/2/40 Hurricane L1756 P/O Lovell – 1145 1235 Local flying & Aerobatics 18/2/40 Hurricane L1746 P/O Ward – 0745 0805 Local flying & Aerobatics 18/2/40 Hurricane L1769 F/O Allen – 1025 1155 Air firing Sutton Bridge 18/2/40 Hurricane L1754 Sgt. Trice – 1025 1155 Air firing Sutton Bridge 18/2/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Wright – 1025 1155 Air firing Sutton Bridge 18/2/40 Hurricane L1961 F/Lt Ives – 1120 1215 Blue 1 Local formation 18/2/40 Hurricane L1746 P/O Ward – 1120 1215 Blue 2 Local formation 18/2/40 Hurricane L1766 Sgt Badger – 1120 1215 Blue 3 Local formation 18/2/40 Hurricane L1961 Sgt Badger – 1540 1620 Blue 1 Local formation 18/2/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Wright – 1540 1620 Blue 1 Local formation 18/2/40 Hurricane L1746 Sgt Atkinson – 1540 1620 Blue 3 Local formation 18/2/40 Hurricane L1749 F/O Newton – 1555 1615 Yellow 1 Local formation Practice 18/2/40 Hurricane L1756 P/O Hamar – 1555 1615 Yellow 2 Local formation Practice 18/2/40 Hurricane L1724 P/O Lovell – 1555 – Yellow 3 Local formation Practice Aircraft crashed 18/2/40 Hurricane L1746 P/O Ereminsky – 1555 1620 Local flying 18/2/40 Hurricane L1756 P/O Lovell – 1145 1245 Local flying & Aerobatics 18/2/40 Hurricane L1756 Sgt Moffatt – 1335 1440 Local flying 18/2/40 Hurricane L1769 P/O Allen – 1405 1450 Local flying 21/2/40 Hurricane L1654 P/O Courtney – 1410 1510 Local flying 21/2/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Fenton – 1430 1445 Circuits & Landings 21/2/40 Hurricane L1769 F/O Allen – 1525 1650 Green 1 Local formation 21/2/40 Hurricane L1654 P/O Courtney – 1525 1650 Green 2 Local formation 21/2/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Wright – 1525 1650 Green 3 Local formation 21/2/40 Hurricane L1749 F/O Milne – 1555 1655 Yellow 1 Local formation 21/2/40 Hurricane L1756 P/O Hamar – 1555 1655 Yellow 2 Local formation 21/2/40 Hurricane L1850 Sgt Moffatt – 1555 1655 Yellow 3 Local formation 21/2/40 Hurricane L1769 F/O Allen – 0700 0715 Weather Test 23/3/40 Hurricane L 1961 F/Lt Ives – 1100 1125 Bomber Test 23/2/40 Hurricane L1748 P/O Ereminsky – 0750 0845 Weather Test 23/2/40 Hurricane L1749 F/O Milne Test 0845 0910 Aircraft Flap Test 23/2/40 Hurricane L1758 F/O Milne Test 1320 1330 Aircraft test after 30hr inspection 23/2/40 Hurricane L1746 F/Lt Ives Operation 0855 1055 Blue 1 Convoy Patrol 23/2/40 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Badger Operation 0855 1055 Blue 2 Convoy Patrol 23/2/40 Hurricane L1747 F/O Allen Operation 1015 1145 Green 1 Convoy Patrol 24/2/40 Hurricane L1654 P/O Courtney Operation 1015 1145 Green 2 Convoy Patrol 24/2/40 Hurricane L1757 Sgt Aslin Operation 1015 1145 Green 3 Convoy Patrol 24/2/40 Hurricane L1758 F/O Milne Operation 0755 0935 Yellow 1 Convoy Patrol 24/2/40 Hurricane L1850 P/O Wright Operation 0755 0935 Yellow 2 Convoy Patrol 24/2/40 Hurricane L1758 Sgt Currant – 1000 1100 Local aerobatics 24/2/40 Hurricane L1758 Sgt Moffatt – 1145 1225 Sector Recco 24/2/40 Hurricane L1764 F/O Ereminsky – 0930 1030 Red 1 Formation flying 24/2/40 Hurricane L1749 Sgt Moffatt – 0930 1030 Red 2 Formation flying 24/2/40 Hurricane L1758 F/O Milne – 1530 1645 Yellow 1 Formation flying 24/2/40 Hurricane L1764 Sgt Moffatt – 1530 1640 Yellow 2 Formation flying 24/2/40 Hurricane L1746 Sgt Currant – 1400 1505 Yellow 1 Formation flying 24/2/40 Hurricane L1758 Sgt Saville – 1400 1505 Yellow 2 Formation flying 24/2/40 Hurricane L1850 P/O Newton – 1400 1445 Local Aerobatics 24/2/40
North Weald 25 Feb 1940 0600 Weather: Low cloud and fog. No flying. Nothing to report. North Weald 26 Feb 1940 0700 Weather: Low cloud and fog. Visibility 400yards. Patrols cancelled due to weather. 1600 Weather: 10/10 cloud at 800feet. Visibility 3000yards. The Blue section led by F/Lt. Ives carried out a convoy patrol. 1700 The Yellow section led by F/O. Milne relieved the Blue section on the patrol line. No action took place. Nothing further to report. North Weald 27 Feb 1940 0700 Weather: Low Cloud 10/10 at 200 – 300feet with fog. Visibility 800yards. Early patrols cancelled due to weather. 1000 The machine guns of all aircraft in the squadron have now been harmonized so they converge on a point at 250 yards. This has been done in accordance with an order from Fighter Command. Nothing further to report. Appendix: 1445hrs 24 Feb 1940 to –hrs -/-/- Hurricane L1764 F/O Ereminsky Operation 1110 1155 Red 1 A.A. Co-operation & Formation flying. 24/2/40 Hurricane L1850 F/O Newton Operation 1110 1155 Red 2 A.A. Co-operation & Formation flying. 24/2/40 Hurricane L1859 F/O Ereminsky Operation 1530 1715 Red 1 Convoy Patrol. 24/2/40 Hurricane L1755 F/O Newton Operation 1530 1715 Red 1 A.A. Convoy patrol. 24/2/40 Hurricane L1746 F/Lt Ives Operation 1630 1805 Blue 1 Convoy patrol 24/2/40 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Badger Operation 1630 1805 Blue 2 Convoy patrol 24/2/40 Hurricane L1961 F/Lt Ives Operation 1620 1810 Blue 1 Convoy patrol. 26/2/40 Hurricane L1769 F/O Allen Operation 1620 1810 Blue 2 Convoy patrol. 26/2/40 Hurricane L1758 F/O Milne Operation 1710 1815 Yellow 1 Convoy patrol 26/2/40 Hurricane L1764 Sgt Currant Operation 1710 1815 Yellow 2 Convoy patrol 26/2/40 North Weald 28 Feb 1940 0730 Weather: 8/10 cloud at 900feet. Wind S.W. 15mp.h. Visibility 4000yards. 0800 “B” Flight of this Squadron has moved to Martlesham Heath aerodrome to relieve “A” Flight of 56 Squadron. Squadron Leader Donaldson is remaining here with “A” Flight and F/Lt. Ives will be C.O. at Martlesham. 0915 The Yellow section led by F/O. Milne took off on convoy patrol duties. 1200 Flying training and A.A. Co-operation carried out. 1750 The Red Section led by S/Ldr Donaldson took off on convoy patrol duties. The patrol was carried out and no action took place. The weather had closed down inland and the return flight was made at 200feet and a night landing carried out. “A” Flight North Weald 29 Feb 1940 0900 Weather: 5/10 cloud at 1000feet. 10/10 cloud at 3000feet. Wind N.E. 25-30mp.h. Visibility good. 1000 A.A. co-operation and flying training were carried out. F/Lt. Ironside has been posted to this squadron to take command of “A” Flight which he will do when he is fully trained. In the meantime F/Lt. Walch carries on as O.C. “A” Flight. 1500 F/Lt. Ironside carried out successfully his first flight in a Hurricane. 1530 Two new Hurricanes with V.P. Airscrews have been collected for the squadron from Debden. One will go to “A” Flight the other will be Command Reserve. 1600 One machine of the “Readiness” section was ordered to investigate a Battle aircraft that had been flying in the vicinity of the aerodrome for a considerable period. F/O Ereminsky took off and reported later that the Battle had landed at Stapleford aerodrome. Later the Battle landed here. Appendix: 0011hrs 28 Feb 1940 to 2359hrs 29 Feb 1940 Hurricane L1758 F/O Milne Ops 0920 1120 Yellow 1 Convoy patrol. No Action. Landed at Martlesham to Refuel. 28/2/40 Hurricane L1764 Sgt Currant Ops 0920 1120 Yellow 2 Convoy patrol. No Action. Landed at Martlesham to Refuel. 28/2/40 Hurricane L1758 F/O Milne Ops 1205 1235 From Martlesham to North Weald 28/2/40 Hurricane L1764 Sgt Currant Ops 1205 1235 From Martlesham to North Weald 28/2/40 Hurricane L1749 F/O Ereminsky Training 1445 1545 No. 1 Local Formation 28/2/40 Hurricane L1764 Sgt Saville Training 1445 1545 No. 2 Local Formation 28/2/40 Hurricane L1755 S/Ldr Donaldson 1145 1200 To Martlesham 28/2/40 Hurricane L1755 S/Ldr Donaldson 1450 1515 From Martlesham 28/2/40 Hurricane L1850 P/O Hamar Co-op 1445 1545 A.A. Co-op 28/2/40 Hurricane L1764 Sgt Currant Test 1550 1600 Test for a/c 28/2/40 Hurricane L1755 S/Ldr Donaldson Ops 1750 1900 Red 1 Convoy patrol. No Action. Returned @ 200feet. Low cloud. Night Landing carried out. 28/2/40 Hurricane L1850 P/O Hamar Ops 1750 1900 Red 2 Convoy patrol. No Action. Returned @ 200feet. Low cloud. Night Landing carried out. 28/2/40 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Ops 1750 1900 Red 3 Convoy patrol. No Action. Returned @ 200feet. Low cloud. Night Landing carried out. 28/2/40 Hurricane L2058 S/Ldr Donaldson Ferry 1615 1645 New aircraft from Debden. 29/2/40 Hurricane L1748 F/Sgt Muirhead Co-op 1100 1215 A.A. Co-operation 29/2/40 Hurricane L1850 P/O Hamar Co-op 1030 1140 A.A. Co-operation 29/2/40 Hurricane L1749 F/O Ereminsky Co-op 1110 1210 Searchlight Co-operation 29/2/40 Hurricane L1749 F/O Ereminsky 1640 1710 Investigation of Battle aircraft 29/2/40 Hurricane L1758 F/Lt Ironside Training 1600 1710 First solo on type. 29/2/40 Hurricane L2092 Sgt Currant Ferry 1630 1640 New aircraft from Debden. 29/2/40 Magister P2384 S/Ldr Donaldson F/Lt Ironside 1450 1525 To Debden 29/2/40 Magister P2384 F/Lt Ironside Training Return N. Weald Circuits & Landings 29/2/40 Magister P2384 Sgt Currant Sgt Saville Ferry 1630 1655 To Debden 29/2/40 Magister P2384 Sgt Saville Ferry 1705 1730 Return to N. Weald 29/2/40
OPERATIONS RECORD BOOK No. 151 (Fighter) Squadron – “B” Flight No. 151 (Fighter) Squadron Attached Martlesham Heath – February 1940 Martlesham Heath 28 Feb 1940 0700Weather: 10/10 Cloud at 1000feet. Wind 15m.p.h. S.W. Visibility 2 miles. 0740 F/Lt. Ives took off from North Weald and landed at Martlesham Heath at 0800hours. 1150 Squadron Leader Donaldson, F/O. Allen, F/O. Ward, P/O. Courtney, P/O. Wright, Sgt. Atkinson, Sgt. Badger took off from North Weald. Their arrival at Martlesham Heath was almost coincident with that of the Road convoy which left at 0730. 1300 “C” Section – F/O. Ward, Sgt. Badger, Sgt. Trice took over the “Readiness” section from “A” Flight 56 Squadron at 1300hours. Martlesham Heath 29 Feb 1940 0700 Weather: 10/10 Cloud at 1000feet. Wind 15m.p.h. S.W. Visibility 8 miles. 1600 “A” Section – F/Lt Ives, P/O. Wright, Sgt. Atkinson left ground on an X raid. Landed 1615 after being recalled by Controller. Nothing to report. 1750 Green section – F/O Allen, P/O. Courtney, Sgt. Aslin took off on a Convoy patrol. Landed 1835. Nothing to report. Appendix: 0001hrs 28 Feb 1940 to 2400hrs 29 Feb 1940 Hurricane L1961 F/Lt. Ives – 0740 0800 To Martlesham Heath 28/2/40 Hurricane L1769 P/O Allen – 1150 1210 To Martlesham Heath 28/2/40 Hurricane L1747 P/O Courtney – 1150 1210 To Martlesham Heath 28/2/40 Hurricane L1654 Sgt Atkinson – 1150 1210 To Martlesham Heath 28/2/40 Hurricane L1746 P/O Ward – 1150 1210 To Martlesham Heath 28/2/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Wright – 1150 1210 To Martlesham Heath 28/2/40 Hurricane L1799 Sgt Badger – 1150 1210 To Martlesham Heath 28/2/40 Hurricane L1654 P/O Fenton – 1000 1045 Local flying 29/2/40 Hurricane L1746 F/O Ward – 1410 1440 Local flying 29/3/40 Hurricane L1961 F/Lt Ives Operation 1600 1615 Blue 1 Interception patrol 29/2/40 Hurricane L1757 P/O Wright Operation 1600 1615 Blue 2 Interception patrol 29/2/40 Hurricane L1747 Sgt. Atkinson Operation 1600 1615 Blue3 Interception patrol 29/2/40 Hurricane L1769 F/O Allen Operation 1750 1835 Green 1 Convoy Patrol 29/2/40 Hurricane L1799 P/O Courtney Operation 1750 1835 Green 2 Convoy Patrol 29/2/40 Hurricane L1654 Sgt Aslin Operation 1750 1835 Green 3 Convoy Patrol 29/2/40
