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August 1943 The month of August 1943 saw 304 and 547 Squadrons continuing to fly Musketry Patrols in the Bay of Biscay. 19 Group had begun to notice that sightings and attacks on U-boats was virtually nil in the daytime Musketry patrol area. Night time sightings in the farthest southern reaches of the area were on the increase. This indicated that the U-boats had switched to crossing the Bay close to the Spanish coast at night using the cover of darkness to travel on the surface, replenishing their air supplies and charging their batteries in readiness for submerging during daylight hours as they transited out into the Atlantic. As a result 19 Group changed it's tactics by flooding the southernmost area of the Bay of Biscay in the area known as PERCUSSION with all the aircraft at it's disposal in an attempt to deny the transiting U-boats time on the surface. They were forcing them to dive to safety by the use of Leigh Light equipped aircraft or by dropping flares from aircraft not equipped with the Leigh Light. 547 Squadron training continued with crews carrying out submarine exercises, air tests, more low level bombing, local flying and landings. W/T and Special Equipment homing exercises were carried out in preparation for landing in bad weather. The First European Trials of Ground Control Approach with FIDO: On 28 August 1943 an experimental American radar unit arrived at Davidstow to carry out tests on a top secret type of ground control approach radar [GCA]. With the weather at Davidstow proving to be unpredictable and making operational flying and planning difficult, the Air Ministry and HQCC decided that the new radar could prove invaluable in allowing all weather flying. GCA was trialled for the first time in Europe at Davidstow alongside Fog Investigation and Dispersal Operation [FIDO]. FIDO, a British development, consisted of two pipelines situated along both sides of the runway and through which a fuel (usually petrol from the airfield's own fuel dump) was pumped along and then out through burner jets positioned at intervals along the pipelines. The vapours were lit from a series of burners, producing walls of flame. The FIDO installation usually stored its fuel in four circular upright tanks built at the edge of the airfield with a low brick bund wall in case of leakage. The tanks were encased in ordinary brickwork as protection from bomb splinters or cannon fire. Some airfields would be fitted with permanent FIDO systems but in Davidstow's case the installation was of a temporary nature. When fog prevented returning aircraft from locating and seeing their runways, they would be able to use the FIDO system. The fuel pumps were started and poured flammable liquid into the pipe system. A Jeep with a flaming brand lashed to its rear drove fast down both sides of the runway to ignite the fuel at the outlets in the pipes. The result was a row of burning flame along the side of the runway that could be seen for a great distance from the air. The heat from the flames dispersed the fog so that the aircraft could locate the airfield and land. The flare of the burning fuel was visible from a considerable distance. GCA [AN/MPN-1 XE] was a radar talk down system to provide aircraft with approach guidance through fog and darkness. A radio signal was bounced off the aircraft and back to the sender who was then able to guide the aircraft in. The system was capable of bringing pilots down to 100ft or so above the runway but could not at this time guarantee the correct runway alignment. Pilots had to verify the aircraft's alignment visually and therefore had to have sight of the runway from 100-200ft Luis Walter Alvarez developed the prototype GCA at the Radiation Laboratory, University of California at Berkeley. He believed that if you could track an aircraft to shoot it down you could also track it for landing. Members of the development team included Alvarez himself together with Charles [Bert] Fowler, George Comstock, Wheeler Loomis [Head of Dept], Norman Colby, Larry Johnstone and Al Albrecht from Gilfillan Brothers, the manufacturers. Charles Fowler travelled to the UK in 1943 with a team of five men and the pre production MK 1 prototype to work with the RAF. Here they were able to carry out testing with real aircraft. Alvarez and Johnstone later left the project to work on the Atomic Bomb and George Comstock became the Project Manager. They worked at Davidstow alongside Arthur C Clarke, the author of 'Glidepath'. [See Davidstow's ORB 31-8-1943]. Initially American personnel helped train British operators and maintenance staff. 'A' Flight Signals Development Unit, part of the Blind Approach Development Unit, were deployed to Davidstow to act as target aircraft. They helped operators to perfect the talk down procedures. LHT Ashburner The procedure was seen operating successfully by an ATA pilot, LHT Ashburner, who was forced down at Davidstow en route to St Merryn with a Tiger Moth and who wrote to me of his experiences. He told me that he had been stationed at No2 Ferry Pool, Lulsgate Bottom, Bristol. He delivered all types of aircraft to the South West. In August 1943 he was given the job of ferrying a Tiger Moth to the Royal Navy at St Merryn. He enjoyed summer flying which he found something of a delight in the usually fine weather. However with the coming of autumn it became more unpredictable and so it was on this day. He took off from Lulsgate in hazy but fine conditions. The Met hadn't mentioned any bad weather for his route but suggested that thin low cloud could develop over Cornwall. The haze became thicker as he flew westward and came down low along the coastline where St Merryn is situated. As he travelled things got worse. Just south of Bude, on the coast of North Cornwall, the cloud became so thick and wet that he couldn't see anything. Inland the roads were still visible and so he made the decision to follow the road and turned inland flying low to keep the road in sight. The Tiger Moth was a slow flying aircraft and soon the road began to disappear. He pressed on hoping to find a hole in the fog. Suddenly out of the fog loomed a large water tank. He realised that he was over an airfield. He had just missed a Braithwaite water tower. He gingerly lost height and suddenly came out of the cloud at 100ft above an airfield and cruising just above two hangars. He saw a long stretch of tarmac ahead of him. He brought the aircraft down, letting it roll to a stop close to the control tower. Having removed his helmet he was aware of another aircraft circling overhead. He thought that some 'poor sod' was upstairs with nowhere to land. He reported to Flying Control and told them what he had heard. He was told that it was a test plane for the new Ground Control Approach Radar. It was something he and other pilots had heard about on the grapevine but he had never met anyone with first hand experience. He was invited to spend the afternoon in Flying Control where he watched either an Anson or an Oxford [he couldn't remember which] popping out of the clouds to touch it's wheels on the runway then taking off and going around again. He said the sight of that aircraft doing circuits and landings in low cloud will stay with him all his life. 01-08-1943 Weather cloudy, continuous showers. Visibility moderate. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington XIII HZ 573/C - Musketry Patrol no 2. Airborne D/M 0431hrs. Nothing to report. Landed D/M 1307hrs. Wellington XIII HZ645/F - Musketry Patrol no 4. At 1035hrs message from aircraft intercepted that a U-boat had been sighted at position NJUG – 5020. Nothing seen. Landed D/M 1410hrs. Wellington XIII HZ762/G - Musketry Patrol no 3. Airborne D/M 0627hrs. At 1020hrs when flying at 2500ft the crew spotted a submerging U-boat on bearing 340' at 8-10 miles. From position 45:50N – 09:40W only the conning tower and deck were visible owing to the distance of vessel from G/304. Aircraft immediately went to the attack but U-boat submerged some 80 seconds before aircraft arrived at position. Marine marker was dropped and hunting procedure carried out for 76 minutes but nothing seen. G/304 set course for base. Landed D/M 1441hrs. Wellington XIII HZ644/E - Musketry Patrol no 1. Airborne D/M 0725hrs. Nothing to report. Landed D/M 1453hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: Movements F/O WAJ Wallace posted to no 612 Squadron. A/C UP DOWN TIME F/O Brockwell Air test and LLB D 1100 1145 0045 Operations: Wellington XI G/547 - Musketry Patrol No 1. Aircrew F/O DP Stephens Up 1421hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 1500ft. Over Force Favour, in position 47:31N – 10:05W. Weather showery in patrol area. Down 2233hrs. Wellington XI N/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 4 Aircrew F/O J Whyte Up 1525hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 2000ft. Weather showery in patrol area. Nothing seen. Down 2311hrs. Wellington XI X/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 2 Aircrew F/Sgt P Cherry Up 1624hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 2000ft. At 2025hrs received message from control 'Hunt U-boat in position 47:24N – 12:10W. X/547 proceeded to position and carried out square search but nothing seen. Diverted to Chivenor owing to weather at base. Down 0048hrs Chivenor 2nd. 02-08-1943 Weather cloudy, occasional rain or drizzle until mid day, becoming fair. Excellent visibility. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington XIII HZ638/P - Musketry Patrol No 4. Airborne D/M 1421hrs. At 1732hrs four sloops sighted [photo]. Nothing further sighted. Landed D/M 2215hrs. Wellington XIII HZ642/J - Musketry Patrol No 1. Airborne D/M 1519hrs. At 1745hrs sighted corvette and destroyer. Nothing further sighted. Landed D/M 2336hrs. Wellington XII HZ576/R - Musketry Patrol No 3. Airborne D/M 1630hrs. At 2101hrs three fighter aircraft, not identified but believed to be Mosquitoes, attacked from down sun, from starboard quarter, from 1000yds. Captain of R/304 took evasive action. The Mosquitoes opened fire and tracer was seen passing Wellington on starboard side and the rear gunner replied. The Wellington captain recognised the Mosquitoes as one passed in front of him. He fired the colours of the day whereupon the Mosquitoes ceased firing and replied with recognition signals. No hits observed. Landed D/M 0011hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: A/C UP DOWN TIME Sgt LaCosta Submarine exercise D 1340 1520 0140 Operations Wellington XI HZ351/C - Musketry Patrol OTU No 1 Aircrew F/O LM Brockwell Up 1034hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 2500ft. Two destroyers sighted in position 48:48N – 09:50W. Nothing further sighted. Weather good. Down 1825hrs. Wellington XI M/547 - U-boat hunt Aircrew W/Cdr RN McKern Up 1128hrs. At 1440hrs intercepted sighting report and S/C for position 46:27N – 11:35W. Carried out mark and hunt square search 10 but nothing seen. Down 1925hrs. Wellington XI B/547 - U-boat hunt Aircrew W/O JW Hermiston Up 1227hrs. Average height of patrol 1500ft. At 1445hrs, in position 48:14N – 10:21W, sighted two destroyers on course 020degrees. Recognition signals flashed but destroyers opened fire. B/547 took evasive action and resumed patrol. At 1519hrs, while flying at 100ft, front gunner sighted fully surfaced U-boat, bearing 80 degrees red, at two miles. B/547 turned to attack but U-boat was temporarily obscured by cloud. Re sighted three quarters of a mile distant in position 47:12N – 10:54W from a height of 1200ft. U-boat turned hard to port to present beam to aircraft and attack was made across bows at 70 degrees red to the U-boats track with 7xDCs spaced at 60ft. No 1 overshooting 40ft. MG fire had opened up at range of 800yds and was continued during the attack. Three more runs were made over the target with machine gun fire and weak return fire experienced from the U-boat which was seen to dive during the final run. A patch of oil 50ft diameter was seen in position after submergence and a brown object about five feet square below the surface. The U-boat appeared to be of 517 tons and had a large dragon painted on the conning tower. B/547 circled the position until PLE, finally leaving the position at 1706hrs. Weather fine at position of attack. Down 1941hrs. NOTE: U218 - Laid down 17 March 1941, launched 5 December 1941, commanded by Kptlt Richard Becker. Six men were wounded during this attack. The boat was damaged and had to abort its mine laying mission. It arrived back at Brest on 6 August 1943. U218 is credited with the last ship sunk in WW2 when the British steam fishing vessel Kurd [325tons] was sunk on 10 July 1945 by a minefield laid by U218. Wellington XI O/547 - U-boat hunt Aircrew F/O R Burnett Up 1330hrs. Patrol carried out at average height of 1000ft. At 1627hrs intercepted first sighting report and set course for position 46:23N – 00:02W and sighted four stationary corvettes in position 46:42N – 10:02W. Carried out square search, mark and hunt. At 0110, in position 46:11N – 10:06W, sighted periscope 4 miles to port on course 350degrees. O/547 dived to investigate but periscope disappeared leaving no trace. Weather fair at position. Down 2131hrs. 03-08-1943 Weather cloudy. Visibility excellent. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington XIII HZ551/A - Musketry Patrol No 4. Airborne D/M 0824hrs.At 1415hrs sighted four unidentified vessels with Wellington aircraft circling. At 1445hrs one fast unidentified aircraft seen flying at 2500ft. Nothing further sighted. Landed D/M 1619hrs. Wellington XIII HZ644/E - Musketry Patrol No 1. Airborne D/M 0930hrs. A number of aircraft and vessels seen during patrol. Landed D/M 1736hrs. Wellington XIII HZ645/F - Musketry Patrol No 3. Airborne D/M 1032hrs. A Catalina and Liberator seen during patrol. Nothing further sighted. Landed D/M 0110hrs. Wellington XIII HZ762/G - Musketry Patrol No 2. Airborne D/M 1121hrs. At 1445hrs a Sunderland was sighted. At 1741hrs a square raft sighted, no life. Landed D/M 1912hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: A/C UP DOWN TIME Sgt Clarke Bombing D 1105 1205 0100 Operations Wellington XI P/547 Aircrew F/Sgt AE Taylor Up 0524hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 3500ft. At 0949hrs sighted Force Fisher zigzagging at 10 knots in position 10:46W. Nothing further seen. Weather fair. Down 1259hrs. Wellington XI V/547 - Patrol Musketry OTU No 3 Aircrew F/O DP Stephens Up 0621hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 2500ft. Nothing to report. Weather fine. Down 1402hrs. Wellington XI HZ407/K - Musketry Patrol OTU No 1 Aircrew S/Ldr KTP Terry Up 0640hrs. At 1145hrs, in position 45:58N – 10:07W, sighted Force Fisher zigzagging in line abreast on southerly course. Nothing further sighted. Down 1457hrs. Wellington XI G/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 5 Aircrew F/Sgt P Cherry Up 0734hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 2500ft. Nothing to report. Weather fine in area. Down 1436hrs. 04-08-1943 Weather fair to cloudy in morning. Good visibility until mid day. Rain afternoon and evening. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington XIII HZ642/J - Musketry Patrol No 5. Airborne D/M 0541hrs. At 0715hrs Captain decided to return owing to bad weather. Landed D/M 0834hrs. Wellington XIII HZ638/P - Musketry Patrol No 1. Airborne D/M 0610hrs. At 1018hrs Captain decided to return owing to bad weather. Landed D/M 1333hrs. Wellington XIII HZ635/D - Musketry Patrol No 3. Airborne D/M 0625hrs. At 0851hrs vessel Newfoundland sighted. At 1143hrs one destroyer and five sloops sighted. Nothing further sighted. Landed D/M 1355hrs. Wellington X HE577/T - Musketry Patrol No 4. Airborne D/M 0724hrs. Nothing further to report. Landed D/M 1527hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: A/C UP DOWN TIME F/O Burnett Air test A 0040 05-08-1943 Weather cloudy, frequent squally showers, low cloud base. Visibility good except in showers. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington XIII HZ551/A - Musketry Patrol. Airborne D/M 1430hrs. Nothing to report. Landed D/M 2228hrs. Wellington XIII HZ762/G - Musketry Patrol. Airborne D/M 1529hrs. Nothing to report. Bad weather at base, diverted to Chivenor. Landed Chivenor 2242hrs. Wellington XIII HZ645/F - Musketry Patrol. Airborne D/M 1723hrs. Nothing to report. Bad weather at base, diverted to Chivenor. Landed Chivenor 0212hrs. Wellington X HE577/T - Musketry Patrol. Airborne D/M 1740hrs. Nothing to report. Diverted to Chivenor. Landed Chivenor 2148hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: Movements F/Lt ED Laushway to Chivenor for 19 Group gunnery conference. A/C UP DOWN TIME Sgt Southwell Fighter affiliation A 0040 Operations Wellington XI HZ407/K - Musketry Patrol OTU No 3 Aircrew S/Ldr HN Garbett Up 1109hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 1000ft. Nothing seen. Weather rough with bad visibility. Down 1851hrs. Wellington XI M/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 1 Aircrew F/O R Burnett Up 1134hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 1000ft. At 1355hrs, in position 49:00N – 09:45W, patrol cut short owing to bad weather in area. Cloud down to sea level and continuous rain. Down 1545hrs. Wellington XI HZ351/C - Musketry Patrol OTU No 4 Aircrew F/O LMN Brockwell Up 1230hrs. Average height of patrol 2500ft. Over Force Plum in position 46:40N – 11:13W. Nothing further seen in the area. Weather very bad and bumpy with poor visibility. Down 2010hrs. Wellington XI V/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 2 Aircrew F/Sgt AE Taylor Up 1341hrs. Average height of patrol 2000ft. At 1745hrs, in position 45:23N – 09:47W, intercepted message from patrol 'Keep lookout for enemy tanker, 10,000tons, left Vigo at 0500hrs. Believed making Bay port. Speed 10 knots'. Nothing seen. Weather fair in south. Continuous rain in north. Down 2156hrs. 06-08-1943 Weather cloudy, intermittent rain. Visibility moderate. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: Operations Wellington XI M/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 4 Aircrew F/Sgt P Cherry Up 1018hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 2000ft. Nothing seen. Weather fair in patrol area. Down 1712hrs. Wellington XI O/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 5 Aircrew Sgt J Clarke Up 1032hrs. Average height of patrol 4000ft. Nothing seen. Weather fair in south improving on return. Down 1803hrs. Wellington XI P/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 2 Aircrew F/O S Whyte Up 1036hrs. Average height of patrol 2000ft. Weather improving on return. Nothing to report. Down 1822hrs. 07-08-1943 Weather mainly cloudy, slight rain during morning. Visibility good. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington XIII HZ551/A - Musketry Patrol No 2. Airborne D/M 0433hrs. Nothing to report. Landed D/M 1246hrs. Wellington XIII HZ644/E - Musketry Patrol No 4. Airborne D/M 0611hrs. At 1145hrs sighted Wellington flying at 3000ft. Nothing further sighted. Landed D/M 1736hrs. Wellington XIII HZ762/G - Musketry Patrol No 1. Airborne D/M 0630hrs. Liberator, 2 Mosquitoes and a Sunderland sighted during early part of patrol. Later at 1032hrs Force Favour with Catalina overhead and sloop 10 miles distant with Liberator circling at 1100hrs. Wellington sighted at 1310hrs. Landed D/M 1417hrs. Wellington XIII HZ635/D - Musketry Patrol No 5. Airborne D/M 0730hrs. Three unknown aircraft flying on course 300'T at 1500ft seen 0930hrs. Halifax seen at 1150hrs. Landed D/M 1528hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: A/C UP DOWN TIME F/Sgt Taylor Air test X 0045 Operations Wellington XI S/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No1 Aircrew S/Ldr KTP Terry Up 1432hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 2500ft. Over empty life rafts in position 48:22N – 09:44W and at 47:00N – 09:42W. Nothing further to report. Weather good throughout. Down 2239hrs. 08-08-1943 Weather cloudy early morning, rain and fog rest of day. Visibility 10 miles early morning, less than 100yds in fog. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington XIII HZ641/U - Musketry Patrol No 2. Airborne D/M 0433hrs. At 1107hrs corvette sighted. Instruction from 19 Group HQs aircraft to land Exeter owing to bad weather at base. Landed Exeter 1320hrs. Wellington XIII HZ574/S - Musketry Patrol No 4. Airborne D/M 0527hrs. At 0752hrs, whilst flying south sighted corvette. Nothing further sighted. Landed Exeter 1315hrs. Wellington XIII HZ642/J - Musketry Patrol No 1. Airborne D/M 0625hrs. Nothing to report. Landed Exeter 1417hrs. Wellington XIII HZ576/R - Musketry Patrol No 3. Airborne D/M 0724hrs. At 1011hrs destroyer sighted. At 1120hrs two white smoke floats 200yds apart. At 1240hrs Wellington sighted. Nothing further sighted. Landed Exeter 1552hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: Movements F/Lt Laushway returned to unit. 09-08-1943 Weather low cloud and drizzle becoming fair but deteriorating by dusk. Visibility poor. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington XIII HZ573/C - Musketry Patrol No 1. Airborne D/M 1000hrs. Nothing to report. Landed D/M 1202hrs. Wellington XIII HZ551/A - Musketry Patrol No 2. Airborne D/M 1001hrs. Nothing to report. Landed D/M 1752hrs. Wellington XIII HZ635/D - Musketry Patrol No 4. Airborne D/M 1005hrs. At 1136hrs sighted square raft, no life. At 1534hrs sighted vessel Bigazoo. Nothing further sighted. Landed D/M 1758hrs. Wellington XIII HZ699/K - Musketry Patrol No 3. Airborne D/M 1008hrs. Nothing to report. Landed D/M 1100hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: A/C UP DOWN TIME F/Sgt West Air test G 0025 Operations Wellington XI HZ407/K - Musketry Patrol OTU No1 Aircrew Sgt VC Mygind Up 1052hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 150ft. At 1410hrs, in position 45:40N – 09:45W, over empty orange coloured raft, quickly lost in bad visibility. Weather poor, visibility bad. Down 1809hrs. Wellington XI V/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No3 Aircrew F/O S Whyte Up 1054hrs. Average height of patrol 50ft. Nothing seen. Cloud base 200ft down to sea level. Down 1908hrs. Wellington XI P/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No2 Aircrew F/Lt TJ Mullins Up 1116hrs. At 1505hrs, in position 45:17N – 09:50W set course for position 45:14N – 10:04W but sea fog persisted and nothing was seen on patrol at an average height of 1050ft. Down 1843hrs. Wellington XI B/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No5 Aircrew Sgt J Clarke Up 1122hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 1000ft. Nothing to report. Weather cloudy in patrol area. Down 1831hrs. 10-08-1943 Weather overcast, drizzle, fog. 11-08-1943 Weather continuous drizzle early, becoming cloudy to fair. Visibility 4 miles in drizzle. Very good later. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington XIII HZ576/R - Musketry Patrol No 1. Airborne D/M 0739hrs. At 1045hrs Force Plumb. At 1306hrs Force Fisher. Landed D/M 1246hrs. Wellington XIII HZ574/S - Musketry Patrol No 4. Airborne D/M 0753hrs. Nothing to report. Landed D/M 1539hrs. Wellington XIII HZ641/U - Musketry Patrol No 3. Airborne D/M 0755hrs. Nothing to report. Landed D/M 1611hrs Wellington XIII HZ638/P - Musketry Patrol No 5. Airborne D/M 0850hrs. At 1121hrs sighted Force Fisher. Again at 1327hrs. Nothing further sighted. Landed D/M 1630hrs Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: Movement F/O T Hinde to Manby on Mk XIV bombsight course A/C UP DOWN TIME P/O Hermiston Fighter affiliation A 0140 Operations Wellington XI H/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 3 Up 1433hrs. Average height of patrol 2000ft. Nothing to report. Weather good with patches of cloud in patrol area. Down 2205hrs Wellington XI MP565/T - Musketry Patrol OTU No 1 Aircrew F/O HG Jenkins Up 1523hrs. Patrol carried out as instructed at average height of 2000ft. Nothing to report. At 2000hrs, in position 46:22N – 09:58W, two destroyers sighted on course 090 degrees. Weather good throughout. Down 2308hrs Wellington XI X/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 4 Aircrew F/Sgt AE Taylor Up 1623hrs. Patrol carried out as instructed at average height of 2000ft. Nothing to report. Weather fair with frontal conditions at limit of patrol. Down 0005hrs 12th Wellington XI S/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 2 Aircrew S/Ldr KTP Terry Up 1727hrs. Returned early owing to electrical failure. Down 1753hrs 12-08-1943 Weather fine becoming cloudy. Visibility excellent. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron Wellington XIII HZ656/H - Musketry Patrol No 5. Airborne D/M 1435hrs. Near end of patrol aircraft developed hydraulic trouble. At 2040hrs DCs were jettisoned over sea. At 2200hrs H/304 landed Davidstow without flaps and over ran the runway and was extensively damaged. Crew unhurt. Wellington XIII HZ573/C - Musketry Patrol No 2. Airborne D/M 1531hrs. At 1805hrs trouble with port engine and returned to base. Landed D/M 1950hrs. Wellington XIII HZ577/T - Musketry Patrol No 1. Airborne D/M 1629hrs. At 1858hrs sighted vessel Cravat with Wellington in the vicinity. At 2030hrs vessel Plumb, black JU88 circling vessel at 3000ft at a distance of 800yds from T/304. One bomb dropped by JU88 about five miles ahead of Plumb. A/A fire from Plumb. No contact between T/304 and JU88 as cloud base was 3000ft. Landed D/M 2359hrs. Wellington XIII HZ635/D - Musketry Patrol No 3. Airborne D/M 1719hrs. Nothing to report. Landed D/M 0100hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: Movements F/O LMN Brockwell to Blackpool on ASR course. A/C UP DOWN TIME S/Ldr Terry LLB and ASF Y 1430 1500 0030 Operations Wellington XI B/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No3 Aircrew F/Sgt RJ West Up 1030hrs. Average height of patrol 2500ft. At 1427hrs sighted two destroyers in position 45:05N – 10:25W on course 200 degrees, speed 25 knots. Weather fair. Down 1820hrs. Wellington XI G/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No1 Aircrew F/O DP Stephens Up 1124hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 3000ft. At 1500hrs sighted six sloops in line abreast in position 45:28N – 09:56W on course 090 degrees. Nothing further seen. Good visibility. Down 1843hrs. Wellington XI H/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 4 Aircrew F/O R Burnett Up 1234hrs. Average height of patrol 1500ft. Carried out as instructed. Nothing to report. Weather fair, deteriorating on return. Down 1958hrs. Wellington XI HZ351/C - Musketry Patrol OTU No2 Aircrew F/Sgt P Cherry Up 1327hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 2500ft. Sighted waterlogged lifeboat in position 46:24N – 10:09W and six sloops in position 45:32N – 09:49W. Force Cravat in position 48:36N – 10:25W. Weather cloudy, visibility fair. Down 2043hrs. 13-08-1943 Weather low cloud and drizzle. Visibility good. Operations O, B, X, T/547 on Musketry Nos 1, 4, 5, 2. No sightings. O, B, X landed at Chivenor. T/547 returned to base, generator trouble. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington XIII HZ576/R - Musketry Patrol No 3. Airborne D/M 0832hrs. At 1207hrs vessel Fisher. At 1209hrs vessel Plumb. At 1320hrs Hampden. Owing to weather at base R/304 landed Talbenny 1645hrs. Wellington XIII HZ638/P - Musketry Patrol No 1. Airborne D/M 0930hrs. This aircraft failed to return. NOTE: Wellington HZ638 P/304 shot down by Lt Dieter Meister, 13/KG 40. Aircrew: P/O S Kielan Luftwaffe reported incident at 1311hrs, Dieter Meister Lt, 13/KG40, in position 14W/0777. Wellington XIII HZ574/S - Musketry Patrol No 4. Airborne D/M 1025hrs. Nothing to report. Landed Talbenny 1838hrs. Bad weather at base. Wellington XIII HZ642/J - Musketry Patrol No 2. Airborne D/M 1129hrs. At 1524hrs sighted convoy believed Fisher. Over base 1915hrs. Instructed to land Talbenny owing to weather at base. Landed Talbenny 1944hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: A/C UP DOWN TIME F/O Whyte LLB Y 0135 Operations Wellington XI X/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 5 Aircrew P/O JW Hermiston Up 0905hrs. Average height of patrol 1500ft. At 1615hrs in position 50:00N – 08:30W X/547 descended to 500ft to take drift, starboard engine cut completely and aircraft lost height to 150ft. Signalled ' Am making forced landing'. Jettisoned DCs and main tanks. Balance cock opened and engine restarted. Signalled ' Fuel for 45 minutes remaining'. Set course for base. Diverted Chivenor owing to weather at base. Down 1741hrs Chivenor. Wellington XI O/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 1 Aircrew Sgt J Clarke Up 0910hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 2000ft. At 1408hrs, in position 45:57N – 10:01W over Force Plum, on westerly course. Nothing further seen. Diverted Chivenor owing to weather at base. Down 1720hrs Chivenor. Wellington XI MP565/T - Musketry Patrol OTU No 2 Aircrew F/O HG Jenkins Up 0931hrs. Patrol cut short owing to generator trouble. Down 1035hrs. Wellington XI B/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 4 Aircrew F/Lt TJ Mullins Up 0950hrs. At 1310hrs, in position 47:00N – 11:05W, starboard engine cut out momentarily, then picked up again but began running rough and Captain decided to return to base. Diverted to Chivenor owing to weather at base. Down 1530hrs Chivenor. 14-08-1943 Weather cloudy, continuous rain and drizzle. Visibility good. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: A/C UP DOWN TIME Sgt Clark Air test B 0050 15-08-1943 Weather fair to fine. Visibility good. NOTE: Wellington MP565 T/547 Aircrew: F/O J Whyte Pilot Wellington HZ351 C/547 Aircrew: Sgt DP Stephen Pilot Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington XIII HZ551/A - Musketry Patrol No 2. Airborne D/M 0526hrs. At 0750hrs Bailey. At 0330hrs Fisher. Resighted 1053hrs. Landed D/M 1338hrs. Wellington XIII HZ578/B - Musketry Patrol No 5. Airborne D/M 0549hrs. Nothing to report. Landed D/M 1329hrs. Wellington XIII HZ641/U - Musketry Patrol No 1. Airborne D/M 0635hrs. At 0706hrs Saxhorn sighted. Black Wellington seen at 1027hrs. At 1323hrs Saxhorn resighted. Nothing further seen. Landed D/M 1426hrs. Wellington XIII HZ645/F - Musketry Patrol No 3. Airborne D/M 0710hrs. At 0745hrs sighted Saxhorn. At 0910hrs sighted Bailey and Fisher at 1000hrs. White Wellington at 1025hrs, at 1208hrs unknown black, twin engined aircraft, believed JU88, seen in cloud at 1700ft, speed 210mph. A few seconds later the JU88 changed course and attacked F/304 from astern from 800yds. Rear gunner fired a short burst of about 12 seconds after which F/304 reached cloud cover. Nothing further seen of enemy aircraft. At 1212hrs Fisher. At 1235hrs Bailey which was resighted at 1340hrs. An unknown aircraft seen at 3000ft. Nothing further sighted. Landed D/M 1449hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: Movements F/O JT Whyte and crew failed to return from operations and reported missing. Wellington Mk XI MP565/T. A/C UP DOWN TIME W/O Edmunds LLB U 0100 Operations Wellington XI MP565/T - Musketry Patrol OTU No 1 Aircrew F/O James Whyte 413945 Age 25 Pilot Up 1151hrs. No signals received. Overdue action taken. Wellington XI P/547 - Musketry Patrol No 4 Aircrew F/Lt TJ Mullins Up 1228hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 1200ft. Nothing seen. Weather very clear. Down 1928hrs. Wellington XI HZ351/C - Musketry Patrol OTU No 2 Aircrew F/O Derek Percy Stephens Pilot 123023 Age 21 RAFVR Wellington XI G/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 3 Aircrew F/Sgt AE Taylor Up 1405hrs. Average height of patrol 2000ft. At 1700hrs instructed to proceed to position 47:55N – 09:31W to search for dinghy. At 1731hrs, in position 47:50N – 10:10W sighted two unidentified aircraft followed by a further aircraft which dived into the sea and exploded . G/547 jettisoned DCs and increased speed. At 1735hrs G/547 attacked by seven JU88s which formed up three on either side and one weaving overhead. Five attacks were made. First by a single aircraft, second by two from starboard and one from port, third from port. Cloud now appeared and fourth attack delivered whilst G/547 climbing for cloud cover. Entered cloud. On emerging from cloud a fifth attack delivered from starboard beam by a single aircraft. G/547 re-entered cloud and made a ninety degree turn and enemy aircraft no longer seen. Violent evasive action taken and fire maintained throughout, hits observed. No casualties and only one MG bullet found. Weather fair. Down 1945hrs. 16-08-1943 Weather fine. Visibility excellent. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington XIII HZ700/W - Musketry Patrol No 1. Airborne D/M 0528hrs. Nothing to report. Landed D/M 1337hrs. Wellington XIII HZ576/R - Musketry Patrol No 3. Airborne D/M 0605hrs. At 0857hrs sighted Plumb. At 1155hrs Wellington seen flying at 1500ft. Another Wellington seen at same height at 1310hrs. USAAF Liberator sighted at 400ft at 1319hrs. Nothing further sighted. Landed D/M 1417hrs. Wellington XIII HZ642/J - Musketry Patrol No 2. Airborne D/M 0645hrs. At 1230hrs sighted Saxhorn. Nothing further sighted. Landed D/M 1456hrs. Wellington XIII HZ574/S - Musketry Patrol No 4. Airborne D/M 0726hrs. At 1208hrs sighted Saxhorn. Landed D/M 1500hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: Movement F/O JA Butterfield to Limavady on posting for captain's course. Operations Wellington XI HZ407/K - Musketry Patrol OTU No 2 Aircrew Sgt VC Mygind Up 1206hrs. Average height of patrol 500ft. Six sloops sighted in position 47:26N – 09:01W. Weather fair. Down 2017hrs. Wellington XI S/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 1 Aircrew S/Ldr KTP Terry Up 1250hrs. Average height of patrol 2000ft. Black Wellington aircraft sighted in position 48:42N – 09:45W. Weather fair in patrol area. Down 2031hrs. Wellington XI B/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 4 Aircrew Sgt J Clarke Up 1321hrs. Average height of patrol 2000ft. Sighted submerged wing of aircraft and pieces of red timber and canvas in position 49:52N – 09:20W. At 1724hrs intercepted message from aircraft '8 JU88s in position 49:56N – 10:22W'. Nothing further seen. Weather fair. Down ? Wellington XI N/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 3 Aircrew F/Sgt P Cherry Up 1404hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 1000ft. Nothing to report. Weather deteriorating to south of patrol. Down 2152hrs. 17-08-1943 Weather fair. Visibility good. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington XIII HZ699/K - Musketry Patrol No 5. Airborne D/M 0454hrs. Nothing to report. Landed D/M 1238hrs. Wellington XIII HZ 645/F - Musketry Patrol No 3. Airborne D/M 0526hrs. Nothing seen during patrol. At 1246hrs, on completion of patrol, practice bombs were dropped to sea marker. Landed D/M 1343hrs. Wellington XIII HZ578/B - Musketry Patrol No 1. Airborne D/M 0604hrs. At 1013hrs black Wellington sighted. Nothing further seen. Landed D/M 1412hrs. Wellington XIII HZ644/E - Musketry Patrol No 4. Airborne D/M 0639hrs. At 0956hrs sighted Hampden. Nothing further sighted. Landed D/M 1414hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: A/C UP DOWN TIME F/Sgt Taylor LLB and ASF U 0100 Operations Wellington XI F/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 4 Aircrew S/Ldr HN Garbett Up 1117hrs. Average height of patrol 1500ft. At 1500hrs, over Force Bailey, in position 45:32N – 11:16W, Liberator in company. Sea fog in north of patrol area. Down 1841hrs. Wellington XI M/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 2 Aircrew P/O JW Hermiston Up 1155hrs. Average height of patrol 2000ft. Green hospital ship Dorsetshire in position 46:24N – 10:14W. Weather deteriorating to south. Down 2003hrs. Wellington XI O/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 3 Aircrew F/O R Burnett Up 1310hrs. Average height of patrol 2000ft. Green hospital ship Dorsetshire in position 46:40N – 11:10W and six sloops in position 45:43N – 10:34W. Weather good. Cloud at extremities of patrol. Down 2052hrs. 18-08-1943 Weather overcast. Visibility improving to very good. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington XIII HZ574/S - Musketry Patrol No 2. Airborne D/M 1002hrs. At 1208hrs, undercarriage defect, wheels hung down. Captain decided to shorten patrol owing to defect. At 1356hrs Bailey and Talbot sighted. Landed safely D/M 1727hrs. Wellington XIII HZ641/U - Musketry Patrol No 1. Airborne D/M 1005hrs. At 1335hrs Liberator at 2000ft. At 1348hrs, Bailey and Talbot sighted. Resighted at 1500hrs. At 1459hrs Wellington at 1500ft. Irish fishing vessel seen and photographed at 1551hrs. Landed D/M 1329hrs. Wellington XIII HZ700/W - Musketry Patrol No 4. Airborne D/M 1008hrs. At 1035hrs rear gunner reported guns U/S. Captain decided to return to base. Landed D/M 1118hrs. Wellington XIII HZ642/J - Musketry Patrol No 3. Airborne D/M 1012hrs. At 1609hrs sighted Porter. Landed D/M 1757hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: Movements Sgt J Clarke and crew failed to return from operations and reported missing. Wellington Mk XI HZ407/K. Operations Wellington XI B/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 1 Aircrew Sgt VC Mygind Up 1216hrs. Sighted cruiser and two destroyers on northerly course in position 47:09N – 10:15W and Mary B Mitchell in position 47:09N – 10:15W. Down 1959hrs. Wellington XI P/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 5 Aircrew F/Lt TJ Mullins Up 1243hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 2500ft. Patrol cut short owing to weather. Down 1952hrs. Wellington XI HZ407/K - Musketry Patrol OTU No 3 Aircrew F/Sgt John Clarke 1230372 Age21 RAFVR Up 1327hrs. No signals received. Overdue action taken. Wellington XI V/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 2 Aircrew F/Sgt AE Taylor Up 1419hrs. Average height of patrol 1500ft. Over Eire, Mary B Mitchell in position 48:14N – 10:11W. Diverted Exeter owing to weather at base. Diverted Dunkeswell owing to weather at Exeter. Weather fair in south. Down 2208 Dunkeswell. 19-08-1943 Weather cloudy with good visibility. Low stratus travelling hills until 1000hrs and occasional rain in afternoon and after dusk. Wind moderate southerly, freshening during the day. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington XIII HZ574/C - Musketry Patrol No 3. Airborne D/M 0551hrs. At 0945hrs, return to base signal. Bad weather forecast. Landed D/M 1307hrs. Wellington XIII HZ699/K - Musketry Patrol No 5. Airborne D/M 0555hrs. At 0945hrs, return to base signal. Bad weather forecast. Landed D/M 1242hrs. Wellington XIII HZ645/F - Musketry Patrol No 1. Airborne D/M 0606hrs. At 1115hrs sighted Irish sailing boat, photo taken. Patrol cancelled owing to bad weather. Landed D/M 1337hrs. Wellington XIII HZ644/E - Musketry Patrol No 4. Airborne D/M 0642hrs. At 1232hrs sighted Porter. Patrol cancelled owing to bad weather. Landed D/M 1521hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: Movements Four complete crews reported for duty. A/C UP DOWN TIME F/O Dixon LLB H 0040 20-08-1943 Weather cloudy with hill fog in early morning and at times during the day. Occasional rain. Wind S to W 10-20mph. Visibility good except in rain and hill fog. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington XIII HZ574/S - Musketry Patrol No 1. Airborne D/M 0941hrs. At 1030hrs, three coastal vessels seen. At 1330hrs, Sunderland with unknown fast flying aircraft following 6 miles behind. At 1350hrs, six sloops observed. Nothing further sighted. Landed D/M 1238hrs. Wellington XIII HZ641/U - Musketry Patrol No 5. Airborne D/M 0946hrs. At 1040hrs, frigate and two corvettes sighted. Frigates and corvettes resighted at 1612hrs on return from patrol. At 1640hrs, a British submarine and escort vessel seen. Landed D/M 1343hrs. Wellington XIII HZ642/J - Musketry Patrol No 3. Airborne D/M 1000hrs. At 1050hrs, Rivet. Nothing further sighted. Landed D/M 1801hrs. Wellington XIII HZ700/W - Musketry Patrol No 4. Airborne D/M 1008hrs. Nothing to report. Landed D/M 1746hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: Movements F/O Hinde returned from Manby. Operations Wellington XI F/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 1 Aircrew F/O HR Nicholls Up 1203hrs. Average height of patrol 2000ft. Over Eire S/V Mary B Mitchell in position 46:23N – 09:44W and Force Plum in position 44:30N – 09:28W. Weather fair in area. Down 1932hrs. Wellington XI G/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU Aircrew F/O TG Dixon Up 1205hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 2000ft. Over Eire S/V Mary B Mitchell in position 46:50N – 10:10W and six sloops in position 45:30N – 09:58W. Weather fair with showery periods. Down 2033hrs. Wellington XI S/547 - Musketry Patrol Aircrew F/Lt TJ Mullins Up 1248hrs. Patrol carried out as instructed at an average height of 1500ft. Nothing seen. Weather fair. Down 2033hrs. Wellington XI O/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No3 Aircrew F/Sgt DG Turner Up 1252hrs. Patrol carried out at an average height of 1500ft. Over cruiser in position 49:42N – 09:52W. Nothing further seen. Weather fair in patrol area. Down 2005hrs. 21-08-1943 Weather cloudy in morning becoming fair to cloudy in afternoon. Wind SSW'ly becoming WSW 10-15 mph. Visibility good. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington XIII HZ645/F - Musketry Patrol No 2. Airborne D/M 0540hrs. At 0816hrs, frigate and two corvettes. At 0927hrs Irish Sailing Vessel [photo]. Nothing further sighted. Landed D/M 1335hrs. Wellington X HE577/T - Musketry Patrol No 4. Airborne D/M 0606hrs. Nothing to report. Landed D/M 1345hrs. Wellington XIII HZ573/C - Musketry Patrol No 1. Airborne D/M 0726hrs. At 0853hrs port engine trouble. Capt, Sgt Bialecki returned to base. Landed D/M 1012hrs. Wellington XIII HZ 699/K - Musketry Patrol No 5. Airborne D/M 0702hrs. At 0915hrs sighted Hampden. At 1230hrs, Bailey. 1416hrs Wellington sighted. Landed D/M 1556hrs. Wellington XIII HZ644/E - Musketry Patrol No 3. Airborne D/M 0925hrs. At 1410hrs sighted Bailey. Nothing to report. Landed D/M 1753hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: A/C UP DOWN TIME P/O Hermiston LLB and BABS U 0050 Operations Wellington XI H/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No5 Aircrew S/Ldr HN Garbett Up 1228hrs. Average height of patrol 1500ft. Radar used as instructed. At 1600hrs sighted Force Bailey on a course of 050 degrees, speed 17 knots. At 1640hrs sighted Force Limited on a course of 210 degrees, speed 15 knots. Nothing else seen. Weather fair in patrol area. Down 2014hrs. Wellington XI X/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No3 Aircrew F/O R Burnett Up 1304hrs. Average height of patrol 2500ft. Radar used as instructed. At 1622hrs sighted Force Bailey, course 360 degrees, speed 15 knots. At 1705hrs, sighted Force Limited, course 250 degrees, speed 20 knots. Nothing else seen. Weather showery in north, good in rest of area. Down 2016hrs. Wellington XI Y/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No1 Aircrew Sgt VC Mygind Up 1309hrs. Radar used as instructed. At 1715hrs one cruiser and two destroyers, ten miles to port, on course of 180 degrees. Unable to estimate speed because of distance. Nothing else seen. Weather was showery in north, cloudy in south. Down 2001hrs. Wellington XI F/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 2 Aircrew F/Sgt P Cherry Up 1331hrs. Average height of patrol 2500ft. Radar used as instructed. At 1734hrs co-pilot sighted three JU 88s from astrodome, flying at 500ft, three miles distant on starboard quarter. Cloud conditions about 5/10ths, base 3000ft. Pilot climbed for cloud and on passing from cloud through a gap a JU 88 was sighted 300yds on port beam and 100ft above. Rear gunner sighted eight JU88s altogether. Owing to broken cloud conditions it was not possible to say if enemy were in any sort of formation. Odd glimpses caught through cloud. Co-pilot manned beam guns, fired fifty rounds at JU88 on port beam. Hits were not observed as no tracer visible. No return fire experienced. This JU88 turned to attack, E/A then righted itself and turned away. Eventually all enemy aircraft lost in cloud. In rear gunner's estimation remaining enemy aircraft did not approach nearer than 1000yds about 200ft above and none flew directly astern of our aircraft. At 1820hrs sighted Force Bailey on course 030 degrees, speed 18 knots. Weather was showery in north, improved in patrol area. Down 2020hrs. Wellington XI N/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No4 Aircrew W/O R Bottomley Up 1412 hrs. Average height of patrol 3000ft. Radar used as instructed. At 1730hrs sighted Force Bailey, course 050 degrees, speed 15-18 knots. At 1850hrs sighted destroyer, course 165 degrees, speed 12 knots. Weather showery in north, good in rest of area. Down 2212hrs. 22-08-1943 Weather cloudy at first until 1000hrs. Wind S to SSW 10mph. Visibility good. Cloud base 2000ft. Weather becoming fair to cloudy in afternoon with wind 10-15mph. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington XIII HZ642/J - Musketry Patrol No 4. Airborne D/M 1016hrs. At 1223hrs Captain, F/O Antoniewicz and crew J/304, when in position 49:38N – 10:25W, was attacked by a JU88. J/304 jettisoned bombs and DCs, changed course and flew in a circle, enemy aircraft following astern. Rear gunner fired four short bursts at 1000yds and the navigator fired ten rounds from the beam gun. Short bursts of fire were coming from the enemy aircraft but it was inaccurate. J/304 reached cloud cover and landed at base at 1407hrs. Wellington XIII HZ576/R - Musketry Patrol No 1. Airborne D/M 1107hrs. At 1610hrs Captain F/O Porebski and crew R/304 sent an O-A signal after which nothing further heard from this aircraft. Aircrew F/O B Porebski NOTE: this aircraft was shot down by Ober Lt Kurt Nesesany, St Kap, 14/KG 40 and Lt Lothar Wolff, also 14/KG 40. 130 miles W of Cape Ortegal. Wellington XIII HZ698/V - Musketry Patrol No 3. Airborne D/M 1210hrs. Nothing to report. Landed D/M 2013hrs. Wellington XIII HZ700/W - Musketry Patrol No 5. Airborne D/M 1325hrs. At 1635hrs, sighted two unidentified twin engined aircraft. At 1829hrs radar contact with what was thought to be an aircraft forty miles distant. At 1909hrs, in consequence of MFB, a square search for dinghy but at 1917hrs set course for base owing to PLE. At 1920hrs, message intercepted 'Am over dinghy with aircrew'. Landed Chivenor 2210hrs. Wellington XIII HZ 574/S - Musketry Patrol No 2. Airborne D/M 1430hrs. At 1535hrs, intercepted message 'Dinghy in position 48:02N – 10:20W'. No dinghy sighted at this position. At 2111hrs white and yellow stars, thought to be marine distress signals seen. Position circled for 27 minutes as low as 200ft. Nothing seen. Landed Chivenor 2330hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: A/C UP DOWN TIME F/Sgt Cherry Air test F 0020 Operations Wellington XI J/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No4 Aircrew P/O JW Hermiston Up 0558hrs. Average height of patrol 2000ft. Radar used as instructed. At 0800hrs sighted a corvette on course 220 degrees, speed 15 knots. At 0838hrs sighted Force Plumb on course 010 degrees, speed 15 knots. Nothing else seen. Weather was fair. Down 1359hrs. Wellington IX Y/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No1 Aircrew F/O TG Dixon Up 0645hrs. Average height of patrol 1800ft. Radar used as instructed. At 1200hrs sighted six sloops on course 300 degrees, speed 12 knots, five miles to starboard. Nothing else seen. Weather cloudy and showery. Down 1427hrs. Wellington XI B/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 5 Aircrew F/Lt HR Nicholls Up 0725hrs. Average height of patrol 2500ft. Radar used throughout. Nothing seen. At 1355hrs intercepted message from S/547 reporting five live aircrew in dinghies in position 48:02N – 28:30W. Weather was fair. Down 1505hrs. Wellington XI S/547 - Musketry Patrol OTU No 2 Aircrew S/Ldr KTP Terry Up 0839hrs. Average height of patrol 1200ft. Radar used as instructed. At 1124hrs sighted six sloops on course 360 degrees, speed 10 knots in line abreast. At 1334hrs sighted Liberator circling two dinghies fastened together. There were three live aircrew in one, possibly three live aircrew in second. They appeared exhausted. At 1350hrs S/547 signalled 'Am over dinghies in position 48:02N – 10:25W [this was later corrected to 46:02N – 10:25W] containing five live aircrew'. At 1351hrs message by RT from Liberator that it had reached PLE. S/547 continued to circle and endeavoured to drop rations, but these disintegrated on hitting water. At 1416hrs, S/547 signalled 'Returning to base PLE'. At 1435hrs ordered to home strike force. At 1446 received message warning of approach of enemy aircraft. At 1507hrs ordered to cancel homing. Weather was showery. Down 1708hrs. 23-08-1943 NOTE: Today the flying of Musketry Patrols ceased and the Squadrons commenced flying anti submarine, flare dropping, Percussion Patrols which were flown at night. Weather fair to cloudy with scattered showers. Visibility good. Wind SW, moderate. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: 304 Squadron now start flying Percussion Night sorties. Wellington XIII HZ762/G - Percussion D Patrol. Airborne D/M 2003hrs. Nothing seen. Landed D/M 0344hrs. Wellington XIII HZ645/F - Percussion D Patrol. Airborne D/M 2025hrs. Nothing seen. Landed D/M 1345hrs. Wellington X HE577/T - Percussion D Patrol. Airborne D/M 2114hrs. At 2316hrs sighted unknown aircraft. At 0158hrs T/304 flew into a very heavy storm with winds up to 70mph. At 0300hrs when storm ended T/304 lost. At 0340hrs aircraft off Valencia, Eire, which was at first thought to be Ile de Sein. Captain set course west avoiding action and flew visually along Irish coast. At 0520hrs, T/304 encountered flak in vicinity of Cork. Tasker Rock sighted at 0620hrs and T/304 landed Talbenny 0650hrs after 9hrs 16mins in the air. Wellington XIII HZ644/E - Percussion D Patrol. Airborne D/M 2150hrs. Nothing seen. Landed D/M 0445hrs. Wellington XIII HZ551/A - Percussion D Patrol. Airborne D/M 2224hrs. Nothing seen. Landed D/M 0634hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: A/C UP DOWN TIME F/Lt Mullins Fighter affiliation U 0036 Wellington XI N547 - Percussion D Patrol Aircrew F/O R Burnett Up 2336hrs. Average height of patrol 5000ft. Radar was used throughout. Five flares were dropped on contacts but nothing was seen. Weather was good. Visibility 15-20miles. Down 0701hrs 24th. 24-08-1943 Weather fair to cloudy until evening, then two or three hours heavy rain becoming cloudy. Visibility good except in rain. Wind SE' ly to S'ly. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: ADMINISTRATION: S/Ldr Bishop, HQCC, on visit to 547 and 304 Squadrons. Wellington XIII HZ642/J - Percussion Patrol D. Airborne 1905hrs. At 2030hrs, nine ships sighted. At 2205hrs radio contact with an aircraft not showing IFF which was following J/304 for five minutes. Evasive action taken. At 2337hrs, owing to a severe storm causing very heavy bumpiness, Captain decided to return to base. At 0145hrs, a twin engined aircraft was noticed shadowing J/304, at two miles distant. Evasive action taken. Landed D/M 0252hrs. Wellington XIII HZ698/V - Percussion Patrol D. Airborne D/M 1947hrs. Nothing seen. Landed D/M 0405hrs. Wellington XIII HZ646/Y - Percussion Patrol D. Airborne D/M 2053hrs. At 2333hrs, Captain decided to return to base because of nil visibility in 10/10ths cloud and heavy rain. At 2336hrs, unknown twin engined aircraft was seen 200yds crossing in front of Y/304. This aircraft turned steeply to port and approached Y/304 on the port quarter. Y/304 took evasive action and lost sight of other aircraft after two minutes. At 2347hrs another twin engined aircraft approached from astern at great speed to within 300yds before Y/304 entered cloud cover. At 0052hrs the crew sighted a single red star pyro from the sea. An aircraft was circling this position with navigation lights on at 3000ft. A single green star pyro was also fired from an unknown source, which burst over Y/304, which circled to investigate. No radio contact, nothing seen. Landed Chivenor 0335hrs. Wellington XIII HZ699/K - Percussion Patrol D. Airborne D/M 2150hrs. At 0110hrs, Captain decided to return to base. Nil visibility and electrical storms, rain, 10/10ths cloud. At 0317hrs, unknown twin engined aircraft appeared suddenly from astern and dived on K/304. Rear gunner fired a short burst and captain took evasive action. Other aircraft disappeared. Landed Chivenor 0510hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: Movements S/Ldr HN Garbett to Leuchars for BABS course. A/C UP DOWN TIME F/Lt Nicholls Fighter affiliation U 0040 Operations Wellington XI M/547 - Percussion D Patrol Aircrew W/Cdr RN McKern Up 0005hrs. Average height of patrol 2000ft. Radar was used throughout. No contacts were made. No flares dropped. Weather was good in patrol area. Return journey made in poor conditions. Down 0808hrs. Wellington XI P/547 - Percussion D Patrol Aircrew F/Lt TJ Mullins Up 0102hrs. Average height of patrol 1000-1500ft. Radar was used throughout. No contacts were made. No flares dropped. Weather was fair on outward journey. Cloudy with precipitation on return. Down 0833hrs. Wellington XI F/547 - Percussion D Patrol Aircrew F/Sgt P Cherry Up 0135hrs. Average height of patrol 3000ft. Radar was used throughout. Attempted to drop flare on contact of three blips but flare failed to drop. Weather was very poor in patrol area and during the return journey. Down 0848hrs. Wellington XI N/547 - Air Sea Rescue Aircrew S/Ldr KTP Terry Up 1821hrs. Average height of search 800ft. Searched area around 50:46N – 05:46W. Nothing seen. Search abandoned owing to weather at 2221hrs. Weather 10/10ths stratus, CL 800ft. Visibility half mile in rain, 10 miles out of showers. Down 2228hrs. Wellington XI S/547 - Percussion D Patrol Aircrew W/O R Bottomley Up 1857hrs. Average height of patrol 6000ft. At 2033hrs developed trouble with port engine. S/C for base. At 2104hrs given permission to land at base. At 2134hrs diverted Chivenor. Radar used throughout. Weather showery. Visibility 20 miles out of showers. Down 2204hrs Chivenor. Wellington XI V/547 - Percussion D Patrol Aircrew F/Sgt AE Taylor Up 1945hrs. Average height of patrol 5000ft. Radar was used throughout. At 0250hrs four contacts obtained. Aircraft homed on to one which disappeared. No flares dropped as cloud base was too low. Nothing was seen. Aircraft was diverted to Predannack. Weather was bad throughout with lightning in southern half of area. Down 0312hrs Predannack. Wellington XI G/547 - Percussion D Patrol Aircrew F/O TG Dixon Up 2021hrs. Average height of patrol 5000ft. Radar was used throughout. At 0025hrs contact was obtained, homed and dropped flares. When flares died two lights seen on surface about one and a half miles apart. At 0040hrs contact obtained, flares dropped but nothing seen. Weather was fair with showers. Aircraft landed at Predannack. Down 0355hrs Predannack. 25-08-1943 Weather fair to cloudy with occasional showers. Cloud 4-6/10ths. Visibility good except in showers. Wind SW to WSW 15mph. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: A/C UP DOWN TIME F/Sgt Cherry Fighter affiliation L 0025 Operations Wellington XI Y/547 - Percussion D Patrol Aircrew S/Ldr KTP Terry Up 2236hrs. Average height of patrol 1500ft. Radar was used throughout. Contact obtained and flares dropped. Nothing was seen. Aircraft was diverted to Chivenor. Weather was fair with scattered showers. Visibility 5-10 miles. Down 0742hrs Chivenor. 26-08-1943 Weather cloudy, fair periods and occasional showers. Visibility good throughout except at dawn. Wind SW to W, 15 to20mph. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: Operations Wellington XI X/547 - Percussion D Patrol Aircrew F/O R Burnett Up 0011hrs. Average height of patrol 5000ft. Radar used throughout as instructed. At 0338hrs contact obtained. Flare dropped from 5000ft over position. Nothing was seen owing to thick layer of cumulus below aircraft but flare was seen to ignite. At a range of one mile from first contact two more contacts made slightly to starboard. Weather was fair, electrical storms in south of area. Down 0755hrs. Wellington XI F/547 - Percussion D Patrol Aircrew F/Sgt P Cherry Up 0102hrs. Average height of patrol 6000ft. Radar was used throughout as instructed. A contact was obtained and flare dropped but nothing was seen. At 0620hrs a tunneyman with red, white and blue horizontal stripes painted on starboard bow was photographed. Weather was very poor and bumpy with much rain. Down 0841hrs. Wellington XI M/547 - Percussion D Patrol Aircrew W/Cdr RN McKern Up 1858hrs. Average height of patrol 4000ft. Radar was used throughout as instructed. At 2300hrs six white lights were seen on the water. At 0145hrs IFF went US. Aircraft landed at base. Weather was fair except in showers. Down 0238hrs. Wellington XI N/547 - Percussion D Patrol Aircrew W/O R Bottomley Up ???. Average height of patrol 5500ft. Radar was used throughout as instructed. Contact was obtained but nothing seen. Weather was fair with occasional showers. Down ??? Wellington XI G/547 - Percussion D Patrol Aircrew F/O TG Dixon Up 2148hrs. Average height of patrol 5000ft. Radar used throughout as instructed. Contact was obtained but nothing seen. Weather was fair with occasional showers. Down 0447hrs 27th. Wellington XI B/547 - Percussion D Patrol Aircrew P/O JW Hermiston Up 2226hrs. Average height of patrol 6000ft. Radar was used throughout as instructed. Aircraft made landfall at Estaca Point. No contacts obtained. Nothing seen. Weather fair apart from occasional showers. Down 0616 27th. 27-08-1943 Weather fair, broken cloud at 2/300ft becoming cloudy towards dusk with intermittent rain after dusk. Wind WNW'ly backing SSW'ly 10-15mph. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington X HE577/T - Percussion D Patrol. Airborne D/M 2315hrs. Nothing seen. Landed D/M 0706hrs. Wellington XIII HZ644/E - Percussion D Patrol. Airborne D/M 0003hrs. Nothing seen. Landed D/M 0756hrs. Wellington XIII HZ578/B - Percussion D Patrol. Airborne D/M 0054hrs. At 0823hrs, Captain F/O Zicba and crew sighted a black JU88, course 320' at 4500ft, 2000yds to starboard, at position 49:58N – 08:00W. Enemy aircraft attacked B/304 with cannon from 800yds. B/304 took evasive action and rear gunner opened fire at 400yds with a burst of 150 round from each gun. The JU88 closed it's attack to 150yds and B/304 made steep turn as the enemy aircraft broke away to port with black smoke pouring from the port engine and disappeared into cloud. The engagement lasted about 25 minutes. B/304 landed D/M 1001hrs. Wellington XIII HX762/G - Percussion D Patrol. Airborne D/M 0134hrs. Nothing seen. Landed D/M 0915hrs. Wellington XIII HZ551/A - Percussion D Patrol. Airborne D/M 0159hrs. Nothing see. Landed D/M 0930hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: Movements F/Lt HJ McRae returned from Manby. A/C UP DOWN TIME Sgt Southwell LLB V 0055 28-08-1943 Weather cloudy with intermittent rain and drizzle. Visibility poor to moderate. Wind SW'ly 20-25mph. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: Movements F/O HH Newton to CGS, Sutton Bridge. 29-08-1943 Weather slight drizzle and mist. Fog at 2100hrs. Visibility 200yds. Strong winds all day. Gusty from 2100hrs. 30-08-1943 Weather continuous drizzle and fog. Strong SW'ly wind, later veering WNW'ly. Fog lifted and drizzle ceased after 1000hrs. Cloud and wind decreasing. Visibility good. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington XIII HZ642/J - Percussion Patrol D. Airborne D/M 2320hrs. Nothing seen. Landed D/M 0708hrs. NOTE: two patrols cancelled owing to weather at Davidstow Moor. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: A/C UP DOWN TIME F/O Brockwell LLB U 0050 Operations Wellington XI B/547 - Percussion D Patrol Aircrew F/O LM Brockwell Up 1958hrs. Radar used throughout as instructed. No contacts obtained. No flares dropped. Weather was fair. Aircraft was diverted St Eval due to weather at base. Down 0330hrs St Eval. Wellington XI V/547 - Percussion D Patrol Aircrew F/Sgt AE Taylor Up 2021hrs. Average height of patrol 4000ft. Radar was used throughout as instructed. At 0051hrs sighted flashing light on water and dropped three flares, only one illuminating. Nothing observed. Weather fair. Aircraft diverted St Eval due weather at base. Down 0356hrs St Eval. Wellington XI Y/547 - Percussion D Patrol Aircrew S/Ldr KTP Terry Up 2149hrs. Average height of patrol 2500ft. Radar used until 2305hrs when it went US. It was repaired at 0448hrs. No contacts obtained, no flares dropped. Weather fair. Aircraft diverted St Eval due to weather at base. Down 0516hrs St Eval 31st. Wellington XI S/547 - Percussion D Patrol Aircrew P/O JW Hermiston Up 2259hrs. Average height of patrol 2000ft. Radar used as instructed. No contacts obtained, no flares dropped. Weather was fair. Aircraft was diverted to St Eval owing weather at base. Down 0550hrs St Eval 31st. 31-08-1943 Weather cloudy with occasional drizzle and low stratus covering hills until dawn. Cloud lifted and broke during morning and visibility improved. Conditions deteriorated again at 1700hrs with drizzle, very low cloud and extensive hill fog. Winds moderate W'ly backing SW'ly. Forms 540/541 304 Squadron: Wellington XIII HZ698/V - Percussion Patrol D. Airborne D/M 0011hrs. Nothing seen. Bad weather base. Landed St Eval 0745hrs. Wellington XIII HZ762/G - Percussion Patrol D. Airborne D/M 0133hrs. Nothing seen. Bad weather base. Landed St Eval 0931hrs. Forms 540/541 547 Squadron: Movements One complete crew reported for duty. Captain, Sgt Deighton. A/C UP DOWN TIME F/Sgt Corney LLB and BABS A 0210 Summary RONALD Rawlings, a World War II veteran who dedicated his post-war life to the education of children, died in Melbourne in 2006. He was 84. Ron, the second of four children, was born in Cairo, where his father was stationed following World War I. He, in turn, enlisted in 1939 and served with the RAF Radar Corps in Britain; and later in India and Burma. It was while he was stationed with his radar unit at Davidstow Moor in Cornwall that he began a friendship with the visionary science-fiction writer and inventor Arthur C. Clarke, and became the inspiration for one of the characters in Clarke's novel Glide Path. The story was a fictional account of their team's development of the radar-based ground-controlled approach aircraft landing system used to "talk-down" pilots under cover of darkness or during adverse weather conditions. Ron accompanied Clarke to Asia, where work on the GCA project continued. It was during this period that Ron also served as a paratrooper, delivering equipment, supplies and expertise to GCA sites, including a hill station located in the rugged Khyber Pass. |
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