Author: ajcrou

27 September 1940

27 Septembre 1940 Northern Front Although a first Squadron of No.45 (RAF) detachment has already arrived from Egypt at the end of July to support Vickers Wellesley, its participation in air operations is very reduced. However, the decision to deploy the entire squadron to Sudan is take on early September and effectiv on 25 September.…
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14 June 1940

14 June 1940 As usual, eight Hawker Hurricanes take off at 08h15 from Kenley to patrol over Abbeville – Saint-Quentin – Saint-Omer with No. 111 (RAF) Squadron. They land at 09h45 Hawkinge. They leave at 12h30 for a second patrol in the Abbeville – Rouen sector before landing in Kenley at 14h25. In all, the…
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25 September 1940

25 September 1940 Northern Front The day before, seven Vickers Wellesley of No. 47 (RAF) Squadron were instructed to join Khartoum airfield at 09h00. The next day five planes take off to bomb Gondar at 03h43. However, the Vickers Wellesley K7728 (Squadron Leader James E. Pelly-Fry) encountered an engine problem. Unable to cross the mountains…
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12 June 1940

12 June 1940 Nine pilots take off from Croydon at 15h15 for a patrol in the vicinity of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme – Le Tréport – Le Havre. At the end of the mission, aircrafts landed on Manston (except two aircrafts which landed at Kenley) to refuel at 16h45[1]. The whole formation left from Manston at 19h15 for…
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24 September 1940

24 September 1940 Northern Front An attack by Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 was reported on Aden at 12h45 when a fight broke out between an Italian bomber and a Gloster Gladiator of No.94 (RAF) Squadron. This is claimed by the Italians, but Pilot Officer Frank M. Stephenson lands unscathed with his Gloster Gladiator Mk I N2283 [1].…
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11 June 1940

11 June 1940 Nine Hawker Hurricanes take off from Kenley at 13h30 for an offensive patrol over the Fécamp – Le Tréport sector with the No.111 (RAF) Squadron [1]. A German formation was encountered shortly after and during the ensuing fight, Flying Officer Anthony Eyre claimed two Bf.109, one of which was probable, about 8…
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23 September 1940

23 Septembre 1940 Southern Front According to South African documents, an Italian bomber attacks and drops three bombs on the airfield of Wajir at dawn (01h45). Unfortunately, without further details. At the same time, two or three Caproni Ca.133 (31 bis Gruppo BT ?) are reported over Buna where a local is killed, as well…
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10 June 1940

10 June 1940 Nine planes take off from Kenley, at 11h15, to reach Tangmere. They leave at 14h00 for a new offensive patrol over France. This time, it is the Fécamp – Abbeville – Dieppe – Le Tréport sector. The pilots return to Kenley at 15h30. Unlike previous days, German aircraft are reported, but the…
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22 September 1940

22 September 1940 Northern Front The end of September is marked by the gradual arrival and deployment of Major-General Lewis Heath’s 5th Indian Division in Sudan. This event leads to transfers within the No.1 (SAAF) Squadron. Thus, a first detachment of two Gladiator Gladiators (including Lieutenant Robin Pare) is sent to Atbara (midway along the…
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21 September 1940

21 September 1940 Northern Front During a nighttime bombardment of Gura and Asmara, the Vickers Wellesley K8530 (Flight Sergeant Bathe; Sergeant Naismith) was intercepted, around 11h36, northeast of Massawa. A short confrontation ensued for four minutes between the bomber and two aircraft identified by the crew as Fiat CR.42[1]. Southern Front Following SAAF’s recent bombardments,…
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