Author: ajcrou

15 September 1940

15 September 1940 Northern Front No.94 (RAF) Squadron knows a bit of action when Squadron Leader William T.F. Wightman (L9047) takes off at 12h25 for the usual patrol over the port of Aden. At 13j25, he receives order to go to Steamer Point where an unidentified aircraft is reported. The latter turns to be a…
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14 September 1940

14 September 1940 Northern Front The Vickers Wellesley continue to attack Gura Airfield between 19h00 and 00h00, with five aircrafts of No. 14 (RAF) Squadron (only two on the target), three from No.47 (RAF) Squadron (one on Massawa) and five of No. 223 (RAF) Squadron (one is forced to cancel due to technical problems and…
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13 September 1940

13 September 1940 Northern Front The Vickers Wellesley are active in Sudan and two aircrafts from each of Squadrons are sent to attack Gura in the evening, between 17h30 and 19h30 [1]. We can, however, question the actual results of these bombardments carried by one aircraft, at medium altitude and at night in unsuitable aircraft,…
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12 September 1940

12 September 1940 Northern Front Three Bristol Blenheim Mk I’s of No. 11 (RAF) Squadron are sent to attack the jetties at Assab harbor. Despite strong air defense, crews reports indicate that all bombs have fallen on the target[1]. Southern Front The day is more active in the south because after a few days’ break…
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11 Septembre 1940

11 September 1940 Northern Front A large-scale operation was organized in Sudan in the evening, bringing together aircraft of No.14, 45, 47 and 223 (RAF) Squadron to target the airfield of Gura. However, the weather conditions are very difficult when the aircraft arrive over the Eritrean mountains. Unable to spot the target, some bombers dropped…
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10 September 1940

10 Septembre 1940 Northern Front In the night, British troops launch an attack on Fort Kassala. No. 14 (RAF) Squadron sends, at 11h15, three Vickers Wellesley in support. They are intercepted shortly after by two Fiat CR.42. The Vickers Wellesley K7763 (James A. Ferguson Pilot Officer, James Lynch Pilot Officer [1], Sergeant Thomas Conway [2])…
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9 September 1940

9 September 1940 Northern Front After a stop, the night before, at Ras Ara, four Bristol Blenheim of No. 11 and No.39 (RAF) Squadron (one [1] and three) took off at 05h55  to bomb the airfield of Dessie in Ethiopia. They are welcomed on the spot by two Fiat CR.32 of the 411a Squadriglia CT,…
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18 May 1940

18 May 1940 Unfortunately, there is no concrete detail on the events of this day. At most, the ORB indicates the preparation of an escort mission, for the benefit of Bristol Blenheim at 04h00, which is canceled; while Brian Cull [1] mentions a brief confrontation with Heinkel He.111 of KG 1 without further details. [1]…
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17 May 1940

17 May 1940 In the morning, several sections of No.615 Squadron take off from Moorsele for various patrols, details of which are known for at least two of them. For example, the three pilots of No.229 (RAF) Squadron (Pilot Officer John E.M. Collins, Malcolm Ravenhill and Victor B.S. Verity) take off at 05h30. According to…
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16 May 1940

16 May 1940 After the renforcement from No.229 (RAF) Squadron, a second backup group arrives with a detachment of three pilots from No.242 (RAF) Squadron, B Flight. They are Pilot Officer Robert D. Grassick [1], William L. McKnight [2] and Percival S. Turner [3]. They already have a little experience since they joined No. 607…
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