First reinforcements (4 October 1939) The day of 4 October 1939 is marked by the arrival of several pilots to reinforce the No.615 Squadron. However, the majority of them are relatively inexperienced either from flying schools or through rapid promotions as part of the RAF’s wartime expansion. Squadron Leader Hedley N. Fowler 14 December 1943…
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Introduction After the fall of British Somaliland, the theater of operations will enter a period of calm until the end of 1940. Indeed, the two main belligerents come out exhausted of the first months of combat, while a situation of shutdown is required in land operations. Indeed, despite its victories the Regia Aeronautica must recognize…
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2 September 1940 Northern Front Following the loss of the previous day, No.14 (RAF) Squadron performs six sorties to search for the missing aircraft. The latter is finally spotted around 18h00 on the island of Harmil, while listening if Radio Roma confirms the fate of the captured crew and death of rear gunner Aircraftman Charles…
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24 August 1940 Northern Front The No.430 (RAF) Flight is sending two Gloster Gauntlets and two Vickers Vincents from Al-Qadarif Airfield to bomb Fort Galabat.[1] Vickers Vincent over Aden, 1930. Southern Front Following the 21 August attack, No.11 (SAAF) Squadron returns to Mogadishu. The four Fairey Battle Mk I, under the command of Captain Johan L.V. de Wet[2] leave Archer’s Post at 08h00. After a refueling…
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23 August 1940 Northern Front On this relatively calm day, several units are experiencing various changes. No.11 (RAF) Squadron sees the arrival of two pilots: Pilot Officer Moore and Sergeant Thornton as well as two Bristol Blenheim Mk I (L1434 and L4910) previously belonging to No.39 (RAF) Squadron. Flight Lieutnant Stevens is promoted to Squadron…
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22 August 1940 Northern Front Five Vickers Wellesley of No.14 (RAF) Squadron take off at 05h00 to attack ships reported on Dahlak Bay. However, the bad weather forces the aircraft to divert on the island of Harmil where the formation descends to 300 meters of altitude in order to make the bombardment. If the attack…
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21 Août 1940 Northern Front The day is very quiet on the northern front. No.223 (RAF) Squadron is ordered to prepare for its return to Sudan the next day[1], while No.203 (RAF) Squadron undergoes a change of command with the arrival of Squadron Leader A.L.H. Solano.[2] Southern Front This end of August is especially marked by what the South Africans have…
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20 Août 1940 Northern Front Despite the difficult struggles of the previous days, the Aden-based units remain active. Five Vickers Wellesley of No.223 (RAF) Squadron return to Ethiopian aerodromes between 08h00 and 13h30. Several buildings are claimed to be damaged on the Dessie airfield despite poor weather conditions.[1] They are followed by five Bristol Blenheim Mk I of No.11 and 39 (RAF) Squadron (one and…
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Namibia Campaign (1914 – 1915) Air Operations under the Sun of Southern Africa This article is available here in full and for free. However, if you want to support my research you can get a paid version of this article on Amazon (Kindle and Paper version) : en cliquant ici. The Namibia Campaign[1] is a negligible…
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1 September 1940 Northern Front The day is mainly marked by a massive raid against the naval base of Assab. The RAF engages all its Bristol Blenheim Squadrons based in Aden. Thus, no less than ten, five and six sorties are performed, respectively by No.8, No.11 and No.39 (RAF) Squadron. The attack is a success…
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