Author: ajcrou

19 December 1940

19 Décember 1940 Northern Front Since the previous day, extremely poor weather conditions in Sudan limited air activity. The Vickers Wellesley K7775 of No.47 (RAF) Squadron took off in the night, at 0015 hours, to carry out a supply drop for Mission 101, in support of the Ethiopian patriots in the fight against the Italians.…
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18 December 1940

18 December 1940 Southern Front Following the events at El Wak, Regia Aeronautica began to concentrate aircrafts at Bardera airfield. Two IMAM Ro.37bis of 110a Squadriglia RT take off from Mogadishu for a reconnaissance of the sector. In the afternoon, Tenente Romano Palmera saw the Hawker Hurricane of Flight Lieutenant Robert S. Blake taking off…
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17 December 1940

17 December 1940 Northern Front The bombing continued in the morning over Port Sudan. The day started at 09:20 with a formation of three Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 at an altitude of 1 500 metres, whose bombs fell on the airfield. Three Hawker Hurricanes Mk I of No.1 (SAAF) Squadron and two Gloster Gladiators Mk II of…
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23 July 1940

23 July 1940 The morning is still devoted to training, while the A Flight is ordered to carry out several patrols over Beachy Head between 16:30 and 18:10. Pilots and Aircrafts : Flight Lieutenant Lionel M. Gaunce (P3109), Pilot Officer Petrus H. Hugo (P2963), Pilot Officer Cecil R. Montgomery (P3160) [Patrol Beachy Head : 16:30…
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16 December 1940

16 December 1940 Northern Front The day is again very eventful over Port Sudan. Three Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 of 44bis Gruppo BT attacked the harbor at 11:45. Three Gloster Gladiator of K Flight and a Hawker Hurricane of No.1 (SAAF) Squadron are able to take off to intercept the bombers. Flying Officer Robert H. Chapman (K6143)…
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22 July 1940

22 July 1940 After some dawn patrols, No.615 Squadron left Hawkinge and returned to Kenley at 09:00. The rest of the day is spent on a series of training. Pilots and Aircrafts : Flight Lieutenant Herbert S. Giddings (P2801), Flying Officer Richard D. Pexton (P3158), Pilot Officer Keith T. Lofts (P2578), Pilot Officer Ralph Roberts…
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15 December 1940

15 December 1940 A Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 [1] is reported over Port Sudan (5 500 meters) around 12:50. The AA opened fire, while two Hawker Hurricanes of No.1 (SAAF) Squadron: Major Lawrence A. Wilmot (n ° 285) and Captain Kenneth W. Driver (n ° 274), as well as two Gloster Gladiator of K Flight: Flying Officer…
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14 December 1940

14 Décember 1940 Northern Front Three No.223 Vickers Wellesley (RAF) Squadron take off at 13h45 to bomb Gura Airfield. Indeed, as more troops land in Sudanese ports, British officials are worried about the transfer of a number of Italian bombers to Eritrean airfields. Arrived individually above the target, around 17h00, the British planes are engaged…
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20 July 1940

20 July 1940 The day begins calmly with a series of training sessions over the Leysdown-on-Sea firing range. Around 17:30, Pilot Officer Keith T. takes off to shoot down some drifting barrage balloons. Shortly afterwards, however, No.615 Squadron was ordered to intercept a German formation. Convoy CW.7 (twenty-nine merchant ships and three escort ships) left…
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13 December 1940

13 December 1940 Northern Front Due to the gradual arrival of the 4th Indian Infantry Division in Sudanese ports, there are insufficient Blenheim Mk IVFs to provide protection for ships. The B Flight of No.14 (RAF) Squadron was therefore tasked during 13 and 14 December to conduct a series of patrols throughout the day in…
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