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211 Squadron Operations Record Book: 1938 A transcript of the Squadron’s surviving formal record for the year 1938. Compiled in long-hand and at least monthly at this period, with the CO signing off the last Form 540 at the end of the year, it appears that despite the action in Palestine, no Form 541 or other Appendices were submitted in 1938. A retrospective nominal roll of officers plus NCO aircrew was included at year’s end. The records are held at the UK National Archives, on microfilm and digitised, at reference AIR 27/1302. Rather than make the text conform to modern usage or site style, what follows is a transcript as written, bar the bulk of the heavy use of capitals. It is not practical to exactly reproduce the original column layout of the paper forms. These are as shown in the illustration: Place, Date, Time, Summary of Events, References to Appendices. The frequent abbreviations and usages are explained in the Glossary. Form 540, 1938 1938 211 (B) SQUADRON ALDERGROVE 31.1.38 GRANTHAM 31.1.38 Total hours flown month ending this date 331 GRANTHAM 28.2.38 A number of operational endurance bombing raids were carried out from this station in flight formation in conjunction with 5 B.G. exercises. Full use of W/T & R/T was made, these exercises were also found to be good navigational training as the amount of time allowed from time of take off to time over target combined with the medium distance of X country prior to arriving at target required very accurate regulation of airspeed. It was only possible to carry out 3 high level raids owing to the bad weather, all other raids being low level. The Squadron CO was on leave from 4/2/38 to 27/2/38. F/Lt Barclay took over command. Total hours flown month 273 GRANTHAM 13.3.38 GRANTHAM 17th-22nd/3/38 Total hours flown month 225 GRANTHAM 1.4.38 8.4.38 S/Ldr S.H. Ware took over command from S/Ldr R.J.A. Ford. 23.4.38 A.F/Lt Withy posted from squadron, A.F/Lt R.H. Spencer posted & took over command ‘B’ Flight. 24.4.38 The Squadron will be fully mobile in the Middle East Command, this has caused the posting of many new airmen to the squadron. Also F/Os Levell, Thorne [sic: also Thorn] & Powell posted i/c equipment, accounts, medical duties respectively. P/Os Magill, Macnab, Kearey, Williams & Rixson posted to other M. E. units & will proceed with the squadron as supernumeraries. [P/O DF Rixson 39393, born 1918, granted a Short Service Commission in January 1937, posted to 211 Squadron September 1938. His new posting was to 45 Squadron, flying Vickers Wellesleys in the Middle East. Awarded the DFC in 1941, about that time he was a Flight Commander and then CO of 113 Squadron. By 1943 he was with HQ 216 Group Air Staff, at Heliopolis. Post war, he was appointed to a Permanent Commission in the rank of Flt Lieut and was soon Squadron Leader. A long stint seconded as W/Cdr to the Indian Air Force followed in the mid 1950s. A range of senior appointments in the UK and Europe saw him promoted to Group Captain in January 1961 and Air Commodore in July 1965. Dennis Fenn Rixson CVO OBE DFC AFC retired c 1968 at his own request.] 30.4.38 The squadron left Grantham by rail for Southampton at 05.00hrs. embarked aboard H. M. T. “Lancashire” at Southampton sailing 15.30. Nos 80 (F) & 113 (B) Sqdns were also aboard. Nil flying during the month. ALEXANDRIA EGYPT 10.5.38 HELWAN 12.5.38 20.5.38 Two squadron a/c arrived by rail ex Alexandria, the squadron will not get all its original a/c as owing to imminent 120hrs (in England) inspections certain a/c were allotted to other units & a/c from other units being allotted to the squadron. 21-27.5.38 The remainder of the squadron a/c a total of 18, 4 I.E. & 2 I.R. [sic: that is, 4 Initial Equipment plus 2 Immediate Reserve for 6 aircraft per Flight] arrived by twos & threes during this period. Due to the necessity of quick unloading to save demurrage these a/c had to be carried [sic] as they arrived irrespective of hour. Until this date the squadron had been living under canvas, huts have now become available. P/O G.D. Jones promoted 27th to F/O w.e.f 16 [sic]. 31.5.38 The aircraft are being erected in the squadron & due to certain delays in supply of necessary stores for tropical modifications cannot be flown yet. Nil flying during the month. HELWAN 4.6.38 7.6.38 A further 3 a/c of ‘A’, ‘B’ & ‘C’ flights tested. All pilots have been in the air. 9.6.38 King’s Birthday parade held after which the remainder of the day was observed as a holiday. 13.6.38 9 a/c were made serviceable by this date, it has become impossible to produce any further serviceable a/c owing to lack of necessary oversize radiators. 15.6.38 F/O Irvine posted to SHQ Amman. F/O Jones took over command ‘C’ Flight. 20.6.38 Air firing live ammunition for first time in the squadron. 24-27.6.38 The squadron Commander took a flight of 4 a/c to MERSA MATRUH for four days tour fo the Western Desert, making MERSA MATRUH his H.Q. Landings were made at FUKA, MERSA MATRUH & SALUM. 28-30/6/38 Night Flying was carried out on 28th for first time overseas. A.V.M. H.R. Nicoll C.B. C.B.E. A.O.C. paid the squadron an informal visit. Total flying for month 243hrs. ‘A’ 100hrs ‘B’ 50hrs ‘C’ 93hrs HELWAN 1.7.38 5.7.38 Preparations for detached flight to proceed to D~~~~~ [Dumanhur?] for co-operation with No. 4 A.A Unit began, & further night flying too place. 6.7.38 Any flight of a/c proceeding within 50 miles of ISMALIA [sic] are expected to signal course average height & airspeed, in order that the Fighter Squadrons stationed there may practice interception. On this date the first such exercise that the squadron had made in Egypt carried out. This exercise is termed “Battle Flight”. The fighters were successful. 8.7.38 ‘B’ Flight proceed with 4 a/c to MERSA MATRUH, this in pursuance of the belief that should the squadron become engaged on active service, its primary duty would be the defence of the Western Desert. 14.7.38 Information was received this date that the squadron was to stand by & be within 36hrs readiness to move to R.A.F. Station RAMLEH, Palestine. 2 Flights & HQ Flight. 5 a/c would be taken by each flight & would be maintained as 4 I.E & 1 I.R. at RAMLEH per flight. 15.7.38 The A.O.C. congratulations on our readiness to move were received through H.Q.M.E. This was appreciated as all ranks had to work hard & late to effect the readiness. Instructions also received that ‘A’ Flight was to proceed to RAMLEH on 18th & HQ ‘B’ Flight on 19th by air. 216 (BT) Sqdn were detailed to transport advance baggage party & certain stores on 18th in one Valentia. Also to transport remainder of personnel & light stores required by 3 Valentia a/c on 19th. RAMLEH PALESTINE 18.7.38 19.7.38 ‘B’ Flight & 216 (BT) transport party arrived successfully. “Battle Flight” exercised & successfully located by fighter. All a/c were picketed in an enclosure, hangar space not being available. 21.7.38 The bedding for squadron personnel arrived this date from A.D.M.E. Detachment posted here to co-operate with 6 (B) Sqdn who are engaged on co-operation work with the army in suppression of “terrorism” in Palestine. RAMLEH 23.7.38 25.7.38 Lecture was given to all pilots & A/Gs by F/O D.L. AMLOT of 6 (B) Sqdn on the ‘XX’ call system now operative in Palestine. The ‘XX’ call is an emergency call by any ground force in Palestine for immediate air action & assistance. It is delivered in the form of the letters ‘XX’ & the position, by name, map reference or road name letter & no of kilometres from Jerusalem. Is sent by the quickest method possible usually by W/T or ‘phone. The pilot on arrival at the scene gathers relative information from the ground force who use the M.E. ground strip code & takes necessary action. ‘A’ Flight carried out police co-operation, which consists of visiting specified police posts, who signal by means of the M.E. g.s. code, all correct or requirements etc. Annual musketry course fired. 26.7.38 Vertical & pinpoint photographs of KAUKUB 174249 (Palestine Admin 1/250,000) taken by ‘B’ Flight. ‘A’ Flight police co-operation, ‘B’ Flight also carried out low dive bombing, front & rear gun practice on the JAFFA sea range. 27.7.38 Both flights carried out practice XX calls with cars of No 2 A.C. Company which were used as targets. M.E. ground strip code used. RAMLEH 28.7.38 31.7.38 Total hours flown during month 363. ‘A’ 148 ‘B’ 129 ‘C’ 85 RAMLEH 1.8.38 3.8.38 Sgt SMITH of ‘A’ Flight when carrying out police co-operation hit a tree & crashed on the side of a hill. Both he & his A/G Ac McIntosh 519482 were only slightly injured on admission to hospital. The accident occurred 3m SWxS of JERUSALEM at EIN KARIM. [see Airman’s Album, Grierson & Hoyes for photographs of the wreckage] 4.8.38 ‘B’ Flight too vertical pin-points of KAFR SUR 187154 (Palestine Admin 1/250,000) & delivered these by air on FORT NABLUS. RAMLEH 5.8.38 8.8.38 ‘B’ Flight carried out police post reccos. 5 communication flights were made to relieve pressure on Stn Flt. S/Ldr CAMPBELL F/Lt NOBBS & F/o NICHOLSON E Staff officers visited squadron & discussed difficulties experienced with particular reference to trouble caused with light weight tyres on this aerodrome. 9.8.38 ‘B’ Flight took vertical pin-points of BALA 161193 (1/250,000 Palestine Admin) these were delivered by air on FORT NABLUS. 10.8.38 ‘XX’ calls practiced by both flights. Vertical & oblique photographs of SAFAD 196293 (Palestine Admin) by ‘B’ Flight for Army. 11.8.38 Police post reccos by ‘B’ Flight. 15.8.38 Practice ‘XX’ calls by ‘B’ with No 2 A.C.C cars. 16-17.8.38 General photographic, recco, & X country practice flights. 18.8.38 Mosaic of SAFAD 196293 (Palestine Admin 1/250,000) for Army rqmts. 19.8.38 3 a/c standing by fully armed to answer ‘XX’ calls. 20.8.38 One a/c standby ‘B’. All ‘A’ patrolled & made reccos of area JERUSALEM-HEBRON & East to frontier. Recco of TULKARAH 152191 (Palestine Admin) area carried out by ‘B’. Recco Reports RR 211/1-3 Sqdn copies. 21.8.38 Mosaic by ‘A’ Flight of KOLUNDIA 171142 (Palestine Admin 1/250,000) 22.8.38 Police post recco flights & 2 reconnaissance flights for the Army. Recco Reports RR 211/4&5 Sqdn copies. 23.8.38 Police post reccos carried out & 2 photographic flights. 24.8.38 Police post reconnaissance by ‘B’ & 2 training mosaics by ‘A’ Flight. 25.8.38 Police reccos by ‘B’ & pin-point photos of QABATIYA 178202 (Palestine Admin 1/250,000) delivered by air on FORT JENIN. Mosaic of area 130-137, 135-140 South of AQIR attempted by ‘A’ Flight but abandoned owing to cloud. 26.8.38 Police reccos by ‘B’ Flight, 2 ‘A’ Flight a/c detached to SEMAKH 205235 (Palestine Admin 1/250,000) & attached to ‘C’ Flight 6 Sqdn who will soon move to HAIFA. ‘A’ Flight will then become detached to SAMAKH [sic]. See Recco Reports RR 211/6 (Sqdn copies) 29.8.38 Mosaic taken of area S of AQIR by ‘B’ Flight. Recco by ‘A’ a/c at SAMAKH [sic]. RR 211/7&8 RAMLEH 30.8.38 31.8.38 Total hours flown during month 343. ‘A’ 118 ‘B’ 124 ‘C’ 101 3.9.38 Inter command mail flight by ‘B’ Flight & communication flight by ‘A’. 4.9.38 Communication flight by ‘B’. The demand for a/c on Station Flights is so great that the squadrons have to help meet this demand. 6.9.38 Lewis gun firing on the sea range by ‘B’. 8 W/Ops having been posted to the Squadron & present operations demanding that W/T should be carried on every flight. These W/Ops have never before fired or flown. 7.9.38 ‘A’ Flight proceeded in formation to SEMAKH on detachment to relieve detachment of 6 (B) Squadron a/c which should be stationed at HAIFA from this date. ‘B’ carried out police reconnaissances & once escort flight. SEMAKH 8.9.38 SEMAKH 10.9.38 SEMAKH 11.9.38 RAMLEH 12.9.38 RAMLEH 13.9.38 15.45 RAMLEH 14.9.38 10.00–16.15 RAMLEH 15.9.38 17.00 RAMLEH 16.9.38 SEMAKH 16.9.38 SEMAKH 17.9.38 RAMLEH 18.9.38 SEMAKH 18.9.38 RAMLEH 21.9.38 RAMLEH 22.9.38 RAMLEH 26.9.38 RAMLEH 27.9.38 RAMLEH & SEMAKH 28.9.38 HELWAN 29.9.38 It was decided therefore to leave 2 a/c of each flight at HELWAN & maintenance party with an officer i/c to carry out these inspections, also any further inspections on a/c flown back from advanced base. The advance party left with one officer & Equipment Officer by road to prepare a landing ground & necessary accommodation at EL DABA (31° 2’ N 28° 20’ EAST) 1/1,000,000 INTERNATIONAL MAP EGYPT to be used as the advance base. Further M.T. arrived from various stations in Egypt to bring the squadron transport up to fully mobile strength, also all personnel on attachment were posted back to the squadron bringing the total up to (13 officers) 180 other ranks. It was decided the Air Party & the rear Ground Party should leave on Sat 1st October for EL DABA. F/Lt BANNERMAN posted to squadron for duty as Medical Officer. TOTALhrs FOR MONTH 406 A 174 B 124 C 108 HELWAN 1.10.38 4.10.38 The formation [sic] flew in formation to EL DABA & returned. It was decided that the landing ground would be very dirty in a high wind. Two sick personnel were evacuated by a/c. 5.10.38 Two a/c ferried two M.T. drivers to EL DABA to replace those evacuated. 6.10.38 One a/c flew to EL DABA & A.D.M.E. to arrange delivery of necessary equipment for final evacuation of EL DABA, one half of the advance party returning this date in convoy. F/Lt Bannerman posted from Squadron. 7.10.38 All personnel finally evacuated by M.T. convoy & returned to HELWAN. 18.10.38 The Squadron took part in a mass formation flight over Cairo in which practically every unit in Egypt was represented. The Squadron lead the Wing of Hawker type aircraft, having 208 (AC) Sqd & 113 (B) Sqdn on its flanks. A certain amount of practice was carried out during the week prior to the actual formation flight. 19.10.38 Thirteen aircraft from the squadron flew to HELIOPOLIS, the pilots & crew taking part in the review by the Egyptian Minister of War & H.E. The British Ambassador Sir M Locker Lampson, of the Egyptian Royal Air Force & the units of the R.A.F in Egypt. The occasion was chosen for H.E. the British Ambassador to present the squadron with the Squadron Crest [sic: the Squadron Badge, technically—the College of Heralds close-copy on parchment]. 31.10.38 Air/Cmdr A.A. Walser M.C. D.F.C. visited the station accompanied by W/Cmdr A.J. Warwick of ‘E’ Staff A.D.M.E. who visited the squadron. Little flying was carried out this month the squadron taking leave in two batches. TOTAL HOURS FLOWN DURING MONTH 208 A 62 B 64 C 82 HELWAN 30.11.38 TOTAL HOURS FOR MONTH 298 A 114 B 96 C 88 13.12.38 All flying to date had been devoted to bombing practice being armament assessment period, however during Sat 12.12.38 a Blenheim a/c failed to reach ist destination in Egypt from HABBANIYA. The squadron therefore flew to ISMALIA [sic] & took part in the search of upper SINAI, nothing of the missing a/c was seen. 14.12.38 The squadron flew to HELIOPOLIS from which Station the operations for search for missing a/c were being directed. The squadron searched the entire QALALA PLATEAU, nothing seen of a/c. 15.12.38 The squadron operated from SUEZ landing ground on search, searching lower SINAI across from PORT SUEZ in a fan wise direction to the GULF OF AKABA. 16.12.38 Six squadron a/c left HELWAN to operate from MA’AN landing ground on the search for missing a/c. Nothing seen of missing a/c. 17.12.38 On 17th of month the squadron abandoned the search for missing a/c & all flying was again devoted to bombing, chiefly to dive bombing. Owing to the fact the squadron was originally formed with a nucleus of ‘heavy bomber pilots’ this was the first time that about 2/3 of the squadron pilots had carried out dive bombing exercises. TOTAL HOURS FOR MONTH 417 A 157 B 114 C 146 Seen [signature SH Ware] W/Cdr 1st JAN–31st Dec 1938 ROLL OF OFFICERS & N.C.O. PILOTS
Source www.211squadron.org © D Clark & others 1998—2024 |
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