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8/16/2019 Squadron Book

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Si vis pacem, para bellum

'If you want peace, prepare for war'

.A.F

SEAX 604 Squadron


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SEAX 604 Squadron

Born in the aftermath of the First World War and taking its title from the County of Middlesex

where it was raised and where many of its members were recruited, No.6!"#uadron of the $uxiliary $ir Force was formed at %endon on the &'th March &()

as a light*bomber unit. +n its twenty*seen years of serice the "#uadron sered as aday and night*fighter unit within Fighter Command, flying such ty-es as the %awker emon, Bristol Blenheim, Bristol Beaufighter, the su-erlatie de %ailland Mos#uito,

the "u-ermarine "-itfire and the de %ailland /am-ire and 0loster Meteor 1et*fighters. 2he "#uadron was one of the first to be trained for night*fighting and one of

only six who -ioneered the introduction airborne radar -rior to the Winter Blit3 of

&(!4!&, during which it established its re-utation as one of the 5$Fs -rinci-alnight*fighter s#uadrons. By the wars end in May &(!7, the "#uadrons score stoodat &)8 enemy aircraft confirmed as 9destroyed, mostly by night, and had made anumber of its -ilots and radar o-erators, such as 9Cats*eyes Cunningham and

9:immy 5awnsley, household names. 2hree of its former officers reached $ir 5ankand many receied awards and decorations for their work with the "#uadron. 6!

was reformed after the war as a day*fighter unit, before moing its head#uarters from%endon to North Weald, ;ssex, in &(!(, where it remained until disbanded in &(7'.

2he "#uadron was mobilised in the defence of the theMunich Crisis of &()?, the "econd World War in &()( and the =orean War in &(7&

and was awarded the ;sher 2ro-hy for $uxiliary efficiency on three occasions.

2he ictims of 6!s#dn were often the aircraft of =0& the @uftwaffeAs -remier -athfinder s#uadron and, by the end of &(!&, the s#uadron had flown for 7,? hrs,

with 76 enemy aircraft destroyed, ! damaged, and had gained 8 ."..As, &.F.C.As and a bar, ? .F.M.As and & bar, ) B.;.M.As, to the ground crews, and a

M.;.B. to "4@ Brown for his -art in "o-ley 0C+.


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SQUADRON HISTORY AND AIRCRAFTS

604 Squadron came into being at Hendon on the 17th of March 1930 with F/L F! Fogart" a#

ad$utant and f%"ing in#tructor&with a 'arrant (fficer and 19 airmen the" formed the nuc%eu#

on which the new #quadron of )art timer# wou%d be bui%t

De Havilland DH9

AVRO 504

*he fir#t aircraft on #trengh were a +e Ha,i%and +H9 e- 600 .it" of London #qdn& an

,ro204 from 602 .ount" of 'arwic #qdn and another +H9 from601 .ount" of

London (n the 11th of Se)tember the #qdn recie,ed it# fir#t o)erationa% aircraft& the#e were

'e#t%and 'a)iti# and in Ma"& 9 of the#e aircraft too )art in the great Hendon ir 5ageant&

one of the countr"# %arge#t )rewar a,iation e,ent#


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Westland Wapiti

604 were affi%iated with 3.f #qdn fo%%owed b" annua% cam) at *angmere where the"

became a b%ueband bombing #quadron 8n 193 the #quadron wa# ,i#ited b" ir Mar#ha%%

HH&*he 5rince of 'a%e#& the occa#ion wa# to )re#ent the #quadron with the co,eted :#her

*ro)h" for being the be#t a%% round #quadron in the o"a% u-i%iar" ir Force Headquarter#were o)ened in 1934 at Heath ;row& Ham)#tead b"


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8n 1939 cam) wa# he%d at Hawinge& and on the 4th of ugu#t the #qdn wa# embodied into

the F a# a bone fide fighter #quadron and e,er" #ing%e officer and airman wa# )re#ent for

thi# #)ecia% occa#ion= (n the 1#t of Se)tember 1940 the Sqdn f%ew into Aorth 'ea%d

equi))ed now with ;ri#to% ;%enheim two #eat fighter#

Bristol Blenheim

fter a )eriod of night f%"ing dutie#& #uch a# checing factorie# for b%acout effecti,ene## and

gun affi%iation e-erci#e#& 604 became officia%%" a night fighter #qdn F/( unningham

wa# crewed with hi# /> B!imm"B awn#%e" b" thi# time and in +ecember of 1939 had

recie,ed their fir#t BradarB equi))ed ;ri#to% ;%enheim 54@47 *he #qdn mo,ed to Mart%e#ham

Heath for e-ten#i,e training and to )ro,ide co,er for the merchant #hi)# u#ing the :a#t oa#t

)ort# mo,e to en%e"& Surre"& fo%%owed %ater that "ear to co,er the ;:F?# %ea,e #hi)# from

France and on the 10th of Ma" the" e#corted ;%enheim ;omber# to the beache# off the Hague

where the" attaced !C2 troo) tran#)ort# de#tro"ing 4 and damaging 4 other#& one of 604?#

aircraft cra#hing in Ho%%and& but the crew e#ca)ed with aid from the dutch ci,i%ian# nearb"*hi# wa# the fir#t b%ood to the #qdn= *he fir#t night ,ictor" fe%% to the gun# of F/( Hunter& thi#

wa# a !C@@& and in Se)tember to the great de%ight of a%%& the #qdn recie,ed it# fir#t ;ri#to%

;eaufighter 8 .radar aircraft& the airgunner# were di##a)ointed with the %ac of a gun turret

but mo#t were ha))" to remu#ter a# radar o)erator#& b" thi# time !ohn unningham wa# a

F/L and with a tem)orar" /( he de#tro"ed a !C@@ and in order to concea% from the german#

the e-i#tence of a functiona% radar #"#tem the ru#e wa# )ut about that F/L unningham

)o#e##ed e-ce)tiona% night ,i#ion& hence the nicname of Bcat# :"e#B a name he did not

en$o"= *hi# man& with B!imm"B awn#%e"& went on to become one of &if not the mo#t&

#ucce#fu% night fighter team# of the Second 'or%d 'ar

Bristol Beaufihter


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*he ,ictim# of 604#qdn were often the aircraft of >100 the Luftwaffe?# )remier )athfinder

#quadron and& b" the end of 1941& the #quadron had f%own for 2&@00 hr#& with 26 enem"

aircraft de#tro"ed& 40 damaged& and had gained +S(?#& 10 +F?# and a bar& @ +FM?#

and 1 bar& 3 ;:M?#& to the ground crew#& and a M:; to S/L ;rown for hi# )art in So)%e"

>8

C) to thi# date the #quadron had %o#t 4 aircraft& with @ crew member# dead& a #acrifice that

#hou%d not be forgotten

*he career of 604 #quadron continued throughout the Second 'or%d 'ar being ba#ed at

:-eter from the 3rd of Ma" and quic%" #haring #ucce## with Ao 307 .5o%i#h #quadron& F%t/%t

crew downing a +o17 o,er owe#& 8#%e of 'ight o,er Stud%and ;a" S/L #inner de#)atched

an He111 on the 4th of Ma" another He111 wa# de#tro"ed b" a new crew to 604 5/( Fo#ter

and Sgt Aewton

!u%" #aw the de)arture of !ohn unningham for a re#t )eriod after 6 "ear# with the Squadron

8t wou%d be im)o##ib%e to render an account of a%% 604?# ,ictorie# here the #ource of thi#information i# be#t read in the e-ce%%ent boo B*went" (ne Squadron# a om)%ete Hi#tor" of

the u-i%iar" Squadron# of the o"a% ir forceB

+etachment# of 604 o)erated from man" airfie%d# in :ng%and& from Leed# to & ornwa%% to

:##e-& the #quadron wa# #ucce##fu% on #o man" occa#ion#& from downing the fir#t He 177

four engine ;omber o,er Sunder%and to de#tro"ing an :;oat in the :ng%i#h hanne%& for

in#tance on the 7th of !u%" S/L Ho" and '/(fficer a"& interce)ted Bweather 'i%%ieB a fa#t

mo,ing !u@@ that radioed re)ort# for the C;oat?# and for Lord Haw Haw# broadca#t#& but the

!u@@ wa# forced to radio that he wou%d not be returning to ba#e a# he hit the #ea= another

Bweather 'i%%ieB wa# de#tro"ed on the nd of augu#t b" 'ing ommander Ma-we%%& 'ing

commander Ma-we%% #cored the #quadron# 100th i%%& and 'ing ommander& +e#mond

Hughe# came into the #quadron a# it# new /( He wa# a former ;ou%ton5au% +efiant )i%ot

from the ;att%e of ;ritain& with a +F and two bar# for night fighting with 12

.Aewfound%and #quadron& and 600 .it" (f London #quadron& hi# na,igator wa# F%t Lt

Laurie +i-on +F and ;ar

De Havilland !os"uito

'ing ommander Ma-we%% %eft for a #taff $ob 604 became equi))ed with the Mo#quito

MD11& and #oon after the #quadron wa# airborne o,er the 8n,a#ion ;eache# of Aormand" )art of the #quadron wa# fir#t ba#ed on French #oi% at 12 the a%%ied tag for the herboug


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Mau)ertu# aerodrome& the re#t #ti%% ba#ed in the C at ;%acbu#he airfie%d to )rotect the

#u))%" )ort# for the %%ie# in Aormand" mo,e to a%%ied fie%d @ .5icau,i%%e #aw the who%e

#quadron together& #e,en aircraft airborne that night& four aircraft de#tro"ed& but with a %o## to

the #quadron of one aircraft& F%t Lt Hoo)er and F/( Hubbard +F were ne,er found ;" the

1#t of #e)tember the airfie%d at @ had deteriorated #o much that the #quadron mo,ed to ;6

and then to ;17 .ar)iquet near aen& F%t Lt Mi%%er cannoned two armed *raw%er# near!er#e"& the #quadron mo,ed bac to 5reddanac ornwa%% on the 4th of Se)tember to rearm

with the %ate#t Mo#quito ,ariant with an ad,anced new adar nother mo,e to (diham

Hant#hire #aw 604 waiting to mo,e bac to France& but whi%e here the" made )atro%# to

;e%gium and Ho%%and and in emergencie# were ab%e to %and at ;ru##e%#Me%#broe a# thi# wa#

now in a%%ied hand#& the" were under contro% of 147 wing

nother mo,e #aw 604 ba#ed at Li%%e


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#quadron change o,er from the S)itfire# to $et# with the introduction of the +e Ha,i%%and


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Squadron Markings

ed and Ie%%ow inter%ocing triang%e# carried acro## the to) of the wing#& and a%ong the #ide

of the fu#e%age& and the armoria% bearing# of the ount" (f Midd%e#e- on the tai% the

'artime Squadron code wa# A>& )o#t war the" were & but from 1949 the" once again

became A>

*he B#wordB i# nown a# a Sea- and the motto in %atin tran#%ate# a#&

Bif "ou want )eace& )re)are for warB


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SHOT DOWN FOR THE KING

ing >eorge round ontro% 8nterce)tion .>8 #tation He turned to the ing and #ugge#ted the"

go out#ide to watch the interce)tion Ste))ing out into the moon%it night& the two men %iftedtheir e"e# u)ward& #earching for an" #ign of the two )%ane# the >erman )%ane and the

)ur#uing ;eaufighter )i%oted b" Squadron Leader unningham faint drone from the

engine# wa# a%% that cou%d be heard then the" #aw #omething that %ooed %ie a faint red

g%ow

Squadron Leader !ohn unningham meet# ing >eorge at F Midd%e 'a%%o) that night

Earlier in the Night

*here wa# %itt%e warning of the ing# ,i#it to with 604 Squadron at F Midd%e 'a%%o) on

'edne#da"& Ma" 7& 1941 Aonethe%e##& e,er"one managed to get the airfie%d and into a

)re#entab%e #tate ccom)anied b" Sir Sho%to +oug%a#& the ing dined in the (fficer# Me##

and then in#)ected and ta%ed to the f%ight crew# For a time& the ing #)oe with Squadron

Leader !ohn unningham and then a# quoted in the 604 Squadron Hi#tor"& he Ja#ed

Sergeant awn#%e" hi# #core and on being to%d nine he commented& NAine ehO 'i%% "ou get

one for me tonightO awn#%e" ,er" much o,ercome b" the occa#ion& )romi#ed to do hi#

be#t Hi# Ma$e#t" then %eft to be #hown around Star%ight >8 at So)%e"K

8t wa# 10P03 )m when Sqn/Ldr unningham and Sergeant awn#%e" boarded their;eaufighter M8F .101 A> and too off to )atro% the :ng%i#h hanne% *heir aircraft

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wa# fitted with the irborne 8nterce)tion .8 M 8< radar& a #"#tem that had been introduced

in %ate Se)tember 1940 and had #er,ed the F# night fighter #quadron# we%%

rmed with four cannon and #i- machine gun# and with a to) #)eed of 30 m)h& the ;ri#to%

;eaufighter wa# a formidab%e night fighter& made e,en more #o when integrated into the

inno,ati,e ;riti#h hain Home radar networ that %ooed out to #ea and warned of an"a))roaching >erman aircraft *he f%aw with the radar networ& howe,er& wa# that it %eft a

,oid in%and (nce a >erman )%ane cro##ed the %ine of coa#ta% radar#& it di#a))eared into the

unmonitored heart%and *o addre## thi# ga)& the >round ontro% 8nterce)t .>8 radar #"#tem

wa# de,e%o)ed ba#ed on a mobi%e #"#tem& the #oca%%ed JStar%ightK cara,an# *he fir#t mobi%e

in#ta%%ation wa# e#tab%i#hed at So)%e" in +ecember 1940

F So)%e"# Mobi%e >8 unit a# #een from abo,e on !anuar" 2& 1941 So)%e" wa# the mo#t

effecti,e >8 in ;ritain& ending the war with o,er 100 ,ictorie#

The Radar System

*he >8 radar unit wa# ba#ed on an ada)ted rm" >un La"ing tracer& nown a# a *")e @

adar *hi# wa# #er,iced b" two aeria%# that were a%igned onto a target b" two airmen&

nown a# ;inder#& who wou%d )eda% a #tationar" tandem that o)erated a mechanica% %inage

to turn the aeria%# ba#ed on in#truction# from the o)erator %ooing at the #creen 8t wa# a

crude #"#tem b" %ater #tandard#& but at the height of the ear%" war )eriod& it wa# the be#t there

wa#

Large ro##%e" truc# were u#ed to mount the tran#mitter and recei,er each connected to an

aeria%& whi%e the o)eration# room wa# hou#ed in a ;rochou#e trai%er 8n turn& thi# he%d thecrew of three a height finder o)erator& a fighter contro%%er who #at in front of the 5%an

5o#ition 8ndicator Q558R #co)e& and a )%otter urtained off from the other crew& the )%otter

ca%cu%ated aircraft #)eed#& heading# and trac# of target# u#ing a ma) and a +a%ton com)uter

So)%e" wa# a%#o equi))ed with 8dentification Friend or Foe .8FF #"#tem that a%%owed quic

identification of %%ied aircraft

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*he F So)%e" *")e @ Mobi%e >8 adar S"#tem& c 1941

Integrated Radar Coverage

*he mobi%e unit did not #tand on it# own& howe,er& a# initia% radar contact# were )ro,ided b"the hain High and hain Low #tation# that %ooed acro## the :ng%i#h hanne% for incoming

>erman )%ane# ontact information inc%uded the range& bearing& #)eed and height of the

contact *he >8# acce)ted the tran#ferred )%ot and too o,er a# the enem" aircraft cro##ed

the coa#t%ine from that )oint onward& the $ob wa# in the hand# of the F# night fighter

unit#

high degree of #i%% wa# required to coordinate height& cour#e and #)eed data& )articu%ar%"

at night Squadron Leader ;rown had with the he%) of :dward ;owen& a ma$or contributor to

the de,e%o)ment of radar who )er#ona%%" de,e%o)ed the nece##ar" contro% technique#

C%timate%"& he wou%d become )robab%" the mo#t #ucce##fu% >8 contro%%er of the war

Sco)e# #u))orting the *")e @ radar at F So)%e"

:,en with the e-traordinar" ca)abi%itie# of the groundba#ed mobi%e >8 #"#tem& the rea%

action t")ica%%" cu%minated on board the night fighter (nce brought within c%o#e range& the

8 o)erator in f%ight wou%d %oo through a %eather ,i#or at two %uminou# green cathode tube#&

on which he cou%d read the horiEonta% and ,ertica% )o#ition# of hi# target (nce in range& the

echo that bounced off the enem" aircraft wou%d a))ear a# a b%i) on both #creen# *he

o)erator wou%d ca%% in#truction# to the )i%ot& bringing the )%ane into ,i#ua% range from there&it wa# the $ob of the )i%ot to #hoot down the enem"

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'ith Sergeant awn#%e" ca%%ing in#truction# to Sqn/Ldr unningham& the two men na,igated

in behind the enem" aircraft $u#t what t")e of )%ane it wa# wou%d be a m"#ter" unti% the"

got within ,i#ua% range

Luftwaffe He 111 a# #een f%"ing during 1941& from a #i#ter #quadron to the >7 aircraft

that wa# cha#ed that night& thi# one being from >6 SourceP >erman Federa% rchi,e#

The Vie !rom the German Side

*he town of enne# in northern France #er,ed a# the home of 7 Staffe% am)fge#chwader 7

.;oe%ce& which wa# )art of Luft%otte 3 within F%iegeror)# 8


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Heine% He 1115 with >7& the e-act t")e and #quadron of the aircraft that wa# cha#ed

that night

" #$!ta!!e Night Raid

*he mi##ion that night wa# hi# 11#t o)erationa% f%ight o,er >reat ;ritain Hi# target wa# theLi,er)oo% doc# fter tae off from enne#& the" had come acro## the :ng%i#h hanne% at

4&000 metre# .1&@00 feet (nce the" had c%eared the f%a batterie# on the #outh coa#t of

:ng%and& La#chin#i aimed hi# He 111 for the ;ri#to% hanne%& intending to f%" between

ardiff and ;ri#to% #o a# to a,oid the aeria% defence# of both citie#

8t wa# a c%ear night and he cou%d #ee the ref%ection of the moon%ight off the :ng%i#h hanne%

a# he reached down and behind to hi# %eft and found the two fue% tan tran#fer contro%# He

began to tran#fer fue% from the outer tan# to the inner one# 8t wou%dnt be %ong before the"

wou%d reach the Li,er)oo% doc# and& after ha,ing dro))ed their bomb %oad& the" e-)ected to

return to enne#& arri,ing in the ear%" in the morning of Ma" 7th t that moment& the" had

no idea that $u#t two mi%e# behind& an F ;eaufighter wa# #teadi%" a))roaching *he>erman crewmen were a%wa"# a%ert& howe,er& #canning the darne## for a te%%ta%e f%a#h of an

e-hau#t fire or the #i%houetting of an enem" hunter again#t the moon# ref%ection off the water

*he radar o)erator on the ;ri#to% ;eaufighter& Sergeant awn#%e"& focu#ed on the 8 hi#

on%" )icture of the #urrounding #ie# amid#t the darne## of night a%m%"& he ca%%ed out

in#truction# to hi# )i%ot& Squadron Leader !ohn unningham& a#ing for a #tead" de#cent

toward the target ahead *he Sto)%e" >8 had ,ectored them in& #etting them u) )erfect%"

abo,e and behind the >erman air)%ane He fe%t the )%ane acce%erate #%ight%" a# Sqn/Ldr

unningham carefu%%" edged the contro% "oe forward to bring the )%ane# no#e down and

edge c%o#er toward the target 8f the >erman bomber didnt change cour#e& it wou%d #oon

come into ,i#ua% range and e,en now& unningham wa# #canning the #ie# ahead intent%"

*he" wou%d ha,e to en#ure that the" werent o,ertaing at a too ra)id )ace or the" might end

u) o,errunning the target or wor#e& e,en co%%iding with it

8n the moon%ight& the" #aw the >erman )%ane ahead Sqn/Ldr unningham #%owed and

carefu%%" came u) behind From behind& it %ooed to be a Heine% He 111& another night

bomber of the Luftwaffe *he >erman# were on a cour#e to na,igate between ardiff and

;ri#to% and were heading o,er the ;ri#to% hanne% 'ere the" going be"ond or dro))ing

their bomb# one of the nearer citie#O 8t didnt matter& a# the outcome wou%d be the #ame

now Seeing )o#iti,e identification& Sqn/Ldr unningham began to %ine u) hi# attac )%an

;ri#to% ;eaufighter in the #ame #quadron a# the )%ane that engaged that night

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Setting $% the "tta&'

*o )re,ent the ;eaufighter from being #i%houetted again#t the g%i#tening& moon%it #ea&

unningham waited for hi# quarr" to be o,er %and # #oon a# it cro##ed the coa#t and wa#

c%ear of the ;ri#to% hanne%& he mo,ed in head& the Heine%# b%ue e-hau#t f%ame# were

c%ear%" ,i#ib%e and ga,e him an idea% foca% )oint for ho%ding formation 'ith care& he )erformed hi# cu#tomar" identification chec He needed to be ab#o%ute%" #ure of the aircraft

t")e it wou%d do no good to #hoot down another ;eaufighter He new that #uch error#

cou%d ha))en ea#i%" at night and with the e-citement of the cha#e

F%"ing underneath& he %ooed u) at the wing )%an form and confirmed hi# target wa# a

Heine% He 111 bomber after a%% *here wa# no doubt Ae,er taing hi# e"e# off of the

bottom of the enem" )%ane& he )u%%ed bac on the thrott%e# #%ight%" S%ow%"& the ;eaufighter

fe%% bac into trai% a# he carefu%%" )o#itioned him#e%f for the attac Aight fighter tactic#

differed #har)%" from tho#e of the da"time bo"# in their S)itfire# and Hurricane# *he" cou%d

get into a #wir%ing dogfight& #hooting at whate,er target# )a##ed before their gun#& tr"ing to

mae #en#e of the me%ee& )ic a target and attac 8n the night& howe,er& it wa# ,er"different Stea%th& )atience and ambu#h were the be#t mo,e# Further& "ou had to i%% from

the fir#t #hot u#ua%%" from #o c%o#e that "ou cou%dnt mi## 8f "ou engaged from farther

awa"& the enem" might be on%" %ight%" damaged and thu#& he might turn awa" and f%ee into

the c%oaing darne## of midnight :,en with %uc& it wou%d be difficu%t or e,en im)o##ib%e

to re%ocate him

*he unique #ha)e of the ;ri#to% ;eaufighter& one of the )reeminent night fighter# of the war

SourceP ''88 aircraft identification card#

The "tta&' (egins

Sqn/Ldr unningham checed with Sergeant awn#%e" a fina% time to mae #ure he wa# )re)ared He reconfirmed too that there were no other aircraft around :-ce)t for the

>erman He 111& the" were a%one # de#cribed b" Sergaent awn#%e" in hi# %ater boo&

JAight FighterK& the encounter unfo%ded de%iberate%" and #%ow%"& de#)ite the e-citement of

finding and engaging a >erman )%aneP

J'e were right be%ow our target& a great fat )rimadonna of a Heine% !ohn #tarted )u%%ing

u) behind it and the %ong& %ong wait wa# e,en more agoni#ing than u#ua% ;ut the enem"

crew #howed no reaction 'e were right behind and there came the fina% moment of ten#ion

with the #har) %itt%e %urche# a# !ohn brought the #ight to bear Sti%% there wa# no re#)on#e

from the Heine% *hen came the b%e##ed re%ief of the cra#h of the gun# and the #udden #urge

u)ward# to get out of the wa" of the hurt%ing wrecage wiced orange g%ow a))earedin#ide the fu#e%age of the Heine% and the whee%# fe%% down in the mo#t for%orn wa" # we



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f%ew a%ong#ide& watching& the g%ow bur#t through the #in and the f%ame# too o,er *he

who%e aircraft tremb%e# and broe into a ,io%ent )itching and with a )%ume of f%ame#

#treaming out behind it& the Heine% went down in a head%ong )%unge to earthK

Heine% He 111& one of >erman"# be#t medium bomber#

From the German Side

From the fir#t #ound# of the bu%%et# im)acting into hi# Heine%& 5i%ot (berfe%dwebe% HeinE

La#chin#i wa# in #hoc Moment# ear%ier& he had been tran#ferring fue% from the outer wingtan# to the inner one#& un#u#)ecting that the ;riti#h air)%ane wa# a%read" u)on them 'hen

he heard a ratt%ing of gunfire& he #aw hi# ob#er,er& HeinE Schier& co%%a)#e ne-t to him&

ob,iou#%" dead Second# %ater& fue% #)i%%ed onto the coc)it f%oor 8n an in#tant& it ignited and

the coc)it wa# engu%fed in f%ame# He #houted to the two other crew to ba%e out a# he

reached through the f%ame# to grab the hand%e# of hi# own e#ca)e hatch *here wa# no #a,ing

the )%ane 8t wa# $u#t a matter of #ur,i,a% to get out before the )%ane e-)%oded or he wa#

burned a%i,e

He gra#)ed the hand%e# of the e#ca)e hatch and fe%t a #tabbing )ain ;%ining through the

fire& he #aw hi# hand# me%ting onto the hand%e# He withdrew them and for an in#tant %ooed

at hi# twi#ted& ruined finger#& a# he%d them u) before hi# e"e# *here wa# on%" one wa" out&

howe,er He reached u) again and managed to unc%i) and #%ide the e#ca)e hatch bac&

burning hi# hand# "et more He #tood u) through the inferno to c%imb into the co%d ru#hing

wind from the #)eed of the )%ane a# it ang%ed through the dar #" :,en then& he cou%dnt

free him#e%f Hi# #eat )arachute caught on the e-it hatch& tra))ing him ha%f in the coc)it&

ha%f out He cou%dnt %ea) c%ear # the f%ame# were roaring at hi# feet and %eg#& in a )anic he

)u%%ed the ri) cord

'hether he b%aced out or b%oced it out he wou%d ne,er now& but a #econd %ater he found

him#e%f drifting be%ow the ma## of hi# g%owing )%ane& f%aming a# it careened onward toward

it# end *hen hi# )arachute wa# #na))ed o)en and $ered him to a #to) *he )%ane #)ed offinto a fier" de#cent *hen he )a##ed out once again



28/123

;ri#to% ;eaufighter M 88F night fighter of Ao 22 Squadron F at Hiba%d#tow&

Linco%n#hire& a# #een on Se)tember 2& 1941& with it# 8 Mar 8< interce)tion radar SourceP

8m)eria% 'ar Mu#eum

S$rvivors

(berfe%dwebe% HeinE La#chin#i came to %"ing on hi# bac in a dam) fie%d 8n #)ite of hi#

,er" )ainfu% burnt hand#& he managed to re%ea#e hi# )arachute Iear# %ater in an inter,iew

with author enneth 'aefie%d& he to%d of how he had wa%ed acro## a fie%d unti% he came to

a hedge *hen he fo%%owed that to a gate *here& he decided to hide hi# ma)# and )i#to% in a

drainage )i)e 8t wa# )oint%e## to hide him#e%f or tr" to e,ade he wa# in :ng%and& an

i#%and nation and hi# wound# needed immediate care *hrough the gate& he wa%ed a%ong a

%ane to a farm hou#e 8t wa# nearing midnight when he noced on the door and woe the

e%der%" re#ident# in#ide 8n hi# be#t :ng%i#h& he a#ed them to ca%% the )o%ice He cou%d no%onger fee% the )ain of hi# burn# :-hau#ted& he co%%a)#ed onto the gra## out#ide to await hi#

fate

Short%" afterward& the Home >uard& )o%ice and #ome %oca% re#ident# arri,ed with a number of

,ehic%e# La#chin#i# Heine% had come down near 'e#ton o%"and and the c%o#et ho#)ita%

wa# at ;ridgewater in Somer#et He wou%d be taen there to recei,e care for hi# wound#

(nce at the ho#)ita%& hi# hand# were hea,i%" bandaged He rea%iEed too that hi# face wa#

bad%" burned 8t wou%d be a %ong reco,er" 8n %ater "ear# he remembered with gratitude the

e-ce%%ent treatment he recei,ed e,en in wartime& the :ng%i#h )ro,ided the fine#t care He

wa# in turn we%% %ied at ;ridgewater and at the F ho#)ita% at Locing in 'e#ton Su)er

Mare to which he wa# tran#ferred a month %ater on !une 10& 1941

#i!e as a )OW

'hen he had reco,ered #ufficient%" to be di#charged& he wa# #ent fir#t to the 5(' #taging

area at Swindon From there& he wa# #ent onward to a 5(' cam) at ;ur" in Lanca#hire

ind%"& the ;riti#h had to%d him that two of hi# crew member# had been found a%i,e near the

wrecage of hi# Heine%& but it wa# on%" when he met u) with hi# wire%e## o)erator&

(berfe%dwebe% (tto 'i%%rich& that he found out more

'hat he %earned wa# that when 'i%%rich had heard the order to ba%e out& he had c%imbed down

into the ,entra% gunner# )o#ition be%ow the aircraft *here& he had found FritE %emm# bod" He had been i%%ed b" the gun# of the ;eaufighter on%" one other& not two& had



29/123

#ur,i,ed fter %ea,ing the aircraft& 'i%%rich %anded near a #earch%ight #ite between +ur#ton

and Aorth 5etherton& #outh of ;ridgewater %mo#t immediate%"& he wa# taen )ri#oner

# for their Heine% He 1115& the aircraft had broen u) in midair after the two men had

e#ca)ed *he ma$orit" of the wrecage had come down at nder#ea Farm in 'e#t o"%and at

11P30 )m

Sqn/Ldr !ohn unningham& who wou%d go on to com)%ete the war with a tota% of 0 ,ictorie#o,er >erman aircraft

"!termath

"ear %ater in 194& So)%e" mobi%e >8 wa# u)graded with %arge )ermanent bui%ding# and

the %ate#t radar techno%og" and #u))ort #"#tem# For the ne-t 30 "ear# there wa# continua%

de,e%o)ment inc%uding the con#truction of an underground buner Sub#equent%"& in the )o#t

war )eriod& it emerged a# a regiona% contro% faci%it" 'hat had #tarted a# a handfu% of mobi%e&

trucmounted radar#& communication# ,an# and contro% #tation# had e,o%,ed into a fu%%#ca%e

radar ba#e +ecade# %ater& with the centra%iEation of air traffic contro%& the unit wa# fina%%"

c%o#ed 8n Se)tember 1974& F So)%e" wa# handed o,er to the rm" Later& the #ite wa# )ut u) for #a%e 8t wa# #o%d and remo,ed from the rm"# in#ta%%ation %i#t in 1993

# for HeinE La#hin#i& he grew a beard to co,er hi# burnt face whi%e he wa# in the ho#)ita%#

undergoing burn treatment# fter the war& he returned to >erman" in 1947 with ho)e# of

returning to f%"ing a# a commercia% )i%ot *he %ong con,a%e#cence and the #hattered #tate of

the )o#twar >erman econom" )re,ented him achie,ing hi# ambition& howe,er 8n#tead& he

found em)%o"ment with the >erman 5o#t (ffice Fina%%"& in the %ate 1970#& he made )%an# to

,i#it :ng%and and meet the )eo)%e who had he%)ed and befriended him after he had been #hot

down Sad%"& $u#t two wee# before hi# )%anned ,i#it& he fe%% i%% and died



30/123

F So)%e" had recei,ed u)graded radar b" the end of the warU in the bacground i# the

contro% center buner SourceP 8m)eria% 'ar Mu#eum

Looing bac on the engagement that night Ma" 7& 1941& which wa# toda" in a,iationhi#tor" the attac and downing of HeinE La#hin#i# Heine% He 1115 wa# $u#t one in

thou#and# of #uch #torie# that combine into the hi#tor" of the air war in ''88 a# we now it

toda" 8n a #en#e it wa# a #)ecia% e,ent becau#e it wa# witne##ed b" the ing of :ng%and 8n

another #en#e& howe,er& it i# $u#t another of the man" #torie# of war that are tragic& terrib%e

and rare%" g%oriou#& e,en if often heroic *he #car# of conf%ict are dee) and memorie# are

%ong

'e can on%" ho)e that we wi%% ne,er again e-)erience a war of #uch terrib%e magnitude 'e

#hou%d gi,e than# too for what the#e bra,e men and women did in tho#e hard "ear# *he"

ga,e u# the wor%d that we en$o" toda" one where we can f%" in )eace



31/123


32/123

King George VI Presents Trophy To 604 Squadron Of RAF

At !u"#ingha$ Pa%a"e


33/123

LS. King, George VI, Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen other! an" #rince$$

argaret wal%ing out of #alace an" to top of terrace $tep$.

S. &he oan"ing o)cer of the *+ S-ua"ron $alute$ an" inite$ King to

in$pect para"e.


34/123

King wal% "own $tep$ an" $ha%e han"$ with the oan"ing /)cer.

S. King an" oan"ing /)cer in$pecting the $-ua"ron. in$pecting airen, 0

S1.


35/123


36/123

Queen Elizabeth tal%ing to the $-ua"ron eber$ an" #rince$$ argaret follow$

behin".

King pre$enting the E$her &rophy to the oan"ing /)cer.


37/123

S. &he King $pea%ing at pre$entation cereony 2

'I am very glad to present the Lord Esher Trophy this year to the

winning squadron 604 Squadron of the R! "Royal u#iliary ir !or$e%&

I $ongratulate all the o$ers and men who have raised to so high a

level the e$ien$y of the unit& S()& '*e realise that your e$ien$y has

+een won at the $ost of a+sen$e from your homes and families and we

are glad to a$,nowledge the sa$ri-$es whi$h they. as well as you. have

made to a$hieve it& In so honouring you. today. we are paying tri+ute to

the whole of the Royal u#iliary ir !or$e& /our Squadron. +orn 0 years

ago. has a history of whi$h it has every reason to +e proud& !our times

in the fourteen years. in whi$h it has +een awarded. you have won this

trophy& It is given to the Squadron $onsidered to +e the most e$ient

and 1udges +y operational standards&&& " part $issing % Squadron was

well enough prepared to underta,e night -ghter operation and its

s$ore of well over a hundred enemy planes destroyed is a tri+ute to its

outstanding e$ien$y&


38/123

/)cer wal%$ up to receie trophy fro King

the arch pa$t of the winning *+ $-ua"ron. S. King an" Queen an" other$

watching arch pa$t,


39/123

the failie$ of the en watching arch pa$t.

S. &he King, Queen an" #rince$$ argaret chatting to failie$ of en of *+

$-ua"ron.


40/123


41/123

#aren&e S* +(enny, Goodman

!ormer -./ 0dam1$sters2 s3$adron leader4%ilot

To (enny !rom the 1oys


42/123


43/123

#aren&e S* +(enny, Goodman .5678677/

>oodman former 617 #quadron %eader ,o%unteered for aircrew at 1@ "ear# of age and wa#ca%%ed u) in 1940 fter ba#ic training he went to F bingdon a 'hit%e" (*C for what


44/123

he wa# to%d wou%d be #traight through training *hi# did not materia%i#e and he found him#e%f

in the ro%e of a >round >unner 8n 1941& a )o#ting e,entua%%" came through to the 8nitia%

*raining 'ing fo%%owed b" :%ementar" F%"ing Schoo% at 5eterborough and an in#tructor#

cour#e at 'ood%e"& eadingU then to %"ffe 5")arde& a ho%ding unit #ea $ourne" to anada

fo%%owed and Ser,ice F%"ing *raining Schoo% on n#on# (n com)%etion he wa# )o#ted to

ing#ton& (ntario& to in#truct cting Leading Aa,a% irmen on the o"a% Aa," tactic# of thetime& eg $ining after tae off& di,e bombing& etc :,entua%%" he returned to the C and

(*C on 'e%%ington# at Si%,er#tone and Hea," on,er#ion ;omber Cnit at Swinderb" on

Stir%ing#& fo%%owed b" a #hort cour#e at the Lanca#ter on,er#ion Cnit He #er,ed in *ran#)ort

ommand for #ome time f%"ing Stir%ing# and %ater f%ew Ha#ting# with Ao21 Squadron fter

an inter,iew ;enn" and hi# crew were #ur)ri#ed and de%ighted to find the" had been #e%ected

for dambu#ter# 617 #quadron thi# wa# in 1944 and the" had #ta"ed ti%% the end of the war

He com)%eted 30 mi##ion# He wa# e,entua%%" )o#ted to Ao604 Squadron& which wa#

equi))ed with the %egendar" Su)ermarine S)itfire 8t wa# a com)%ete $o" for ;enn" who #aid

that Nthe S)itfire wa# the mo#t beautifu%& beautifu% aero)%ane to f%"

One o! the !e nota1le raids #*S Goodman had

8Sin'ing o! Htlers Shi% 99Tir%it:99; 65th O&to1er .5


45/123

8n the autumn of 1944& 617 Squadron $oined 9 Squadron in attac# with 1&000 %b ?*a%%bo"?

bomb# on the >erman batt%e#hi) Tirpitz moored in Aorwegian water# *he fir#t two attem)t#

were inconc%u#i,e owing to c%oud and #moe#creen#& but on 1 Ao,ember the" found Tirpitz

with no )rotection Su#taining two direct hit#& the #hi) wa# #hattered b" an interna% e-)%o#ion

and ca)#iEed


46/123

8Dro%%ing the Grand Slam 66;777 1om1 on the German "rns1erg Viad$&t; .5th =ar&h

.5*

8n the %a#t month# of the war& 617 Squadron made further #ucce##fu% #trie# again#t the

>erman rai% and cana% networ& coa#ta% defence# and )re,iou#%" in,u%nerab%e Cboat )en#&

u#ing ?*a%%bo"#? and the mon#trou# new &000 %b ?>rand S%am? bomb which b%ew a 40 foot

ga) in the target ight to the end& 617 Squadron maintained it# )o#ition a# ;omber ommand?# u%timate )reci#ion bombing #)ecia%i#t#

;enn" remember#P

J8 ne,er had an" concern& carr"ing a >rand S%am bomb on taeoff& that it wa#nt going to get

off the ground 8t wa# a %itt%e but #%uggi#h& but an"thing the" )ut on& a Lanca#ter wa# ca)ab%e

of hand%ing 8t wa# #%ow in c%imbing& but we got to bombing height and $oined the other# and

got o,er the target M" reco%%ection wa# that we didnt ha,e to #a" Nbomb gone becau#e the

aircraft went u) %ie a rocet ;ut m" f%ight engineer !oc #aid& not on%" did the aero)%ane

c%imb quic%"& but he heard a he%% of a bangU it ma" ha,e been the re%ea#e mechani#m 8t ne,er

got to the )oint where the who%e #quadron had >rand S%am#& we a%wa"# had a mi-ture with

*a%%bo"# *here were no com)%aint# about the f%"ing characteri#tic#& de#)ite the huge %oad

8The atta&' on (er&htesgarten Htlers Eagles Nest; 6>th =ay .5*

*he %a#t o)eration for ;enn" with 617 #quadron wa# the attac on Hit%er# famou# mountain

retreat Bthe :ag%e?# Ae#tB at ;erchte#gaden

;" the end of the war ;enn" >oodman had com)%eted 30 o)erationa% #ortie#

*he odd# of #ur,i,a% whi%#t #er,ing in ;omber ommand were indi#)utab%"

again#t him& #o to mae it through a tour of dut" un#cathed i# #omething ;enn"

attribute# to )ure %uc He remember# hi# %a#t o)erationa% f%ight with the

SquadronP

“The last trip I ever did was Berchtesgaden, the Eagle’s Nest and they certainly had flak

there I can tell you, but it was right at the end and I think it was ore of a token trip than

anything else really, to show people that we could do it!"

The Dortm$nd Ems Canal;

atta&' on The ?8(oat %ens at (rest and #orient;

?r!t Dam; (er&htesgaden; I@m$iden; "rns1erg Railay Viad$&t; (ergen; (iele!ield;

)oortershaven; "tta&' on shi%%ing in The Oslo F@ord on A.st De&em1er .5


47/123

Nien1erg 66nd =ar&h .5*

"ll these raids ere &arried o$t ith -./ S3$adron

(enny9s #og (oo' Tir%it: Raid entry


48/123

=a@or / Gro$%8Ca%tain / #ie$tenant8Colonel

"lan Sidney Whitehorn Dore 8 C*(* 8 D*S*O* 8 T*D* 8 D*#*


49/123

.-454.6 8 544.5>A

604 first commanding officer March 1930 in till April .1935


50/123


51/123


52/123

"lan Sidney Whitehorn Dore; C*(*; D*S*O*; T*D*; D*#*


53/123

%an +ore wa# born in 1@@& Highgate& Midd%e#e- He wa# educated at Mi%% Hi%% Schoo% & Hendon

He wa# commi##ioned in to the 1#t


54/123

He %earnt to f%" on ;:# with 13 Squadron of the o"a%

F%"ing or)# and then $oined 43rd Squadron a# a F%"ing

(fficer He %ater too command of 43rd Squadron on the

6th March 1917 with the ran of F%ight ommander&

after Ma$or Sho%to +oug%a# wa# in$ured after hitting andi%%ing a hor#e on taeoff

+uring hi# %a#t few da" in command of 43rd Squadron&

Se)tember 1917& he #hot down a >erman )%ane 8n 1917

he wa# mentioned in de#)atche# twice .London >aEette

date# 04/01/1917 and 11/1/1917

8n 191@& he married ice%e" : M Maund .Ham)#tead&

London & daughter of :dward and :a%eanor Maund

ice%e" wa# born in Marhou#e%and & South frica in

1@96 Her father had been a tutor at *rinit" o%%ege

Schoo% & (-ford in the 1@@0#

Ma$or +ore wa# warded the +S( .London >aEette

dated 1#t !anuar" 191@ and a))ointed *em)orar"

Lieuto%one% on the 11th March 191@

(n the 7th Ao,ember 191@ he wa# re#tored to the e#tab%i#hment .'orce#ter#hire egiment and on

the 4th Februar" 1919 he wa# tran#ferred to the rm" unem)%o"ed %i#t

(n the 19th March 1930 Lieuto%one% %an Sidne" 'hitehorn +ore& +S( rai#ed and wa# the

origina% commander of Ao 604 . ount" of Midd%e#e- Squadron& u-i%iar" ir Force He wa#

gi,en the ran of Squadron Leader .Honorar" 'ing ommander He commanded thi# #quadron

unti% the @th )ri% 1932 *hi# #quadron %ater f%ew nightfighter ;%enheim# in the ;att%e of ;ritain

(n the 1#t !une 1936 he wa# a))ointed to the >enera% Li#t in the ran of 'ing ommander

8n 1949 he wa# awarded a ; .(rder of ;ath& third c%a## in the ing# ;irthda" honour# .London

>aEette 9th !une 1949 and %i#ted with the ran of >rou)a)tain t the time he wa# hairman of*erritoria% and u-i%iar" Force# ##ociation of the ount" of Midd%e#e-

Lieuto%one% %an Sidne" 'hitehorn +ore& +S( had tree chi%drenU Lo%a Mie%e +ore born 9th

Ao,ember 1919& %an ; +ore born 193 and !ohn ;ingham 'hitehorn +ore born nd (ctober

194 8ntere#ting%"& Lo%a Mie%e +ore and !ohn ;ingham 'hitehorn both qua%ified a# )i%ot#& in 193@

and 194@ re#)ecti,e%"


55/123

Group &aptain 'ohn (&ats )ye* &unningha$ + &!) +

,SO-- + ,F&- + A) . ,/


56/123

aptain 3ohn unningha eeting King George VI at i""le 4allop in 565


57/123

>) a)t unningham& from ro"don& #outh London& became intere#ted in )%ane# from an

ear%" age He $oined de Ha,i%%and a# a trainee in 1932 and then enro%%ed with the o"a%u-i%iar" ir Force# 604 Squadron He wa# ca%%ed u) b" the F a# a nightfighter )i%ot at

the outbrea of war& and #er,ed with hi# na,igator !imm" awn#%e"

Hi# fir#t Ni%% wa# on Ao,ember 19& 1940 when he #hot down a !uner# @@ bomber cro##ing

the Su##e- coa#t He went on to de#tro" two Heine% 111 bomber# o,er the :ng%i#h hanne%

and o,er L"me ;a" and wa# a%mo#t immediate%" awarded the +i#tingui#hed F%"ing ro##

with bar He downed two enem" bomber# on the #ame )atro% on )ri% @& 1941 and three in

three )atro%# the fo%%owing wee # a re#u%t he wa# awarded the +S( *he #econd bar award

to the +S( came in !u%" 194 after he had c%aimed 16 i%%# and the third award in March

1944& b" which time he wa# a wing commander in @2 Squadron and had c%aimed 0 i%%# 8n

(ctober 1943 he had a near mi## when a !uner# @@ o)ened fire at hi# Mo#quito )%ane and

#hattered hi# wind#creen fter the war >) a)t unningham became the chief te#t )i%ot for

de Ha,i%%and and went on to te#t the omet& the wor%d# fir#t $et air%iner& and o,er#aw it#

de,e%o)ment from )rotot")e to )roduction He a%#o broe the wor%d a%titude record in a >ho#t


58/123

High%" regarded& )robab%" throughout the wor%d& a# an e-ce)tiona% nightfighter )i%ot& which

%ed to hi# nicname of Nat# :"e# unningham +uring the ;att%e of ;ritain unningham

#er,ed with Ao 604 Squadron& and went on to achie,e a tota% of 0 de#tro"ed& 3 )robab%e#

and 7 damaged b" the end of 1942

Fighter !ohn Nat# :"e# unningham downed at %ea#t 0 >erman bomber# at o,er the

:ng%i#h hanne% C) to 19 of the#e were #hot down at night and he became a hero of the

F for hi# abi%it" to #ee in the dar and for hi# #i%% and bra,er" unningham wa# the

highe#t #coring night fighter in the Second 'or%d 'ar

Early li!eP

unningham wa# born in ro"don in South London& the #on of the com)an" #ecretar" of the

+un%o) ubber om)an" He fir#t f%ew at a "oung age& whi%e attending )re)arator" #choo% at

S%eaford He wa# #ub#equent%" a )u)i% at 'hitgift Schoo%& a )ub%ic #choo% in ro"don fter%ea,ing #choo%& he $oined de Ha,i%%and ircraft in 1932 a# an a))rentice 8n the #ame "ear he

a%#o $oined o"a% u-i%iar" ir Force and became a member of Ao 604 .ount" of

Midd%e#e- SquadronU he made hi# fir#t #o%o f%ight in 1936 unningham #ub#equent%"

became a $unior te#t )i%ot with de Ha,i%%and& woring with %ight aircraft a%ong#ide >eoffre"

de Ha,i%%and& the com)an" founder?# #on He famou#%" de#tro"ed one bomber without firing a

#ing%e #hot after he daring%" di,ed down through c%oud at great #)eed and dro,e the enem"

aircraft into the ground *he #ecret to hi# de,a#tating e"e#ight& arrot#=


59/123

*he %ate ;att%e of ;ritain airman?# in#i#tence that it wa# the humb%e gardenroot ,egetab%e which e)t hi# #ight in ti) to) form con,inced generation# of

chi%dren to eat their ,egetab%e# 8t ha# #ince been re,ea%ed that >rou) a)tainunningham# abi%it" to #ee enem" )%ane# at night wa# more %ie%" to be

down to to) #ecret radar techno%og" that he wa# one of the fir#t to tria% thancarrot# ;ut the m"th wa# #na))ed u) b" war time hea%th mini#ter# a# a wa"to encourage chi%dren toward# hea%th" eating unningham# night fighting

#i%%# were u#ed a# a ru#e to encourage ;ritain chi%dren to eat more of the

humb%e ,egetab%e nd it i# ho)ed hi# %egac" wi%% continue to in#)ire future

generation# of "oung )i%ot#

#* S*


60/123

The 1rst 2ight on 'u%y 3 54 of the prototype de 7a8i%%and &o$et

air%iner fro$ 7at1e%d north of /ondon 9as a te"hno%ogi"a% %eap o8er

the rest of the 30th "entury: the pi%ot that day 9as 'ohn &unningha$

9ho has died aged ;4<

*he former o"a% ir Force grou) ca)tain %aunched ci,i%ian $et a,iation& and ga,e the ;riti#hindu#tr" what a))eared to be a fi,e"ear %ead o,er it# merican ri,a%#& )rinci)a%%" at ;oeing

*he de Ha,i%%and fourengined $et wa# a%mo#t twice a# fa#t a# an" of it# contem)orarie#& and

not ,er" much #%ower than mo#t air%iner# of toda"

*he #aga of the omet wa# to end in traged" and antic%ima- 8t# #)ectacu%ar initia% #ucce##

ga,e unningham g%oba% ce%ebrit"& but within the confined& monochrome media of au#terit"

;ritain& unningham wa# a%read" famou# 8n 1947 he had taen a de Ha,i%%and eoffre" de Ha,i%%and& began wor on what became the omet a# the war

ended *he com)an"?# chief te#t )i%ot had been Sir >eoffre"?# #on& >eoffre"& but in 1946 he

wa# i%%ed whi%e f%"ing an e-)erimenta% +h10@ $et o,er the *hame# e#tuar"

So unningham wa# offered the $ob of chief te#t )i%ot and the ta# of finding out& during 163

f%ight#& wh" the +h10@ had cra#hed *he a))%ied re#earch that unningham conducted in the

%ate 1940# on the +h10@?# aerod"namic# u%timate%" )aid off in the wing de#ign of a

#ucce##ion of :uro)ean aircraft& a%% the wa" through to the irbu# of toda" +uring tho#ethree "ear# the new chief te#t )i%ot& from hi# office in the corner of a hangar in Hatfie%d& %i,ed

with the omet a# it too #ha)eU new e,er"bod" who wored on itU te#ted the )%ane?#

engine# aboard Lanca#trian con,erted bomber#&


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unningham wa# born in #outh ro"don& the #on of an e-ecuti,e at the +un%o) t"re com)an"&

and educated at 'hitgift Schoo% He wa# fa#cinated b" bird# and aircraft intere#t# which

remained undimmed eight decade# %ater ;" the mid190# he wa# watching aircraft f%"ing at

en%e" aerodrome& maing e%a#tic)owered mode%#& and& together with hi# father& )acing

ro"don air)ort t )re)arator" #choo% in S%eaford& he made hi# fir#t f%ight in an o%d bi)%ane

8n 1932 unningham $oined de Ha,i%%and a# a three"ear technica% training a))rentice *hat

"ear he a%#o enro%%ed in the o"a% u-i%iar" ir Force& %earning to f%" at Hendon& north

London& with 604 ount" of Midd%e#e- Squadron& going #o%o in 1936

8n the interwar )eriod& de Ha,i%%and wa# a ma,eric in a ;riti#h a,iation indu#tr" hea,i%"

de)endent on mi%itar" order# *he firm #)ecia%i#ed in trainer#& racer#& ci,i%ian aero)%ane#&

#ma%% air%iner# %ie the e%egant& fa#t and wooden %batro## that f%ew the ro"donLe

;ourget #er,ice unningham reca%%ed that in tho#e da"# Sir >eoffre" de Ha,i%%and did not

en$o" woring with the Mini#tr" of Su))%" Bbui%ding great f%"ing batt%e#hi)#B and a# for the

ir Staff& the entre)reneur thought them out of date ;" the end of the decade Sir >eoffre"

had gi,en unningham a $ob in the %ight aircraft de)artment& where he wored a# a $unior te#t )i%ot with the autocrat?# #on& >eoffre"& on the Moth Minor %ight aircraft

unningham wa# ca%%ed u) a# a nightfighter )i%ot in ugu#t 1939 *he end of the ;att%e of

;ritain in autumn 1940 meant that the Luftwaffe focu#ed on the ;%itE& the night bombing of

citie# again#t which ;riti#h air defence# were ho)e%e##%" inadequate *he radar equi))ed

nightfighter wa# the e" wea)onU the fir#t #quadron to be equi))ed with #uch aircraft .a%beit

%umbering& ob#o%ete con,erted ;%enheim bomber# wa# 604

For the fir#t time in air combat& unningham& u#ing interce)tion radar& #hot down a !uner#

!u@@ bomber cro##ing the Su##e- coa#t on the night of Ao,ember 0& 1940 Soon after& the

#quadron wa# reequi))ed with the more effecti,e ;eaufighter 'ith !imm" awn#%e"

o)erating the radar& unningham #hot down a c%utch of bomber#& inc%uding three Heine%# on

one night

:ar%" in 1941 he wa# bac at Hatfie%d to #ee another of de Ha,i%%and?# wooden aircraft& the

)henomena%%" fa#t )rotot")e Mo#quito Cnti% the ad,ent of the omet eight "ear# %ater thi#

wa# the )%ane mo#t c%o#e%" identified with unningham 8n !u%" 194 unningham too o,er

command of Ao @2 #quadron& f%"ing Mo#quito AF11#

Lie the dambu#ting bomber commander >u" >ib#on& he had become a wartime media #tar

He wa# nicnamed Bat?# :"e#B which he di#%ied and hi# )rowe## at %ocating enem" )%ane# in the dar wa# attributed to hi# con#um)tion of carrot#& %aunching a m"th

unningham ob#er,ed %ater that it wa# the to) #ecret radar on the Mo#quito& rather than

,egetab%e#& that accounted for hi# #ucce## ;ut the name #tuc he wa# #ti%% Bat?# :"e#B to

neighbour# out#ide Har)enden ha%f a centur" on

;" 1944 he had ri#en to grou) ca)tain night o)eration#& number 11 grou)& and he wa# again

ca%%ed to Hatfie%d to a##e## a new aircraft #mooth& fa#t& Bit wa#&B he ob#er,ed& Ban ab#o%ute

re,e%ationB *he machine wa# the


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Hi# woring %ife wa# to re,o%,e around that factor" fter the omet di#a#ter# he te#ted %ater

,er#ion#& crucia%%" the omet 8< which& in 1927& inaugurated the fir#t tran#at%antic $et #er,ice&

ahead of the ;oeing 707& for the ;riti#h (,er#ea# irwa"# or)oration From 196& he wa#

te#t )i%ot on the fir#t threeengined $et air%iner& the *rident& and on the HS12 e-ecuti,e $et

;" then de Ha,i%%and had been #wa%%owed b" the merger# that #we)t the ;riti#h a,iation

indu#tr"

8n 197@ he became a ;riti#h ero#)ace e-ecuti,e director& and two "ear# %ater he retired ;"

the 1990# de Ha,i%%and at Hatfie%d wa# rubb%e Iet unningham?# be%o,ed omet #ur,i,e# in

the #ha)e of the F?# Aimrod#& u#ua%%" far out to #eaU for& de#)ite additiona% bu%ge# and

b%i#ter#& the maritime )atro% aircraft i# recogni#ab%" the omet de#ign that he f%ew more than

ha%f a centur" ago

unningham wa# awarded an (;: in 1921& and made a ;: in 1963& two more honour#

amid a c%u#ter of wartime meda%# from ;ritain& the Cnited State# and the So,iet Cnion and

record f%ight# He ne,er marriedU hi# mother #aid he wa# in %o,e with the omet He did fa%%

in %o,e with a Aorwegian in 1947 *he engagement ended a "ear %ater

8n o%d age& unningham?# demeanour wa# #ti%% that of the gent%emanhero& affab%e& mode#t&

)reci#e& the figure ca)tured on b%ac and white ce%%u%oid& #te))ing down from the Mo#quito&

the rou) a)tain !ohn unningham& te#t )i%ot& born !u%" 7 1917U died !u%" 1 00

Cunningham / Rawnsley became a household name in England after shooting down three HE 111s in one night


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Ce&il Frederi&' Bimmy Ransley .57< .5-> DSO DFC 8 DF=

Navigator Fl4C=D Bimmy Ransley 0le!t2; Wing Commander Bohn C$nningham0right2


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Flight #ie$tenant; Ce&il Frederi&' Bimmy Ransley .57< .5->

#ats Eyes$ #unningha left % &I 'perator (iy )awnsley right

F%ight Lieutenant eci% Frederic B!imm"B awn#%e" +S( +F +FM wa# a ;riti#h o"a%

ir Force night fighter ob#er,er radar o)erator during 'or%d 'ar 88 He f%ew man" of hi#

#ortie# with !ohn Bat?# :"e#B unningham who wa# credited with 0 i%%#& of which 19 were

c%aimed at night

World War 6


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awn#%e" initia%%" #er,ed a# an airgunner but retrained to become a na,igator/radar o)erator

and wa# #ent to Ao 604 Squadron F f%"ing ;eaufighter# C#ing the new airborne

interce)tion .8 equi)ment .an ear%" form of airborne radar C#ing thi# tracing de,ice at

night& awn#%e" wa# ab%e to guide unningham onto target# *heir fir#t confirmed Bi%%B

came on the night of 19 0 Ao,ember& 1940& when the" downed a >erman !uner# !u@@

bomber o,er (-ford#hire

(n 4 )ri%& 1941 he wa# awarded a +i#tingui#hed F%"ing Meda% .+FM to which he added a

;ar on 3 Ma" of the #ame "ear 'ith mounting #ucce## he wa# awarded the +i#tingui#hed

F%"ing ro## .+F on 19 Se)tember 1941

8n !anuar" 1943& awn#%e" tran#ferred to Ao @2 Squadron F a%ong with unningham

*he" now f%ew a Mo#quito and within the "ear ha# downed four more enem" aircraft (n the

6 (ctober 1943& after f%"ing o,er 00 #ortie# with unningham and ha,ing been hi# radar

o)erator during the downing of 17 enem" )%ane# he wa# awarded a +i#tingui#hed Ser,ice

(rder .+S(

Ransley,s =edals 4 aards 4 nes &$ts

< "%ril .5aEette

.5 Se%tem1er .5


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6- O&to1er .5


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CO#IN HO))J HODGKINSON&


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(orn 44 .55-


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*hi# )hoto& ,ia ! 5o)e%a& #how# )i%ot# of 131 .ount" of ent Sqn o%in i# nd from %eft in

the front row He $oined 131 Sqn at 'e#tham)net in +ecember 194& and when the" went to

Scot%and in !anuar" 1943& #wo))ing with Ao 610 Sqn& he wa# granted )ermi##ion to #ta"

behind V $oin Ao 610 Sqn

o%%in Hodgin#on who died aged 76& %o#t both hi# %eg# %earning to f%"& but& in#)ired b" the

e-am)%e of the %eg%e## fighter ace +oug%a# ;ader& became an accom)%i#hed fighter )i%ot in the

F %though he ca%%ed him#e%f Bthe )oor man?# ;aderB Hodgin#on had no cau#e to ca#t

him#e%f a# an under#tud" Such wa# hi# courage that he #ucceeded de#)ite bout# of

c%au#tro)hobia and an admitted fear of f%"ing and combat He a%#o had a horror of being

forced to ditch in the hanne% and #tuffed hi# ho%%ow %eg# with )ing)ong ba%%#& ho)ing that

the" wou%d he%) to ee) him af%oat (nce& at 30&000 ft& he too ,io%ent e,a#i,e action before

rea%i#ing that what he had taen to be a c%atter of gunfire wa# the noi#e of )ing)ongba%%#

e-)%oding at that a%titude ;ut hi# #e%fdoubt wa# ma#ed b" the b%uff& boi#terou# bonhomie

that characteri#ed not on%" hi# wartime career a# a fighter )i%ot but a%#o hi# )o#twar #ucce## inthe com)etiti,e wor%d of ad,erti#ing and )ub%ic re%ation# Hodgin#on wa# a%read" beginning

to be ta%ed about a# Ba #econd ;aderB when he $oined Ao 611 #quadron in !une 1943 He

f%ew S)itfire# from o%ti#ha%%& Aorfo%& under 'ingommander BLaddieB Luca#& the hero of

the ;att%e of Ma%ta (ne ugu#t morning Hodgin#on wa# )art of an e#cort to 36 merican

;6 bomber# in an attac on ;erna" airfie%d near :,reu-& northwe#t of 5ari# *he wing wa#

turning for home when more than 20 F' 190# a))eared u)#un *he Luftwaffe fighter )i%ot#

fe%% u)on the S)itfire# Luca# turned 611?# S)itfire# into the attac *here wa# a furiou# me%ee

in which the #quadron fought a%% the wa" bac to the coa#t Hodgin#on& remembering hi#

father teaching him to #hoot on the fami%"?# Somer#et e#tate& #houtedP BSwing with itB and

maing a we%% $udged beamintoquarter attac& )iced off a 190 and #ent it #)inning

earthward# $u#t a# itwa# fa#tening onto Luca#?# tai% Luca# reca%%edP B8t wa# an uncommon%"quic and accurate )iece of #hooting Hodgin#on contributed hand#ome%" to a tota% of fi,e


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190# de#tro"ed again#t two S)it?# B8n 1 rough and e,entfu% minute# Hodgin#on had

demon#trated that& de#)ite hi# ma##i,e di#abi%it"& he cou%d match hi# #i%%# again#t the be#t

that >enera% do%f >a%%and and hi# !agd;e#chwader 6 had to offerB 8t wa# Hodgin#on?#

#econd Bi%%B :ar%ier he had #hot down a F' 190 $u#t off the end of ;righton )ier o%in

>era%d Shaw Hodgin#on wa# born at 'e%%#& Somer#et& on Feb 11 190 Hi# father had been

awarded the M and ;ar a# a o"a% F%"ing or)# )i%ot in the Fir#t 'or%d 'ar& and wa# to#er,e a# an inte%%igence wingcommander in the Second 'or%d 'ar Hodgin#on?# ear%ie#t

memorie# of hi# father were of a )owerfu% man in hunting )in # he %earned %ater& he wa# an

out#tanding Ma#ter of Fo-hound# with the Mendi)& a biggame hunter and a fine #hot Soon

in the #add%e him#e%f& the #quire?# #on fo%%owed hi# father?# countr" )ur#uit# unti%& being

$udged difficu%t and unru%"& he wa# condemned to the har#h di#ci)%ine of a cadet#hi) at the

Aautica% o%%ege& 5angbourne 8n the #ummer of 193@ Hodgin#on #)ent an id"%%ic ho%ida"

riding with the French a,a%r" Schoo% at Saumur& in the Loire& before being acce)ted for )i%ot

training a# a mid#hi)man in the F%eet ir rm fter training aboard the aircraft carrier

ourageou#& he had gone #o%o and com)%eted 0 hour# in a *iger Moth bi)%ane trainer when

he co%%ided with another aircraft t the time& acconi)anied b" hi# in#tructor& Hodgin#on wa#

)racticing b%ind f%"ing on in#trument# with a hood o,er hi# head *he *iger cra#hed from@00ft at >ra,e#end& i%%ing the in#tructor and #o grie,ou#%" in$uring Hodgin#on that hi# %eg#

were am)utated +uring a %ong )eriod in ho#)ita% he encountered Sir rchiba%d Mc8ndoe who

in,ited him to hi# ce%ebrated wartime F )%a#tic #urger" unit at the ueen rin#tead& for #ome wor on hi# face %though he wa# a na,a% t")e&

Hodgin#on wa# we%comed into Mc%ndoe?# >uinea 5ig %ub brotherhood of burned airmen

Such wa# their #)irit that he determined to emu%ate ;ader and to f%" again He #et hi# heart on

f%"ing S)itfire# and b" the autumn of 194 had wheed%ed hi# wa" out of the Aa," and into the

F a# a )i%ot officer He wa# brief%" with Ao131& a S)itfire #quadron before mo,ing on in

the new "ear& #ucce##i,e%" to 610 and 210 #quadron# He %earned hi# trade b" f%"ing #wee)#

o,er occu)ied France *he fo%%owing March he wa# )romoted F%"ing officer and in !une

$oined 611& then in the famou# ;iggin Hi%% wing fter hi# ugu#t bomber e#cort e-)%oit o,er

France& Hodgin#on returned to 201 a# a f%ight commander 8n Ao,ember& during a high

a%titude weather reconnai##ance hi# o-"gen #u))%" fai%ed& and he cra#hed into a French fie%d

;ad%" mang%ed and minu# one of hi# tin %eg# he wa# re#cued from the b%aEing S)itfire b" two

farm worer# He wa# reunited with them in 19@3& when the" )re#ented him with a )art of hi#

aircraft?# )ro)e%%er He had not #een them #ince being #tretchered awa" en route for a )ri#oner

of war cam) ,ia a rai%wa" #tation where hi# guard# abandoned him for #ome hour# in a

%a,ator" whi%e the" #he%tered from airraid# fter 10 month# F%tLt Hodgin#on wa#

re)atriated& being deemed of no further u#e to hi# countr" Iet #uch wa# hi# irre)re##ib%e

#)irit& that after being mended again b" Mc8ndoe& he re#umed f%"ing& ending the war with a

ferr" unit at Fi%ton& ;ri#to% *hi# ga,e him& a# he wa# to admit& the o))ortunit" of indu%ging in#ome )ocetmone" #mugg%ing& trading #uch BcontrabandB a# n"%on#& uti%it" c%oth& tea and

coffee for ca#e# of brand" among other Bim)ort#B (nce& he #aid& he carried go%d in hi# tin

%eg# %though he wa# re%ea#ed from the #er,ice in 1946 Hodgin#on returned in 1949 a# a

weeend f%"er He became a $et )i%ot and f%ew


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writer& Hodgin#on wa# brief%" air corre#)ondent with the f%edg%ing 8*A In .5>/ he

%$1lished (est Foot Forard; an entertaining a&&o$nt o! his li!e $ntil then*

8n 19@6 he mo,ed )ermanent%" to hi# ho%ida" home in the +ordogne He married fir#t !une

Hunter& a former fa#hion mode% fter her death he married >eorgina& a Frenchwoman& who

#ur,i,e# him &cknowledgeents to the *aily Telegraph, +ondon!

Fran Hodgin#on fter #er,ice a# an officia% 'or%d 'ar 88 arti#t& Fran Hodgin#on %eftu#tra%ia in 1947 to #tud" and tra,e% throughout :uro)e +uring thi# )eriod he too #ome

%e##on# at S' Ha"ter?# te%ier 17 in 5ari# He returned to S"dne" in 1923 *hen& after

winning the inaugura% He%ena ubin#tein Scho%ar#hi) in 192@& he too u) re#idence in S)ainU

!ohn (%#en wa# %i,ing nearb" (n a number of occa#ion# in the 1960# Hodgin#on returned to

u#tra%ia for e-hibition# +uring a tri) to 5erth in 1969 he wa# in,ited to tra,e% through the

northwe#t of the #tate *he $ourne" reawaened hi# need for the u#tra%ian %and#ca)e and

re#u%ted in hi# re%ocation to ueen#%and at the end of 19708n 1971 Hodgin#on we%comed

%ifton 5ugh?# in,itation to ,i#it him at ?+unmoochin? He $oined 5ugh and !ohn (%#en at thi#

arti#t#? co%on" on the out#irt# of Me%bourne at ott%e# ;ridge 5ugh& who had recent%"

returned from S' Ha"ter?# #choo%& wa# een to e-)eriment with the oi% ,i#co#it" etching

)roce##& and hi# enthu#ia#m )ro,ed to be a ma$or #timu%u# for Hodgin#on?# )rintmaing

'ithin a #hort )eriod he )roduced two #uite# of )rint#& 8n#ide the Land#ca)e and Land#ca)e

8n#ide& and& $oint%" with 5ugh& a boo of )rint# and the )oem# of Harr" o#cheno& tit%ed 8S

8n hi# figurati,e %and#ca)e#& timeworn %ine# become rich and #en#uou# fu%% of co%our and

te-ture in a $o"ou# ce%ebration of fema%e and %and#ca)e form# t the end of 1971

Hodgin#on %eft the arti#t#? co%on" to ,i#it the u#tra%ian outbac which ha# continued to

fa#cinate him and #timu%ate hi# wor


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The wreckage of Hodgkinson's Tiger Moth

The Tiger crashed from 500ft at Gravesend, and so grievously injuredHodgkinson that his legs were amputated !lthough he was a naval type, Hodgkinson was welcomed into Mc"ndoe's Guinea #ig $lu% %rotherhood

of %urned airmen &uch was their spirit that he determined to emulateader and fly again He set his heart on flying &pitfires and %y the autumn of()*+ had left the avy and went into the -!. as a pilot officer He was %riefly with num%er (/( suadron, successively to 1(0 and 5(0suadrons, then 1(( suadron, then in the famous iggin Hill wing The -!. talked a%out him as 2a second ader2 when he joined 1((suadron in 3une ()*/ under 4ing$ommander 26addie2 6ucas, the hero of the attle of Malta


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.light maga7ine, +5th May ()/)

$olin 2Hoppy2 Hodgkinson, who died aged 81, lost %oth his legs learningto fly, %ut, inspired %y the e9ample of the legless fighter ace :ouglasader, %ecame an accomplished fighter pilot in the -!. !lthough he calledhimself 2the poor man's ader2 Hodgkinson had no cause to cast himself

as an understudy &uch was his courage that he succeeded despite %outsof claustropho%ia and an admitted fear of flying and com%at He also had a horror of %eing forced to ditch in the $hannel and stuffedhis hollow legs with pingpong %alls, hoping that they would help

to keep him afloat ;nce, at /0,000 ft, he took violent evasive action %efore realising that what he had taken to %e a clatter of gunfire was the noise of pingpong%alls e9ploding at that altitude ut his selfdou%t was masked %y the %luff, %oisterous %onhomie that characterised not only his wartime career as a fighter pilot %ut also his postwar successin the competitive world of advertising and pu%lic relations Hodgkinson was already %eginning to %e talked a%out as 2a secondader2 when he joined o 1(( suadron in 3une ()*/ He flew &pitfires from $oltishall, orfolk, under 4ing$ommander26addie2 6ucas, the hero of the attle of Malta ;ne !ugust morning Hodgkinson was part of an escort to /1 !merican

+1 %om%ers in an attack on ernay airfield near


76/123

and accurate piece of shooting Hodgkinson contri%uted handsomely to a total of five ()0s destroyedagainst two &pit's 2"n (+ rough and eventful minutes Hodgkinson had demonstrated that, despite his massive disa%ility, he could match hisskills against the %est that General !dolf Galland

and his 3agdeschwader +1 had to offer2 "t was Hodgkinson's second2kill2


77/123

war camp via a railway station where his guards a%andoned him for some hours ina lavatory while they sheltered from airraids !fter (0 months .lt6t Hodgkinson was repatriated, %eing deemed of nofurther use to his country Aet such was his irrepressi%le spirit

that after %eing mended again %y Mc"ndoe, he resumed flying, ending the war with a ferry unit at .ilton, ristol This gave him, as he was to admit, the opportunity of indulging in some pocketmoney smuggling, trading such 2contra%and2 as nylons,utility cloth, tea and coffee for cases of %randy among other 2imports2 ;nce, he said, he carried gold in his tin legs !lthough he was releasedfrom the service in ()*1 Hodgkinson returned in ()*) as a weekendflyer He %ecame a jet pilot and flew @ampires with 50( and 10* suadrons ofthe -oyal !u9iliary !ir .orce until the early ()50s $ivilian life presented fresh challenges, and he plunged enthusiastically

into the postwar regeneration of advertising and pu%lic relations .rom the agency 1 he movedpermanently to his holiday home in the :ordogne He married first 3une Hunter, a former fashion model !fter her deathhe married Georgina, a .renchwoman, who survives him.


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Hodgkinson is second from left, front row

htt%L44*n>


79/123

$olin Hodgkinson, ()*/ a drawing %y &ir 4illiam -othenstein


80/123


81/123

Air Vi"e+=arsha% 7 Frederi"# ,es$ond (*7a9# )yes**7ughes 8 &


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9 : ;ughe$, oan"ing /)cer of


83/123

ir tten"e" School of >ry o7operation.

@@ 3un 56+A >tten"e" ir StaH, ;Q


84/123

@@ @@@ 56D*ASere" in 9ighter oan".

@@ @@@ 56DA:irecting StaH, =>9 StaH ollege, Mrac%nell.

@@ @@@ 56D*A#S/ to hief of the >ir StaH.

@@ @@@ 56D6A/)cer oan"ing, =>9 Geilen%irchen.

>ug 56*5A StaH /)cer, :epartent of the >S.

5 3an 56*CA :irector of >ir StaH #lan$

C+ Sep 56*CA Appointed A,& to The ?ueen/ 0 oan"ant, =>9 ollege.

5 /ct 56JAS>S/, ;Q ir 9orce.

&! 2 C 3un 56J, &!) 7 5 3an 56*, ,SO 2 @@ @@@ 56D, ,F& 2 5 >pr 565, !ar

2 5C >pr 56C, !ar 2 Sep 56C, AF& 7 5 3an 56D, ,/ @/in"o%nshire 2

g &drB * 3an 56, Sqn /dr @>SB * 3ul 56,

@RAFB F%t /tB >pr 56* 5 :ec 56, @T Sqn /drB C :ec 56* 5 3ul 56D,

Sqn /drB 5 >ug 56J, >g &drB 5 3an 56DC, Gp &aptB 5 3ul 56D, AD&dreB 5 3an

56*C, A"t AV=B 5 Sep 56**, AV=B 5 3ul 56*J.

Morn in Melfa$t, he lie" in :onagli"ee in ounty :own. ;e Noine" abri"ge

1>S whil$t a Law un"ergra"uate at #ebro%e ollege an" wa$ calle" up on the

outbrea% of war in Septeber 56C6. ;aing atten"e" the Fr$t war cour$e at

ranwell, he coplete" hi$ Oying training at the School of >ry o7operation

before being po$te" to


85/123

with hi a$ hi$ =a"ar /perator. My the en" of the war he ha" been cre"ite" with

5 conFre" ictorie$, one $hare", one probable an" one "aage". In 56, he

wa$ a"e ;onorary >ir oo"ore of ir 9orce Volunteer

=e$ere, S;, pril 565!

&itation for the a9ard of the !ar to the ,istinguished F%ying &ross<

Bcting Squadron Leader Frederic +e#mond HC>H:S& +F .74706& o"a% ir Force

pril 56C!

&itation for the a9ard of the Se"ond !ar to the ,istinguished F%ying

&ross<

P>cting S-ua"ron Lea"er 9re"eric% :e$on" ;1G;ES, :.9.. (JJ+*!, =oyal >ir

9orce Volunteer =e$ere,


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nuber at lea$t 5*,of which 5C hae been "e$troye" at night. S-ua"ron Lea"er

;ughe$ i$ a highly e)cient Oight coan"er an" hi$ eritoriou$, wor% ha$ been

reOecte" in the eHort$ of hi$ Oight which ha$ earne" notable $ucce$$e$.


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R"F a$iliary o!!i&er; Flt* Bames R* +Bimmy, Salandin; =(E


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Bimmy Salandin

!imm" Sa%andin wa# a re#)ected man and wa# one of the fine#t )i%ot# of Ao 604 ount" of

Midd%e#e- Squadron and wa# )rior to f%"ing Meteor# and


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a S)itfire M D>II att%es 9ith 604 is s"ar"e< !ut

&hur"hi%% and )isenho9er agreed to "o8er up RAF

p%anes EFO en"ounter during >>II

F%ight /t< '


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SE==ARLB

(n O&to1er .


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Tr$e =aga:ine; .5-/L

>n =>9 pilot encountere" a 19/ /ctober 5, 56D. 9light Lt. 3. =. Salan"in of the

*+th 9ighter S-ua"ron, Oying a eteor Net out of


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Ti$othy Good inter8ie9ed F%ight /ieutenant 'a$es R<

Sa%andin in 5; /n 5 /ctober 56D 9light Lieutenant

Salan"in, of


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remain# ,i,id B8 ha,en?t found a #ati#factor" e-)%anation for what 8 #aw&B he to%d& Bbut 8

now what 8 #awB

*he current editor of F%"ing Saucer e,iew i# the former di)%omat and inte%%igence officer

>ordon reighton& who re%ate# an intriguing #eque% to the affair Fo%%owing a ta% that >ordon

had gi,en to the Hou#e of Lord# %%5art" CF( Stud" >rou) in Ao,ember 19@3& he

ha))ened to broach the #ub$ect with a com)%ete #tranger whom he met on the train $ourne"

home *he Sa%andin ca#e wa# brought u) in the cour#e of con,er#ation& and the #tranger

turned out to be a former member of 604 Squadron >ordon to%d him that FS hadin,e#tigated and )ub%i#hed the ca#e in it# fir#t i##ue& and a#ed if b" chance he had e,er heard

of the magaEine B(h& "e#=B he re)%ied B'e new a%% about F%"ing Saucer e,iew Iou were

the )eo)%e that we were a%wa"# warned that we mu#t ee) awa" fromB

?FO re&onstr$&tion shon in !ront o! the Cunningham became a householdname in England after shooting down three HE 111s in one night

%lane inds&reen


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F4#t* Beremy Na%ier Hoard8Williams D*F*C* =ar&h .566 Se%tem1er .55>


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'i%%iam# wa# a nightfighter )i%ot in the Second 'or%d 'ar ;e Noine" 8n 1940& the Loca%+efence uard& before ,o%unteering for the F 8nSe)tember 1941& he became a 5i%ot (fficer& #er,ing in Ao 604 Squadron& nown a# the nightfighter #quadron& ba#ed at Midd%e 'a%%o)& under the command of >rou) a)tain !ohn Bat?#:"e#B unningham& f%"ing ;ri#to% ;eaufighter#

fter a tour of o)eration# with the #quadron& he $oined the Fighter 8nterce)tion Cnit& whichmade u#e of the F# ear%" e-)eriment# with radar& te#ting the )roduct# of the e%ectronic%aboratorie# in combat 8n the de,e%o)ment unit& he f%ew in ;riti#h .Mo#quito and *em)e#t&merican .;%ac 'idow& and ca)tured >erman .Me##er#chmitt Me 410 aircraft and u#eda%% t")e# of airborne radar

He achie,ed the ran of F%ight Lieutenant& a%though he acted a# Squadron Leader t theend of the war he wa# awarded the +F& +i#tingui#hed F%"ing ro## for ga%%antr" *hecitation readP

*hi# officer ha# com)%eted a ,er" %arge number of #ortie# and throughout ha# #et a finee-am)%e of eenne## and de,otion to dut" He ha# #hot down at %ea#t two enem" aircraft&whi%#t in attac# on target# on the ground he ha# mo#t effecti,e%" attaced numerou#%ocomoti,e# and mechanica% ,ehic%e# Hi# re#o%ute wor ha# won great )rai#e fter the war he #er,ed in Singa)ore& >erman" and fina%%" a# ##i#tant ir ttachX to the ;riti#h :mba##"in 5ari#

fter the war he #er,ed in Singa)ore >erman" and fina%%" a# ##i#tant ir ttachX to the

;riti#h :mba##" in 5ari# een #)ort#man a%% hi# %ife& and went on to )ub%i#h the c%a##icaccount of the #ai%maer# art


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-ails wa# )ub%i#hed in 1967 and ha# remained in )rint e,er #inceU it went through #i-edition# and wa# tran#%ated into a# man" %anguage# *he boo& i%%u#trated b" drawing# and

)hotogra)h# detai%ed not on%" how #ai%# and #)ar# wor but a%#o how to e-tract the mo#t

#)eed from them

*he #on of an F officer& !erem" Aa)ier Howard 'i%%iam# wa# born on March 13 19and educated at Hord%e Hou#e )re)arator" #choo% He reca%%ed a remarab%e cricet match atthe #choo% when& after di#mi##ing the o))o#ition for four& the Hurd%e Hou#e o)ening bat hit a#i- off the fir#t and on%" ba%% of the inning#

Howard'i%%iam# went on to Fe%#ted and the 8n#titut de *ouraine at *our# 8n 1940 whenhe wa# 1@& he $oined the Loca% +efence uard& before,o%unteering for the F

8n 1941 he #er,ed in Ao 604& the nightfighter #quadron commanded b" the redoubtab%e

at# :"e# unningham *hen& rather than tae the u#ua% re#t from acti,e #er,ice& Howard'i%%iam# $oined the Fighter 8nterce)tion Cnit& which made u#e of the F# ear%"e-)eriment# with radar He wa# awarded the +F

fter the war he #er,ed in Singa)ore >erman" and fina%%" a# ##i#tant ir ttachX to the;riti#h :mba##" in 5ari# een #)ort#man a%% hi# %ife& he #ai%ed and )%a"ed hoce" for theF

(n %ea,ing the F Howard'i%%iam# returned to owe# to wor for the #ai%maer#at#e, V La)thorn a $ob from whom he gained much of the materia% for hi# boo# TeachIour #hild &bout -ailing wa# )ub%i#hed in 1963

+uring thi# )eriod he u#ed to race a +ragon at owe# )oor #wimmer& he in,ented thefir#t a%%inone #ai%ing $acet 8t incor)orated #e,era% #afet" feature# buo"anc"& harne##&whi#t%e and rocet )ouch which ha,e #ince become #tandard Hi# So%ent tide ca%cu%ator&which gi,e# the current# at an" time of da"& a%#o )ro,ed )o)u%ar

Howard'i%%iam# fo%%owed -ails with more nautica% boo#& and in 1974 wa# a))ointedmanaging editor of d%ard o%e#& hi# )ub%i#hing hou#e& where he remained for eight "ear#Hi# own boo# inc%uded Night Intruder .1976& about hi# wartime e-)erience#& and The#oplete #rossword #opanion, now in it# fourth edition

!erem" Howard'i%%iam# married& in 1921& !i%% 8ng%i# daughter of ir


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F4O Donald Fraiser Wilson .5.- .55-


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+ona%d Fra#er 'i%#on wa# born in 'airoa& Aew ea%and on 7th ugu#t 1916 and wored a#

a co#ting c%er in 'e%%ington 8n !une 193@ he a))%ied for an F #hort #er,ice commi##ion

and he wa# )ro,i#iona%%" acce)ted He #ai%ed for the C on 16th +ecember in ).- )angitata

(n 3rd !anuar" 1939 'i%#on began hi# training at 13 :VF*S 'hite 'a%tham He wa#

)o#ted to 13 F*S +rem on 12th )ri% and after com)%eting the cour#e he $oined the new%"

formed 141 Squadron& o)erating +efiant#& on 1#t (ctober

'i%#on #er,ed with the #quadron throughout the ;att%e of ;ritain He recei,ed a Mention in

+e#)atche# .gaEetted 17th March 1941

(n 2th Ma" 1941 he damaged a He111 at night o,er >%a#gow 'i%#on wa# )o#ted to

command 1421 F%ight at Hun#don on 1#t !anuar" 194& a *urbin%ite Ha,oc unit

8n ear%" !une 194 'i%#on wa# )o#ted to the ir Mini#tr" a# a +e)ut" *echnica% (fficer He

wa# there unti% 30th !une 1943& going then to 6 (*C a# an in#tructor 'i%#on tran#ferred to

the AF on 1#t !anuar" 1944 and mo,ed to 21 (*C ;edford on @th March for a

refre#her cour#e on night ;eaufighter#

He $oined 19 Squadron at ;radwe%% ;a" on 7th !une but wa# mo,ed to 77 .S Squadron

on 0th !u%" 'i%#on wa# a))ointed +e)ut" +irector of the Schoo% of irSea e#cue at 19

>rou) on 1#t Februar" 1942

'i%#on wa# )o#ted awa" for re)atriation to Aew ea%and on 13th !anuar" 1947 Later in the"ear he re%inqui#hed hi# AF commi##ion and re$oined the F 604 #quadron He retired

on 1#t )ri% 192@ a# a Squadron Leader (;:


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S4#dr* "ndre 0"ndy2 Deytri'h


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"ndre deytri'h


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.5i%bert and +e"trih& are recorded a# being acce)ted for

officer f%"ing dutie# *he inter,iew# were conducted at Hendon and at *H ;" the end of Februar" we%% o,er 100 a))%ication# had been recei,ed for )i%ot ,acancie#&

but on%" a handfu% made it

+uring Februar"& the Squadron wa# ad,i#ed there were two )o##ib%e airfie%d# that might

be#uitab%e a# ba#e# for 604 Looing toward# the future and $et f%"ing& both %ocation#&

Aorth'ea%d and ;o,ingdon& Ham)#hire& were )ermanent F #tation# with concrete

runwa"# *he ( agreed both wou%d )ro,e #uitab%e from the f%"ing ,iew)oint From the

)oint of ,iew of tra,e%%ing& howe,er& the" wou%d be unacce)tab%e becau#e of the

di#tancein,o%,ed in con,e"ing the Squadron )er#onne% from Aorth London& where the" were

recruited and %i,ed& to :##e- or Ham)#hire Ae,erthe%e## the ( did undertae an aeria%

reconnai##ance of both airfie%d#

*he commi##ioning of )i%ot# %imited f%"ing to a few officer# unti% #omething wa# done to

#)eed u) the )roce## For e-am)%e F%ight Lieutenant Loft# who wa# acting a# ( Y F%ight‟and wa# acti,e%" in,o%,ed in therecruitment )roce##& did not recei,e hi# commi##ion unti% the

19th)ri% *o o,ercome the de%a" it wa# agreed to en%i#t the )i%ot# a# # and )romotethem

to the ran# #)ecified when their record# came through *o which& >oodman

.e- F%ight Lieutenant >oodman wa# the fir#t )i%ot to recei,e dua% in#truction on the

Har,ard&

Bames R R$ssel (om1er &ommander ?nresear&hed


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Dennis (ryden (ron ...


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Flight #ie$tenant Charles,,Charlie ora1 0$n8resear&hed2‟


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F4#t; =edi&al O!!i&er; Dr* D*W*Coltart

Se)tember 1936 wa# a month of de)arture# for 604 (n the 7 th the three ,ro

204A ab into training aircraft were re)%aced b" a #imi%ar number of ,ro *utor#

(n the )er#onne% front& four of the Squadron # %ongtime officer#& F%ight‟

Lieutenant# >ibbon& *homa# and herr" and F%"ing (fficer end%e com)%etedtheir term# of #er,ice and re%inqui#hed their commi##ion#& with F%ight

Lieutenant# >ibbon and herr" and F%"ing (fficer Lawton tran#ferring to the

F e#er,e of (fficer# 8n com)en#ation Me##r # 5Lawton and !+St‟%air (%%iffLee were granted commi##ion# a# 5i%ot (fficer#& F& and the

Squadron gained it# fir#t medica% officer .M(& +r '+o%tart& M;& ;Sc&

FS& L5& in the ran of F%"ing (fficer Hi# im)re##i,e co%%ection# of

)rofe##iona% qua%ification# and award#& )articu%ar%" hi# Fe%%ow#hi) of the o"a%

o%%ege of Surgeon#& mu#t ha,e been a great confidence to the Squadron

member# who might be in need of hi# #er,ice#

S3$adron #eader B* Sim%son Smith =(E 8 DFC


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8n Se)tember the Squadron %earned it wa# to con,ert to the de Ha,i%%and


111/123

Flying O!!i&er Hodsman =i&hael hodsman

?nresear&hed

*wo more )i%ot# were added to the f%"ing ro#ter with the commi##ioning of

F%"ing (fficer# >i%bert and u##e%% in !une and F%"ing (fficer Hod#man


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Keith Tem%le lo!ts


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eith *em)%e Loft# wa# born in anterbur" on @th Februar" 191@ He attended Hai%e"bur"

o%%ege from 193 to 1932 and $oined 612 Squadron& u-i%iar" ir Force in 193@ a%%ed to

fu%%time #er,ice on 4th ugu#t 1939& he wa# attached to 11 >rou) 5oo% for Hurricane

training from 14th to 17th Se)tember Loft# f%ew from ro"don to Mer,i%%e with the #quadronon 12th Ao,ember

*he #quadron wa# withdrawn to en%e" on 1#t Ma" 1940 and wa# o)erationa% again a

month %ater

He c%aimed three aircraft de#tro"ed or damaged o)erating o,er France but the detai%# were

%o#t in the retreat though it i# nown that he #hared a He111 of 888/>1 with S/Ldr a"%% on

nd !une 1940& the aircraft coming down we#t of ouen

(n 14th ugu#t 1940 he c%aimed a !u@7 de#tro"ed and another damaged& on the 12th #hared aMe109& on the 16th de#tro"ed a He111& on the 1@th damaged a +o17& on the 0th de#tro"ed a

Me109 and on the 9th got a )robab%e Me109

Loft# wa# )o#ted to 49 Squadron at Aorth 'ea%d on 10th Se)tember He made a cra#h

%anding at 'e#t Ma%%ing on the 12th when hi# Hurricane wa# #e,ere%" damaged b" a Me109

fo%%owing the de#truction of a He111 #outhea#t of London

He c%aimed a Me110 de#tro"ed on the 7th

Loft# wa# hit b" return fire from a +o17 engaged o,er ent on 16th (ctober He made a

forced%anding at o%,enden& near *enterden in Hurricane


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He wa# awarded the +F .gaEetted nd (ctober 1940

8n Februar" 1941 Loft# wa# )o#ted to 2 (*C +ebden a# an in#tructor and %eft there on 30th

!u%" He wa# )o#ted to *urnhou#e in Ao,ember to form and command 340 Squadron Loft#

commanded 134 Squadron at :g%inton and %ater ;aginton from Februar" to )ri% 194

He too command of 66 Squadron at Seabrae in Ma" 1943 (n @th (ctober he damaged a

Me110& on the 13th #hared a !u@@ and on 19th Ma" 1944 he damaged a Me109 He wa#

)o#ted awa" in %ate Ma" 1944 and awarded a ;ar to the +F .gaEetted 6th !anuar" 1942

Loft# wa# re%ea#ed from the F in 1946& a# a 'ing ommander He re$oined the o"a%

u-i%iar" ir Force in !anuar" 194@ and commanded 604 Squadron from 194@ unti% he wa#i%%ed in a f%"ing accident in a


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Unresearched – Plmer means !armorer!"ergo a #lt lt Armorments $fficer.

0Hartley2 ?nresear&hed


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Ellis "ries

same a$togra%h


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Gillit 0?nresear&hed2

=a&donald ?nresear&hed


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Hartley ?nresear&hed

?nresear&hed


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Ellis "ries

?nresear&hed


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Chalres ora1

#* S* +,(enny,, Goodman -7< 4 -./ s3$adron


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BRR (om1er &ommander ?nresear&hed


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