Log From 1940 of Retreat Through France - Part 1

THE LOG OF A PERIOD IN 1940 WHEN THE RAF WERE RETREATING THROUGH FRANCE.

[TRANSCRIPT OF DOCUMENT DONATED TO THE RAF MUSEUM, HENDON]

IT IS THE LOG OF MY FATHER, THEN WING COMMANDER T CHARLES DICKENS.

THERE ARE VERY FEW DETAILS OF THIS TIME DURING THE WAR AS MOST RECORDS WERE DESTROYED WHEN RETREATING.

[Spelling and punctuation as the original. (?) means ‘difficult to read’, as the original is close typed on foolscap and faded.]

OPERATIONS RECORD BOOK
105 Squadron, R.A.F. Newton, Notts.

Page 1

General
The following summary of operations has been compiled from pilots log books and from memory, since the original squadron records were lost in the final evacuation of the squadron from France. Every care has been taken to obtain accuracy, but the authenticity of the detail cannot be guaranteed.

1.5.40 to 9.5.40
During the short period of tension which preceded the German invasion of the low countries, stand by was carried out in accordance with the orders received from H.Q. A.A.S.F.
10.5.40
The German offensive commenced. Betheniville aerodrome bombed at dawn without damage to personnel or equipment. The Squadron placed on haf hour notice and four aircraft despatched against the enemy, three failed to return. The missing crews of these aircraft being:-
F/C Wells. Sergt. Dullock. L.A.C. Dowen (all reported prisoners of war).
Sergt. Lowne. Sergt. Poole. L.A.C. Hutchinson. (all reported prisoners of war).
P/O. Drabble. Sergt. Smith. L.A.C. Lamble. (No news).
No. 501 Fighter Squadron arrived, all billeting and organisation for the operation of this Squadron was completed.
11.5.40
A Bombay aircraft conveying ground personnel of the reinforcing fighter squadron crashed on landing, four killed and approximately 12 injured. No operation al flying by No. 103 Squadron on 11.5.40.
12.5.40
Three squadron aircraft completed a successful dawn attack against the enemy, all aircraft returned safely. Several sorties later despatched and two aircraft lost with crews as follows:-
- P/O. Morton. A.C. Ross. ) Note:- Practice of carrying observers in low
- F/O. Morgan-Dean. A.C. Sewell. ) Flying attacks discontinued.

Page 2

12.5.40
Two Heinkels 111shot down, one by aerodrome defences. The village gendarme who previously engaged enemy aircraft flying at 20,000 feet with rapid rifle fire directed form the village square, so using his ammunition allottment for 20 years, is reported to have claimed the ground defence victory.
Aerodrome area bombed with no casualties or damage. Aerodrome defences strengthened by arrival of 4 Bonfor anti aircraft guns. Air Vice Marshal P.N.L. Playfair, C.B. C.V.O. M.C. A.O.C. A.A.S.F. visited the lunit during the afternoon of 12.5.40.

13.5.40
At dawn large formations of enemy aircraft passed over the aerodrome. Three shot down. One German whose parachute failed to open was collected and buried. Village heavily bombed at 0815 hours with many casualties to civilians. Local maternity hospital hit. No organisation by French authorities, and the casualties were attended by squadron medical officers. Approximately 12 civilians were killed and left in the open, these casualties were buried by squadron personnel. Man road cleared and telephone lines repaired. Difficulty experienced with the local population who in a deputation accused the squadron of inadequate raid warning, which warning consisted of sounding the whistle of the local factory. No official warning was in fact received for this raid, nor was warning possible on any future occasion. Factory personnel next sounded the alarm indiscriminately and whenever an aircraft was heard overhead. A guard was therefor placed at the factory.

14.5.40
Sorties carried out against the enemy. One aircraft lost with crew as follows.
P/O. Cunningham A.C. Johnson
This aircraft was seen to be hit by enemy A.A fire and to explode in the air. Stand by as from 0330 hours. Eight aircraft attacked enemy bridge head at SEDAN from low level. Aircraft lost:-
(A) Sergt. Perry. A.C. Layfield
(B) F/O. Fitzgerald. Corpl. Madkins.
(C) Sergt. Beardsley L.A.C. Lewis.
Crew of (A) above returned to unit p.m. 14.5.40. The pilot Sergt Perry, who although severely

Page 3

wounded, brought his aircraft to the vicinity of the aerodrome before force landing, was subsequently awarded the D.F.M. This N.C.O. died in United Kingdom in June 1940 as the result of wounds sustained in this action. Crew of (B) returned unit 15.5.40, having landed in a forward area. The pilot F/O. Fitzgerald although wounded successfully forced landed. This officer was awarded the D.F.C. for the conspicuous bravery he displayed in the most successful attack he pressed home from a very low altitude, and for his subsequent achievement in landing although wounded and in regaining his unit together with his complete crew. Crew of (C) returned to the unit after 3 days travelling, having walked 15 miles through the forward area and reported to French military authorities.

Village and aerodrome area bombed twice on 14.5.40. First raid bombs fell in cemetery, and on second, railway station hit with casualties to civilian refugees and French soldiers.

P.M. this day parachutists reported North of the aerodrome and search made by armed parties in c-operation with the French. No enemy captured by the R.A.F. personnel and truth of the alarm is not known.

15.5.40.
0730 hours
Raid by 25 Dornier aircraft, who dropped bombs in the vicinity of the aerodrome, one enemy aircraft shot down by fighters and one German airman taken prisoner with shrapnel wounds in the back.

1100 hours.
Bombs dropped North of the aerodrome, no damage. All electric current failed and never re-connected.

1200 hours.
25 Heinkel aircraft raided area. Nearest bomb 300 yards from aerodrome, no damage. Squadron conference to formulate arrangements for withdrawal. Squadron at 3 hours notice to move. Destination unknown. No operation al flying carried out by Squadron on 15.5.40.

Page 4

Period 10.5.40 to 15.5.40
It is necessary to explain the conditions which existed during this period in order to appreciate the difficulties of operation.

During the period 10th May, 1940 until the final evacuation of Betheneville, many thousands of civilian refugees greatly increased the difficulties of operations and of domestic arrangements. The civilians were later augmented by retreating French and Belgium soldiery who travelled in small and apparently completely undisciplined groups. These French soldiers tended to get out of control and appeal was made for French military police, who were promised but never arrive due to subsequent events. During each night large numbers of convoys laid up in the village, and German reconnaissance aircraft were continuously active bombing the surrounding roads and bridge heads. The aerodrome defences were in action at dawn each day and formation after formation of enemy bombing aircraft passed over the aerodrome. About ten enemy aircraft were shot down within a five mile radius of the aerodrome until iit became impossible to guard or send out for the possible survivors of each aircraft. On 14th May, the conduct of the retreating French soldiers became worse and looting commenced, until on the night of 14th and 15th indiscriminate rifle fire was continuous in the streets at night.

One squadron officer was shot in the arm by a French soldier when returning to his billet. All squadron personnel with the exception of guards and patrols were ordered to remain inside during darkness. The Officers Mess was barricaded on the night of 15th May, 1940.

Night 15/16 May.
Three hours notice received to evacuate Betheneville. Squadron equipment had been loaded during 15th May in preparation for evacuation. The main party left at 0130 hours. All serviceable Battle and Hurricane aircraft took off at first light. Difficulty experienced with transport and the evacuation of Fighter Squadron personnel who were without sufficient vehicles. In view of the uncertainty of the rapidity and extent of enemy the advance, all squadron personnel who could not be evacuated were held in readiness to withdraw across country on foot. Surplus personnel of the fighter squadron were ordered to rendezvous on the West side of the river Suippe as the enemy were constantly attempting to bomb the bridge

Page 5

across the river, and it was considered that mechanical transport should stop on that side to prevent being cut off.

During the period midnight to 0900 hours, telephonic communication gradually ceased with the closing down of various formations and finally the squadron became isolated. A message was sent by D/R to H.Q.A.A.S.F. for extra transport, which transport arrived about 11 a.m. and final evacuation was then made possible. It was decided to leave a rear party to guard and salvage all equipment which could not be carried on the initial move and to load the squadron vehicles on their return. To this purpose, a rear party of 10 were detailed under P/O Rhys Price and P/O Terry. The selection of this party was made on a parade which was not without humour and was interrupted by an enemy bombing attack. During the parade the Officers Mess and all Squadron buildings were ransacked by French troops.

A German pilot who had left his aircraft by parachute during an air battle was captured about 0600 hours on this day. He was handed over to a staff officer of H.Q.B.A.F.F. who passed through the village. An additional German air crew, wounded and captured on 15th May, 1940, died in Squadron Sick Quarters, and was buried.

The Commanding Officer left by air p/m/ on 15.5.40 after the select of the rear party. The aerodrome was bombed during the take off and the evacuated H.Q's if the fighter squadron survived a near miss. The aerodrome as at 1500 hours 15.5.40 contained two Battle aircraft unserviceable. One due to enemy bombing action and another which crashed without injury to the crew, when taking off at dawn. One Bloch French fighter force landed and crashed. One damaged and abandoned French Amiot night bomber and about 7 Hurricane aircraft damaged and not immediately serviceable. All available equipment was ultimately salved from these aircraft.

The personnel of the rear party completed magnificent work in guarding equipment, collecting and loading relays of lorries and in making serviceable four Hurricane aircraft which were eventually

Page 6

collected by No. 103 Squadron pilots and flown to the Squadron's new location. This party deserve the highest praise in remaining for 5 days at Betheniville when air bombardment was continuous. During the period that the rear party was in occupation the squadron were provided at its new destination with pork and chickens from the numerous animals which had been turned loose and were remaining wild in the streets and surrounding fields. Betheniville was finally evacuated on approximately 20th May, 1940, all equipment was slaved.

RHEGES 16.5.40
The Squadron air and main parties arrived in RHEGES. Aircraft flew full bomb load and were ready for immediate operations. The road party which left at 0130 hours on 16.5.40 under P/O. Taylor and F/O Rayne had an eventful journey travelling via Pont Faverger - Vertus - Oiry - Fere Champenoise - Remilly - Troyes - Rheges. The first portion of the route was over small military roads where driving in darkness called for great skill; at dawn the Narne was crossed and refugee traffic impeded progress, at Chalens a bombing attack was narrowly avoided and the railway station of that town was passed when in flames. The convoy arrived at approximately 1400 hours on 16.5.40, when vehicles were unloaded and fresh drivers returned to Betheniville to salvage equipment. The M/T drivers of the squadron deserve the highest praise. There was an accident when the second ambulance ran into a bomb crater in the middle of the road and was abandoned. The squadron air and ground parties settled in at Rheges on arrival. Billetting and cooking were arranged before darkness. The Squadron went to bed tired but content that a difficult move had been satisfactorily achieved. The aerodrome at RHEGES was extensive, and was bordered on its western side by dense ever green woods. The surface was excellently camouflaged with thinly sown crops.

Personnel were billetted in the village of RHEGES about 2 miles from the aerodrome. The Officers Mess, Sergeants Mess and Squadron Headquarters were located in three separate large houses. Billetting facilities were good. No. 218 Squadron shared the aerodrome, but operated as a separate unit.

During the period that the squadron occupied this location, enemy reconnaissance aircraft were

Page 7

active, but never pin pointed the aerodrome, and the squadron was never bombed. The great care that was taken to camouflage aircraft and to cover vehicle tracks was therefore a complete success. A new system was adopted by the squadron for emergency standby, in that the Operations Room was sited on the Officers Mess and crews on standby left their equipment adjacent to the Operations Room. A stand by vehicle was allotted for operation, and a routine hourly shuttlecock service ran to the aerodrome. This organisation was a great success, as was the method of billeting away from the aerodrome, which resulted in ground personnel obtaining a good nights rest. On future occasions, the same principles were adopted and proved most satisfactory.

17.5.40
The Squadron settled in. Telephone communications poor, in that only one line existed for the use of the two squadrons, other extensions erected. Tractors towing petrol bowsers and loaded bomb trollies, heaving been driven by airmen in pairs who displayed great endurance and skill in completing the distance in short time and in negotiating refugee traffic and troop movements.

The four Hurricane aircraft rendered serviceable by the squadron rear party at Betheniville were collected by squadron pilots and flown to Rheges.

RHEGES 18.5.40
Standby as from 0330 hours. Several raids ordered against the enemy in the ST. QUENTINB area. All aircraft returned safely. The Squadron Padre held a church service in the evening in the village church.

As from approximately this date the tactical low approach and attack were discontinued and a high approach at about 8000 feet with dive attack to 4000 feet was adopted. This method greatly reduced the casualty rate.

Aircraft were also despatched singly to provide freedom of manoeuvrability and the sub formation of three aircraft abandoned.

Page 8

19.5.40
Six aircraft carried out successful day sorties against the enemy attaching troop concentrations reported in villages Conde-sur-Adene area.
The Squadron detailed for night raids and all preparations made to complete this task. The height of the crops used to camouflage the aerodrome surface obscure the glim lamp flare path and an electrically controlled flare path operated from the generator of the Chance Light was designed with shielded lamps in small wire stands. The flare path was capable of dimming by means of the rheostat n the generator and of being immediately extinguished by a master switch, the flare path when in operation was a success.
Restriction imposed on letter writing by higher authorities. Only Field Postcards accepted.

20.5.40
Five aircraft successfully completed night raids against the enemy, attacking targets in Germany. (FUMAY area).

21.5.40
Weather conditions unsuitable for night operations. The first aircraft left for night operations, but was compelled to return due to bad visibility, and the remainder of the operations were, therefore, cancelled.
No. 218 Squadron moved to new location of Nantes. All aircraft of this squadron taken over, making a total of 31 aircraft in 105 Squadron. The equipment and stores of No. 218 Squadron were also taken over by No. 105 Squadron and during the following days were packed and despatched to Base Area. P/O. Taylor, equipment officer of the squadron was primarily responsible for this work.

22.5.40
Four day sorties carried out against tanks on road Amiens-Bornaville. Sergeant Crich force landed this side of the lines due to the severe damage sustained by his aircraft as a result of light flak fire.
Night Operations carried out successfully by 5 aircraft in Frier area. F/Lt. Ingram and F/O. Kelly reported overdue, but both successfully force landed at dawn and later returned to unit.

About 0720 hrs.
German aircraft in an attempt to attack the squadron dropped bombs in the woods 2 miles to the South.

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.