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#3131655 - 11/05/10 06:01 PM
No. 238 Squadron RAF ORB 1940
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Member
Registered: 11/08/04
Posts: 257
Loc: Dundee, Scotland
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Hurricanes of 238 Squadron July 1940  OPERATIONS RECORD BOOK RAF Form 540 Of (Unit or formation) No. 238 Squadron 1940
Middle Wallop 10/Jul - No. 238 Squadron reports 16 Hawker Hurricane operational from total of 16. Pilots cleared for operations 19. Conditions poor. No. 238 Squadron called to readiness 0700. 1400-1520 N0. 238 Squadron ordered to patrol convoy located 17 miles SW Portland with 12 a/c, no enemy activity. Stood down 1954. P/O Coleman transferred to No. 238 Squadron from 6 FTS. Final status 16 operational a/c from 16 with 20 pilots operational.
Middle Wallop 11/Jul - No. 238 Squadron have 16 Hawker Hurricane available from total of 16. F/O Johanson and P/O Dickson posted to the Squadron from 6 OTU at Sutton Bridge bringing total operational pilots to 22. Called to readiness at 0745. 1300-1420 Convoy patrol by 12 a/c 11 miles S Isle of Wight no enemy activity. 1947-2035 12 a/c scrambled to intercept raid on convoy 6 miles E Portsmouth, ea reported as 30+ Me110 and 30+ Ju87 at 13,000 ft, no contact made. Stood down on return. Final status 16 a/c all operational and 22 pilots.
Middle Wallop 12/Jul - No. 238 Squadron report 16 Hawker Hurricanes on strength all operational, 22 pilots are available. Squadron placed at readiness from 0815. 1848 12 a/c scrambled to intercept raid on convoy, in contact with enemy at 1910 21 miles S Beachy Head, ea identified as 70+ Me110 and 30+ Ju87 returning to France at 10,000ft. Claims made for 6 Me110 and 1 Ju87, 3 Hurricanes lost 2 pilots bailing out and retrieved by convoy escort and 1 crash landed at Middle Wallop and declared Cat.3. No. 238 Squadron stood down on return, status as follows 13 a/c all operational and 20 pilots available from 22 in total.
Middle Wallop 13/Jul - Middle Wallop Sector transferred to 10 Group, AVM Brand commanding. Squadron initially stood down, 13 Hurricanes all operational and 20 of 22 pilots available. Three replacement a/c received by midday, P/O Hope rejoined Squadron at 1430 after being landed at Portsmouth. At readiness from 1545 until stood down at 1950. No. 238 Squadron's strength 16 a/c all fit for operations and 22 pilots available.
Middle Wallop 14/Jul - No. 238 Squadron strength 16 Hawker Hurricanes all operational and 22 pilots. Brought to readiness at 0750. Red section scrambled at 0959 to intercept enemy reconnaissance aircraft, ea identified as a single Do17 and attacked at 1009 2 miles E Isle 0f Wight at 13,000ft. Claim made for 1 Do17, 1 Hurricane suffered minor damage and declared Cat. 1 for repair by Squadrons maintenance crews. Stood down at 1630. Squadron has 16 a/c 15 operational and 22 pilots on strength.(Up to date copy of the ORB here)http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/8995/form540541238appd.pdf
Edited by Cherkasov54 (12/01/10 06:01 PM)
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#3132021 - 11/06/10 01:06 PM
Re: No. 238 Squadron RAF ORB 1940
[Re: Cherkasov54]
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Member
Registered: 08/12/10
Posts: 798
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 Good reading, a nice job.
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#3132091 - 11/06/10 03:41 PM
Re: No. 238 Squadron RAF ORB 1940
[Re: carrick58]
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Member
Registered: 11/08/04
Posts: 257
Loc: Dundee, Scotland
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Thanks, the daily reports are a bit dry, so I may only post combat reports and leave the detail on the PDF
S!
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#3132096 - 11/06/10 03:46 PM
Re: No. 238 Squadron RAF ORB 1940
[Re: Cherkasov54]
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Member
Registered: 11/08/04
Posts: 257
Loc: Dundee, Scotland
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Appendix D Combat Report submitted by S/Ldr H.A. Fenton No. 238 Squadron12th July 1940 1910hrs I led the Squadron in echelon over the convoy and pursued the enemy Southwards. The enemy had 3 Squadron sized formations of Ju87's with a similar number of Me110's higher and in front. I dived on the central formation with Red and Yellow Sections while Blue and Green attacked the formation to the right. I fired at 1 Ju87 and saw debris but as I climbed for another attack I heard a shout '110's!' then my a/c was struck by several heavy calibre rounds, I immediately banked hard to the left and then climbed in a tight spiral until sure my tail was clear. The surviving EA had put their noses down for France having been bounced in turn by Blue Section. I instructed the Squadron to regroup and then return to base, my a/c was obviously badly damaged as it barely responded to the controls, on arrival at Middle Wallop the undercarriage refused to lower so I made a wheels up landing which resulted the a/c being written off. Appendix D Combat Report submitted by F/O W. Hardy No. 238 Squadron12th July 1940 1910hrs The Squadron was in echelon with Green Section which I was leading at the rear right of the formation. When the CO gave the order to attack we dived and zoomed up behind a formation of 12 Ju87's flying South at 13,000 feet. EA were painted with two tone green upper surfaces and pale blue undersides. I fired short bursts at 3 ea and hit certainly two of them as debris flew off, some off these a/c broke off while the remainder maintained formation. Having lost contact with the rest of the Squadron I led the section around to make a further attack from behind and below, I closed on the rearmost Ju87 and at about 180 yards fired a long burst into his fuselage almost immediately the ea burst into flame and banked away to the left, as we climbed I saw the a/c explode, two parachutes observed. Hearing the order to regroup I led the section in a spiral climb until we saw and rejoined the rest of the Squadron who had been engaged with Me110s. (see top post for up to date ORB)
Edited by Cherkasov54 (11/14/10 04:41 AM)
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#3132258 - 11/06/10 09:21 PM
Re: No. 238 Squadron RAF ORB 1940
[Re: Cherkasov54]
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Member
Registered: 11/08/04
Posts: 257
Loc: Dundee, Scotland
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Appendix D Combat Report submitted by S/Ldr H.A. Fenton No. 238 Squadron14th July 1940 10:09 Scrambled with Red section to intercept enemy reconnaissance Dornier over Portsmouth. Made contact with single Do17 approx. 2 miles East of the Isle of Wight. Attacked in line astern causing damage to port engine . I made a further attack setting starboard engine ablaze, crew bailed out, the ea itself crashing into the sea South East of the Isle of Wight.
Red Section 238 Sqn. 14/7/40 (see top post for latest ORB)
Edited by Cherkasov54 (11/14/10 04:42 AM)
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#3136061 - 11/12/10 01:09 PM
Re: No. 238 Squadron RAF ORB 1940
[Re: Cherkasov54]
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Veteran
Registered: 01/22/01
Posts: 14031
Loc: Bletchingley, Surrey, UK
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Fantastic. Enjoyed that.
Very authentic.
_________________________
"Ah yes, Michael (Parkinson)," Bader replied, "But these Fockers were Messerschmitts..."
BDG BoB Developers Group: Eleven! years of passion for historical recreation of the Battle of Britain.
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#3140905 - 11/19/10 07:45 PM
Re: No. 238 Squadron RAF ORB 1940
[Re: Cherkasov54]
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Member
Registered: 11/08/04
Posts: 257
Loc: Dundee, Scotland
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extract from F540
Middle Wallop
21/Jul
Weather: fine in the morning and fine in the evening but with cloud in the middle of the day. Squadron holds 20 Hawker Hurricanes all operational and 24 pilots. Brought to readiness at 0645hrs. Take off at 0757hrs for patrol over Convoy 'Peewit' with 12 a/c at 15,000ft, returned at 0922hrs, no enemy activity. Intercepted 21 miles SE of Torquay at 20,000ft attacks made on bombers in conjunction with other squadrons, claims made for 6 Do17s, 5 Hurricanes damaged no pilot casualties. No 238 Squadron finished day with 15 operational a/c from 19 and 24 operational pilots. (F541_238, Appendix D)
extract from F541
21st July 1812hrs - 1854hrs
Scrambled 1812hrs, raid on Plymouth, engaged 30+ Do17 21 miles SE Torquay at 20,000ft, no contact with escort.
S/Ldr H.A. Fenton
P/O T. Hope
P/O N. Coleman
F/Lt R. Austin
P/O R. Amner
F/O S. Rae
F/O W. Hardy
P/O L. Jacobs
Sgt. H. Fraser
P/O H. Gordon
F/O A. Johanson
Sgt. T. Bell
S/Ldr H. A. Fenton 1 x Do17 destroyed plus 1x Do17 probable.
F/Lt. R. Austin 1 x Do17 destroyed.
P/O R. Amner 1 x Do17 destroyed.
Sgt. H. Fraser 1 x Do17 destroyed.
P/O H. Gordon 2 x Do17
5 Hurricanes damaged (4 Cat.M(u) and 1 Cat.R(B))
extract from Appendix D
Appendix D
Combat Report submitted by S/Ldr H.A. Fenton No. 238 Squadron
21st July 1940
Met enemy formation 20 miles South east of Torquay, flying in 3 formations of 9-12 a/c at Angels 20 we were at Angels 14. Formation was already under attack so swung squadron around to attack the LHS group who were undamaged. Attacked from behind and below, targeted EA on RHS of group setting port engine on fire, climbed above enemy and dived to attack another Dornier causing much debris but no flame or smoke. On both passes enemy defensive fire was extremely heavy and accurate and my a/c was struck on port wing and tailplane. Seeing the enemy abandon attack I called on squadron to regroup and returned to Middle Wallop.
Appendix D
Combat Report submitted by P/O H. Gordon No. 238 Squadron
21st July 1940
Receiving the 'Tally Ho' I led Green Section against the extreme right of the enemy formation, defensive fire was heavy but I fired on my target from around 300 yard and saw EA burst into flames and go into a steep dive. Enemy were Do17 painted dark green above pale blue underneath. Finding myself alone after I had dived through the enemy formation I circled them until I spotted a straggler heading South East, I dived and closed to 200 yards and fired a long burst into its starboard engine, which began to smoke heavily, EA went into shallow dive and 3 crew bailed out. Hearing the regroup call I plotted a course for Middle Wallop and joined with the Squadron about 20 miles out. Starboard wing was found to be badly holed by MG fire.
Appendix D
Combat Report submitted by P/O L. Jacobs No. 238 Squadron
21st July 1940
Flying as Blue 2 our section made a stern attack against the rear of the enemy formation, I opened fire at long range in the hope of suppressing return fire and could clearly see a trail of debris however the accurate crossfire from the EA forced me to break off attack. As I manoeuvred for another attack I became aware of an isolated Dornier flying behind the central group, it was being attacked by 3 Spitfires, I decided to lend a hand but they had broken off before I got there, I made a single pass without noticing any definite hits but was hit by return fire. I broke off and rejoined the squadron which was regrouping at 12,000 ft over the coast, several of the a/c including my own were worse for wear due to the enemy gunnery. 
Edited by Cherkasov54 (11/19/10 07:58 PM)
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#3145836 - 11/28/10 10:36 AM
Re: No. 238 Squadron RAF ORB 1940
[Re: Cherkasov54]
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Member
Registered: 11/08/04
Posts: 257
Loc: Dundee, Scotland
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Appendix D
Combat Report submitted by Flt/Lt R. Austin No. 238 Squadron
22nd July 1940
Approached enemy formation, which was made up of 3 squadron sized units, just as they began bombing run on Westhampnett at 15,000 ft. Initial attack made at 1732hrs in sections. Red Section made a stern attack on the LHS group.I fired at He111 but no definate damage seen, my own windscreen was shot up and damage caused to tail surfaces. The enemy having broken off attack I disengaged and RTB.
Appendix D
Combat Report submitted by P/O L. Jacobs No. 238 Squadron
22nd July 1940
Flying as Green Leader when given the call to attack I led Green Section in a beam attack on the RHS group of planes. I was hit by the crossfire as I broke through the formation damaging my windscreen and port wing, the fuselage was also holed. The enemy had turned away from the aerodrome after dropping bombs and had bolted for the coast, I estimate at least 10 were leaving smoketrails. Opening my canopy I rejoined the rest of the Squadron and returned to Middle Wallop.
Appendix D
Combat Report submitted by Lieutenant P. Jeannel Aeronautique Militaire attached 238 Sqn.
22nd July 1940
Flying Red 2 rather than attack from astern I zoomed and dived to make a quarter beam attack on an enemy bomber. EA was struck and I saw debris however it didnt break formation. My windshield was damaged my return fire forcing me to open canopy, Having gained altitude I followed the boche over the coast and made a stern attack on a straggler, both engines were hit, the right bursting into flames and the EA dived into the sea, I saw other parachutes closer to the coast but none from ths a/c. I then flew back to base where most of the squadron had already landed.
Red 2
Edited by Cherkasov54 (11/28/10 10:47 AM)
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