by Nick Thomas
23 May
Pilot Officer W.D.W. Stones descended through fog at Biggin Hill and landed off the runway, colliding with a gun emplacement. His aircraft (P2698) was written off.
No. 213 Squadron
From 17 May 1939, No. 213 Squadron’s ‘B’ Flight operated out of Merville in France. Meanwhile, their ‘A’ Flight, based at Biggin Hill until 23 May, made the daily flight to Merville from where they too operated during daylight hours.
Their combat details may be summarized:
19 May
Pilot Officer L.G.B. Stone – Bf 109
Flying Officer W.N. ‘Bill’ Gray – He 111, He 111 (shared)
Pilot Officer P.M. Gardner – He 111 (shared)
20 May
Flying Officer W.N. Gray – Hs 126 (shared)
26 May
Nos. 213 and 242 Squadrons flew a joint patrol over Gravelines where they encountered ten Bf 109s, shooting down two without loss.
27 May
The squadron was heavily outnumbered when taking on a formation of Ju 88s and He 111s escorted by Bf 109s. During an air battle which lasted some five minutes, seven enemy aircraft were destroyed.
No. 213 Squadron’s ‘A’ Flight lost two pilots during this phase:
28 May
Pilot Officer L.G.B. Stone (flying P2792) killed-in-action. Pilot Officer (43695) Laurence George Beauchamp Stone, RAF, is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 10.
31 May
Flying Officer W.N. Gray killed-in-action. Flying Officer (40108) William Napier Gray, RAF, was the son of William N. and Jane MacLaurin Gray, of Pollockshield, Glasgow. He was 22-years-old and was buried in The Hague (Westduin) General Cemetery, Allied Plot, Row 3, Grave 51.
No. 229 Squadron
No. 229 Squadron operated out of Biggin Hill between 25 May and 7 June, making patrols in defence of the Dunkirk beaches and the retreating BEF. The following is a summary of their casualties and combat victories over France and the Channel:
28 May
Sergeant J.C. Harris – Bf 109
Squadron Leader H.J. Maguire – Do 17 damaged
29 May
Pilot Officer R.R. Smith – Bf 109
Pilot Officer V.M. Bright – Bf 109
31 May
Pilot Officer V.M. Bright – Bf 110 destroyed and Bf 110 damaged
Pilot Officer B.S. Verity – Bf 110
Sergeant D.F. Edgehill – Bf 109
I June
Pilot Officer R.E. Bary – Ju 87 unconfirmed
Pilot Officer E. Smith – Ju 87 and another unconfirmed
28 May
Sergeant S.A. Hillman (flying N2551) was killed-in-action.
Sergeant (565993) Stanley Albert Hillman, RAF, was the son of Tom and Lily Louisa Hillman, of Exmouth, Devon.
29 May
Flight Lieutenant F.N. Clouston (flying P3489) shot down by a Bf 109 and was killed-in-action.
Flight Lieutenant (40990) Falcon Nelson Clouston, RAF, was the son of Robert Edmund and Ruby Alexandra Clouston, of Upper Montere, Nelson, New Zealand. Clouston was 27-years-old and was buried in Sage Cemetery, S. F. 14.
Flight Lieutenant P.E.S.F.M. Browne (flying P2636) shot down by a Bf 109 and killed-in-action.
Flight Lieutenant (33222) Patrick Edgar Sempill F.M. Browne, RAF, was the son of Patrick Edgar and Osran Browne. Husband of Ann Eileen Browne. He was 28-years-old and is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 4.
Sergeant J.C. Harrison (flying P2876) was shot down by a Bf 109 and killed-in-action.
Sergeant (519293) James Charles Harrison, RAF, was buried in Sage War Cemetery, 8. A. 5.
Flying Officer W.G. New (flying N2473) bailed out safe.
Pilot Officer A.S. Linney (flying N2521) bailed out safe.
31 May
Pilot Officer V.B.S. Verity (flying P3492) bailed out following combat with a Bf 110.
Sergeant D.F. Edgehill (flying P3553) was wounded in combat with a Bf 110.
Pilot Officer J.E.M. Collins (flying L1982) was killed-in-action.
Pilot Officer (41830) John Edward Martin Collins, RAF, is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 7.
No. 242 Squadron
No. 242 Squadron flew out of Biggin Hill between 21 May and 8 June (when it became the last squadron posted to France, setting up base initially at Chateaudun. It was forced to change base twice in the next eight days (to Ancenis and then Chateau Bougon), before, in mid-June, helping to cover the evacuation from St Nazaire and Nantes.
The following is a summary of their casualties and combat victories over France and the Channel while operating out of Biggin Hill:
22 May
Flight Lieutenant D.R. Miller – Hs 126
Pilot Officer N.K. Stansfeld – Hs 126 (shared)
Pilot Officer D.G. MacQueen – Hs 126 (shared with above)
Flying Officer J.W. Graafstra – Hs 126 (shared)
Flying Officer G.A. Madore – Hs 126 (shared with above)
23 May
Unknown pilot(s) – two Bf 109s unconfirmed
25 May
Squadron Leader Gobell – Bf 109
Pilot Officer R.D. Grassick – Bf 109 destroyed, Bf 109 damaged
Pilot Officer P.S. Turner – two Bf 109s, one Bf 109 unconfirmed
28 May
Flight Lieutenant D.R. Miller – Bf 109 unconfirmed
Pilot Officer W.L. McKnight – Bf 109
Pilot Officer P.S. Turner – Bf 109
29 May
Flight Lieutenant J.H. Plinston – Bf 109
Pilot Officer R.D. Grassick – Bf 109
Pilot Officer W.L. McKnight – Bf 109, unconfirmed Bf 109, Do 17
Pilot Officer P.S. Turner – Bf 109 unconfirmed, Bf 109 damaged
Pilot Officer D.G. MacQueen – Bf 109
Pilot Officer J.B. Latta – Bf 109
Unknown pilots – four Bf 109s
31 May
Flight Lieutenant G.H. Plinston – Ju 88, Bf 109
Pilot Officer D.G. MacQueen – Do 17
Pilot Officer N.K. Stansfeld – Bf 110
Pilot Officer W.L. McKnight – two Bf 110s, Bf 109
Pilot Officer P.S. Turner – Bf 109
Pilot Officer J.B. Latta – Bf 109
Pilot Officer R.D. Grassick – Bf 109
1 June
Pilot Officer N.K. Stansfield – Ju 87 destroyed
Pilot Officer P.S. Turner – Bf 110, Bf 109 unconfirmed
Pilot Officer W.L. McKnight – two Ju 87s, one unconfirmed Ju 87, Ju 87 damaged
Flight Lieutenant D.R. Miller – two Bf 109s unconfirmed
8 June
Pilot Officer P.S. Turner – two Bf 109s
23 May
Flying Officer J.W. Graafstra (flying P2809) was shot down by Bf 109s and killed.
Flying Officer (39381) John William Graafstra, RAF, was the son of Thomas and Sarah Bingham Graafstra, of Souris, Manatoba, Canada. Graafstra was 27-years-old and was buried at Wancourt Communal Cemetery, Grave 2.
28 May
Pilot Officer A.H. Deacon (flying N2651) was shot down by a Bf 109 and made a PoW.
Pilot Officer D.F. Jones (flying L1746) was killed-in-action by a Bf 109.
Pilot Officer (42131) Dale Frederick Jones, RAF, was the son of Luther E. and Vera Hope Jones, of Dinsmore, Saskatchewan, Canada. He was 26-years-old and was buried at Oostduinkerke Communal Cemetery.
30 May
Pilot Officer J.F. Howitt (flying L1756) was injured.
31 May
Pilot Officer G.M. Stewart (flying P2732) was killed-in-action in combat with a Bf 109.
Pilot Officer (41625) Gordon McKenzie Stewart, RAF, is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 10.
Flight Lieutenant G.M. Plinston (flying P2884) was shot down, safe.
The following pilots received gallantry awards for operations during this period:
Pilot Officer ‘Willie’ McKnight, was awarded the DFC (for service with No. 242 Squadron and while on secondment to Nos. 607 and 615 Squa
drons), London Gazette, 14 June 1940:
‘Pilot Officer William Lidstone McKNIGHT (41937).
‘One day in May 1940, this officer destroyed a Messerschmitt 109 and on the following day, whilst on patrol with his squadron, he shot down three more enemy aircraft. The destruction of the last one of the three aircraft occasioned a long chase over enemy territory. On his return flight he used his remaining ammunition, and caused many casualties, in a low flying attack on a railway along which the enemy was bringing up heavy guns. Pilot Officer McKnight has shown exceptional skill and courage as a fighter pilot.’
(Awarded a Bar to the DFC, London Gazette, 8 October 1940.)
Flight Lieutenant Grassick, was awarded the DFC (for service with No. 242 Squadron and while on secondment to Nos. 607 and 615 Squadrons), London Gazette, 15 July 1941:
‘Acting Flight Lieutenant Robert Davidson GRASSICK (41579), No. 242 Squadron.
‘This officer has been a member of the squadron since its formation. He has displayed an indomitable spirit and has proved himself to be a first-class section leader. Flight Lieutenant Grassick has destroyed at least six enemy aircraft.’
Percival Stanley ‘Stan’ Turner, was awarded the DFC, London Gazette, 8 October 1940:
‘Acting Flight Lieutenant Percival Stanley TURNER (41631).
‘On 15 September 1940, Pilot Officer P. S. Turner succeeded in shooting down one enemy aircraft, when his own aircraft was hit by a cannon shell which put it temporarily out of control. On recovery, he saw and attacked a further enemy aircraft which he destroyed, afterwards bringing his own damaged aircraft safely back to its base. This officer has personally destroyed a total of ten hostile aircraft during engagements over Dunkirk and England. He has proved himself a most courageous and capable leader, displaying coolness and initiative in the face of the enemy.’
Awarded a Bar to the DFC, London Gazette, 5 August 1941. Awarded the DSO, London Gazette, 23 May 1944.
No. 610 Squadron
No. 610 Squadron was moved to Gravesend on 27 May, continuing to fly operations during the battle for France. Their combat victories and losses for this period may be summarized:
27 May
Squadron Leader A.L. Franks – two Bf 109s
Squadron Leader E.B.B. Smith – He 111
Flight Lieutenant J. Ellis – Bf 110
Flight Lieutenant A.T. Smith – Bf 110 probable
Flying Officer G.M.T. Kerr – Bf 109 destroyed
Flying Officer P.G. Lamb – He 111 damaged
Flying Officer W.H.C. Warner – He 111 damaged
Pilot Officer P. Litchfield – Bf 110
29 May
Squadron Leader A.L. Franks – Bf 109
Flight Lieutenant J. Ellis – Bf 109
Flying Officer G.L. Chambers – Bf 109
Flying Officer W.H.C. Warner – Bf 109
Pilot Officer P. Litchfield – Bf 109
Pilot Officer S.C. Norris – Bf 109
31 May
Flight Lieutenant J. Ellis – Bf 110, Do 215
Pilot Officer P. Litchfield – Do 215
27 May
Flying Officer A.R.J. Medcalf (flying L1016) – killed-in-action.
Flying Officer (90339) Albert Rupert John Medcalf, AAF, was the son of Rupert Medcalf, OBE, FRIBA, and Florence Mabel Medcalf, of Cheshire, B. Arch (Liverpool) ARIBA. Medcalf was 26-years-old and is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 6.
Sergeant W.T. Medway (flying L1003) – killed-in-action.
Sergeant (740320) William Thomas Medway, RAFVR, was buried in Oostduinkerke Communal Cemetery, Row E, Grave 111.
29 May
Squadron Leader A.L. Franks (flying N3177 ‘T’) – killed-in-action. Squadron Leader (26053) Alexander Lumsden ‘Bonzo’ Franks, AFC, RAF, was the son of James Gordon Franks and of Margaret Franks (née Fitzgibbon). Husband of Kirsten Franks, he was 32-years-old and was buried in Sage War Cemetery, Grave 7. F. 15.
Flying Officer J. Kerr-Wilson (flying N3289) – killed-in-action.
Flying Officer (90338) John Kerr-Wilson, AAF, was the son of Henry Kerr-Wilson and Lucy Gladys Kerr-Wilson, MA, BSc, of Heswall, Cheshire. He was 32-years-old and is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 6.
Flying Officer G.M.T. Kerr (flying L1006 ‘R’) – killed-in-action.
Flying Officer (90336) Gerald Malcolm Theodore Kerr, AAF, was the son of Frederick Bernard and Margaret Kerr; husband of Barbara Morton Kerr, BA, BSc (Oxon), of Frodsham, Cheshire. Kerr was 30-years-old and is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 6.
Sergeant P.D. Jenkins (flying DW ‘K’) – killed-in-action.
Sergeant (740830) Peter Douglas Jenkins, RAFVR, was the son of Frederick Seymour Jenkins, and of Dorothy Marian Jenkins, of Breage, Cornwall. Jenkins was 20-years-old and is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 16.
31 May
Flying Officer G.L. Chambers (flying N3274) – killed-in-action.
Flying Officer (90343) Graham Lambert Chambers, AAF, is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 5.
Pilot Officer G. Keighley (flying L1013 ‘E’) – bailed out safe.
13 June
Sergeant P.I. Watson-Parker – killed-in-action.
Sergeant (741433) Patrick Ian Watson-Parker, RAFVR. He was buried at Cudham (SS Peter and Paul) Churchyard, Orpington, Section NN, Grave 24.
Chapter 5
The Fight Goes On
With their forces continuing to close in on Dunkirk during 1 June, the German High Command issued a communiqué which summed up the day’s events from their force’s perspective:
‘In hard fighting, the strip of coast on both sides of Dunkirk, which yesterday also was stubbornly defended by the British, was further narrowed.
‘Altogether, four warships and eleven transports with a total tonnage of 54,000 tons were sunk by our bombers. Fourteen warships, including two cruisers, two light cruisers, an anti-aircraft cruiser, six destroyers and two torpedo boats, as well as thirty-eight transports with a total tonnage of 160,000 were damaged by bombs.’
During the early hours of 2 June, Operation Dynamo drew to a conclusion, the Royal Navy (RN) rescuing many of the men who had held the Dunkirk perimeter, their places having been taken overnight by French soldiers.
At Readiness before dawn, No. 32 Squadron flew to Martlesham, refuelling in preparation for the day’s operations. Ordered to patrol Dunkirk at 0745 hours, they provided air cover for the final phase of the withdrawal. The Hurricanes quickly entered into combat with a force of three Ju 88s, six He 111s, and their escort of twenty-one Bf 109s and Bf 110s. During the brief air battle Pilot Officer Smyth (Yellow 3) claimed one Ju 88 destroyed and a Bf 109 probably destroyed:
‘Saw [a] Ju 88 underneath. I told Yellow 1 [but R/T was u/s] then broke away and followed it down to 4,000ft. It was on its back and probably crashed after two bursts from my guns [firing at 250–100 yards at 12,000ft]; climbed up and ran into six Me 109s. I attacked one of these and got in several short bursts [at 8,000ft] and [it] went down, but do not know whether he crashed or not.’
(signed) P/O Smyth.
As the squadron reformed it became apparent that Sergeant D. Flynn (flying P2727) was missing, shot down in combat with Bf 109s and Bf 110s. He spent the remainder of the war as a PoW in Stalag 357, Kopernikus, Poland.
Meanwhile, a letter was received from Headquarters, No. 11 Group, dated 2 June: ‘Air Officer Commanding sends following message to pilots and all personnel of the Fighter Stations, Sector Stations and Forward Airfields:
‘During the last two weeks our Fighter Squadrons operating over France have shot down a total of 527 German bombers and fighters, 371 of which have been confirmed as destroyed, for the loss of eighty of our pilots [with many more wounded or as PoWs]. By their successes in air combat our squadrons have protected the Army during [the] retreat, have enabled the Navy to embark the Army from Dunkirk and the beaches. The Air Officer Commanding congratulates the pilots on their magnificent fighting and highly commends the te
chnical and administrative personnel whose work made it possible.’
