"Peace In Our Time" Briefings - RAF

[Dickie]

Part 1 - The Fall of France

Mission 1. 11th May 1940, 1100hrs
Blenheims of No.105 and No.142 squadrons are en route to attack Jerry at a key crossroads west of Calonne Ricouart, the main entry road to our airfield at Rely Norrent Fontes. This is a vital control point which was lost in an attack overnight and a rapid counter strike will cause serious harm to Jerry who is now in the process of fortifying the villages which hold the road north and south. A successful attack will allow our army on the ground to reform and strike back.

Hurricane squadrons No.615 and No.501 are based at Amiens and No.64 squadron has been drafted in for support, also equipped with the Hurricane. Fortunately we have the newer CSP version but 100 octane fuel is not available yet. Our bomber force has been told to pick you up over Amiens at Zulu+18 at approximately 9000ft. Scramble and make sure they are well protected.

Mission 2. 15th May 1940, 1530hrs
Following fierce fighting and thanks to the efforts of the RAF the Expeditionary Force has managed to dig in and defend north of Arras however Jerry has opened another flanking move, a successful one, which has smashed the weak British 18th and 23rd Territorial Divisions located on the River Sommes, pushing north west toward Abbeville.

Amiens was lost 2 days ago and are advancing on Abbeville. We currently have an armoured division with anti-tank support holding a natural ridge outside the city which latest reports has surprised and repulsed the advancing Germans.

They will surely mount an air attack followed by a ground advance. Your mission is to provide air cover in such an event.

Hurricane squadrons No.615 and No.501 are based at Haute-Fontaine and No.64 squadron has been drafted in for support, also equipped with the Hurricane. Fortunately we have the newer CSP version but 100 octane fuel is still not available yet.

Mission 3. 21st May 1940, 1330hrs
The Hun have broken through our remaining reserves protecting Abbeville and have reached the Channel. German troops hold both banks of the Somme Canal to the deep port of Le Crotoy. The situation is increasingly unclear, Major-General Franklyn, commanding 2 tank battalions are believed to have been circumvented and cut off, now fighting in a pocket, the French under have capitulated to the North and Guderian's XIX Panzerkorps is in open country driving up the main route to Calais. All of the roads to Paris and Calais are crammed with refugees making our passage more difficult. Weygand has reported the situation lost and what remains of the BEF are heading to Dunkirk in a fighting retreat.

Hurricane squadrons No.615 and No.501 are based at Haute-Fontaine and No.64 squadron has been drafted in for support, also equipped with the Hurricane. Finally some supplies of 100 octane fuel has arrived from Dieppe and the ground crew have made the necessary modifications to our machines.

Your mission today is to escort our bomber fleet in their attack on German ground forces. Rendevous point is our home base over which they will pass at approximately 8000ft at 1400 hrs.
Engage any enemy you see strafing civilians. God be with you.




Mission 4. 24th May 1940, 0500hrs - The Battle for Calais
The situation is increasingly desperate, the Germans are calling this "Blitzkreig" and have torn into the Allies and opened up a split in our forces over 70 miles wide. Now, in order to protect our retreating troops we have to fly over occupied territory from deep in the South. The RAF have started to fly sorties direct from England as well as from the remaining French bases. This is taking it's toll on the pilots.

Last night Gort ordered a full retreat from Arras and news has arrived that Boulogne is under attack by a German Panzer division whilst men are being lifted from the port. Calais is now under siege, it is one of the deepwater Channel ports still under Allied control and important to hold in order to disembark our remaining fighting forces and equipment. The 3rd Royal Tank Regiment, Queen Victoria Rifles, 30th Motor Brigade and 229th Anti-Tank battery have arrived to bolster defences and break out. The RAF hold air superiority over the port and must continue to do so however we expect more German air activity very soon.

Hurricane squadrons No.615 and No.501 are based at Poix Nord. Unfortunately this is a basic field and you'll be in tented accommodation. No.64 squadron has evacuated to Eastchurch to be equipped with Spitfires.

Calais in ruins



Mission 5. 1st June 1940. - Operation Dynamo
The situation is desperate. Calais surrendered to Germany 4 days ago following a valiant fight and now the remaining Allied forces are trapped in the small pocket of the deepwater port of Dunkirk. We expect to lose a lot of our professional army but the Royal Navy and civilian flotilla are performing an incredible evacuation under the noses of Jerry.

Hurricane squadrons No.615 and No.501 are based at Poix Nord. Unfortunately this is a basic field and you'll be in tented accommodation. No.64 squadron will operate the Spitfire Ia fighter from Eastchurch aerodrome.

Your mission today in this desperate time is to protect the our armies on the beaches and the moles from German bombing as best you can. Hun are appearing regularly in packs coming from the south east - intercept and destroy them before they reach our men. We have no airfields in the Pas-De-Calais under our control so if you are forced down then it is recommended that you bail out or ditch as near to Dunkerque as is possible and attempt to get back to England amongst the retreating troops. God be with you.



Mission 6. 12th June 1940, 1310hrs - Operation Cycle
Although France is lost we can claim victory in the successful evacuation of over 300,000 troops from the Dunkirk beaches last week. The evacuation continues and we must continue to fight to ensure that we fight again in strength. Germany has now turn toward the South with Von Bock's Army Group B pushing toward Paris. The 10th Armoured and 51st Highlanders are holding the lines outside of Le Harve whilst the Royal Naval mount a flotilla consisting of several destroyers with supporting transport ships will embark the remains of the BEF. Yesterday HMS Bruges was lost to German bombing and a request has been sent from Admiral James to secure air support in the region.

Hurricane squadrons No.615, No.64 and No.501 are based at Caen to provide this support. No.64 Squadron have been drafted in from England for the remainder of the evacuation.

[Dickie]

"What General Weygand called the Battle of France is over. I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilization. upon it depends our own British life and the long continuity of our institutions and our Empire. The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us now. Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands. But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age, made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will say, "This, was their finest hour."

Part 2 - Kanalkampf

Mission 7. 10th July 1940, 1350hrs
We are cut off and an attack by Germany is imminent. We know that they are also looking at our supplies from our American cousins and it is important that we defend ourselves and our merchandise in order to continue the fight against Hitler.

I hope you are all fresh following your break from France and the flight down to the satellite station or RAF Wilmington at first light was pleasant. Your squadrons are At Readiness as protection for the merchant convoy "Bread" which is heading through your sector today. It is now in effective range of Jerry who no doubt will wish to boast about his 'Stuka' type dive bomber so let's be ready for the off.

Mission 8. 14th July 1940, 1500hrs
The fighting has renewed and the Luftwaffe has started to try to break our will, but we won't let them.

Kenley wing took off early this morning to operate from the front line satellite aerodrome of RAF Lympne. You are at readiness for the air protection of the important convoy "Bread" making heavy going of the journey through the Channel. The Luftwaffe are continuing to attack with their bombers, do your utmost to knock them down.
BBC Radio Charles Gardner reporting...(requires realplayer)
or
http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/battleofbr ... 1431.shtml

Mission 09. Thursday, 18th of July 1940, 1825hrs
Intelligence has warned of the build-up of invasion equipment in the deepwater ports of Calais and Boulogne. Churchill wants to strike back at Hitler and put paid to his invasion plans, he knows that Hitler must break this island before the autumn winds make any invasion impossible.

No.236 Sqn (Coastal) will be attacking German forces in Boulogne today and require escort. You will take off from RAF Kenley and rendezvous with our bombers at 10000ft over Dungeness. Our bomber squadron will be coming from Thorney Island and fly straight there.

Your orders are to protect our bomber force to and from the target area.

Mission 10. Friday, 19th of July 1940, 1320hrs
Kenley Wing have been sent down to RAF Hawkinge, and order to Standby, this is the Fighter Command action of "At Standby". 141 Squadron are also stationed there and have been ordered to scramble and investigate a possible intrusion of British territory by the Germans. The RAF want to show the Luftwaffe what for with the latest RAF fighter, the Bolton Paul Defiant.

Await further orders with a warmed engine on the aerodrome.

Mission 11. Saturday, 20th July 1940, 1330hrs
It will be a long Summer gentlemen. Yesterday, 141 Sqn on Defiants, was knocked down easily by Jerry's fighters and those who survived have been withdrawn. This puts more pressure on us now but the Hurricanes and Spitfires of Kenley Wing are a tougher breed.

Convoy "Pilot" is approaching North Foreland nearing completion of its voyage from Newport. They have suffered several attacks so far and we have lost some to Jerry bombing but at cost to him. The weather is clearer today so we should expect action.

You will have arrived at the forward aerodrome of Hawkinge again. Relax but be ready to scramble your kites.

That is all.

Mission 12. Wednesday, 24th of July 1940, 1045hrs
The German attacks on our shipping should end shortly now that Downding has ordered that all shipping be diverted via Scotland. The Bosh fighter doesn't have the range so he won't dare go for our ships again. There still are some convoys operating in the Thames estuary and FS229 is due into Southend today.

Having flown down to RAF Hawkinge you are on 30 minutes Readiness to defend King and Country.

Carry on.

[Dickie]

Part 2 - Kanalkampf

Mission 13. Thursday, 25th July 1940, 1140hrs
Weather:
4/10th cloud
light south-south-westerley
......when a large raid was plotted approaching Dover from the Calais area, attacks interspersed by reconnaissances continued in waves against Dover harbour and shipping until 1930 hours. Bombs were dropped in the harbour and near a RAF experimental station. Ships in convoy and naval units are reported to have been hit. The first attack at 1207 hours was directed against Dover harbour and plotted as 50+ aircraft. This was quickly followed up by an additional raid of 40+ - probably the escorting fighters.

Briefing
There is no let up. Jerry has been intensifying attacks and trying to draw us out. Kenley Wing have been on 30 minutes standby all morning from the main base but a Jerry raid is being plotted and the bell is ringing!

Scramble all squadrons and intercept the enemy. Remember the communique from a week ago, German Red Cross aircraft acting suspiciously must be treated as hostile.

Mission 14. Thursday, 25th July 1940, 1430hrs
Weather:
7/10th cloud
light south-south-westerley
Later, an attack of two or three waves of some 12+, 20+ and 30 aircraft was made on a convoy off Dover at approximately 15-minute intervals
The convoy (CW8 http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/cw/index.html) only just past Folkestone, and the Luftwaffe sent another forty Ju88's with an escort of over fifty Bf109's to make a final attack on the convoy

Briefing
It's been a busy day so far, I'm pleased to see that you've all returned safely from the attacks on Dover but it's time to get ready for another flight.

Convoy CW8 consisting of 25 merchantmen has left Southend this morning and is en route to Falmouth. It is passing through the Straits of Dover this afternoon and we fear it may be very tempting to the Luftwaffe. You mission is to be At Readiness to scramble to it's defence should it be necessary.

Mission 15. Sunday, 28th July 1940, 1330hrs
Weather:
4/10th cloud
light south-westerly
At 1335 hours, five raids involving approximately 100 aircraft, crossed the Straits and were engaged by four Squadrons of our fighters off Dover. No 74 Squadron accounted for three Me109s (confirmed) with the loss of two Spitfires. No 41 Squadron shot down two Me109s (confirmed) and No 11 Squadron shot down two He59s (confirmed).

As the German bombers with their escort approached the Kent coast, the Observer Corps reported 60+ Heinkel's and 40+ Messerschmitts............"The 109s coming at us from above as we still struggled for height."

Briefing
The Germans have been raiding the Kent coast for the past week and only show signs of increasing the pressure. Dover and both Royal and Merchant Navies have taken the brunt of the strikes as Hitlers bomber forces rain explosives onto our people.

You are 'At Readiness' on the satellite aerodrome of Hawkinge awaiting the order from Fighter command to scramble to intercept an expected Hun attack.

Mission 16. Monday, 29th July 1940, 0700hrs
Weather:
4/10th cloud
light south-south-westerly
At 0730 hours, Dover Harbour was heavily attacked. the attack is estimated at 40 Ju87s, and these approached in two waves of 20 aircraft each, covered by approximately the same number of Me109s
The massed formations of Spitfires and Hurricanes arrived over the town of Dover just as the Ju 87s were making their first attacks at 0730hrs and the skies above the town became a swirling mass of weaving aircraft and vapour trails as an estimated number of 200 aircraft engaged in combat. Four Ju 87s were reported to have been shot down into the sea while Fighter Command received a number of damaged aircraft including five Spitfires from 41 Squadron. Two RAF fighters were lost.

Briefing
With the pressure on the Dover straits increasing you are again stationed on the front line at RAF Hawkinge. You are At Readiness and available to scramble at a moments notice.

Mission 17. Monday, 5th August 1940, early in the morning
Weather:
4/10th cloud
light south-westerly
No.5 Squadron Hornchurch (Spitfires) engaged five Bf109's over the Channel off Dover during the early morning, as did No.64 Squadron Kenley (Spitfires) who were pounced upon by Bf109's over the Channel off the French coast,

A raid approaching Dover turned when fighters were ordered to intercept. This was followed by four raids which formed in the Calais-Gris Nez area and approached Dover at about 0830 hours. These raids were plotted as a total of fifty-three plus aircraft. Four squadrons and one section were despatched to intercept and the enemy turned for home when our fighters were approaching. Two squadrons of Spitfires managed to catch up with the enemy; they claim three Me109s (certain) and four Me109s (probable); one Spitfire has failed to return.

Briefing
Goering and his henchmen have continued to attack Dover, so much so that His Majesty's Navy has suffered enough loss to withdraw from the harbour. With the continued buildup of arms in Calais we must hold back a strong naval force to defeat any attack by sea. This is unfortunate for the good folk of Dover whom are bearing the brunt of the dastardly Hun aggression so we must do our duty to protect them by air.

You are 'At 30 minutes readiness' on the satellite aerodrome of Hawkinge awaiting the order from Fighter command to scramble. You may be asked to patrol.

Mission 18. Thursday, 8th August 1940, 1600hrs
Weather:
2/10th cloud
6 knots Southerly
The 8th of August saw a huge British shipping convoy (CW9 http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/cw/index.html) of about 25 merchant ships with armed Royal Navy escort being detected coming through the Straits of Dover and heading westwards towards the Atlantic Ocean. This was to be the first time for two weeks that a merchant convoy was going to attempt passage through the English Channel. German radar Freya had picked them up and torpedo boats attacked first in the half light of dawn. Afterwards the 8th Flying Corps at Abbeville to send out all available Stuka bombers to set course for the British convoy CW9 codenamed "Peewit" by the RAF. In all, some 300 Ju87's and 150 Bf109s took to the air and planned to attack the convoy. A third attack was mustered further down the coast when Sperle had ordered Stuka and Bf109 Squadrons from his Luftwaffe 3 bases to attack just off the Isle of Wight which was a success and at 1600hrs there was a final attack with 90 Stukas and 70 escort fighters. For the Merchant Navy it was a disaster as the RAF were forced to dogfight with the Bf109's only the occasional one managing to make an attack on a Stuka. The Ju87's constantly bombarded the convoy almost at will scattering debris through the Channel for miles, burnt out hulks of the merchantmen bellowing palls of thick black smoke from further explosions as they were left to die where they were, life jackets bobbed up and down in the chilly waters and many men, clinging to pieces of debris and life rafts tried desperately to avoid the many slicks of burning oil that lay on the surface.
The RAF had lost 13 Hurricanes in defending "Peewit" with 6 damaged. Only 1 Spitfire was destroyed and 2 damaged. The Luftwaffe faired no better losing 8 Bf109's, one Bf110, and 7 Ju87 Stukas. Of the 25 ships that had commenced the journey the previous night, only four had managed to limp into either Poole and Portsmouth harbours without damage.

Briefing
The past few days have been quiet and AVM Park was right to say "...the blighters are up to something"....

Convoy CW9 "Peewit" consists of 25 merchantmen with Royal Navy escort has left Southend this morning and is en route to Swanage. It passed through the Straits of Dover early this morning and was attacked by German torpedo boats and air raids. We expect further attacks, your mission is to be At Readiness to scramble to it's defence should it be necessary.