Australians in the Battle of Britain. 31 July 1940

Over at Little Rissington, Ken Holland slept in until 7.00 after the big party the night before, then spent the last morning of July running around trying to get his clearance chit signed. At Biggin Hill, John Crossman thought he had gained a reprieve. He was told he would not have to go to an OTU after all, ‘which is a relief indeed’.

At Acklington, Bill Millington lined up with his squadron to welcome Air Commodore Nicholas and Wing Commander Reas-Jones who were visiting. They officially passed out 79 Squadron operationally and the boys celebrated by carrying out attacks and formation flying. Before they knew it, they would be on readiness. But would they be in action? Des Sheen, now happily installed at Acklington with 72 Squadron, found that life up north had been very quiet while he was away and, over the last weeks especially, when they had not been frustrated by poor weather, his confreres had just been on training flights and routine readiness with the usual sort of non productive convoy patrols. He quickly discovered that his friends were even a little (good-naturedly) envious of his experiences in the south of France.

Down south, 238 Squadron’s 16 Hurricanes proceeded to Middle Wallop’s satellite aerodrome at Warmwell after lunch. At 15.20, Stuart Walch led his section on a base patrol. He was later ordered to Ringwood, then Middle Wallop and thence to Bristol. No enemy aircraft were seen but he did, at one point, spot a condensation trail at 3000 feet.