Wednesday 15 August 2012

Australians in the Battle of Britain. 16 August 1940


After their hectic sessions in the air the day before, Bill Millington and Des Sheen had the day off. They might not have realised it at the time but Acklington was once again becoming an aerial backwater. With no flying duties on offer, Des decided to pen a long overdue letter to his family. He had received two letters from them that week, both taking many weeks to arrive and he was concerned that his parents were worrying unduly about him.

You seem rather depressed by the way things are going. Trouble is you are all too far away. If you could see the confidence the people here have it would amaze you as it has me.

Things really aren’t too bad. The last 4 or 5 days have cost the German air force nearly 400 aircraft, probably more. As a result the RAF is quite popular and it’s good to know our service is appreciated.

Food is plentiful and the public laugh at the invasion. Not that they don’t expect it but they are determined to make it fail. The confidence is incredible...So what the devil—why worry?

And why worry indeed with another day’s sterling results from Fighter Command, including from two of Des’s Point Cook friends. Gordon Olive, who with 65 Squadron is operating at Manston for the day, probably destroyed a Ju 88 and damaged a Messerschmitt 109. At 5.25 p.m., 234 Squadron is scrambled to intercept a large raid approaching Portsmouth. At about 6.15 p.m., south of the Isle of Wight, Pat sees about 50 Messerschmitt 109s above. He calls the Tally Ho!, orders sections line astern and leads the attack. The 109s form a defensive circle but aggressive Pat is not thwarted. He accounts two 109s. Round about the same time, John Pain who sailed to England on the Orama with John Crossman, was also in the air. 32 Squadron was in the air over Biggin Hill for its fourth patrol of the day when they encountered a large enemy force. John successfully destroyed a Ju 88 and probably another.

While Ken Holland’s fellow Australians recovered from battle, he was completing his last day of operational training. ‘No Hurricanes available. Had a Master and played about above a thick mist. Force landed at a new ‘drome about 30 miles from Bristol and also at Rissington and low flew up the Severn. Good fun.’ Now all he had to do was wait for a posting.

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