Wednesday 3 October 2012

4 October 1940. Bill Millington. Australians in the Battle of Britain.

Australians in the Battle of Britain. 4 October 1940

In early October, the pilots of 249 Squadron heard that, with a credit of 48 destroyed, 29 probables and 21 damaged enemy aircraft, they had come in second in Fighter Command’s league table of aerial victories. Bill Millington had been with the squadron since 19 September and, on 27 September, had contributed one and a half destroyed Ju 88s towards 249’s impressive total.

4 October was a miserable day weather-wise with no flying except for a fruitless attempt by Flying Officer George Barclay and Pilot Officer Tom Neil to intercept four bandits. There was no opportunity for Bill to advance his personal tally or for the squadron to make a bid for first place in the October league table. But not to worry, it would not be too long before Bill had an opportunity to score again.


In the interim, Bill would share in the celebrations—‘great jubilations and a most monumental party’, as George Barclay put it—for four of his new friends who had received happy news and just rewards for their skilful flying: Flight Lieutenant ‘Butch’ Barton and Flying Officer Keith Lofts had been awarded DFCs, Pilot Officer Albert Lewis (who was in hospital after baling out badly burned on 28 September) had received a bar to his DFC, and Sergeant John Beard had been awarded the DFM.

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