Australians in the Battle of Britain. 19 October 1940. Robert Bungey

Australians in the Battle of Britain. 19 October 1940. Robert Bungey

I think it is about time we checked out how Bob Bungey is getting along with 145 Squadron.

 

 

Bob was settling in well and was very busy. He had flown a number of times in Hurricane 3221, including four flights on the 11th and another three on 12 October. He noticed the boys were getting a little tired and so, as a good flight commander, he thought they should have a couple of day’s rest.

‘Looking’, according to Pyker Offenberg, ‘very holiday-like in his sun glasses’ he chatted about his plan to Flight Lieutenant Ginger Boyd who asked him where he was thinking of taking the boys. Bob replied that they would go to the Old Ship at Bosham, and just sleep for 48 hours. Boyd, who no doubt wanted to ensure that Bob and Co. would be within cooee in case circumstances demanded their presence back at the station, was keen to know that they would not stir from the pub. Bob promised and, to Boyd’s relief, quipped that, ‘the event of Mr Churchill needing Offenberg or myself don’t hesitate to give us a ring’.

Released from duty, they enjoyed ‘two marvellous days’ at the pub. Pyker took advantage of the rest to get his ideas in order and Bob told him about Australia. Bob intimated to the Belgian that he wanted to return to his homeland someday ‘unless one of those bloody Huns pumps an explosive bullet in my guts.’

But the break was not all about rest and nostalgia for Bob. He imparted some of his wisdom and experience to the boys. Pyker in particular appreciated his advice. He considered it very precious and recorded some of Bob’s comments about their outdated attack strategy in his diary. As Bob saw it:

‘What we ought to avoid is flying in sections of three. We ought to fly in pairs like the Germans do. The leader can then fire, knowing that his rear is protected.’

It all made sense to Pyker, but they both knew how entrenched the standard fighter attack positions were and they had their own stumbling block: Boyd. ‘We must try and convince Boyd, that’s all’, Pyker commented. ‘Yes, that’s all...’, replied Bob.

[This story comes from Jean ‘Pyker’ Offenberg’s (edited by Victor Houart) ‘Lonely Warrior. The Journal of Battle of Britain Fighter Pilot Jean Offenberg DFC’.]