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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