Australia's Few. 2 September 1940

Given the number of raids Fighter Command had to contend with in the south east it was almost incredible to think that some pilots were getting restless because they had nothing to do. At Acklington, John Crossman ‘was twice called to readiness’ on 2 September ‘on report of enemy aircraft but nothing came of it as they turned back each time’. It seemed to him that, during 32 Squadron’s three week northern sojourn, they were spending ‘most of our time in dispersal hut all ready with flying clothes and the old Mae West but nothing ever happens here.’

 

 

Australia's Few. 28 August 1940

As it happened, John Crossman didn’t ‘crack off’ on the 27th. He had to leave his car behind as 32 Squadron ‘flew up to Acklington in formation’ on the afternoon of 28 August. ‘There was a raid coming over just as we left and the last thing I heard before we left was from the loud speakers round the camp: “All personnel not actively engaged in getting aircraft off the ground take cover.” ’ They arrived at Acklington late in the afternoon. ‘It’s a lousy place’, thought John. ‘Miles from anywhere and fearfully quiet. We’ll never see any action here.’

 

 

Australia's Few. 31 July 1940

At Acklington on 31 July 1940, 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?

 

 

Bill Millington

 

Des Sheen, also installed at Acklington with 72 Squadron, found that life up north was very quiet and he bemoaned the fact that ‘I’ve not had a scrap’ since December. ‘Other Fighter Command squadrons seem to have had all the luck.’

 

 

Des Sheen

 

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. There was a least the memory of some funny moments to relieve the boredom. When he had first arrived at Acklington in March 1940 (before his stint in France) there were no runways and the ground was waterlogged and very soft, making take-offs difficult. On one memorable occasion, Squadron Leader Ronald Lees (now posted elsewhere) found just how soft, tipping his Spitfire on its nose when he landed. He climbed out and promptly declared that the airfield was unserviceable for Spitfires! Desmond recalled that Spitfire could only be taxi-ed with someone sitting on the tail. It ‘needed great care, with its narrow track undercarriage and small wheels—and the great weight of the Merlin engine’.

 

 Ronald Lees