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RAF - No. 103 Squadron
10/05/1940 - 30/06/1940

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103 SQUADRON - Bomber, Fairey Battle

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As a result of the massive German attack on Poland on the 1st September 1939, the Squadron was ordered to leave for France. 103 Squadron was chosen to be part of the AASF (Advanced Air Striking Force) alongside 9 other Squadrons of Fairey Battles all drawn from No 1 Bomber Group. Their planned role was to act as a deterrent bombing force by threatening the Ruhr and the industrial Saar from advanced bases in Alsace and the Reims area. Other units of the RAF also relocated to France in support of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) to make up the Air Component which initially consisted of 4 fighter squadrons with Hawker Hurricanes, four bomber and general reconnaisance squadrons with Bristol Blenheims and 4 army co-operation squadrons with Westland Lysanders.

On the 2nd September 1939, one day prior to Britain's declaration of war against Germany, 103 Squadron flew their 16 Battles from Benson across the Channel to their new base at Challerange in the Ardennes and arrived at 17:30. The main Squadron party flew on in three Dakota transports with the rest travelling overland and by ferry with motor transport, stores and equipment.

On the 15th February 1940 the Squadron moved to Betheniville, about 17 miles East of Reims, which was a much larger airfield with better accommodation and good facilities in the local village. As the spring thaw set in the airfield became a morass of mud and slush. The open zig zag of metal mats which had been laid proved very successful and allowed for take offs and landings although at times the aircraft did not respond well to their brakes but training flights and operations were able to resume on a regular basis.

10th May 1940

At dawn the war in France began in earnest as the Germans launched a massive assault with armoured units through the Ardennes and Luxembourg towards Sedan with other attacks on The Netherlands and Belgium. The Luftwaffe mounted a series of heavy raids on airfields in the region and Betheniville was attacked at dawn, fortunately without damage or casualties. That morning all AASF Squadrons were ordered to put 50% of their aircraft on 30 minutes notice but their was total confusion in the French High Command and no orders to attack were received. Air Marshall Barratt finally lost patience and, on his own initiative, ordered the AASF squadrons to commence operations and attack advancing German columns.

Whilst in France it is known that the Squadron lost 21 aircrew killed or missing, two died of wounds, nine were taken prisoner and nine were wounded.

Source: 103 Squadron in France, 1940

Bases:
Bétheniville, France : Feb 1940-May 1940
St. Lucien Ferme, France : May 1940-Jun 1940
Ozouen-le-Doyen, France : Jun 1940
Souge, France (air echelon) : Jun 1940
Honington, UK: Jun 1940-Jul 1940

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Operations and losses 10/05/1940 - 30/06/1940

10/05/1940: Luxembourg. 3 Planes lost, 5 KIA, 4 POW
11/05/1940: Bristol Bombay transport crash
(no ops.)
12/05/1940: Bouillon, B. 2 Planes lost, 4 KIA
13/05/1940: ground
14/05/1940: bridges, B. 1 DOW
14/05/1940: Sedan, F. 3 Planes lost, 2 KIA
15-16/05/1940: Evacution order
16/05/1940: ground, F. 2 Planes lost
17/05/1940: transfer
18/05/1940: St Quentin, F

19/05/1940
: Conde-sur-Aisne, F
20-21/05/1940:
Fumay, B
22/05/1940: Amiens/Bernaville, F. 1 Plane lost
22-23/05/1940: Trier, D. 2 Planes lost
23/05/1940: Battle Area, F
23-24/05/1940: Battle Area, F
24/05/1940: Fumay, B
25/05/1940: Abbeville, F. 1 Plane lost
25-26/05-1940: Luxembourg
26/05/1940: Roumont, B. 3 Planes lost, 2 KIA, 1 POW
27-28/05/1940: night operations
28/05/1940: Amiens, F
30-31/05/1940: Conz airfield
02-03/06/1940: Trier, D and Seine, F
04/06/1940: Battle Area, F
05-06/1940: Guise airfield, F
06/06/1940: Roye, F
06-07/06/1940: St Quentin, F
07/06/1940: Battle Area (?), F. 1 Plane lost
07-08/06/1940: St Valery, F
08/06/1940: Poix, F. 2 Planes lost, 3 POW
08-09/06/1940: Battle Area, F
9-10/06/1940: Battle Area, F. 1 Plane lost
10/06/1940: Vernon, F. 2 Planes lost, 2 KIA
10/06/1940: Vernon, F
10-11/06/1940: Abbeville, F
11/06/1940: Les Andelys and Foret-De-Bizy, F
12/06/1940: bridges over the Seine, F
12-13/06/1940: ?
14/06/1940: Battle Area, F. 2 Planes lost, 2 POW
14/06/1940: ground, F. 2 Planes lost
15/06/1940: Reconnaisance, F
15/06/1940: bombing of 103 Sqdn's airfield. 1 KIA. Number of planes lost unknown.
16/06/1940: return flight to England

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LOSSES 01/01/1940 - 09/05/1940 (incomplete)

Aircraftman 2nd Class Wilfred Wright, RAF 538668, 103 Sqdn., age 20, 04/01/1940, Drumcree Church of ireland Churchyard, UK

Sergeant (Obs.) Duncan C. Findlay, RAF 565318, 103 Sqdn., age 25, 26/03/1940, Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France
Pilot Officer (Pilot) Ian P. Hinton, RAF 40592, 103 Sqdn., age 23, 26/03/1940, Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France
Aircraftman 2nd Class (W.Op.) John A. Sharpe, RAF 617513 (Ireland), 103 Sqdn., age 20, 26/03/1940, Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France

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10/05/1940: Luxembourg

The German offensive commenced. Betheniville aerodrome bombed at dawn without damage to personnel or equipment.

The overall British commander, Air Marshal Barratt, acting on his own initiative, orders 32 Battles from Nos 12, 103, 105, 142, 150, 218 and 226 Squadrons to attack German troops advancing through Luxembourg at noon. In a chilling scene-setting series of events, 13 are shot down by mobile anti-aircraft and machine guns. The remainder all suffer damage of some kind. In a second attack during the afternoon, a further 10 Battles from 32 ordered into the air are lost to German fighters and flak.

103 Sqdn.: 4 Battles despatched to bomb German troops advancing through Luxembourg. 1 a/c returned (after having attacked target) & other 3 failed to return.

Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: K9372, PM-?
Operation: Luxembourg
Lost: 10/05/1940
F/L M.C. Wells PoW
Sgt H.F. Bullock PoW
LAC T.H. Bowen PoW
Airborne 1345 from Betheniville to attack enemy columns. Shot down by small arms ground fire and abandoned in flames, near Dippach, 11 km WSW of Luxembourg. F/L Wells was captured almost immediately; his crew were picked up four days later and taken into captivity. LAC T.H.Bowen was interned in Camps 3E/L3/L6/357. PoW No.62. Sgt H.F.Bullock in Camps 8B/344. PoW No.13050. F/L M.C.Wells in Camps 9AH/20A/9A/6B/21B/L3, PoW No.331.

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Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: K9264, PM-L
Operation: Luxembourg
Lost: 10/05/1940
Pilot Officer (Pilot) Kenneth J. Drabble, RAF 40610, 103 Sqdn., age 20, Hotton War Cemetery, B
Sergeant (Obs.) Thomas D. Smith, RAF 580500, 103 Sqdn., age unknown, 10/05/1940, Hotton War Cemetery, B
Leading Aircraftman (W. Op. /Air Gnr.) Phillip J. Lamble, RAF 550831, 103 Sqdn., age 20, 10/05/1940, Hotton War Cemetery, B
Airborne 1345 Betheniville. Shot down by small arms ground fire and crashed in the vicinity of Hotton (Luxembourg), 9 km NE of Marche- en-Famenne, Belgium.

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Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: K9270, PM-?
Operation: Luxembourg
Lost: 10/05/1940
Sgt C.H. Lowne PoW
Sergeant (Obs.) Christopher J.S. Poole, RAF 580416, 103 Sqdn., age 20, 10/05/1940, Hotton War Cemetery, B
Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.) Olaf A. Hutchinson, RAF 524532, 103 Sqdn., age 23, 10/05/1940, Hotton War Cemetery, B
Airborne 1345 from B_thenville. Shot down by ground fire and crashed in the vicinity of Hotton (Luxembourg), 9 km NE of Marche- en-Famenne Belgium. (See K9264). Sgt C.H.Lowne was interned in Camps L1/L6/357, PoW No.222.

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11/05/1940: Bristol Bombay transport crash

No. 103 Squadron flew no operations on this day. A Bristol Bombay transport of 271 Squadron bringing reinforcements and spares for 501 Squadron stalled on approach to the airfield and crashed killing four and injuring 12.

Sergeant (Pilot) William H. Whitfield, RAF 740692, 271 Sqdn., age 22, 11/05/1940, Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, F.
Flying Officer Alister C.J. Percy, RAFVR 90025, 501 Sqdn., age 29, 11/05/1940, Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, F.
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12/05/1940: Bouillon (3 seperate operations flown this day)

A dawn attack by three Battles was mounted on enemy columns and fortunately all returned and at 1240 hours three more Battles took off and successfully attacked a pontoon bridge at Bouillon. Enemy fighters were encountered but all the aircraft returned safely.

At 16:30 another three Battles took off to bomb a mechanised column near Bouillon. For this operation and other day operations that followed the Squadron Battles usually flew with only a pilot and air gunner, the pilot undertaking the navigational duties and dropping the bombs. The column was sighted just over a mile South of Bouillon and Pilot Officer V A Cunningham made a shallow dive attack from 3000 feet to 1000 feet during which his Battle was subjected to small arms and machine gun fire. He was unable to observe the effects of his bombing but managed to make a quick escape and return to Betheniville. The Battles of Flying Officer G B Morgan-Dean and Pilot Officer E E Morton were both shot down by ground fire with no survivors.

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Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: P2193, PM-?
Operation: Bouillon
Lost: 12/05/1940
Pilot Officer (Pilot) Edgar E. Morton, RAF 40635 (NZ), 103 Sqdn., age 25, 12/05/1940, Sensenruth (Corfuz) Communal Cemetery, B
Aircraftman 1st Class (W. Op.[Air]) Alexander S. Ross, RAF 61376, 103 Sqdn., age 19, 12/05/1940, Sensenruth (Corfuz) Communal Cemetery, B
Airborne 1630 from Betheniville. Crashed at Noirefontaine near Sensenruth (Luxembourg), 3 km N of Bouillon, Belgium.

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Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: L5512, PM-?
Operation: Bouillon
Lost: 12/05/1940
Flying Officer (Pilot) George B. Morgan-Dean, RAF 40131, 103 Sqdn., age 23, 12/05/1940, Haraucourt Churchyard, F
Aircraftman 1st Class (W. Op. /Air Gnr.) Horace B. Sewell, RAF 531362, 103 Sqdn., age 21, 12/05/1940, Haraucourt Churchyard, F
Airborne 1630 from Bethenville. Hit by Flak in the target area and crashed near Haracourt (Ardennes), 9 km SSE of Sedan, France.

Two Heinkels 111 shot down, one by aerodrome defences. The village gendarme who previously engaged enemy aircraft flying at 20,000 feet with rapid rifle fire directed from the village square, so using his ammunition allottment for 20 years, is reported to have claimed the ground defence victory.

Aerodrome area bombed with no casualties or damage. Aerodrome defences strengthened by arrival of 4 Bofor anti aircraft guns. Air Vice Marshal P.N.L. Playfair visited the unit during the afternoon.


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13/05/1940: ground

At dawn large formations of enemy aircraft passed over the aerodrome. Three shot down. One German whose parachute failed to open was collected and buried. Village heavily bombed at 0815 hours with many casualties to civilians. Local maternity hospital hit. No organisation by French authorities, and the casualties were attended by squadron medical officers. Approximately 12 civilians were killed and left in the open, these casualties were buried by squadron personnel.

Man road cleared and telephone lines repaired. Difficulty experienced with the local population who in a deputation accused the squadron of inadequate raid warning, which warning consisted of sounding the whistle of the local factory. No official warning was in fact received for this raid, nor was warning possible on any future occasion. Factory personnel next sounded the alarm indiscriminately and whenever an aircraft was heard overhead. A guard was therefor placed at the factory.

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14/05/1940: bridges, B

Eight Battles, led by Flying Officer J R Havers, took off shortly after 05:00 to attack three pontoon bridges over the Meuse between Neuvion and Douzy. The aircraft were subjected to heavy flak over the target but 1 bridge was claimed as hit. The Battle of Sergeant Charles D. Perry was hit by flak and badly damaged. The pilot was severely wounded in the thigh and stomach but he was able to fly the aircraft back to the vicinity of the airfield and crash land when he felt he was about to pass out. Sergeant Perry immediately evacuated to England but sadly died hospital in June 1940. He was awarded a DFM for his bravery.

Sergeant (Pilot) Charles D. Perry, RAF 561615, 103 Sqdn., DFM, age 29, 14/06/1940, Benson (or Bensington) (St. Helen) Churchyard Extension, UK

Sergeant C.D. Perry is also mentioned as Sergeant C.D. Parry.

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14/05/1940: Sedan

At 15:30 eight Battles took off to bomb bridges in the Sedan area where they encountered fierce flak and fighter opposition and three aircraft were lost. The Battle of Pilot Officer V A Cunningham received a direct flak hit and exploded in mid air killing pilot and gunner instantly. Flying Officer T B Fitzgerald was also brought down but not before pressing home his attack in spite of sustaining a wound. He was able to make a forced landing and, with his gunner Corporal Madkins, returned to Betheniville the next day. Sergeant G. Beardsley was shot down by a Bf 109 fighter but crash landed and he also made it back to the Squadron several days later with his gunner, Leading Aircraftsman G F Lewis.

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Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: P2191, PM-?
Operation: Sedan
Lost: 14/05/1940
Sgt G. Beardsley
LAC G.F. Lewis
Airborne from Betheniville to attack bridges and roads in the area around Sedan. Shot down by a Me109, but the two airmen escaped and reached their unit 17May40. Sgt Beardsley may have been flying L5190 and vice-versa.

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Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: L5190, PM-?
Operation: Sedan
Lost: 14/05/1940
F/O T.B. Fitzgerald Inj
Cpl Madkins
Airborne Betheniville to attack bridges and roads in the area around Sedan. Shot down near the target and the pilot was slightly wounded. Both airmen returned to their unit 15May40. Sgt Beardsley (P2191) may have been flying this machine and vice- versa.

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Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: L5516, PM-?
Operation: Sedan
Lost: 14/05/1940
Pilot Officer (Pilot) Vernon A. Cunningmam, RAF 36212 (NZ), 103 Sqdn., age 24, 14/05/1940, Remilly-et-Aillicourt Communal Cemetery, F
Aircraftman 1st Class (W. Op./Air Gnr.) Joseph Johnson, RAF 617968, 103 Sqdn., age 20, 14/05/1940, Remilly-et-Aillicourt Communal Cemetery, F
Airborne from Betheniville to attack bridges and roads in the area around Sedan. Shot down attacking the bridge at Remilly-Aillicourt (Ardennes), 5 km SE of Sedan, France. P/O V.A.Cunningham AC1 J.Johnson


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15-16/05/1940: Evacution order

Three hours notice received to evacuate Betheneville. Squadron equipment had been loaded during 15th May in preparation for evacuation. The main party left at 0130 hours. All serviceable Battle and Hurricane aircraft took off at first light. Difficulty experienced with transport and the evacuation of Fighter Squadron personnel who were without sufficient vehicles. In view of the uncertainty of the rapidity and extent of enemy the advance, all squadron personnel who could not be evacuated were held in readiness to withdraw across country on foot. Surplus personnel of the fighter squadron were ordered to rendezvous on the West side of the river Suippe as the enemy were constantly attempting to bomb the bridge across the river, and it was considered that mechanical transport should stop on that side to prevent being cut off.


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16/05/1940: ground

Withdrawal started at 01:30 and the main party and all serviceable aircraft left at dawn but one Battle crashed on take off.

During the period midnight to 0900 hours, telephonic communication gradually ceased with the closing down of various formations and finally the squadron became isolated. A message was sent by D/R to H.Q.A.A.S.F. for extra transport, which transport arrived about 11 a.m. and final evacuation was then made possible.

It was decided to leave a rear party to guard and salvage all equipment which could not be carried on the initial move and to load the squadron vehicles on their return. To this purpose, a rear party of 10 were detailed under P/O Rhys Price and P/O Terry. The selection of this party was made on a parade which was not without humour and was interrupted by an enemy bombing attack. During the parade the Officers Mess and all Squadron buildings were ransacked by French troops.

A German pilot who had left his aircraft by parachute during an air battle was captured about 0600 hours on this day. He was handed over to a staff officer of H.Q. B.A.F.F. who passed through the village. An additional German air crew, wounded and captured on 15th May, 1940, died in Squadron Sick Quarters, and was buried.

Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: K9404, PM-?
Operation: -
Lost: 16/05/1940
K9404 was one of two battle damaged 103 Sqdn Battles destroyed on the ground at Betheniville prior to the withdrawal of the Sqdn to Rheges/St-Lucien Ferme. See: L5234.

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Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: L5234, PM-?
Operation: -
Lost: 16/05/1940
L5234 was one of two battle damaged 103 Sqdn Battles to be destroyed on the ground at Betheniville prior to the withdrawl of the Sqdn to Rheges/St-Lucien Ferme. See: K9404.

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17/05/1940: transfer

The main party arrived at Rheges at 14:00 after travelling through the night on dimmed headlights and narrowly missed an enemy strafing and bombing attack. Some of the Squadron's vehicles then returned to Betheniville to collect equipment and spares.

The airfield at Rheges was extremely good and extensive and was well camouflaged with thinly sown crops so proved very difficult to spot from the air. The German reconnaissance aircraft never found the site and it was not bombed during 103 Squadron's stay. The airfield was shared with 218 Squadron who also operated Battles. The accommodation and food were very good and the local people proved most hospitable.

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18/05/1940:

On this day Squadron had only 4 Battles serviceable but 11 crews were available for operations. The ground crews worked flat out under great pressure to repair the damaged aircraft and service and prepare others for operations. They continued to do so throughout the campaign.

Operations restarted with Squadron aircraft tasked to attack German armour in the area of St Quentin. A number of Battles were damaged by flak in low level attacks but all returned to base.

As from approximately this date the tactical low approach and attack were discontinued and a high approach at about 8000 feet with dive attack to 4000 feet was adopted. This method greatly reduced the casualty rate.

Aircraft were also despatched singly to provide freedom of manoeuvrability and the sub formation of three aircraft abandoned.

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19/05/1940:

Six Battles attacked troop concentrations in the Conde-sur-Aisne area and all returned safely in spite of heavy flak in the target area. Orders were received by the Squadron to abandon low level attacks on daylight sorties at this point and to fly in to the target area at about 8000 feet and making a diving attack down to 4000 feet. It was also decided that aircraft were to operate alone instead of in formations of 3 to increase manoeuvrability.

Night operations would also be flown and a special flare path was rigged up. This was an electrically controlled series of glim lamps wired through a rheostat and working off the Chance light generator. This system worked very well and the lights could be dimmed or extinguished immediately if required in the event of enemy aircraft being in the vicinity. In general the night operations were never a great success but the Battles were now considered too vulnerable to fly regularly by day without fighter escort and the few RAF fighter squadrons in France were too busy intercepting Luftwaffe raids to undertake more escort duties.

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20-21/05/1940: Fumay, B

Five Battles undertook the Squadron's first night attack on German communications and storage facilities at Fumay in Belgium and all returned to base. The aircraft operated singly and the operation was made difficult because of mist in the target area.

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22/05/1940: Amiens/Bernaville, F

Four Battles took off at dawn to make low-level attacks on German armour in the Amiens/Bernaville area. Air Marshall Barratt had made strong protests about his Battles again being used at low level against tanks as he now considered them totally unsuitable for this purpose and the whole thing a pointless sacrifice. But he was over ruled by a higher authority due to the desperate situation on the ground. The weather was bad with low cloud, which made it very difficult to find the tanks, and the operation was not a success. The Battle flown by Sergeant W R Critch was damaged by flak and he force landed. Next day he returned to the Squadron with his gunner.

Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: ?, PM-?
Operation: Amiens/Bernaville
Lost: 22/05/1940
Sergeant W.R. Critch

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22-23/05/1940: Trier, D

This night five aircraft took part in night attacks in the Trier area. Two aircraft force landed but the crews later made it back to the Squadron.

Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: ?, PM-?
Operation: Trier
Lost: 23/05/1940

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Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: ?, PM-?
Operation: Trier
Lost: 23/05/1940

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25/05/1940: Abbeville, F

Three Battles took off before noon to attack a German column near Abbeville. It was not found but the aircraft of Sergeant Beardsley was damaged and he crash-landed in a forward area. He rejoined the Squadron with his gunner, Leading Aircraftman G F Lewis, 2 days later having walked 27 miles and then hitched a lift on a motor cycle and side car. This was the second time in 11 days these two airmen had been shot down and managed to get back to the Squadron.

Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: ?, PM-?
Operation: Abbeville
Lost: 25/05/1940
Sergeant (Pilot) Beardsley
Leading Aircraftman G.F. Lewis

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26/05/1940: Roumont

Four Battles led by Flying Officer J R Havers took off at 1000 to attack Chateau Roumont near Oschamps airfield with fighter escort. Intelligence had discovered that there was to be a meeting of 20 senior Luftwaffe officers at the Chateau that day. Hits were claimed on the target and again heavy flak was encountered.

Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: L5515, PM-?
Operation: Roumont
Lost: 26/05/1940
Airborne from Rheges/St-Lucien Ferme to attack a Château at Roumont. Damaged by ground fire in Abbeville area; force-landed at Chalons and abandoned. Crew names not appended.

Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: ?, PM-?
Operation: Roumont
Lost: 26/05/1940
This Battle was written off in a crash landing on return to base.

Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: L5514, PM-?
Operation: Roumont
Lost: 26/05/1940
F/L J.N. Leyden PoW
Sergeant (Obs.) Eric G. Hayward, RAF 564673, 103 Sqdn., age 25, 26/05/1940, Ucimont Churchyard, B
Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.) William F. Hubbard, RAF 620073, 103 Sqdn., age 25, 26/05/1940, Ucimont Churchyard, B
Airborne from Rheges/St lucien Ferme to attack a Château at Roumont (Luxembourg), Belgium. Crashed near Ucimont (Luxembourg), 5 km NNW of Bouillon, Belgium. F/L J.N.Leyden was interned in Camps 9AH/L3, PoW No.1125.

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07/06/1940: Battle Area (?)

Bf 109 fighters attacked Sergeant Brams, who had taken off from Echimines at dawn, on the way to the target. His gunner, Pilot Officer R Roberts, returned fire but the Battle was badly damaged although they were able to complete their attack at low level. Sergeant Brams force landed next to a road and he and his gunner were able to return to base. Pilot Officer Roberts claimed a Bf 109 destroyed. Pilot Officer Barratt was also attacked by 9 Bf 109s on a similar operation but evaded his attackers at low level

Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: ?, PM-?
Operation: -
Lost: 07/06/1940
Sergeant (Pilot) Brams
Pilot Officer (Air Gunner) R. Roberts
 

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08/06/1940: Poix, F

Six Battles attacked enemy columns in the Poix area in daylight and during this operation Pilot Officer G W Thorougood observed 50 plus Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers attacking a village. He dived his aircraft right through the enemy formation and opened fire with his front gun claiming one Ju 87 destroyed. His gunner, Pilot Officer Webber on his first operation, claimed to have shot down a Bf 109 that came to the aid of the dive-bombers. Pilot Officer Thorougood was forced to crash-land his damaged aircraft near Paris. Pilot Officer Webber, who was seriously wounded three times in the attack, was immediately evacuated to England.

Sergeant G Beardsley and his crew were also shot down and taken prisoner. This was the third time in less than a month that Sergeant Beardsley and his gunner, Leading Aircraftsman Lewis, had been shot down. On the two previous occasions they had managed to return to the Squadron. Leading Aircraftsman Lewis had recently been awarded a DFM.

Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: N2253, PM-?
Operation: Poix
Lost: 08/06/1940
Sgt G. Beardsley PoW
Sgt G. Avery PoW
LAC G.F. Lewis DFM PoW
Airborne from Ozouer-le-Doyen. Damaged while attacking Ju87s and crash-landed S of Paris. Sgt G.Beardsley was interned in Camps L1/L6/357. PoW No 112 with LAC G.F.Lewis (promoted to Sgt during captivity) PoW No.289. DFM Gazetted 56Nov40. Sgt G.Avery was interned in Camps L1/8B/L3/L6/357. PoW No.111.

Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: P2315, PM-?
Operation: Poix
Lost: 08/06/1940
P/O G.W.Thorougood
Sgt Asson
P/O Webber Inj
Airborne Ozouer-le-Doyen. Badly shot about whilst attacking JU87s and forced landed S of Paris. .


Staffelkapitän of 3./JG 26 Johannes 'Hannes' Seifert shot down a Fairey Battle of 103 Sqdn. at 14:50, N Beauvais.

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09-10/06/1940: Battle Area

Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: L5246, PM-?
Operation: Battle Area
Lost: 10/06/1940
S/L H. Lee Inj
Sgt D. Norrington DFM
LAC Werner
Airborne from Ozouer-le-Doyen. Engine failed during this night operation, and the crew abandoned the aircraft. S/L Lee broke his right leg and was taken to Hospital at le Mans (Sarthe), France.

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10/06/1940: Vernon

Three Battles made a morning attack on bridges and columns in the area of Vernon.

Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: P2328, PM-?
Operation: Battle Area
Lost: 10/06/1940
Pilot Officer (Pilot) Cecil V. Thomas, RAF 41963, 103 Sqdn., age 19, 10/06/1940, Gasny Communal Cemetery, F
Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.) Peter I. Bligh, RAF 541182, 103 Sqdn., age 20, 10/06/1940, Gasny Communal Cemetery, F
Airborne Ozouer-le-Doyen. Hit by Flak, Vernon, and crashed Gasny, (Eure) a village on the River Epte 8 km ESE of Vernon, France.

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Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: K9409, PM-?
Operation: Battle Area
Lost: 10/06/1940
Airborne Ozouer-le-Doyen. This Battle flown by Sergeant W R Critch was severely damaged by ground fire but he pressed home his attack at low level and managed to return to base where his aircraft was declared damaged beyond repair. He was immediately recommended for a DFM, which was later confirmed.

Flying Officer D D A Kelly (in the third Battle) was mistakenly attacked by a Hawker Hurricane on the outward journey but he was able to return to base in spite of damage to his aircraft.

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12/06/1940: Seine bridges, F

Around 1515 hours 12 AASF Battles from Nos. 88 and 103 Squadrons attacked Le Manoir railway bridge, found to be under repair; it was hit, the working party was scattered.

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14/06/1940: Evreux-Pacy area, F
 
At 06:30 the Squadron air party consisting of 16 Battles and 2 Magister communications aircraft flew to Souge. From this time the Squadrons air and ground parties became separated and were not to make contact again whilst in France. 103 Squadron was now placed under the command of 76 Wing. At Souge four Battles were detailed for immediate operations with 8 more placed on an hour's stand by. That evening, four Battles attacked enemy columns in the Evreux-Pacy area. Sergeant Brumby crash-landed near Morannes but he and his crew later rejoined the Squadron.Pilot Officer R Hawkins was also shot down and taken prisoner with his gunner.

Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: ?, PM-?
Operation: Battle Area
Lost: 14/06/1940
P/O R. Hawkins PoW
P/O F. Hugill PoW
No record available since there is no record of the Serial No. for this and one other 103 Sqdn Battle lost in the Battle area. Battle No.1 Airborne from Souge. Shot down and both airmen taken prisoner. Pilot Officer Hawkins escaped and reached Vichy France and then made his way to Spain where he was interned but escaped again. He then made it back to Britain via Gibralter. He was a most determined man and well known on the Squadron for carrying every conceivable aid for escape on his operational flights, which doubtless these served him well in his subsequent adventures. On his return to the Squadron in England he was to give a most interesting lecture to the aircrews on his experiences. Awarded the Military Cross.

Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: ?, PM-?
Operation: Battle Area
Lost: 14/06/1940
Sgt Brumby
Sgt Hedley
LAC Werner.
Battle No.2. Airborne from Souge. Crash landed near Morannes, France.

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14/06/1940: ground, F

At 17:00 the airfield at Souge was attacked at low level by German bombers and several of the Squadron's aircraft were set on fire and Sergeant Bone was wounded. During the attack Sergeant Brams was returning from an operation and he dived his Battle into the attacking bombers firing with his front gun whilst his gunner, Pilot Officer Roberts, joined in from the rear. The raiders fled and Sergeant Brams was able to land being careful to dodge bomb craters and debris. Further orders were received to evacuate to Nantes the next day.

Two 103 Sqdn Battles were destroyed on the ground at Souge by bombing. No record of Serials.
 

Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: ?, PM-?
Operation: -
Lost: 14/06/1940

Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: ?, PM-?
Operation: -
Lost: 14/06/1940

 

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15/06/1940: bombing of 103 Sqdn's airfield.

Orders were received from 76 Wing to destroy all remaining stores, equipment and damaged aircraft pending withdrawal to Britain and these instructions were carried out and the petrol dump set on fire. At 12:00, 20 Battles from the three squadrons were considered flyable, although many were rather the worse for wear and the crews were instructed to fly these back to the England. Most of the Battles had left when the airfield was subjected to another raid by 9 Dornier 17 bombers.

Flying Officer R D Max was refuelling his own aircraft in preparation for departure. Whilst on the wing he heard the distinctive engine noise of the Dorniers as they came in low and he immediately dived for cover in a nearby slit trench landing on top of his gunner. Bombs fell on either side of the trench and it was partly filled with soil but both men escaped. Another airman in the trench, Sergeant Dowling, was completely covered. Flying Officer Max and his gunner dug him out with their bare hands but sadly he was dead. In addition there were 8 other casualties from 12 Squadron (1 KIA) and 226 Squadron personnel. Bombs fell all over the airfield destroying more of the Battles and, without any opposition, the Dorniers were able to circle the airfield machine gunning everything in sight.

Sergeant Albert N. Dowling, RAF 580365, 103 Sqdn., age 24, 15/06/1940, Souge-sur-Braye Communal Cemetery, F

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16/06/1940: return flight to England

Flight Lieutenant Ingram joined Flying Officer Max at Nantes and they flew a reserve aircraft back to England. In total 9 Battles from the Squadron made it back across the Channel to Abingdon. Pilot Officers Hayter and Barratt remained at Nantes under orders to fly further operations if required.

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Sources

103 Squadron in France, 1940
Aces of the Luftwaffe
Air Force POWs 1939-1945
Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database
Australian War Memorial
Bail-outs for 1940
Belgian Aviation History Association Archaeological Team
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Log From 1940 of Retreat Through France - BBC WW2 People's War
Lost Bombers
Royal Air Force - 103 Squadron
RAF - Campaign Diary - The Battle of France (May-June 1940)
RAF History - Bomber Command
RAF Museum: British Military Aviation in 1940
RAF Order of Battle, France, 10th May 1940
The Royal Air Force, 1939-1945
The Second World War - a day by day account

War over Holland

Books

J Norman Ashton 'Only birds and fools' (Lancaster Flight Engineer) (Airlife 2000)
D Charlwood 'No moon tonight' (Burgewood Books 2006)
D Charlwood 'Journeys into night' (Burgewood Books 2006)
W.R. Chorley, Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Volume 1, 1939/40, Midland Counties Publications, ISBN 0 904597 85 7
Jones 'Bomber intelligence' (Midland Counties 1983)
Finn 'Black swan - a history of 103 Sqn' (Newton 1989)
Phil Potts 'Just a survivor'
Brian Stoker 'If the flak doesnt get you, the fighters will' (J&KH Publishing)
Chris Ward '103 Squadron' (Bomber Command Profile no. 35)

Links

Air Aces
Airwar over Denmark
Allied World War II Casualties in the Netherlands
Armée de l'Air - Order of Battle, 10th May 1940
Australian Wargraves
Axis History Factbook
Battle-of-Britain.com
De Belgen in Engeland 1940-1945 (in Dutch)
Belgian Aviation History Association Archaeological Team
British Aircraft Directory
British Aviation Archaeological Council - Books and research links
Canada's Air Force History
HMS Cavalier
Ciel de Gloire (in French) RAF Squadrons
CWGC Cemeteries Germany
CWGC Cemeteries Netherlands
Czechoslovak airmen in the RAF 1940-1945
Danish WW2 Pilots

Dutch Pilots in RAF Squadrons
Eagles Squadrons (American pilots in the RAF)
Håkans aviation page (from Sweden, in English)
'High flight', poem by John Gillespie Magee
An Irish Airman Foresees His Death, poem by W.B. Yeats
Jagdgeschwader 27 (in German)
Luchtoorlog ('Arial War', in Dutch, with many photos)
Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth
The Luftwaffe, 1933-1945
Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum
The National Ex-Prisoners of War Association
Naval History.net
Nordic Aviation during WW2
Pilotfriend.com: aircraft of WW2
Polish Air Force 1940-1947 Operations Record Books
RAF Battle of Britain
RAF Upwood
De Slag om de Grebbeberg
(Dutch)
Warbird Alley
War over Holland
World War II Aircraft wrecksites in Norway
www.bomber-command.de

Bills-Bunker.de
The Lancastershire Aircraft Investigation Team
Luftfahrt-Archäologie in Schleswig Holstein (in German)
North East Diary 1939-1945
Wartime Leicester and Leicestershire

The Aerodrome - Aces and Aircraft of World War 1
WW1 Cemeteries


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This page is dedicated to the men of 103 Squadron.

© Bart FM Droog / Rottend Staal Online 2008. Permission granted for use of the data gathered here for non commercial purposes, if this source is mentioned with a link to http://www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/index.html