They Spread Their Wings

Read They Spread Their Wings for Free Online

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Authors: Alastair Goodrum
Tunisia where they would eventually capitulate. During November No 6 Squadron moved ‘A’ Flight with six aircraft and ground staff forward to landing ground LG 172. This was located near Hammam close to the Egyptian coast, still 30 miles east of El Alamein but 25 miles west of Amriya. The detachment was kept at instant readiness to move further forward, but the call never came. Howard and a number of other pilots in the squadron had seen no air action during the Battle of El Alamein and it was becoming ever clearer, to the aircrew at least, that the day of the tank-buster was temporarily suspended.
    Much of this enforced period of inactivity was taken up with sorties by lorry all over the recent battlefields around Alamein to find and examine knocked-out enemy tanks and other armour so that the pilots could see the effects of their 40mm cannon up close. The CO and his deputy, Sqn Ldr Donald Weston-Burt, also spent a great deal of time and effort producing detailed reports, such as: (1) ‘Operations of No 6 Squadron RAF – Hurricane IID aircraft’; (2) ‘Training of Pilots since July 1942’; (3) ‘Individual claims of direct hits’; and (4) ‘Handling notes – Hurricane IID aircraft’ – all of which were sent to Air HQ (AHQ) Western Desert in the hope of stimulating the higher authority’s view of the value of IID operations.
    The squadron did not take kindly to being left out of the action against Rommel and his tanks, particularly when, on 6 December, the following signal was received from HQ Middle East:

    Two Flights of No 6 Squadron to rearm with Hurricane IICs and to be transferred to the operational control of AHQ Egypt for shipping protection and fighter operations duties. Third Flight is to remain at Shandur as a Hurricane IID Training Flight.

    The CO, Wg Cdr Porteous, was not amused and on 6 December sent a letter to AHQ Egypt:

    A considerable number of tanks appear to be in Tunisia and it is suggested that if this unit could be sent to Tunisia to fill the role of an anti-tank squadron with Hurricane IIDs, we might be of value to our own forces. The Squadron at the present time is very well trained in the above tactics and operations, both in air and ground crews, and it would appear to be rather a waste of effort if this training could not be utilised to some good purpose. It is understood there would be considerable difficulties in transporting the unit from the Middle East to Tunisia, but possibly this could be overcome.

    The same day, the CO was instructed to fly to Edku (or Idku) airfield ‘to confer with the station commander concerning the move of the squadron [from LG 172 to Edku]’. The order stood but everyone was disappointed with the change of role, prompting several pilots to apply for posting to squadrons ‘where they could take a more aggressive part against the enemy’. These applications were deferred mainly on the grounds that, since No 6 would now work to ‘normal’ fighter squadron establishment, there would need to be a reduction in flying personnel anyway. The change of role took effect on 1 January 1943, when No 6’s ‘D’ Flight at Shandur was also disbanded and its personnel dispersed. The Hurricane IIDs were to be handed over to No 109 Maintenance Unit at Abu Seuir to be given a thorough servicing. Howard Clark was one of the pilots staying with No 6 and received further good news on 23 December 1942 when he was promoted to the war substantive rank of flying officer, backdated to 25 September. In a letter home, Howard commented: ‘they should pay into my bank account £6 more now and there should be a lump sum for the back-pay.’ Christmas 1942 was celebrated by the squadron in fine – and wet – style, but the next day, 26 December, saw the first convoy patrol flown by Flt Lt Bluett and Fg Off Carswell.
    Even when AHQ WD had ordered the transition and the squadron had actually moved to Edku, Wg Cdr Porteous still did not give up trying to have the squadron

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