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15mins
Unit: 602 Squadron
2 Magister
1hr. 55mins
Date: 1/8/41
 
 
Signature: H.L. Thorne
 
 
J.D.Williams Flt Lt
A.C. Deere S/Ldr
O/C. A Flight
O/C 602 Squadron
    GRAND TOTAL TO DATE.
    229 hours 00mins.
YEAR
1940
AIRCRAFT
Pilot or 1st Pilot
2nd Pilot, Pupil or Pass.
DUTY (Including Results and Remarks)
Flying Time
Passenger
MONTH
DATE
Type
No.
Dual
Solo
August
2nd
Spitfire
P8791
Self
 
Air test and cannon test at 34,000ft
 
1–10
 
 
 
Spitfire
P8791
Self
 
Cannon test
 
–40
 
 
 
Spitfire
P3638
Self
 
Air test and cannon test at 35,100ft
 
1–05
 
 
5th
Spitfire
P8423
Self
 
Bomber escort
 
1–25
 
 
7th
Spitfire
P8791
Self
 
Operational sweep
 
1–35
 
 
 
Spitfire
P8799
Self
 
Gun and air test
 
–35
 
 
 
Spitfire
P8799
Self
 
Gun test
 
–40
 
 
18th
Spitfire
P8787
Self
 
Bomber escort
 
1–20
 
 
19th
Spitfire
W3622
Self
 
Bomber escort
 
1–35
 
 
20th
Spitfire
W3407
Self
 
Gun and air test
 
–30
 
 
21st
Spitfire
W3622
Self
 
Bomber escort
 
1–25
 
 
 
Spitfire
W3622
Self
 
Bomber escort
 
1–05
 
 
24th
Magister
R1915
Self
 
To Merston
 
–30
 
 
 
Magister
R1915
Self
 
To White Waltham
 
–30
 
 
25th
Magister
R1915
Self
 
Return to base
 
–50
 
 
26th
Spitfire
W3756
Self
 
Cannon test
 
–40
 
 
 
Spitfire
W3622
Self
 
Operational sweep
 
–50
 
 
27th
Spitfire
W3622
Self
 
Bomber escort
 
1–15
 
 
Magister
R1915
Self
 
Flip
 
–10
 
 
 
Magister
R1915
Self
 
To White Waltham
 
–30
 
 
28th
Magister
R1915
Self
 
Return to base
 
–30
 
 
29th
Spitfire
W3622
Self
 
Operational sweep
 
1–40
 
 
30th
Spitfire
W3736
Self
 
‘Pansy’ squadron formation and aerobatics
 
1–35
 
 
31st
Spitfire
W3622
Self
 
Operational sweep
 
1–20
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3–30
7–40
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
55–25
185–40
4–40
    2 August : The unbelievable thrill of making my first flight to over 30,000 feet, using oxygen from the ground upwards, taking a little over 10 minutes to reach that height. I could see the whole sweep of the south coast and most of London and fly over or through the fleecy white tops of billowing cumulus clouds, the best way to appreciate the aircraft’s speed.
    When 20mm cannons were first installed in Spitfires, stoppages caused frequent problems. We carried out regular tests particularly at high altitudes.

    7 August : My first taste of real action. I flew as Red 4, otherwise known as tail end Charlie or more rudely as arse-end Charlie, in the central leading section. My function was to weave backwards and forwards across the rear of the other three Spitfires in the section to give them maximum cover against attacks from above and behind.
    602 Sqdn were flying Bomber escort cover, slightly above and to starboard of six Blenheims. When we were about ten miles west of St. Omer, Red Section (that’s us) were attacked by four 109 Es. As they overtook us in their diving attack Wing Commander Johnnie Kent attacked the leading enemy fighter. He followed it down. I attacked the second 109, firing a short burst with guns and cannons, from dead astern and slightly below. The enemy aircraft turned on to its back and went down vertically leaving a thick trail of white smoke. I claimed it probably destroyed. Sergeant Jimmie Garden attacked the third ME 109 with a short burst and claimed it damaged. P/O Thornton failed to return but I have no memory as to whether he survived. He was flying as Red 2 and must have suffered severe damage in the initial burst of enemy fire, so his chances were not good. My victim was seen to crash and I was credited with 1 destroyed. My first kill.
    Looking back, it is difficult to believe that my combat that day was only the seventh time I had fired my guns. The earlier times were mostly air to ground, just to hear and experience what it felt like. It was the first time I had actually shot at another aircraft and it felt great, although I did not