He flew with a Bristol Blenheim (type IV, serial P4861, code UX-).
September
Within hours of the declaration of war, 28 aircraft (1 Blenheim, 18 Hampdens and 9 Wellingtons) were despatched to locate German warships. The Blenheim, of No 139 Squadron, was the first RAF aircraft to cross the German coast in WWII. That night, 10 Whitleys from Nos 51 and 58 Squadrons dropped leaflets over Hamburg, Bremen and The Ruhr. Both operations were completed without loss. But anti-shipping operations on the following day told a very different tale. 29 Blenheims and Wellingtons attempted to bomb German warships in Wilhelmshaven and Brunsbüttel. 5 Blenheims and 2 Wellingtons were lost and little damage was done to those vessels attacked. No 107 Squadron lost 4 out of 5 aircraft dispatched. Much of the remainder of the month was spent on leaflet raids ('Nickelling') and reconnaissance flights but on the 29th another attempt was made to attack the German Fleet in Heligoland Bight. This time, 11 Hampdens were sent in broad daylight and the second formation of 5 aircraft, all from No 144 Squadron, failed to return.
Within hours of the declaration of war, 28 aircraft (1 Blenheim, 18 Hampdens and 9 Wellingtons) were despatched to locate German warships. The Blenheim, of No 139 Squadron, was the first RAF aircraft to cross the German coast in WWII. That night, 10 Whitleys from Nos 51 and 58 Squadrons dropped leaflets over Hamburg, Bremen and The Ruhr. Both operations were completed without loss. But anti-shipping operations on the following day told a very different tale. 29 Blenheims and Wellingtons attempted to bomb German warships in Wilhelmshaven and Brunsbüttel. 5 Blenheims and 2 Wellingtons were lost and little damage was done to those vessels attacked. No 107 Squadron lost 4 out of 5 aircraft dispatched. Much of the remainder of the month was spent on leaflet raids ('Nickelling') and reconnaissance flights but on the 29th another attempt was made to attack the German Fleet in Heligoland Bight. This time, 11 Hampdens were sent in broad daylight and the second formation of 5 aircraft, all from No 144 Squadron, failed to return.1
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