610 (County of Chester) Auxiliary Air Force Squadron, 1936-1940

by David Bailey

Overview

610 (County of Chester) Squadron was formed in February 1936 as a bomber squadron. With personnel recruited from the local area for the expanding Auxiliary Air Force, these ‘weekend fliers’ were molded into a cohesive fighting unit at Hooton Park, Cheshire. However, as the Second World War loomed, 610 Squadron transferred to Fighter Command, ultimately operating the iconic Supermarine Spitfire.

Flying from Gravesend, 610 Squadron suffered seven pilots killed and one wounded whilst desperately protecting the Dunkirk evacuation. The Squadron then played a key role in the Battle of Britain, claiming a heavy toll on the Luftwaffe whilst operating from Biggin Hill and Hawkinge. After further tragic losses, 610’s veterans moved to Acklington, Northumberland, to train replacement pilots.

Despite the famous photographs of its men and aircraft during 1940, 610’s valiant history remains largely unknown. This detailed book recounts their heroic story for the first time, combining the Operations Record Book with Combat Reports, pilots’ Log Books, ground crew and relatives’ testimonies, plus a rare interview with Wing Commander Brian Smith, a founding Squadron member who fought during 1940. Finally, this fascinating story is brought to life with many unpublished photographs from the Squadron’s Association, to recognize 610 Squadron’s brave sacrifice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781781557143
Publisher:	Fonthill Media
Publication date:	04/30/2020
Pages:	672
Product dimensions:	6.75(w) x 9.75(h) x (d)

About the Author

David Julian Bailey lives on the Wirral Peninsula. He studied English literature at the University of Kent at Canterbury, followed by an MA in Shakespeare at Royal Holloway, University Of London. He has a long-standing interest in the history of the RAF during the Second World War, particularly Fighter Command and the Battle Of Britain. This led to his detailed research into 610 (County Of Chester) Squadron, as many of the pilots came from his local area. He is a member of 610 Squadron’s association. A keen hockey player, he has worked as a proofreader for Bank Of America since 2004.

Table of Contents

Dedication 5

Preface 6

Acknowledgements 7

1 1936: Alifero Tollitur Axe Ceres 13

2 1937: Development of 610 Squadron at Hooton Park 25

3 1938: From Harts to Hinds 37

4 1 January-9 October 1939: Fighter Command and, Finally, the Spitfire! 51

5 10 October-31 December 1939: New Home at Wittering 81

6 1 January-9 May 1940: Convoy Patrols from Bircham Newton and Prestwick 96

7 10-25 May 1940: Arrival at Biggin Hill 110

8 26-31 May 1940: Move to Gravesend and 'Operation Dynamo' 124

9 June 1940: Rest, Recuperation and Replacements at Acklington and Gravesend 164

10 1-13 July 1940: Return to Biggin Hill for the Start of The Battle of Britain 203

11 14-25 July 1940: Channel Duels 225

12 26-31 July 1940: New Pilots, Training and Fox Film Company at Hawkinge 261

13 1-13 August 1940: Beware of the Hun in the Sun 285

14 14-17 August 1940: 'Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few' 311

15 18 August 1940: The Hardest Day 334

16 19-24 August 1940: Weather's Respite and Sergeant's Success 347

17 25-31 August 1940: Relentless Scrambles for 'Dog Rose' Squadron 369

18 September 1940: Out of the Firing Line at Acklington 425

19 October 1940: Closing Stages of The Battle of Britain 461

20 November-December 1940: 'Who falls for love of God, shall rise a star' 487

In conclusion 510

Postscript 512

Endnotes 514

Glossary and abbreviations 528

Bibliography 531

Index 534