The Fairey Battle: A Reassessment of its RAF Career Read online

  46. AVIA46/107 (6 December 1939).

  47. AIR20/425 (18 October 1939), AIR2/4252 (11 November, 6 December 1939).

  48. WO231/171 (30 April 1940).

  49. AIR14/412 (16 October 1939).

  50. Ibid. (2 November 1939).

  51. AIR35/240 AASF Instruction No. 7.

  52. AIR35/242 (6 February 1940).

  53. AIR9/137 (20 December 1939).

  54. WO106/5152 (7 May 1940).

  55. AIR2/2896 (15 February 1940).

  56. AIR14/412 12 December 1939).

  57. AIR2/3456 (23 September 1943).

  58. AIR41/21, p. 137.

  59. AIR 35/254, AIR35/255 (18 June 1940).

  60. AIR14/181 (5 March 1940).

  61. AIR41/21 p. 174.

  62. AIR35/354 (July 1940).

  63. AIR35/241 (14, 18 April 1940).

  64. AIR2/2896 (15 February 1940).

  65. Ibid. (12 May 1940).

  66. AIR41/20, p. 69.

  67. AIR35/354 (July 1940).

  68. AIR35/22 (21 February 1940).

  69. Ibid.

  70. AIR35/343 (4 May 1940).

  Chapter 4

  1. AIR35/354 (July 1940).

  2. AIR27/972 (10 May 1940)

  3. Ibid.

  4. Franks, N., Valiant Wings (Manchester: Crecy, 1994), pp. 76-77.

  5. AIR26/115 (10 May 1940).

  6. Ibid.

  7. AIR27/1008 (19 May 1940).

  8. Ibid. (10, 13 May 1940).

  9. AIR27/164 (10 May 1940); Simpson, W., One of our Pilots is Safe (London: Hamish Hamilton, 1942), pp. 54-59.

  10. AIR27/1406/8 (10 May 1940).

  11. AIR26/115 (11 May 1940).

  12. Ibid.

  13. AIR41/21 pp. 197-198.

  14. Ibid, p. 208.

  15. Richards, D., The Fight at Odds (London: HMSO, 1953), p. 116.

  16. Ibid. pp. 116-117.

  17. Ibid. p 117

  18. AIR41/21 p. 206.

  19. AIR26/115 (12 May 1940).

  20. Ibid.

  21. AIR2/682 (13 May 1940).

  22. AIR41/21, p. 212.

  23. D’Astier, de la V., Le Ciel N’etait Pas Vide (Paris: Julliard, 1952) p. 107.

  24. AIR41/21 pp. 219-220.

  25. Franks, op. cit., p. 136.

  26. Ibid. pp. 133-143.

  27. ORB.

  28. AIR41/21, pp. 220-225.

  29. Ellis, L., The War in France in Flanders (London: HMSO, 1954), p. 56.

  30. AIR2/682 (16 May 1940).

  31. AIR27/164/5 (15 May 1940).

  32. AIR41/21 p. 233, AIR27/164 (15 May 1940).

  33. ORB.

  34. Ibid.

  35. AIR2/682 (17 May 1940).

  36. AIR24/682 (14 May 1940).

  37. AIR27/813 (18 May 1940).

  38. AIR26/115 (19 May 1940).

  39. Ibid.

  40. Ibid./ ORB.

  41. AIR41/21 (p. 297)/ORB.

  42. AIR27/716 (23 May 1940).

  43. AIR27/1008 (23 May 1940).

  44. Information provided by Harry Raffall, Hull University.

  45. ORB.

  46. AIR41/21 pp. 304, 307/ORB.

  Chapter 5

  1. AIR35/343 (7 June 1940).

  2. WO106/5152 (19 May 1940).

  3. AIR41/21 pp366-367.

  4. ORB.

  5. AIR41/21 pp. 379-381.

  6. Ibid. p. 383.

  7. Ibid. p.383.

  8. AIR27/1008 (7 June 1940).

  9. AIR41/21 p 388.

  10. AIR27/813 (8 June 1940).

  11. AIR27/1008 (8 June 1940).

  12. AIR41/21, p. 394.

  13. Ibid. p. 39.

  14. ORB.

  15. ORB.

  16. ORB.

  17. AIR41/21 p. 423.

  18. Ibid. p. 424.

  19. Ibid. p. 475.

  20. Ibid. p. 466.

  Chapter 6

  1. PREM3/8 (3 September 1940).

  2. AIR2/2896 (July 1940).

  3. AIR20/3461 (18 June).

  4. Ibid. (18 June 1940).

  5. AIR20/251 (13 August 1940).

  6. WO106/5151 (June 1940)

  7. WO106/5151 (May-June 1940).

  8. AIR2/2896 (May-June 1940).

  9. AIR25/518 (15 June 1940).

  10. AVA15/533 (June-September 1940).

  11. AIR2/2896 (12 May 1940).

  12. Ibid. (1 June 1940).

  13. AIR35/255.

  14. Ibid.

  15. Ibid.

  16. AIR2/2896 (28 July 1940)

  17. Ibid. (24 June 1940).

  18. AIR35/354 (July 1940).

  19. AIR14/181 (22 June 1940).

  20. AIR20/5552 (1, 7 June 1940).

  21. AIR25/4 (8 July 1940).

  22. AIR20/425 (29 May 1940).

  23. AIR2/2620 (28 July 1940).

  24. AIR25/1 (1, 6 August 1940).

  25. AIR2/2896 (11 July 1940).

  26. AIR24/1207 (17 July 1940), AIR20/6151 (11 July 1940).

  27. AIR20/6152 (12 September 1940).

  28. WO106/5162 (12 August 1940).

  29. Ibid. (30 August 1940)

  30. Ibid.

  31. Ibid.

  32. Ibid.

  33. Ibid. (17 September, 9 October 1940).

  34. AIR14/674 (17 July 1940).

  35. AIR20/3461 (25 July, 26 August 1940).

  36. ORB.

  37. AIR27/164 (23, 25 July 1940).

  38. ORB.

  39. AIR25/1 (1 August 1940).

  40. PREM3/29/2 (9 August 1940).

  41. AIR14/181 (15, 18 August 1940).

  42. AIR25/1 (19 August 1940)

  43. ORB.

  44. AIR25/4 (August 1940).

  45. WO106/5151 (31 December 1939).

  46. AIR20/3461 (25 July 1940).

  47. AIR20/5777 (26 August 1940).

  48. PREM3/8 (3 September 1940)

  49. ORB.

  50. AIR27/1672 (29 August - 22 September 1940).

  51. AIR2/682 (16 May 1940).

  52. AIR27/972 (2 September 1940).

  53. AIR25/1 (15 September 1940).

  54. AIR2/2896 (21 September 1940).

  55. ORB.

  56. AIR25/1 (26 September 1940).

  57. Ibid. (5, 7 October 1940).

  Conclusion

  1. Speidel, The German Air Force in France and the Low Countries USAF Historical Studies No. 152, (unpublished), pp. 238, 257.

  Bibliography

  Baughen, G., Blueprint for Victory (Stroud: Fonthill, 2014),

  Bowen, E. G., Radar Days (Bristol: Adam Hilger, 1987)

  Bowyer, M. J. F., Aircraft of the Few (Yeovil: Patrick Stephens, 1991)

  D’Astier de la Vigerie, Le Ciel N’Etait Pas Vide (Paris: Julliard 1952)

  Ellis, L., The War in France in Flanders (London: HMSO, 1954)

  Franks, N., Valiant Wings (Manchester: Crecy, 1994)

  Gooderson I., Air Power at the Battlefront (London: Frank Cass, 1998)

  Gunston, B., Rolls-Royce Aero Engines (Sparkford: Patrick Stephens, 1989)

  Harrison, W., Fairey Battle (Bletchley: Warpaint Books, 2011)

  Huntley, I., Aircraft Illustrated (Shepperton: Ian Allan, October 1974);

  Fairey Battle (Bedford: SAM Publications, 2004)

  Richards, D., The Fight at Odds (London: HMSO, 1953)

  Shail, D., The Battle File (Tonbridge: Air Britain, 1997)

  Shores C., Fledgling Eagles (London: Grub Street, 1991)

  Simpson, W., One of our Pilots is Safe (London: Hamish Hamilton, 1942)

  Speidel, W., The German Air Force in France and the Low Countries USAF Historical Studies No. 152, (unpublished)

  Taylor, H., Fairey Aircraft since 1915 (London: Putnam, 1974)

  Index

  Air Ministry, attitude towards Battle 5-6, 24-26, 31-32, 103-104, 117; bomber requirements 11-16, 18-19, 21-23, 29-30, 49-50; bomber policy 12-13, 34-36, 42-43, 55, 58, 106, 122; attitude towards Fairey 20, 27-28, exports to Soviet Union 20; self-sealing tank
s 35, 52, 67; tactical air support 36, 38, 40-41, 49-50, 53-55, 59, 100-102, 106-110; dive-bombing 37, 58; fighters 32, 40, 51, 89, 105; role of Battle 34, 43, 57-58, 99

  Air Staff policy, bomber design 11-15, 21, 24-25; strategic bombing 12-13, 25, 31-32, 35-36, 42, 55-57, 69, 78, 100-101, 112, 117, 122-124; self-defending bomber formations 26, 32, 56-57, 121-122; tactical bombing 32, 35-36, 39, 41, 54-55, 69, 78, 100, 102-103, 108-111, 122-124; dive-bombing 35; self-sealing tanks 35, 40-41, 51-54; armour 35, 40-41, 51-54; low-level bombing 36-37; ground attack 37, 39, 54; fighter escorts 40, 44, 47-48, 89, 100-101, 105; view on Luftwaffe tactics/policy 40, 48, 108; night bombing 57

  Aircraft, De Havilland (Airco), D.H. 9a 11-12; D.H.10 11; Tiger Moth 99, 103, 116; Armstrong-Whitworth P.27/32, 17-18; Albemarle 59; Whitley 106, 117, 119; Avro Aldershot 11-12; Manchester 25, 26, 29, 32, 41; Lancaster 32; Boulton Paul Sidestrand 12-13; Defiant 29; Bristol, Blenheim 24-26, 30-32, 34, 38, 41, 45, 48-49, 52, 56, 60, 71-72, 76-77, 79, 89, 96-98, 114; Blenheim IV 30, 42, 101, 104, 119; Blenheim V/Bisley 56, 59; Fairey, Fox 13, 15-16; Fairey P.4/34, 16, 19, 39, 102; Hendon 20, 76; Swordfish 28; Fulmar 102; Battle (see Fairey Battle); Gloster Gladiator 24, 71; Handley Page, Hampden 13, 25, 31-32, 38, 56-57, 98, 117, 119; Halifax 25, 32, 41; Hawker, Horsley 12, 14, 22; Hart 13-14, 16, 22, 24, 27; Henley 16, 21, 39, 101-102; Hind 19, 27, 37; Demon 29; Hurricane 34, 44, 51, 64-65, 72, 74, 76, 89-90, 92-94; Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a 41; Short Stirling 25, 32, 41; Sopwith Camel 38, 41, 70; Salamander 38; Supermarine Spitfire 32, 34; Vickers, Virginia 12; Wellington 6, 13, 22, 25, 27-28, 31-32, 38, 52, 56-57, 78-79, 98, 107, 112, 116-117, 119-123; Westland Lysander 98, 102, 108

  Aircraft American, Boeing 247 15; Brewster SB2A Bermuda 101, 111; Douglas, DC-1 15; DB7 (Boston I, II) 89, 101, 112; Martin 167 (Maryland) 89, 96, 101, 112; Vultee Vengeance 101, 111

  Aircraft German, Heinkel, He 70 19; He 51, 24; Henschel 126 74, 76; Junkers 87 6, 37, 39, 68, 76, 79, 93, 99, 101, 103, 108-110; Messerschmitt Bf 109 24, 31, 47-48

  Aircraft Russian, Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmovik 39, 50, 123

  Aircraft, French, Amiot 143 76-77; Breguet 693 7; Dewoitine D.520 89; Farman 220 12; Lioré et Olivier, LeO 20 12; LeO 206 12; LeO 451 77

  Albert Canal 60, 62, 71-73, 76

  Astier, Gen. F. d’ 64, 76, 82

  Austin 21-22, 26, 28, 31

  Barratt, AM, A. 42, 44-46, 54-55, 57, 59-61, 63-64, 68-69, 71, 73-76, 79-80, 82-83, 86, 89-90, 93-94, 106

  Beaverbrook, Lord 101-102, 105

  Belgian Air Force 19, 40, 71

  Billotte, Gen. G. 75-76

  Blom, Fg Off. W. 66-67

  Bombing plans, WA 1 42; WA 5(a) 42; WA 5(c) 42

  Bottomley, AVM, N. 112

  Bradley, Sqn Ldr 84

  Breen, Air Cdre 106, 109, 113, 119

  Brereton, Fg Off. T., 72

  Brooke-Popham, ACM, R. 51

  Cunningham, Plt Off., V. 74

  Davy, Fg Off. T. 72

  Douglas AVM, W. 19, 41, 53-54, 101, 104

  Dowding, ACM, H. 17, 34, 51, 79, 101, 115

  Eden, A. 100

  Ellington, AVM, E. 16, 20-22, 25-29

  Engines, Bristol, Taurus 41; Fairey Prince V-12 16, 21; Monarch P.24 21, 23, 30; Napier, Dagger 16; Sabre 50; Rolls Royce, Condor 11; Kestrel 15; Griffon 15-16; Goshawk 16; Merlin 16, 19, 23-24, 32, 35, 97; Merlin X 30, 50, 55; Vulture 23, 29, 50

  Evill, AVM, C. 48

  Fairey Battle, obsolescence 6, 25-26, 32, 48, 56-57, 79, 103, 121-122, 124; early designs 14-18; range 14, 16, 17-18, 25, 30-32, 43; number of crew 14, 22, 33, 54, 71, 98; dive-bombing 14, 36-37, 58, 68, 72, 82-83, 105, 108-109, 114, 120; use by night 14, 17, 46, 54, 57-59, 79-80, 83, 86-87, 89, 92, 105-106, 117, 120; orders 19-23, 31, 34, 50; production 19-20, 25-29, 31, 50; cost 28-29; armament 23, 25, 46, 51, 53, 93, 98-99; cancellation 26-29; fighter variant 29; long-range bomber variants 30-31; role 31-36, 39, 42-46, 54-55, 57, 59, 80, 98-101, 103-107, 110-114, 117-118, 120-124; armour 35, 39-41, 48, 50-53, 58, 60, 68-69, 73, 78, 85, 98-99, 108, 117, 124; self-sealing tanks 35, 39-40, 48, 51-53, 60, 68-69, 71, 78-79, 97-99, 105, 108, 117, 124; ground attack 37-39, 49, 49-51; escort for 40, 44, 46-48, 51, 57, 60, 66, 78, 89-90, 92, 94, 97, 104, 124; trainer version 50, 102-103

  Fairey factories, Stockport 20-22, 26-31, 34, 51; Hayes 28

  Fairey, C. 15, 18-20, 27-32

  Footner, Sgt, K. 73

  French Air Force 12, 35, 40, 44, 46, 48, 61, 63, 76, 86, 89, 96-97, 116; air policy 35-36, 44-45, 48, 59-61, 64

  Gamelin, General, M. 44, 64

  Garland, Fg Off., D. 72-73

  Gaulle, Gen. De, C. 80-83

  Geneva Disarmament Talks 14, 17

  German Air Force, see Luftwaffe

  Graveley, Fg Off., R. 47

  Heligoland Bight 52, 56

  Hitler, A. 17, 19, 31, 33

  Ingram, Flt Lt, J. 65-66

  Japan 13

  Lobelle, M. 15-16, 18

  Ludlow-Hewitt, ACM, E. 16-17, 31-35, 40, 42-43, 45-46, 51, 54, 58, 70

  Luftwaffe, formation 19; tactics/policy 45, 49, 60, 68, 69, 79, 108; see also Air Staff

  Maastricht 71-72

  Malden, Maj. Gen. 55

  Marland, Sgt, F. 72-73

  McIntosh, Fg Off., I. 72-73

  Morning Post 22

  Mouchard, Gen. 44

  Newall, ACM, C. 28, 32, 34, 47, 52, 74, 100

  Page, FS, D. 47

  Peirse, AVM, R. 33

  Perrin, LAC, J. 73

  Playfair, AVM, P. 34, 42, 44-46, 48, 60, 67, 73, 75, 79, 104-106

  Polish aircrews/squadrons 103, 107, 116-118, 120

  Polish campaign, lessons 47, 49

  Popplestone, Sgt., W. 93

  Portal, AM, C. 58, 68, 74, 99-101, 112, 116

  Portland Down 14

  RAF, AASF (Advanced Air Striking Force), formation 42; control of 42, 46, 54-55, 57; role 42-46, 51, 54-55, 57-59, 60-63, 89-90, 104-106; training 49-51, 58; disbandment 99; BAFF (British Air Forces in France) 54-55, 89, 92, 96, 99, 110; No. 1 Group 34, 42-43, 99, 101-102, 104, 106-112, 114-117, 119-120; training 106, 109, 111, 113-114, 120; Coastal Command 109, 114-115, 118; No. 16 Group 114-115; No. 61 Group 104, 109-110; Expansion, 1934 19; Scheme F 21; Squadrons, No. 1 Sqn 85; No. 12 Sqn 67, 75, 82, 84, 90, 96, 113-116, 118, 120; No. 15 Sqn 48; No. 40 Sqn 48, 60; No. 63 Sqn 24; No. 71 Sqn 85; No. 88 Sqn 68, 70, 77, 82, 84, 86, 104, 109; No. 98 Sqn 81, 104, 114; No. 103 Sqn 65, 73-74, 76-77, 80-82, 83-84, 85-86, 90, 93, 98, 113-114, 118, 119; No. 105 Sqn 58, 66, 81, 104; No. 114 Sqn 48; No. 139 Sqn 48; No. 142 Sqn 64, 77, 81-82, 84-85, 95, 113, 114-116, 118, 120; No. 150 Sqn 46, 48, 51, 66, 74, 77, 82, 84-85, 93, 90, 95-96, 113-114, 118-119; No. 218 Sqn 66, 68, 70-71, 74, 77, 81-82, 104, 109; No. 226 Sqn 68, 75, 77, 82, 85, 104; No. 300 Sqn 107, 118-119; No. 301 Sqn 107, 118, 120; No. 304 Sqn 108, 116; No. 305 Sqn 108, 116-117

  Reynolds, LAC, L. 73

  Riddell, Plt Off., N. 70-71

  Roumont Château raid 84-85

  Royal Aircraft Establishment 25

  Royal Flying Corps 51, 80

  Ruhr, attack on 31-36, 42-43, 123-124

  Saundby Air Cdr, R. 105

  Schneider Trophy 15

  Sedan operation 75-78, 122

  Simpson, Flt Lt, W. 67

  Sinclair, A. 100, 116

  Slessor, Grp Capt. 34, 45-46, 55, 105

  Soviet Union 13, 20

  Spanish Civil War, lessons 47

  Specifications, B.9/32 13-14, 16-17, 25; P.27/32 13-18; P.4/34 16, 19, 21, 39, 102; B.11/39 41-42, 49, 55, 59

  Sudetenland 31-33, 35

  Swinton, Lord 21, 25-26, 29

  Thomas, Fg Off., N. 72

  Thorougood, Plt Off., G. 93

  Touchon, Gen., R. 80

  Trenchard, MRAF, H. 13

  Veldwezelt 71-73

  Vroenhoven 71-72

  Vuillemin, Gen., J. 44, 48

  Wann, Grp Capt., A. 111-112

  War Office, air support requirement 35-36, 49, 53-56, 59, 99-100, 101-104, 109-111, 115, 122

  Webber, Plt Off. 93

  Weir, Lord 19, 22, 25-29
/>   Western Air (WA) plans WA1 42; WA 5(a) 42; WA 5(c) 42

  Weygand, Gen., M. 88

  White, Sgt, R. 66

  W-Mine 58-59, 112

  Woodall, Lt-Col., J. 110-111