Battle of Britain Album #32: Polish Air Force in Britain

RAF instructor of No. 18 Operational Training Unit showing a drogue, which received a generous peppering of bullets during a training flight, to Polish airmen at No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery School at RAF Penrhos, 14 July 1940. The airmen operated a Vickers K-type gas-operated machine gun from the rear gun position of a Fairey Battle light bomber during the flight. They are probably future members of No. 301 Bomber Squadron. The airman third from the left is Sergeant Kazimierz Sawicz. Imperial War Museum photo CH 580.

 

RAF instructors of No. 18 Operational Training Unit lecturing Polish armorers (probably future ground crew of No. 301 Bomber Squadron) how to fuse smoke bombs for target practice at No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery School at RAF Penrhos, 14 July 1940. No. 18 OTU was formed from the Polish Training Unit in No. 6 Group, Bomber Command, in June 1940 to train light bomber crews for Polish operational squadrons. Imperial War Museum photo CH 581.

 

Two airmen of the Polish Air Force Depot at RAF Blackpool receiving instruction on the controls of an aircraft, probably a Vickers Wellington medium bomber, during ground training at Squires Gate aerodrome, 27 August 1940.

 

Fairey Battle Mk. I light bomber (L5271 'U') of No. 18 Operational Training Unit with a Polish trainee (probably a future member of No. 301 Bomber Squadron) on board circling the airfield prior to landing at No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery School at RAF Penrhos, 14 July 1940. No. 18 OTU was formed from the Polish Training Unit in No. 6 Group, Bomber Command, in June 1940 to train light bomber crews for Polish operational squadrons. Imperial War Museum photo CH 589.

 

A Polish air gunner (probably a future member of No. 301 Bomber Squadron) shooting a Vickers K-type gas-operated machine gun from the rear gun position of a Fairey Battle light bomber of No. 18 Operational Training Unit during a training flight at No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery School at RAF Penrhos, 14 July 1940. He is shooting at a drogue towed by another aircraft. No. 18 OTU was formed from the Polish Training Unit in No. 6 Group, Bomber Command, in June 1940 to train light bomber crews for Polish operational squadrons. Imperial War Museum photo CH 576.

 

A Polish air gunner (probably a future member of No. 301 Bomber Squadron) shooting a Vickers K-type gas-operated machine gun from the rear gun position of a Fairey Battle light bomber of No. 18 Operational Training Unit during a training flight at No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery School at RAF Penrhos, 14 July 1940. He is shooting at a drogue towed by another aircraft. No. 18 OTU was formed from the Polish Training Unit in No. 6 Group, Bomber Command, in June 1940 to train light bomber crews for Polish operational squadrons. Imperial War Museum photo CH 577.

 

A Polish pilot (probably a future member of No. 301 Bomber Squadron) of No. 18 Operational Training Unit putting undercarriage and flaps down of his Fairey Battle Mk. I light bomber preparatory to landing after a bombing exercise over the Cardigan Bay at No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery School at RAF Penrhos, 14 July 1940. No. 18 OTU was formed from the Polish Training Unit in No. 6 Group, Bomber Command, in June 1940 to train light bomber crews for Polish operational squadrons. The aircraft on the ground is a Handley Page Harrow I, serial number K6955, of No. 75 Squadron. Imperial War Museum photo CH 590.

 

Fairey Battle Mk. I light bombers (L5136 ‘S’ and N2045) of No. 18 Operational Training Unit with Polish trainees (probably future members of No. 301 Bomber Squadron) on board on the way to the bombing range over Cardigan Bay during a training session from No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery School at RAF Penrhos, 14 July 1940. No. 18 OTU was formed from the Polish Training Unit in No. 6 Group, Bomber Command, in June 1940 to train light bomber crews for Polish operational squadrons. Imperial War Museum photo CH 588.

 

A distant photograph of a Polish air gunner (probably a future member of No. 301 Bomber Squadron) shooting a Vickers K-type gas-operated machine gun from the rear gun position of a Fairey Battle light bomber of No. 18 Operational Training Unit during a training flight at No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery School at RAF Penrhos, 14 July 1940. He is shooting at a drogue towed by another aircraft. No. 18 OTU was formed from the Polish Training Unit in No. 6 Group, Bomber Command, in June 1940 to train light bomber crews for Polish operational squadrons. Imperial War Museum photo CH 578.

 

A Fairey Battle Mk. I light bomber of No. 18 Operational Training Unit with a Polish trainee (probably a future member of No. 301 Bomber Squadron) on board banking away from a low level attack on the bombing range over Cardigan Bay during a training session, 14 July 1940. Its first bomb burst near the target floating on the surface of the sea. No. 18 OTU was formed at No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery School at RAF Penrhos from the Polish Training Unit in No. 6 Group, Bomber Command, in June 1940 to train light bomber crews for Polish operational squadrons. Imperial War Museum photo CH 586.

 

A Fairey Battle Mk. I light bomber of No. 18 Operational Training Unit with a Polish trainee (probably a future member of No. 301 Bomber Squadron) on board scoring almost a direct hit on the bombing range over Cardigan Bay during a training session, 14 July 1940. No. 18 OTU was formed at No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery School at RAF Penrhos from the Polish Training Unit in No. 6 Group, Bomber Command, in June 1940 to train light bomber crews for Polish operational squadrons. Imperial War Museum photo CH 585.

 

RAF instructor of No. 18 Operational Training Unit analyzing the results of a bombing exercise over the Cardigan Bay with Polish trainee airmen (probably future members of No. 301 Bomber Squadron) at No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery School at RAF Penrhos, 14 July 1940. The exercise was carried on Fairey Battle Mk. I light bombers. No. 18 OTU was formed from the Polish Training Unit in No. 6 Group, Bomber Command, in June 1940 to train light bomber crews for Polish operational squadrons. Imperial War Museum photo CH 587.

 

A Polish instructor (or translator) of No. 18 Operational Training Unit lecturing Polish airmen (all probably future members of No. 301 Bomber Squadron) on the .303 Vickers K-type gas-operated machine gun at No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery School at RAF Penrhos, 14 July 1940. The airman operating the gun is Sergeant Kazimierz Sawicz. No. 18 OTU was formed from the Polish Training Unit in No. 6 Group, Bomber Command, in June 1940 to train light bomber crews for Polish operational squadrons. Imperial War Museum photo CH 573.

 

Instructor of No. 18 Operational Training Unit lecturing Polish airmen (all probably future members of No. 301 Bomber Squadron) on the .303 Vickers K-type gas-operated machine gun at No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery School at RAF Penrhos, 14 July 1940. The airman operating the gun is Sergeant Kazimierz Sawicz. No. 18 OTU was formed from the Polish Training Unit in No. 6 Group, Bomber Command, in June 1940 to train light bomber crews for Polish operational squadrons. Imperial War Museum photo CH 574.

 

 

Battle of Britain Album #31: Royal New Zealand Air Force in Britain

A further contingent of airmen of the RNZAF has arrived in Britain to serve with the RAF. The men are armorers, and wireless operators for ground duties. This image was taken when the airmen were welcomed on their arrival by the High Commissioner for New Zealand. Members of the Naval Volunteer Reserve also arrived on the same ship. This image shows the cheering New Zealander airmen. Imperial War Museum photo CH 1224.

 

The reluctant celebrity: New Zealand fighter ace Alan Deere is greeted enthusiastically by female workers at the HMV Gramophone Factory in London. HMV produced radar and communications equipment during the Second World War. Alan Christopher Deere is possibly New Zealand’s most famous Second World War fighter pilot. He was also one of the luckiest, surviving several near-death experiences to become one of the outstanding pilots of the Battle of Britain.

 

 

Battle of Britain Album #30: No. 1 Squadron RCAF

A group of pilots of No 1 Squadron RCAF, gather round one of their Hawker Hurricane Mark Is at Prestwick, Scotland. The Squadron Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader E A McNab, stands fifth from the right, wearing a forage cap. Imperial War Museum photo CH 1733.

 

 

Battle of Britain Album #29: No. 616 Squadron RAF

Two Spitfires of No. 616 Squadron come in to land at Fowlmere, September 1940. The foreground aircraft is X4330 QJ-G. Imperial War Museum photo CH 1454.

 

A Spitfire Mk I of No. 616 Squadron comes in to land at Fowlmere, September 1940. Imperial War Museum photo CH 1455.

 

Flight Lieutenant C A T (Cyril Arthur Trevor) Jones of No. 616 Squadron climbs out of his Spitfire (QJ-A) while a member of the ground staff refuels the aircraft, Fowlmere, September 1940. Imperial War Museum photo CH 1358.

 

Flying Officer Kenneth 'Ken' Holden of No. 616 Squadron, Fowlmere, September 1940. CH 1396.

 

Spitfire pilots of No. 616 Squadron at Fowlmere, September 1940. On the left is Pilot Officer Philip 'Zeke' Leckrone, an American volunteer. In the center, Flight Lieutenant Cyril Arthur Jones. Imperial War Museum photo CH 1363.

 

Flight Lieutenant Colin H Macfie of No. 616 Squadron, Fowlmere, September 1940. Imperial War Museum photo CH 1395.

 

Flight Lieutenant Colin H Macfie of No. 616 Squadron, Fowlmere, September 1940. Imperial War Museum photo CH 1394.

 

Troops guard the burning remains of a Junkers Ju 88 of the KG 30, one of seven aircraft shot down during attacks on airfields in Yorkshire on 15 August 1940. Spitfires of No. 616 Squadron and Hurricanes of No. 73 Squadron intercepted the enemy formation as it approached the coast near Scarborough. Imperial War Museum photo HU 63859.

 

 

Battle of Britain Album #28: No. 610 Squadron RAF

Spitfire pilots of No. 610 Squadron relaxing between sorties at 'A' Flight dispersal at Hawkinge, 29 July 1940. HU 1062.

 

Spitfires of No. 610 Squadron, based at Biggin Hill, flying in formation, 24 July 1940. Imperial War Museum photo CH 745.

 

Spitfires of No. 610 Squadron, based at Biggin Hill, flying in 'vic' formation, 24 July 1940. Imperial War Museum photo CH 733.

 

Distant view of Spitfires of No. 610 Squadron, based at Biggin Hill, photographed from a Blenheim, 24 July 1940 Imperial War Museum photo CH 736.

 

German gunner's eye view of three Spitfires of No. 610 Squadron, 'attacking' a Blenheim, 24 July 1940. Imperial War Museum photo CH 737.

 

Spitfires of No. 610 Squadron, based at Biggin Hill, flying in 'vic' formation, 24 July 1940. N3289 DW-K and R6595 DW-O nearest. Imperial War Museum photo CH 739.

 

Spitfires of No. 610 Squadron, based at Biggin Hill, flying in 'vic' formation, 24 July 1940. Imperial War Museum photo CH 741.

 

Distant view of Spitfires of No. 610 Squadron, based at Biggin Hill, flying in 'vic' formation, 24 July 1940. Imperial War Museum photo CH 742.

 

Distant view of Spitfires of No. 610 Squadron, based at Biggin Hill, flying in 'vic' formation, 24 July 1940. Imperial War Museum photo CH 743.

 

Spitfires of No. 610 Squadron, based at Biggin Hill, flying in 'vic' formation, 24 July 1940. Imperial War Museum photo CH 744.

 

 

Battle of Britain Album #27: No. 609 Squadron RAF

A lucky Andy Mamedoff shows off damage to his 609 Sq. Spitfire after his encounter with an Bf 110.

 

 

Battle of Britain Album #26: No. 602 Squadron RAF

X4382, a late production Spitfire Mk I of 602 Squadron flown by P/O Osgood Hanbury, Westhampnett, September 1940.

 

 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I (X4382) coded LO-G of No. 602 Squadron RAF flown by P/O Osgood "Pedro" Hanbury, Westhampnett, August 1940. This aircraft was camouflaged in Dark Green/Dark Earth in "A" pattern on the upper surfaces with Sky on the underside. The spinner was black and th3e code letters were gray. The lower wing roundels in small size. P/O Hanbury also fought over Africa and his final victory tally stood at 11, including two scored on this machine.