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F540 Operations Record Book December 1940 for 420 Flight Middle Wallop
93 Squadron from 7Dec1940.
PRO Kew No. AIR27 Piece 751 Microfilm Row 1 Draws 52-71
Place Date Time Summary of Events Refs
Middle Wallop 2/12/40   Wing Commander J. W. Homer posted from S.D.L. Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, to command No. 420 Flight.  
             " 5/12/40   A drop test was carried out from Harrow K. 7020, using racks which had been modified to drop units from back compartments working forward - cement filled bombs were used. There were no prematures and the curtain was fairly even, although there were about 20 high flying parachutes.  
             " 7/12/40   Pilot Officers W. Baker and F.S. W. Webb, Air Gunners posted to 420 Flight. Pilot Officer Webb was subsequently re-posted to his former unit, No. 15 O.T.U.

Name of Unit changed to 93 Squadron, and it was learned that a new establishment was in course of preparation, providing for two Flights of D.B.7s and one flight of Wellingtons. The first Wellington was collected from Farnborough for handling purposes.
 
             " 8/12/40   W/C. Homer, F/Lt. Burke and F/Lt. Hayley-Bell attended a conference at Farnborough on mine laying and mine towing.
W/C. Homer brought Douglas Boston 7 - AW411 from Farnborough to be loaned to the Squadron for handling practice.
 
             " 11/12/40   The second drop test was carried out with cement filled bombs and modified tape holding the arming wire in position on the cardboard container. There were no new prematures. Sir Henry Terrand watched the test from escorting aircraft.  
             " 12/12/40   F/Lt. A. L. Womersley was posted to the Squadron, but was subsequently re-posted to his former Unit, No.1 (C) O.T.U. Silloth.)  
             " 15/12/40   F/Lt. S.F. Ireland was posted to the Squadron for Adjutant duties. P/O R.G. Woodcraft posted to the Squadron for flying duties, but returned to his former Unit on 18/12/40.

The last drop test was carried out successfully.   As it was considered the store was now safe arrangements were made to recommence operations as soon as possible.
 
             " 16/12/40   Pilot Officer J.M. Desborough posted to the Squadron for Engineer Officer duties. Flying Officer A.H. Siminson and Pilot Officer R.C. Hyett arrived for flying duties.  
             " 21/12/40   F/Lt. Burke in Harrow K.6993 took off to operate, but had to return owing to bad weather.
Pilot Officer C. McLintock posted to the Squadron for Controller duties, and was detached to T.R.E. Worth-Matravers.
 
             " 22/12/40   F/Lt. Burke in Harrow K.6993 took off at 1735 hours to patrol Worth-Matravers area.
One enemy aircraft claimed as destroyed.  See attached combat report.
Pilot Officer L.W. Graham posted to Squadron for Controller duties.
APPENDIX "A"
Middle Wallop 22/12/40   Pilot Officer J.P. Lloyd posted to the Squadron for Controller duties.  
             " 22/12/40   Posting of airmen to fill provisional establishment commenced, and between this date and the end of the month, 260 airmen of divers ranks and trades arrived on posting to the Squadron.  
             " 23/12/40   Pilot Officer G.G. McLannahan posted to the Squadron for flying duties.

F/Lt. Burke in Harrow K.6993 patrolled Worth-Matravers area. Nothing was dropped.
 
             " 24/12/40   F/Lt. Burke in Harrow K.6993 patrolled Worth-Matravers area. Nothing was dropped.  
             " 26/12/40   Formation flying practice in Douglas Boston aircraft.  Two Flight Commanders led by Commanding Officer, [blanked] last Flight.  Was very good and lasted 50 minutes.  
             " 28/12/40   Pilot Officers H. Wilson, K.W. Kinchin, L.J. Porter, and G.E. Pulton arrive on posting for flying duties.  
             " 29/12/40   F/Lt. Burke, F/Lt. Hayley-Bell, W/O. Wallace (Armament) and Cpl Foster (W.E.M.) paid a visit to Burton Wood to see the equipment of the operational Douglas Boston aircraft.

F/Lt. Burke in Harrow K.6993 patrolled Worth-Matravers area. Nothing was dropped.
 
Form 541 No. 93 Squadron, Middle Wallop

From 0001 hrs 1/12/40 to 23.59 hrs 31/12/40

Aircraft Type and No. Crew. Duty. Time Up. Time Down. Details of Sortie or Flight References.
Harrow II K.6993 F/Lt P.L. Burke Night Interception 17.35 20.05 Mutton operations.  Patrol Area "C" One E/A claimed and confirmed as destroyed. 22/12/40
        " F/Lt P.L. Burke -do- 17.30 20.20 Mutton operations.  Patrol Area "C"  No interception. 23/12/40
        " F/Lt P.L. Burke -do- 17.30 18.30 Mutton operations.  Patrol Area "C"   Returned owing to failure of generator.  No interception. 24/12/40
        " F/Lt P.L. Burke -do- 18.20 20.20 Mutton operations.  Patrol Area "C"  No interception. 29/12/40
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