Blood, Sweat and Courage

41 Squadron RAF, September 1939-July 1942; A Biographical History

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1. THE PHONEY WAR, 3 SEPTEMBER 1939-31 MARCH 1940

Daily summaries of the Squadron’s activity throughout this period whilst based at RAF Catterick, including the Squadron's composition and mobilisation at the outbreak of war, flying accidents and casualties, the Squadron's first victory, attachments to RAF Wick and Thornaby, and uneventful convoy patrols.

Daily summaries of the Squadron’s activity throughout this period, including a victory by a pilot who was shot down by return fire but awarded the Squadron's first decoration of the War, a new Commanding Officer, the Squadron's own Intelligence Officer, the Squadron's deployment to RAF Hornchurch to provide air cover for the evacuations, the Squadron's first pilot to be killed in action and its first taken prisoner, victories over Dunkirk, a nominal roll, a list of matching Spitfire I serials and Squadron codes, the Squadron's return to RAF Catterick, and further action.

Daily summaries of the Squadron’s activity throughout this period, including the Squadron's re-deployment to RAF Hornchurch, every action, every victory, and every casualty, pilot turnover, two new Officers Commanding, re-equipping with Spitfire IIa's, a list of aircraft transfers, statistical graphs, lists of 11 Group victories by squadron, and a Battle of Britain Honour Roll.

Daily summaries of the Squadron’s activity throughout this period, including the wind-down from the frenzied activity of the Battle of Britain, pilots accidentally venturing into the balloon barrage area with dire results, pilots volunteering for service in Malta, an attack by the Italian Air Force, further victories, the loss of key pilots through casualty or resting, new pilots brought on board to replace them, the introduction of a new strategy of sweeps and Circuses, a list of matching Spitfire IIa serials and Squadron codes, lists of 11 Group victories by squadron, and nominal rolls.

Daily summaries of the Squadron’s activity throughout this period, including the Squadron's return to RAF Catterick, a Battle of Britain post-mortem, re-equipping with the Spitfire Ia, returning to the Spitfire IIa, tables of transferred aircraft, most of the remaining Battle of Britain pilots rested and replaced with fresh new pilots from training, victories and casualties, moving south to RAF Merston, and nominal rolls.

Daily summaries of the Squadron’s activity throughout this period, including the Squadron’s move to the Tangmere Wing and re-equipping with the Spitfire Va & Vb, a list of transferred aircraft, a return to offensive operations and Circuses, and its toll on the Squadron, new pilots come on board to replace losses, a new Officer Commanding, the loss of the Wing Commander, Operation Leg, low level Ramrod operations, the Officer Commanding is killed in action, a new Officer Commanding, and nominal rolls.

Daily summaries of the Squadron’s activity throughout this period, including the Squadron's move from RAF Merston to RAF Westhampnett, winter weather, anti-shipping and convoy operations, victories and casualties, The Channel Dash, air cover for Commando operations, a Spring recommencement of Circus operations, Roadstead operations, a list of matching Spitfire V serials and Squadron codes, a visit by Air Cdre HRH Prince George, postings and new arrivals, and nominal rolls.

Daily summaries of the Squadron’s activity throughout this period, including the unit’s return to RAF Merston, increasing Circus operations, disaster strikes when the Squadron loses both Flight Commanders and two other pilots on one operation, the Wing Commander is killed in action, the Officer Commanding is promoted to Wing Commander and replaced, the Wing Commander is wounded action and replaced, combating the Luftwaffe's 'tip and run' strategy, a future Ace's first victories, disagreements between pilots, pilot turnover, victories and losses.

Daily summaries of the Squadron’s activity throughout this period, including a non-posting to an air-firing course converted to an operational posting, the Squadron's departure from RAF Merston for the last time, a monotonous litany of uneventful convoy patrols, the Squadron is unexpectedly removed from operations altogether and posted to RAF Debden, the Squadron is prepared for overseas deployment to Russia in Operation Invective, the cancellation of Invective as a result of the disaster of Arctic Convoy PQ17, the Squadron's return to operations, pilot turnover, ground victories and casualties, a new Officer Commanding, and summing up the first half of the War.

Biographies of every one of 41 Squadron’s pilots that served with the unit between 1 September 1939 and 31 July 1942, including names, dates and places of birth, places of education and employment, dates of joining the Air Force, locations and dates of flying training, postings to active units, promotions and commissionings, victories and casualties, retirements, post-War occupations and deaths.

A chronological list of 41 Squadron’s Officers Commanding between 1 September 1939 and 31 July 1942, with their dates of service.

A chronological list of all of 41 Squadron’s Flight Commanders between 1 September 1939 and 31 July 1942, with their dates of service.

Biographies of 41 Squadron’s key Ground Staff between 1 September 1939 and 31 July 1942, including the Intelligence Officer, Engineering Officers, Medical Officers, and Adjutants.

A comprehensive chronological list of approximately 320 casualties, accidents and incidents involving 41 Squadron’s personnel and aircraft between 3 September 1939 and 31 July 1942, including names, dates, aircraft marks and serials, pilot fates, circumstances and locations.

An alphabetical list of the 41 men who died whilst serving with 41 Squadron between 3 September 1939 and 31 July 1942, with names, ranks, ages at death, date of death, and brief details of the cause.

An alphabetical list of the ten men who became Prisoners of War whilst serving with 41 Squadron between 3 September 1939 and 31 July 1942, with names, dates of capture, places of capture and POW camps.

A chronological list of the aircraft victories claimed by 41 Squadron’s pilots between 3 September 1939 and 31 July 1942, with names, dates, aircraft claimed, locations and Combat Report numbers and locations.

A chronological list of ground victories (road, sea, rail & infrastructure) claimed by 41 Squadron’s pilots between 3 September 1939 and 31 July 1942, with dates, objects claimed, and locations.

A list of decorations awarded to 41 Squadron’s pilots for service with the unit between 1 September 1939 and 31 July 1942, with decoration, decoration description, names of recipients, and dates awarded.

A chronological list of the aircraft types flown by 41 Squadron between 1 September 1939 and 31 July 1942, plus all known ‘hacks’.

A chronological list of all of 41 Squadron’s bases between 1 September 1939 and 31 July 1942, including base names, county or country, dates of arrival and Groups.

A chronological list of surviving original cine-gun camera films made by 41 Squadron pilots between 3 September 1939 and 31 July 1942, which are held by the Imperial War Museum, including dates, names, times (if available), objects attacked, film formats, catalogue numbers and film numbers.

A list of the individual victory claims by 41 Squadron’s pilots between 3 September 1939 and 31 May 1945.

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© Steve Brew, 2014