[Observer1940]

"Remarks by Group Commander"
[remarks in the numbered paragraphs, signed by Air Commodore T. E. B. Howe, Commanding No.17 Group, Royal Air Force]

Court of Inquiry President - Wing Commander G.H. Harrison, O.B.E., D.F.C., R.A.F. Station, Squires Gate.
Court of Inquiry Members - Squadron Leader B.S. Tomlin, D.F.C. No.10 O.T.U. Abingdon
Flight Lieutenant B.B. Jupp, R.A.F. Station, Abbotsinch.

1. I agree with para. 1 (a) and (b) of the Findings and consider that Sergeant PARROTT was also to blame in that he did not challenge Whitley N.1411 with the letter of day."

[Sgt J. C. W. Parrott 359233 on Page 2 of Evidence. Hurricane was R.4118 of No. 1 (C) O.T.U. Silloth on 5th August 1940 - Form 2 page 1].

"2. Reference para. 2 of the findings; I do not consider Flying Officer A. J. Gattle was to blame for not giving the recognition signal again in view of the fact that he had already given it once and the HURRICANE pilot did not challenge him with the letter of the day."

[Gattle should be Oettle.]

"3. I do not agree with the assumption made by Flying Officer GATTLE in his evidence that the HURRICANES were performng practice attacks in view of the terms of K.R.& A.C.I., para. 718 (1), which precludes any practice attacks between aircraft without prearrangement."

[Gattle should be Oettle.]

"4. I agree with para. 3 of the Findings that Flight Lieutenant CLEUGH-FAIR was indirectly to blame for not giving Sgt PARROTT more explicit orders."

[Cleugh-Fair initials were given as both A. D. and also A. D. C. Cleugh-Fair F/Lt. amongst the many pages of evidence].

"7. The use of fighters by Royal Air Force Station, SILLOTH, for local defence has since been stopped by Headquarters COASTAL COMMAND letter S.9400/9/Org., dated the 15th August, 1940."

Flight Information
Flying Officer A. J. Oettle stated he was an Instructor at No.10 O.T.U., Abingdon and was Captain of Whitley N.1411 and had been detailed "to go on a practice navigational flight along the route Abingdon - Worcester - Holyhead - Jurby - West Freugh - Silloth - Great Orme's Head - Shrewsbury - Abingdon, the excercise to include photographic bombing of Whitehaven, and also practice bombing on sea markers. I was carrying a crew of four, P/O. Stevens (trainee pilot), Sgt. Hoosan (W/T. Operator). Sgt. Hather (trainee navigator) and Sgt. Green (trainee W/T. Operator)."

"At about 1400 hours, between Silloth and Whitehaven, we were challenged by several Blenheim and Hurricane aircraft."

"We replied with the correct letter of the day, and then with the right two-star recognition cartridge."
...

"At 1425 hours we set course from St. Bees Head to Gt. Ormes Head, whereupon the fighter aircraft left me. At approximately 14.35 hours, at 6,000 ft. I noticed a Hurricane aircraft crossing our bows from starboard to port. After passing in front, he climbed to 1,000 ft. above and behind us, on the starboard side. I saw him no more."

"Sgd. A.J. Oettle, F/O."

"Page 9"

"About a minute or two afterwards, I felt a severe vibration through the aircraft, and heard a loud hammering noise, and also saw a number of holes appearing in both main planes. As it was apparent we had been shot up, I sent the Wireless Operator back to ascertain the damage. He reported punctured tanks, and other damage, and so I turned towards land, and made a landing at Squire's Gate, at about 1450 hours."

"Signature of Witness A.J. Oettle, F/O."

Parrott said he was instructed in the Watch Hut by F/Lt. Cleugh-Fair to take Hurricane R.4118 and intercept a Whitley aircraft reported over Maryport, and establish its identity and if he could not establish the identity of the Whitley, Parrott was to try and force it down.

This was in breach of Air Ministry Signal (exhibit at the Inquiry) issued to Coastal Command dated 25th July 1940, that despite the Air Ministry having evidence that the enemy were using British type aircraft, it was better for an occasional British type aircaft being flown by the enemy to escape destruction, to avoid shooting down one of our own.

Above information from AIR 14/390

Brian, I am going to go through my photos and photocopies to make a list of incidents with dates, as there are some more 1940 friendly fire incidents for you to include in your 1940 additional section, in a subsequent volume.

Regards Mark