[Martin Gleeson]

Dear all,

According to ‘VALIANT WINGS’ by Norman Franks (page 191) Wing Commander Basil Embry’s Blenheim L8777 suffered severe damage to the port wing on 23 May 1940 during a raid by 107 Squadron. The damage is not recorded in the 107 Squadron ORB or Appendices, nor in the Wattisham ORB.

Furthermore according to the 107 Squadron ORB for May 23rd the unit only despatched six Blenheims on one raid that day, and neither Embry or L8777 are listed among the pilots and aircraft. However he flew L8777 on two missions during May 22nd, with all the six aircraft from the second raid landing at Manston late on the 22nd and returning to Wattisham early on the 23rd. L8777 does not feature in the 107 Squadron ORB as being flown operationally again for the rest of May 1940.

I assume Norman Franks used Embry’s autobiography ‘MISSION COMPLETED’ as his source (he lists it on the bibliography page). Unfortunately I do not have a copy of ‘MISSION COMPLETED’. If someone has a copy could you please check it for me ? What date does Embry give for the raid during which L8777 was damaged ? And does he state that he flew it back to Wattisham the next morning in this damaged condition ?

Any help would be much appreciated . I have already posted this appeal on the RAF COMMANDS forum.

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.