RAF Night Intruding - 1941/42

[Andy Saunders]

I have yet to consult TNA (Air 16 362,376,377,385 and 524) but wonder if anyone knows when RAF night intruding commenced and by whom - squadron and pilot etc?

[Nick Beale]

It was being talked about as part of the response to "Moonlight Sonata" in November 1940. The "Cold Water" countermeasures envisaged “cats eye” Hurricanes patrolling the beacon at Fécamp (where returning bombers switched on their navigation lights) but this wasn't done in the event. Also mooted, then dropped, was the idea of sending Blenheim night fighters on intruder missions to bomber bases. It would have meant removing their A.I. sets to ensure none fell into German hands. Reinstalling the gear in the aircraft would have kept at least one squadron out of action “possibly for a number of days ... which was not considered worthwhile.”

[Andy Saunders]

Thank you, Nick. Most enlightening. I should have thought to look there!

I believe that Sqn Ldr Gracie made the first Intruder Ops in a Hurricane I (on 23 Sqn strength) in April 1941. He had no success, but saw enemy aircraft.

On 9 May 1941 a Defiant of 264 intruded over France and claimed a Me 110 over Merville, and I think this may have been the first intruding success.

I think the first single seat Intruder op was probably by Flt Lt R P Stevens on 11 December 1941.

If anyone can add more, always keen to learn.

[phasselgren]

No.23 Sqn ORB
On the 21 December 1940 6 Blenheims stripped of A.I. from No.23 Sqn made offensive patrols over French Aerodromes.

First claim for a probable He 111 on the 2 January 1941 by F/O Ensor.

If You Want Peace, Prepare for War - A history of No.604 Sqn
describes an intruder sortie by F/O George Budd over Merville Airfield already on the 19 May 1940 with claims for two damaged He 111s (one on the ground).

Peter

[Andy Saunders]

Peter

Thats interesting, and thanks!

According to a contemporary report from Manston, 'Jumbo' Gracie flew experimental intruder ops in April 1941 in a Hurricane which was part of 23 Squadron's Training Flight. However, there is no trace of such flights in the 23 Squadron ORB.

[MW Giles]

First sortie I can find 23.09.40 23 Sqn Blenheim on Special Operation to Fecamp. First sorties listed as intruder 21.12.40 23 Sqn sent 6 Blenheims to Abbeville, Amiens, Paris.

2 Group had been bombing airfields in the midnight hours since July 40, it depends on your definition of intruder

Regards

Martin

[Andy Saunders]

I think the definition was:

"Night operations to impede enemy in use of airfields".

In this context, I am thinking specifically Fighter command ops.

Thanks for your input, Martin.

If anyone can shed light on the experimental Intruder ops flown by 'Jumbo' Gracie in a 23 Squadron Hurricane I during April 1941 I'd be grateful.

[phasselgren]

The Red Eagles by Peter Rudd only mentions test with Beaufighters to establish its suitability as intruder.

Maybe you can try with RAF Tangmere's night interception book. I only have copies from one date but it includes interception exercises by 219 Sqn besides operational sorties by 23 and 610 Squadrons.

Have you checked the RAF Station ORB?

Peter

[Smithy]

Don't know of how much use this is Andy, but Gleed talks apart participating in such a raid towards the end of "Arise to Conquer" in the chapter entitled "Intruder", no dates unfortunately.

Tim