RAF Night Intruding - 1941/42

[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