Alfred Mulock Bentley Hornchurch Wing Leader

[keith A]

An experienced Rhodesian pilot who had flown Fury fighters with 43 Squadron, then Fairey Gordons with 14 Squadron, Wellesleys with 223 Squadron before joining 113 Squadron flying Bristol Blenheims as a flight commander. After around five weeks of operational flying in North Africa June-July 1940 he was seriously wounded and sent to instruct at Thornhill. He returns to the UK in 1942 and spends some time co-ordinating the Malta Spitfire reinforcements in Operation Bellows (August 1942). His next appointment is as Wing Commander leading the Hornchurch Wing. Presumably leading it from the departure of WCdr PH Hugo in Aug/Sep 1942 and the arrival of WCdr JI Kilmartin on 30 March 1943?

However according to this site https://www.rafweb.org/Organsation/W...htm#Hornchurch

WCdr EH Thomas is identified as leaving the Biggin Hill Wing in September 1942 and taking command of Hornchurch in November 1942, leading it until March 1943. However Thomas' successor as Biggin Hill Wing Commander is identified as the (deceased) Mike Lister Robinson! I'm certain this is a mistake and that Thomas was actually replaced by WCdr RM "Dickie" Milne in January 1943.

In this period the above-named WCdr Alfred Mulock Bentley is identified as Wing Commander of Hornchurch. Bentley is a very inexperienced combat pilot with little fighter time. Had he spent time in other fighter squadrons before coming to Hornchurch? I note that in 1943 there were a few officers who found themselves commanding flights and squadrons (in fighter squadrons) without previous fighter experience.

And was Thomas leading Hornchurch squadrons in this time?

K

[keith A]

I see that "WCdr Thomas" flew with 611 Squadron (ORB) of the Biggin Hill Wing on sorties in October and November 1942. Therefore I assume he was still there in January 1943.

K

[keith A]

Another oddity. On 20 April 1943 Bill Compton is appointed Acting Wing Commander and on three occasions at least he leads the wing in the absence of Kilmartin? Flying with 122 Squadron claims a Fw190 damaged.

K

[Zoran Petek]

Hello,

From "Hornchurch Offensive Vol 2" (ebook edition, hence some typos) by Richard C Smith:
"On 1st January 1943, RAF Hornchurch bade farewell to Group Captain George Lott, DSO, DFC, who left to take over the duties of Senior Air Staff Officer at No.81 Group.
Wing Commander Bentley took over the duties as Station Commander, pending the arrival of the new commanding officer.
Sporting events were still in evidence: on 2nd January teams from RAF Hornchurch participated in a triple event against North Weald in the Inter-Sector Challenge Cup. Unfortunately the station lost all three matches, football, rugby and hockey. The new Station Commander, Group Captain A.G. Adnams, arrived to take up command of the station on 5th January. He had previously been stationed at RAF Northolt."

Hornchurch Wing Commanders Flying:

Wing Commander A.D. Farquhar DFC 15th March 1941 – 2nd June 1941
Wing Commander J.R. Kayll DSO, DFC 2nd June 1941 – 25th June 1941(PoW)
Wing Commander F.S. Stapleton DSO, DFC 27th June 1941 – 3rd December 1941
Wing Commander H.L. Dawson 4th December 1941 – 16th January 1942
Wing Commander R.R. Powell DFC 17th January 1942 – 2nd June 1942
Wing Commander B.E. Finucane DSO, DFC 27th June 1942 – 15th July 1942 (Killed)
Wing Commander F.H. Hugo DSO, DFC 18th July 1942 – 31st August 1942
Wing Commander R.H. (sic!) Thomas DSO, DFC 31st August 1942 – 27th November 1942
Wing Commander A.M. Bentley 27th November 1942 – 29th March 1943
Wing Commander J.R.I. Kilmartin DFC 30th March 1943 – 30th May 1943
Wing Commander J.R. Ratten DFC 31st May 1943 – 28th July 1943
Wing Commander W V.C-Compton DSO, DFC 30th July 1943 – 18th December 1943
Wing Commander P.J. Simpson DFC 18th December 1943 – 29th February 1944

[keith A]

Thanks for the info Zoran.

According to the 611 Squadron ORB WCdr Thomas leads 611 Squadron on sorties on 12,16,21 October and 1,11,17 November 1942.

In fact I found your details are correct. it is WCdr Rhys Henry Thomas leading the Hornchurch Wing! He was a BoB veteran and had been leading 129 Squadron.

K

[keith A]

Bentley is still a puzzle. Little combat experience, apparently none in single-seat fighters. I am going to try and find if he was flying as a supernumery in a fighter squadron, which one will be the real task!

[Bruce Lander]

Like wise H. L. Dawson, did he arrive from a short stint of C/O of
607 Squadron ?

[keith A]

Stonhill of 222 Squadron is another re-tread bomber pilot. Also I still don't have a lot of information about RA "Max" Sutherland's career although he had been on brief assignment to various squadrons (including 222) before taking charge of a flight in 602 Squadron in 1943.

K