What happened to 601 Sqn on 6 Sept 1940 at 9.30 am?

[Juha]

The 601 Squadron lost its Flight Lieutenants and two other Hurricanes from which the pilots succeeded to bail out in a minute according to BoB Then & Now Mk V. Three of the Hurricanes crashed fairly near each other around Tunbridge Wells, the fourth crashed somewhat further to ENE. Caldwell writes in his The JG 26 War Diary Vol 1 that Galland and the First Gruppe, tied to the bombers as close escort, shot down three No. 601 Sqd Hurricanes. From the fact that the squadron lost four fighters in a minute one easily draw a conclusion that the squdron was badly bounched, was that what happened?

TIA
Juha

[Smithy]

Although there's nothing I can find in any of my books regarding this specifically as a "bounce", I'd imagine that this is a distinct possibility. Considering 601 were scrambled from Debden in Essex and flew south to the area of the engagement near Tunbridge Wells in Kent at approx. 0930, this meant that the sun's arc was to the portside of 601 and considering the 109s would have approached from the south and east it's very possible that they were lying in wait up sun for 601 and did indeed bounce them. The fact that two highly experienced air fighters (Rhodes-Moorhouse and Davis) were killed, 2 more bailed out wounded and 3 others force landed would seem to suggest that this was the case.

[Juha]

Hello Smithy
thanks for your trouble and answer!

Juha

[gedburke3]

I have a copy of the official version of events.
If you email me i will send it to you. I am unable to post it on here.
Regards
Gerry
gedburke3ATyahooDOTcoDOTuk

[Smithy]

Sounds like Gerry knows the ins and outs of what actually happened.

Actually Gerry even though you can't post it on here, is there the possibility that you could actually confirm or deny that 601 were surprised and bounced by the German fighters?

Would be nice if you could let others know as well.

Tim

[gedburke3]

Here you go.
Finally worked out how to shrink it small enough to post.
Gerry

[Juha]

Hello Gerry
thanks a lot for the scan!
So at least some 109s bounced the sqn from behind. And interestingly the report gives Davis' rank as F/O while both Leslie Hunt in his Twenty-one Sqns and the BoB T & N Mk V say that he was a F/Lt. But the report named as the second F/Lt Robinson. His position is given as Yellow 1, IIRC usually the leader of A Flight was Red 1 and the leader of B Flight was Blue 1. Maybe the FC was not as rigid as I think. Have you any explanation on this F/Lt question?

Thankfully
Juha

[gedburke3]

Hi Juga,
According to the records Davis was promoted to Flight Lieutenant on September 3rd 1940. The inscription on his grave is as a Flight Lieutenant.
However, his combat report for September 4th shows him signing as F/O Davis.
There is no mention of his promotion in 601' s ORB so I can only presume that he died before being officially notified of it.
Gerry

[gedburke3]

All,
A little bit of a dig around confirms that Davis received his promotion to Flt Lt on September 3rd but this wasn't announced in the London Gazette until the October 29th 1940.

The announcement of his DFC award was gazetted just a week before his death. This confirms his substantive rank at that time as F/O.
regards
Gerry

THE LONDON GAZETTE, 30 AUGUST, 1940
Flying Officer Carl Raymond DAVIS (90131), Auxiliary Air Force. Flying officer Davis has been engaged on operational flying since 3rd September, 1939. He has taken part in nearly all patrols and interceptions carried out by his squadron. He has been a section leader for the last two months, and on several occasions has led his flight. Flying Officer Davis has personally destroyed six 'enemy aircraft, and severely damaged several others. He has shown great keenness and courage.

THE LONDON GAZETTE, 29 OCTOBER, 1940
AUXILIARY AIR FORCE.
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH. The undermentioned Flying Officers are promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant: — 3rd Sept. 1940.

Charles Bruce THOMPSON (90244).
David Lawrence CLACKSON (90087).
Charles Arthur PRITCHARD (90092).
Edward Stanley SMITH (90093).
Thomas Norman HAYES, D.F.C. (90095).
Carl Raymond DAVIS, D.F.C. (90131).
Anthony Henry Hamilton TOLLEMACHE, E.G.M. (90100).
William Henry RHODES-MOOREHOUSE, D.F.C. (90140).
Hugh Joseph RIDDLE (90141).
John Guy Cardew BARNES (90101).
John Richard Hensman GAYNER (90399).
Edward Fitzroy ST. AUBYN (90055).
[/i]

[Smithy]

Many thanks for the scan Gerry, that was excellent!