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Lympne
Images taken during 609 Squadrons stay at Lympne Airfield from 18th August 1943 until their return to Manston on 15th December 1942 to be with 198 Sqn now commanded by former 609 pilot Johnny Baldwin - the other long-range Typhoon Squadron in Air Defence Great Britain (a pair that would soon make up half of 123 Wing, Second Tactical Air Force).
While stationed here, 609 Squadron, under Pat Thornton-Brown, flew a series of routine operations including shipping and bomber escort and maintained readiness for defensive requirements - all the while training in the art of hedge-hopping. Thornton -Brown demanded long range tanks and the latest information on airfields south of Paris, and with the support of Air Vice Marshal Hill (Air Officer Commanding 12 Group) 609 flew on a 'rhubarb' with the only available long-range drop tanks - whereupon they found a glut of targets-of-opportunity previously out of range. Flying at extremely low level, 609 destroyed four aircraft and claimed a further two probables in two missions. This gained the interest of 11 Group, who asked for all available information. On 2nd November 1943 during one of these missions, Lawrence 'Pinkie' Stark scored 609's 200th kill, downing a JU88 in the process. The celebrations were held in Folkestone at the Hotel majestic, with an estimated 600 people attending. The AOC released the squadron from duty with the message "until such time as the CO decides it is capable of taking over again." Later, the West Riding Air Force (as it became known, and seemed to be) was picked for an attack on a train carrying Field Marshal von Rundstedt to Paris from southern France due to their expertise in long range intrusions. Unfortunately, due to low ammunition after several dogfights north of Paris and a few irresistable ground attacks, and with the weather clearing south of Paris, the CO aborted the operation and returned home without fulfilling the primary objective.
RAF Lympne was used by 11 Group as a satellite airfield of Biggin Hill, but due to it being under constant threat of attack due to its position so close to the Channel, it was not used permanently by any Squadrons during the Battle of Britain. |
Copyright © 2002 609 (West Riding)
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