Armed Reconnaissance – Franco German Border - 16 September 1939
And So it Begins.
103 Squadron Battles fly over airfield
At the start of WW2 103 Squadron flew to France to their allocated airfield at Challerange to be one of the 3 units that made up No 75 Bomber Wing. This Wing was consisted of 103 Squadron, 88 Squadron and 208 Squadron.
At 0805 on the 16 September 1939 three 103 Squadron Fairey Battles took off from Challerange for the Squadron’s first operation of the hostilities. The first of many in the years ahead.
The 3 aircraft were as follows :-
K9372 - S/L J Coverdale - Pilot – Sgt Pengilly - Observer – AC Mitchell - Wireless Operator/AirGunner
K9371 - F/O J A Ingram – Pilot – Sgt Dowling – Observer - Sgt Summers - Wireless Operator/Air Gunner
L4957 – Sgt C D Perry – Pilot – Sgt Davison – Observer - AC Lamble - Wireless Operator/Air Gunner.
The reconnaissance was flown on a line between Bouzonville ( 100 miles east of the Challerange ) and Lauterbours on the French side of the border. The patrol line is a distance of approx 75 miles. The mission was carried out without incident with no opposition encountered. All 3 aircraft returned at 1100.
John Coverdale – 103 Squadron OC
Tony Ingram
Charles Perry
Compiled by David Fell with photos from my archive.
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