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Aviation History
1934
1934 - 0782.PDF
FLIGHT. AUGUST 2, 1934. READY FOR THE FRAY : A " Bulldog " of No. 17 (Fighter) Squadron waiting at Kenley to go up on night patrol. (Flight Photo.) the Auxiliary Air Force. To do good work for love is a speciality of the Briton. On Wednesday night I wit- nt'risod a further and perhaps even more extraordinary manifestation of that speciality. In short, I visited a listening pest of the Observer Corps. It is not such a very simple matter to visit an Observer post. I had to do much telephoning and much badgering of authorities, who seemed rather surprised that I should think such a visit likely to repay the trouble. Then contact had to be made with a colleague who found that short-cuts through unfamiliar country lanes do not always make for expedition. Then a fairly long drive through the gathering darkness, more ferreting, and finally a dive through a hedge down a steepish bank into a meadow en the outskirts of a picturesque village somewhere in Kent. The glow of a brazier then gladdened our hearts, and we actually arrived at the post. Round the brazier was gathered a group of some fifteen men, and we were chal- lenged before we were allowed to join the circle. Once admitted, we were made heartily welcome. It was a very jolly party which we found, all men of the village, and all but two in mufti. The badge of the Observer Corps was in each man's buttonhole, but otherwise there was nothing to show that these were part of the great organisation on which, in the first instance, the air defence of London dep3iids. It is a handsome badge in blue and white enamel showing a coast watcher firing a beacon on the approach of the Armada. Against the hedge was erected a canvas shelter on a wooden framework, as pro- tection against the weather on rainy nights. An instru- ment, a very friendly black and white cat, and some mighty bottles of beer completed the equipment. The cat and bottles need no explanation; the instrument was a simple one for giving a bearing on any aircraft which might be seen or heard overhead. Of course, there was also the means of giving prompt reports to the H.Q. of the Fighting Area. The village postmaster was in command of the group, a genial soul, full of fun and energy. I feel sure that letters are very promptly and efficiently dealt with in his village and district. Two local constables were in the party, the only men in uniform there. The police have to swear in these members of the Observer Corps as special constables, and also have to see that thsy turn out on the proper nights—though that must be an easy task, judging by the keenness shown by all this party. Mostly, the men seemed to be engaged in local business, and I was not surprised to learn that one at least is a regular reader of "Flight." The moment that an engine was heard overhead, all the chaff stopped, and every man became alert. The bomber "was at>ove the clouds, but a report was sent in of where they reckoned him to be. Other posts would also report, and Fighting Area would be able to form a pretty accu- rate idea of the course of the raider. After he had passed the zone of the Observer Corps, the sound locators and searchlights of the Territorials would take him on, and finally the night fighters would have a word to say to him. The Observer Corps gets practice for two nights before the Air Exer- cises start, when special aeroplanes are sent up for them to spot. During- The Exercises they are out for three nights from 18.00 hours to 23.59 hours, while a section are kept on duty to a later hour on the last night. AT THE TARGET : Beside the camera obscura on the roof of the Air Ministry during an evening raid.
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