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Aviation History
1951
1951 - 1078.PDF
8 June 1951 671 unhurriedly above the airfield, and when it had passed we heard only a cuckoo in the fringing woods. Then the ear caught the whine of a compressor, and gradually, as the jets started successively, a complete diapason of Goblin-sounds destroyed the pastoral stillness. The first pair of Vampires moved out of line and taxied swiftly round the perimeter track; then others, until most of the two dozen were simultaneously on the move in Indian file. There was no delay: the leading pair turned on to the runway, opened up and went screaming past. Within a few minutes the entire Wing was setting course over the control tower, and we were lamenting that we were not along with them in the Meteor 7, which, alone with our Valetta, now remained on what a few minutes before had been a crowded tarmac. Beyond the fact that the strike had been successful we heard no more of this zestful operation. We returned to Paris and gathered that during the day heavy bombers had resumed their attacks. Superfortresses concentrated on a few important targets and were followed by formations of Wellingtons and Mosquitoes. Some inter- ceptions were effected before the enemy reached his objectives, others over the targets. Small formations of low-flying U.S.A.F. Thunderjets and R.A.F. Vampires raided airfields and other targets but the percentage of these raids intercepted was higher than during the first phase. Enemy effort was generally on a small scale, as forces were being held in reserve for the next phase, commencing at 1800 hr on the evening of the 24th. We learned that in addition to the squadron of B.A.F.O. Vampires which was being switched from Volkel to Luxeuil, a Belgian Meteor squadron was moving from Beauvechain to GUze Rijen and a Dutch squadron, similarly equipped, from Gilze Rijen to Beauvechain. From Versailles on May 25th came news of the previous night's activity. Early in the evening a force of about 100 aircraft, comprising Superfortresses and Packets of the U.S.A.F. and R.A.F. Lincolns and Washingtons, had resumed operations. Most of their attacks were against important centres in Western Europe and a very high per- centage had been identified long before the targets were reached. A few raids were intercepted by day fighters late in the evening and after that, in spite of difficult weather, Belgian Mosquito night fighters engaged a considerable number of bombers over the Low Countries. In this connec- tion we learned that the hand-over of the night fighters from sector to sector—that is, from one country's organiza- tion to another, within the overall defence system—was effected in a very satisfactory manner. One Lincoln, in difficulties with engine trouble was guided back to base. The "strike" sequence continues (foot of page 670) with a close-up of C/C. Donaldson (centre) with W/C. Johnson left) and W/C. Cox. The group captain, it is observed, totes a cushion as well as his parachute. Next, a section of Vampires gets under way; then, observed by watchers atop the control tower, 7 of the formation of 24 fighter/bombers are seen setting course. Finally, an intimate "over-target" impression of a Vampire, boring in for the attack. As will be seen, only wing tanks and rockets rails are fitted, but the four 20 mm guns are loaded. In place of the tanks, two 1,000-/b bombs or napalm tanks can be slung. Another alternative load is two 1,000 Ib bombs and eight 60 Ib rocket projectiles. The third and final phase of the exercise opened at mid-day on May 25th under less favourable conditions than had obtained for the preceding phases. Raiding forces operated on a smaller scale than during the first two days, but Super- fortresses, heavily escorted by Thunderjets, made high- altitude attacks on a number of centres in the east of the exercise area. R.A.F. Wellingtons and a small Mosquito force attempted deep-penetration raids. All raids were identified and many combats resulted, though the defenders were heavily handicapped by weather. On the other hand, the weather also minimized the efforts of the Thunderjets and Vampires in their low-level harassing assaults. When the exercise was over General Norstad spoke with warm appreciation of the alertness and keenness of every nationality concerned. "With that spirit," he said, "with the programme for increases in strength of men and equipment, and even with the strength we have now, we expect to be able to meet the requirements of our task." f
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