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Aviation History
1954
1954 - 1312.PDF
7 May 1954 587 the weather was at all possible for flying, hourly from 0830 to 1630 a section of Spitfire 16s took off to attack V.2 launching and storage sites in Holland. There was no opposition from the air; and flak varied from "light inaccurate" to "heavy accurate." The targets were difficult to find and to hit; only occasionally were the pilots able to report—as they did on March 4th after attacking a site at Rust en Vreugd—a large yellow flash and smoke rising to 800ft. That the pilots were not doing all the work, however, was recognized by a party, given by the CO. in a local hostelry, to the senior ground-crew N.C.O.s as a token of appreciation of their very hard work. March 10th was a day of which No. 603 was proud. They were the only squadron in the wing to maintain incessant attacks throughout the day despite ten-tenths cloud (in those days there were no "eight-eights") at 5,000ft. In all, over 20,000 lb of bombs were dropped during 41 sorties totalling 55 flying hours, Two aircraft were hit by flak, but W/O. Haupt put down at Knocke Le Zoute and W/O. Mee was able to make base. Con tinental bases were now used not only by those having to force- land but also for operational purposes. Often during March sections would leave Ludham, bomb a target, land to refuel and re-arm at Ursel, make another attack, and return to Ludham. The squadron's all-time high came on March 20th, when a wing effort was put on in honour of the sector commander, The Queen, as Princess Elizabeth, inspecting her squadron on the occasion of the presentation of the Esher Trophy in August, 1951. She is accompanied by S/L Anson, the Commanding officer at that time. Three old hands: Sgt. F. Day, with 19 years' service in the squadron; F/S. D. McKenzie, B.E.M., with 20 years; and F/S. C. E. Erskine, B.E.M., with 26 years. '(-tight" photograph (Right) Back to squadron mark ings: Post-war Spitfire 22s wearing No. 603's insignia. Present members and aircraft of the squadron. In front, left to right, are: F/O. Ballingall, F/O. Mcintosh, F/L G. W. Scott, F/O. Ewan, P/0. Milne, F/O. Taylor, Sgt. Knowles, F/O. Henshaw, Sgt. Inglis, S/L Schofield, F/L. Moncur, F/L. Cairns, F/L. Mcintosh, F/L. Anderson and F/L. Marsh. "Flight" photograph f.0%.;*"' f
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