Battle of Britain Pilot's Blog - John Bisdee
This blog gives a day-by-day account of the Battle of Britain as it was seen at the time through the eyes of a young pilot, John Bisdee of No. 609 (West Riding) Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force. It runs from the 10th July to 31st October 1940 the official dates for the Battle of Britain. Where no entries have been written by John on a given date, we have included Air Staff Operational Summaries to give an overall impression of the campaign and help put his diary notes into context for the reader.
31 October 1940, Plt. Off. John Bisdee
Battle of Britain Blog Entry
No diary entry - the Air Staff Operational Summary records:
Hostile activity was very reduced in the morning. In the afternoon it was a little more marked and this increased in the late afternoon to flights inland especially in EAST ANGLIA. The objective would appear to have been reconnaissances of aerodromes. The activity resembled night operations on a reduced scale.
There were no interceptions and no casualties to the enemy or ourselves
Blog note: This date was laid down at the final day of the Battle of Britain by the RAF for the purposes of allocating Battle Honours to units, and for aircrew to qualify for the Battle of Britain clasp. This blog now ends.
30 October 1940, Plt. Off. John Bisdee
Battle of Britain Blog Entry
Rose late, coffee with E, then back to Wallop. No flying for rest of month, & nothing very interesting happening.
29 October 1940, Plt. Off. John Bisdee
Battle of Britain Blog Entry
Got a day off & went to Bournemouth. Met E, danced at Pavilion, then met Ian Lefroy & the three of us had drinks & dinner at Bath Hotel. Back to P.C., which we didn't leave till after midnight, a good time having been had by all.
28 October 1940, Plt. Off. John Bisdee
Battle of Britain Blog Entry
Two patrols, in both of which we saw the enemy above us making smoke trails. They wouldn't come down, & we couldn't get up, so a deadlock was reached. Dog tired after a long day of flying in dazzling sunshine.
27 October 1940, Plt. Off. John Bisdee
Battle of Britain Blog Entry
He was greatly pleased with his trip, although the weather was a little misty. Had trouble with my u/c so had to retire from beam attack practice. Later went on Squadron Scramble, but saw nothing.
Original text and sketches © the Estate of John Bisdee
Portraits © the Estate of Cuthbert Orde
Air Staff Operational Summaries and combat reports © Crown Copyright
Remaining text © Trustees of the Royal Air Force Museum
