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.
21 September 1940, Plt. Off. John Bisdee
Battle of Britain Blog Entry
Fog in morning - so no activity. In evening, being spare pilot, took Sgt H-R for cloud flying, drill, & ¼ & beam attacks. He shows plenty of sense & grit, so we've got a good man. While we were up, the Sqdn went off Londonwards, but saw nothing.
20 September 1940, Plt. Off. John Bisdee
Battle of Britain Blog Entry
Was out of London about 9.5, picked up car at Osterley & motored to Andover. Went into Sq[uare] Club while waiting for car to be greased, & there found out that the Americans[66] have left to join a Yank squadron. This, combined with loss of Geoff Gaunt[67] on the 15th, leaves us very short of pilots - we have a new Sgt, Hughes-Rees[68], who is I hear a likely lad. So leave is much cut down, but the weather will, I hope get worse, & anyhow the hours will be getting a bit shorter by degrees.
No activity - the Squadron have got four more Dorniers chalked up, otherwise the "Blitz" might not be on.
Went into Andover in the evening.
19 September 1940, Plt. Off. John Bisdee
Battle of Britain Blog Entry
In morning, listened to gramophone records, & had lunch at the Aperitif, oysters, omelettes, Pimm's. Afterwards Pam & I went walking, and got back in time to see "My Two Husbands". Got back late for dinner but were forgiven, & had another pleasant meal & talk before leaving on the 10 pm train.
18 September 1940, Plt. Off. John Bisdee
Battle of Britain Blog Entry
More shooting, this time more formal, at Lennoxlove. Started with a really good shot at duck - again, let myself down a bit later! Bowhills were very good, praising the hits & ignoring several glaring misses, & by the end of the day we'd got a fair bag. Stayed in for a really good dinner served with hock, port, brandy & cigars. Slept like a log.
17 September 1940, Plt. Off. John Bisdee
Battle of Britain Blog Entry
A good day's sport rough shooting at Lennoxlove; did not shoot quite so badly as I might have - still, shot badly! Started the day by surprising myself with a high pigeon - afterwards let myself down a bit.
Am reading "Death in the Air" - a diary & photos taken by a last war pilot[65] - they certainly were gluttons for fighting in those days.
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
