Battle of Britain Pilot's Blog - John Bisdee

26 September 1940, Plt. Off. John Bisdee
Battle of Britain Blog Entry

Up am to test new sets - leading Yellows pm.

At 16.00, Squadron scrambled base 20,000', changed to Bournemouth same height. Saw about 70 bombers crossing Needles towards S'hampton. Went to intercept, but were attacked by 109s. They did not attack Yellows, & so went straight on & caught bombers as they turned over target. Two 109s (yellow nosed) on my port as I first attacked. Raced past them & shot at a He 111 in centre. He flicked, but would not break up the formation, which had not been attacked before, & was still tight. Went on, & dived vertically on bombers, spraying all & sundry. Got flames out of port of one Heinkel, then broke away up & to left, as could not find a decent gap to dive through.

Had a pot at a lone He, & then at one or two 109s, but ammo was nearly out, so I went for home at about 400 on the clock. Hope I've got a good cine picture - I should have.

A/A throughout was hopelessly inaccurate - 109s weren't very anxious to fight.

Altogether quite an exciting & a very satisfactory day, except that we could not intercept in time. First day with new sets (V.H.F.) very satisfactory.

Went to MD with Ogilvie in evening. It was Bill Williams' birthday, & he kept on standing drinks.

609 Score:- 2 109s & 1 He 111 dest. + several probables & damaged.

25 September 1940, Plt. Off. John Bisdee
Battle of Britain Blog Entry

After a few drinks, got back about 13.00 to find that we had missed two good shows.

1. Squadron intercepted Dorniers over I.O.W.^[69] & shot down 3 Do 17 & one unknown single seater fighter.
2. On Thurs morning, Sqdn sent to Swanage - e/a came in round Chesil, & were chased to Bristol where they dropped their loads before much could be done. However, about 7 were shot down & as many more damaged or "probables". Only 238 & 609 on spot, against 200 bombers. I believe 601 & 152 had a crack at the force as it returned.

In afternoon, sqdn set off for Plymouth, but we were recalled before we got there. Frank went off on leave.

About 22.00 Rose came in with report that German bomber had crashed at Broughton. Went there with Wing Co. etc., but found it was 23 Sqn Blenheim, which had crashed due to engine failure. All crew killed & machine burnt. A very horrible sight.

Teeny's birthday (21) - he is back on restricted (6000') flying.

24 September 1940, Plt. Off. John Bisdee
Battle of Britain Blog Entry

A day of air raid warnings, though nothing materialised. Forgot to say that yesterday a Ju 88 dropped two 500 kg & two 250 kg bombs just NE of Mess. Total casualties:- one bird killed by concussion. Just before, four delayed action bombs & an oil bomb dropped in SE corner of camp. None went off, but one cut the line to the Radio Station. Both bombers shot down - later one cracked by fighters & AA.

Today's raids came to nothing, and I had 24 hrs off at 13.00. Tried my hardest to get down to St Eval in the Maggie, but could not get it serviceable.

So Frank & I went down to Bournemouth. Stopped at Durley Dean Hotel. Went dancing at the Exeter in the evening & had quite an amusing time.

23 September 1940, Plt. Off. John Bisdee
Battle of Britain Blog Entry

So far (18.12) an uneventful day. Continued so all day, so there's nothing to put down.

22 September 1940, Plt. Off. John Bisdee
Battle of Britain Blog Entry

Fog & rain all morning. At lunch time we were all told to be on our toes (despite hopeless weather) as the invasion started. All sqdns (inc. night fighters) to readiness, & we sat around card-playing, till we went back to normal state round about 18.00 hrs. I think this is just another canard, though officially it was the "real thing".

In evening went to Cinema - "Green Hell" with D Fairbanks Jr, & Ruth Bennett. Very pukka show, chaps, put up by explorers against damned headhunters and all. No invasion - yet.