The Battle of Britain Five Months That Changed History, May—October 1940 by James Holland (z-lib.org).epub

land – gliding distance from the coast was the absolute limit. ‘We cannot
afford to lose pilots,’ he wrote, ‘through forced landings in the sea.’ As a
rule of thumb, Park had ordered that Spitfires be directed against enemy
fighters and Hurricanes against the bombers, although now, against mass
attacks inland, only a minimum number of squadrons were to engage the
enemy fighters. The main object was to attack the bombers. Controllers
were also not to be shy about calling on 12 Group to help patrol 11 Group
airfields should all the squadrons around London be airborne. There was
also encouragement for 303 Ko ciuszko Squadron, which was to be allowed
to patrol over inland airfields, especially when the ‘older squadrons’ were
on the ground refuelling.
The Luftwaffe was back with a vengeance on Saturday, 24 August,
however. Manston was so heavily bombed that it was decided necessary to
evacuate all administrative personnel permanently, while nine people were
killed and ten wounded on an attack on North Weald. The next day,
Warmwell was one of the main targets. Bee Beamont was just coming back
from a forty-eight-hour leave and drove straight around the perimeter track
to see how ‘B’ Flight were getting on before heading into Exeter to change.
But no sooner had he stepped into the dispersal hut just after 5 p.m. than the
squadron was scrambled. Hastily putting on his Mae West and harness over
his No. 1 uniform, he dashed to his Hurricane and took off along with the
rest of the pilots, some sixteen aircraft in all.
As they hurried as fast as they could towards Warmwell, Bee suddenly
spotted eight little dots, which developed into twin-engine bombers. Then
another five appeared, then another six and a further five, before they
realized there were as many as a hundred plus. Desperately scanning the
skies above for enemy fighters, the squadron tore into the leading bombers,
Bee opening fire on a Do 17, which, much to his satisfaction, rolled over
after just one burst.
Also diving down upon the formation was 609 Squadron. David Crook
was almost last in line. ‘I shall never forget seeing the long line of Spitfires
ahead,’ he noted, ‘sweeping down and curling round at terrific speed to
strike right into the middle of the German formation. It was superb!’ With
the twin advantage of height and the sun behind them, they were in the
perfect position, and helped to split up much of the German formation.
David chased after an Me 110 but dived too fast and in the heat of the
moment forgot to throttle back and overshot badly. Instead of the Zerstörer