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

August were beginning to be keenly felt. It was true that Dowding had set
aside materials to help fill in craters, but Park felt that the Air Ministry had
not made enough provisions for the supply of labour. His complaints to this
effect seemed to be going unheeded so he began recruiting whole battalions
of soldiers to help with the work. He was severely criticized by the Air
Ministry for taking matters into his own hands, but fortunately, he found a
useful ally in the Prime Minister. Churchill had visited Manston on 28
August and was appalled to discover that although four days had passed
since it was last attacked, most of the craters remained unfilled and the
airfield remained largely unserviceable. ‘I must protest emphatically,’ he
told Newall and Sinclair, ‘against this feeble method of repairing damage.’
He demanded more men be employed and that all craters from henceforth
be filled within twenty-four hours. Had he known that a number of men had
refused to work at Manston for fear of being hit, he would have been even
more appalled.
But at least some much needed experienced pilots were now being
brought into the battle for the first time. The Poles of 303 Squadron had
been tearing their hair out with frustration at Dowding’s unwillingness to let
them enter the battle. Instead, they had been patrolling their sector in northwest
London and endlessly practising simulated attacks against old
Blenheims.
On 30 August, however, their chance finally came. Patrolling at 10,000
feet at around 4.15 p.m., Flying Officer Ludwik Paskiewicz suddenly
spotted a large formation of bombers and fighters above them. But although
he warned his flight commander, Boozy Kellett did not bother to respond;
their job was not to go chasing after the enemy. Impatience getting the
better of him, Paszkiewicz decided to break formation and chasing after a
Zerstörer closed almost to collision and opened fire. The Me 110 burst into
flames and spun down to the ground, where it exploded in a ball of flames.
Returning to Northolt, he performed a victory roll over the airfield and
landed.
He was immediately summoned to see Group Captain Vincent. Having
been emphatically reprimanded, he was then congratulated for scoring the
squadron’s first kill. Later, Kellett rang Fighter Command and
recommended the squadron be made operational. Dowding and Park agreed
– after all, they desperately needed determined, motivated and skilled pilots