J29 Entry Graduated December 1930

Fewest of the Few Supplement

SURNAME INITS EELES H HOBSON WFC HOGAN HAV ROBINSON MWS WILKINSON RL

J29 Page 1 of 8

Eeles Henry (J29 Entry, A Squadron)

41 263

Henry Eeles was born on 12th May 1910 and educated at Harrow School. He entered the RAF College Cranwell in January 1929 as a Flight Cadet. After graduating in December 1930, with a permanent commission, Eeles joined 41 Squadron at Northolt.

On 1st October 1932, he was posted to HQ RAF Middle East as PA to the AOC.

Eeles returned to the UK in early 1934 and, on 11 February, he went to the Air Armament School at Eastchurch for a course. He joined the staff of 5 FTS Sealand on 19 January 1935 to take up armament duties. Eeles was appointed PA to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Cyril Newall on 1 September 1937.

He was attached to 6 OTU Sutton Bridge from the Air Ministry on 24 June 1940 for a Not strictlyrefresher part course of and 11 conversion Gp, but to Hurricanes.based at He RAF took command Tangmere, of 263 Squadronthe Fighter on 6 Interception Unit was formedJuly, and flying commanded the squadron's first by Whirlwind Peter Chamberlain,from Martlesham Heath following to Grangemouth his pioneering on that development work day. 263 initially had three of these aircraft and fourteen Hurricanes. During the Battle of on airBritain, interception the squadron radar. flew operational Henry sorties Eeles with is its also Hurricanes. unique There in is that a suggestion he is one Cranwellian who declinedthat Dowdingthe offer had of little the faith Battle in the newof Britain aircraft fuelled Clasp, by a despite troubled reputation having ofearned its it as OC 263 Sqn manufacturer. Not strictly part of 11 Gp, but based at RAF Tangmere, theoperating Fighter Whirlwind Interception and Hurricane aircraft. Unit Charles was Bacon, Ferdinand Baraldi and David FulfordEeles were is not shown three in Cranwellianthe squadron ORB participantsas having flown operationally who received during the theirBattle of flying training from the formed and commanded by Peter Chamberlain, following his pioneeringBritain period, but correspondence development between him and the Air workMinistry in 1960 confirmed his SFTSeligibility at RAF for Cranwell.the Battle of Britain clasp. The evident frustration that his squadron should be kept away from the Battle of Britain possibly influenced his decision to decline the clasp, on air interception radar. Henry Eeles is also unique in that on he the grounds is one that his squadron Cranwellian did not operate in southern who England but only from On 12Grangemouth Group operations,and later Drem. Tim Vigors (222 Sqn) appears to have been the outstanding declined the offer of the Battle of Britain Clasp, despite havingCranwellian earned ‘ace’ with fiveit successesas OC during 263 the SqnBattle of Britain. He received two Mentions in Despatches, the CBE (1943) and the CB (1956). operating Whirlwind and Hurricane aircraft. Charles Bacon,Arguably FerdinandEeles a remained better inknown the RAFBaraldi Cranwellian afterNot the warstrictly andand in was part12 AOCGroup ofDavid and11 CommandantwasGp, butSir Douglasbased of the RAFat Bader RAF Tangmere, who, as OC the 242 Fighter Interception Unit was College Cranwell from 25 August formed1952. He retiredand commandedfrom the RAF on 29 by January Peter 1959 Chamberlain, as an following his pioneering development work Fulford were three Cranwellian participants who receivedSqn, their famouslyAir Commodore flying advocated and died in training1992. the ‘Big Wing from’ Ops concept the despite fierce opposition from 11 Gp who, being closer to theon enemy air interception lines, could radar. not assemble Henry Eeles a comparable is also unique ‘Big inWing’ that in he is one Cranwellian who ______time to repel the oncoming Luftwaffedeclined theforces; offer they of the opted Battle for offinger Britain four Clasp, formations despite attacking having earned it as OC 263 Sqn SFTS at RAF Cranwell. operating Whirlwind and Hurricane aircraft. Charles Bacon, Ferdinand Baraldi and David the enemy aircraft in pairs, a mode d’emploi which was to become SOP in ‘Rodeo’ fighter Fulford were three Cranwellian participants who received their flying training from the sweeps over France after the Battle of Britain had been won. Bader was attributed four SFTS at RAF Cranwell. successes (1½ x Do 17, 1 x Bf109, 1 x Bf110) in the Battle of Britain. It is postulated that On 12 Group operations, Tim Vigors (222 Sqn) appears he to was have shot down been - some thebelieve outstanding blue-on-blue - in 1941, captured by the Germans and On 12 Group operations, Tim Vigors (222 Sqn) appears to have been the outstanding Cranwellian ‘ace’ with five successes during the Battle of Britain.enjoyed the hospitality of ColditzCranwellian Castle till‘ace’ the with end five of thesuccesses war. during the Battle of Britain.

Having been posted from 1 ArguablySqn to 242 a better Sqn knownon 21 CranwellianSeptember, inMichael 12 Group Homer was Sirwas Douglas shot Bader who, as OC 242 down and killed on 27 September when his Hurricane aircraft P2967 crashed into a wood Sqn, famously advocated theJ29 ‘Big Page Wing2 of 8 ’ Ops concept despite fierce opposition from 11 near Sittingbourne. Arguably a better known Cranwellian in 12 Group was Sir Douglas Bader who,Gp who, as being OC closer 242 to the enemy lines, could not assemble a comparable ‘Big Wing’ in Page 14 of 32 time to repel the oncoming Luftwaffe forces; they opted for finger four formations attacking Sqn, famously advocated the ‘Big Wing’ Ops concept despite fierce oppositionthe enemy aircraft from in pairs, 11 a mode d’emploi which was to become SOP in ‘Rodeo’ fighter sweeps over France after the Battle of Britain had been won. Bader was attributed four Gp who, being closer to the enemy lines, could not assemble a comparablesuccesses ‘Big (1 Wing’½ x Do 17, in 1 x Bf109, 1 x Bf110) in the Battle of Britain. It is postulated that time to repel the oncoming Luftwaffe forces; they opted for finger four formationshe was shot attacking down - some believe blue-on-blue - in 1941, captured by the Germans and enjoyed the hospitality of Colditz Castle till the end of the war. the enemy aircraft in pairs, a mode d’emploi which was to become SOP in ‘Rodeo’ fighter Having been posted from 1 Sqn to 242 Sqn on 21 September, Michael Homer was shot sweeps over France after the Battle of Britain had been won. Bader wasdown attributed and killed on 27 four September when his Hurricane aircraft P2967 crashed into a wood near Sittingbourne. successes (1½ x Do 17, 1 x Bf109, 1 x Bf110) in the Battle of Britain. It is postulated that Page 14 of 32 he was shot down - some believe blue-on-blue - in 1941, captured by the Germans and enjoyed the hospitality of Colditz Castle till the end of the war.

Hobson, William Francis Cripps (J29 Entry, A Squadron) 54 64 601

William Francis Cripps Hobson was born on 28 December 1910 and educated at Wellington College. He entered the College on 10 January 1929 as a Flight Cadet. On graduation in December 1930, he joined 54 Squadron at Hornchurch.

On 26 February 1934, he went to the Air Armament School in Eastchurch and afterwards joined the 1 Air Defence Group staff in London on 9 September 1935.

After a posting to the Aircraft Depot in Karachi on 14 March 1936, he returned to the UK to join the staff at 6 Armament Training Station, Warmwell, on 16 August.

He then went to West Freugh on 8 May 1939, to start a tour with 4 Armament Training Station. On 4 June 1940, Hobson moved to 6 OTU, Sutton Bridge, for a refresher course and, after converting to Hurricanes was posted to 64 Squadron as a supernumerary on 4 July.

On 20 July, he took command of 601 Squadron at Tangmere, as a Squadron Leader, leading it till 10 August when he was admitted into hospital. Our research has been unable to verify some of the squadron movements and He retired on(re)deployments, 23 May 1956 as a but Wing we Commander, have established but retaining the the contribution rank of made by Cranwellians in 11 Group Captain.squadrons (56, 151, 249, 253, 264, 312, 601, 603 605, 615 and 616 Sqns) which were deployed across Fighter______Command during the Battle of Britain.

Of the ‘Pan-Group’ airmen shown below, all were ﬂight cadets except for Percival Ross- Frames Burton and Geoffrey Page, both of whom underwent ﬂying training at the SFTS Cranwell.

Richard Barclay (249 Sqn) was an ‘ace’, destroying five Luftwaffe aircraft. Honours and Awards NotFV strictly Beamish part is oneof 11 of Gp, the famousbut based Beamish at RAF brothers Tangmere, and entered the theFighter College Interception with a Unit was Not entirelyformedWakefield for andtheir Scholarship. commanded exploits Heduring was by aPeterthe very Battle “hands-on”Chamberlain, of Britain, station following twocommander Cranwellians his of pioneeringRAF Northwere Weald, honoureddevelopment work during WWIIonflying air with regularly interception a DSO with andhis radar. resident Bar Henry- Sirsquadrons Douglas Eeles (56, is Bader 151, also 249 and unique and FV 257 inBeamish when that in he 11- istheGroup). one DSO CranwellianWe being who declinedhave been the only offer able of tothe verify Battle (but of have Britain no reason Clasp, to dispute)despite fourhaving of his earned claims ofit as 10 OC 263 Sqn the next highestenemy aircraftaward destroyed.to the Victoria Following Cross the that award can of be an awarded AFC before to members the war, heof the was RAF. Honours and Awards A furtheroperating 12mentioned Cranwellians Whirlwind in despatches received and in Hurricane February the DSO. 1940, aircraft. appointed Charles a companion Bacon, ofFerdinand the DSO in Baraldi July and David Fulford1940, awarded were threea DFC Cranwellianin November 1940 participants and a bar to who the receivedDSO in September their flying 1941, trainingand from the SFTSfinally at was RAF mentioned Cranwell. in despatches again in January 1942. As an Acting Wg Cdr, he was Not entirely for their exploits during the Battle of Britain,killed two in actionCranwellians in March 1942. were J29honoured Page 3 of 8 On 12 Group operations, Tim Vigors (222 Sqn) appears to have been the outstanding Of others from these “Pan-Group” Squadrons, three pilots lost their lives in 11 Group during WWII with a DSO and Bar - Sir Douglas Bader Cranwellianandoperations FV - Percival‘ace’Beamish with Burton, five Noel successes- the Benson DSO andduring Peter being the Crofts. Battle of Britain. the next highest award to the Victoria Cross that can be awarded to members of the RAF. Arguably a better known Cranwellian in 12 Group was Sir Douglas Bader who, as OC 242 A further 12 Cranwellians received the DSO. Sqn, famously advocated the ‘Big Wing’ Ops concept despite fierce opposition from 11 Gp who, being closer to the enemy lines, could not assemble a comparable ‘Big Wing’ in time to repel the oncoming Luftwaffe forces; they opted for finger Pagefour 16formations of 32 attacking the enemy aircraft in pairs, a mode d’emploi which was to become SOP in ‘Rodeo’ fighter sweeps over France after the Battle of Britain had been won. Bader was attributed four successes (1½ x Do 17, 1 x Bf109, 1 x Bf110) in the Battle of Britain. It is postulated that he was shot down - some believe blue-on-blue - in 1941, captured by the Germans and enjoyed the hospitality of Colditz Castle till the end of the war.

Page 17 of 32

Hogan, Henry Algernon Vickers (J29 Entry, B Squadron)

54 501

Not strictly part of 11 Gp, but based at RAF Tangmere, the Fighter Interception Unit was Son of a colonel in the Indian Army, Hogan was born on 25 October 1909 and educated at Malvern. He joined the RAF College Cranwell in January 29 and, on graduation, was formed and commanded by Peter Chamberlain, following his pioneering developmentcommissioned in December work 1930. on air interception radar. Henry Eeles is also unique in that he is one CranwellianHe joined 54 Squadron at Hornchurch who where he flew Siskins and Bulldogs. Not strictly part of 11 Gp, but based at RAF Tangmere, the Fighter Interception Unit was In 1932, he joined 404 Fleet Fighter Flight and served in the aircraft carrier ‘Courageous’. declined the offer of the Battle of Britain Clasp, despite havingformed and earned commanded it asbyThe Peternext OC year Chamberlain,he 263moved to 800Sqn Squadron. following After qualifying his atpioneering the Central Flying development School, he work on air interception radar. was Henry posted as Eeles an instructor is to also No 1 Flying unique Training in School, that Leuchars. he is one Cranwellian who operating Whirlwind and Hurricane aircraft. Charles Bacon, Ferdinand Baraldi and OurDavid research has been unable to verify some of the squadron movements and declined the offer of the BattleIn 1938, the of RAF Britain launched Clasp,an attempt ondespite the Soviet Union'shaving non-stop earned long-distance it as record OC 263 Sqn of 6,306 miles, and Hogan(re)deployments, joined 1 Group's Long butRange we Development have established Unit. Three Vickers the contribution made by Cranwellians in 11 Fulford were three Cranwellian participants who receivedoperating their Whirlwind flying and training WellesleyHurricane aircraft from aircraft. took offsquadrons from theCharles Ismalia (56, on 5 Bacon, November 151, 249, 1938. Ferdinand 253, Led 264, by Squadron 312, Baraldi 601, Leader 603 and 605, David 615 and 616 Sqns) which were Richard Kellett, the pilotsdeployed made the challengeacross Fighter even more Command daunting by decidingduring tothe fly Battle in of Britain. Fulford were three Cranwellianformation. Bad participants weather over the Bay who of Bengal received and the South their China Sea flying obliged training Hogan to from the SFTS at RAF Cranwell. SFTS at RAF Cranwell. land at Kupang in Timor and refuel, but the Wellesley aircraft still handsomely beat the Russian record, covering Ofthe 7,157the ‘Pan-Group’ miles to Darwin inairmen 48 hours. shown below, all were ﬂight cadets except for Percival Ross-

In 1939, Hogan was at theFrames Air Ministry. Burton He was andthen postedGeoffrey to 15 FlyingPage, Training both School of whom as underwent flying training at the SFTS On 12 Group operations,chief Tim flying Vigors instructor and (222Cranwell. moved Sqn) to 60 appearsOperational Training to have Unit shortly been before the taking outstanding On 12 Group operations, Tim Vigors (222 Sqn) appearsCranwellian to have ‘ace’ been with five thecommand successes outstandingof 501 squadron, during an theAuxiliary Battle Air Force of unit, Britain. on 21 June. Hogan was posted to Croydon to command thisRichard Hurricane Barclay fighter squadron (249 Sqn)throughout was the an Battle ‘ace’, of destroyingBritain, as five Luftwaffe aircraft. Cranwellian ‘ace’ with five successes during the Battle of Britain. part of Air Vice-Marshal Park's frontline 11 Group, Fighter Command. Arguably a better known Cranwellian in 12 Group was Sir Douglas Bader who, as OC 242 On 10 July, the first dayFV of the Beamish Battle of Britain, is one the of Squadron the famous was stationed Beamish at Middle brothers and entered the College with a Wallop. As the sun rose on the second day of the battle, 501 scrambled to engage 10 Ju Sqn, famously advocated87 the Stuka ‘ Bigdive-bombers Wing andWakefield’ 20Ops Me 109 conceptScholarship. fighters, heading despite He in wasfrom fierce thea veryCherbourg “hands-on”opposition area. In station from commander 11 of RAF North Weald, Gp who, being closer to thethe engagement, enemy lines, Hoganflying lost could a regularly Hurricane not andassemblewith had his to resident come a tocomparable squadrons terms with both (56, the‘Big 151, Wing’ 249 and in 257 when in 11 Group). We Arguably a better known Cranwellian in 12 Group was Sir Douglas Bader who,numerical odds as against OC 11 Group 242 and the Hurricane's inferiority to the 109. time to repel the oncoming Luftwaffe forces;have they been opted only able for tofinger verify four (but haveformations no reason attacking to dispute) four of his claims of 10 On August 15, at the heightenemy of the Luftwaffe's aircraft much destroyed. trumpeted Following "Eagle Offensive", the Hogan award of an AFC before the war, he was Sqn, famously advocated the ‘Big Wing’ Ops concept despitethe enemy fierce aircraft inopposition pairs,led a 501 mode (by now d’emploi basedfrom mentioned at Gravesend) which11 in in was despatches an attempt to become to save in February coastal SOP fighter 1940, in fields ‘Rodeo appointed at ’ fighter a companion of the DSO in July sweeps over France afterLympne the and Battle Hawkinge of 1940, from Britain destruction. awarded had Heavily beena DFC outnumbered, won.in November Bader 501 fought 1940 was valiantly and attributed toa bar to the four DSO in September 1941, and Gp who, being closer to the enemy lines, could not assemble a comparablebreak up‘Big large Luftwaffe Wing’ formations. in Three days later, Hogan and the squadron, now successes (1½ x Do 17, almost1 x Bf109, continuously 1 in x action, finallyBf110) shot was down in mentioned twothe Me Battle 110’s atin the despatchesof cost Britain. of seven Hurricanes. againIt is postulatedin January 1942. that As an Acting Wg Cdr, he was killed in action in March 1942. time to repel the oncoming Luftwaffe forces; they opted forhe finger was shot four down formations - some believe attackingblue-on-blue - in 1941, captured byJ29 thePage 4Germans of 8 and enjoyed the hospitality of Colditz Castle till the end of the war. the enemy aircraft in pairs, a mode d’emploi which was to become SOP in ‘Rodeo’ fighterOf others from these “Pan-Group” Squadrons, three pilots lost their lives in 11 Group operations - Percival Burton, Noel Benson and Peter Crofts. sweeps over France after the Battle of Britain had been Having won. been Bader posted was from 1 attributed Sqn to 242 Sqn four on 21 September, Michael Homer was shot down and killed on 27 September when his Hurricane aircraft P2967 crashed into a wood successes (1½ x Do 17, 1 x Bf109, 1 x Bf110) in the Battlenear of Sittingbourne. Britain. It is postulated that he was shot down - some believe blue-on-blue - in 1941, captured by the Germans and Page 14 of 32 enjoyed the hospitality of Colditz Castle till the end of the war. Page 16 of 32

Having been posted from 1 Sqn to 242 Sqn on 21 September, Michael Homer was shot down and killed on 27 September when his Hurricane aircraft P2967 crashed into a wood near Sittingbourne. Page 14 of 32 As losses mounted, Hogan and his surviving pilots grew ever more skilful. Foremost among them was the ace Sgt Ginger Lacey who ignored the flames engulfing his Hurricane, and before baling out, persisted in shooting down an He 111 which had bombed Buckingham Palace.

The replacement pilots had an average age of 21 and were inexperienced in combat; it troubled Hogan that they were so vulnerable. Flying Officer Arthur Rose-Price was typical. A former instructor, he joined 501 squadron on 2 September, flew a morning patrol, and that afternoon failed to return from combat over Dungeness.

Hogan continued to lead the Squadron throughout the daily assaults on London. On 18 September, he was shot down by a Me 109 over West Mailing. He baled out and resumed command, none the worse for the experience. He completed the Battle of Britain with at least five enemy aircraft to his credit.

It was Hogan's excellence as a fighter squadron commander which subsequently ensured him a senior role in the vital business of training a generation of fighter pilots who would succeed the veterans of the Battle of Britain. After the Battle of Britain, he commanded 54 OTU until posted to Maxwell Field, Alabama, where he was a key figure in the Arnold Scheme for training RAF pilots in the USA. He was also a member of the RAF delegation to Washington.

In 1944, he returned home as assistant commandant at the Empire Central Flying School. The next year he commanded No 19 Flying Training School at Cranwell, the successor FTS to 17 FTS and the SFTS who had trained pilots throughout the war.

After the war, Hogan was successively: Sector Commander, Northern Sector; Air Officer Commanding 81 Group; Air Officer Commanding 83 Group 2nd Allied Tactical Air Force, Germany; Senior Air Staff Officer Flying Training Command.

He retired in 1962 and served as Midland Regional Director, Civil Defence, from 1964 to 1968.

Hogan was awarded the DFC in 1940 and appointed CB in 1955.

______

J29 Page 5 of 8 Battle of Britain - 12 Group Participants

19 23 66 73 222 242

HW Charnock LC Bicknell HF Burton JWC More TA Vigors BattleDRS of Bader Britain - 12 Group Participants

Robinson, Maurice Wilbraham Sandford (J29 Entry, A Squadron) 19 23 XXIV66 29 73 111 222 242 PI RMBD RHA Leigh MWS Robinson MG Homer Howard-Williams Duke-Wooley Born on 20 September 1910, Maurice Wilbraham Sandford Robinson was educated at Liverpool College. He entered the RAF College on 10 January 1929 as a Flight cadet, representing the College in Rugby and Shooting. Graduating on 19 December 1930 with a Permanent Commission, he was posted to 111 Squadron, Hornchurch, the following day.

He joined 60 SquadronHW Charnockat Kohat, India,LC on Bicknell 4 April 1932 HFand, Burton after returningJWC to More the UK, wentTA Vigors DRS Bader on to the staff of 3 FTS at Grantham on 22 October 1934.

On 4 April 1932, Robinson was posted to 24 (Communications) Squadron at Hendon, before rejoining 111 Squadron at Northolt as a Flight Commander on 28 September 1938. GFW Heycock GF He was promoted to Squadron Leader and tookPowell-Sheddon command of 29 Squadron at Debden on 1 December that year, leading it till February 1939.

PI RMBD RHA Leigh MWS Robinson MG Homer On the 13th, he wasHoward-Williams posted to 1 RAFDuke-Wooley Depot, Uxbridge, on hold. As an acting Wing 13 Group controlled RAF squadrons deployedCommander., in he assumed the Midlands. command of 8 B&GS, The relinquishing acknowledged the rank on 22 April 1940. On 10 July 1940, he was posted to 7 OTU, Harwarden, and after converting to Hurricanes, Cranwellian ‘ace’ was Jimmie Elsdon (72 Sqn),rejoined 73 with Squadron six at Church successes. Fenton as a supernumerary Two Cranwellians on 31 July. He assumed command of the squadron on 10 August, relinquishing the post the same day to the (Noel Benson and Basil Way) lost their lives onreturning Ops Squadron with Leader13 Group. JWC More (ex-S28 Entry). He remained as a supernumerary and regained command of the squadronGFW onHeycock 5 September when More’s planned post at HQ GF Our research has been unable to verify somePowell-Sheddon of the squadron movements and 9 Group was available. Miles Miley joined 25 Sqn at Hawkinge. He was still with the (re)deployments,squadron in early but weJuly have 1940, established the contribution made by Cranwellians in 11 In combat, Robinson destroyedsquadrons a Ju 88 and (56, probably 151, two 249, others 253, on 15 264, August 312, and 601, 603 605, 615 and 616 Sqns) which were but was attached to the Air Fighting Developmentprobably destroyed 13 Unit Group an atHe 111 Northolt controlled on 5 September. RAF on On 15 squadrons the sameAugust. day, he deployed had In to make the in a theforced Midlands. The acknowledged landing at WallaseaCranwellian Yacht Club, ‘ace’deployed Rochford, was Jimmie across when his ElsdonFighter Hurricane (72 P2815Command Sqn), was damaged with during six in successes. the Battle Twoof Britain. Cranwellians early evening of 15 September, Miley was flyingcombat over as (NoelBurnham. a Benson passenger and Basil in Way) Beaufighter lost their lives on R2067 Ops with 13 Group. from North Weald, with Fg Off HMS LambertOn 17 as August, pilot he destroyed and a LACOf Bf 110,the on JP‘Pan-Group’ the 11th Wyatt another asandairmen on crew. 14 Septembershown The wasbelow, shot all were flight cadets except for Percival Ross- down in combatMiles in the Miley Tonbridge joinedFrames area. 25 He SqnBurton baled at out, Hawkinge. andwounded, Geoffrey and He was was admittedPage, still with toboth Kent the ofsquadron whom inunderwent early July 1940,flying training at the SFTS aircraft crashed near Kenley aerodrome at 1820& Sussex and hospital;but all was hethree lost attached the sightmen in to one on the eye. Airboard He Fighting was a wereCASEVAC Development killed. at RAF Debden It Unit until at Northolt on 15 August. In the posted from 73 Squadron on 26Cranwell. September. has never been established whether the crash wasearly an evening accident of 15 or September, the result Miley was of enemy flying as a passenger in Beaufighter R2067 He received anfrom MiD Northon 1 January Weald, 1942. with Fg Off HMS Lambert as pilot and LAC JP Wyatt as crew. The action. On that day, Feldwebel Neuhoff of JG53 claimed a BlenheimRichard Barclay destroyed, (249 Sqn) but was none an ‘ace’, destroying five Luftwaffe aircraft. aircraft crashed near Kenley aerodrome at 1820 and all three men on board were killed. It was reported lost on the 15th. It is possible thatHe was he appointed may SASOhave at 81mistaken Group in mid-1942 the and,Beaufighter as an acting Group for Captain, assumed commandhas never of RAF beenNortholt established in early 1943. During whether this tour the of crash duty, he was flew with an the accident or the result of enemy a Blenheim, if indeed he did shootNot it down.strictly Miley residentpart Polish ofwasaction. 11 squadrons. buriedGp, On thatbutFV inday, based Beamish St Feldwebel Andrew's at is RAFNeuhoff one churchyard, ofTangmere, of the JG53 famous claimed the Beamish a FighterBlenheim brothers destroyed,Interception and but entered none Unit the was College with a formed and commandedwas reported byWakefield lostPeter on the Chamberlain, Scholarship.15th. It is possible He following wasthat hea verymay his have“hands-on” pioneering mistaken station the developmentBeaufighter commander for of work RAF North Weald, North Weald, Essex. On 4 May 1943,a Blenheim, he was involved ifflying indeed in action regularly he against did shootenemywith fightershisit down. resident on Fortress-escortMiley squadrons was buried with (56,in St 151,Andrew's 249 churchyard,and 257 when in 11 Group). We on air interception316 Squadron. On radar. another Henryoccasion, he Eeles attacked a isFW also190. For uniquethese and other in actions that he is one Cranwellian who he was awardedNorth the PolishWeald, KWhave Essex. on 10 March been 1944. only able to verify (but have no reason to dispute) four of his claims of 10 On 3 July, Basil Way shared a Do17;declined on 8 July the heoffer claimed of the aBattle Me109enemy of aircraftBritaindestroyed destroyed.Clasp, and despite shared Following having the award earned of anit as AFC OC before 263 Sqn the war, he was J29 Page 6 of 8 On 3 July, Basilmentioned Way shared in a despatches Do17; on 8 July in February he claimed 1940, a Me109 appointed destroyed a and companion shared of the DSO in July another; on 24 July two probableoperating Me109’s; Whirlwind on theanother; 25and July onHurricane 24 another July two aircraft. probable Me109 Me109’s;Charles destroyed. on Bacon, the 25 July Ferdinand another Me109 Baraldi destroyed. and David Immediately after this victory, he wasFulford shot were down three andImmediately Cranwelliankilled, after1940,crashing this awarded participants victory, into hea the DFCwas Channel shot whoin November down received andin killed,1940 their crashingand a flying bar into to the trainingthe Channel DSO in fromin September the 1941, and SFTS at RAF Cranwell.his Spitfire R6707.finally was mentioned in despatches again in January 1942. As an Acting Wg Cdr, he was his Spitfire R6707. killed in action in March 1942. Of the Cranwellians serving in 13 Group, all were flight cadets except Temlett who, despite Of the Cranwellians serving in 13 Group,On 12 all Group were operations,flightstarting cadets his training TimOf except others Vigorsat the Temlett fromRAF (222 College, these who, Sqn) “Pan-Group”transferred despite appears to the Squadrons, RAFVR to have when three been the College pilots the lostclosed outstanding their lives in 11 Group Cranwellian ‘ace’ withdown fiveat the successes outbreakoperations of WW2. - duringPercival theBurton, Battle Noel of Benson Britain. and Peter Crofts. starting his training at the RAF College, transferred to the RAFVR when the College closed Page 15 of 32 down at the outbreak of WW2. Arguably a better known Cranwellian in 12 Group was Sir Douglas Bader who, as OC 242 Page 15 of 32 Sqn, famously advocated the ‘Big Wing’ Ops concept despite fierce opposition from 11 Gp who, being closer to the enemy lines, could not assemble a comparable ‘Big Wing’ in time to repel the oncoming Luftwaffe forces; they opted for finger four formations attackingPage 16 of 32 the enemy aircraft in pairs, a mode d’emploi which was to become SOP in ‘Rodeo’ fighter sweeps over France after the Battle of Britain had been won. Bader was attributed four successes (1½ x Do 17, 1 x Bf109, 1 x Bf110) in the Battle of Britain. It is postulated that he was shot down - some believe blue-on-blue - in 1941, captured by the Germans and enjoyed the hospitality of Colditz Castle till the end of the war.

Having been posted from 1 Sqn to 242 Sqn on 21 September, Michael Homer was shot down and killed on 27 September when his Hurricane aircraft P2967 crashed into a wood near Sittingbourne. Page 14 of 32 The citation stated that “he displayed great courage and was an example to the remaining pilots, in spite of his advanced age and possessing the sight of only one eye”.

Robinson was made a CBE on 2 June 1943.

From April to June 1945, he was the Station Commander of RAF Biggin Hill.

He retired from the RAF on 1 March 1958 in the rank of Air Commodore.

He died on 2 April 1977.

______

J29 Page 7 of 8

Wilkinson, Rodney Levett (J29 Entry, B Squadron) 3 266

Rodney Levett Wilkinson, of Rotherﬁeld, Sussex was born in Shrewsbury on 23rd May 1910 and educated at Wellington College. He entered the RAF College, Cranwell, in January 1929 as a ﬂight cadet. On graduation in December 1930, he joined 3 Squadron at Upavon.

On 1 October 1932, Wilkinson was posted to the staﬀ of HQ Transjordan and Palestine, in Jerusalem, where he was personal assistant to the AOC, Sir Wilfrid Freeman.

In January 1934, he was made PA to the AOC Middle East, AVM Newall. He returned to the UK in 1934 and joined the Station Flight at Duxford on 22 October, operating as an instructor to Cambridge University Air Squadron.

He moved to the staﬀ of CFS, Upavon on 19 April 1937. He then took up an Air Ministry post in January 1939.

After a refresher course at 5 OTU Aston Down in June 1940,Our where research he converted has tobeen unable to verify some of the squadron movements and Spitfires, Wilkinson took command of 266 Squadron at Wittering on 6 July 1940. (re)deployments, but we have established the contribution made by Cranwellians in 11 He claimed a Do17 destroyed on 12 August and a Ju 88 on squadrons the 15th. On (56, the 151, 16th in 249, 253, 264, 312, 601, 603 605, 615 and 616 Sqns) which were combat over Deal, it is believed that he collided with a Me 109,deployed possibly across that flown Fighter by Command during the Battle of Britain. Uffz. Bruder of 4/JG51 who baled out. But Wilkinson was killed when his Spitfire, R6768, crashed and burned out at Eastry Court. Of the ‘Pan-Group’ airmen shown below, all were flight cadets except for Percival Ross- Frames Burton and Geoffrey Page, both of whom underwent flying training at the SFTS Wilkinson was 30. He is buried in Margate Cemetery, Kent. Cranwell.

Richard Barclay (249 Sqn) was an ‘ace’, destroying ﬁve Luftwaffe aircraft.

Not strictly part of 11 Gp, but based at RAF Tangmere, the FighterFV Beamish Interception is one of Unit the famous was Beamish brothers and entered the College with a formed and commanded by Peter Chamberlain, following his pioneeringWakefield Scholarship. development He was work a very “hands-on” station commander of RAF North Weald, on air interception radar. Henry Eeles is also unique in thatflying he regularly is one Cranwellianwith his resident who squadrons (56, 151, 249 and 257 when in 11 Group). We Not strictly part of 11 Gp, but based at RAF Tangmere, the Fighter Interception Unit was have been only able to verify (but have no reason to dispute) four of his claims of 10 declined the offer of the Battle of Britain Clasp, despite havingenemy earned aircraft it as destroyed. OC 263 Following Sqn the award of an AFC before the war, he was formed and commanded by Peter Chamberlain, following his pioneeringoperating Whirlwinddevelopment and Hurricane work aircraft. Charles Bacon, Ferdinandmentioned in Baraldi despatches and in David February 1940, appointed a companion of the DSO in July Fulford were three Cranwellian participants who received their1940, awarded flying training a DFC in from November the 1940 and a bar to the DSO in September 1941, and on air interception radar. Henry Eeles is also unique in that heSFTS is oneat RAF CranwellianCranwell. who finally was mentioned in despatches again in January 1942. As an Acting Wg Cdr, he was declined the offer of the Battle of Britain Clasp, despite having earned it as OC 263 Sqn killed in action in March 1942. On 12 Group operations, Tim Vigors (222 Sqn) appears toOf have others been from the these outstanding “Pan-Group” Squadrons, three pilots lost their lives in 11 Group operating Whirlwind and Hurricane aircraft. Charles Bacon, FerdinandCranwellian Baraldi ‘ace’ with five and successes David during the Battle of Britain.operations - Percival Burton, Noel Benson and Peter Crofts.

Fulford were three Cranwellian participants who received theirArguably flying a better training known Cranwellian from the in 12 Group was Sir Douglas Bader who, as OC 242 SFTS at RAF Cranwell. Sqn, famously advocated the ‘Big Wing’ Ops concept despite fierceJ29 oppositionPage 8 of 8 from 11 Gp who, being closer to the enemy lines, could not assemble a comparable ‘Big Wing’ in time to repel the oncoming Luftwaffe forces; they opted for finger four formations attacking Page 16 of 32 On 12 Group operations, Tim Vigors (222 Sqn) appears to havethe enemy been aircraft the in pairs, outstanding a mode d’emploi which was to become SOP in ‘Rodeo’ fighter sweeps over France after the Battle of Britain had been won. Bader was attributed four Cranwellian ‘ace’ with five successes during the Battle of Britain. successes (1½ x Do 17, 1 x Bf109, 1 x Bf110) in the Battle of Britain. It is postulated that he was shot down - some believe blue-on-blue - in 1941, captured by the Germans and enjoyed the hospitality of Colditz Castle till the end of the war. Arguably a better known Cranwellian in 12 Group was Sir Douglas Bader who, as OC 242 Having been posted from 1 Sqn to 242 Sqn on 21 September, Michael Homer was shot Sqn, famously advocated the ‘Big Wing’ Ops concept despite downfierce and oppositionkilled on 27 September from when 11 his Hurricane aircraft P2967 crashed into a wood near Sittingbourne. Gp who, being closer to the enemy lines, could not assemble a comparable ‘Big Wing’ in Page 14 of 32 time to repel the oncoming Luftwaffe forces; they opted for finger four formations attacking the enemy aircraft in pairs, a mode d’emploi which was to become SOP in ‘Rodeo’ fighter sweeps over France after the Battle of Britain had been won. Bader was attributed four successes (1½ x Do 17, 1 x Bf109, 1 x Bf110) in the Battle of Britain. It is postulated that he was shot down - some believe blue-on-blue - in 1941, captured by the Germans and enjoyed the hospitality of Colditz Castle till the end of the war.