Ground Attack
Summer Rhubarb
By the summer of 1943, 239 Squadron was heavily involved in the Allied offensive on German supply lines and tactical targets in Northern France. Ground attack missions or “Rhubarbs” were more common and interspersed were “Popular” reconnaissance sorties to identify valid targets. Such missions are described in the ORBs and clearly show the inherent dangers. Len Bennett continued to be missioned with photographic reconnaissance and in late July set out with three other aircraft on a “Popular” from which none would return. In the lead up though the Squadron was coping with other losses and 12th July proved to be a significant day with 3 sorties flown on Rhubarbs
12th July 1943
W/C P. Legge and F/O B.T.Holmes took off at 1300 hours on a “Rhubarb” from Fairlop and crossed the English coast at Pevensey at 1315 hours. Flying low over the Channel they crossed the French coast at 0 feet just east of St Valery at 1335 hours. Picking up the railway line south of Yerville it was followed eastwards towards Serqueaux. Near Beautot they found a goods train of approximately 40 open trucks proceeding west, and this was attacked by F/O Holmes, scoring many hits and a cloud of steam was seen. There appeared to be six anti-aircraft guns which opened up on the aircraft.
South of Yerville F/O Holmes attacked another goods train, and hits were seen on the cab of the engine and on the boiler. The two aircraft then lost contact and W/C Legge crossed the French coast in cloud at 3500 feet. F/O Holmes crossed out west of Le Treport at 0 feet. Landfall was made near Pevensey and both aircraft landed at base at 1440 hours
12th July 1943
F/O G,C.D. Green and F/O J.P.Bassett took off on a Rhubarb at 1301 hours and crossed the English coast at 1318 hours at Manston. Flying low over the sea, they crossed the French coast at Point de Gravelines at 0 feet at 1329 hours. The track to be followed was the railway from Cassel to Amientieres, then south at Hazebrouck and via Ypres and Diksmuide to Nieuport. At Bavingrove, F/O Basset attacked some stationary goods wagons, and then attacked the engine of a stationary goods train at Baileul. Strikes were observed. Both pilots then attacked a train proceeding east between Baileul and Armentieres, and strikes were observed by both of them. The train stopped amidst a cloud of steam. At Warneton, six barges were attacked by both pilots and strikes observed in all. Between Ypres and Diksmuide a tug was attacked and strikes and red flashes observed. Slight light flak was encountered between Thurot and Diksmuide and both aircraft crossed north of Ostende at 0 feet, re-crossing the English coast at Manston at 1413 hours and landing at base at 1430 hours
Squadron losses
12th July 1943
F/Lt H.L. Aitchison and F/O R.C.T. Goodwin took off on a Rhubarb at 1415 hours from Fairlop crossing the English coast at Beachy Head at 1435 hours. Flying low over the sea they crossed the French coast west of Cayeux and on striking the railway followed it to Abbeville. The marshalling yard should have been detoured but F/Lt Aitchison went in to attack the northernly end and was hit by flak. Smoke came from the aircraft and he crashed from 100 feet and the aircraft exploded. F/O Goodwin broke off towards Cisemont, and then re-crossed the French coast at Ault. Crossing the English coast at Bexhill at 1527 hours. F/O Goodwin landed at base at 1545
F/Lt H Aitchison attended the University of Birmingham prior to his commission and his sacrifice is commemorated in the University’s memorials which take the form of marble tablets in the man entrance to the Aston Webb building. Inscribed is ” In Honour of those members of the University of Birmingham who gave their lives in the World War 1939-1945“
Flight Lieutenant (Pilot) H.L.J. Aitchison 45327, 239 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died 12th July 1943. Aged 25. Son of Leslie and Ida Aitchison; husband of Ann Winstanley Aitchison, of Bingley, Yorkshire. LL.B., Hons. Buried in ABBEVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme, France. Plot 6. Row C. Grave 5. R.I.P.
22nd July 1943
F/O G.F. Collis (AM 238) and F/O W.A.Damsell (AP181) set course from Fairlop at 1235 hours on a “Popular” to take photographs of a lock gate near Courtrais. They crossed via Foulness and over the English coast at Ramsgate at 1252 hours intending to cross the enemy coast at Middlekerke at 1310. A may day was picked up at 13.58 about 30 miles west of Manston – a thorough search of the area, but only a small spot of oil was seen
F/O Gerald Collis was to give a full account of this Popular to Courtrais in a recorded interview for the Imperial War Museum. You can listen the account at the IWM website (select reel 3) or read a full transcript here
On the same day Len Bennett and Jimmy Vaughan also took off for Northern France, also to take photographs of locks. Click on the button to learn more
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