May 2015 FLYPAST 37pilots, was regarded as “a cheerful
old buffer”!
As the unit gradually built up in
its new role there was a constant
drain on its trained personnel
as they joined operational units
in France. Then, in April 1940,
Lysanders slowly began to replace
613’s Hectors and a number of new
pilots were posted in.
This intake included former
Cranwell cadets Plt Offs John
Sowrey and John Rowland. The
latter flew his first familiarisation
sortie in a Hector with Plt Off
Stewart on May 7, little realising
that before the month was out he
would be flying one into the angry
flak-scarred skies over Calais.
On May 19, a few days after
what became known as the Battleof France began, pilots of 613
Squadron were ordered to ferry
replacement Lysanders to Amiens
and several were lost in action. One
was flown by 20-year-old Plt Off
John Plumb who, as he arrived in
the circuit, was shot down and killed
by a marauding Messerschmitt 109.
Plt Off Rowland recalled: “We
had no news of what was happening
in France but it seemed that things
were not going too well for us. We
heard rumours that the Lysanders
were being shot down in large
numbers, but as we were equipped
with Hectors we didn’t think there
would be any call for us.” Events
were to prove him wrong. Although
barely operational, 613 Squadron- including its Hectors – was soon
called upon.
BOMBING UP
On May 24, No.22 Group
headquarters ordered that all of
613’s Hectors should be fitted
with universal bomb racks. At
15:30 that day six aircraft left for
Hawkinge, just across the Channel
from the cauldrons of Dunkirk
and Calais, but returned to base
later that evening without carrying
out a combat sortie.
The desperate plight of the BEF
around Dunkirk was becoming
more apparent while at Calais
almost 4,000 – mainly British –
troops had been in action for several
days holding off the 10th Panzer
Division. With the defenders under
constant artillery fire and dive-
bomber attack,
the situationBIPLANES
OVER CALAIS
HAWKER HECTOR BIPLANES HAD A BRIEF COMBAT
CAREER DURING THE DESPERATE DAYS OF MAY 1940,
AS ANDREW THOMAS DESCRIBES
troops had been in action for several troops had been in action for several troops had been in action for several
days holding off the 10th Panzer days holding off the 10th Panzer days holding off the 10th Panzer
Division. With the defenders under Division. With the defenders under Division. With the defenders under
constant artillery fire and dive-constant artillery fire and dive-
attack,“I DO REALIZE THAT THIS STRUGGLE, IF IT CONTINUES, CAN END ONLY WITH THE
COMPLETE ANNIHILATION OF ONE OR THE OTHER OF THE TWO ADVERSARIES.
MR. CHURCHILL MAY BELIEVE THIS WILL BE GERMANY. I KNOW THAT IT WILL BE BRITAIN.”
ADOLF HITLERLeft
A camoufl aged Hector
undergoing maintenance,
possibly at Odiham.
13 SQN RECORDS36-40_Blitzkrieg_fpSBB.indd 37 13/03/2015 10:39