FP_2015_05_

56 FLYPAST May 2015

194019401940

DIRECT HITS

On the morning of June 2, nine

aircraft from 806 led by ‘Crash’

Evans in Skua L2989 – with

NA Hearnshaw as gunner – had

another encounter, as he reported:

“Observed a stick of four bombs

dropped ahead of British cruiser,

thought to be Coventry. It is thought

that enemy escaped in low cloud.

“At 10:52 a Ju 88 was observed

and was attacked by 806 and enemy

was seen to pass through tracer.

Enemy went into spiral to the right,

and disappeared through the cloud

towards the water and was possibly

destroyed.”

Skuas and Rocs of 806 flew their

final sorties on the 2nd but 801

remained at Detling. On June 12

and 13, Rocs of 801 Squadron

dive-bombed E-boats in Boulogne

harbour while reconnaissance flights

revealed the Germans digging-in

large guns at Cap Gris Nez.

Finally, on June 21, the day before

the French surrender brought the

Battle of France to an end, four

of 801’s Skuas and five Rocs dive-

bombed the Cap Gris Nez gun

positions, claiming four direct hits.

The Roc flown by Sub Lt Day and

NA Berry was shot down by ground

fire. The detachment

returned to Worthy

Down a few days

later.

returned to Worthy

Down a few days

returned to Worthy

Down a few days

“...NEARLY 1,000 SHIPS OF ALL KINDS, CARRIED OVER 335,000 MEN, FRENCH AND BRITISH, OUT OF THE JAWS

OF DEATH AND SHAME... WE MUST BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO ASSIGN TO THIS DELIVERANCE THE

ATTRIBUTES OF A VICTORY. WARS ARE NOT WON BY EVACUATIONS. BUT THERE WAS A VICTORY INSIDE

THIS DELIVERANCE, WHICH SHOULD BE NOTED. IT WAS GAINED BY THE AIR FORCE.” WINSTON CHURCHILL

Below right

A period cutaway diagram

of a Blackburn Skua.

Below

An irreverent caricature

on the Roc’s lack of

performance with which

its crews would readily

identity! VIA AUTHOR

52-56_Blitzkrieg_fpSBB.indd 56 13/03/2015 10:35