Swift to Battle: No 72 Fighter Squadron RAF in Action, 1947 to 1961: Cold War Operations

Preface

I first considered writing the history of No. 72 Squadron in its entirety when I joined the squadron in 1993 and became the deputy squadron historian. At the time the squadron was in the early stages of forming a squadron association for both ex-air and ex-ground crew, from every period of its existence, as well as serving members who wished to join. Since then I have been actively involved with the association as membership secretary, a post I still fill today.

Having collated a vast amount of information over this period and spoken to members of the association ranging in service from 1937 to the present, I realized that to cover the history in one book would not do it justice. The cost of such a book would put it out of reach of most buyers! Another reason I decided to limit the scope of the book was that from the late 1960s to 2002 No. 72 Squadron was actively involved in operations in Northern Ireland and much of its activities are still classified. It seemed logical, therefore, to look for natural breaks in the squadron’s existence and cover that period in detail. Following a brief existence in World War I, and preceding its period as a support helicopter squadron, No. 72 Squadron existed as a fighter unit, both day and night, for a period of twenty-five years from 1937 to 1961.

This third volume is a humble effort to record the history of the squadron during the period 1947 – 61 using official records and the reminiscences and recollections of those who lived and breathed No. 72 Squadron through this period of its life. I hope that fellow historians will find it a useful reference and that the reader will enjoy the story of a famous squadron and its men.

T.G. Docherty

Forres

2010

CHAPTER ONE

Odiham and Vampires o. 72 Squadron re-formed at Odiham in Hampshire on 1 February 1947 by the simple expedient of renumbering No. 130 (Punjab) Squadron.

The squadron was equipped with de Havilland Vampire F.1 jet fighters, and it was understandably unhappy about the loss of its previous identity. The squadron was commanded at this time by Sqn Ldr R.N.H. Courtney, and made up one part of the first Vampire Fighter Wing with Nos 247 and 54 Squadrons.

Flying in early February was made impossible by heavy falls of snow, coupled with problems with the Vampire’s ailerons. There was no let-up in the weather until the 25th, during which period a famous fighter pilot, Flt Lt ‘Ginger’ Lacey DFM, joined the squadron from HQ 11 Group. On the 25th the squadron received a lecture from a de Havilland representative on the Goblin engine, with which the Vampire was fitted. This was found to be of great interest, as many of the pilots posted to the squadron had yet to fly in the type.

Flying recommenced on the 27th, following a thaw, but it did not last. Snow fell again the next day and flying ceased once more. The Vampires were airborne again on 3 March, but once again the weather took control, and by the 4th flying had ceased again. Finally, after two weeks, the squadron flew two Vampire sorties on the 17th, when Flt Lt Lacey went solo.

FG coded Vampires of 72 Sqn at Odiham in 1947 including VT623: FG-A, Z, V, E, T and W. (R Hawkins).

Alf Chater was an AC1 working in the squadron orderly room during this period:

Life on the squadron for me began early in 1947 when I was to be posted to the unit from 222 Squadron at Tangmere. The first few weeks were a hectic period of what seemed to be endless parties while the funds of 130 Squadron were spent.

Office space at Odiham at that time was at a premium so that the office was shared by the adjutant, Flt Lt Draper, and the orderly room.

On the whole, life at that time was like that of a large family, 252s [charge sheets] almost unknown, although we did have one Irishman who did go AWOL and was later posted as a deserter.

The monthly return of Establishment and Strength did not require an engineering officer, this was the duty of Mr Norman, a representative of de Havillands, who carried out the same duties for 54 and 247 Squadrons, the first squadrons to be equipped with Vampires.

We also had some quite popular officers on the unit. There was Flt Lt Lacey (Ginger Lacey of Battle of Britain fame), and then there was Flt Lt Thorogood (Rubber), who was to be seen riding his rather ancient motor cycle around Odiham, a 1922 model.

The orderly room staff consisted of me, one u/t clerk and a runner, who must have had the cushiest number in the whole Air Force. His sole purpose appeared to be to make tea and make twice-daily runs to the NAAFI for the rock buns.

On the 25th the squadron flew an Operation Rufus, a flypast on behalf of a Russian Mission. As well as the Vampires, the squadron also had a Harvard on charge, and a few remaining Spitfires, the last of which, ‘V’, was flown by the CO on 1 April and declared unserviceable. Vampire flying continued into April, with the new pilots getting in some much-needed time on the type as the weather improved, and most were impressed by the speed and ease of handling the aircraft gave. In the middle of the month much flying was given over to practise for Operation Rufus II, and spectators were suitably impressed with the formation flying. On the 18th Rufus II was flown at Halton in conjunction with twelve Spitfires, though only five took part due to refuelling problems, and only five of the second group of Meteors in the flypast flew over Halton, also for the benefit of a French Mission. The wind had risen to 50 mph, and all expected a cancellation; however, rumours of a trip to Paris brought about strenuous efforts, and the formation got airborne to put on a stupendous performance for the French spectators. On 24 April Flg Off Robinson and Flt Lt Heale took two Vampires to Acklington via West Raynham and Church Fenton to carry out air firing tests, and on the 29th two Royal Netherlands Air Force pilots, Capt Van Wetters and Capt Flinterman both successfully soloed in 72 Squadron Vampires.

72 Sqn at Odiham in 1947. Back row L to R: AC’s Parrott, Cox, Bashall, Stickland, Craig, Annis, officer, Alderman, Mepham, Hoare, Kelly, Wiles, Pereira, Gascoigne, Butler, Key and Chater. Centre Row L to R: AC’s Snow, Handy, Britchfield, McHugh and Wray, Sgt Doak, Cpl Paine, Sgt Dore, Cpl Barnes, Cpl Chippington, Sgt Woods, AC’s Marshall, Davies, Burton, Parry, Hill and Howlett. Front row l to R: WO Mitchell, WO Rigby, Flt Lt Draper, Flt LT Spragg, Flt Lt Thorogood, Sqn Ldr Courtney, Mr Norman, Flt Lt Lacey, Flt Lt Heale, Flt Lt Pile, F/Sgt Lunn, F/Sgt Damerell, F/Sgt Johnson. Behind sign: AC’s Knight, Landreth and Barnett. (A Chater).

During the month the squadron was kept busy demonstrating the Vampire at various locations, including Tangmere for the ROC, Farnborough and Odiham for officers from the Army Staff College. It seemed everyone wanted a look at the squadron’s new mount. The two pilots on air firing trials at Acklington returned to report that no trouble was experienced with the armament installation and that the Vampire was an excellent gun platform in stable weather conditions. In bumpy conditions the aircraft’s behaviour was comparable to the Spitfire, and snaking tended to make sighting very difficult.

On 24 June all of the squadron’s Vampires were grounded due to undercarriage trouble, and in July the aircraft were grounded twice more due to jack problems and tail cone wrinkling. August saw a resumption of normal flying, including some fighter affiliation sorties with a Lancaster from Stradishall. However, the aircraft were grounded once more on the 19th when tail cone cracks were found. After inspection by de Havilland engineers the aircraft were declared serviceable again, and flying resumed on the 27th. The squadron could only hope for better serviceability in the future.

September found the squadron busily practising for the upcoming Battle of Britain flypast, and five Vampires flown by Sqn Ldr Courtney, Flt Lt Lacey, Flt Lt Spragg, Flt Lt Heale and PII Carpenter detached to West Malling to operate with the other Vampire squadrons there. Odiham held its ‘At Home’ day on 20 September, and a large static display and a flying display were organized for the general public. Among other displays the Vampires demonstrated tactical formation and aerobatic flying to a crowd of approximately 3,000 visitors.

Squadron adjutant Flt Lt Draper in his office at Odiham in 1947. (A Chater).

Flt Lt Draper and WO Rigby in the adjutant’s office at Odiham in 1947. (A Chater).

On 6 October the squadron moved up to Acklington for an armament practice camp, flying 136 sorties on air-to-air and air-to-ground firing. At first scores were poor, but improvement was rapid and soon they were above average. The squadron remained at Acklington until 28 November, by which time scores were exceptional.

December brought a return of poor serviceability in the Vampires, with three permanently grounded awaiting spares. The flying that was done included formation, navigation and armament practice, as well as general handling and instrument flying exercises

By January 1948 Vampire serviceability had improved markedly, and the squadron was taking an active part in Fighter Command exercises and practice interceptions. During the month two bomber-affiliation exercises were flown, when bombers were successfully intercepted on the first sortie in mid-Channel, south of Selsey Bill, and on the second over Odiham itself.

In February serviceability took a nose-dive again, and on some days the squadron did not have a single serviceable Vampire. This did not deter the pilots, though, and on the days they could fly, they did. On the 9th, four Vampires were sent to an 11 Group Rally at Tangmere, taking part in a flypast there, and then proceeding to Thorney Island for another flypast over the airfield. On the 16th the squadron took part in a bomber-affiliation exercise intercepting USAF Boeing B-29 Superfortresses over Guildford, and followed this up with another exercise intercepting Lancasters over the south coast heading for Odiham. In addition to the Vampires and the single Harvard on the squadron strength, pilots also managed to get some flying in a Percival Proctor and a Hawker Tempest.

Bomber-affiliation and 11 Group Rallies were popular events during the period, and March saw two more interception exercises against American B-29s, as well as an 11 Group Rally at Thorney island on the 16th. April also had its share of bomber interceptions, with Bomber Command Lincolns as the targets. One exercise was highly successful, with all of the Lincolns intercepted within three or four minutes of take-off; however, a second was a dismal failure, due mainly to very poor weather and the sector control having problems with its radar. The main event of the month was an exercise intercepting naval aircraft making attacks on southern shore targets. The Vampires intercepted the naval strike forces on their first attack and took them completely unaware. The second attack wave was also intercepted, although this time the surprise was not so complete, and a general mêlée developed between the two forces.

Vampire serviceability was up again in May, and the squadron went en masse to Horsham St Faith on the 8th to take part in an exercise for the benefit of the Royal Observer Corps (ROC), staying until the 9th. On the 21st the Secretary of State for Air visited Odiham, and 72 and 247 Squadrons put on a bomber-interception