Free They Spread Their Wings by Alastair Goodrum Page B

July got off to a good start, though, as the flight was one year old and it was decided to have a party to celebrate. All the aircrews and many of the technical NCOs were invited to Pilsgate, the CO’s house near Stamford, where copious quantities of strawberries and cream were consumed and the beer flowed freely. When the CO persuaded us to leave, the party departed in two cars (eighteen in the Humber!) to continue the merry-making at the White Hart in nearby Ufford, before finally retiring somewhat worse for wear for a nightcap in the mess. Standing patrols began at Wittering during this month but though these were flown regularly, no trade came our way. No 486 Squadron converted to Typhoons but still kept a few Hurricanes to co-operate with us.
    On 26 July 1942 the flight upped sticks to go on detachment to RAF Hibaldstow, eight miles south of Scunthorpe, to reinforce No 1459 Flight and maintain standing patrols co-operating with the Hurricanes of No 253 (Hyderabad) Squadron. This was all very well but still no trade came our way. The ‘conventional’ night-fighters usually had first bite of the cherry at any trade that came over England these days. Aircrew were billeted at RAF Kirton Lindsey and we had the bind of travelling daily to and from Hibaldstow to do our flying. The dispersal at Hibaldstow was definitely ropey compared to the comfort of Wittering and the food was lousy, too. But, you can get used to anything eventually and after a few days this was no exception. Kirton Lindsey Mess was full of Polish Spitfire pilots from 303 Squadron led by Sqn Ldr Jan Zumbach and I was very envious of their cannon-armed Spitfires.
    Turbinlite standing patrols from Hibaldstow continued into August and things began to hot up a bit as most crews began to get their share of scrambles. Nobby Clarke got two head-on interceptions one night over Hull but was unable to turn quickly enough to follow them up. Jerry Clymer had the most atrocious bad luck. Almost invariably, when he got the order to scramble his engines would refuse to start, or he would be recalled before he could get off the deck. Mike and I chased an unidentified aircraft and almost came within range, only to be told it was a friendly.
    On August 24 Mike and I were sent off on yet another detachment, this time to RAF Coltishall with Havoc BJ467 and a ground crew of six. We stayed three days doing some ground control exercises for Fighter Command under the watchful eye of Flt Lt Derek Jackson, a university don and electronics boffin. There were endless snags between Coltishall and Wittering control and I was heartily fed up with the job by the time we left for home. No sooner had we arrived back at Kirton Lindsey than I was told to report back to Coltishall on the 31st. Another binding few days!
    The pace of life took another upward turn on September 3 1942, when 1453 Flight was re-formed as No 532 Squadron. A number of Hurricanes were sent to us and pilots for them were drawn from 486 Squadron and from various OTUs. The idea now was for the squadron to become self-contained, in that it comprised ‘A’ flight with Havocs (Boston III) and ‘B’ flight with the Hurricanes. The other good news was that we were to return to Wittering on the 6th.

    ‘A’ Flight of No 532 Squadron. Jack Cheney is seated second from the left; Mike Mycock is standing second from the left. (J. Cheney Collection)
    Back at Wittering, the first two days were spent rearranging and clearing up our old Whitewater dispersal. Training under the new structure began immediately but after only two days, would you believe it, it was all change again and off we went back to Hibaldstow. In order to become operational there, it was necessary to borrow three Hurricane pilots from 486 Squadron at Wittering, which was now fully fledged on Typhoons. Does anyone really know what they are doing in this war?
    Once the move to Hibaldstow was complete we settled down to get the new Hurricane pilots operational, so