Australia's Few and the Battle of Britain by Alexander Kristen

Author:Alexander, Kristen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: HISTORY / Military / Aviation
ISBN: 9781473859432
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2015-04-29T16:00:00+00:00

‘It’ll never happen to me’

Before the close of day, Goering’s commanders were obliged to digest the Reichsmarshall’s latest directive. It was essentially an appraisal of the effectiveness of Luftwaffe activity in light of Fighter Command’s stern resistance. Changes were needed. Among other things, Goering called for more fighters to escort the Stuka formations. Three fighter groups were needed for each bomber group: one to cling to the Stukas, one to fly ahead over the target at a medium height to engage the RAF defenders, and one to protect the whole attack from above. He also ordered that ‘operations are to be directed exclusively against the enemy air force, including the targets of the enemy aircraft industry’. Convoys were to be attacked only where conditions were favourable, and Goering conceded that there was little point in maintaining the assault on radar sites, ‘in view of the fact that not one of those attacked has so far been put out of operation’.24

Pat Hughes was also taking stock and faced a sad realisation that precision flying had resulted in the loss of three men. He had to bear that responsibility. With the clear vision of hindsight, Bob Doe recognised that their patrol formation that day was ‘the stupidest … you could possibly fly in … We patrolled up and down the sun … a stupid way of flying’. At the time, however, they were, as Doe acknowledged, ‘a very green bunch of pilots, still believing in the laid down fighter tactics’. Despite the weakness of the tactics employed by Pat, his esteem in the squadron did not fall. Yet again, he had contributed to an increase in the victory tally. Keith Lawrence believed Pat had ‘the tactical skill needed for a good leader of a fighter squadron in the air’; he was able to swiftly assess ‘the direction of the sun and the likely sudden appearance of escorting enemy fighters [and] know just where to position the squadron for an effective attack on the bomber formation … and lead the squadron into the fray’.25 Pat’s men had no doubts about him. They would continue to follow him into battle.

Pat spent the evening with Kay. She was distressed at the death of Cecil Hight and the loss of two others and feared what might happen to her husband of just two weeks. Pat tried to comfort her. ‘Don’t be so upset’, he pleaded. ‘It’ll never happen to me.’26

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