Flying into the Storm: RAF Bombers at War 1939-1942 by Sams Chris

Author:Sams, Chris [Sams, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9781781556177
Publisher: Fonthill Media
Published: 2017-08-06T04:00:00+00:00

12

Circuses and Shipping Sweeps

The codename of ‘Circus’ was suggested for any sweep involving fighters, with or without the support of bombers. However, it was deemed necessary to differentiate between the types of operations, and so pure fighter sweeps became known as ‘Rhubarbs’, while shipping sweeps using Coastal Command’s aircraft were ‘Roadsteds’, and land targets flown by Bomber Command’s 2 Group referred to as ‘Circuses’.

After planning through December, the first test took place on 9 January with a fighter sweep over the Pas de Calais that had no effect, and the first Circus the following day targeted a dispersal field near the Forêt de Guines. With a cover of six fighter squadrons came three of 2 Group’s Blenheim squadrons (242, 249, and 114 Squadrons), who picked up their fighter escort at Southend Pier at midday and proceeded to Calais at 12,000 feet, through the winter snow, and opened up formation over the coast. The bombers dropped to 6,800 feet and approached the target, dropping their bombs on the forest and starting fires amongst the concealed stores. The formation turned for home and reached Hornchurch only ninety-nine minutes after take-off with no losses. The fighters continued to circle the field, with one strafing a group of HS 126s parked along the perimeter, and two BF 109s were claimed with a further probable. German resistance was limited to inaccurate flak over the target, accurate flak from ships off the port (although these were silenced after their decks were given a blast of machine-gun fire), and five Bf 109s who attempted to attack the Blenheims only to be chased off by the more numerate Spitfires. Although considered a great success, there were concerns about the lack of German fighter opposition.

On 2 February, five Blenheims of 2 Group attacked Boulogne Docks at 13,000 feet, with three squadrons of Hurricanes keeping the Bf 109s away and three squadrons of Spitfires flying top cover. The operation was again bloodless from the point of view of the Blenheims as only one fighter failed to return, and the RAF claimed several Bf 109s. Although not an official Circus, it again showed that operations over Northern France were possible, and so far the Luftwaffe were not engaging the RAF in the same way as the RAF had the Kampfflieger the previous summer.

Circus II was organised on 5 February, targeting St Omer and Longuenesse airfields, and was to be carried out by two Blenheim squadrons, although in practice six of each squadron took off and met with their escorting Hurricanes (601 Squadron) over Northolt. Another two squadrons were collected over the Channel for escort duty, with a further five squadrons of Spitfires and a further Hurricane squadron also planned to be over the target area. However, a miscommunication between 11 and 2 Group led to only 302 and 610 Squadron and a flight of 65 Squadron arriving, while other squadrons failed to make contact or pursued the wrong formation over the Channel.

On arrival over the target, the thick snow made target

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