They Spread Their Wings Read Online Free PDF Page B

exercise, lasting several days, involving the squadron in the Wadi Natrum area with the aim of trying out methods of ground control, this time including the use of AMES (radar) equipment, for its ground attack operations.
    At midnight on 20 October, all leave was stopped. Then, at 14.30 on 23 October, Wg Cdr Porteous called all squadron pilots and officers together in the mess for a briefing about the forthcoming offensive and he read out the following message from the AOC-in-C:

    For the defence of Egypt I called for a supreme effort. You gave and gave magnificently. We now pass to the offensive. Once again it is for each one of us wherever our duty calls us, to do our utmost and more. Our duty is clear, to help our comrades in the Army in their battle and relentlessly to smash the enemy in the air, on land and at sea. With the inspiration of a great cause and cold determination to destroy an evil power, we now have our great opportunity to strike a decisive blow to end this war. On with the job.

    At 22.00 that same night, Montgomery’s offensive to drive Rommel’s forces out of North Africa began with the opening barrage of the Battle of El Alamein (sometimes referred to as the Second Battle of El Alamein). Fifteen Hurricane squadrons were involved, in addition to many other bomber and fighter types, providing day- and night-fighter cover, ground strafing and dive-bombing. However, the most effective ground attack aircraft was the Hurricane IID, as flown by No 6 Squadron and No 7 (SAAF) Squadron – the latter having re-equipped from No 6 Squadron’s holdings. Although Howard did not participate in operations during the next few days, both squadrons were soon in the thick of battle on the 24th, No 6 Squadron claiming at least sixteen enemy tanks. On the 26th it claimed five tanks, five armoured cars, a half-track and a lorry; on the 28th they scored two tanks, two half-tracks, seven lorries and a wireless truck; and on the 29th three lorries and a half-track. Flak was intense on all these ops but only two aircraft were lost with both pilots escaping safely. On the 28th the squadron was ordered to detach six IIDs to LG 37 to give support to the 9th Australian Division. ‘A’ Flight’s seven aircraft were sent to fulfil this mission but returned a day later without having been called into action.
    On 2 November 1942 a general signal was received by the squadron:

    Eighth Army broke through enemy positions this morning. All units to check mobility.

    When the Allied breakout from El Alamein came on 2 November, the enemy retreated in earnest. The coast road became packed with every type of transport heading west and every RAF fighter was immediately put to work strafing the road. On the 3rd, No 6 was refused permission to join in but was allowed to go free-hunting for anything that moved in the southern sector. No air escorts were needed now as there were no enemy aircraft about and, operating in twos, threes and sixes, the squadron claimed twelve lorries, three semi-tracked vehicles and a tank transporter. Another sortie later that day accounted for six tanks, one armoured car and seventeen lorries. The lethal effectiveness of the Hurricane IID’s 40mm cannon was confirmed by a German prisoner who, during interrogation, described how his company of twelve tanks was decimated in a surprise attack by aircraft firing AP shells. He said six tanks were knocked out and left in flames, while the other six, though hit several times, were able to retreat to their lines. One of these tanks was hit by six cannon shells and the turret of another had a hole punched right through it by an AP shell. The prisoner said the appearance of British tank-busters came as a great surprise and they caused panic wherever they materialised.
    By 5 November 1942 the enemy was in full retreat westwards. With the success of the Allied seaborne landings in Operation Torch, German forces were now squeezed from both east and west into a pocket in