We all know about the Battle of Britain, but the RAF - and the new Hurricane - was first put through its paces in the ill-feted Battle of France in the spring of 1940.
Robert Dixon first came across the Diary of William Francis Blackadder when carrying out research on 607 Squadron, the squadron Blackadder flew with. The Diary begins in August 1939. At that time the squadron was at its annual summer camp at Abbotsinch. The Diary takes us through the last days of peace with the excitement of a coming war. It was an adventure yet a time to put their skills to test; anyway, it would all be over by Christmas.
November brought great excitement, 607 Squadron was one of two Auxiliary Air Force Squadrons to be posted to France; the only two. Still a big adventure the diary takes us through the 'Phoney War' and the worst winter on record. One day there was a bog, the next it was frozen solid - and then came the snow.All the time the question was asked; 'Where are our Hurricanes'? Always promised, they never turned up until one fine day in April but the pilots were not allowed to touch them. This brought out Blackadder's frustrations; 'We fly patrols in silly, bloody biplanes.' Of course they did come, as did the Battle of France.
Blackadder takes us day by day through this battle, shooting down and forced down (twice) and always on the run. His diary is funny in places as well as showing tense drama, hopelessness and, in the end, defeat.
