157th HAA Battery Diary entry 11 may 1940

The Phoney War finally came to an end for the 157th HAA Battery with attacks by the Luftwaffe on the airfields of the AASF.  Bearing in mind that the members of the Battery and the whole 53rd HAA Regiment were members of the British Territorial Army meaning that they were part time soldiers, this baptism of fire was a sudden introduction to the the terror of total war.

Interesting description of Luftwaffe tactics.  The Luftwaffe planes were Dornier Do 17s, nicknamed the Flying Pencil.  The RAF Museum is currently restoring a Do 17 that was salvaged from the Goodwin Sands in the English Channel.  It is the only surviving example of this type.

11/05/40

04:00 Five guns ready for action.

05:45 Low flying attacks on VRAUX aerodrome by 16 Do. 17s at between 10-100 ft.  Engaged by PIP II shrapnel two guns only.  Two guns nearest line of attack out of action, fire of remaining two guns restricted by safety arc.  About 60 bombs dropped on aerodrome.  Six machines damaged.  Petrol dump fired.  Enemy planes machine gunned gun positions from about 50 ft.  One casualty (foot).  Tactics used by enemy - One high plane as decoy two Hurricane fighters in pursuit.  Low attack by 16 planes approaching along Mame Valley - turned north to attack Aerodrome - wheeled and came back to attack guns and made off flying very low in easterly direction.  Further indicator rounds fired by both stations during day.