History - Inter-War (8)

The principal innovation in training that Squadron Leader Whitworth Jones introduced on the Squadron was that of mobility, both on the ground and in the air. Periodically the Squadron ground equipment was bundled into lorries and the ground party would set off for the Pyramids, Mersa Matruh or some such place where they were to establish themselves. Their progress en-route was observed from the air. Initially the Squadron was instructed to take some of its equipment in trailers but regrettably this was totally impracticable after the first convoy had had to abandon its trailers en-route. This practise was therefore discontinued and all equipment was carried in prime-movers. To practice mobility in the air flights were detached for periods of at least a week during which time they had to establish themselves at a camp, and be entirely self-supporting. If they forgot anything then they had to do without, which led to careful planning in preparation for the detachment and enabled pilots to get used to living with their aeroplanes.


This policy culminated in mobile operational exercises in which the ground column departed to set up a base for transport aircraft, usually of No. 216 Squadron, to land soldiers, and then the Squadron aircraft would arrive; all this within a very short space of time. This policy of mobility was invaluable training and formed the basis of a very sound liaison between Army and Air Force. To encourage all Squadron personnel to think well ahead prior to a move, and therefore avoid the usual last minute rush, the Squadron Commander instituted a rule that absolutely no one was to be seen moving or doing anything half an hour before departure time. The Squadron took great pride in being able to carry this out and took equal pride, within half an hour of arriving at their destination, in being able to offer any visitor a drink in the Officers Mess tent. Such was life!


By the beginning of 1934 the Squadron was carrying out visual and photographic reconnaissance flights of the Western Desert as far as Wadi Halfa. In April the Squadron received two Hawker Audax aircraft in preparation for complete re-equipment which was completed in August 1935, over a year later. A further innovation into the training programme was the introduction of Air Firing Towed Target exercises.

…...continued

April 1934 The Hawker Audax begins to arrive

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