R.A.F. KENLEY . . . extract
Ten days after their return from Belgium, No 615 Squadron had once more become fully operational, being mostly engaged in shipping protection and flying offensive patrols, using either Hawkinge or Tangmere for convenience. Defending a convoy running the gauntlet through the English Channel on 14th J uly provided them with a major action, when nearly forty Junkers 87 Stuka dive-bombers, under the protection of a Messerschmitt Bf.l09 escort, attacked the ships.
This engagement was recorded for posterity by B.B.C. commentator Charles Gardiner as he stood in a grandstand position on the Cliffs of Dover and made his now-famous blow-by-blow commentary on the action out at sea.
Patrols over convoys highlighted the shortcomings of the "Pip squeak" High Frequency radio system used in locating the whereabouts of the British fighters. When they were low down over the water , direction finding stations began experiencing extreme difficulty in picking up their transmissions. Lack of height also put them below the operational scope of the coastal radar and no assistance could be gained from this. Deciding the whereabouts of the aircraft under such circumstances made life difficult in the Operations Room and led to much inspired guesswork by the duty crew.
To make possible an earlier response to German activity, a Kenley Sector squadron was regularly sent down to Hawkinge aerodrome, perched on high ground at the back of Folkestone on the Kent coast. Although not in the home Sector, its forward position was considered to be of sufficient tactical importance to warrant the move. At the time German activity was usually confined to low and medium height attacks against shipping, making a lengthy climb to intercept them unnecessary. The squadron got airborne at first light and stayed down at the coast until relieved either at midday or in the evening.
Both Pilot Officer Montgomery and Flying Officer P.Collard were killed in this action.