212 Squadron and Battle of France

Skipper · #1 (**permalink**) October 21st, 2007, 09:28 AM

Hello,

I would be interested if a Raf expert could give me a few hints about the activities of 212 Squadron in France during the Battle of France. I know they had Headquarters at Orleans. Apparently they used Blemnheims, but I'm not sure about that.
Did the Raf use Villacoublay as well? Any information about Rouen would also be welcome.

Wessex Wyvern · #2 (**permalink**) October 21st, 2007, 10:03 AM

Hope this map helps, shows RAF Sqaudron and Wing locations.

from here.
HyperWar: The War in France and Flanders, 1939-1940 (UK Military Series)

Skipper · #3 (**permalink**) October 21st, 2007, 10:13 AM

Thanks Wessex, I see Boos near Rouen, but this a may 1940 of northern France so, Orleans is not on it , it would be on a June map. Orleans is 120km south of Paris.
What does Air Component mean ?

Wessex Wyvern · #4 (**permalink**) October 21st, 2007, 10:20 AM

HyperWar: The War in France and Flanders 1939–1940 [Chapter III]

Quote:

The Lysanders and Blenheims of the Air Component and the squadron (No. 212) of Spitfires specially equipped for photographic reconnaissance were continuously engaged on both tactical and strategic observation.

HyperWar: The War in France and Flanders 1939–1940 [Chapter I]

Quote:

There would also be an air component of the Royal Air Force consisting at the outset of:
Two bomber reconnaissance squadrons
Six army cooperation squadrons
Four fighter squadrons
Two flights H.Q. Communications squadron

The Air Component was the RAF part of the British Expeditionary Force and would operate in support of them.
As opposed the Advance Air Striking Force of bombers who would attack military targets in Germany.

Wessex Wyvern · #5 (**permalink**) October 21st, 2007, 10:24 AM

Little bit here
Royal Air force, Order of Battle, France, 10th May 1940

Then
The Royal Air Force - History Section

Quote:

On 10 February 1940, No.212 reformed at Heston to carry out strategic photographic reconnaissance duties in France working closely with the Photographic Development Unit. It was intended to have three detachments each of three Spitfires but in the absence of sufficient camera-equipped Spitfires, No.212 was equipped with Blenheims. After flying some operational missions, the detachment in France was forced to evacuate its base on 14 June 1940, and the squadron was absorbed by the Photographic Development Unit on 18 June 1940. which was redesignated the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit on 8 July.

Not alot of help really.
Sqn Histories 211-215_P

Quote:

Experiments by the Photographic Development Unit in the use of unarmed Spitfires for photographic reconnaissance had lead to early examples being sent to France in February 1940. This detachment was given the designation No 212 Squadron on 10 February 1940 and continued to operate from continental bases until its evacuation in June. During this period it operated its Spitfires and Blenheims on strategic reconnaissance sorties over Germany. On its return to Britain it was absorbed back into the PDU and disbanded on 18 June 1940.

Skipper · #6 (**permalink**) October 21st, 2007, 10:41 AM

Excellent links, now I am starting to get an idea. Thank you for this great information. I always wondered what 212 Sq duties were. I will no try to figure out where they were in France.

Wessex Wyvern · #7 (**permalink**) October 21st, 2007, 10:41 AM

Bit about Boos in June .
HyperWar: The War in France and Flanders 1939–1940 [Chapter XIX]

Quote:

On this first day of the new German offensive our air forces could give but little help to the Allied troops engaged. The 51st Division sent to South Component headquarters, now at Boos, to ask for protection against the enemy's bombers, but the Advanced Air Striking Force's three squadrons of fighters, though they were to be made up to strength, were on this day reduced to a total of eighteen serviceable aircraft. They had lost four in battle that morning. Information suggested that the enemy planned a big air attack on targets in and near Rouen itself, which was not only important industrially and as a focal point in road and rail communications, but was also a centre of military and air activity for both the French and the British. No. 1 Squadron was therefore on early patrol and, together with French fighters, engaged a very large formation of German bombers strongly protected by Messerschmitts. In the bitter fight which ensued some of the enemy were shot down or driven off, but enough got through to bomb Boos airfield and a military camp. And again in the evening, when No. 501 Squadron intercepted a second formation sent to renew the attack, enough got through to bomb the camp and airfield, the main bridge, power station, railway, and the factories of Sotteville

Quote:

Fighters of the Advanced Air Striking Force were mainly engaged on protection patrols in the Rouen area, in giving protection to our bombers, and, in the evening, on a patrol over the area in which the 51st Division and the French IX Corps were fighting. The former had again appealed for fighter cover, and in the afternoon two squadrons flew from England and refuelled at Boos before patrolling over the battle area. Except for one minor clash they met no enemy aircraft, thuogh that afternoon the 51st Division again asked for defence against the enemy's bombing which they had endured for two days.

map here of ground forces movements in that area.
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/U...landers-12.jpg

Skipper · #8 (**permalink**) October 21st, 2007, 11:13 AM

two other hints: I have two names of bases near Orleans which had Raf units in June 1940 : Sougy and Ouzouer le Doyen . Were those places used by 212 Squadron? Ithin Sougy was used by 103 Squadron ,but it could have been shared. 142sq used operated from Villier Faux which is not too far away.