The returning 103 Squadron crews landed in Abdingdon on the 15th June 1940 and moved to Honington where the unit was reformed on the 18th June 1940 with 12 Battles under the control of 1 Group Bomber Command. At Roll call that day it was established that every member of the Squadron was accounted for and all had been successfully evacuated. Other aircraft were taken on strength and the Squadron flew North to Newton on the 3rd July 1940 to train the replacement crews and personnel in preparation for the expected invasion. The ill fated Fairey Battle was phased out later that year and 103 Squadron was re-equipped with Vickers Wellington medium bombers in October 1940.

It is difficult to establish exactly how many of the Squadron's aircraft were lost in France between September 1939 and the withdrawal. Bill Chorley in Bomber Command Losses 1939/40 calculates a figure of 18 on operations with sixothers lost in training accidents, lost or damaged in bombing or just left in a damaged condition in France during the withdrawal. At various times during the Battle of France 103 Squadron took Battles from other Squadrons on strength and it is not possible to say how many of these were lost. The RAF is reported to have lost about 950 aircraft on operations between the 10th May 1940 and 20th June 1940 of which about 130 were Fairey Battles. Many more Battles were destroyed on the ground, abandoned in France or written off on return to the UK due to damage sustained.

Aircraft however were relatively easy to replace. What could not be replaced were the officers and men, aircrew and ground crew of the RAF who had served and died in France or had been taken prisoner. All were well-trained professional pre-war regular servicemen, personnel that Britain could ill afford to lose at this desperate time.

Whilst in France it is known that the Squadron lost 21 aircrew killed or missing, two died of wounds, nine were taken prisoner and nine were wounded.

During the this most difficult period various members of the Squadron were awarded decorations for their gallantry and outstanding efforts as follows:-

Distinguished Flying Medal

Aircraftsman First Class J E Summers
Sergeant C D Perry (Died of wounds June 1940)
Leading Aircraftsman G F Lewis (Prisoner of war)
Sergeant W E Critch
Sergeant D Norrington
Sergeant L F Waern

Distinguished Flying Cross

Squadron Leader C E R Tait (Promoted from Flight Lieutenant during the Battle of France)
Flying Officer T B Fitzgerald
Flying Officer J R Havers
Flying Officer D D A Kelly (Killed in action 16/17th June 1941 with 103 Squadron)
Flight Lieutenant J A Ingram (Prisoner of war 20/21st September 1941 with 103 Squadron)

Medaille Militaire

Sergeant J H Vickers (Died of wounds October 1939)

Military Cross

Pilot Officer R Hawkins (Killed in action October 1943 as Squadron Leader of 3 Squadron)

Croix de Guerre (Recommended but never received)

Flying Officer R D Max (In 1941 Roy Max was awarded the DFC and later went on to command 75 New Zealand Squadron and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order)
Sergeant J A McCudden
Corporal Madkins

British Empire Medal

Warrant Officer W Cunningham (Squadron armaments officer)
Flight Sergeant E J Partridge (NCO in charge of A Flight ground crew)
Flight Sergeant W H Jennings (NCO in charge of B Flight ground crew)
Leading Aircraftsman P S P Carrick (Awarded for exceptional courage and initiative when driving the Squadron bomb train overland during the retreat across France)

In addition 11 members of the Squadron representing all ranks and duties were mentioned in despatches.

All these awards were well merited and but there were many others who could have been similarly honoured. When the Squadron records were written up on return to England the performances of the aircrews was recorded as magnificent. It also noted the work of the maintenance crews was undertaken in the most difficult of conditions and was of the highest order and without a word of complaint. Sergeant Findlay, Corporal Oakey and Leading Aircraftsman Stephenson and the rest of the messing staff came in for particular praise. They had consistently provided good food throughout which helped greatly to maintain the morale and health of the officers and men.

The superb performance of the ground party in the evacuation from Ouzouer-Le-Doyen to Brest is also recorded. Special mention is given to Flying Officer Vipan and Pilot Officers Terry and Taylor who were noted as primarly responsible for the success along with Squadron Leader the Reverend Betts (Squadron Chaplain), Pilot Officer "Doc" Mahon (Squadron Medical Officer) and Warrant Officer Bowley. The contribution of the all drivers was also noted as worthy of the highest praise.

Finally it was recorded that, during the Battle of France, the Squadron only had one fatal casualty due to an enemy air raid which, in the circumstances, was quite remarkable.

Whilst the Battle of France was clearly a serious setback for the Allies many valuable lessons had been learnt particularly by the RAF. Not the least of these was that it was totally impracticable to send bombers to attack targets in daylight against modern fighter opposition without fighter escort although the Bristol Blenheims had to soldier along in daylight for a while yet. In addition it was clear that the Fairey Battle was inadequate and more effective machines quickly replaced these aircraft.

For the men who served in France it had been a harrowing experience but those who returned were able pass on the valuable lessons they had learnt to new members of the Squadron. 103 Squadron continued to develop as a most effective unit and played a significant role in the successful Bomber Command offensive over the remaining years of the war.

Back to 103 history