RichB
Well-known member
Sgt Peter Durnford, Spitfire Vb, 111 Sqn, RAF Debden Dec 1941 - Feb 1942
Concerned that the Night Blitz of the winter of 1940/41 would be repeated, the RAF decided to convert 65 and 111 Squadrons to the night interception role. The Spitfire's received no additional modifications save an overall coat of Night Black leaving only the fuselage roundels and code letters and fin flash visible, the exhaust stacks changed to fishtail style and painted with a thick coat of red lead to dull the glow.
Training in the "Smack" procedures began in Nov 41. Smack was to use radar controlled searchlights to direct the Spitfire toward a target, the beam pointing in the direction to fly. When in range, they would receive the radio call "Cone" and several searchlights would switch on, illuminating the target. In late Dec, the squadrons were declared operational, standing alert, conducting patrols and practicing their Smack tactics. The Blitz never materialized and the squadrons did not engage any aircraft.
The only action they were to see in these colors was 12 Feb 42. Having just stood down from readiness the previous night, the squadron was scrambled to support operations during the Channel Dash by the Scharnhorst, Gneisenau & Prinz Eugen. Sgt Durnford engaged a Bf109 at low level (approx. 100 ft). Seeing strikes around the cockpit, the aircraft rolled onto it's back and went down, but due to the low visibility he was credited with a probable. Sgt Durnford landed at North Weald, the Spitfire's engine cutting out as he touched down, out of fuel after 2 hours and 10 mins airborne.
The Spitfire squadrons ceased night operations in mid-Feb and within a few weeks they had been repainted in the standard day fighter scheme.
Last edited by a moderator: