Quote:
Originally Posted by 41Sqn_Banks
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Hi 41Sqn_Banks,
Those
7th December 1939 and
9th December 1939 directives list the stations requiring 100 octane fuel since they had or were expected to have in the near future Merlin engined aircraft. Non operational stations in Fighter command were also required to hold certain quantities of 100 octane.
The squadrons equipped with Hurricanes during December 1939 are as follows: 3, 17, 32, 43, 46, 56, 79, 111, 151, 213, 501, 504, 605.
During December 1939 these Hurricane Squadrons were stationed as follows.
3 – Croydon,
17 – Debden
32 – Biggin Hill
43 – Acklington
46 – Digby
56 – Martlesham Heath
79 – Manston
111 – Drem
151 – North Weald
213 – Wittering
501 – Tangmere
504 – Debden
605 – Tangmere
All these operational stations were listed on the
7th December 1939 or
9th December 1939 as requiring 100 octane fuel, therefore it was Fighter Command's clear intention that these Hurricane squadrons would convert to 100 octane fuel.
The Squadrons equipped with Spitfires in December 1939 are as follows: 19, 41, 54, 65, 66, 72, 74, 152, 602, 603, 609, 610, 611, 616.
During December 1939 these Spitfire Squadrons were stationed as follows:
19 - Duxford
41 - Catterick
54 - Hornchurch
65 - Northholt
66 - Duxford
72 - Drem
74 - Rochford
152 - Acklington
602 - Grangemouth
603 - Turnhouse
609 - Drem
610 - Wittering
611 - Digby
616 – Leconfield
Rochford is the only base not listed on the
7th December 1939 or
9th December 1939 directives, however,
74 Operations Record Book indicates that they had 100 octane while at Rochford in March 1940.
Other units participating in the Battle of Britain that converted to Hurricane, Spitfire or Defiant after December 1939 and the station where they converted are as follows:
64 – Church Fenton
92 – Croyden
145 – Croyden
222 – Duxford
229 – Digby
232 – Sumburgh
234 – Leconfield
242 – Church Fenton
245 – Leconfield
253 – Manston
257 – Hendon
263 – Drem
266 – Sutton Bridge
302 – Leconfield
310 – Duxford
312 – Duxford
601 – Tangmere
Sumburgh is the only base not listed in the
7th December 1939 and
9th December 1939 100 octane Fuel - Issue of directives to receive 100 octane fuel. 232 formed there in July 1940.
Therefore it can be readily seen that the operational stations at which the 100 octane fuel was required were all those stations that held operational Hurricane, Spitfire and Defiant squadrons.
Those units based in France during December 1939 were 1, 73, 85, 87 & 607 in Hurricane and 615 in Gladiator. We know from
Post 372 that all these France based Hurricane squadrons were using 100 octane by May 1940.
This listing accounts for the 50 merlin engined Spitfire, Hurricane & Defiant squadrons that fought in the Battle of Britain.