Battle of Barking Creek

Sorry to argue with myself, but on checking it seems that whether or not the Blenheims were ultimately picked up, it was a report of unidentified aircraft by a searchlight battery at Mersea Island that initiated the alert.

However, it was still the ‘backwards’ radar plots that caused the ‘blue on blue’ interception. But maybe you knew this bit already?

If I understand your question correctly, then I think the answer to the second part is to do with the fact that the aircraft (a flight of Blenheims) were picked up on radar, but owing to a technical oversight were reported as flying in from the opposite direction, ie from the continent. Hence the initial scramble.

IIRC as the fighters approached they just appeared to the plotters as yet more enemy aircraft joining the ‘raid’.

The Wikipedia article is woefully lacking in this crucial part of the story.. I don’t have my references with me at work, but I believe this is the crux of it.

Theres something at http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=wpFMWeLmp4cC&pg=PA99&lpg=PA99&dq=battle+of+barking+creek+radar&source=bl&ots=fpCaVVdC_p&sig=mVZYACGTnD59yenJoaaILhwOTZc&hl=en&ei=KmwbTP6UK8O-4gbdmLGkCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=battle%20of%20barking%20creek%20radar&f=false

– ‘excessive back radiation’ being the problem with the Chain Home radar.

Great link

Thank’s Ist thing Ist 🙂 , Great link, Yep 2 spits from 74 Squadron met two Hurras from 56 Squadron on that fatefull day, But as most Know it was a time of high tension and excitement, And to error is human after all :rolleyes: , I think I will see if I can find those books 😉 , But first I MUST read Bees Flying to the Limit, Rolands always been one of my Heros 😀 , So young during battle of France, Looks like he was not shaving yet :p , Cheers everyone, Tally Ho! Phil 😎

Have a look at THIS

Anyone know if The Lion Has Wings is available on DVD……???

spooky, just finished reading Piece Of Cake this afternoon and this is mentioned in the Authors notes… only details there though are 6th Sept 1939, formation of Spitfires shot down 2 Hurricanes whilst Anti_aircraft gunners destroyed a Blenheim..

Neil.

Yep, got my copy of “Aircraft of the Aces, Spitfire Mk.I/II” yesterday. Shall I scan the text for you?

What I find quite ironic, is that a film crew with director Alexander Korda were at Hornchurch on 6 September 1939 filming scenes for the film The Lion Has Wings! Some of the pilots involved in the incident must have appeared as ‘extras’ in the film.