It is not widely known of II(AC) Squadrons nucleus of pilots who formed the basis of 138(SD) Squadron. At their wartime base of Sawbridgeworth, Wing Commander Geddes was involved in some of , if not the first, clandestine flights into France. The squadron did indeed practice the art of landing in fields close to Sawbridgeworth airfield. I think the squadrons official History notes these first flights.
It is known that Geddes undertook a ‘long range air test’ that resulted in him landing for fuel at a south coast airfield with the rear cockpit blacked out. A french newspaper from the previous day was accidentally left in the Officers Mess at Great Hyde Hall by the ‘passenger’
This was recounted to us by the late author Prof M.D Foot who was himself a former SOE man.
From my website:
Lysander aircraft from 419,later 1419 flight used Sawbridgeworth for training, in fact the art of short landing by a simple three lamp flarepath, was perfected in the fields around Sawbridgeworth airfield by II(AC) squadrons aircraft. Several ‘long range air tests’ were undertaken by Geddes and Scotter of II(AC) With Scotter landing at Hornchurch with a blackout curtain rigged inside the rear part of the cockpit, hiding the passenger. This suggests clandestine flights by ‘black’ Lysanders may well have taken place, and originated at Sawbridgeworth itself. Due to the secretive nature of SOE and it’s operations, this has never been, or can be confirmed by documentation.
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