Combat Report of No. 19 Squadron for 9, 15 and 18 September 1940

Combat reports were official documents detailing operational encounters with enemy aircraft. They convey both the mental strain of operations and the sense of excitement when victory claims were made.

This combat report of No. 19 Squadron provides details of four engagements that took place on 9, 15 and 18 September 1940. No. 19 Squadron used Fowlmere airfield in Hertfordshire as a base during the Battle of Britain. The squadron was part of No. 12 Group and consequently used the "Big Wing" tactic which involved multiple squadrons (typically three to five) engaging Luftwaffe aircraft in one collective wing-shaped formation. The sole pilot specifically referred to in this combat report is Wilfred Greville Clouston. Clouston was a New Zealand flying ace who served in the RAF from 1936 to 1957. After the Battle of Britain, he became a prisoner of war in Singapore when it was surrendered to the Japanese while he was serving in No. 488 Squadron. He returned to UK and RAF service after his release in 1945.