Combat report of No. 145 Squadron for 27 October 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 provides details of an engagement involving No. 145 Squadron personnel on 27 October 1940. The result of this combat was one probably Luftwaffe aircraft destroyed. In comparison, the RAF lost two Hurricanes with both pilots baling out as well as a Pilot Officer "Joppard" who was reported missing along with his aircraft. Three pilots are mentioned by name in this report: Red 3, Sgt Haine (most likely incorrectly recorded and is meant to be "Haire"), Red 4 Sgt Weber and Pilot Officer Joppard (most likely incorrectly recorded and is meant to be "Jottard") . John Keatinge Haire was Red 3 in this combat and ditched his aeroplane in the sea after it became damaged, managing to make it ashore unhurt. Tragically, just ten days later on 6 November 1940, Sergeant Haire was killed while flying again operationally over the Isle of Wight. Haire baled out but his parachute did not open fully and he was at too low an altitude to safely complete the bale out. Frantisek Weber was a Czechoslovakian pilot and was Red 4 in this combat. Similarly to Sergeant Haire, Sergeant Weber was shot down during this engagement but survived. He baled out of his aircraft and was rescued by a motor torpedo boat. He later commanded No. 310 Squadron from June 1941 to April 1942 and was released from the RAF at the rank of Squadron Leader once the war was over. Upon returning to Czechoslovakia, he was for a limited period of time, imprisoned by the communist regime there. Alexis Rene Isidore Ghislain Jottard was a Belgian pilot serving in No. 145 Squadron at the time of this combat and was reported missing following it.