Description:

R.A.F. AIR BATTLE REPORT - FIRST DAY OF 'THE BLITZ'
ALFRED B. WOODHALL (1897-1968) RAF Group Captain, a senior controller in the Battle of Britain and the Siege of Malta. In March 1940, he was appointed a sector controller at Duxford and coordinated the handling of fighter squadrons in the air during the Battle of Britain. A COMBAT REPORT WITH BADER ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE BLITZ. He later served as the station commander at Tangmere and as a senior controller on Malta. During his time at Duxford, Woodhall flew operationally three times as leader of No. 310 Squadron, the flying personnel of which were mostly Czech. An absolutely incredible aerial combat report in which Woodhall, describing one of his three missions and as Wing Commander, also mentions famous pilot DOUGLAS BADER flying with him as they encounter over 100 enemy aircraft over the Thames Estuary on the very first day of the Blitz. The signed document, 1p. legal folio, is dated Sep. 7, 194, and was likely completed at Duxford. It reads, in small part: '...100 enemy aircraft seen coming in from east at around 15.000 feet...S/ldr Bader gave order to engage enemy and the Wing followed...Climbed at F/T to get at e/a as quickly as possible. Sinclair and myself were in line astern...Bf 110s...were behind the bombers...E/A port engine ceased to function and e/a began descending. I then saw Furst get on the tail of another Bf 110 and at about fifty yards gave a few short bursts. The 110 was hit and the pilot bailed out immediately...Two was then attacked by a number of Bf 110's so had to beat à hasty retreat...Red section then pulled away and blue came in...S/Ldr Bader had ordered to attack scattered enemy singly...Goth had gone after a 110 from the rear and out of the sun. Opened fire at approx two hundred yards closing to fifty. E/A emitted a heavy smoke pall...fell vertically toward Thames Estuary. Goth then attacked and a dogfight ensued...Goth's Hurricane hit and oil pouring from engine...dived toward coast in a controlled glide...I followed him down...landed wheels up in a clearing...'. Soiled a bit, else very good, and about the best battle report one could get!

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August 14, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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