Operation: Patrol

Date: 13th August 1940 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 238 Squadron.10 Group. (motto: Ad finem - To the end)

Type: Hurricane I

Serial: P2989

Code: VK-?

Base: RAF Middle Wallop

Location: Eartham, West Sussex

Pilot: Sgt. Leslie Gordon Batt 741474 RAFVR Age 23. Escaped injury

REASON FOR LOSS:

A day that 1,485 sorties were made by the Luftwaffe. Early morning - low cloud base, rain easing during morning but clearing to a fine day with lengthy sunny periods by afternoon.

Not a good day for the Squadron.

Starting off with in early morning patrol when they engaged Me 109's over the Isle of Wight, 19 year old, Sgt. Eric Wiliam Seabourne (1) flying Hurricane P3764 was shot down at 07:30 hrs but although badly wounded managed to bale out - he was rescued by the destroyer HMS Bulldog. He survived after spending several months undergoing plastic surgery, but returned to service in May 1941.

Sgt. Batt also attacked hitting one Me109 who then returned fire, hitting his engine. He found himself covered in oil, including his eyes which he managed to wipe clean. After gliding north he dropped to 2,000 ft and then spotted Selsey Bill on the left. Noticing a field about the size of a football pitch he prepared to bring down the Hurricane. He made a wheels up landing in a Barley field near Eartham in West Sussex. Two home guard soldiers were already running towards him as he leapt out of the cockpit. He quickly raised his arms as wasn't sure they realise he was RAF. They took him to RAF Tangmere who then called his base at Middle Wallop who then collected him.

Later in the late afternoon Sgt. Henry James Marsh 562584 RAF flying Hurricane P3177 was shot down by BF109s over Portland at 16:30 hrs - sadly listed as missing - believed killed.

Right: Sgt. Leslie Gordon Batt

22 year old, Sgt. Ronald Little 7548983 RAFVR flying Hurricane P3805 also shot down, but crashed at about the same time at Burton Bradsock - pilot unhurt, but the aircraft written off, Sadly also listed as missing - believed killed on the 28th September 1940. At that time he was flying Hurricane I N2400, shot down over the channel at 14:45 hrs by Me109.

On the same day in September, 26 year old, Sgt. Samuel Eric Bann 741589 RAFVR was killed flying Hurricane V6776 after combat over Fareham - baled out but parachute failed. Hurricane P3836 flown by 29 year old, P/O. David Stewart Harrison 83290 RAFVR was also killed.

(1) Sq/Ldr. Eric Wiliam Seabourne was awarded the DFC IN 1942 - Retired in 1960, sadly passed away on the 21st March 2005 age 86.

Burial details:

None. Sgt. Leslie Gordon Batt survived the war. Born on the 27th November 1916 and educated at Bablake School and Coventry Technical College. He was an engineering apprentice at Daimler when he joined the RAFVR in April 1938, as an Airman u/t - pilot. After training at 6 Flying Training School, he joined 253 Squadron at Kenley on 17th May 1940 and moved to 238 Squadron on May 21 1940. After service in the Middle East he joined 198Squadron flying the Typhoon. He then became an instructor until his release from the RAF as a Fl/Lt. in 1945.

Sadly, Leslie Gordon Batt passed away on the 04th February 2004 at Leamington Spa, age 87

Others mentioned:

Sgt. Henry James Marsh. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 17. Son of Capt. H. Marsh, R.A.S.C., and of Agnes Marsh, of Merton Park, Surrey, England.

Sgt. Ronald Little. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 16. Son of Robert and Marian Ruth Little, of Armathwaite, Cumberland, England.

Sgt. Samuel Eric Bann. Macclesfield Cemetery. Plot A. Grave 938. Son of Samuel and Credence Bann, of Macclesfield, husband of Agnes May Bann (née Buttler), of Birmingham, England.

He self published a book describing his career and this was reprinted in 2001 by the Battle of Britain Historical Society. Sadly, this is out of print. But, some sources have this great book available from around £30.00

For further details our thanks to the following sources:

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