An Cosantóir

68 BEAGACH FIACHMAR – NO 1 FIGHTER SQUADRON By Tony Kearns (Reproduced from 75th Anniversary Magazine) BEAGACH FIACHMAR – NO 1 FIGHTER SQUADRON The fighter squadron's origin can be traced back to the period of the foundation of Air Service. Estab- lished as No.1 Squadron in 1922 it consisted of A and B flights, the former undertook the training role using Avro 504K with B flight committed to the operational role with Bristol fighters, Martinsyde F4, SE4A and by DH9 bombers the following year. With reorganisation A flight ceased as such to exist with the formation of the schools consisting of A, B, C and D flights. The operational flight became No.1 Co-Operation Squadron, equipped with a motley collection of aircraft consisting of the remaining Bristol Fighters, DH 95's, and newly acquired Vickers Vespas. In 1938 the squadron received four new Gloster Gladiators. The rapidly deteriorating political situation in Europe brought more changes and in January 1939 the Co-Op Squadron was predesignat - ed No.1 Fighter Squadron. Equipment was meagre, consisting of three Gladiators (one was written off in 1938) and occasionally supplemented by Avro 636 and Avro 626 trainers. During the year, six new West- land Lysanders were delivered, not by any stretch of the imagination a fighter aircraft, but with the hoped for delivery of eight Gladiators on order, it envisaged the re-establishment of the Co-Op Squadron, a duty for which the Lysander was eminently suited. The Squadron was commanded by Comdt. Sheerin with Lt. KT Curran and Lt. A Woods A and B flight com- manders respectively. Later Lt. Curran transferred to the schools as CFI and Lt. D.K. Johnson taking command of A flight. The Gladiators were based at Baldonnel for the defence of Dublin. It was during 1940 that the Squadron was authorised to carry its now familiar badge on its aircraft, consisting of a leopard on an orange background with the scroll underneath. Met flights became a very important duty of the Squadron at this time. Every morning a Gladiator or Lysander would take off from Baldonnel and climb to take readings for the met men. The RAF radar operators at Anglesey monitored this dai - ly occurrence and named it the Baldonnel milk run. A flight was on constant readiness and many inter- ceptions of intruding foreign aircraft were attempt- ed. This proved to be a most frustrating and difficult undertaking for the squadron as the order to scram- ble was usually too late to be effective. One such attempt on the 29 December 1940 saw two Gladia- tors from A flight scramble at 15:25 hours after an aircraft was reported as having crossed the Wa- terford coast at 14:55 hours. It was identified as a Junkers Ju88 on a heading, taking it over Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Kildare and Meath. The RAF moni- toring service or Y Service noticed that it received a recall and then turned south. It was at this stage that the two Gladiators attempted an interception but the superior speed of the Ju88 became apparent, merely rocking its wings and continuing on its way over Dublin. The outer Dublin A.A defences opened fire as it crossed Ballyfermot. In the absence of radar, the only prior warning of approaching aircraft was from the observer units, including the lookout posts and military posts. By the time the normal procedure of reporting had filtered through, the offending aircraft had long disappeared. Following a number of discussions with Air Defence Command, a decision was made whereby the lookout posts would report directly to Baldonnel. This resulted in a number of scrambles aimed at mainly intruding German aircraft. However, it was merely a token gesture and due to the superior speed of the Luft - waffe Aircraft, no successful interceptions ensued. The question of operating standing patrols was not an option for such a small unit. Drifting barrage balloons were a constant menace, causing damage to power lines with their trailing cables, these had to be intercepted and brought down. During this period C and D flights were formed with some Hinds and later Hectors. In May 1941 A Flight, with the three Gladiators flown by Capt. Johnson, Lt. Kelleher and Lt. Maloney was detached to Ballinteer House Cockpit Checks by Capt. Bill Glenn in a Seafire Gloster Gladiators on the ramp

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