84 years ago, in September 1940, a series of aerial battles were fought in the skies over southern England, between the German Luftwaffe and the RAF. This campaign, referred to by PM Winston Churchill as the Battle of Britain, was Hitler’s plan to gain air superiority prior to ‘Operation Sealion’, the invasion of the British Isles.
Although the RAAF did not participate in the Battle as an entity, there were a number of Australian airmen, flying in the RAF, who did. One such young pilot was John Dallas Crossman, who was born in Mossman FNQ on 20 March 1919. The family moved to NSW and John attended Newcastle Boys’ High School. He applied for a short service commission in the RAF and sailed to England in August 1939 with no flying experience.
After 15 hours of tuition in England, John flew solo in November 1939 and in April 1940 he reported to RAF College, Cranwell, and was posted to No 32 Sqn, RAF Biggin Hill on 15 July. Up to this stage, he had only flown Tiger Moths, Hawker Harts and Hinds, all biplanes.
At Biggin Hill, after flying an hour of take-offs and landings in a Miles Magister monoplane, John Crossman climbs into a Hawker Hurricane for the first time in a modern fighter and carries out a similar series of ‘circuits and bumps’. On 2 August, John leaves 32 Sqn for Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire for intensive training to fly the Hurricane. John reports back to 32 Sqn now at Acklington on 27 August after completing his training.
On Thursday 12 September, John is posted to No 46 Sqn at Stapleford Tawney and 11 Group and the fighting. On Sunday 15 September, John becomes involved in his first heavy dogfight, as 46 Sqn meets 20 Dorniers, protected by a layer of Bf 109s south-east of London.
As the Messerschmitt’s attack, he avoids them and goes for the bombers. Coming from behind, he sits on the tail of one and opens up with his eight .303 machine guns. No effect at first, but almost out of ammo, smoke pours from the bombers port engine and it begins to lose height. P/O John Crossman is credited with his first ‘probable’ kill. No 46 Sqn is involved in constant standby alerts and patrolling until on 30 September, when John Crossman is shot down and killed in action from a swift hit-and-run attack by Bf 109s. He survived 14 days in action and was 21 years old.
‘Lest We Forget’
There is a humble display in the entrance of the Kokoda Museum to commemorate the sacrifice of these young warriors in blue who fought and won the Battle of Britain. Any airman who served with RAF Fighter Command and flew at least one operational sortie between 00.01 hrs on 10 July and 23.59 hrs on 31 October 1940 is entitled to wear the coverted Battle of Britain Clasp to the 1939-1945 Star.
RAAFA Cairns Branch also have a Battle of Britain wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph on Sunday, 15 September at 10.00 am.
