July 21st 1940

Work goes on as much as usual, unserviceability of the aircraft being the chief worry; we are now getting in much more flying but it is not what it should be. These aircraft are just about finished now. Permission came through for 48 hours leave for screened flying crews and after getting several away we heard that we could now have 7 day's leave before September 1st. Most people nearly passed out at the thought of it and we started straight away. Heard that week Fowler is in P.D.U.. Getting more night flying too now - average two nights out of three. Apparently the role of the Battle aircraft is i. Defence against enemy land invasion by sea or by air. ii. Flight penetration into enemy territory for bombing probably by dawn. iii. Night trips to the N.W. coast of Germany and Holland for the planting of "W" bombs.
Have recently been learning of some pretty good sidelines on this war particularly on the French side of it. Also of some of our own ideas.
On July 19th H.M. King George VI visited this station amongst several others on a tour - much spit and polish and local formation flying! He inspected all the RN. Officers on the station (U/T on loan to RAF) and the squadron leaders - had tea with the wife and then went. That night we had quite a good party in Oxford at the Playhouse Theatre and later at the George Dorchester. We went with the Huxtables and then spent most of the following day (Day off) with them.
Bloggs had another Battle aircraft crashed on forced landing in Devon today crew unhurt. Recently one caught on fire at the aerodrome during one lunch hour after undershooting in a forced landing with a dead prop and wiping away its tail on the trees. Pilot broke a leg and was rescued in time.