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Offensive patrols over enemy seaplane bases.

27. Bomber aircraft resumed offensive night patrols over enemy seaplane bases on the 23rd-24th February, when one Whitley operated over Borkum, Norderney and Sylt. Similar patrols were maintained throughout the nights of the 24th-25th and 26th-27th. All aircraft returned safely. Nothing of importance was detected and no attacks were made. Considerable anti-aircraft fire was encountered in the Borkum area from the flak ships and from the Island defences.

Fighter Command.

A total of 888 sorties by fighter aircraft were made during the week. These included shipping protection in addition to sector and interception patrols.

During daylight hours on the 22nd February enemy aircraft made a number of attacks on East Coast shipping, and, as previously reported, two Heinkel 111's were shot down. Between 6 P.M. that night and 6 A.M. on the 22nd the enemy continued to be very active off the East Coast, and as many as 19 unidentified plots appeared. A number of our fighters went up but did not succeed in making contact with enemy aircraft.

During the following days the enemy were less active, but on the 27th Feb- ruary a section of Spitfires on patrol, in answer to an S.O.S. from the Methil-Tyne Convoy, engaged a Heinkel 111 and shot it down into the sea between Bass Rock and Dunbar. Four survivors were picked up and landed at Dundee. On the same day, while a squadron of Spitfires were patrolling Blyth and Farne Island, a second Heinkel 111 was engaged and brought down, 10-15 miles east of Coquet Island. Three of the crew were seen to put off in a rubber dinghy, but, although a patrol launch was sent out to locate them, it failed to do so.

Coastal Command.

29. The normal activities of this Command continued without interruption during the week.

On the 23rd February an Anson on patrol sighted a submarine 100 miles west of the Butt of Lewis and attacked it before it had time to submerge. One bomb dropped close alongside. On the same day another Anson attacked a submarine 60 miles north-north-west of Cape Wrath, and on the 24th February a third submarine was attacked 23 miles south-east of Fair Isle, but no result was observed in either case. On three other occasions during the week submarines were sighted but no attacks could be carried out.

30. Coastal Command aircraft engaged enemy aircraft over the North Sea on two occasions. On the first, which took place on the 22nd, three Blenheims escorting trawlers attacked a Heinkel 80 miles east of Flamborough Head. Although several bursts appeared to enter the enemy aircraft it made good its escape. On the second occasion a Blenheim also on shipping escort, sighted two aircraft off Lowestoft and chased them nearly to the Dutch coast, but failed to overtake them.

31. On the 25th February a Hudson sighted a raft with 6 men on board, 35 miles south-east of Fair Isle, and directed a destroyer to the position which picked up the men.

On the 24th February a Hudson carried out a search for the Altmark and reported her aground in Josing Fjord with a Norwegian destroyer in attendance. This was confirmed by another aircraft on the 29th February.

Operations in France.

32. No air operations of importance took place from British or French bases in France during the week.

German Air Force Operations and Intelligence.

Bomber Operations.

33. There has been very little offensive action by the German bomber force during the past week.

On the 22nd February six ships were attacked off the East Coast, but no damage was inflicted. During the night of the 22nd-23rd about nine aircraft

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