Attacks on Invasion Barges in Rotterdam

Unit/ Formation: RM Airmen

Location: Calais

Period/ Conflict: World War II

Year: 1940

Date/s: 04/08/1940

Timothy Armstrong JOHNSTON RM and Acting Sub-Lieutenant (A) R C Eborn, RN: missing presumed dead when aircraft failed to return from air operations, 4 August 1940; body washed ashore in Holland assumed to be that of Johnston, likely caused by flak damage.

On completion of training as an Observer Johnston, one of only two Royal Marines qualified as an observers, had been posted to 812 Squadron.

This squadron had been released from HMS Glorious and was the pioneer F.A.A squadron working under R.A.F Coastal Command since early 1940, taking part in mining and bombing operations in the low countries and in the Dunkirk evacuation.

From May 1940 until March 1941 they operated with Swordfish fitted with auxiliary fuel tanks in the rear cockpit and carrying a crew of only two.

Their targets were usually oil tanks at Calais and invasion barges at Rotterdam.

German Barges preparing for Operation Sealion, the planned invasion of Great Britain

Related Royal Marines 'Dits'

1. First British Naval bombing of WW2 

2. Sinking of the Submarine Iride and Human Torpedoes - Captain Oliver Patch RM

3. Operation Catapult - Attack on the French Fleet - Mers-el-Kébir

4. Sinking of the German cruiser Königsberg 

5. Taranto - first all-aircraft ship-to-ship naval attack in history, Major Patch RM DSC

References/ Further Reading:

• Read about the Royal Marines & FAA Battle of Britain Pilots here

• Wings Aviation - 812 FAA