Dispersal Hut

This is our representation of a typical crew hut - or dispersal hut.

Look at the artefacts but kindly do not touch them and please do not sit in the chairs.

On an airfield in wartime - it was not a good idea to have all the aircraft close together in one area. A few enemy bombs could easily destroy or damage several aircraft in one hit. Aircraft were therefore dispersed - meaning, they were spread out around the airfield in smaller groups.

 

Airfields cover a large area - and the dispersal points were often a long way from the airfield's main buildings. The fighter pilots had to wait - close to their aircraft, ready to take off within minutes, to intercept the enemy. Remember – if the enemy bombers were at 20,000 feet – it would take our fighter aircraft about 6 or 7 minutes to reach that height – so every second counted.

 

Huts were built in the dispersal areas to provide facilities for crews, near to the aircraft. Aircrew and groundcrew would go out to their dispersal points - on bicycles, or in cars, trucks and utility vehicles. In the dispersal hut, the pilots would try to relax between sorties, resting in the chairs, perhaps reading books, magazines, or newspapers, or writing letters to family or girlfriends. There is a small card-table, for playing games such as dominoes, chess, draughts, and card games. Most men smoked cigarettes, or perhaps a pipe. Some pilots, exhausted, would just sleep.

 

In fine weather - they might sit outside and even kick around a football. When it was cold, the stove in the corner, burning coal or coke, would provide some heat. If there was no electricity supply, oil lamps, known as Tillylamps, would provide the light. On the desk is a typewriter - for writing letters and reports, and a telephone - linked to the Operations Room. At any moment, the peace could be shattered by the telephone’s ring, which could be a call to scramble. The shout goes up, “Scramble! - Scramble!” and a bell is rung energetically. The pilots drop everything - and run to where their own aircraft are waiting, prepared by the groundcrew, who then help the pilots into the plane - and away.

 

On the wall of the hut you can see trophies from enemy aircraft. If crash sites were not too far away, the pilots might drive out and cut a panel from the aircraft, usually something bearing a marking, such as the black cross from fuselage or wing, or swastika from the tail, and take it as a souvenir or trophy. Those you see here are replicas, but if you look at the framed photograph on the shelf - you will see real WW2 pilots - outside their dispersal hut, with their trophy from a shot down German bomber.

 

Also visible in here, is an unofficial version of the Squadron’s badge. Number 6-1-1 West Lancashire Fighter Squadron was an Auxiliary Airforce Squadron - formed at Liverpool (Speke) airport - in 1936. As a fighter squadron - it was one of the first to receive the legendary Spitfire aircraft. In 1939 - the Squadron went for summer camp to Duxford in Cambridgeshire - but was called up for war duty and never returned to Speke.

 

6-1-1 squadron played an active part in the Battle of Britain - and served operationally in the UK for the duration of the Second World War. By coincidence, their Squadron code letters were F-Y, reinforcing their North-West Lancashire connection, such that - the Lytham-Saint-Anne’s Spitfire Display Team chose to depict 6-1-1 Squadron aircraft as their replica Spitfires.

RAF Squires Gate was mainly a base for training aircrew, but in the early years of the Second World War, fighter aircraft were based here, to help with the air defence of North-West England, particularly over Manchester, Liverpool and Preston. Aircraft from Squires Gate had some success in shooting down enemy bombers, as you will hear on this tour.

 

Hawker Hurricane - and Boulton Paul Defiant fighters - flew night interception missions, beginning in December - 1940 - with aircraft from 96 Squadron, followed by 3-O-7 Polish Squadron - and then 2-5-6 Squadron. Fighter operations ceased at RAF Squires Gate in 1942 - with the departure of 2-5-6 Squadron to R-A-F Woodvale, near Southport, which had now become the Sector Station for number 9 Group.

 

After the Battle of Britain was won, there was less waiting on stand-by to intercept enemy aircraft, and more planned missions that took the fight to the enemy, but Dispersal Huts remained a feature on airfields throughout the War.

 

Imagine yourself… sat here during the Battle of Britain… waiting… chatting with pals… and suddenly… the bell rings… in a second - you are up and running… into your aircraft and on your way to meet hordes of German bombers - with accompanying M-E-1-O-9 fighters - carrying experienced and deadly pilots… not knowing if you would ever return back to the airfield or whether you would see some of your pals again.

 

How would you feel doing this at just 20 or so years old – with only about 10 hours of flying training?

 

Please exit the hut - turning right as you do so - and go to the next audio tour.

 

To support the upkeep and maintenance of Hangar 42 artifacts - we welcome a donation of 3 pounds by texting - HANGAR42 – to 7-0-3-3-1