Ted Inge left No. 3 Embarkation Unit, R.A.F. and the comfort of civilian digs on Merseyside for the rigours of life with No: 2 R.A.F. Beach Squadron. In the invasion of Normandy, Ted was the “X" N.C.O. responsible for setting up an explosives dump a mile or so inland from the landing beach in the JUNO assault area.

“I was the only R.A.F. type on my L.S.I . ¹ All the remainder were Canadian assault troops and the only person I knew was a Major who apparently had been at Anzio. He was to do for the army what I was to do for the R.A.F. i.e. set up an explosives dump. The landing was not too bad. I had experienced worse on practice landings. When I got ashore the Canadians were still milling around in Courseulles. It was no place for us with just two S&W .380 ² between us. So I brewed up and the major left me to recce, only to return hours later pushing a cycle with the news that he was setting off for his site. I decided that I would stay the night in the grounds of some chateau and push on in the morning light. The rest of my squadron were to have a terrible time being kept off shore for three or four days. Priority being given to fighting troops. I have no idea what time I actually landed but I was scheduled for D Day plus two hours and have always thought that I must have been one of the first of R.A.F. ground staff to land in France. However it would seem from First Tide that in all probability that honour could go to the boys in No: 1 Beach Sqdn. We collected 2 Croix de Guerre and I was lucky in the draw for Oak Leaves. ³”

In fact, according to the Operations Record Book of No 2 R.A.F. Beach Squadron on D-Day, 6th June. “most personnel of No 104 Beach Flight landed at the following times - 0845, 1015, 1400 and 1800 hours.” However, a party from 104 Beach Flight phased to land at H + 9 on D-Day were seriously delayed and did not land until the morning of 8th June (D + 2).

Also delayed were, “most personnel of Squadron Headquarters.” They were phased for landing at H + 7 on D-Day but “could not land and were compelled to stand offshore, awaiting instructions to beach.” The Squadron C.O., W/Cmdr B. Armiger was ashore by 2200 hours on D-Day but the delayed Squadron HQ personnel and vehicles landed around 1600 hours on 7th June (D + 1).

The record also states that, “Headquarters No 103 Beach Flight arrived off the Coast of NORMANDY at 1030 hours, the first Serials landing at 1500 hours. All other Flight personnel landed at later times throughout the day, except Serial 1153.” Serial 1153 did however make it ashore around 2200 hours on D-Day.

From D-Day to 6th September 1944 when it finally ceased to operate, No 2 R.A.F. Beach Squadron dealt with 20,650 tons of R.A.F. stores, 30,728 R.A.F. personnel and 8,644 R.A.F. MT vehicles that came in through the beach areas for which it was responsible.

Unlike Nos 1 and 4 Beach Squadrons, No 2 Beach Squadron did not return to the UK. It was disbanded in Normandy with most of its personnel being absorbed into No 89 R.A.F. Embarkation Unit based at Arromanches.

Ted Inge was among those posted to No 89 Embarkation Unit. After a few weeks at Arromanches he took a small detachment to Caen, subsequently joining up again with 89 E.U. at Calais.

¹ Landing Ship Infantry
² Smith and Wesson revolver
³ By this Ted means he was Mentioned In Despatches - a single bronze oak leaf emblem worn on the ribbon of the War Medal 1939-45 signifies this award, which could be for gallantry in action or for other noteworthy service.

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