page_title: Geoffrey Page
section_title: Flight training and the Battle of Britain
hierarchical_section_title: Geoffrey Page / Second World War / Flight training and the Battle of Britain
context_page_description: Alan Geoffrey Page, DSO, OBE, DFC & Bar, known as Geoffrey Page, was an officer in the Royal Air Force who served during the Second World War. He participated in the Battle of Britain, and was shot down. He was badly burned when his aircraft was destroyed, and was lucky to survive. He underwent many surgeries on his way to recovery, and was a founding member of the Guinea Pig Club. He eventually passed a medical exam and returned to active service, becoming one of England's most successful fighter pilots.
context_section_description: Two weeks after the outbreak of the Second World War, Page received his call-up papers and joined the RAF with the rank of acting pilot officer. He received his Initial and Advanced flight training at Cranwell, where he earned a rating of "exceptional". He had always wanted to be a fighter pilot, and chose Fighter Command as the air service he desired to be assigned to, while declining to indicate a secondary choice. To his great disappointment, he was assigned to be an instructor at a flight training school. However, with the German invasion of the Low Countries in May 1940 the Air Ministry changed its mind and he was posted to No. 66 Squadron RAF, flying Spitfires. With no training on advanced fighters, he and another young pilot were worked up on Spitfires and gained operational status while at 66 Squadron. Before he could fly combat with 66 Squadron, it was discovered that there had been a typo in orders. Page and the other new pilot were supposed to be at 56 Squadron, flying Hurricanes. The two pilots traveled to RAF North Weald in southern England to join 56 Squadron. The squadron had been in France and suffered losses there. When Page arrived the squadron was away training at RAF Digby. He checked out on the Hurricane and was made operational by the time the squadron returned. The squadron ended the campaign by covering the Dunkirk evacuation.
  Initially disappointed to be transferred from a squadron flying Spitfires to one flying Hurricanes, his misgivings were soon dispelled. Describing his first flight, Page offered "The Hurricane rose gracefully and easily into the air, and I had the immediate sensation that here was a lady with very few vices." He found the cockpit layout similar, and it was easier to see over the nose of the aircraft, making taxiing and takeoffs less troublesome. In addition, the Merlin engine in the Hurricane was cooled more reliably while on the ground, which meant he no longer had to worry about overheating the glycol when taxiing and preparing to take off. Retracting the wheels was far easier, as in the Hurricane the function was motorized, whereas in the Spitfire the pilot had to work a hand screw. The Hurricane did not have the speed of the Spitfire, but handled very well, was more rugged and could tolerate more battle damage. Page found himself happy to fly either aircraft. He looked upon the Hurricane as akin to a bulldog, whereas the Spitfire he viewed more as a greyhound.  
  Late summer found the squadron heavily involved in the Battle of Britain. The short notice scrambles and constant flying made for an exhausting existence. It was a life lived day to day, marked by occasional victories, the loss of comrades and evening trips to the local public house. On 13 July Page claimed an "He 113" shot down (probably a Bf 109, as the He 113 never saw action) and on 20 July claimed a third share in a reconnaissance Junkers Ju 88 of 4(F)/122, the crew becoming POWs. On 25 July his squadron was called to the aid of a group of MTBs engaged with German E-boats off Dover. Two destroyers were sent to help as well. Meanwhile, the Luftwaffe sent a flight of Ju 87s with fighter escorts. Page's squadron arrived over the ships almost the same time as the German dive bombers. Following them down he was credited with the destruction of a Ju 87.
  On 12 August 1940 Page and his squadron were scrambled to intercept a group of German aircraft. Page was flying Hurricane serial P2970. Sighting a large formation of Dornier Do 17 bombers, the squadron's commander closed to attack the formation. Page followed him in, firing upon the formation as his leader pulled away. As he pressed his attack his aircraft was hit several times, and was set afire when the header tank was ruptured. High-octane fuel ignited and spewed into the cockpit, covering Page while he attempted to release from his harness and bail out. His uncovered hands and face were badly burnt. As he descended in his parachute he was sickened by the smell of his own burnt flesh. Landing in the channel he managed to get free of his parachute and stay afloat
caption: A formation of Dornier Do 17s in 1940
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