Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires, but the agreed provision failed to reach the country before Germany overran the country. Second World War On 1 January 1940 he received a promotion to temporary wing commander and a short term posting to Senior Staff Officer, No. 2 Group RAF. Later that year he received his first proper command when appointed Officer Commanding No. 82 Squadron RAF. A month later he was additionally designated Station Commander of RAF Watton. On 17 May 1940, his squadron was detailed to carry out a raid against German columns around Gembloux. When the expected fighter escort did not arrive, having already been intercepted by Bf109's, the twelve Blenheims pressed on to the target and were themselves attacked by Bf109's. All but one of the aircraft were shot down and that one collapsed when it landed back at base. Faced with a squadron consisting of himself, one flight commander, two sergeant pilots and the ground crews, it was planned to disband the squadron but Bernard put forward a case on behalf of his ground crews that the squadron should be re-equipped. That evening twelve new Blenheims were delivered together with their crews. The following day they carried out a practice flight and that night he led six of them on a raid into Germany. This quality of leadership earned him the Distinguished Service Order. Promoted to temporary group captain he became Station Commander of two other RAF stations during the same year, spending only a few months at each. Firstly he commanded RAF West Raynham (also in Norfolk) before moving to nearby RAF Horsham St Faith. On 29 December 1942 he was posted overseas as the Air Staff Officer, HQ Air Forces in India. The following year he moved to Air Staff Officer HQ South East Asia Command (SEAC). Bandon returned to operational command in July 1944 when he was promoted to acting air commodore and appointed Air Officer Commanding No. 224 Group RAF. During his time in command, 224 Group saw action in Burma, including fighting against the Japanese in the Arakan sector. As AOC he very unofficially continued to fly on operational sorties, removing his air commodore rank badges and flying instead in a flying officer’s uniform. Royal Observer Corps In December 1945 the Earl became the fifth Commandant of the Royal Observer Corps, taking over from the retiring Air Commodore Finlay Crerar. The Earl assumed