Flying Control Log Book

Flying Control Log Book

A record of events and their times at RAF Tholthorpe during the period 31 March to 13 May 1944 (68 pages).

1944

68 handwritten pages

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MCothliffKB[Ser#-DoB]-151020-120006

March 31, 1944

[underlined] S.O. Book 129. [/underlined]

Code 28-69-0.

F. C.

Log.

G. [crown symbol] R.

[boxed] SUPPLIED FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE [/boxed]

31 March 44 – 13 May 44

T. 4269. Wt. 7837. 1/43. 240,000 Bks. E.J.A. & S. Ltd.

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Friday – March 31, 1944.

1830 / On duty HL Spence F/O.

1850. / 429/Q Ditching 31-3. A.S.R.S. / Ex. 11 Group: Following crew picked up and taken to Hospital at New Haven:-
F/O. Hall. [inserted] B/A Friston. Exposure. [/inserted]
P/O. Findley
F/S. Way [inserted] Nav. Hosp. Eastbourne – Gunshot wounds left leg – [/inserted]
Sgt. Sharp
Sgt. Gloss [inserted] F/E Friston [/inserted]
Sgt. Robinson [inserted] MU/G. Friston [/inserted]

No news of the captain F/O Wilson.
Two of crew are injured but expected to pull through O.K.
Above passed to Leeming Watchkeeper & Air I.

2030 / 429/Q Ditching 31-3. A.S.R.S. / Now taken to R.A.F. Friston, Pilot went down with aircraft – from A.S.R. 11 Group Duty Staff Officer. Leeming informed

[underlined] SATURDAY – APRIL 1, 1944 [/underlined]

0001 / Ident Board changed.

0134 / N.F. / All 6 Group a/c landed.

0315 / LPP/M / Ex. Middleton. Following message to them from mfn. at 0215

0325 / “XQHP OZXA EYVC UU SP PB” (Landing at bearing (?) E.T.A. 0310. Request Bar Pressure, vis, ht, cloud base. Passed to 12 Group who say it is a 3 Gr. a/c. 27E passed to a/c & acknowledged at 0302 hrs, after [deleted] bearing of [/deleted] “QDY” of 206” given at 0245 hrs. Passed to M.L.O. 12 who say he landed at Acklington and message (1st 4 letters) no doubt should have been “XQEP” NOTE – Some a/c were diverted to Acklington from 3 Group

09.00 / Off duty / H.L. SPENCE F/O

On duty. / JD Clelend F/L

10.00 / 1666/J / At Stanstead Mountfitchet – u/s Oil leak. Informed F/L Smith. who will try to send servicing party.

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[underlined] Saturday April 1st 1944 [/underlined]

10.15 / Permission for Eastmoor to fly a crew to Silverstone for L/432.
Permission for Leeming to fly parts to Friston – Lasham for 429 a/c.

12.00 / L.F.B. / Flamborough Head 290° from 22.15 – 23.15 hrs

Balloons / Billingham, close-hauled from { 18.30 – 20.30 hrs
{ 22.30 – 00.30 hrs

12.15 / A.S.R. / Checked for Leeming as to disposition of crew of Q/429 who ditched and were picked up by 11 Gp ASR. They will call back.

12.40 / “Eric” / 61 Base say their a/c will be flying out over Middlesborough and Newcastle to get to starting point for this exercise. This was approved by MLO 12 Gp.

14.20 / Fix 427P. / 5345N 0015W III Hull [symbol] 0215. Passed Leeming.

14.30 / Oxford / at Middleton reserved for Croft to take patient to Prestwick. Authorised by Air I.

14.55 / Oxford / Now cancelled. Permission granted W/C Newsome to take Halifax.

16.30 / Fix G/427 / 55.38N 00.32W I 1602 Hull.

Fix Q/427 / 55.38N 01.20W II 16.05 Hull.

17.00 / Ref Entry 22.30 hrs Mon 30/44. / “Large flash and explosion” seen & heard by [deleted] Middl [/deleted] Wombleton, Eastmoor & other stations. No reports have been received of bomb damage, but today Wombleton report that pieces of a bomb, thought to be a photo flash have been found at Harome, Sheet 22 – 134014.
Asked all stations to report whether any of our operational aircraft had lost any bomb or bombs that night at 22.22 hrs.
Croft report that Photos say they had one photo-flash failure on target.

1830 / Off watch F/L CLELAND.
On Watch B.T O’Beirn F/O.

2045 / DIVERSION / C.F.C. request Div. Base for 5 a/c from Bramcote at 0230. – Mid. given. Scrubbed at 0115/2/4

2120 / G/1659 / landed Croft A.S.I. u/s.

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D.F.C.O – NOTE

– We require new W/T & R/T call sign for April from F/L Lacey.

62 Base – S.F.C.O. Requests that the following Camera equipment of L/426 – be brought back in an a/c returning from Ford or Tangmere.

[underlined] List to be brought [/underlined] from Ford 11 Grp.

(1) F-24 Camera (less the magazine)
(2) Type 45 mount
(3) Type 35 – Control no 20
(4) Camera muff heater
(5) Camera driving motor
(6) Flexible drives
(7) Electric leads no 4.

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2230 / Ex 61 Base / Dishforth now have Sodium funnels and sodium flare path on 2000 yd R/W.

2330 / N.F. / Completed. All a/c returned. E/434 landed Topcliffe.

[underlined] Sunday April 2nd 1944 [/underlined]

0001 / Ident Board Changed.

0330 / DIV – 3 Grp / – Anticipate diversion at 0430 to us – Mid-St-G. given.

0450 / ditto / – All 3 Grp landed at own base.

0750 / Weather / – Continuous rain in south & rain in Yorkshire most of the day – a/c away will not be able to get off. Not much hope of local flying to-day.

0900 / Off duty F/O O’Beirn.
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.

0300 / Ref Entry 1700-1-4-44 / Ex 62 Base, Linton are certain this was not a bomb from any of their aircraft. Leeming also state it was not theirs. Skipton – no. Middleton – no. Eastmoor – no. Tholthorpe – no. Croft – no. 61 Base informed.

1830. / Off duty H.L. Spence F/O

18.30 / On duty. JD Cleland F/L.

19.00 / No flying in Group tonight.

00.01 / Ident Bd changed.

[underlined] Monday April 3rd 1944 [/underlined]

09.00 / Off duty / J.D. Cleland F/L. On duty B.T O’Beirn F/O

09.00 / Met Picture / Chances of getting our aircraft back today – very poor. Poor vis. all day plus long rainy spells.

1145 / [underlined] 1666 C.U. [/underlined] F.C.O. NOTE / permission granted for a/c to go to Worksop & Slanstead [sic] mount fitchet with crew & work party when weather permits.

1815 / Off duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.

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[underlined] Tuesday – Apr. 4th 1944. [/underlined]

0200 / Ident Board changed.

0900 / Off duty H L Spence F/O.

0900 / – / On Duty. [signature]

1245 / LFB’s. / Selsey Bill
Bearing. 350° T –
Time – 22:45 to 23:45 hrs

Portland Bill –
Bearing. 020° T
Time – 23:30 to 00:30 hrs.

Balloons / Langley – } 1500 to 2230/0030.
Heybridge – } 1500 to 2230/0030.
Portsmouth – } 1500 to 2230/0030.
Southampton – } 1500 to 2230/0030.
Yeovil } 1500 to 2230/0030.

Billingham - Close hauled.
(1) 1930 to 2000 hrs
(2) 2345 to 0145 hrs

Diversion Base. / Mildenhall – arranged as provisional weather bases.

1400 / L.F.B. / Portland Bill unavailable.

1700. / Lightnings / Ex J.C.L.O. 12. Aid requested for 2 Lightning a/c plotted in this area.
– All 6 Group stations fuelled [sic] up and standing by.

1745 / Lightnings / Landed safely at Lisset. [sic]
Stations informed.

Plots of all remaining a/c flying down the wall discussed with J.C.L.O. 12 and ROCLO no Identification. See passed South.

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Secret

HW647 5/April Tail of aircraft picked up in sea has markings MCO/E805 DTD 83. Any information on this a/c to be phoned to Station Z.

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1830 / On watch B.T. O’Beirn F/O
no night Flying

[underlined] WEDNESDAY APRIL 5 [/underlined]

0001 / Ident Board changed.

0745 / Met / Occasional rain & drizzle in our Grp. Cloud base 1000 – 1500 – vis 2 – 3 miles improving.
Low cloud & fog in the Midlands. Check with Met at 1000 hrs before bringing back a/c away.

0900 / Off watch B.T. O’Beirn F/O
On duty H L Spence F./O.

1405 / 75 Sqn. Stirling Mepal. / 3 Group F.C. authorize [sic] take off if Pilot is satisfied and has a route forecast. Passed to Skipton.

1440 / 75 Sqn. Stirling Mepal. / Now staying over until tomorrow 3 Group informed.

1830 / Off duty H L Spence F/O.
On duty W.A. Warwick F/O

2030. / NITE [sic] FLYING. / Eastmoor 3 A/C on C & B’s, only Stn. flying in Group.

2240 / NITE FLYING / All flying packed up in 6 Group.

[underlined] THURSDAY – APRIL – 6th 1944 [/underlined]

0001 / Ident board changed.

0200. / Ops. / All other Grps. working tonight are diverting A/C down South, due to unfit weather.

0900 / Off Watch F/O Warwick, W.A.
On Watch B.T. O’Beirn F/O

0910 / HW 647 / 5/April. Have passed on to Eng & Equip office with a request to check.

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[underlined] Balloons. [/underlined] 6/4/44

Billingham close-hauled – 1900 – 2100
0100 – 0330
Langley Weybridge, } 2100 – 2230/2330 – 0130
Portsmouth and Southampton } 2100 – 2230/2330 – 0130

Landfall Beacon.
Selsey Bill – 350° T – 2400 – 0100

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[underlined] THURSDAY APRIL 6th. [/underlined]

1040 / 1666 a/c / – One a/c to go to Worksop with an extra crew and one a/c to Stanstead Mountfitchet with engineer and equipment – permission granted by Air I.

1132 / To 62 Base. / Request for Oxford for S/L Rawson – Cancelled.

1150 / Balloons and L.F. Beacon requested.

1205 / Diversion / – To C.F.C. request for 3 provisional weather aerodrome in 91 Group. – 60 a/c

1330 / 427 / – Permission for 1 a/c to go to Honeybourne with crew for C/427

1400 / permission granted to S/L Knight at Topcliffe to take to Foulsham.

1415 / Smoke / – 12 Grp report a Column of smoke in E8797 – perhaps a crash. Inf. 61 Base.

1445 / Dominie / – R-9545 left Wombleton 1630 for Lympe [sic] ETA – 1845. Gen Wainwright batman & F/Capt Hagman.

1450 / Dakota / – FZ – 685 – landed Wombleton at 1400 from Stradishall with 17 passengers staying overnight.

1500 / Diversion / – C.F.C. Cannot give us diversion bases until after the Met Conference.

1530 / HAL – E/431 / on fire in one engine in Z-73. reported by F.C.L.O. 12 Grp. – Landed Safely at Croft.

1620 / Lanc KB-711 / left Linton 1618 for Mid.

1625 / Hal – / LL175 left Croft for Topcliffe to remain.

1625 / [underlined] Mustang [/underlined] IV-Y landed Leeming 1605 from East Reatham, [sic] and took off 1625 for Milfield.

1735 / Ops – scrubbed.

1740 / Balloons & L.F. Beacon scrubbed.

1815 / Off watch B.T. O’Beirn F/O

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[underlined] 1666/A. Summary [/underlined]

Previous – Diverted by W/T from Wombleton to Topcliffe.
0135 – Diverted by Topcliffe to Skipton.
0157 – Unable to land Leeming or Skipton.
0210 – a/c Course 130° Height 900’
0214 – Skipton told him Reciprocal Course – Height 2000
0222 – a/c Endurance 1 1/2 hours – Diverted to Croft.
0230 – Croft - Middleton told to divert him by R/T to Silloth but could not contact him. on transmit.
0230 – Told 61 to divert by W/T to Silloth.
0247 – R/T contact established. Landed Middleton.

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1830 / on duty. H.L. Spence F/O.

1940 / N/F / Summary passed to C.F.C. and 6 Gp stns.

7 APRIL 1944.

0001 / Ident Board brought up-to-date.

0100 / x/c a/c / 6 Gp. met. say there will be trouble landing at Wombleton due to low stratus which is coming in. However Topcliffe and Dishforth are holding up as an attempt will be made to land 1666 a/c there.

0118 / 1666/X / Landed Topcliffe. Undercarriage collapsed obstructing runway in use. (14/32) Contacted Leeming and told them to be ready to receive remaining aircraft.

0125 / 1666/G. / This Local flying aircraft landed and staying overnight at Dishforth.

0135 / Accidentally learned from 61 Base that Topcliffe F/C had diverted 1666 K and A to Skipton (a local arrangement over their own tie-line). Reason – shortage of Petrol.

0142 / 1666/K / Landed Skipton.

0157 / 1666/A. / This aircraft made several attempts at both Leeming and Skipton, but could not affect a landing at either ‘drome. Re-diverted to Croft (viz 3000x QBB 3000’.). However the lure of those bright lights at Middleton were too strong and he circled there, and could not be contacted as his R/T was on transmit.

Nearest cast-iron station was Silloth with 15 miles viz and NLC. Attempts were made to divert from [deleted] Skipton and [/deleted] Croft by R/T but as he was only being received strength 1, no diversion message.

0247 / Diversion message ready to be sent by W/T when a/c landed 0247

0310 / x/c N/F complete / Told 6 Gp. Stations to stand down; also Silloth. P.S. said “Thank you.”

0900 / off duty H.L. Spence F/O

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[underlined] Scallops & Greengage [/underlined]

L.F.B at Selsey Bill on bearing 350° T from 23.00 – 00.01 hrs.

Billingham Balloons close-hauled from [deleted] 20.00 [/deleted] 18.30 – 21.30 & 00.15 – [deleted] 01.30 [/deleted] 03.00 hrs

[underlined] Z 571. or Z 801. [/underlined]

LFB at Beachy Head on bearing 310° T from 23.10 – 00.10 hrs. hrs.

LFB at Beachy Head on bearing 350° T from 23.45 – 00.45 hrs.

Balloons at Langley, Weybridge, Portsmouth & Southampton will be at 1500 ft from 21.00 – 01.00 hrs.

All above cancelled at 18.00 hrs.

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[underlined] April 7th 1944 [/underlined]

09.00 / On duty. / J.D. Cleland F/L

10.30 / Ex “Blighty”. / Wombleton is involved. Last night a Dakota with 17 passengers landed there. They are expecting a Harrow from Doncaster today. Asked Doncaster to phone us a [sic] soon as Harrow is ready to take off for Wombleton.

16.40 / Diversion Bases / Requested from C.F.C. diversion bases for 180 a/c.

16.20 / Darky Call / From “Cushion O” – belongs to Cottesmore. Heard by Topcliffe and Croft asking for QDM and distance to Cottesmore. Top. & Croft unable to contact the aircraft. We asked Cottesmore to try to contact him by W/T.

DF.C.O’s. / When it becomes necessary to open the Intruder lines to obtain plots please ensure that the girls on the Board are told that 12 Group have been asked to tele through. It has happened that this was not done and 12 Gp discovered no one was taking them at this end. [underlined] XWS [/underlined]

17.35 / Cancellation of main effort.

17.35 / Cloud Marker / Beacon requested by SFCO at Dishforth tonight for return of Bullseye effort.

17.50 / Cancellation of Command Bullseye & Gardening. ADGB (F/L Napier) & C.F.C. informed.

1830 / Off duty F/L. Cleland – On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O

1840 / N.F / – 3 a/c on C & B – 1664 CU. 2100 –
3 a/c on C & B – 1666 C.U 2100 – 0330
2 a/c on C & B – 419 2030 – 2130 [inserted] (SCRUBBED) [/inserted]
Inf. stations & C.F.C.

2100 / Skymaster – much natter between 61 Base & 6 Grp – re Skymaster supposed to have left Milfield before 1202 for Wombleton for “Lesser M” – F.C.L.O 12 Gp have no account of him. 61 Base believed a/c diverted to Thorney. – but he did not land there. Where oh where?

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2305 / Diversion / – C.F.C. request a diversion base 7 fortresses from 100 Grp. – Met advise Leeming with Linton or Middleton as alternatives. Leeming – Cld base 1800’ vis – 3 miles.

2315 / 100 Grp / 214 Sqdn Sculthorpe on Bullseye.
12 Officers and 46 NCO’s R/T – C/S [underlined] Crowbar [/underlined] W/T c/s NKR. – a/c O. C, A, H, M, N, F.
Leeming Inf. 61 Base, 62 Base. Mid. CROFT. Skipton. ETA – 0030 – 0045

[underlined] Saturday April 8th [/underlined]

0001 / Ident Board Changed.

0030 / F.C.L.O. / 12 Grp has no plots yet.

0100 / 5 Grp / provisional diversion of 20 a/c.

0230 / 100 Grp / – “H”/214, F/214, C/214 from Sculthorpe landed Leeming. A/214 landed Thornaby at 0213. “O” “M” “N” landed at Sculthorpe. Inf C.F.C.

0240 / 5 Grp / – Request us to continue to stand by 62 Base & 61 Base standing by.

0300 / 61 Base / – N.F. Ceased, no snags – Closed down.

0302 / 62 Base / – 2 aerodromes standing by for 5 Grp. – 1 on Bullseye, 6 a/c on X/C.

0337 / 62 Base / – Stood down. 5 Grp coping – 2 a/c outstanding – (Landed 03.45).

0345 / 62 Base / HF/DF received frequency check from USN-O – (SWINDERBY a/c on local stooge.)

0800 / Weather / – Low cloud 800’. vis – 500 – 1500 yds in 6 Grp until 1130 – 1200. – no flying until then.

0825 / CFC / – Last nights diversion from 100 Grp. reported.

0830 / Off duty F/O. O’Beirn.

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[underlined] SATURDAY – Apr. 8. 1944 [/underlined]

0830 / On duty H.L. Spence F/O.

0940 / 425/G Tangmere / Permission granted to fly crew to Tangmere to pick up this a/c. When down there are to pick up camera & equipment belonging to 426/L at Ford. 62 Base informed.

1030 / 433/V / Permission granted to fly crew to Middle Wallop to pick up this a/c. Skipton informed.

1032 / 100 Gr. a/c / Ex 100 Group. OK to return to Sculthorpe. Passed to Leeming, also Thornaby as one landed there.

1040 / 1666/J / Permission granted to fly crew to Stanstead Mount Fitchett to pick up this a/c. Passed to 61 Base.

[boxed] D.F.C.O.’s [/boxed] / your attention is drawn to the Crash pro forma to be given to G.A.I. (W/C Saunders). Please ensure that he gets one of these chits for each accident unless it is a [underlined] very [/underlined] trivial one. JWS.

1105 / L.F.B. [symbol]2 / At Flamborough Head will be flashing on 300° T at 070° from 2330 – 0030 hrs.

Billingham Balloons / Will be close hauled from 2000 – 2130 hrs and 2345 – 0100 hrs.

1215 / 433/T / Permission granted for a/c to fly crew to Ford to pick up 433/T

1510 / 1659/a/c LL-132 / Permission granted to fly crew to Foulsham to pick up a/c. 61 Base informed.

1830 / Off duty H.L. Spence F/O.

18.30 / On duty. / JD Cleland. F/L

22.45 / U/1666 / Heard by 61 Base calling “Darky” – “P.O.E feathered and S.I.E faulty.”

Told to land at Dishforth.

23.05 on R/T with Dishforth and landed there at 23.08.

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[underlined] Saturday April 8th 1944 [/underlined]

23.00 / Diversions / 100 Gp. may have to send one Wellington due about 02.00 hrs.

92 Group also have some aircraft out which may need diversion bases.

4 Group are worried about one Halifax.

Met. think Leeming will hold until 01.00 and after that M.S.G & Croft may still be workable.

23.45 / Recall of Bullseye Aircraft due to weather deterioration.

00.01 / [underlined] Sunday April 9th 1944 [/underlined]

01.00 / 100 Gp. / will not require us for diversions.

0300 / F/427 Colors [sic] of Period / From 18,000 ft – Time 22.42 Pos’n – 5 to 6 mi E of position 53° 20’ N 01° 15’ E – RR. Color [sic] of period fixed twice at 3 minute intervals.

0310 / FCLO / – Passed to FCLO 12 for information.

09.00 / Off duty. / J D Cleland F/L.
On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O.

0910 / a/c away / – Weather not fit for some time.

1000 / Skipton / – Wish both crews back from Middle Wallop either via A/433 or V/433 if serv. – otherwise by train.

1050 / A/433 – S.O.E U/S – also 4 inch “crack” in tyre (too dangerous for take off) V/433 – no oil pressure. If V/433 not serv. by 1200 hrs – both crews instructed to return by train.

1055 / Darky / – If 62 Base – Tholthorpe heard Bookwood “R” on Channel A-1695 asking for position – Call sign not listed – F.C.L.O. 12 Grp - think if so an American.

1330 / C.F.C. (DIVERSIONS / Request 3 prov. weather aerodrome in East Anglia, & 6 aerodromes in 11 Grp.

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EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 9.

1330 / L.F.B. / SELSEY BILL. 350° T – 0040 – 0140 F.C.
L.F.B. / [deleted] DEBDEN 1112 300° T 2335 – 0035 [/deleted] F.C.
BALLOONS / HARWICH – 2250 – 0030 – 1500’ BL
BALLOONS / LANGLEY, WEYBRIDGE } 0030 to 0230 – 1500’ BL
BALLOONS / SOUTHAMPTON, PORTSMOUTH } 0030 to 0230 – 1500’ BL
BALLOONS / Billingham – close-hauled } 1900 – 2100 [inserted] 2230 [/inserted] 0030 – 0230 [inserted] 0130 – 0400 [/inserted]

1415 / F/L Smith proceeding to Middle Wallop & Gransden Lodge. Will report on V/433 & A/433.

1440 / Oxford / from Castle Camps landed Linton – Checking on weather before proceeding to Drem.

1450 / 11 Grp / – Two crews of V/433, A/433 are returning by train from Middle Wallop.

1500 / Dishforth / S.F.C.O. – queries – Where are the [underlined] duties of O.C. of N.F. [/underlined] laid down? D.F.C.O. to get gen from S/L Stanley to-morrow.

1520 / DIVERSION / – Met advise bases west of London instead of in 11 Grp. But our bases will be fit. Requested C.F.C. for bases in 91 Grp.

1610 / CFC. / Diversion Bases. Provisional weather given.

1700 / V/433 / – F/L Smith at Middle Wallop reports V/433 serv. 2 Crews did not return by train but remained in hopes of returning by a/c to-day.
Grp met advise weather unfit for return – Advise 11 Grp. & F/L Smith & Skipton that V/433 to stay overnight.

1745 / Diversion Bases – Emergency Petrol instead of Weather.

Passed to 92 GRP. { Westcott – 424 – 15 a/c
Passed to 92 GRP. { Wing – 433 & 427 24 a/c.
Passed to 92 GRP. { Silverstone – 429 16 a/c
Passed to 92 GRP. { Chipping Warden – 432, 408, 426 23 a/c.
Passed to 92 GRP. { Desborough – 425 15 a/c.
Passed to 92 GRP. { Market Harborough. 420 14 a/c.

Passed to 100 Grp. { Foulsham – 419 & 428 29 a/c.
Passed to 100 Grp. { West Raynham 431 & 434 24 a/c.

1800 / L.F.B. / Debden 412 scrubbed. Searchlights in the area.

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1830 / Off duty F/O. O’Beirn.
On duty H L Spence F/O.

1930 / Diversion Bases / Ex 92 – Understand from C.F.C. 6 Group a/c will not be using 92 Gr stations tonight as they have been allotted to 4 Group.
Checked C.F.C. who say this is correct, as our weather is OK. We can use the 92 Gr. Stations for emergency. Explained to 92 Group who are quite happy about the change from “Weather” to “Emergency Petrol.” Diversion on our part.

2000 / N.F. / Summary of Night Flying passed C.F.C.

0840. / Billingham Balloons / Revised times – 1900 – 2230 & 0130 – 0400 Passed to M.S.G.

2135 / BALE-OUT NEAR LINTON (427/G) [underlined] LV960 [/underlined] / F/L Young 62 Base advises an airman seen to bale out of an aircraft 3 miles south of Linton. Contacted ROCLO who had no “gens”.
62 Base say S/L Avant saw 2 chaps bale-out and then a big flash in in same direction as above. Flash report ties up with one from F.C.L.O. 12 Gp in posn E8765. Police in area & C. D. advised by 12 to keep a look out. No organized action by 12 Gp.

2200 / BALE-OUT NEAR LINTON (427/G) [underlined] LV960 [/underlined] / Ex Leeming. Message from farmer at Green Hammerton [inserted] (WHIXLEY) [/inserted] that Sgt. Nunziatto had landed there & was slightly injured. Also that a Sgt. Dennis had shown up at the N.F.S. at Green Hammerton. 62 Base arranging to send an ambulance for injured member Farmers tel. No. Green Hammerton 319
62 Base arranging to pick.

2220 / BALE-OUT NEAR LINTON (427/G) [underlined] LV960 [/underlined] / 2 more of crew located, one at Priory Convalescent Home at Nun Monkton and other at the Vicarage there.
62 Base arranging to pick them up.

2240 / 424/2 Mid-Air Collision / Skipton report [indecipherable word] collided with another Halifax and damaged control rod of left rudder. Landed safely. Collided at 2118 hrs, at 8,000 ft, heading of 350° T over Thirsk R/W Station.

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[inserted] LV960 [/inserted]

427/G. Crash. / Crew List & State

F/S. Stevens – Pilot – at Snaith OK.
F/S. Murrey – Nav. – Allerton Park – Stitches.
Sgt. Nunziato – B/A. – Allerton Park OK.
Sgt. Bogle R.A.G. – Allerton Park OK.
Sgt. Dennis M.U.G. – Allerton Park OK.
Sgt. Trowsdale F/E. – Tholthorpe OK.
F/S. Steele WOPAG – Tholthorpe OK.

Leeming informed.

Informed:- Controller [symbol]
Air I [symbol]
S.A.S.O.
G.T.L. [symbol]
G.A.L. [symbol]
Equipt. [symbol]
Engr. [symbol]

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427/G [underlined] Crash. [/underlined] / Crash action being taken by R.A.F. Breighton. Bombload being handled by BDS – R.A.F. Snaith. 7 x 1000 MC } T.D. 025 Det. [symbol] 57 Pistol [symbol] 30
6 x 500 MC. } T.D. 025 Det. [symbol] 57 Pistol [symbol] 30

2330 / 427/G [underlined] Crash. [/underlined] / Pilot reported to Leeming from Goole. OK. All crew baled out. a/c crashed 1 mi N. of Goole. Pilot staying at Snaith overnight.
2 more of crew at Easingwold Police Station. Tholthorpe arranging to pick them up.
Complete crew now accounted for. 12 Group, 4 Group and all concerned in the picture & thanked. Pilot of 427/G stated collision of a/c occurred at 8,000 ft while circling over base, at 2118 hrs, indicating it collided with 424/S. (see entry 2240 hrs.) Location of crash:- 200 yds north of Goole – Snaith Rd. WA/944. south of village of Airmyn.

[underlined] MONDAY – APRIL 10TH, 1944 [/underlined]

0200 / Ident Board changed.

0334. / Op. a/c / all landed.

0401 / Cross Countries / all landed.

0440 / a/c away / Passed to C.F.C.

0800 / a/c away / Passed to Gransden Lodge for info. F/L. Smith.

0815 / Met – / Possibility of some local fog patches in south part 6 Group for an hour or two – Leeming, Croft & M.S.G. should not be affected.

0855 / a/c away / Serviceable a/c to return to their bases. 2 Group, 10 Group & Hampstead Norris [sic] Flying Control

0900 / Off duty H.L. Spence F/O.

09.00 / On duty. J.D Cleland F/L.

[page break]

Hurricane KZ-396 BRG.

F/L Gardner from Red Hall landed Croft at 1753 for re fuelling. Took off at 1830 for Grangemouth.

Cesna [sic] Crane – took off from Dishforth at 1825 for Peterboro.

[page break]

Monday April 10th 1944.

1100 / V/426. / Report from Lasham C.S.U. u/s. If shorted, the station engineer hopes to fix it. Otherwise a new motor will be necessary.

D/426. / Unable to start Starboard outer this morning. Passed to 62 Base.

12.00 / Permission for 431 Sq. to fly crew to Church Lawford to pick up H/431 which is now serviceable.

13.15 / “Darky” / Heard by Croft – “Station W” – Seems to be an American. Reported to 12 FCLO.

14.00 / LFB. / at Orfordness 290° T from 23.15 – 00.15 hrs.
LFB. / [symbol] 15 Worthing 275° T from 04.20 – 05.20 hrs.
Balloons. / Billingham C/H. 1930 – 2145 & 0010 – 0230 hrs.
Langley Weybridge [symbol] 1500’ from 04.20 – 0600 hrs.
Harwich [symbol] 1500’ from 23.00 – 0030 hrs.

14.30 / Permission granted by SASO for W/C Hamber to go to Lasham with Oxford carrying spare parts for 426 V & 426 D.

17.30 / Diversion Bases / 419 and 428 Sqdn. to Sculthorpe. [inserted] 100 Grp. [/inserted]
434 and 431 Sqdn. to Foulsham [inserted] 100 Grp. [/inserted]
427 and 424 Sqdn. to West Raynham. [inserted] 100 Grp. [/inserted]
429 and 433 Sqdn. to Little Snoring. [inserted] 100 Grp. [/inserted]
432 Sqdn. to Coltishall [inserted] 12 Grp. [/inserted]
420 & 425 Sqdn. to Docking. [inserted] 16 Grp. Bircham Newton [/inserted]
408 & 426 Sqdn. to Coltishall. [inserted] 12 Grp. [/inserted]

17.30 / Met Picture / Tonight for Return at 01.00 – 1500 – 2500 yds in south, 2-4000 yds in north QBB 2000 ft.
For return at 06.00 hrs – 1000 – 1500 yds in south 2000 yds in North.

17.55 / Gardening / scrubbed.

1830 / Off duty F/L Cleland On duty B.T O’Beirn F/O

1900 / [underlined] Lanc Crash [/underlined] / 9 Grp F.C. report that a Lancaster was seen to break up in mid air at VO 3567. near LLANWRTYD WELLS. – police & N.F.S. on the job. Six bodies recovered – including Sgt Atkins – thought to be R.C.A.F. Informed – 3 Grp & 5 Grp.

[page break]

[underlined] M/427 [/underlined] CRASH 2345 hrs 10/4/44.
– [underlined] LV-883 [/underlined]

Pos’n – M595789. (near [underlined] Ipswich [/underlined] Millgreen Farm, Stoneham, Asthall.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] – all baled out – and safe.
W/C Burgess Pilot – Slight foot injury at East Suffolk Hosp. Ipswich.
F/O Ferguson Nav } OK. – at Helmingham Police Station phone 211
F/O Karloff B/A } OK. – at Helmingham Police Station phone 211
Sgt Galloway – F/E – OK – at Ipswich
P/O Tobin MU/AG – OK – Helmingham. Pol. Stn
F/O O’Callaghan R/G – OK
Sgt. McCuldrey W.O.P. – OK.

P/O Tobin reported that M/427 was caught in searchlights and flak on crossing in on the French coast. They turned back, made [underlined] two [/underlined] more attempts, but a/c damaged so turned back.

[underlined] Guard [/underlined] – Mendlesham – 3 US B.D
[underlined] Bombs [/underlined] – scattered – 3 Grp requested to get B.D. squad – possibly Waterbeach

(9 x 1000 M.C. 6 x 500 M.C. Tail Delay .025)
a/c – complete write off – in small pieces.

Informed. Controller [symbol]
SASO [symbol]
AIR I [symbol]
GTI [symbol]
Equip [symbol]
Engr O. [symbol]

[page break]

APRIL 10 (CONT’D).

2305 / 1666/Z / Hull passed a [sic] incorrect fix at 2241, then phoned 61 Base direct. Later gave the correct fix on MF. as a/c was yet over the sea.

2350 / DIVERSION / – Requested 16 Grp to keep Docking standing by – Skipton [indecipherable word] vis about 3 miles.

2359 / Met / advise return of a/c to bases – Vis at Linton & Eastmoor – 2 mi. – elsewhere in the Group 3 mi +. Mid SG – 6 mi. Inf. 100 Grp. 12 Grp.

[underlined] Tuesday April 11th [/underlined]

0001 / Ident Board changed.

0020 / [underlined] Crash [/underlined] M/427 / – 3 Grp (from Woodbridge) report a Hal / 427 crashed at M 595 789 Sgt Galloway baled out. Ipswich County police may have details. Inf. Leeming.

0040 / M/427 / From 3 Grp F.C. & from Ipswich County Police – all baled out.
W/C Burgess – Pilot – Slight foot injury –
Sgt Galloway – OK.
P/O TOBIN – 9 Miles from Ipswich.

0100 / M/427 / – Crash at Millgreen Farm, Stoneham, Asthall – a/c a complete write off. Nearest aerodrome – Mendlesham Station (AM) – 3 U.S.B.D. at 2345 hrs.

0105 / M/427 / F/O Ferguson (NAV) & F/O Karloff B/A at police station Helmingham phone 211 – Both O.K.

0110 / M/427 / Mendlesham – 3 USBD supplying the guard.

0300 / M/427 / on request of 3 USBD, asked 3 Grp to send Bomb Disposal squad to Millgreen Farm. 3 Grp will try to arrange for Waterbeach B.D.S.

0330 / Leeming / – F/O O’Callaghan & Sgt McCubbing are OK.

[page break]

[blank page]

[page break]

[underlined] TUESDAY – APR 11TH, 1944 [/underlined]

0400 / RAF NI / – Dishforth a/c infringed on Eire (neutral territory) – Who? and Why?

0440 / B/1664 / F/O Townsend, pilot, reported that he was over Eire –
Reason – “Gee” was U/S and had navigation difficulties.

0626 / Ops / – All Lancs returned to base.

0630 / Ops / C.F.C. informed of Diversion Summary.

0750 / Met / advise that Cloud is breaking with vis 4 – 5 miles in 6 Grp. Conditions may decrease a little.

0800 / 427/Y / – Landed Horham – 1 Eng u/s, and petrol low. Leeming Inf.

0900 / Off duty F/O O’Beirn.
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.

0945 / Wombleton / Liaison visit to Honeybourne OK. Air I. 61 Base informed.

1000 / 1664/B / Ref. entry 0440. 61 Base requested to have complete report submitted to Air I.

1045 / C/F Proctor / Reserved for S/L Rawson 1200 hrs 11-4-44 – to Wombleton.

1145 / 433/C / Authorization given to fly crew to Boscombe Down to pick up m/n a/c. Skipton informed.

1155 / 427/M Crew / All now accounted for – 6 at Woodbridge and W/C Burgess in Hospital at Ipswich.

1240. / L.F.B.[symbol]2 / as Flamborough Head to be flashing on 280° T elevation 070° from 0120 – 0220 hrs.

1830 / Off duty H.L. Spence F/O.

18.30 / On duty / J.D. Cleland F/L.

1830 / F/L Smith / now at Framlingham.

10.10 / Balloons / Middleton doing local flying and would like Billingham Balloons close-hauled. All now at 1500 ft.

10.35 / Balloons / Billingham balloons now close-hauled until 01.30 hrs.

[page break]

[underlined] Darky at Croft Wellington. [/underlined]

ED/O – of 21 OTU – Moreton-in the-Marsh. [inserted] 91 - Grp. [/inserted]

This aircraft had received several priority fixes while still at sea on X-Country. His port engine had failed [inserted] At 00.05 hrs. [/inserted] 12 Gp. FCO asked us to plot the aircraft and we had M.S.G. light up. The aircraft was then given homing assistance by searchlights to M.S.G.
Croft had been warned by M.S.G. of the aircraft in distress and also put on their lights, including sandras and fired mortars.

M.S.G. were able to contact the aircraft on RT at 00.19 but were only able to give him their identification. From then on no more contact by RT could be made.

Pilot, having identified M.S.G, made right hand circuit, fired two red very lights and was given green to land at Middleton. He made normal approach but was unable to get wheels down in time to land. Rather than risk another circuit on the one engine pilot decided to keep straight on for Croft where he had seen all lights on and mortars fired.

At 0030 Croft saw [deleted] O [/deleted] the aircraft approaching low, gave him a green and he was able to come right in. Fortunately both runways were almost in line at the two aerodromes.

The pilot made a rather bumpy landing and his brakes were u/s. The aircraft overshot the runway and crashed into the boundary fence past the perimeter. Petrol tank burst and aircraft went up in flames.

All crew were able to get out safely just before the fire. Time 00.30 hrs.

Croft [deleted] had [/deleted] F.C. had the ambulance and crash tender on the aerodrome while he was landing and immediately sent out assistance and ordered fire tender from Darlington N.F.S.

[inserted] CREW of Wellington – In ED/O – Instructed to return home by train. [/inserted]

[page break]

[deleted] Tuesday [/deleted] [inserted] Wednesday [/inserted] Apl. 12/44.

00.05 / “Darky” / Hearty “O”. Heard by M.S.G. We have already asked M.S.G. to light up as 12 Gp are homing a distressed bomber in from coast.

00.23 / “Darky” / Contacted by M.S.G. after calling “Darky”. Was given position and seemed quite happy, answered “Okay”
See opposite page :-

04.00 / [underlined] Air Sea Rescue [/underlined] / [underlined] Search Areas [/underlined]

Area I a / 5300N 01.25E } WCF 76 Z – WCF 77 U } Allotted to 431 Sq.
5308N 0125E } WCF 76 Z – WCF 77 U } Allotted to 431 Sq.
5308N 0230E } WCF 76 Z – WCF 77 U } Allotted to 431 Sq.
5300N 0230E } WCF 76 Z – WCF 77 U } Allotted to 431 Sq.

Area I b / 5307N 0125E } WCF 74 F – WCF 75 C } Allotted to 431 Sq.
5315N 0125E } WCF 74 F – WCF 75 C } Allotted to 431 Sq.
5315N 0230E } WCF 74 F – WCF 75 C } Allotted to 431 Sq.
5307N 0230E } WCF 74 F – WCF 75 C } Allotted to 431 Sq.

Area II / 5345N 0130E } WCF 78 a/c Z – WCF 79 L – WCF 80 Q } allotted to 1659 C.U.
5357N 0130E } WCF 78 a/c Z – WCF 79 L – WCF 80 Q } allotted to 1659 C.U.
5357N 0239E } WCF 78 a/c Z – WCF 79 L – WCF 80 Q } allotted to 1659 C.U.
5345N 0239E } WCF 78 a/c Z – WCF 79 L – WCF 80 Q } allotted to 1659 C.U.

Area III / 5357N 0130E } WCF 81 H – WCF 82 D – WCF 83 L } allotted to 431 Sq.
5410N 0130E } WCF 81 H – WCF 82 D – WCF 83 L } allotted to 431 Sq.
5410N 0239E } WCF 81 H – WCF 82 D – WCF 83 L } allotted to 431 Sq.
5357N 0239E } WCF 81 H – WCF 82 D – WCF 83 L } allotted to 431 Sq.
Parallel track from West to east at 1/4 mile vis creeping north.
Three Group will have Stirlings searching in an area north of our Area I b which overlaps. Croft have been informed of this.

Search has been initiated on information returned by Americans who were out on large scale raid today.

0900 / Off watch F/L CLELAND. On watch B.T O’Beirn F/O

DCFO’s NOTE / AIR I wishes a list of the [underlined] totals [/underlined] of Day Flying Training and Night Flying Training each morning. i.e. – just take the totals off the sheets prepared for W/C Palmer.

[page break]

0930 / 12/4/44

[underlined] F/L Smith [/underlined] reports – Re a/c away.

433/C – at Boscombe Down – Serv. Skipton had permission to send a/c [inserted] with crew [/inserted] yesterday but a/c went u/s & did not go to Boscombe Down.

433/A – at Middle Wallop – should be S.

433/O } u/s at Framlingham. 424/E is S.

442/E } S. 433/O requires mag points and retaining clips. Corpl. of work party instructed to phone S/L Brown at Skipton telling him about the spare parts required and requesting that the spare parts be sent down when the 2 crews are sent down.
Skipton informed.

427/Y – at Horham requires powerplant change – Crew instructed to return by train

1666/J – F/L Smith leaving it to Wombleton.

F/L Smith proceeding to Church Lawford, Wellesbourne & Boscombe Down.

Oxford LX-574 landed Skipton proceeding from Castleford to York – Took off again at 1351 to York.

DAKOTA – 223416 from Grove landed Leeming at 1734 – proceeding to North Witham after getting position

Mitchell V D/O – G/C Dunlop from Dunsfold landed Leeming, proceeded to Mid S.G. – Expect to go to Topcliffe to pick up G/C Dunlop.

[page break]

[underlined] WED. 12th APRIL [/underlined]

1020 / P/1669 / – 1 Group report CSU u/s and one engine will not feather. Hemswell think they can cope without parts or work party – may have it serv to-day and their weather to be fit at 1200 hrs 61 Base Inf.

1130 / 3 Grp 90 Sqd/A / – Request crew to return by a/c which Tuddenham will send to Skipton this afternoon.

1230 / X/C’s (RADAR / Skipton request Met advise re. Routes Radar 27, 37 & Leicester.
Met advise Grp bases OK 2 mi’ vis this afternoon. Route – some low cloud. Much medium cloud – patchy – local icing at 10000 – 15000 ft. Suggest they fly at 18000’ – less icing (cirrus)

1235 / DIVERSION C.F.C. / Emergency Weather Base – requested in East Anglia – near Downham Market, Docking etc.

[underlined] Balloons [/underlined] / Billingham – close-hauled [deleted] 1930 – 2145 [/deleted] [inserted] 2000 – 2215 [/inserted] [deleted] 0030 – 0230 [/deleted] [inserted] 0100 – 0300 [/inserted]

L.F. Beacon [symbol] 2 – Flamborough Head. – 300° T 0045 – 0145

1315 / All Communication Flight a/c at Linton are Serv. except proctor HM422.

1330 / DIVERSION / – Foulsham given – if possible a change after the Met conference.

1530 / 1666 CU / Permission for Hal. to fly crew to Marston Moor to pick.

1535 / 61 Base [underlined] (Crash [/underlined] (S/432) / – Wombleton report via Pickering Police via Scarboro police that an a/c crashed at Langdale End sheet 23 approx 4110. reported at 1525 new position – Birch Hall Sheet 23 – 4012.
Inf. F.C.L.O 12 Grp. – Request Wombleton to take Crash Action.

[page break]

S/432 – LW-614 Crash – at Birch Hall. HAL III sheet – 23 Ref 404104

[underlined] Crew [/underlined]
F/S CLARKE A.K. – Pilot
F/S. WOODARD T.H. - NAV.
SGT. CRANCH S.E. – B/A.
SGT. HINDMARSH S.C. – W/OP
SGT. BELL D. – MU/G.
SGT. MacNEILL D.S.M – R/G. in Scarboro’ Hosp.
SGT. HALLIWELL H. – F/E
R-142262. LAC McKENZIE D.V. – passenger.

GUARD – 66 B.S.D. R.A.S.C.

Category – a/c practically burned out.

Category E – Burnt out.
6 Bodies taken to Eastmoor.
1 Body still in crash.
Sgt MacNeill (RG) taken to Scarborough Hospital suffering from shock & burns.

Informed:
SASO [symbol]
Controller [symbol]
GTI. [symbol]
GEgO [symbol]
P.4 [symbol]

[page break]

[underlined] Wednesday April 12th 1944 [/underlined]

1720 / [underlined] Crash [/underlined] S/432. / 62 Base report that S/432 overdue, was on F/A – detail 1440 to 1550?
Scarboro Hosp. report to 62 Base – Rear Gunner of S/432 in Scarboro Hosp.

1730 / S/432 / 62 Base report – S/432 Crashed at posn. sheet 23 – 404104
Rear Gunner alive in Scarboro Hosp. Six bodies recovered. Eight member not found. a/c practically burned out

1830 / DIVERSION BASE – MOLESWORTH – 1st U.S. B.D. for Ops a/c. Foulsham is left as an alternative base.

18.30 / Off duty. / B.O’Beirn F/O.
On duty / J.D. Cleland F/L.

19.30 / Call Signs passed to Molesworth.
419 Sq. Batty. KVG – 5 a/c.
428 Sq. Toiler. JYR – 5 a/c.
434 Sq. Headman. WPZ – 15 a/c.

20.20 / S/432. Hal III LW 614. / 6 bodies taken to Scarborough hosp. one still in aircraft.
Rear gunner at Scarborough hosp. with injured hand. Aircraft is Cat E – burnt out.

2200 / Recall 61 Base a/c / 61 Base request recall of RZF – BKVC and WGX – LTS on m/n a/c - mlf section K. Test of message “07 HQ”
Not necessary to call RZF-K as he is now overhead. Passed to D.S.O. for Transmission.

23.50 / Diversion. / All gardening aircraft diverted to Molesworth.

00.01 / [underlined] Thursday April 13th 1944 [/underlined]

02.31 / Gardening a/c / All landed safely.

08.00 / Gardening a/c / Unable to take off due to American operations, until 1000 hrs. Due to weather, it is also inadvisable to take off before that hour.

09.00 / Gardening a/c / Information passed to F/L Smith.

09.00 / Gardening a/c / Told to return at 10.00 hrs. [deleted letter]

[page break]

[blank page]

[page break]

[underlined] Thursday Apl 13th 1944 [/underlined]

11.45 / L.F.B. / Selsey Bill 355° T from 23.15 – 00.15 hrs.

Balloons / Billingham close-hauled 19.45 – 21.15 hrs
00.01 – 02.00 hrs

Balloons / Langley, Weybridge, Portsmouth, Southampton at 1500 ft from 21.45 – 22.45 hrs.
23.15 – 00.15 hrs.

15.40 / Lancaster / seen flying about 500 ft near high ground about V 1519 or V 1526 (Westerdale). Not seen to come out again. Asked 61 Base to try to investigate by flying over that area.

16.30 / Lancaster / Report from Wombleton who sent an aircraft over that district – No sightings.

15.55 / Message to 1664 Hals. / On X-Country. 61 Base request us to pass following message : To WBL – E,H, JRJ – B,J,E : – 07 BM – VFYE – SUBI – EPXU – DR TOD 15.47 “Lose height, fly at 5000 ft by 5530N.” To be sent on Sect. K M7/DF.
Passed to D.S.O. for action.

1830 / Off watch F/L CLELAND, On Watch B.T. O’Biern F/O.

1850 / Darky / – Reported by Dishforth. Inf. F.C.L.O. 12 Grp. One a/c circling Topcliffe & one over Dishforth.

1855 / Darky / a/c now heading S.E. from Dishforth.

1900 / Diversion / – Met. advise Thorney Island. C.F.C. cannot allow it as signal states it may be used in emergency only.

1940 / Diversion / Tangmere pleases C.F.C. & Met. as prov. weather base. Informed Mid. & amended “B” Form.

2000 / N.F. / C & B’s in 61 Base 2100 – 0330

2120 / DIVERSION / – Call signs of 428 given to 11 Grp.

2300 / DIVERSION / Cancelled – Hope to get a/c back to base.

[page break]

Command Bulls Eye. C – 92.

Route – Swaffham - Westcott – Odstone Down (Target)
Devizes – Newport – Winthernsea [sic] (amended now to Doncaster) – Base.

Ref. – BC/S. 26484/TRG. d. 7-4-44 (6G/S 326/TRG. 11-4-44.)

Starter Beacon at Swaffham.

Fighter & S.L. to co-operate along route.

T.O.T. [deleted] Do [/deleted] Odstone Market 2230 – 2300 hrs.

[underlined] DIVERSION BASES – EMERGENCY. [/underlined]

431 [underlined] No. A/C [/underlined] 8 } BRADWELL BAY.
420 [underlined] No. A/C [/underlined] 8 } BRADWELL BAY.
425 [underlined] No. A/C [/underlined] 8 } BRADWELL BAY.
432. [underlined] No. A/C [/underlined] 8 } BRADWELL BAY.
408 [underlined] No. A/C [/underlined] 15 } COLTISHALL.
426 [underlined] No. A/C [/underlined] 12 } COLTISHALL.
424 [underlined] No. A/C [/underlined] 8 } MANSTON.
433 [underlined] No. A/C [/underlined] 8 } MANSTON.
427 [underlined] No. A/C [/underlined] 8 } MANSTON.
429 [underlined] No. A/C [/underlined] 8 } MANSTON.

[page break]

[underlined] FRIDAY APRIL 14th. [/underlined]

0005 / Met / Mid. St. G – Cloud base 3500’ – Vis 2+

0058 / Ops / – all a/c landed at base. Inf. FCLO 12 Grp & C.F.C. MLO. 12 Grp.

0205 / N.F. / Completed in 61 Base. All quiet.

0750 / Met / Fog on deck – May clear about 1200 hrs – probable rain showers in afternoon.

0800 / Diversion summary passed to C.F.C.

0845 / Off watch B.T. O’Beirn F/O.
On watch H.L. Spence F/O.

1000 to 10.30 / A-N/17 / 12 Group reported a/c in Linton – Dishforth area who appeared lost or in difficulty. Opened board & had him plotted. Stations in picture & to send him to M.S.G.
62 Base :- Linton in contact with a/c who is happy. Had intended landing there but has now returned to his base. Stations stood down.

1315 / L.F.B. [symbol] 2 / At Flamborough Head will be illuminated at an elevation of 070° on a bearing of 270° T from 0115 – 0215 hrs.

1317 / L.F.B. [symbol] 12 / At Debden will be illuminated at an elevation of 070° on a bearing of 310° T from 2315 – 0015 hrs.

1318 / Balloons / at Harwich will be on a control at 1500 ft from 2300 – 0030 hrs.

13.19 / Emerg. Dvn. Bases / Requested 3 Bases in East Anglia – Stradishall – Docking vicinity.

1430 / Emerg. Dvn. Bases / Ex. C.F.C. :- Given Coltishall, Manston & Bradwell Bay. Allotted as on opposite page. Passed to Stations.

1440. / 433/F V (&W) R/T GRAPNEL / m/n to do C & L at Middleton at about 1500 hrs. “Gen” passed.

1530. / 433/A. / Permission Granted to fly crew to Middle Wallop to pick up m/n.

[page break]

VISITOR –

S/LDR BRENNER [inserted] U I [/inserted]
A/CRAFT = WELLINGTON = H.F. 335 [inserted] U I [/inserted]
HOME BASE = SILLOTH 17 GROUP
REMAINING OVERNIGHT

F. C. 17 GROUP INFORMED.

[page break]

[underlined] FRIDAY - APRIL 14, 1944 [/underlined]

1725 / Command Bulls Eye. / C-92. Cancelled.
Stations & all concerned informed.

1830 / Off Duty H.L. Spence F/O.

1830 / On Duty – [signature] F/L

2000. / X. Cty Routes / Warning from Met of Thundery deterioration.
Cancellation of flights discussed with S.A.S.O. Ruleing: [sic]
1659 – Recalled from Southern route.
Base 62 – X Cty cancelled.
1664 – Permitted to proceed subject to recall.
All concerned advised.

2030 / L.F.B’s / } Operational requests cancelled
BALLOONS / } Operational requests cancelled
DVN BASES. / } Operational requests cancelled

2040 / C.F.C. / Pictures on X. Cty efforts passed to C.F.C.

2215 / 1664 / Recalled because of weather on route and at bases as at normal ETA. Aircraft instructed to fly at 5000 feet from position 54° 30’ N 01° 45’ E.
– Base 61 F.C. advised.

2230 / 1664 / Mix-up in aircraft letters. “D” should have read “G” – Because we were not advised by F.C. Base 61 of this change, the recall signal went out to “D” – fortunately “G” replied.

[page break]

[blank page]

[page break]

APRIL 14.

2300 / OXFORD. / Request from F.C.L.O. 12 to light up Linton and surrounding stns for a wandering Oxford – Broadcast made at once to Bases 61 & 62 F.C.

2305 [deleted] 2320 [/deleted] / OXFORD. / – Line opened to York Oxford 9210 for plots on the Oxford.

2320 / OXFORD. / Oxford Crashed at Marston Moor. – Stations Base 61 62 informed and stood down.

2330 / 1664 / Lines reopened to York 9210 for plots of halifax a/c re. turning over Flamborough Hd. because thought to be 1664 a/c & making landfall

0001. / [underlined] APRIL. 15th ’44 [/underlined]

0010 / 1664 / Last of X-ctys. landed at Bases.

Remainder of night quiet.

0900 / – / off Duty - F/L [signature]
On duty – B.T O’Beirn F/O.

D.F.C.O.s / AIR I requires an additional report on training flights. Therefore please send a copy of the day and night flying reports up to his office each morning. JWS

1100 / Y/427 / Permission granted by SASO for a/c of 427 to take crew down for Y/427 at Harham – when weather fit.

0330 / Balloons / Billingham close hauled 1915 – 2115 and 0150 – 0345

[page break]

Spitfire – F/L Seath landed Linton at 1426 from Odiham – Returning to Odiham.

Liberator – 264437 from Hardwick landed Wombleton 0235. Had gone to East Fortune, unable to land there, went to York – unable to land – landed at Wombleton. Took off for York to drop a passenger and proceeding to Hardwick.

[deleted] [underlined] Crash – Topcliffe [/underlined] [deleted]

[underlined] 2110 [/underlined]

Message from 1664/D – 10 QDYA – 2035 – Decyphered [sic] – “IFF u/s.
1st class position 5503N 0203W 2100 A.
Told MLO 12, who says let him carry on
Told 61 Base who say O.K.

[page break]

1400 / Liberator / – 12 Grp report one near Wombleton 3 – 4000 ft – Inf 61 Base to ask Wombleton.

1430 / Liberator / – in sight over Wombleton – Does not acknowledge Darky, nor green signal. – Reported to F.C.L.C. 12 Grp. a/c now proceeding N.W.

Liberator / Landed Wombleton 14.45

1445 / Yeovil / Balloons – Controlled height 1500’ 2200 – 2300 and 0010 – 0145.

1455 / C. Bullseye scrubbed owing to weather – Laid on to-morrow night if w/x permits.

1650 / Ops scrubbed.

1710 / [underlined] Mustangs [/underlined] – FT-N & FT-D landed Mid. S. G. from Ops over France – Ran into “Front” on way over & landed at Mid. S. G.

From Boxted – 3 U.S.B.D.
Took off for Boxted 1745 – 3 U.S.B.D. Inf.

1715 / D.F.C.O. NOTE / – Re 2230 entry 14/4/44 – mix-up in 1664 Call signs. –
Controller insists on knowing who is at fault – D.F.C.O. at 61 Base is to find out & inform us.

1830 / on duty – S R Wyman F/L

2030 2100 / Night Flying 61 Base / No X-countries in Group, except at 61 Base who followed advice of local met. experts. 6 Gp met sat weather sticky for a/c returning after eleven p.m (2300 hrs). Talked with S/Ldr Swann who still had the 61 Base Met outlook after talking the matter over decided to recall a/c after 1st leg of journey at 2200 hours.

2115 [deleted letters] / Linton stand-by / [indecipherable word] & airfield standing by to receive Topcliffe aircraft. R/T call signs & a/c letters passed to 62 Base. viz 4 mis & QBB. 2500’.

2300 / 1664 – 4 a/c outstanding; but all on H/F D/F except D.
1659 – all a/c landed except Z.

2309 / Crash I. 12 Gp F.C.L.O. / Crash near Topcliffe – nr Railway Bridge on road Thirsk. Topcliffe village.
Thirsk N.F.S. advised by 61 Base.
Ambulance & tender sent to crash.

[page break]

[underlined] CRASH I – 1664-K. [/underlined] EB-205

TIME – 2309
POSN. – 897000 - on the Railway Bridge on the THIRSK – TOPCLIFFE [inserted] VILLAGE [/inserted] ROAD.
CRASH ACTION – Taken by Topcliffe Crash tender and Ambulance and Thirsk N.F.S. North Allerton Hospital had ready but mobile operating unit not re’q’d.

Crashed into 2 houses and a railway bridge. At least 1 civilian casualty. There are believed to be 2 or 3 others.
3 civilians dead.

[underlined] CONDITION [/underlined]
Dead / P. – F /O Holloway D.R. – J25803
Alive / NAV – P/O Pearce S.H.J. – J27505
Dead / B/A – F/O JOBSON S.W. – J27433
Died en Route / W/O – P/O SMITH J.H. – J18558
Dead. / F/E – Sgt. POWELL H.G.J. – 1894686
Alive / M/U – Sgt. TYNSKI J.W – R183425
DEAD / R/G – Sgt. FRENCH K – R.197655

2 Survivors are in North Allerton Hospital.

[underlined] CRASH II – 1664-E [/underlined] EB203

TIME – 2328
POSN – 1/4 mile north of Bishop Monkton on Lowther Farm.
CRASH ACTION – Taken by Dishforth crash tender and Ambulance. Ripon N.F.S and Police on the job. Crashed into a hay stack. Burning furiously, could not be approached.

[underlined] CONDITION [/underlined]
Dead / P. – F/S WATKINS N.W. – US10601597
Dead / NAV – F/O WALLACE H.A. – J23362
Dead / B/A – Sgt. MUISINER H.L. – R160427
Dead / W/O – W/O. HUDDLESTONE J. – R106580
Dead / F/E – Sgt. HOLDEN K.D. – 2209331
Dead / M/U – Sgt. CULL L.J. – R20097
Dead / R/G – Sgt. LOVETT C.A. [sic] – R208139

[inserted] All bodies found. [/inserted]

[underlined] DF.CO please advise of both crashes [/underlined]
S.A.S.O. [symbol]
AIR I [symbol]
Controller [symbol]
GTI [symbol]
GAI [symbol]
G.Eg.O. [symbol]
P4 [symbol]

[page break]

2328 / Crash II E.7989 / 12 FCLO reports crash in VE 7989. Contacted 61 Base and advised for Dishforth to carry out crash – action.

2338 / North Allerton Hospital / Reported a crash in Thirsk area and said they had mobile operating unit standing by as soon as any casualties reported. Said we would advise them.

12 Gp. / Location of 2nd crash Wormald Green 5 mis. from Ripon. 3 – 4 miles south of Dishforth. Ripon N.F.S. and Police in attendance.

1657/Z / landed Linton 2332
1664/G / landed Linton 2335

2338 / 61 Base aircraft. / all aircraft landed except 1664/D who is on R/T at Linton. Looks as if crashed aircraft are E and K of 1664 HCU.

Probable cause of crash. Lots of icing cloud and a/c iced up coming down then & were too heavy to even attempt a landing.

2350 / Crash I / a/c demolished 2 houses and the railway bridge. R/Gunner dead & 4 civilians (dead) brought to Topcliffe. Aircraft not yet identified.

2353 / Middleton and Croft definitely DUFF (Red) Told to Stand-down.

[underlined] 16 April 1944 [/underlined]

0015 / I crash / a/c now identified as 1664-K.
II crash / Hit a hay stack in posn noted on facing page. 1664-E.

2210 / Crashed aircraft / Ex 61 Base – 1664 a/c were not briefed to return if they met the dangerous cloud. They were to call on R/T to ascertain weather conditions before doing 2nd half at 2220. At 2210 following message sent on H/F – “Fly at 5000’ – Icing”. The aircraft acknowledged at the following time.

H – K –
D – 2321 F –
E – 2316 G –

[page break]

[blank page]

[page break]

[underlined] Sunday. April 16th 1944. [/underlined]

0100 / Re. Crashes from 61 Base. / 1664/E. near base – overheard on R/T and was told to let down & return to base.
Police say that before he crashed there was an orange red flash – went into 45° dive May have been lightning.

1664/K. 1 engine fully feathered.
3 Civilians recovered.
2 of crew still in a/c

09.00 / off duty – S R Wyman F/L
On duty – F L Cleland F/L.

16.30 / Weather / Met. expect low stratus to spread over group from north very soon. All stations warned – no X-Countries out now, only local flying & bombing.

17.15 / Weather / Two aircraft of 425 Sq. overhead at Tholthorpe. Can we give them a diversion base? Told 62 Base that Eastmoor was best station in group – 2000 ft QBB & 4 miles vis. Also lined up Pocklington in 4 Gp in case of need.

17.40 / All a/c down in Group.

18.00 / Night Flying / No X-Countries – C & L at Dishforth – Wombleton.

1830 / Off watch F/L CLELAND. On Watch B.T. O’Beirn F/O.

2000 / No Night Flying in 6 Grp.

2000 / a/c / over Dishforth at 500’ heading toward Leeming – Think it a Wellington. Inf. Leeming & FCLO 12 Grp.

2015 / a/c / This a/c possibly an Oxford or Dakota headed NW from Leeming at 5 – 600’ Leeming lit up – no sign of a/c wishing to land. F.C.L.O. 12 Could not identify it.

[underlined] MONDAY APRIL 17th 1944 [/underlined]

0001 / C.F.C. / – All quiet. M.L.S. 12. quiet also.

0900 / Off Watch B.T. O’Beirn F/O.
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.

[page break]

[blank page]

[page break]

[underlined] MONDAY – APR. 17, 1944 [/underlined]

1015 / F/L Patton / Permission granted by Air I to fly Hurricane from Dalton to Northolt, provided weather is O.K. and return today is intended.
(Interview with A.D.G.B.)
(Cancelled)

1200 / Emergency Dvn. Bases / Requested 3 bases in 91 Group.
i.e. Honeybourne area.

1204 / Emergency Dvn. Bases / Amended request to Middle Wallop – Boscombe Down area. Better Met conditions.

1230 / L.F.B. / Special Beacon at Selsey Bill will be illuminated on a bearing of 355° T from 2345 – 0045 hrs. [inserted] (see amended times) [/inserted]

Balloons / Langley } Control at 1500 ft. } from 2100 hrs to 0100 hrs [inserted] } see amended times [/inserted]
Weybridge } Control at 1500 ft. } from 2100 hrs to 0100 hrs [inserted] } see amended times [/inserted]
Southampton } Control at 1500 ft. } from 2100 hrs to 0100 hrs [inserted] } see amended times [/inserted]
Portsmouth } Control at 1500 ft. } from 2100 hrs to 0100 hrs [inserted] } see amended times [/inserted]

Billingham will be close hauled from 1830 – 2030 hrs and from 0100 to 0300 hrs. [inserted] (see amended times) [/inserted]

1430 / L.F.B.[symbol] 2 / will be illuminated on a bearing of 270° T from 0130 hrs to 0230 hrs. [inserted] (see amended times) [/inserted]

1440 / L.F.B’s. / Amended times:-
Special at Selsey Bill – “0055 to 0155 hrs”.
No. 2 at Flamborough – “0150 to 0250 hrs.”

Balloons. / Amended times:-
Billingham – 1940 to 2140 and 0145 to 0410 hrs.

Portsmouth } 2210 hrs to 0210 hrs.
Southampton } 2210 hrs to 0210 hrs.
Langley } 2210 hrs to 0210 hrs.
Weybridge } 2210 hrs to 0210 hrs.

1745 / L.F.B. / at Selsey Bill cancelled.
Balloons / in 11 Group cancelled.

1740 / Dvn. Bases Emergency / After much delay C.F.C. allotted us Hurn, Boscombe Down & Middle Wallop. Shortly thereafter the operation was cancelled. Lossiemouth laid on for Gardeners – provisional weather M.S.G. informed.

[page break]

[underlined] Oxford [/underlined] – W 6615 – F/O Miller landed Linton at 1140 from Milfield.

[underlined] OXFORD [/underlined] – LX 353 – W/C Fleming & 2 passengers landed Linton from Cranwell at 1142 – a/c intended landing at Leeming.

Proctor – arrived Marston S/L Monk.

ANSON – DG-877 landed Linton at 1232 en route from Preston to Holme.

Oxford – T 1049 – taking off for Clifton from Topcliffe.

Proctor from Hendon landed Linton 1657 – Staying overnight.

Spitfire 8030 – F/L Seath en route Turnhouse landed at Croft 1559 & staying overnight – owing to weather.

Barracuda DR181 landed Linton from Wartling Down. Staying overnight.

[page break]

[underlined] Monday. April 17th 1944. [/underlined]

1830 / Off duty H.L. Spence F/O.

1830 / On duty. J.D. Cleland F/L.

21.30 / Balloons. / M.S.G. request Billingham close-hauled until 00.30 hrs. as they are having C & L’s. Action taken.

23.50 / 1666/F / 12 ML BN LI 23.35 rec. 23.48 hrs.
(Returning to base – Port Engine.)

[underlined] Tuesday Apl 18th 1944. [/underlined]

00.48 / 1666/F / landed OK. P.O.E. u/s.

02.37 / Last oper. / aircraft down.

03.30 / Night Flying finished.

0900 / Off watch F/L CLELAND On watch B.T. O’Biern F/O.

1000 / MOSQ. / Z 112 – Pilot F/O DIX returning from Croft to Little Snoring. Route – Base – York – Peterboro, L Snoring.

1015 / SKIPTON / – Have 2 a/c on Radar – Request prov. weather base for return at

1123 / SKIPTON / Diverting G/424 & T/424 to Lissett. R/T – shortsight or Jasper W/T KSU

1215 / SKIPTON / G/424 & T/424 proceeding to Lissett.

1310 / SKIPTON / G/422 & T/424 landed Lissett 1239 & 1244 Crews to stand by ready to return.

1315 / Balloons / – Langley – Weybridge, Southampton & Portsmouth – (2150 – 0150)
[deleted] 2230 – 2400, 0100 – 0230. [/deleted]

L.F. Beacon – Brighton –
320° T [deleted] 0115 – 0215 [/deleted] 0035 – 0135

Balloons – Billingham – Close hauled 1945 – 2145 ; 0230 – 0500

L.F.B. / Flamboro [symbol] 2. 0245 – 0345

[page break]

[underlined] DIVERSION BASES [/underlined]

[underlined] GARDENING [/underlined]

STRADISHALL – 434 SQD. [inserted] 0316 [/inserted]
CHEDBURGH. 419 SQD.
WRATTING COMMON – 428 SQD.

[underlined] MAIN EFFORT – Z 800 B [/underlined]

[underlined] SQN. [/underlined] [underlined] A/C. [/underlined] [inserted] 0100 [/inserted]
431 – 12 } Market Harborough
427 – 8 } Market Harborough
429 – 13 } Desborough
427 – 7 } Desborough
420 – 15 Husbands Bosworth
425 – 13 Wing
433 – 15 Turweston
424 – 16 Little Horwood
432 – } 6 Turweston
432 – } 8 Wing
408 – 16 Wyton
426 – 11 Bourn

[page break]

1400 / DIVERSION / – Requested C.F.C. to prepare for 7 Emergency weather aerodrome for main effort and 3 from Gardeners.

1450 / Skipton / Crews of G/424 & T/424 being brought back by transport.

1510 / Skipton / – G/424 & T/424 now instructed to take off & land at Eastmoor where crews will be picked up. T.O. – 1537

1540 / Hal – LV-997 / left Radlett 1130 for Croft – Has not arrived. 6234

1750 / DIVERSION BASES. / Finally given by C.F.C. for main effort in 92 Grp.

1810 / DIVERSION BASES. / 92 Grp – do not expect their southern bases – Wing

1900 / Stirling / A – left Skipton at 1749 for Tuddenham & Q/Stirling took off at 1848 for Tuddenham.

Off duty F/O O’Beirn
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.

1900 / Dvn. Bases. / Emergency bases received from C.F.C. Allotted as on opposite page and “gen” passed to stations.

2100 / Dvn. Bases. / 3 Group very unhappy about their Met at 0300 – 0330 hrs and wish us to check with them before diverting our Gardeners. They have laid on bases in 5 Group for their own Gardeners.
6 Group happy about conditions at M.S.G. & Croft for return.

92 Group a bit concerned about their southern stations around 0200 hrs but feel capable of coping by re diverting by R/T (if necessary) to Parent stations a little further north.

2330 / Halifax LV997 / Landed at Sherburn (from White Waltham [symbol] 1 Ferry Pool) Croft informed.

[page break]

[blank page]

[page break]

WED – APR. 19/44

0035 / Met Picture in Gp. from D.F.C.O’s / [underlined] Middleton [/underlined] Happy – 5 mis viz – we can cope.
[underlined] Croft [/underlined] – 6 miles – N.L.C – sure they can handle their own aircraft unless something
[underlined] Leeming [/underlined] – NLC – viz 3 – 4 miles. Expect to look after their own aircraft.
Sodium flare path ready.
[underlined] Skipton [/underlined] – Feel that they have too many a/c to cope if the viz gets down to 1500X. However a later check with their met. put viz at time of return between 2 – 4000X in which case they are happy.
61 Base Stations – happy
62 Base – Tholthorpe & Eastmoor – think they can just do it.

To 62 Base / work out QDM – DISTANCE – TIME from Tholthorpe to Eastmoor to both Dishforth and Topcliffe.

0310 / LPJ/P MESSAGE. / Ex 62 BASE – following message from m/n picked up by Linton HFDF :- QWC (unable to communicate with Control Tower)
Passed to Filton Station (44 Gr.)

0110 / Dvn. Bases. / Finale check with Met & Controller & decision made not to divert outside Group. Stations laid on stood down.

0500 / a/c away / Passed to C.F.C. summary of aircraft landed away.

09.00 / Off duty. / HL Spence F/O
09.00 / On duty. / JD Cleland F/L

10.30 / a/c away / Told to return as soon as possible.

12.15 / No Bullseye tonight. Weather reasons.

13.50 / Met Picture / re ASR. Between 15.00 – 16.00 we should start having slight rain in the group probably becoming continuous. QBB 1500 ft. vis 2+ miles Met. are fairly confident conditions at Linton will be satisfactory at 16.30 hrs.

14.15 / Emerg Weather base for ASR is Newmarket.

[page break]

[blank page]

[page break]

[underlined] Wednesday April 19th 1944. [/underlined]

16.30 / [underlined] A.S.R. Results. [/underlined] / [underlined] 426 Sq [/underlined] No sightings except fishing vessels.
Area VII.
Weather: Halfway out to area, sea rough with large white caps. Search area itself was calm and vis. good except for a strip running N & S through area with low stratus down to 300 ft & vis down to 1/2 mile.

[underlined] A.S.R. Results. [/underlined] / [underlined] 420 Sq. [/underlined] At 500 ft. in posn. 5324N 0314E – G – fix sighted empty dinghy. Dropped smoke floats & flew at 50 ft over dinghy. Found it empty and tried to sink it. Believed sunk. There appeared to be loose mines & debris in that area. Also mine sighted in position 5332N 0310E. [deleted words] Tried to explode mine by firing about 150 rounds but were not successful.
[deleted] Weather. Good vis. [/deleted]
At posn 5334N 0300E S/420 sighted four bright red objects which seemed hooked together – did not seem to be buoys.

[underlined] 434 Sqdn: [/underlined] No sightings. Good vis in search area. Sea calm.

[underlined] 419 Sq. [/underlined]. No sightings
[underlined] 428 Sq. [/underlined] No sightings
Vis. varied between 2 and 3 miles. Sea had slight swell, moderate to rough. Wind about 16 – 20 mi from south.

[underlined] 425 Sq. [/underlined] No sightings. Vis good, sea quite calm.

16.30 / Fortress “M” 42-9773 M. Ft Lt FS WEILDIN / from Gt. Ashfield en route Warton landed at Eastmoor 16.12. Called Darky and landed safely. Will stay overnight due to weather. 1st USBD informed.

1830 / Off watch F/L CLELAND. On Watch B.T. O’Beirn F/O

1930 / 61 Base / – No X/C’s - C & B’s 1659, 1666, 1664 from 2130 – 0330. – Stns & C.F.C.

2225 / C & B’s scrubbed.

2226 / Enemy / – 20 intruders apparently from Dieppe – no plots on our board.

[page break]

Re entry 1230 opposite:- Dishforth states General Crerar is at Bishop Monkton and will be taking off tomorrow morning from Dishforth (presumably for Redhill). Pilot of a/c is F/O. Garthwaight. S.A.S.O., Air I and P.A. to A.O.C-in-C. informed.

Note entry 1400 opposite:- Night Ops. 11 Group (S/L. Crooks) was concerned about the routing of so many a/c in at Bradwell Bay & would prefer it further up coast. Could not change route which originated at B.C. Changed the position for L.F.B. from Bradwell Bay to Clacton on Sea, same bearing, same time.

[page break]

[underlined] THURSDAY APRIL 20th 1944. [/underlined]

0900 / Off duty F/O. O’Beirn
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.

0940 / 1666/J / Permission granted by Air I to fly crew to Stanstead Mt. Fitchett [sic] to pick up m/n.

1140 / 434/H / Permission granted by Air I to fly crew to Shipdham to pick up m/n.

1138 / Well. 20 OTU Lossie/“O” / Landed at Croft 91 & 12 Gr. informed. Topcliffe had previously been giving QDM & QDY to a Lossiemouth a/c “O” but it was not this one. Darky call (1105 – 1108) received by Topcliffe from a/c “O” (c/s not intelligible) indicated “one engine u/s” & was given “Pancake”. a/c not in Topcliffe circuit & no plots at 12 Gr until about 1125 when Wellington showed circling Croft on one engine. M.S.G. & Croft keyed up for him & he landed at Croft.

1230 / Anson MH/191 V.I.P. / Landed at Dishforth from Redhill. Staying overnight. Picking up General [deleted word] [inserted] Crerar [/inserted] in morning.

1250 / L.F.B. Spec. Selsey Bill / Will be illuminated on a bearing of 355° T (elev. 070°) from 0001 – 0100 hrs.

Balloons / Langley } Controlled at 1500 ft. from 2245 hrs to 0100 hrs.
Weybridge } Controlled at 1500 ft. from 2245 hrs to 0100 hrs.
Southampton } Controlled at 1500 ft. from 2245 hrs to 0100 hrs.
Portsmouth } Controlled at 1500 ft. from 2245 hrs to 0100 hrs.

Billingham – close hauled from 2115 – 2215 and 0115 – 0245 hrs.

1310 / LFB. [symbol] 2 / Will be illuminated on a bearing of 270° T (elev. 070°) from 0345 - 0445 hrs.

1400 / L.FB. [symbol] 13. / To be illuminated on a bearing of 315° (elev. 070°T) from 0010 – 0110 hrs. (Location changed to Clacton-on-Sea. – all concerned informed.)

Balloons / Chelmsford } Control at 1500 ft. from 2345 to 0130 hrs.
Thames Est. } Control at 1500 ft. from 2345 to 0130 hrs.
Billingham – close hauled 2000 – [deleted] 0300 [/deleted] 2200 hrs & 0110 – 0300 hrs.

[page break]

[underlined] DIVERSION BASES – EMERGENCY [/underlined]

[underlined] SQDN. No A/C. DIV. BASE [/underlined]

[underlined] GARDENERS. [/underlined]

428 4 } FORD

[underlined] (SMOLT.) [/underlined] (AMENDED TO TROUT.)
408 15 } DOCKING
426 9 } DOCKING

[underlined] Z – 798 [/underlined]
420 14 } BRADWELL BAY
425 13 } BRADWELL BAY
432 15 } BRADWELL BAY
424 16 } STRADISHALL
427 16 } STRADISHALL
429 16 } STRADISHALL
419 8 } CHEDBURGH
428 12 } CHEDBURGH
433 16 } CHEDBURGH
431 16 } WRATTING COMMON
434 16 } WRATTING COMMON

[underlined] Crash O/428 [/underlined] JP-199

[underlined] Crew list: [/underlined]
Pilot. — J3716 — S/L McGugan F R — Found dead in crash.
Nav. — J20246 — F/O Steele T L — Baled out O.K.
A/Bom. — J22437 — F/O England G A — Baled out O.K. [inserted] Latest Report Killed. [/inserted][symbol]
F/Eng. — 1635279 — Sgt Ellis R F — Baled out O.K.
Wop/Ag. — R97454 — W/O Mason N C — Baled out O.K.
MUG. — 1682079 — Sgt Eyre L W — Baled out O.K.
R/G. — R197322 — Sgt Laford L E — Baled out O.K.

Posn. of crash. Mount Farm – P9913, (RAF.) CAT. E.
GUARD – RAF. MOUNT FARM

Informed – SASO [symbol] EQUIP [symbol]
AIR I [symbol] ENG. [symbol]
Cont. [symbol] P4 [symbol]

To AIR I
NON - STARTERS. 408/N – MAG DROP EARLY RETURN
(LEGITIMATE) 426/D – MAG DROP 426/M – S.O.E. U/S.
425/S – MAG DROP CSU. U/S.

[page break]

[underlined] Thursday. Apl 20th 1944. [/underlined]

1450 / V.I.P. a/c TRAIL / From Millford [sic]. Landed at Middleton. Staying overnight. 12 Gr. M.L.S. informed.

1500 / Emergency Dvn. Bases. / Received from C.F.C. and allotted as on page opposite. All information passed to Stations.

18.30 / Off duty. H L Spence F/O
On duty J D Cleland F/L

20.30 / Times / of operational efforts passed to 61 Base.

20.30 / Night Flying / schedule passed to C.F.C.

21.30 / Division / Call-signs etc passed to Groups concerned.

23.05 / Balloons / Norwich, Lowestoft, Yarmouth & possibly Humber balloons are now up to oper. height – 6500 ft. 62 Base informed.

[underlined] Friday. Apl 21st 1944. [/underlined]

01.00 / Crash O/428. / Crashed near Mt. Farm (P9913) Aircraft reported as being on fire in the air. Both navigator & Rear gunner baled out & have been found. They believe all the rest of the crew also baled out. Navigator is at Clifton Hampden 3.

03.30 / Crash O/428. / 4 crew now safe. Pilot found killed in crash.

05.00 / Summary passed to C.F.C.

07.55 / A/428 / From M.S.G :- They received a telephone call from [deleted] Norwich [/deleted] 120 Station USAAF [inserted] 2nd US B.D. (Attlebridge) that A/428 had crashed near Attlebridge. Four of crew Ford, Ardis, Corrigan, Shaw are in Norwich hospital, seriously injured. Three members of crew had baled out over France.
Nav. B/A & W/Op baled out.

0900 / O/428 / Ex Mid. S. G. – Bomb aimer and Rear Gunner safe at Mount Farm.

0900 / Off watch F/L CLELAND On Watch B.T. O’Beirn F/O

1015 / X/431 / F/L Smith of Gransden is at Edgehill – checking fuel consumption and hydraulics.

[page break]

428/A JP 113.

[underlined] CREW – [/underlined]

CAPT – F/L FORD. CG. – J-21372 - Scalp lacerations
– NAV F/O McGREGOR – J-14675 – Baled out over France
– A/B P/O HENRY – J-19136 – Baled out over France
F/ENG Sgt CARRIGAN J.W. – 1867113 – Severe lacerations of Right leg.
– WOP/AIR F/S JONES. E.S. – 1089363 – Baled out over France.
MUG F/O ARDIS B.D. – J-26495 – Rib fracture, lacerations.
R.G. P/O SHAW A. – 54773 – Head injuries, unconscious.

The four injured members in Norfolk County Hospital.
Posn. of crash near ATTLEBRIDGE (NORFOLK) 2nd U.S.B.D.

CAT. E

Informed – SASO [symbol] ENG [symbol]
AIR I [symbol] EQUIP [symbol]
CONT [symbol]

AUSTER – MY – 126 landed Linton 1335 from Acklington to Doncaster owing to weather.
T.O. 1504 for Four Oaks.
Wellington LN-456 left 61 Base (Top.) 1450 for Seighford.

[page break]

1030 / VIP GEN. CRERAR / Anson 191 left Dishforth at 1030 for Redhill. Pilot F/O GARTHWAITE F.C.L.O. & M.L.S. inf.

1031 / V.I.P. A/C TRAIL / PROCTOR LZ-571 took off at 1012 for Hendon from Middleton – Informed Hendon, F.C.L.O. 12. MLS 12. – & requested Whitehall Ext. 5646. to send a car to meet a/c Trail at 1200 hrs.

1205 / W/426 / Hal. left Linton at 1204 for Alconbury - Major Stephenson pilot a/c Hawber.

1215 / V/429 / Instructed to return before 1500 hrs and to bring crew of N/426.

1315 / L.F.B. / No 2 Flamboro’ – 290° T [deleted] 0005 – 0105 [/deleted][inserted][symbol] 0135 – 0235. [/inserted]

Balloons / – Yeovil – C.H. – 1500’ 2145 – 2245 0001 – 0100

1600 / F/L Smith reports that they expect to open another 6 Grp servicing unit at Thorney Is.

1727 / 11 Grp / – Report a “body” found near area of Mount Farm Crash O/428 – No identification – yet all crew of O/428 accounted for.

1830 / Off watch B.T. O’Beirn F/O
On duty H L Spence F/O.

1900 / Crash O/428 / Ref. entry 0900 hrs. [inserted] & 1727 hrs. [/inserted] Ex 11 & 91 Groups & M. St. G. F/O England (Bomb Aimer) now reported killed – parachute failed to open. Body at Harwell.

1925 / Dvn. Base Emergency. / Middle Wallop allotted by C.F.C. for emergency. Gen. passed to Skipton.

1930 / Early Return 426/M / Ex 62 Base. C.T.O. informed the mfn was a legitimate E.R.

2050 / N.F. / Summary to C.F.C.

[page break]

[underlined] Perch [/underlined]

LFB at Orfordness 290° T from 0215 – 0315 hrs
Harwich Balloons will be at oper. ht. 6500 ft.
Billingham Balloons: close-hauled – 1930 – 22.30 hrs.
0145 – 04.30 hrs.

[underlined] Z604 [/underlined]
LFB. Selsey Bill 355° T from 0040 – 0140 hrs.

Langley, Weybridge } Balloons at 1500 ft from 2145 – 2245 hrs
0020 – 0120 hrs
Portsmouth, Southampton } Balloons at 1500 ft from 2145 – 2245 hrs
0020 – 0120 hrs

Billingham Balloons: Close-hauled 1930 – 22.30 hrs
0145 – 04.30 hrs.

[underlined] Diversion Bases [/underlined]

Emergency Petrol: 419 Sdn } to Ford.
428 Sdn } to Ford.
434 Sdn } to Ford.
431 Sdn Little Snoring
427 Sdn } Docking
429 Sdn } Docking
424 Sdn } Coltishall
433 Sdn } Coltishall
420 Sdn } West Raynham
425 Sdn } West Raynham
432 Sdn Hardwick
408 Sdn } Foulsham.
426 Sdn } Foulsham.

[page break]

2306 / Emerg. Base Mid. Wallop. / 10 Gp say weather at m/n aerodrome not too good. Advised HQ met. who will check & ring back.

[underlined] 22 April 1944 – Saturday [/underlined]

0023 / S/16 O.T.U. Barford St John / Ex 62 Base:- S/16 O.T.U. landed 2359 at Linton. Reason – Stb’d motor losing 400 Revs. Will remain overnite. Advised F/C 92 Gp.

0425 / N.F. / All X-C’s landed.

09.00 / Off duty HL Spence F/O.
On duty JD Cleland F/L.

10.00 / O/428 / Controller, SASO, GTI, GAI, F/L Stubbs, P4, Air I informed that F/O England was killed.

11.03 / S/16 O.T.U. / Took off from Linton for Barford St. John.

11.15 / Permission by Air I for Linton to send Oil cooler down by Oxford to Nuneaton.

12.05 / Spitfire / FG/Catfoss landed at Eastmoor. Engine trouble.

1830 / Off watch F/L CLELAND. On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O

1850 / Martinett from Pocklington landed Eastmoor at 1844. – Took off for Catfoss at 1944.

2055 / HAL/426 / – Permission granted for 408 sqdn to send a crew and a special work party to verify that S/408 is serv. at Docking and to bring it back. Hal/426 to take off early to-morrow.

2219 / Intruders reported in Yarmouth area. Our X/C a/c will not be in the area until near midnight.

2340 / Intruders disappeared.

[underlined] SUNDAY 23RD. APRIL / 44. [/underlined]

0030 / 431/C / – Bogged – blocking perimeter – Permission granted to debomb it.

0035 / Flashes in the sky – F.C.L.O. 12 GRP. – report that yard 9 & 10 believe them to be T.I. flares on misson Bombing Range.

[page break]

Q/408.
Mid UNDER GUNNER – has broken arm due to evasive action.
a/c – set in.

[underlined] CRASH. [/underlined] 1659/G (R9384) – [underlined] CREW LIST & CONDITION [/underlined]

NO. / TRADE / RANK / NAME & INITIALS / CONDITION

/ PILOT / P/O / HERBERT H.M. J85150 / all killed.
/ W/O / Sgt / LAMMAN A.L. R144120 / all killed.
/ R/G. / Sgt / DAWSON R.F. R202351 / all killed.
/ F/E / Sgt / ELLEMS T. 858945 / all killed.
/ M/U / Sgt / McGOVERN, JJ. R210726 / all killed.

a/c written off.

[underlined] ADVISED [/underlined] –

S.A.S.O [symbol]
AIR I [symbol]
CONTROLLER [symbol]
G.T.I [symbol]
G.A.I. [symbol]
C. of A.
ENG. [symbol]
EQPT. [symbol]
P.4. [symbol]
A.O.C. [symbol]

[page break]

[underlined] Sunday Apl 23 / 44. [/underlined]

0225 / ALL STN / – Informed all stations that Americans had 15 a/c shot down over bases on return. Southdown warned us to be ready for this on our return and that F.C. be prepared to send our a/c on intruder evasion routes.

0238 / 431/X / – proceeding to jettison M.L.O. requests to jettison at 5410N 0050E. – Croft to send this message to 431/X.

0400 / Local N.F. finished. No snags.

0500 / 5 Grp / – 1 a/c shot down over base by intruders.

0800 / C.F.C. / Passed summary of diversions to C.F.C. & to F/L SMITH.

0900 / Off Watch B.T. O’Beirn F/O
On watch H.L. Spence F/O.

1200 – 1315 / 432/X / 62 Base requested permission to fly crew to Wigsley to pick up mfn. (Crew still there) Later changed request to take 2 ground crew to service aircraft. Checked with W.O. Barton at Wigsley & learned a/c is now serviceable. Informed 62 Base it was not necessary to send a/c down.

1130 / A.T.C’s at Wombleton / 61 Base asked if O.K. to take some of those 26 on local flying this P.M. Air I ruled it to be at Station Commander’s discretion.

1230 / L.F.B. [symbol] 2 / On 270° from 0300 hrs [inserted] 0230 [/inserted] to 0430 hrs. [inserted] 0330 [/inserted]

Balloons / Billingham close hauled from 2030 hrs [inserted] 2000 [/inserted] to 2200 hrs and from 0230 hrs to 0430 hrs.

1440 / 1659/G [underlined] CRASH. [/underlined] / Ex 61 Base. Crash near Topcliffe village. Dishforth Topcliffe & Skipton tenders dispatched & MO & ambulance from Skipton. Later:- a/c was on Circuits & landings. Took off on runway 27, got nicely airborne an [sic] then crashed about 1 mile south of Topcliffe Village (towards Catton). Thirsk N.F.S. also on scene. Time of crash approx 1435 hrs. Burning. Engine caught fire in air, a/c plunged to earth at 60° angle. Topcliffe taking action.

[page break]

[underlined] missing from SWEET PEA [/underlined] target

428/Z – LW 285 – F/O BLAKE M.V. CAPT.

[symbol] EQUIP inf
[symbol] C of A.

Crashed in Swedish coastal waters, Pilot believed drowned in a/c. Six of crew interned in Sweden.

2 Whitleys + gliders took off at 1000 hrs for Linton from Seeland

[page break]

[underlined] – Sunday. Apl 23rd 1944 – [/underlined]

N.B. / [underlined] D.F.C.O’s [/underlined] / The A.O.C is interested in all casualties within the Group – whether operational or training. In future he is to be informed of [underlined] all [/underlined] crashes

1640 / Crash / Pilot of 408/L on local flying reported an aircraft exploding in air and wreckage on ground, at about 6 1/2 miles south-east of York, near an aerodrome, at 1610 hrs. Informed F.C.L.O. 12 who stated there had been a crash near Elvington of a 4 eng aircraft, but no details known. Promised to let us know if it concerned us.

1825 / L.F.B. [symbol] 2 / Revised times 0230 to 0330 hrs.

Balloons / Revised times 2000 to 2200 hrs & 0230 to 0430 hrs.

1815 / Darky / Croft report a/c calling but unable to contact him. 61 Base, Leeming nor M.S.G. have heard it. Nothing from 12 Gr.

1830 / Off duty H.L. Spence F/O.
18.30 / On duty. / J.D. Cleland F/L

20.30 / Entry 16.40 / Not one of our aircraft. All our day-flying aircraft have now landed.

22.00 / Night Flying / passed to C.F.C.

[underlined] Monday. Apl 24 / 44 [/underlined]

02.55 / SOS Bomber / Coming in over coast near Whitby. Asked Wombleton to light Sandras for him.

03.19 / SOS Bomber / Landed OK at Middleton. Probably faulty I.F.F.

03.51 / Oper. Flying / Last aircraft down. Z/428 missing.

0845 / Off watch F/L CLELAND. On watch B.T. O’Beirn F/O.

0920 / V/1664 / – To jettison bombs – 30 miles east of Flamboro. – X/C. Route 14. – Correction – posn – 5400N 0200E

1025 / Hal/426 / – Request permission for X/C slapping & L Woodbridge to pick up secret equipment – Request refused. To send secret equipment by train

[page break]

[underlined] CRASH [/underlined]

[underlined] 425/C [/underlined] MZ-525 Gp – Fighter Affiliation.

Pos’n – 2 1/2 miles east of Topcliffe E-9199. Topcliffe – sent crash tender & ambulance.
GUARD – DALTON.

[underlined] 9. KILLED. [/underlined] A/C CAT E.

[underlined] CREW. [/underlined]
PILOT. – 10601611 FLT/O. KRAUSE P.E. (AM.) – Killed
PILOT. J-24961 F/O GILLIES J.A. – Killed
W/OP. 1330246 Sgt. WEST C. – Killed
MU/G. R-198670 Sgt PICKERING D. – Killed
R.G. R-163091 Sgt LEACH J.P. – Killed
ENG. 1808537 Sgt HIGGINS A.J. – Killed
GUN. R-189329 Sgt. SMITH R.W. – Killed
GUN. R-192536 Sgt CAMPBELL K.F. – Killed
RADAR. R-74336 CPL WILCOX L.R. – Killed

INFORMED – A.O.C. [symbol] EQUIP. [symbol]
SASO [symbol] ENG. [symbol]
AIR I [symbol] PA. [symbol]
SOC. [symbol] C. of A. [symbol]
S.F.C. [symbol]
G.A.I. [symbol]
C.T.I. [symbol]

[underlined] PIKE [/underlined]

ROUTE – I L.F. BEACON – [symbol] 14 DUNGENESS – 360° T 0230 – 0330.

[underlined] 11 Grp [/underlined] ROUTE – II L.F. BEACON [symbol] 13 BRADWELL BAY – 330° T. 0230 – 0330

BALLOONS. Both Routes.

Thames ESTUARY. } 0200 – 0400.
CHELMSFORD. } 0200 – 0400.
CANTERBURY. } 0200 – 0400.

GARDENS.

[symbol] BILLINGHAM BALLOONS – C.H. – 2045 – 2200
0100 – [deleted] 0245 [/deleted] [inserted] 0300 [/inserted]

11 [symbol] LANGLEY, WEYBRIDGE } – 1500’ 2245 – 0030
PORTSMOUTH, SOUTHAMPTON } – 1500’ 2245 – 0030

10 [symbol] YEOVIL. – 1500’ { 2220 – [deleted] 2250 [/deleted] [inserted] 2320 [/inserted]
{ [deleted] 0045 [/deleted] [inserted] 0030 [/inserted] – 0135

10 [symbol] [deleted] CHELTENHAM [/deleted] [inserted] BROCKWORTH [/inserted] – 1500’ { 2220 – 2250
{ 0045 – 0135

11 [symbol] V.L.F. Beacon – Selsey Bill 355° T 2340 – 0040

[page break]

MONDAY APRIL 24.

1030 / Parachute exercises – Rumour from 62 Base – 62 Grp lanc no word of it.

[boxed] DFCO’s [/boxed] / All officers are to read AM.C.O. A45/44 on Air Sea Rescue Procedure and [symbol] reporting sightings, etc. [signature]

1137 / 425/C [underlined] CRASH [/underlined] / 62 Base report black smoke NW of Tholthorpe.

1138 / 425/C [underlined] CRASH [/underlined] / 61 Base report C/425 crashed 2 1/2 miles due east of Topcliffe – GRID E-9199

1150 / 425/C [underlined] CRASH [/underlined] / F/S Wilson of Hurr on F/A with 425/C reported “C” was at 4000’ and Hurricane went into a dive to attack it. “C” pulled out too sharply & Hurricane went up to gain height. “C” went into a flat spin & did about 2 turns before hitting the ground.

1300 / 425/C [underlined] CRASH [/underlined] / nine bodies recovered. a/c completely burned out Cat. E. Guard – Dalton.

1350 / Balloons and Beacons laid on. See opposite page.

1430 / C.F.C. / Request for 5 Emergency Diversion bases in East Anglia.

1440 / [underlined] S.F.C.O. [/underlined] / G/C Rutledge of Eastmoor wants to contact S/L Stanley re – F.C.O’s

1450 / MARTINET / MS – 558 at Dalton – Taxiing slowly, wind caught it and threw it on starboard wing and starboard U/C collapsed. – 20 yds off R/W in use.

1530 / 16 Grp / – Sea Search of 6 a/c based on last nights sightings. nil report re missing 428/Z

[page break]

[blank page]

[page break]

0420 to 0500. / Diversion 420 & 425 a/c. / Ex62 Base: 425/J undercarriage collapsed and runway in use [deleted] collapsed [/deleted] [inserted] obstructed [/inserted] Requested Station to send them. Controller suggested Middleton but latter also had obstructed runway. Keyed up Croft, but before diverting they also became partially obstructed and while their own a/c could cope did not want strangers to chance an overshoot. Contacted 61 Base & had Wombleton keyed up to handle them. Passed c/s & a/c letters. Meantime 420/N, K, & 425/W, E had been diverted to Croft, who agreed to take them. Then as 425/E had no brake pressure it was redirected to Wombleton. All 4 landed OK.
Wombleton were standing by to refuel all other 14 a/c but only 425/E landed. Checked 62 Base to learn they were diverting within their own base. Poor show not informing us after panicking for a diversion base.

0547. / Ops. / Last a/c landed. – 6 missing.

0730. / a/c away. / Diversion Summary passed to C.F.C.

a/c at Croft. / 420 & 425 a/c at Croft to stand by for return at 1200 hrs. Croft informed.

a/c away / Were instructed to stand by for morning return.

0830 / a/c away / Told 3 Group serviceable aircraft could return – Tholthorpes to come to Linton instead of base.

0900 / Off duty / H.L. Spence F/O.
09.00 / On duty / J.D. Cleland F/L.

09.30 / All aircraft serviceable away told to return immediately.

11.24 / G/429 & K/433 / Both at Woodbridge. CFC report them CAT AC so we instructed both crews to [deleted word] return by rail. Informed stations concerned.

[page break]

[underlined] Z 801 [/underlined]

L.F.B. Beachy Head 300° T from [deleted] 01.20 – 02.20 [/deleted] [inserted] 03.45 – 04.45 [/inserted] hrs.

Balloons: Langley, Weybridge { [deleted] 22.40 – 23.40 [/deleted] [inserted] 01.05 – 02.05 [/inserted]
{ [deleted] 01.45 – 02.45 [/deleted] [inserted] 03.10 – 05.40 [/inserted]

[underlined] Z 800 B [/underlined]

L.F.B. Beachy Head 300° T from [deleted] 01.50 – 02.50 [/deleted] [inserted] 0415 – 0515 [/inserted]

Balloons: Billingham: [deleted] 21.20 – 23.15 [/deleted] [inserted] 23.45 – 01.40 [/inserted]
[deleted] 03.20 – 05.20 [/deleted] [inserted] 05.45 – 07.45 [/inserted]

Langley, Weybridge [deleted] 02.15 – 03.15 [/deleted] [inserted] 04.40 – 05.40 [/inserted]

[page break]

[underlined] Tuesday. Apl 25th 1944 [/underlined]

11.30 / Ex 9 Gp. / Query about XGV “O” who was heard calling M.S.G. and never received answer. Checked with DSO here who found that “Q” had called & been given a QTE at 10.59. No calls heard from “O” We have a monitoring watch on M.S.G. this morning. Passed to 9 Gp.

1830 / Off watch F/L CLELAND. On watch B.T. O’Beirn F/O.

1930 / L.F.B. & Balloons times changed.

2135 / 61 Base / Request permission to send Bomber code message on HF/DF to 1666 a/c – Be at Goole at 15000’. – S.O.C. OK’d it.

2150 / W/T Room / Call sign of 433 – LAG – incorrect should read LAJ
Checked with Skipton – c/s is LAJ on their pro forma – just an error in passing it to 6 Grp. – Crews have correct call signs and error corrected 3 hrs before take off.

2220 / Smoke – / 61 Base report black smoke & small flames – 6 miles east of Wombleton.
ROCLO. – say it is army manoeuvres [sic].

2300 / 61 Base / – Topcliffe HF/DF having difficulty contacting 1666 a/c – with message. “Require fly at 20,000’ to Goole.” Request us to send it on MF Section K at 2330 – 2335 & again at 0001 – 0005.

2330 / Ops cancelled. – Also cancelled message to 1666 a/c.

2343 / Red flares – reported by 61 Base – pos’n between Dishforth & Tholthorpe.
ROCLO – say it is army manoeuvres [sic].

2345 / CROFT / Leaving marshalled a/c on A/D

2345 / Skipton / Leaving marshalled a/c on R/W – 27

[page break]

[blank page]

[page break]

WEDNESDAY 26th APRIL.

0310 / RAFNI. / – 1664/B was heard calling QTF – “O” – Given a bearing by Belfast as 160° II – at 0216.
Inf. 61 Base, & Grp Sigs

0315 / 428/Z / – missing since 23 April – now reported crashed in Swedish coastal waters – pilot believed to be still in a/c. Six others of crew are interned in Sweden, ( – M.U/G – wounded & in hospital) a/c attacked by German fighter from Denmark.

0420 / 1664/H / Roclo report a/c apparently lost near Middleton –

Mid – Croft & Leeming lit up & prepared. – Course plotted.
Croft report a/c near them calling Darky – on 3 engines, short of petrol must land. Croft answered by nemo as a/c did not give a call sign.
a/c stooged up & down near Leeming, then went east about 10 miles. Finally Dishforth contacted “H” on R/T & by use of sandras & pyros – vis 10 miles & clear sky – attracted pilots attention.

0507 / 1666/H / “H” landed safely at Dishforth.

0545 / Dishforth D.F.C.O. – reports that pilot was a bit “shaken” because his F/Eng told him he had only 15 min. of petrol left when he was at Middlesboro. – Croft say pilot was screaming on Darky.
Check of petrol to be made in the morning as he should have had 9 hrs of petrol for 7 1/2 hour trip.

0550 / ROCLO / – Informed [inserted] R.O.C.L.O. [/inserted] that pilot was not sure of his position – R.O.C. pleased to know they helped save him – Granite scheme not used, as he was not far enough west.
N.F. completed – all safe.

[page break]

[underlined] DIVERSION BASES - EMERGENCY ONLY [/underlined]

[underlined] SQN A/C STATION [/underlined]

419 6 } WESTCOTT
428 14 } WESTCOTT
434 11 } WING
427 16 } WING
431 14 } STRADISHALL
429 14 } STRADISHALL
424 15 } STRADISHALL
433 13 } CHEDBURGH
432 15 } CHEDBURGH
420 12 ] CHEDBURGH
425 12 } WRATTING COMMON
468 16 } WRATTING COMMON
426 8 } WRATTING COMMON

Note: 1528 hrs. / FCLO 12 reported advice from army authorities of an a/c (Halifax) force landing in Abel 29. Neither Wombleton nor Eastmoor have anything on it. a/c of 61 Base flying in area were requested to be on look-out for it without success. Went back to 12 Group on 3 occasions to get more definite information & pin point without success.

1830 / They are checking Church Fenton again for more particulars.

18.50 / Wombleton have had aircraft searching in the area, but nothing found. Believed to be a false alarm. Passed to 12 Gp.

[page break]

WED. 26th APRIL

0815 / C.F.C. / No diversions last night.

0900 / Proctor Com. Flt. / Reserved for 62 Base Signals Officer from 1100 to 1400 hrs. going to Skipton

Off duty F/O O’Beirn
On duty H.L. Spence. F/O.

1045 / Proposed ERIC 27-4-44. / Ex A.D.G.B. (F/L Napier) to be confirmed tomorrow.
Timing:- 1545 – 1600 hrs (near Weymouth)
Route:- Base – Kettering - Uskfield (Sussex) – Looe (Cornwall) – [deleted] Barry [/deleted] – Leicester Base.
Heights: Operational.
Window: To be dropped –
(a) Between Arundle [sic] & Poole
(b) Between Brampton [inserted] 51N 0330W [/inserted] (Devon) & [deleted] Capstowe [/deleted] [inserted] Chepstow [/inserted] NR. (Bristol)
Rate: 4 bales (together) every 15 seconds. (250 bales in each track)
Fighter Interception [inserted] 15 front [/inserted] along the route – with concentration of if in window areas. Passed to 61 Base. [inserted] maximum combat manoeuvre when night fighters attack [/inserted]

1200 / Bulls Eye. / Not laid on for today.

1330 / L.F.B. [symbol] 2 / On 300° T from 0100 hrs to 0200 hrs [inserted] GAMDOSS [/inserted]
On 270° T from [deleted] 0350 [/deleted] [inserted] 0320 [/inserted] hrs to [deleted] 0450 [/deleted] [inserted] 0420 [/inserted] hrs. [inserted] BH [/inserted]

Special / On 315° T from 0115 hrs to 0215 hrs. at Beachy Head [inserted] Z801 [/inserted]

L.F.B. [symbol] 13 / On 300 T from [deleted] 0315 0320 [/deleted] [inserted] 0245 [/inserted] hrs to [deleted] 0415 0420 [/deleted] [inserted] 0345 [/inserted] hrs. [inserted] BH [/inserted]

Balloons / Billingham will be close hauled from [deleted] 2100 [/deleted] [inserted] 2030 hrs [/inserted] to 0530 hrs. [inserted] BH. [/inserted]

[inserted] Z801 [/inserted] Langley } Controlled 1500ft. From 2245 hrs to 0230 hrs.
Weybridge } Controlled 1500ft. From 2245 hrs to 0230 hrs.

[inserted] Z801 [/inserted] Southampton } Controlled at 1500ft. From 2300 hrs to 2345 hrs.
Portsmouth } Controlled at 1500ft. From 2300 hrs to 2345 hrs.

Chelmsford } Controlled at 1500ft. From 0300 [inserted] 0230 [/inserted] hrs to 0430 [inserted] 0400 [/inserted] hrs. [inserted] BH. [/inserted]
Thames Est. } Controlled at 1500ft. From 0300 [inserted] 0230 [/inserted] hrs to 0430 [inserted] 0400 [/inserted] hrs.

1530 / Emerg. Div. Bases / Conferred with Controller & Met. Requested 3 stations in 3 Group and 2 in 91 or 92 Groups all to be high ground stations. Secured & allotted on opposite page. Passed to Stations 1630 hrs.

[page break]

408/U DS-719 Missing from Bullhead.
Pilot F/O ROGNAN
W/e Guish – Equip Off [symbol] P4 [symbol]

Oxford Z 7218 T.O. from Dishforth at 1103 for Leconfield.

Bullseye (Combined Command)
Form B. T.73.

Route – Base – Mablethorpe – 5420N 0600E
5350N 0630E – 5400 – 0500E
Spalding – Northampton Base

[page break]

Tuesday [underlined] April 26th 1944 Wednesday. [/underlined]

1715. / M.S.G. Oxford Investigate O/428. / Permission requested for F/L Betcher to take Station Oxford to Harwell. To investigate the accident of S/L McGugan. (crash O/428 20-21 of April) Not granted. Travel by train. M.S.G. informed.

1800 / L.F.B. [symbol] 2. / Revised on 270° T. Now from 0320 to 0420 hrs.
L.F.B. [symbol] 13. / Revised on 300° T. Now from 0245 to 0345 hrs.

Balloons / Billingham now close hauled from 2030 to 0530 hrs.

Chelmsford & Thames estuary controlled at 1500 ft from 0230 to 0400 hrs.

Stations informed.

1830 / Off duty H.L. Spence F/O.
18.30 / On duty. J.D. Cleland F/L

[underlined] Thursday. Apl 27th 1944. [/underlined]

05.00 / Permission granted by Air I for S/L Hoodspith & S/L Miller (Radar) to fly to Leconfield tomorrow.

05.00 / All Oper. / aircraft landed. One Lancaster missing – 408/U

08.20 / K/434 / Landed at Wing and was told to return as soon as possible this morning.

0900 / Off watch F/L CLELAND On watch B.T. O’Beirn F/O.

1025 / Eric / – scrubbed – Replaced by special Bullseye. Inf. Met. Grp 61B.

1045 / 426/Hal. / 62 Base request permission for a trip to Woodbridge to pick up guns, camera, Radios & special Radar Equip.
Permission refused for Hal – May take Oxford or send it on the train.

1110 / 427/A / Leeming request permission to fly a crew to Stradishall.
Permission for a/c to go if it is [underlined] not [/underlined] to be used to-night.

[page break]

[underlined] Z-599 [/underlined]

12 [symbol] Billingham Balloons – 2245 – 0045
[underlined] 0400 – 0545 [/underlined]

2045 – 0045
0130 – 0545

[deleted] Ipswich [/deleted] [inserted] Harwich [/inserted] } 0045[symbol] – 0130 0245 – 0345
11 [symbol] Chelmsford } 0045[symbol] – 0130 0245 – 0345
Thames Estuary } 0045[symbol] – 0130 0245 – 0345

[underlined] Z B907 [/underlined]

12 [symbol] L.F.B. [symbol] 2 Flamboro 270° T – 0320 – 0420

[symbol] Billingham Balloons – 2130 – [underlined] 0005 [/underlined] 0230 – [underlined] 0500 [/underlined] [inserted] } 2045 – 0045 0130 – 0545 [/inserted]

[underlined] Gardeners [/underlined]

11 [symbol] L.F.B. Selsey Bill [inserted] – 355° T 0015 – 0115
11
[symbol] Balloons – Langley & Weybridge } – 2300 – 2345 0015 – 0115
Southampton & Portsmouth } – 2300 – 2345 0015 – 0115

10 [symbol] Balloons – Yeovil 2245 – 2345 0030 – 0130

12 [symbol] Balloons – Billingham – } [underlined] 2045 [/underlined] – 2230 [underlined] 0130 [/underlined] – 0300

[underlined] GR 3682 [/underlined]

11 [symbol] L.F.B. [symbol] 15 – 325° T – 0420 – 0520

11 [symbol] Langley & Weybridge – 2225 – 2325
1500’ 0430 – 0545

Diversion – Emergency Petrol
426 } – 7 – [underlined] Tangmere. [/underlined]
408 } – 12 – [underlined] Tangmere. [/underlined]

[underlined] EMERGENCY DIVERSION BASES [/underlined]

[underlined] SQN [/underlined] [underlined] A/C [/underlined] [underlined] STATION [/underlined]

408 & 426 19 TANGMERE
428 8 BOSCOMBE DOWN
428 & 419 } 35 LITTLE SNORING
432 } 35 LITTLE SNORING
424 & 433 28 FOULSHAM
427 & 429 28 SWANTON MORLEY
420 & 425 27 WEST RAYNHAM
434 & 431 27 SCULTHORPE.

[page break]

1145 / VIP / – AVM Cable arrived Wombleton by a/c at 1130. – A.V.M. McEwan & W/C Palmer had decided to return to 6 Grp prior to that time.

1225 / C.F.C. / Request for 1 Emergency Petrol Base south for Lancs (20)

1300 / VIP. / Proctor T6322 with AVM Capel T.O. at 1250 from Wombleton for Topcliffe. Landed 1314. A.V.M. McEwan sending a car to Top. to pick him up.

1500 / CFC. / Tangmere given as Emergency base for 426 & 408 on GR 3682.

1750 / V.I.P. / Proctor T 6322 – AVM Capel T.O. from Dishforth at 1745. for Linton.

1830 / [deleted] Off [/deleted] [inserted] On [/inserted] H L Spence F/O.
Off duty F/O O’Beirn.

1845 / Emerg. Dvn. Bases. / Received from C.F.C. & allotted as an opposite page. “Gen” passed to Stations.

2030. / Emerg. Dvn. Bases. / 100 Group state C.F.C. had not informed them of Emergency Diversion bases laid on for us in their Group. However it’s O.K.

2130 / 61 Base W/T o/s. / Wrong ones phoned in originally. Corrected. Signals “bull” at 61 Base.

2220 / N.F. / Summary to C.F.C.

2300 / 11 Group Balloons / At operational Heights.

2355 / 10 Gr. Balloons / At operational Heights.

2335 / Bulls Eye 1666 a/c Taxi Accident. / Taxi accident holding up T.O. of 4 a/c. Marshalling as for operational take off. 4 of these aircraft on Bulls Eye not airborne. Unlikely to take off.

[page break]

[underlined] TAXY ACCIDENT. [/underlined]

H/1666 – J.B. 859 – Cat [deleted] A/C [/deleted] “A”
T/1666 – J.D. 106 – Cat “A/C.”
R-207621 Sgt. Salem W.J. – Rear Gunner – KILLED.

Advised:
A.O.C. [symbol]
S.A.S.O. [symbol]
Air I [symbol]
Controller [symbol]
P.4 [symbol]
Equipt. [symbol]
Engr. [symbol]
C. of A. [symbol]
G.T.I. [symbol]
G.A.I. [symbol]

[page break]

Friday – April 28/44

0110 / Taxy Accident 1666/H + T / In taxying to Marshalling Post a/c H overran “T”, killing Rear Gunner from o/c N.F. at Wombleton :-
6 a/c detailed, not marshalled, all had to proceed to take-off point (R/W 28) from south side of aerodrome “T” (3rd in line) stopped at take-off position into line. “H” taxyed up & stopped in position, then started forward again, (reason unknown) port inner (and port Outer) engines chewed into the tail of “T”. Lights (nav. nose, Tail, Downward Recos) were being burned by all aircraft. Night bright, plenty of taxy lights.

0120 / 19 O.T.U./“U” Whitley / Landed at Leeming 0100 hrs, no W/T or R/T. Staying overnight. Informed 91 Group F.C.

0140 / German Night Fighters / Ex 11 Group:- Operating near Ostend, about where our bombers are. For our information.

0400 / Enemy Activity / One hostile plotted in Norfolk. Stations informed.

0445 / Enemy Activity / Hostile showing at Nottingham.

0730 / A/C landed away. / Summary to C.F.C.

0830 / 408/K Crew. / If mfn aircraft can be made serviceable for return tomorrow morning, crew are to remain at Tangmere Otherwise, 426/M which is at Ford is to bring the crew back from Tangmere with them to-day. Instructions passed to F.C.L.O. 11 Group & 6 Group servicing Unit at Gransden Lodge for transmission to F/L. Smith at Thorney Island.

0900 / Off duty H.L. Spence.
0900 / On duty J.D. Cleland F/L.

09.30 / O/432 / at Woodbridge. Crew told to return by rail.

10.10 / K/408 & M/426 / Told to return soon as possible.

[page break]

W/C Laine T.O. from Linton for Gransden Lodge at 1836.

Tiger Moth landed Middleton 2035 on [symbol] 6 R/W & took off & landed again on same R/W without circuiting. Then took off and landed on [symbol] 5 R/W – the R/W in use – and then [indecipherable word] away – Who? – Possibly T Moth 9444 – Engineer from Hendon who was staying at Dishforth.

[page break]

Friday April 28/44

1800 / 420/E / At Hethel – 2nd USBD. – now serv. may return to-morrow when crew sent.

1830 / Off watch F/L CLELAND. On watch B.T. O’Beirn F/O.

1900 / 424/J / – a/c required a new wing – MU/G slightly injured by flak
Skipton inf. – crew instructed to return by train.

2300 / HF/DF / [inserted] TOPCLIFFE [/inserted] Sense finder U/S. – If a/c require a bearing they will be instructed to use Leeming HF/DF

2310 / Fire / – reported [inserted] at 2205 [/inserted] by 61 Base at Norton Le Clay E-89 – 2 1/2 miles S.E. of Dishforth proved to be a chicken coop. Owing to a hasty report turned in to Dishforth F.C. their crash tender was dispatched.

2330 / 61 Base / Topcliffe F.C. report chandelier flares and small explosions near Catterick – ROCLO say it is a wood fire.
Also flashes in the direction of Hull – R.O.C.L.O. report 3 bombing ranges near the Humber.

[underlined] Saturday April 29, 1944 [/underlined]

0215 / Bullseye a/c landed safely. – Opened lines and plotted 1664/B and 1666/S. (both overdue) until they landed. N.F. completed in 61 Base.

0330 / X/C / Last of X/C landed Wombleton beginning C & B’s. Inf. 12 Grp M.L.O. & F.C.L.O. & C.F.C.

0507 / 12 GRP / – F.C.L.O. reports a 4 Grp a/c short of petrol near Topcliffe heading toward Wombleton. Request for Top. Skipton, Wombl. to light up & call Nemo.

0510 / 4 Grp think a/c is “Elsie” or Background “X” x-ray.

[page break]

[blank page]

[page break]

SAT. APRIL 29 1944

0535 / Lost a/c / FCLO now believe a/c to be a Liberator on weather test stooging about until dawn.

0540 / Lost a/c / Leeming heard Darky call from “Z” Liberator – Leeming & Croft answered – no joy.
F.C.L.O. say another a/c (Halifax) heading over Wombleton toward Scarborough. Request Wombleton to contact him.

0600 / Lost a/c / All stations stood down – 4 Grp a/c missing and must be out of petrol. Liberator got his position and headed south. Other a/c over Wombleton was a Well. on W/X test.

0845 / 4 Grp / – Lost 1 a/c on X/C.

0850 / 62 Base / Request permission for Tholthorpe to send Hal. to Hethel with crew to pick up 420/E OK’d by Air I – 62 Informed.

0900 / Off duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O.
On duty H.L. Spence F/O

1120 / Night Bombing 431 Sqn / 8 a/c will be dropping 2 bombs each on following Ranges tonight between 2200 hrs & 0100 hrs, on cross countries :- Rufford (93 Group), Redway & St. Tudwallis [sic] (91 Group). 91 & 93 informed.

1140 / 431/B Accident 27-28 April. / Following advice from G.A.I. learned from Croft F/C. of taxy – accident by 431/B on return from Ops. night of 27-28th April. Flying Control Croft were not informed and only discovered it the following morning on regular aerodrome inspection. This was not an overshoot, appears to have been a case of Pilot mistaking his dispersal and ending up in a hedge, or having no brakes.

Wombleton Pundit / Ex 61 Base – Now ready to be operative but will be u/s on first scheduled night. Signal Action taken.

1220 / Night Bomb. 431 Sqn. / Ex 91 Gr. St Tudwals not to be used at night. Use Bardsey Island instead. C.F.C. Croft to advise 431 Sqn B.L.

[page break]

[blank page]

[page break]

[underlined] Saturday. Apl 29th 1944. [/underlined]

1200 / Lost 4 Group Aircraft. X-1658 C.U. / Reference entries 0507 & 0845 hrs. Ex 4 Group – This a/c was on X-C over Irish Sea. Was given a QDM at 2259 hrs. which, based on his route, would put him at approx 5435N 0205W [deleted] at 2259 hrs. [/deleted] May have crashed in Pennines or near Middleton on Tees. All 6 Group Stations informed and requested that any a/c flying in the vicinity to keep a sharp lookout for a trace of the missing kite.

1330 / L.F.B. No. 2. / Will be on 295° T from 0030 to 0130 hrs.
L.F.B. Selsey Bill / Will be on 355° T from 2320 to 0020 hrs.

Balloons / Billingham will be close-hauled from 2030 to 2200 hrs. & from 0045 to 0300 hrs.

Yeovil will be at 1500 ft. from 2210 to 2310 hrs. and from 0010 to 0120 hrs.

Brockworth will be at 1500 ft. from 2200 to 2300 hrs and from 0030 to 0140 hrs.

Langley } will be at 1500 ft. from 2200 hrs to 0015 hrs.
Weybridge } will be at 1500 ft. from 2200 hrs to 0015 hrs.
Portsmouth } will be at 1500 ft. from 2200 hrs to 0015 hrs.
Southampton } will be at 1500 ft. from 2200 hrs to 0015 hrs.

1540. / 62 Base Hal. I.F.F. U/S. Air Firing. / Informed M.L.O. 12 that one Halifax (62 Base) would be crossing out at Whitby on Air Firing exercise at approx 1550 [inserted] hrs [/inserted] for 1/2 hr whose I.F.F. was U/S.

1645 / 431/B Accident / Reference entry 1140 hrs. Checked croft for more complete story. S/L Stanley there and has full details.

18.30 / Off duty. F/O Spence.
On duty JD Cleland F/L.

21.00 / 420/E / At Hethel. Will return tomorrow morning. 62 Base informed.

[underlined] Sunday. Apl 30th 1944. [/underlined]

04.30 / Last a/c down in Group.

09.00 / Off duty JD Cleland F/L. On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O

[page break]

Anson landed Linton at 1030 from Jurby. W/T – U/S – Returning when W/T S. [inserted] TO. 1433 [/inserted] Anson landed Topcliffe from South Cerney. Ret. to-day

[underlined] Local Bullseye [/underlined] – 12 Grp.

Route – Peterboro, Goole, Middlesboro 5400N 0030E. Mexborough (near Doncaster), Peterboro.

20 Wellingtons dropping windows 5400N to coast – 6 Grp to follow. Start Peterboro [deleted] 2310 – 2325 [/deleted] 2320

plenty of fighters and searchlights. Height 12 – 16000’

[underlined] Offers [/underlined] – to night OPS – 12 Grp.
1659 C.U. – 3 HAL
1664 C.U. – 4 HAL
1666 C.U. – 3 HAL
10
426 4 Hal.
10.

TO. 2230
S/C – 2254

[underlined] Z-834 [/underlined]

L.F. Beacon – [symbol] Worthing [symbol] 15 – 350° T
0020 – 0120 hrs.

Balloons. – [symbol] Langley Weybridge. – 0020 – 0140 hrs.

[underlined] Gardens [/underlined]
Balloons [inserted] 12 [/inserted] – [symbol] [underlined] Billingham [/underlined] – close hauled – 2045 – [deleted] 2200 [/deleted] [inserted] 2230 [/inserted] hrs.
– 0100 – [deleted] 0400 [/deleted] [inserted] 0420 [/inserted]

Balloons [symbol] [inserted] 10 [/inserted] Yeovil – 1500’ – [deleted] 2230 [/deleted] [inserted] 2300 [/inserted] – [deleted] 2315 [/deleted] [inserted] 2345 [/inserted]
[deleted] 0030 [/deleted] [inserted] 0100 [/inserted] – [deleted] 0230 [/deleted] [inserted] 0300 [/inserted]

Balloons [symbol] Portsmouth } 1500’ – [deleted] 2245 [/deleted] [inserted] 2315 [/inserted] – [deleted] 2315 [/deleted] [inserted] 2345 [/inserted] [deleted] 2330 [/deleted] [inserted] 0001 [/inserted] – [deleted] 0030 [/deleted] [inserted] 0100 [/inserted]
Southampton } 1500’ – [deleted] 2245 [/deleted] [inserted] 2315 [/inserted] – [deleted] 2315 [/deleted] [inserted] 2345 [/inserted] [deleted] 2330 [/deleted] [inserted] 0001 [/inserted] – [deleted] 0030 [/deleted] [inserted] 0100 [/inserted]

Balloons [symbol] Langley [symbol] } – 1500’ [deleted] 2230 [/deleted] [inserted] 2300 [/inserted] – [deleted] 2300 [/deleted] [inserted] 2330 [/inserted] [deleted] 2345 [/deleted] [inserted] 0015 [/inserted] – [deleted] 0045 [/deleted] [inserted] 0115 [/inserted]
Weybridge } – 1500’ [deleted] 2230 [/deleted] [inserted] 2300 [/inserted] – [deleted] 2300 [/deleted] [inserted] 2330 [/inserted] [deleted] 2345 [/deleted] [inserted] 0015 [/inserted] – [deleted] 0045 [/deleted] [inserted] 0115 [/inserted]

L.F. Beacons –
[symbol] Selsey Bill [symbol] 16 – 355° T – [deleted] 2330 [/deleted] [inserted] 0001 [/inserted] – [deleted] 0030 [/deleted] [inserted] 0100 [/inserted]
[symbol] [inserted] 12 [/inserted] Flamboro’ Head [symbol] 2 – 300° T – 0045 – 0145

[page break]

0910 / [underlined] 2 USBD. [/underlined] / Requested 420/E to return this morning.

1015 / A.T.C. / 61 Base requests permission to take A.T.C. boys on local flights. AIR I & SASO give permission. – as per Letters 6G/370/I/AIR 29/3/44 & 10/4/44

1145 / Local / Bullseye – 12 Grp – offer it along with 20 Wellingtons. – Details on opposite page. – passed to 61 Base. Offered to H.C.U’s only.

1205 / 408 / W/C Jacobs of 408 permitted to take radar mechanic on monica test.

1340 / Bullseye / B. Farm T 75 dispatched – no offers from Linton or 419.

1435 / 425 / – Tholthorpe wish permission to take a non-ops a/c & 2 non-ops crews to Thorpe Abbots to pick up an a/c now serv.

1440 / L.F.B. / Balloons & L.F. Beacons laid on – see opposite page.

1500 / C.F.C. / – Friston aerodrome (runways grass) is to be used only in gravest emergency, and if brake pressure is good, - otherwise land with undercarriage up.

1515 / Balloons & L.F. Beacons for Gardens pushed on 30 minutes later.

1530 / C.F.C. / Request for 5 Emergency Bases for Z-834 and 2 Emergency Bases for Gardens.

1645 / 426/Hal / – Request to put 4 on Local Bullseye – W/C McIntosh OK’d it but cannot contact 12 Grp Night Ops.

1645 / V.I.P. / ANSON – M.H. 191 – Gen Crerer, with pilot F/O Garthwaight landed Dishforth 1639 from Redhill staying 2 days & 2 nights. – phoned to 11 Grp to pass to Redhill.

[page break]

1659/Z. RV – landed Elvington 1615

[underlined] EMERGENCY BASES [/underlined] – Z – 834

432 – TANGMERE
420 } – LASHAM.
425 } – LASHAM.
427 } ODIHAM
429 } ODIHAM
431 } TANGMERE
434 } TANGMERE
424 } HARTFORD BRIDGE
433 } HARTFORD BRIDGE

EMERGENCY BASES – GARDENS.

428 HURN
433 IBSLEY
[deleted] 434 IBSLEY [/deleted] – RT call sign

[page break]

1715 / 1659/Z / – landed Elvington at 1615. From bombing exercise at Strensall. P.I.E. – no boost. Stbd. O.E. flaming. – pilot F/O McKaskill.
61 Base instructed to send motor transport for the crew.

1715 / C.F.C. / assigned emergency stations.

1830 / Off duty F/O O’Beirn.
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.

2230 / Balloons / Billingham close-hauled also from 2230 hrs to 0100 hrs.

2245 / N.F. / Summary to C.F.C.

[underlined] MONDAY – MAY 1ST – 1944 [/underlined]

0110 / 424/B. Message / Ex Southampton:- Message received as follows – “PCKB NPLC WFCA PKSU PWGB HWBE 0025 Hrs. Decoded:- Friendly aircraft shot down on sea, position 5005N 0054E.”
At request of M.L.O. 12, instructed Skipton Ops to get conformation of the position and other details from the Captain at interrogation for transmission to M.L.O. 11 Group, who will be taking action in the morning.

0145 / 428/G / This a/c whose C.S.U. was U/S had been told at 2215 hrs by R/T to set [inserted] a [/inserted] course for 2 hrs to lose weight. As he was now approx 1 1/2 hrs overdue, on instructions of Controller arranged to have message: “Return to base” sent him both by Station H.F.D.F. and Group Op Freq.

0227 / 428/G / Acknowledged message on G.O.W. Have requested M.S.G. to learn what happened to this aircraft & why earlier broadcast messages not received or acknowledged.

0400 / 424B. / Report from Capt. – Saw a/c hit by flak over Dieppe, burst into flames but kept flying, losing ht, then exploded disintegrating into 3 pieces which burned on surface. Took bearing at 0023 hrs, 5005N 0054E. Passed to Stanmore M.L.O. & F.C.L.O. & Staff Officer 11 Group, who will arrange for a look-see in morning (may have been 420/J)

[page break]

[underlined] ZB909 [/underlined]

[underlined] Landfall Beacon [/underlined] [symbol] 12 at Harwich – Bearing 290° T, 0045 – 0145 hrs.

[underlined] Balloons. [/underlined] Billingham 20.50 – 22.50 } Close-hauled
01.50 – 03.50 } Close-hauled

Harwich 00.30 – 02.00 1500 ft.

[underlined] Gardens. [/underlined]

[underlined] Balloons. [/underlined] Yeovil 00.45 – 02.30 hrs 1500 ft.

[underlined] Mitchell FV-977 [/underlined] - F/O Struthers & G/C MacDonald left Leeming at 1958 – for Dunsford.

Radway – Bombing Range – 91 Grp } Requested
Rufforth – Bombing Range – 93 Grp } Requested

[page break]

[underlined] Monday – May 1st 1944. [/underlined]

0430 / a/c away. / Passed to C.F.C.

0455 / 428/G / Ref. Entry 0227
Ex. M.S.G. Had trouble with C.S.U. (found on examination a valve stuck) could [inserted] not [/inserted] feather motor & also had no brake pressure. Was told to set course for 2 hrs, and did so on his original flight plan. Seemed to continue OK, so went on his detail, arriving at Garden 7 mins late. While over enemy coast had his trailing aerial pulled in and did not get any message from us until 0210 hrs.

09.00 / Off duty H L Spence F/O
On duty / J. D. Cleland F/L.

12.15 / Message / from JLY/A to Bruntingthorpe via M.S.G. “Crossed coast at 5408N 0155E”. T.O.O. 11.30 rec. 12.01. Passed to 92 Grp.

12.20 / Searchlight Activity. / Complaints from 428 Squadron on Ops last night – evidently there was a Bullseye on the south coast at time they were in that area. Passed to FCLO 11, MLO 12 for action and suggested we be informed whenever our operational aircraft are routed over Bullseye areas.

18.30 / Off duty. / J. D. Cleland F/L On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O

1850 / 61 Base / – Request permission for X/C – a combination of Routes 21 + 23 – Checked with Group Met S.O.C. & M.L.O. 12 Grp – O.K. – S.O.C. request 61 Base a/c to remain above 8000’ until they return to base to avoid trouble with Ops returns.

2000 / [underlined] Dalcross [/underlined] / 29 Group – Whitley LA 854 F/S McHugh and Glider Horsa DP 841 – Sgt Sharp left Dalcross 1240 hrs, due Linton 1540 hrs. –
Did not arrive Linton. Inf – 29 Grp F.C. Requested that they instruct their pilots to inform 6 Grp or Linton if they land elsewhere.

[page break]

[underlined] non – starters [/underlined]

X/431 - OIL BY PASS VALVE U/S.

[underlined] Early Returns. [/underlined]

427/R – P.I.E. U/S To be checked by C.T.O. [symbol]
427/O – P.I.E. OVER – REV’D [symbol]
432/Q – P.I.E. U/S – Caught fire. [symbol]
432/Y – HYD LINE U/S – could not lift U/C.
425/P – BOOST ANEROID (P.I.E) U/S. [symbol]

[underlined] MISSING. [/underlined]

419/C KB – 711 – Capt – P/O Mc NARY

429/K. LW – 415 – Capt – F/O LESLIE. S.M.

[underlined] ACCIDENT [/underlined]

429/Z – [inserted] LW – 694 [/inserted] BLEW A TYRE ON LANDING. AFTER HITTING ANGLE OF GLIDE INDICATOR. – OBSTRUCTED 2 R/Ws

[page break]

2000 / C & B’s D.F.C.O.’s note. / Skipton 424 Sqd – have 2 a/c on X/C and wish to do C & B’s for about 30 minutes. Topcliffe also have 3 a/c on C & B. W/C Blane insists on doing circuits at Skipton and not at Leeming. S.O.C. is to get ruling by AIR I or SASO.

2010 / Gale Warning – as far south as [two indecipherable words] – Wind will freshen to 25 mph over our bases 0400 – 0500 hrs 2/5/

2045 / C & B’s D.F.C.O’s note. / – S.A.S.O. ruled that Skipton do their C & B’s at another operational aerodrome & give priority to Topcliffe – or else scrub it. Inf. 61 Base & Skipton.

2255 / 432/Q / – On fire – 62 Base sent him to Jettison 30 miles off Flamboro. MLO – 12 – suggest 20 miles off Whitby.

[underlined] Tuesday May 2nd. 1944. [/underlined]

0311 / OPS. / – a/c landed. – 2 missing – 2 landed Skipton when “Z”/429 obstructed 2 R/W’s.

0400 / a/c away – Reported to C.F.C. – none away.

0400 / Explosion – Reported north of Wombleton at 0315 – F.C.L.O. 12 say it is bombing on the range. Inf. 61 Base.

0840 / V.I.P. / ANSON MH – 191 – Gen. Crerer with pilot F/O Garthwright expect to leave Dishforth at 0930 – ETA Redhill 1130 – Ht 2000 – 2500. Checked with Met, MLO 12 & 11 Grp. movement no N1313.

0900 / Leeming / R/W 30/12 obstructed by Z/428 – Landings in emergency only.

0900 / Gransden / – no a/c away.

[page break]

[underlined] CRASH - 1659/N. [/underlined] (BB-247) – WRITE OFF

Pilot F.O. J. L. McKinnon [deleted] J-25965 [/deleted] [inserted] J-27633 [/inserted] } killed.
B.A. P.O. N.T Seabrook J-25965 } killed.
W.O.P. Sgt. H.R. Donnelly R-193801 } killed.
R.A.G. Sgt. H.R. Davies R-212758 } killed.
M.U.G. Sgt. H. Astrand R-196182 } killed.
Engr. Sgt. Giles } killed.

Informed.

A.O.C. [symbol] (out – left message.) also informed A.O.C.
SASO. [symbol]
Air I [symbol] (out – left message.)
Cont. [symbol]
P.4. [symbol]
C.A. [symbol]
G.T.I. [symbol]
G.A.I. [symbol]
Engr. [symbol]
Equipt. [symbol]
S.F.C.O. [symbol]

REF CRASH. 1659N.
G.T.O. = A/C TOOK OFF. CLIMBED VERTICALLY DID STALL TURN TO PORT CRASHED BURNED OUT. NO REASON VOICED UNTIL AFTER INVESTIGATION.

[page break]

0930 / Off duty F/O. O’Beirn
On duty F/O. Spence H.L.

1145 / Dalton Hurricane / Permission granted to pick up some [inserted] (Radio) [/inserted] equipment at Abingdon.

1430 / 1659/N [underlined] CRASH [/underlined] / Engine stalled on T.O. aircraft crashed on runway 09 burned, all crew killed. No instructor in a/c.

1435. / 420 Sqn Army Affil. / Request for Army personnel attached at Tholthorpe to fly on some Air-to-Sea Firing detail this afternoon. OK’d by S.A.S.O. + at Station Commanders discretion.

1640 / 428/B&I / M.S.G. request permission for mfn to be flown to Snaith – for modifications. E.T.D. 0900 hrs.

1800 / Comm [deleted] Oxford [/deleted] [inserted] PROCTOR [/inserted] / Reserved for S/L. Rawson. for 1130 hrs tomorrow morning. Going to Halton. Remainder of day.

1830 / Off duty. / F/O Spence
On duty. / J D Cleland F/L.

WED [underlined] MAY 3RD. [/underlined]

0001 / Ident Bd. Corrected.

0400 / A/C NEAR WOMBLETON / Query from ROCLO ref aircraft circling near Wombleton. – [indecipherable word] of F.C. Wombleton who report seeing no a/c other than ones with call sign “LOVE YOU” “D” which had for some time been doing bombing runs on “Snape Ranges” – Information passed on to ROCLO.

– Remainder (?) of night quiet.

0900 / On duty – B.T. O’Beirn F/O.
Blanket cover for Bombing Local eta to MLS 12.

[page break]

[underlined] Offers. [/underlined] – Command Bullseye C. 93.

1659 C.U. – [inserted] 6 [/inserted] [deleted] 2 [/deleted] HAL.
1664 C.U. – [inserted] 0 [/inserted] [deleted] 2 [/deleted] HAL.
1666 CU – 5 HAL.
424 – 4
433 – 3 +
431 – 8 HAL.
408 – 5 LANC
426 – 6 LANC
432 – 10 LANC
420 – 5
425 – [inserted] 7 [/inserted] [deleted] 6 [/deleted]
428 – 4
419 – 5 LANC.
434 – 4
429 – 2
427 [inserted] 4 [/inserted] – [deleted] 10 [/deleted]
[deleted] 71 [/deleted] 10 LANC = [deleted] 81 [/deleted]
68 + 10 = 78

TOTAL – 155 Heavy + 65 Medium = 220

[underlined] Gardens. [/underlined]

[underlined] L.F. Beacon [/underlined] – [symbol] Selsey Bill [symbol] 16 – 0001 – 0101
355° T.

[underlined] Balloons [/underlined] – [symbol] Billingham – C.H. – 2100 – 2230
0120 – 0345

[symbol] – Langley – Weybridge } 2230 – 0100
Portsmouth – 1500’ } 2230 – 0100

[symbol] – Yeovil – 1500’ – 2245 – 0230.

[underlined] Bullseye. [/underlined]

– [symbol] Billingham Balloons. 2020 – 2220
0230 – 0445

Hudson – T 9349 left Mid. St. G 1233 for Hatson [sic] in the Orkneys. – Route via [indecipherable word] Kinnaird Head, Helmsdale, [indecipherable word] & Hatson.

Wellington – F/O Merrifield left Linton 1551 for ATDSTONE

[page break]

[underlined] WED. MAY 3. [/underlined]

1030 / Call Signs / – New list for May 1 – 12.

1115 / 426/HAL / – Request permission to take extra crew to Foulsham to pick up additional a/c – OK’d by Air I.

1115 / 426/ X/C. Cpl EPSTEIN / – Request permission for Cpl Epstein U.S.A. war correspondent to go on X/C tonight with F/L Smith.

1125 / C. Bullseye to-night. C – 93.

1145 / CPL EPSTEIN / – may go on X/C if he has certified proof from the Americans that he can fly. – must be checked.
Inf 62 Base.

1200 / Black Smoke / – Black smoke 345° from Linton Inf. R.O.C.L.O.

1215 / Eve / – Probable for to-morrow.

1330 / Army L.O. / permission to go on local flying and bullseye for Can. Army Liaison Officer. – OK. if he has permission of his unit & Stn. Com. Also 2 officers at Tholthorpe.

1415 / 426/C / W/C Hamber left for Foulsham 1401 Inf. 100 Grp.
Well. LN – 646 – T.O. at 1415 for Bruntingthorpe. – Inf. 92 Grp.

1420 / 424/K / Landed Yeovilton at approx 1400 hrs. P.I.E U/S. Hope to get it S. & off to-day. Inf. Skipton.

1430 / Bombing Ranges / – Ottmoor, Tudwell etc are being used by 6 Grp. –

D.F.C.O.s NOTE. / S/L Brittain may be presenting us with signals about results at these ranges. D.F.C.O’s are to check from flight plans, – and mark on the signal what squadron used the ranges, – or “not 6 Grp” if N.A.

1640 / Oxford - N4760 / left Catfoss 1514 for Leeming but landed Leconfield at 1600 hrs. Leeming Inf.

[page break]

Proctor – S/L Rawson left Linton 1410 for Halton.

MISSING A/C. on X-COUNTRY
420/F. (MZ – 596)

[underlined] CREW LIST. [/underlined]
Pilot. P/O Lapointe P.J. J85411
B/A WO. Monaghan R.J R156773
Nav. WO. Michie E R79767
W/Op Sgt. Beer GW 1338354
M/U. Sgt. McDougal JM R117210
R/G. F/S. Stobbart W 1104089
F/E. Sgt Ellwood G 939956
Gunner Sgt. Simmons H.E. R193718
“J” Type dinghy with radio.

Informed. Controller. [symbol]
A.O.C.
S.A.S.O. N
Air I. [symbol]
Equipt. [symbol]
Engr. [symbol]
P.4. [symbol]
C of A. [symbol]
G.T.I. [symbol]
G.A.I. [symbol]

[underlined] Route [/underlined]
Base 22.15
Hexham 22.45 10000 ft.
5458N 0305W 23.00
5455N 0335W 23.05
W. [indecipherable word] 23.25
Strumblehead 00.18
Olney 01.11
Goole 01.55
Base 02.10

[page break]

1825 / AM army officers forced landing near Thirsk – Requested Topcliffe for transport for 2 officers to Whitby

1830 / Off duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.

[underlined] Thursday – May 4/44. [/underlined]

0030 / 429/F (Bulls Eye) / Ex. Leeming. Message from a/c: “IFF u/s” Told Leeming to instruct him to Identify on W/T before each crossing of coast but before the message got out a/c was overhead on R/T.

0200 / Ident Board changed.

0507 / 426/K. / Last a/c on Bulls Eye landed at Charter Hall short of fuel. Must have got lost – about 1 1/2 hrs overdue. Passed to C.F.C. 0745 hrs.

0300 to 0600 / 420/F Missing X – C (MZ-596) / Missing from X-country. Checked 13, 15, 9, 10, 12 Groups [inserted] ([indecipherable word] at 08.15 hrs.) [/inserted] for possible landing or crashes. No luck. Route – Base – Hexham – 5458N 0305W – 5458N – 0335W – West Freugh, – Stumble Head – Olway – Goole – Base T.O. 2215 ETA 0210 hrs.
Pilot P/O. Lapointe. Overdue action taken with A.S.4 & “gen” passed. 6 Group Met say weather quite good over route.

0450 / 1659/L / Landed at Croft short of Petrol & S.I.E. feathered. Crew report big burst of flame seen just before landing. At the time were heading for Croft on course of 170°, flash seen on port quarter about 10 to 15 miles north of Croft. Contacted 12 Group R.O.C.R.O. & F.C.L.O. but neither have any knowledge of this.

0825 / Missing 420/F / Still no trace. 11 Group having a look from Bardsey Island to Stumble Head. 15 Group will endeavour [sic] something from West Freugh to Bardsey Island but the weather may hold it up in the Irish Sea.

0830. / Ref. entry 0450. No information on reported burst of flame from Bishop Auckland or Barnard Castle Police.

[page break]

Martinet – MS – 869. F/O DAGGET & S/L STANLEY landed White Waltham at 1405 from Dalton & Bassingbourn.

2100. – 6 Grp. Met forecaster predicts nasty squally showers, over the north sea from Mull of Galloway to Lands End. – CUN. – 5 – 9/10 – Tops 12 – 15000’ occasional tops up to 18000’. Since the squadrons are flying at 20000’, they should be OK. Warned 61 Base as 1666 a/c

[page break]

[underlined] Thursday. May 4th 1944 [/underlined]

0840. / Tiger Moth (EM-945) / En route from Gosport to Dalton. T.O. 1816/3-5/44 W/C St. John. Overdue [symbol] (Signalled wrongly.)

09.00 / Off watch / HL Spence F/O
On watch / J.D. Cleland F/L.

09.15 / Crew list 420/F / of 420/F passed to 15 Gp. Also dinghy information. They will organize search this afternoon.

13.05 / S/L Stanley. / Landed at Bassingbourn –

14.50 / Permission / for 1659 C.U. to use Oxford to fly crew to Elvington to pick up 1659Z – at 1700 hrs – 5/5/44

15.00 / 420/F / Sea search organized by 15 Group. 26 Ansons from Squire’s Gate doing parallel track search along F/420’s track from Mull of Galloway to Bardsey Island.
Two other Ansons searching north of Bardsey & Warwicks searching 5240N – 5300N and 0440W to 0500W. where a fire was sighted last night. Other Warwicks searching from Strumblehead to Bardsey Island.

15.15 / 420/F / Broadcast to all bases request that, if any X-Countries are planned during daylight today, would they report RCAF route [symbol] 3 with view to sighting crash.

15.20 / Ref entry 08.40. / Tiger Moth should have been signalled to Halton instead of Dalton – landed O.K. at Halton.

16.50 / Landfall Beacon / At St. Alban’s Head on bearing 010° T from [deleted] 02.30 – 03.30 hrs [/deleted] 01.00 – 02.00 hrs.

18.30 / Off duty. / JD Cleland F/L On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O

2130 / 420/F – Sea Search – 15 Grp. F.C. report that 42 a/c on search. Saw patch of oil at 5253N 0510W – on the extreme edge of search area. – The oil patch reported by 2 a/c was in the wake of a convoy which passed through this area. – No sign of wreckage. This oil patch is 20 – 50 miles from the spot where the fire was reported.
AIR. I recommends scrubbing the search. Inf. 62 Base F.C.

[page break]

[underlined] 09.15 hrs. [/underlined] Ex 61 Base. – Reports of accidents.

[underlined] 1659 Sqn (EB248) [/underlined] – 3rd May at 1755 hrs.

When taxying to dispersal swung off into a hedge damaging S.O. Prop & stbd fin shoe & rudder. – Cat A.

[underlined] 1664 Sqn (DG232) [/underlined] – 4th May, 1130 hrs.

Had a heavy landing – strained Stbd main [deleted] a [/deleted] plane – Cat A-C.

Informed. Equipm, G.A.I., Controller, Engr.

These only just came to light at 61 Base Flying Control when copies of teleprinter signal was received. In view of nature of the accidents have not informed all on the list.

[page break]

[underlined] Thursday – May 4th 1944. [/underlined]

2300 / W/X / S.O.C. informed 61 Base & 62 Base that winds at 20000’ were 120 mph 220° in place of 65 m.p.h. as forecast especially over the Irish Sea. Croft F.C. also informed, but their a/c should be crossing coast in shortly.

2300 / 426/K / at Charter Hall remaining until to-morrow.

2350 / Winds / – 61 Base & 62 Base have sent message in Bomber Code – re increase in speed of winds.

[underlined] FRIDAY MAY 5th 1944. [/underlined]

0015 / RAFNI / – One of 61 Base a/c. instead of going from West Freugh to Holy Head followed Irish Coast.

0200 / Whitley – Z / – Landed Wombleton at 0135 from Long Marston (91 Grp) – W/T U/S. Inf. 91 Grp. T.O. – 0306 for Long Marston.

0245 / Gale Warning - S.W. veering west later – now in operation all coasts of Br. Is. N.W. of a line joining Newcastle & Start Point Deepening [inserted] [indecipherable word] [/inserted] trough off N.W. Ireland moving east.

0250 / 1664/H / on Hull MF/DF – Asks any further messages from Topcliffe.

0520 / N.F. / Completed. – all down at bases.

0815 / C.F.C. / – No a/c landed away.

0815 / Weather / – Gale continues in S.W. England. Check with Met before authorizing flights in this area.

0900 / Off duty [deleted] HL Spence. [/deleted] F/O O’Beirn
On duty HL Spence F/O.

1000 / H.H. 274 Restriction / Prohibition of movement in area defined not effective after 0001 hrs 5-5-44. (M.L.O. 12)

1050 / 408/K away / Checked 13 Gr. & learned mfn took off from Charter Hall 0952 hrs without our OK. (Landed OK.)

[page break]

[blank page]

[page break]

[underlined] Friday – May 5th 1944. [/underlined]

1100 / 420/F Missing a/c / Report of Rear Gunner of 420/W :-
“At 0023 hrs saw, at pos. 5310N 0500W 3 fighter flares dropped at intervals of 2 – 3 mins. and then burst of tracer.”
Informed 15 Group who declared all that area was diligently searched yesterday.

[deleted] 01 [/deleted] 1320 / L.F.B. Selsey Bill / On 355° T, elevation 070° from [deleted] 0001 [/deleted] [inserted] 02.45 [/inserted] hrs to [deleted] 0101 [/deleted] [inserted] 03.45 [/inserted] hrs.

Balloons / Langley } Controlled at 1500ft [deleted] 2230 – 0100 hrs. [/deleted] [inserted] 01.40 – 03.40 hrs. [/inserted]
Weybridge } Controlled at 1500ft [deleted] 2230 – 0100 hrs. [/deleted] [inserted] 01.40 – 03.40 hrs. [/inserted]
Portsmouth } Controlled at 1500ft [deleted] 2230 – 0100 hrs. [/deleted] [inserted] 01.40 – 03.40 hrs. [/inserted]
Southampton } Controlled at 1500ft [deleted] 2230 – 0100 hrs. [/deleted] [inserted] 01.40 – 03.40 hrs. [/inserted]
Billingham – close hauled [deleted] 2100 – 2230 0120 – 0345 hrs. [/deleted] [inserted] { 00.01 – 01.30. 04.00 – 06.30. [/inserted]
Yeovil – Controlled [deleted] ditto [/deleted] [inserted] at 1500 ft. [/inserted] [deleted] 2245 – 0230 [/deleted] hrs [inserted] 01.40 – 02.40 — 03.25 – 04.45. [/inserted]

1340 / 426 a/c Foulsham / Permission given by S.A.S.O. for 426 Sqn to fly crew to Foulsham to pick up a Halifax delivered there in error. Also for the Squadron Adjutant to go along for the trip.

1400 / 5 Group Diversion / Request Diversion Base if required. Offered M.S.G. and Croft.

1430 / 5 Group Diversion / Not required M.S.G. informed.

1445 / Permission / By S.A.S.O. for Army chaps to go along on exercises this afternoon – one with 408 Sqn. on Air to air and 2 with 420 Sqn on local flying – at the discretion of the Station Commander. Also permission given for U.T. Flying Control (2 or 3) to go along on tonight’s Bulls Eye. S.A.S.O. checking Station Commander re 2 New Zealand Pilot Sgts (attached from Reception Depot awaiting posting to A.F.K.) at Croft to go along on Bulls Eye.

1600 / Divn. Base Emergency / Middle Wallop offered by C.F.C and passed to M.S.G.

1700. / ? / Ex. Leeming :- Message from a/c “K” did not give a/s. NRI Groups 2. 25 LC NJ. [inserted] Too. 1645 [/inserted] (Will need ambulance Market Harborough) Asked for 2.B.B. Told to wait and replied he was closing down. Informed 92 Group – not one of their a/c.

[page break]

Mosq – “S” landed Wombleton from Northolt. To return to-day.

Whitley & Glider landed Linton 1234 from Netheravon.

Mitchell – G/C Dunlop left for Benson 1320 from Linton.

[underlined] Gardens [/underlined]

L.F. Beacon – Selsey Bill – 355° T – 0200 – 0230

Balloons – Langley, Weybridge, Portsmouth } 1500’ – 0140 – 0415

Yeovil – 1500’ – 0100 – 0200
0230 – 0400

[underlined] MAIN TARGETS. [/underlined]

L.F. Beacon – Beachy Head – 315° T – 0310 – 0410.

Selsey Bill – 355° T
– 0250 – 0350.

[underlined] Balloons [/underlined]

[symbol] Billingham. Close Hauled – 0001 – 0140
0420 – 0600

Chelmsford } 1500’ – 0150 – 0250
[symbol] Thames Estuary } 1500’ – 0150 – 0250

Portsmouth } 1500’ – 0140 – 0415
[symbol] Langley & Weybridge } 1500 – 0140 – 0415

[underlined] EMERGENCY BASES. [/underlined]

4900/S/13 431 } [deleted] DUNSFOLD [/deleted] ODIHAM [symbol]
434 } [deleted] DUNSFOLD [/deleted] ODIHAM [symbol]
427 } HARTFORD BRIDGE
429 } HARTFORD BRIDGE
426 } HARTFORD BRIDGE

4902W/S/179 420 } TANGMERE
425 } TANGMERE
432 } FORD
424 } FORD
426 } FORD

GARDENS 433 } SILVERSTONE [symbol]

[page break]

Friday May 5th 1944.

18.30 / Off duty H.L. Spence F/O
On duty J.D. Cleland F/L.

21.15 / Bullseye / cancelled. Weather conditions.

22.30 / Landfall Beacon Balloons /} Times revised with 12, 11, 10 Groups.

[underlined] Saturday. May 6th 1944 [/underlined]

00.01 / X-Country A/C / K/408 on X-Country recalled by 62 Base.
Landed 00.20 hrs.

00.20 / Gardening A/C / off

05.51 / Last A/C / down.

09.00 / Off duty / JD Cleland F/L. On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O

0950 / Oxford /Z / – SASO gives permission to go from Top. to Dishforth to Downham Market – passenger W/C Clarke – Route via Spalding.

1030 / Low Flying / – Dishforth report a/c flying low – 3 – 5 miles south – disappeared – ROCLO have one at Finningley at 500’.

1050 / Radar X/C. / – 1659 – M.L.O. – 12 request that Radar – does not pass over Liverpool to-day. but to the south of it.

1130 / 428/B & L / – Permission by Air I for delivery of “L” to Kinloss. “B” bringing back the crew. Training both ways.

1225 / 431 SQD / permission for S/L Dow to take Hal & the crew to Foulsham to pick up new a/c NA-494

1530 / C.F.C. / Emergency Bases assigned.

1620 / Oxford Z / – Permission by S.O.C. for Top to take crew to Elvington to pick up Z/1659. T.O.

1650 / L.F.B. & Balloons laid on.

[page break]

[underlined] 102/R. [/underlined] Crash.

Position:- on the right hand side of Railway track facing north, to the east of Hutton Bonville & Danby Wiske, near Hall Farm.

[page break]

[underlined] Saturday May 6th 1944 [/underlined]

18.30 / Off duty F/O O’Beirn
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.

2240 to 2300 / Crash 102/R (crew of 6) (4 Group) / Reported by Leeming (explosion & lots of smoke) south & east of North Allerton. 12 Group R.O.C.L.O. gives pos. as Z8319, east of Thirsk then later Z8515 near Brompton, then later still as 3 1/2 miles N.N.W. of North Allerton on the Yafforth Road. Croft requested to take crash action & dispatched Tender & Ambulance.
Leeming report further [deleted] cr [/deleted] 2 of crew were at Great Smeaton Police Station and that 2 others had baled out before them and were being searched for. Also that it was a Pocklington aircraft of 102 Sqn R. Informed 4 Group F.C.O. who understood the Skipper was OK, indicating all the crew had baled out, also the crash occurred at Oaktree Farm.
Thirsk & North Allerton Police & A.F.S. on the scene. Further position of crash from Leeming, near Lovesome Hill close to Danby Wiske. Ex Croft:- Scorton also have taken crash action.

2355 / 102/R. Crash / Ex. North Allerton Police: Location 5 miles from North Allerton along Darlington Road, between Lovesome Hill and Hutton Bonville.

2358 / L.F.B. & Balloons / For 2 main targets – cancelled.
Gardening still standing.

[underlined] Sunday – May 7/44. [/underlined]

0001 / 102/R Crash. / Ex. Great Smeaton Police:- 3 of crew (including Pilot) at Great Smeaton, 1 at Hutton Bonville and one at Blackberry Farm Deighton. One still unaccounted for.

0010 / 102/R Crash. / Ex Great Smeaton:- Last of crew found. All crew have proceeded to North Allerton Hospital, none injured. Informed 4 Group.

0020 / 102/R Crash. / Croft to arrange for guard but say aircraft a total wreck and scattered all over the field

[page break]

Crash landing – 1664/J. – DK 246.

On return from cross country found his undercarriage would not come down. All possible suggestions & assistance offered to no avail. Finally belly landed on grass beside the runway in use. Good landing – crew OK. Cat. A.C. Pilot F/O Rokeby.

Informed. A.O.C.
S.A.S.O. [symbol]
Air I [symbol]
Controller [symbol]
Equipt. [symbol]
Engr. [symbol]
G.A.I. [symbol]
G.T.I. [symbol]

[underlined] Undercarriage Collapse KB716 [/underlined]

D/419 (Pilot, Lt. Hartshorn) burst tire on take-off. Landed with undercarriage down but port undercarriage collapsed at end of his run. No one hurt. Cat. E

AOC
SASO [symbol]
Air I [symbol]
Controller [symbol]

Equipt. [symbol]
Engr.
GAI. [symbol]
GTI. [symbol]

Lanc. at 1610 hrs.

ANSON – DG-782 T.O. from Topcliffe at 2119 for West Freugh. Landed 2254.

ANSON – DG-764 T.O. from Linton 23:58 for West Freugh.

[page break]

[underlined] Sunday May 7th 1944. [/underlined]

0200 / Ident Board changed.

0518 / 1664/J / Belly landed – Undercarriage u/s. See opposite page.

09.00 / Off duty / H L Spence F/O
On duty / J D Cleland F/L.

09.30 / Permission for ATC to fly with 1664 Con. Unit this afternoon.
Permission for 408 Sq. to send Lanc. to Ford to pick up serviceable a/c.

15.15 / Gardens. / [underlined] Landfall Beacon: [/underlined] Flamborough at 300° T – 00.15 – 01.15 hrs.
[underlined] Balloons: [/underlined] Billingham close hauled – { 20.50 – 22.10 hrs.
{ 00.30 – 02.00 hrs.

Main Target. / [underlined] Landfall Beacon: [/underlined] Beachy Head 350° T – 23.30 – 00.30 hrs.
[underlined] Balloons: [/underlined] Billingham C/H – { 20.50 – 22.10 hrs.
{ 00.30 – 02.00 hrs.

Langley Weybridge at 1500ft. – 23.45 – 00.45 hrs.

14.50 / Y/426 / Left Linton to pick up Lanc. at Foulsham. SASO’s permission.

17.00 / J.J. Demonstration / Tonight at Helmsby Bombing Range. 4 Group are conducting it. About 70 bombers taking part. Also M/C using call-sign “Bandbox – H” Heights 10 – 15000 ft J.O.J. 23.30. Also sea marking flares [deleted] be [/deleted] are going to be dropped off Flamborough shortly after. Passed to all stations.

1830 / Off duty F/L CLELAND On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O.

1900 / [underlined] Woodbridge [/underlined] / – C.F.C. report that “Red” runway is replaced by Green R/W. lights. W.e.t. night of May 7/44.
i.e. Green, white & yellow airfield lighting in operation

2030 / Anson / – DG 764 – l. Linton 2025 hrs from West Freugh. W/T. U/S.
Inf. 29 Grp.

[underlined] MONDAY MAY 8th 1944. [/underlined]

0200 / Ops / a/c – all returned to Base. Inf. C.F.C. & F/L Smith.

0515 / NF / Ceased. No Snags.

[page break]

429/U LANDING ACCIDENT (LW 691)

Pilot F/L Gellner.

After completing Fighter Affil. exercises mad [sic] several attempts to land (downward vis. not so good) Made touchdown OK but then swerved to port, passed No1 Hangar into a pile of shale in front of some gun butts. Undercarriage and props damaged. No wind at time. Runway [symbol] 17 in use. Vis. 3,000 yds. N.L.C.
Crew O.K.

Informed. P.A. to A.O.C. [symbol]
S.A.S.O. [symbol]
Air I [symbol]
Controller [symbol]
G.A.I. [symbol]
G.T.I. [symbol]
Equipt [symbol]
Engrg. [symbol]
S.F.C.O. [symbol]

[underlined] DIVERSION BASES – PROVISIONAL WEATHER [/underlined]

[underlined] SQN No A/C STATION GROUP [/underlined]
424 12 Boscombe Down } – 23 (Thru 10)
433 10 Boscombe Down } – 23 (Thru 10)
431 13 [deleted] Bourn [/deleted] – 8 – changed to Upwood.
408 13 Wyton } 8
426 8 Wyton } 8
420 13 Oakington – 8
425 13 Stadishall – 3
432 13 Wratting Common – 3

[underlined] MISSING [/underlined] – 8/9 – MAY

426/J
425/A
432/G.
432/L.
431/T
431/X.

[underlined] EARLY RETURN [/underlined]

432/H – unable to retract U/C.

432/F – PIE – damaged. Landed Woodbridge.
[underlined] CAT AC [/underlined] STB’D FIN & TAIL plane shot up.
Rear Turret jammed.
CREW to return by train.

[page break]

0900 / Off duty F/O O’Beirn
On duty H L Spence F/O.

1015 / 432/C Manston / Permission asked to fly crew to Manston to pick up m/n. Authorised provided neither crew nor a/c [deleted] are [/deleted] [inserted] is [/inserted] required to-day for ops. (By Air I)

1200 / Emergency Dvn. Bases / Requested of C.F.C. – 1 around Boscombe Down 3 North West of Bradwell Bay.

1315 / L.F.B. / [symbol] 13 at Bradwell Bay on 305° T, elev. 070° – 0410 – 0510 hrs.

Balloons / Yeovil – 1500 ft – 0015 to 0115 hrs.
0200 to 0400 hrs.

Chelmsford } 1500 ft. – 0400 to 0500 hrs.
Thames Est. } 1500 ft. – 0400 to 0500 hrs.
Harwich } 1500 ft. – 0400 to 0500 hrs.

1220 / 429/U Landing accident / See opposite page.

1530 / Diversion Bases. / Received from C.F.C. & allotted as on opposite page. Now changed to Provisional Weather.

1214. / Darky [indecipherable word] /S. / Ex 61 Base. Heard by Topcliffe asked for QDM to Syerston. Unable to contact him. Believed to be an American. Passed to 12 Group.

1600 / Dvn. Bases. / “Gen” passed to Stations.

1745 / Dvn. Bases. / Ex C.F.C. Upwood now replaces Bourn “Gen” passed to Croft 1815 hrs.

1817 / D.F.C.O’s to Note Amendment to SD. 300 / New Green area in Irish Sea from Strumble Head tp Mull Oa. M.L.S. 12 Group will not require notification on ordinary cross country routes. [inserted] (day or night) (in that area) [/inserted] Will, however, on H&S Exercises, Air Firing, Bombing, low flying, flare dropping, or other special flights. The above from 12 Group.

1830 / Off duty H.L. Spence F/O.

[page break]

9th MAY

Search – By AIR – SEA Rescue – 11 Grp. – near area of sighting 51° 07’ N 02° 17 E.

1000 hrs – 11 Grp Continuing the search - 3rd search is due – not very satisfactory as they have been interrupted by Am. a/c going out and by two who baled out. Wreckage of a/c spotted 5 miles east of Dover.

Oxford – W6656 – took off at 1056 from Croft for Sydenham – passing the coast out at Millom.

[underlined] Gardens. [/underlined]

[underlined] Balloons [/underlined]

[symbol] Billingham – Close-hauled – 2045 – 0545 hrs
[symbol] Yeovil – 1500’ – 2300 – 0230 hrs
No L.F. Beacon

[underlined] Target 11/J/13 [/underlined]

[underlined] Balloons - [/underlined]

[symbol] Langley, Weybridge at 1500’ } – 0145 – 0430

[symbol] Billingham – Close-hauled – 2045 – 0545

[symbol] L.F. Beacon – Beachy Head – 310° T – 0305 – 0405

[underlined] Target 4/J/39 [/underlined]

[underlined] Balloons. [/underlined]

[symbol] Billingham – Close hauled – 2045 – 0545
[symbol] Chelmsford – 1500’ – 2230 – 0030.
Thames Estuary } 1500’ – 2230 – 0030.
Canterbury, Dover [inserted] (2000’) [/inserted] } 1500’ – 2230 – 0030.
Harwich. } 1500’ – 2230 – 0030.

[symbol] L.F. Beacon – North Foreland – 310° T – 2330 – 0030.

Spitfire – T.O. 1537 from Tholthorpe to Dyce.

[page break]

May 8th 1944

1830 / On Duty - F/L [signature]

MAY 9th 1944.

0001 / Ident Bd corrected.

0430 / F/C 8 and F/C 3 stood down as for Emergency Diversions.

0530 / No Inter Group diversion required.

0545 / Sighting Reports of a/c in sea passed to F.C. 16 with request that search be conducted.
Air I and AOC informed.

0900 / off Duty F/L [signature]
On Duty - B.T. O’Beirn F/O.

0920 / 432/F / – TO C.F.C instructed crew to return by train.

1135 / VIP. AVM. / Monarch / W-6462. – AVM Grey (4 Grp) landed Linton. Inf. SASO.

1310 / 432/A / T.O. for Manston 1323 with crew for 432/C

1430 / Balloons & L.F. Beacons laid on – See opp. page.

1800 / Emergency Diversion bases given by C.F.C. Gen passed to Stations.

1805 / V.I.P. / Monarch W-6462 – left Linton at 1731 for Abingdon. AVM. GREY.

1830 / Off duty F/O O’Beirn
On duty H.L. Spence. F/O.

1923. / G/C [deleted] Chiston [/deleted] [inserted] Chisholm [/inserted] S.A.S.O. 100 Grp. / Ex 100 Group:- Mfn to visit AOC tomorrow. Expects to arrive here by 1200 hrs. Flying to Linton in an Oxford. 62 Base & Air I [inserted] & A.O.C. [/inserted] informed M.T. arranged sending transport to Linton from here.

2100 / Sea-Search / No results from 11 Gr. Air-Sea Rescue for us on any of our missing a/c from last night.

[page break]

[underlined] EMERGENCY BASES [/underlined]

419 SQDN – WING.
427 SQDN } ODIHAM
429 SQDN } ODIHAM
424 SQDN } HARTFORD BRIDGE
433 SQDN } HARTFORD BRIDGE
408 SQDN } MILDENHALL
426 SQDN } MILDENHALL
420 SQDN } TUDDENHAM
425 SQDN } TUDDENHAM
434 SQDN LAKENHEATH
428 SQDN MORETON – IN – MARSH.

1030: Commons Bullseye No C. 94

Route-
Base – Newark – Great Yarmouth – London - [indecipherable word] – Sheffield – Hull – Thirsk – Base.

PARTICIPATION
1659 – 3.
1664 – 4.
1666 – 6.
431 – 5.
420. 3.
[deleted] 425 [/deleted]
426. 3.
432 – 14.
TOTAL – 38

[page break]

2200 / N.F. / Summary to S/D.

2210 / Movements In Green Area D.F.C.O’s to Note / Movements in [inserted] all [/inserted] Green areas which are [underlined] not [/underlined] ordinary cross countries (day or night) must be passed to M.L.S. eg if I.R. is being done, bombing, air firing, H&S, low flying, or anything which might be interpreted as unfriendly action, places and times it is to be executed must be passed. Also [underlined] any [/underlined] crossing of east coast must be reported in advance, irrespective of using corridors laid on. Ex 12 Group. M.L.O.

10 MAY 1944

0001 / Ident Board changed.

0109 / Skipton a/c / Presumed going off Flamboro to jettison. Advised M.L.O. 12 Gp.

0545 / Re. Ops. / Nil – missing.
Nil – Landed away.
Stood down Prov. Bases (Div.).

0900 / Off Duty – F/L Hyman.
F/O Spence.
On Duty. F/L [signature]

1500 / Balloons / BILLINGHAM – CLOSE HAULED – 20:40 = 2230
– 0100 = 0245

HARWICH – 1500 FT – 2240 – 0130
YEOVIL – 1500 FT – { 2300 – 2345 0030 – 0230

1510 / L.F.B. / FELIXSTOWE – BEEARING – 280° T. Timing 0015 – 0115

1515 / Diversion Bases. / Requested of C.F.C. as provisional Petrol bases.

1525. / Bullseye. / Arrangements cancelled. Stations advised.

1800 / Diversion Bases. / [underlined] SQNS. [/underlined] 420, 426, 433, 428, 419, 427, 429, 425.

Emergency Base. Stradishall. Lakenheath. Tuddenham. Chedburgh.

Passed to Stations

1830 – off Duty – [signature]

[page break]

10/11 MAY

[underlined] NON – STARTER. [/underlined] – 424/R – P.I.E. MAG U/S. OK’d by C.T.O.

[underlined] CRASH [/underlined]

427/V – LV-986. Pilot – W/O CLIBBERY.

AT. – WOODBRIDGE A/D. 0110 hrs
Belly landed. – Fires in SIE, SOE & Starboard main plane – put out before landing – Damaged by cannon & machine gun during operations.
Crew O.K.

[underlined] MISSING [/underlined] (GARDENS – ARTICHOKES.

[underlined] 424/C – HX-314 [/underlined]

PILOT – F/O MILLMAN I – R.

[underlined] Crash Landing [/underlined] - 434/I (LW 385)

Pilot F/L Hammond.

Was on C & L detail. Tire burst on take off (1055 hrs) damaging hydraulics; could not get flaps up once they were down. Undercarriage rendered U/S. Advice to Pilot from C.O. & Engr. Officer finally instructed to crash land which he did at 1220 hrs on runway 33. On landing a/c swerved to port off the runway. Crew OK. Undercarriage, port wing & props damaged.

Informed. A.O.C., S.A.S.O., Air I, Controller, G.A.I., G.T.I., Engng, Equipt., S.F.C.O.

[page break]

WED. MAY 10

1830 / On duty. B.T. O’Beirn F/O

2000 / Call sign / LFL of 424 is op. c/s – 17 Group.

2110 / HW480 / 10th MAY. – Important Nav. warning – Exercise Eagle taking place Dusk to Dawn. – In areas VP, VO, VT, VU – Large formation of a/c traversing three routes at all heights up to 4,500 feet. – some a/c with gliders.
Results will be flashing 2200 to 0600 hrs.

[underlined] THURS. MAY 11th 1944 [/underlined]

0001 / Ident Board changed.

0115 / 427/V / – Crash landed at Woodbridge. Crew O.K.

0115 / Whitley / UD – “N” landed Mid-St-G. At 0015 from Kinloss – Inf 91 Group – Staying overnight.

0830 / a/c away report to CFC. We & F/L Smith. F/L Smith will go to Woodbridge to see 427/V.

0900 / Off duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.

1100 / HW. 480 & Ops Log Entry 1400 – May 10. / No Objection from 10 or 11 Groups to cross countries at 15,000 – 20,000 ft. Passed to 61 Base.

1345 / Balloons / Yeovil – 1500 ft. 2300 – 2345 & 0110 – 0245 hrs.
Langley } – 1500 ft. 2330 – 0200 hrs.
Weybridge } – 1500 ft. 2330 – 0200 hrs.
Dover – [deleted] 1500 [/deleted] [inserted] 2000 [/inserted] ft 2345 – 0045 hrs.
Billingham – close hauled, 2130 – 2330 and
0145 – 0330 hrs.

1400 / L.F.B. Special / Beachy Head on 190° T from 0035 – 0135 hrs.

1220 / Crash Landing 434/I / Crew OK. – see opposite page for details.

[page break]

[underlined] Missing [/underlined] 11/12 MAY

427/S – LW 114 – F/L Perry.

432/G – N.A. 500 – S/L Barrett

[page break]

[underlined] Thursday May 11th 1944 [/underlined]

1420 / Nav. Warning / Ex. SD:-
I.F.N. crews should be warned not to fly below 3,000 ft. in the areas – lines joining Selsey Bill, St Catherines Point, Hengisbury [sic] Hd, Southampton, Emsworth, Selsey Bill, by day or night. Passed to Stations.

1430. / Smoke. (Z-8527) / Ex 12 Group. F.C.L.O. :- Observer Corps report Black column of smoke about 3 miles south of M.S.G. Latter says it was 5 to 10 miles south south west of them and believe it to be a brush fire on a farm. M.S.G. checking police at Great Smeaton. Result – house fire.

1600 / Dvsn. Bases Emergency. / No definite bases laid on but C.F.C. confirm that Tangmere, Ford. etc., will be standing by for lame ducks. Stations informed.

[deleted] 1840 [/deleted] [inserted] 1820 [/inserted] / Anson S/L Epps. Overdue / Left Moreton - in – Marsh 1550 (15 mins prior to Proctor) for Linton. Proctor landed 1721 hrs. No word of [deleted] Proctor [/deleted] [inserted] Anson [/inserted] since. Checked 91 Gr. 1, 3, 4, 5, Groups. Also 12 Group. Good weather. – no report of a/c in difficulty.

1830 / Off duty H. L. Spence. F/O.
On duty / J D Cleland F/L

1835 / Anson / referred to in entry 1820 hrs, landed OK at Linton.

23.25 / L.F.B. / Beachy Head on bearing of 190° T obviously wrong, checked by 11 Gp and changed to 315° T which is Bombers’ track.

Friday MAY 12th

0030 / Sighting / Flare Sighting in Irish Sea passed to F.C.L.O. 9.

0055 / Jettisoning / L/434 – Engine trouble – Jettisoning total bomb load – SAFE – position 53° 58’N 00° 30’ 30” E – Information passed to MLO 12 and NSO H.Q. B.C. – Bomb Load to the latter.

[page break]

431/L. landed Beaulieu - P.O.E } ENG. CHANGE oil leak
S/L HIGGINS & CREW RETURNING by TRAIN.

[underlined] Command Bullseye. C – 94 [/underlined]

Route – Peterboro, Newcastle (Flashlite target (0025 – 0035); 5510N 0140W. 5510N 0100W. – 5536N 0100E – 5320N – 0200W – Base.
OTU’s drop windows 10 miles before and after Newcastle.
Height – 12000 – 15000 ft.

MF/K.

[underlined] Offers [/underlined]

[deleted] 1659 CU – 0 [/deleted]
1664 CU – 2
1666 CU – 1
[deleted] 434 SQD – 3 [/deleted]
424 SQD – 4
425 SQD – 1
8

[underlined] Balloons [/underlined]

Billingham: 2115 – 2300 and 0130 – 0400 Close hauled.

1500’ { Yeovil – 2300 - 0001 and 0040 – 0140
1500’ { Thames Estuary } 2300 – 0015 and 0100 – 0230
1500’ { Chelmsford } 2300 – 0015 and 0100 – 0230
1500’ { Harwich } 2300 – 0015 and 0100 – 0230

L.F. Beacon – Flamboro Head – 270° T. 0120 – 0220 hrs.

L.F. Beacon – Clacton – on – Sea – 295° T 0045 – 0145 hrs.

[underlined] Emergency Bases [/underlined]

426 & 419 – Mildenhall
420 & 425 Lakenheath
431 & 432 Tuddenham
427 & 429 Waterbeach
428 Boscombe Down

[page break]

MAY 12th 1944

0210 / TVG/W / On Topcliffe HF – following message EX : A/C TVG/W to ZJ.9 = 20 OTU Lossiemouth “99 SQ GO CX FO CX = Position 55° 20’ – 02° 20’ .” - Passed to F.C. 91.

0900 / – / off Duty – [signature]
On duty – B.T. O’Beirn F/O.

1000 / 426/P + Q – To go to Sanlesbury [sic] (M.U.) to leave “Q” and return with crew. OK’d by Air I.

1000 / Photographers – F/O Davidson & Cpl Thomas request permission to fly with 425 X/C (R.C.A.F. H.Q. photographers) OK’d by Air I.

1230 / Darky / (61 Base – Agent “P” heard by Dishforth answered by Tholthorpe.
Ancient “O”. – Wombleton gave him QDM & distance to Chelveston

1400 / Master / DK 975 – 12 Grp looking for the a/c – thought to be at Croft.
Not located in 6 Grp.

1400 / Balloons & L.F. Beacons laid on – see opp. page.

1545 / 61 Base / – a/c Cowlie “O.H” – Calling Topcliffe. – 12 Grp FCLO – Cannot help us. By his call sign it belongs to Great Massingham –

1550 / 431/L / at Beaulieu requires P.O.E. F/L Smith requests Croft to send a new engine and fitter crew to change P.O.E – passed inf. to Croft.

1645 / 427/U / at Woodbridge. Cat B. – F/L is taking Radar equipment to Gransden. Two other a/c at Woodbridge nearly ready.

1645 / Emergency bases allocated – see opp. page.

1830 / Off duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O

[page break]

Oxford “H” from Hullavington (23 Group)
(1620 hrs) landed Topcliffe – Inf 23 G.

Spit – P-7668 – F/L Seghers landed Mid.S.G. 1520 from Catfoss – Inf. F.C.O. 12 Grp.

Anson – landed at 1700 from Croft at Linton. TO. 1706 for Pocklington.

FAIRCHILD – left Linton 1642 for Sherburn - in - E

[page break]

1830 / On duty H. L. Spence.

2250 / Pundit / 62 Base report pundit & spare u/s. Repairs in progress. Signal action taken.

[boxed] Saturday – May 13/44 [/boxed]

0055 / Intruders / Ex 12 Group. Hostiles plotted in “W.C” Stations informed & warned of possibility of intruder plots being passed.

0015 / BullsEye / Ops. Controller 12 Grp requested Bulls Eye a/c [inserted] be [/inserted] 62 Base & Skipton instructed to recall on H.F.D.F.

0117 / Intruders / “X” raids in W.B. 5800. Due to uncertain identification lines manned & plots told stations.

0130 / Bulls Eye 424 Sqn a/c / 6 Group Monitoring Watch discovered Leeming H.F.D.F using Operational C/S (TTJ) to recall Bulls Eye aircraft D.S.O. Group cleared with Leeming H.F.D.F.

0143 / Intruder Warning to a/c / Instructed M.S.G. & Skipton to broadcast warning to their aircraft.

0210 / Intruder Lines / Ex 12 Group “X” raids confirmed as friendly. Lines closed down.

0200 / Ident Board changed.

0313 / Bulls Eye / Last a/c landed from Bulls Eye.

Ops. / Last a/c landed – 5 missing.

Dvn. Bases / Stood down.

0740 / a/c away / Summary to C.F.C.

0840 / a/c away / Summary to F/L Smith.

0900 / Off duty H. L .Spence F/O.

Carried forward to next log:-