Notes from Squadron and station operational records

Notes from Squadron and station operational records

Contains: List of targets from 23 May 1943 up to 31 May 1944. Includes target name, type of aircraft, serial number and letter. Record of 1663 HCU Rufforth from 2 March 1942 to 15 May 1943, includes establishment, personnel, aircraft, strength, postings, crashes. Also some details from RAF Marston Moor and station records from RAF Pocklington mentioning some targets and visit by Sir Arthur Harris. Mentions crew ditching and being rescued next day. List his crew on 102 Squadron. Large number of pages from station and squadron records covering operations from 23 May 1943 up until 21 June 1943. Details include numbers of aircraft and other details, Followed by record of 277 and 198 squadron Squadron RAF Martlesham covering fighter and other air sea rescue operations during recovery of Brennan's crew which had ditched near Dutch coast on 22 June 1943. Continues with station records on operations from 22 June 1943 until 3 July 1943,notes on aircraft failed to return. List crew on 102 Squadron and notes posting to 35 Squadron. Continues with station record form RAF Graveley and covers operations and daily activity from 8 July 1943 as well as squadron records of operations detailing reports from crew including combat reports. Covers operations and daily activity on station and squadron up to 31 May 1944. Followed by summaries of postings, promotions, awards, losses and operational statistics.

One hundred and sixty four page handwritten document

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SBrennanJ1210913v20004-0003

S.O.R’s from
23/5/43 to 31/5/44
(Hand written by Sheema)

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[underlined] TARGETS [/underlined]

[underlined] DATE [/underlined] [underlined] Place [/underlined] [underlined] Type of aircraft [/underlined] [underlined] Serial [/underlined] [underlined] Letter [/underlined]
[underlined] 102 Squadron [/underlined] (4 Group)
23.5.43 DORTMUND Halifax Mk II DT485 V
12.6.43 BOCHUM Halifax Mk II BB365 E
19.6.34 LE CREUSOT. Halifax Mk II JD206 T.
21.6.34 KREFELD Halifax Mk II JD206

[underlined] 35 Squadron [/underlined] (PFF)
27.7.43 HAMBURG Halifax Mk II HR878 J
29.7.43 HAMBURG Halifax Mk II HR798 S
2.8.43 HAMBURG Halifax Mk II HR873 B
10.8.43 NUREMBURG Halifax Mk II HR798 S
12.8.43 TURIN Halifax Mk II HR798 S
(16.8.43 TURIN Halifax Mk II BB359 V)
23.8.43 BERLIN Halifax Mk II BB359 V
27.8.43 NUREMBURG Halifax Mk II HR802 U
30.8.43 MUNCHEN GLADBACH Halifax Mk II HR802 U
31.8.43 BERLIN Halifax Mk II HR802 U
(5.9.43 MANNHIEM Halifax Mk II BB359 V)
22.9.43 HANNOVER Halifax Mk II HR798 S
23.9.43 MANNHIEM Halifax Mk II HR798 S
27.9.43 HANNOVER Halifax Mk II HR912 X
29.9.43 BOCHUM Halifax Mk II HR912 X
3.10.43 KASSEL Halifax Mk II HX167 S
(4.10.43 FRANKFURT Halifax Mk II HX168 Y)
8.10.43 BREMEN Halifax Mk II HR877 W
11.11.43 CANNES Halifax Mk II HR916 P
(22.11.43 BERLIN Halifax Mk II HR916 P)
23.11.43 BERLIN Halifax Mk II HR879 Z
25.11.43 FRANFURT [sic] Halifax Mk II HR916 P
3 12.43 LEIPZIG Halifax Mk II HR916 P
20.12.43 FRANKFURT Halifax Mk II HR916 P
23.12.43 BERLIN Halifax Mk II HR916 P
5.1.44 STETTIN Halifax Mk II HR916 P
21.1.44 MAGDEBURG Halifax Mk II HX147 P
15.2.44 BERLIN Halifax Mk III LV825 P
(19.2.44 LEIPZIG Halifax Mk III HX295 Q)
20.2.44 STUTTGART Halifax Mk III LV825 P
24.2.44 SCHWEINFURT Halifax Mk III LV825 P
25.2.44 AUGSBURG Halifax Mk III LV825 P
1.3.44 STUTTGART Halifax Mk III LV825 P
18.3.44 FRANKFURT Lancaster Mk III ND702 G
24.3.44 BERLIN Lancaster Mk III ND692 P
18.4.44 ROUEN Lancaster Mk III ND692 P
20.4.44 COLOGNE Lancaster Mk III ND692 P

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[underlined] TARGETS [/underlined] (cont)

[underlined] DATE [/underlined] [underlined] Place [/underlined] [underlined] Type of aircraft [/underlined] [underlined] Serial [/underlined] [underlined] Letter. [/underlined]

22.4.44 LAON Lancaster Mk III ND692 P
24.4.44 KARLSRUHE Lancaster Mk III ND692 P
26.4.44 VILLENEUVE Lancaster Mk III ND692 P
27.4.44 FRIEDRICHSHAVEN. Lancaster Mk III ND692 P
8.5.44 HAINE ST PIERRE. Lancaster Mk III ND692 P
10.5.44 LENS Lancaster Mk III ND692 P
11.5.44 HASSELT. Lancaster Mk III ND692 P
28.5.44 MARDICK. Lancaster Mk III ND692 P
31.5.44 TRAPPES Lancaster Mk III ND692 P

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[underlined] RECORD of 1663 HCU RUFFORTH [/underlined]

[underlined] MARCH [/underlined]

2.2.43 Formation of 1663 Conversion Unit at RAF Station, Rufforth. Authorised establishment WAR/BC/313 dated 7th February 1943, modified for 3 flights. Aircraft:- 24 IE Halifax V. The unit is under the command of S/Ldr R.A. Norman. The following officers arrived to take over their duties.
Commanding Officer – S/Lrd R.A.Norman (Australian).
Chief Technical Officer:- S/Ldr C.E. Rolfe. M.B.E.

6.3.43 F/Lt O.E. Wiltshear D.F.C. arrived to take over his duties as Chief Ground Instructor.

9.3.43 Advance party of 1652 Conversion Unit “D” flight, which is being absorbed into No 1663 Conversion Unit, arrived from RAF Station, Pocklington.

10.3.43 Main party and air party “D” flight 1652 Conversion Unit arrived from R.A.F. Station Pocklington. Official date for absorption of this flight by 1663 Conversion Unit.

12.3.43 First aircraft (Halifax) – taken on charge.

14.3.43 Cross country flight and air test.

16.3.43 Ground training started.

[Station Strength table]

[underlined] Postings during April of Pupils [/underlined]

[table of postings]

[table of Unit strength]

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[underlined] 1663 HCU RECORD [/underlined] (cont)

[underlined] APRIL [/underlined]

6.4.43. Halifax V DC413 crashed near Driffield at 10:55 hrs while on training flight (fighter affiliation). All the crew were killed (12 crew; 3 pilots, 1 WOp/AG, 1 bomb aimer, 1 flight engineer, 5 air gunners, 1 maintenance assistant).

8.4.43. F/O Rogers H.H. DFM reported missing from air ops over Duisberg with 76 Squadron. He had been attached to that squadron for sorties as a 2nd pilot.

10.4.43. 4 of crew killed on 6th April buried with Service Honours at Driffield.

19.4.43. Halifax DG352 crashed at 10:15 hrs on the boundary of Rufforth aerodrome, while instruction was being given in 3 engine landings. Aircraft was Cat E but the only personal casualty was to Sgt Sykes R. who was slightly injured by chemical burns

21.4.43 Sgt D.B. Martin reported missing from air ops over Stettin with No 51 Squadron. He had been attached to that squadron for sorties as a 2nd pilot.

24.4.43. Notice received that unit was to be brought up to full strength forthwith, with 32 Halifax aircraft.

26.4.43 Sgt N Thompson missing from ops over Duisburg with 51 Sqdn He had been attached to that squadron for sorties as a second pilot.

[underlined] MAY [/underlined]

1.5.43 Halifax DG408 reported missing from a cross country flight. Last plotted 130 miles off-course near Brest. Presumed shot down by enemy fighters. All crew missing (8 men).

5.5.43. Halifax DG419, whilst on training, crashed at Fridaythorpe All the crew were killed (6 men no W/Op).

10.5.43 Funeral of 2 of the crew killed at RAF Pocklington.

14.5.43 Sgt E Pritchard and Sgt J.H. Body reported missing from air ops over Bochum with 78 Squadron. These pilots had been attached to 78 squadron for operational experience as second pilots.

[underlined] Postings from [/underlined] unit during [underlined] May [/underlined]

[table of postings]

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[underlined] HCU STATION RECORDS [/underlined].

[underlined] MARSTON MOOR [/underlined]

[underlined] 10th April/11th April 1943 [/underlined] :- Base established for RAF Stations Marston, Riccall and HQ established in original HQ building at Marston Moor w.e.f same date.
Group Captain G.L. Cheshire DSO, DFC assumed duties of Deputy Base Commander and also of Station Commander Marston Moor.

(6.6.43. 11:30hrs. Halifax aircraft from satellite Rufforth crashed following a steep turn whilst on Fighter Affiliation. All occupants were killed and the bodies conveyed to RAF Driffield mortuary.)

[underlined] RUFFORTH [/underlined]

11.4.43. Sub-station formed as part of a clutch under command of Group Captain D.O. Young DSO. DFC. AFC.

11.4.43 Major T. Southgate gave lecture to aircrew.

14.4.43 F/Lt Mason Lewis gave lecture to aircrew on PFF

23.4.43 F/Lt Mason Lewis gave lecture to aircrew on PFF

30.4.43 Lt Maydon DSO RN visited Rufforth and gave lectures to aircrew on submarines.

5.5.43 F/Lt Farmery DFM gave lecture to aircrews on Fighter Affiliation.

7.5.43. F/O Littlefield, Pocklington, gave lectures to aircrew on Prisoners of War.

13.5.43 Major Southgate. MC gave lecture to aircrews on Flak.

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[underlined] STATION RECORD (POCKLINGTON) [/underlined]

[underlined] MAY 1943 [/underlined]

4.5.43 Bomb and Nickel raid on Dortmund. 17 Halifax detailed 13 attacked (one only with incendiaries). 2 aircraft missing, “U” (S/Ldr Flowerdew) and “H” piloted by Sgt Happold. “V”, with Flt/Sgt Bowman as Captain ditched on return approximately 60 miles from the English coast. The whole of the crew was rescued the following morning by lifeboat delivered by parachute by Coastal Command Air Sea Rescue Service. The crew sustained only slight injuries.

7.5.43. C in C Bomber Command AM Sir Arthur Harris KCB accompanied by AOC HQ No 4 Group AVM C.R. Carr C.B.E DFC, AFC, visited the station and lunched in the Officer’s Mess after addressing all aircrew of 102 Squadron.

12.5.43 Bomb and Nickel Raid on Duisberg – 10 Halifax, 1 returned early (artificial horizon unserviceable) and one aircraft, “E” with Sgt Moffatt, failed to return.

13.5.43 Bomb and Nickel Raid on Bochum. 13 Halifax. 1 aircraft turned back owing to engine failure, a 2nd with unserviceable compasses and a 3rd with the navigator falling ill. “G” (Sgt Hatchard) missing. One aircraft also crashed into the sea near Yarmouth after bombing primary. The crew was rescued by motor gunboat off Yarmouth, no serious injuries having been sustained.

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[underlined] 102 Squadron [/underlined]

[underlined] May 1943 [/underlined] Posted in
Sgt Honey,
Sgt Dick
Sgt Tudberry
Sgt Ward
Sgt Brenan (sic)
Sgt Wagar
Sgt Heyward (sic)

[underlined] July 1943 [/underlined] Posted out
Sgt R.O Tudberry (Bomb aimer)
Sgt A.J. Dick (Flight engineer)
Sgt R.A. Ward. (Navigator)
Sgt F.R Hayward. (Air gunner) (mid-upper)
Sgt D.A. Wagar. (Air gunner) (rear)
Sgt J. Brennan. (Wireless operator)
Sgt G.S.B. Honey. (Pilot)

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[underlined] POCKLINGTON [/underlined]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 23rd May 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] DORTMUND [/underlined] Record number of aircraft for squadron, 22, took off and 17 bombed. Heavy ground haze over target but subsequent photographic reconnaissance revealed raid a greater success that at first anticipated. Defence mainly of searchlights in cooperation with fighters. Flak not as intense as usually experienced over this target.

Bomb load 2x1000lb, 7 cans of 4lb and 6 cans of 30lb incendiaries.

Route: Cottesmore Light to 5248N x 0440E – 5240N x 0620E – 5205N x 0725E to target. Then to 5150N x 0710E and home via Egmond to Cottesmore Light.

No combats.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 23rd May 1943 [/underlined]

22 aircraft were detailed to attack DORTMUND. “Y” captained by Sgt Saywell, “R” captained by F/Sgt Quigley, and “W” captained by F/O Kelly returned early with various kinds of trouble. “H” captained by F/Sgt Sargent failed to return. The remainder bombed the target with no general opinion as to the results although the Station Summary of operations stated that they were not conversant with the number of aircraft employed.

[underlined] Supplementary information from Station Record [/underlined]. (23.5.43)

This was a Bomb and Nickel raid. 2 aircraft were forced to return early by reason of oxygen failure and the port generators not charging. Owing to the heavy ground haze over the target, the first results observed were not commensurate with the considerable number of aircraft employed by Command. Subsequent photographic reconnaissance revealed that the raid was a greater success than had at first been anticipated.

There were a considerable number of enemy sightings but no combats.

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[underlined] 23rd May 1943 [/underlined]. [underlined] DORTMUND [/underlined]. Halifax Mk II DT485 “V”

[underlined] UP [/underlined]: 23:03 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined]: 04:23 (Duration 5hrs 20mins)

[underlined] CREW [/underlined] Regular (all “Sgt”).

[underlined] Report [/underlined] Attacked primary target at 20,100ft, heading 200°M 160 IAS. Light cloud. Good visibility. 2 red TI markers also green backers up. Fairly well concentrated. No ground detail visible. Bombed on red TI marker. Own bombs not seen to burst. 5 big fires, one particularly noticeable. Also one large explosion seen on run up.

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[underlined] STATION [/underlined].

25.5.43 Dusseldorf – 21 aircraft, all returned safely. 5 landed at Waterbeach, 5 at Marston Moor, 2 at Oakington and 1 at Holme. No early returns

27.5.43 Essen – rest of crew went but not Hayward. 20 aircraft took part, 2 returned early and “H” (P/O Jeffrey) failed to return.

29.5.43 Wuppertal – 20 aircraft took part. “J” (Sgt Ward R.A.) failed to return: “S” (Sgt Sayer) attacked by 2 Ju88 aircraft. The tail gunner fired 3 bursts and claimed destroyed aircraft.

31.5.43 “No serious outbreak of illness during May. Being base station, total number of personnel under medical care is gradually increasing but the general health of the station is not affected by overcrowding.”

[underlined] JUNE [/underlined]

No ops until

11.6.43. Dusseldorf – 21 aircraft, all attacked successfully.

8.6.43 [underlined] Distinguished Visitor [/underlined]. Air Chief Marshall Sir Philip Joubert de la Ferté, Inspector General, visited Pocklington and had lunch in the Officers Mess.

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[underlined] POCKLINGTON [/underlined]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 12th June 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] BOCHUM [/underlined]. 16 aircraft. No early returns. No aircraft jettisoned. All attacked primary. Primary red markers of PFF obtained generally in bombsights.

Route via Hornsea to N end of Texel – 5200N x 0711E – target – 5210N x 0730E – N end of Texel – base.

Weather on track good. Target obscured by large patch of thin cloud which hampered identification. Searchlights active in considerable numbers but flak only moderate.

Bomb load 2x1000lb GP, 7 cans of 4lb, 6 cans of 30lb including 6 long delay GP bombs and usual type 4lb incendiaries.

Night fighters active and a number of sightings were reported. Unfortunately, a most experienced captain, Sgt Hale in “T”, failed to return from this operation, no news being received.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 12th June 1943 [/underlined]

The weather was cloudy in the morning, becoming fair and fine. Visibility was 4 to 6 miles becoming 15 to 20 miles. Wind was westerly 5 to 10mph.

18 aircraft were detailed. 1 was scrubbed. “T” (Sgt R.R. Hale) failed to return. The remainder bombed the target and the attack was considered fairly successful although it was dispersed, there being two chief areas of fires, one in the North and the other in the South part of town.

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[underlined] 12th June 1943 [/underlined]. [underlined] BOCHUM [/underlined] Halifax Mk II BB365 “E”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 23:20 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 03:48 (Duration 4hrs 28mins)

[underlined] Crew [/underlined]. Regular.

[underlined] Report [/underlined] Attacked primary target at 20,000ft, heading 200°M, 160 IAS. 7 to 8/10 broken cloud TI markers seen. Red TI in bomb sight. Large fire seen on port side as leaving target and other fires starting.

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[underlined] POCKLINGTON [/underlined]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 19th June 1943 [/underlined]. [underlined] LE CREUSOT [/underlined]. 22 aircraft. No early returns All attacked primary. 9 had to land away on returning due to shortage of fuel. Early arrivals identified the target clearly and considered the attack concentrated and accurate. Crews arriving later complained smoke from numerous fires made aiming point difficult to identify and attack appears to have become somewhat scattered. Flak in target areas was slight and searchlights almost non-existent.

Bomb Load all HE; 1x2000 HC; 2x1000 long delay and 6x500lb MC or GP.

Weather clear throughout raid and at target. A number of dummies seen. No combats or fighter sightings.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

23 aircraft were detailed and 22 set out. All attacked the Le Creusot works from low level. The operation was considered concentrated and successful though aircraft later in the attack said that the smoke from the flares tended to obscure the target and made the aiming point difficult to identify. The attack then seemed to become somewhat scattered.

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[underlined] 19th June 1943. [/underlined] [underlined] LE CREUSOT [/underlined]. Halifax Mk II JD206 “T”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 22:08 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 4:54 (Duration 6hrs 46mins)

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular.

[underlined] Report [/underlined] Attacked primary target at 8,400ft, heading 090°M, 160 IAS. Good visibility. No cloud. White flares and visually pinpointed lake. Bombed on factory buildings. Own bombs seen to hit factory. One large fire seen on leaving.

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Ditching here

[symbol]

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[underlined] POCKLINGTON [/underlined]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 21st June 1943. [/underlined] [underlined] KREFELD [/underlined] 19 aircraft. 17 claimed target. 1 aircraft returned early owing to u/s intercom and 1 aircraft captained by Sergeant Honey was forced down in the sea off the Dutch coast having been hit by a burst of flak near Overflakkee. This crew was subsequently rescued by Air/Sea Rescue Service when still close up to Dutch coast.

Good visibility en route.

Route – down England to Southwold – 5148 N x 0350E – target.

Bomb load usual with 10 long delay bombs among the 1000lb GP.

(A14 report) [underlined] Casualty Repot [/underlined] 4 102. A692. 22/6. Hal II JD206 (T)
Target KREFELD Sgt Honey.
Remard [sic] Crew rescued.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

“T” (Sgt G.S. Honey) failed to return but news was received that the aircraft had been ditched and the crew brought back safely.

21 aircraft were detailed to attack Krefeld. 2 were scrubbed 19 aircraft set out to attack the primary (see above) “J” captained by Sgt J.M. Whitehouse was attacked by night fighters, lost time and altitude and jettisoned before returning early. “W”, captained by Sgt K.R.W. Shephard also returned early being unable to get a fix and being uncertain of their position. The remainder bombed the primary objective.

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[inserted] (4) [/inserted]

[underlined] 21st June 1943. [/underlined] [underlined] KREFELD [underlined] Halifax Mk II JD206 “T”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 00:01 [underlined] Down [/underlined] Ditched in sea.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular

[underlined] Report [/underlined] Target not attacked. Aircraft hit by flak near [inserted] Overflakkee island.) [/inserted] Obeflakke on way to target. Engine trouble developed leaving only starboard outer. Pilot turned, jettisoned and ditched up moon. Crew took to dinghy. Drogue put out to check E’ly drift. Seen by Mustangs at 06:35 hrs and later by Typhoons at 15:30 hrs. At 19:00 saw 2 Walrus of 277 Squadron. Attracted attention by cartridge. Honey and 2 others got in one and 4 others in the other Walrus. First Walrus landed at Martlesham and the second taxied and transferred to MGB and put in at Felixtowe [sic]. All the crew safe.

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[underlined] Record of 277 Squadron for 21st June 1943 [/underlined]

[underlined] 22nd June 1943. [/underlined] [underlined] MARTLESHAM. [/underlined]

Weather fine to fair with local mist at first.

Last night flight had been warned by operations that services would be required very early in the morning so at 0400hrs the majority of the flight personnel were in attendance. 2 Walrus and 7 Spitfires on immediate readiness from then until early hours of next day.

At 1640 hours a message was received from operations commencing the 2nd phase of the flight’s operations. (Previously a USAAF crew from a Flying Fortress had been rescued). Controller phoned F/L Brown and informed him that a dinghy had been sighted in the area 02563, a position perilously near the Dutch coast. It was decided to send out 2 Walrus aircraft to effect the pick-up of the 7 occupants of the dinghy and while operations sought the approval of Group it was left to F/L Brown to plan and organize the operation and brief the crews. Briefly, F/L Brown’s plan was as follows:- The 2 Walrus aircraft to arrive at the position of the dinghy 55 1/4 mins after leaving base. 2 Typhoons of 198 Squadron, Martlesham to escort the Walruses from the centre NAN Square to the position of the dinghy, leaving base 27 minutes after the departure of the Walruses 4 of our Spitfires to relieve the Typhoons and detail to be airborne 55 minutes after the Walruses and a second section of Typhoons to relieve our Spitfires 40 minutes later. Group approving the scheme, communicated with 198 Squadron and their Commanding Officer S/Ldr Manak of Czechoslovakia came round to the Flight to confer with F/Lt Brown and was very willing to cooperate in any way possible in the job in hand.

The Walrus aircraft X9526 piloted by W/O Greenfield with W/O Horan and F/S Leighton and X9563 piloted by W/O Ormiston with F/S Errington and Sgt Mann were airborne at 1837hrs and receiving vector 01663 proceeded together to the dinghy, escorted from the centre of N square by 2 Typhoons of 198 Squadron. The Walruses pancaked and proceeded to take the occupants of the dinghy aboard.

W/O Greenfield took 3 of the airmen – Sgt Honey, Sgt Dick (Flt/Engineer) and Sgt Haywood (sic) (WO/AG) and W/O Ormiston took 4 of them – Sgt Ward (Navigator)

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[underlined] 277 Sqdn [/underlined] record cont

Sgt Tudberry (Bomb Aimer), Sgt Brennan (WO/AG) and Sgt Wagar (Radio Air Gunner). All these airmen were the crew of a Halifax Bomber of 102 Sqdn, Pocklington

The Walruses had been blown slightly off course by the increasing wind and at the end of the time vector, land was sighted and it was discovered that the aircraft was slightly south of the position of the dinghy. The aircraft turned north and after 3 mins a red Verey light fired from the dinghy was observed by W/O Greenfield. W/O Greenfield dropped a smoke float and landed first. W/O Ormiston also observed the Verey light and came in towards it.

The sea by this time was becoming rougher and the Walruses taxied westwards in the hope of being able to take off at some favourable [sic] moment in spite of the heavy loads.

Our 4 Spitfires manned by F/O Hesselyn (Section Leader), W/O Boddy, F/O Edmiston and F/Sgt Brodie were airborne at 1932hrs and proceeded to the position of the 2 Walruses and relieved the Typhoons.

By dint of great exertion on the part of W/O Greenfield assisted by F/Sgt Leighton, Walrus X9526 became airborne after 30 minutes taxying and 2 bounces. and F/O Hesselyn detached F/O Edmiston and F/Sgt Brodie to escort it. W/O Greefield flew on 280° to Southwold escorted by the Spitfires until a Typhoon took over. The Walrus landed at base at 2110hrs and the rescued airmen were taken by ambulance to Station Sick Quarters for any necessary attention. 2 Spitfires landed at base at 2105hrs

Meanwhile, the sea prevented W/O Ormiston from getting airborne and it became increasingly difficult to control the aircraft. F/O Hesselyn and W/O Boddy continued to provide cover.

The rescue had been effected about 15 miles from the Dutch coast and there was great danger of attack by hostile aircraft. At approx 2055hrs, F/O Hesselyn saw 2 aircraft approaching from the West out of the sun and recognized FW190s. Warning the Walrus to take evasive action he sped to the nearest FW190 and opened fire at 700yds. The enemy aircraft did likewise but registered no hits. F/O Hesselyn’s shots struck his opponents engine and around his cockpit. He followed the aircraft after it had passed by, pouring lead at it until it was out of range. F/O Hesselyn modestly reported that he

[page break]

[underlined] 277 Sqdn [/underlined] record cont

saw no more results of the combat but W/O Ormiston in the water saw a tremendous splash in the water and thought it was an aircraft shot down. A definite “bag” has not yet been established. F/O Hesselyn and W/O Biddy landed at base again at 2137hrs.

The Shoreham Walrus had returned to its base at 1330hrs but was brought back to Martlesham again to render such assistance as might be necessary by W/O Saunders and Sgt Birch-Hurst and Sgt Gregory at 2010hrs One Walrus and a section of Spitfires were airborne at 2120hrs to cover the taxying Walrus and render such assistance as might be necessary. F/Lt Brown, Sgt Birch-Hurst and Sgt Gregory were in Walrus X9526 and F/O Hilton and F/O Edmiston manned the section of Spitfires. At the request of Operations another section of Spitfires was airborne at 2219hrs and proceeded to area N4882, being manned by F/Lt Almack and Sgt Campbell F/Lt Brown located the taxying Walrus but owing to the state of the sea was unable to effect any useful purpose by attempting to pancake. He stayed in the vicinity of the taxying Walrus and finally was able to contact one of the surface craft engaged in seeking out W/O Ormiston’s aircraft and directed MTB “D16” to it.

At 2245hrs, F/O Hilton and F/O Edmiston returned to base and at that time Operations informed us that our 2 Spitfires, 2 Typhoons and the 2 Walruses were still about 40 miles out east from the shore. F/Lt Almack and Sgt Campbell returned to base at 2347hrs with nothing of interest to report. F/Lt Brown’s Walrus returned at 0008hrs on the 23rd inst, leaving the taxying Walrus in the care of the surface craft.

After taking in the 4 airmen, W/O Ormiston found that, owing to the rough state of the sea it would be extremely dangerous to attempt a take off and decided to taxi to shore. The aircraft taxied from 1950hrs until 0200hrs on the 23rd and as time went on, it became increasingly difficult to keep the machine on a proper course. F/Sgt Errington’s assistance was necessary to operate the control column to keep the aircraft steady and 9 to 10ft waves obscured visibility to such an extent that the escorting aircraft were requested to guide the Walrus clear of mines and other dangerous obstacles invisible from the Walrus cockpit, over which the waves were continually breaking. Covering aircraft were relieved of their task by the surface craft and these latter took charge

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[underlined] 277 Sqdn [/underlined] record cont

[underlined] 23rd June 1944 [/underlined] At 0200hrs the Walrus ran out of petrol and the engine stopped. The waves by this time were 10 to 15ft high and it took some 20 mins for the tow rope to be attached to the aircraft from MTB D16. The Walrus was towed for 1hr during which time the sea was so rough that boats became invisible when the machine dipped into the trough of the sea. The aircraft was taking terrific punishment and appeared to W/O Ormiston to be liable to break up and so he asked the boats to take his crew, passengers and himself aboard, which task was accomplished with great difficulty. The Walrus had to be abandoned and the airmen were taken into Felixstowe, where they arrived at 06.30hrs and were given any necessary attention. At 0450 news reached the Flight that the Walrus had beached itself and F/Lt Brown decided to salvage it if possible

[Found it being towed by HM Destroyer “Mackay” who took it to Harwich – baling out throughout. Cleaned by crew accompanying F/Lt Brown.

Aircraft had:
Broken upper port ribs.
Lower port wing tip crumpled.
Ribs in lower starboard wing fractured.
Starboard aileron totally u/s
All 4 float struts fractured.
Possibility of engine change]

[page break]

[underlined] 22nd June 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] MARTLESHAM HEATH [/underlined].

The weather was clear, with brilliant sunshine and there was considerable activity here.

(From 15:15 to 16:10hrs they were on search for a missing aircrew) From 20:50 to 21:50hrs 198 Sqdn were acting as escort to a Walrus of No 277 Sqdn.

In the evening, 277 Squadron had a very exciting time. 198 Squadron reported a number of aircrew in a dinghy, about 90 miles out to sea. W/O Greenfield took off in a Walrus at 18:35hrs, picked up from the dinghy the pilot, flight engineer and air gunner of a Halifax of No 102 Squadron from Pocklington at 19:40hrs and landed here at 21.10hrs.

All the members of the crew, rescued and rescuers were in excellent spirits. The Walrus speedily refuelled and F/L Brown DFC flew off to render assistance to W/O Ormiston. W/O Ormiston had taken off in company with W/O Greenfield, was airborne at 18:37hrs and had picked up from the dinghy the four remaining members of the Halifax crews at 19:45hrs.

As the sea conditions and remote position rendered take off hazardous, W/O Ormiston set course for base and proceeded to taxi home. Spitfires of No 277 Squadron were meanwhile in combat with FW190s and F/O Kesslyn DFM of No 277’s escorting pilots had a head-on combat with FW 190s and observed strikes on the engine and cockpit. W/O Ormiston saw a splash in the sea as if an aircraft had gone in. Escorted by F/L Brown DFC, they taxied for 8 hours 10 minutes until the Walrus ran out of petrol. At 02:00hrs, 20 miles East of Orfordness, the Walrus was towed by an MTB.

The crew and occupants of the Walrus were taken on board an MTB to Felixstowe and HMS Mackay towed the Walrus to Harwich.

[page break]

[underlined] 22nd June 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] 198 Squadron Record [/underlined]

Air Sea Rescue in plenty! At 15:15hrs Wilkins and Gilland set out to search for a bomber crew reported to be floating around the North Sea. They are successful and get a “fix” on the position. In the evening, two Walruses of 222 Squadron A/S/R Flight set out to pick up survivors escorted by four Typhoons led by S/Ldr Manak (Czech). Dinghy is located and Walruses go down to pick up survivors but are unable to take off again owing to rough sea. These four Typhoons are relieved by two Spits of 277. The Spits, in turn, are to be relieved by two sections led by F/Lt Cameron and P/O Williams respectively.

P/O William’s section returns to base because of technical trouble. F/Lt Cameron and F/Sgt Gilland went out as far as the Dutch coast without seeing anything. Return on reciprocal and institute square search. Discover solitary Walrus West of its intended course, taxying towards England. Other Walrus has managed to take off and the Spit escort has had to leave. They orbited until being relieved by two further Spits and another Walrus. The taxying Walrus is eventually contacted by ASR launches from Harwich who take off the survivors. The Walrus is towed in, beached and eventually salvaged.

Search consisted of:-
up. down.

F/O Wilkins ) 15:15 16:10
F/Sgt Gilland )

Escort consisted of:-

F/Lt Cameron 20:50 22:20
F/Sgt Gilland 20:50 22:20
P/O Williams 21:00 21:50
Sgt Johnson 21:00 21:50
S/Ldr Manak 19:05 20:35
Sgt Mackenzie 19:05 20:35
P/O Bowman 19:05 20:35
Sgt Crouch 19:05 20:35.

[page break]

[inserted] X [/inserted]

[underlined] STATION [/underlined]

22.6.43 Mulheim – 16 aircraft. 15 attacked primary. 1 returned early with starboard port inner engine trouble.

24.6.43 Wuppertal. – 18 aircraft. 2 aircraft missing. Sgt Marsden and Sgt Shepherd. 1 aircraft returned early with oil pressure failure.

25.6.43 Gelsenkircken. – 16 Aircraft. 1 aircraft turned back with starboard inner engine u/s. Sgt Core in “F” failed to return. Rest bombed

28.6.43 Cologne. – 17 aircraft. 1 aircraft returned early with engine trouble. Remainder claimed primary. There were no casualties.

30.6.43 “No serious outbreak of illness nor any noticeable increase in incidence of sickness. A shortage of male nursing orderlies still exists. The strength of WAAF nursing orderlies is quite satisfactory.”

[underlined] JULY [/underlined] [1 case of Pendiculosis Pubis (public lice) in July]

3.7.43. Cologne – 20 aircraft. (Honey scrubbed). (BB249 “Z”) 18 attacked. 1 returned early with starboard inner U/S. “Q” with F/Sgt Jenkins failed to return.

[underlined] SQUADRON [/underlined]

22.6.43 – 1 returned early. Remainder bombed.

24.6.43 “C” (Sgt J.A. Marsden) and “Q” (Sgt. K.R.W. Sheppard) failed to return. “V” (Sgt A.C. Branton) returned after jettisoning bombs live owing to low oil pressure

25.6.43 “B” returned early. “F” Sgt K. Gore failed to return. All the other aircraft bombed the primary

28.6.43. 1 aircraft jettisoned its load.

3.7.43 2 aircraft were scrubbed. 1 returned early. “Q” (F/S Jenkins) failed to return.

[page break]

[underlined] 102 Squadron [/underlined]

[underlined] May 1943 [/underlined] Posted in

Sgt Honey,
Sgt Dick
Sgt Tudberry
Sgt Ward
Sgt Brenan (sic)
Sgt Wagar
Sgt Heyward (sic)

[underlined] July 1943 [/underlined] Posted out
Sgt R.O Tudberry (Bomb aimer)
Sgt A.J. Dick (Flight engineer)
Sgt R.A. Ward. (Navigator)
Sgt F.R. Hayward. (Air gunner) (mid-upper)
Sgt F.R. Wagar. (Air gunner) (rear)
Sgt J. Brennan. (Wireless operator)
Sgt G.S.B. Honey. (Pilot)

[page break]

[underlined] 35 Squadron. [/underlined]

[underlined] 8th July 1943. [/underlined] Posted to unit from 102 Squadron:

Sgt F.R Hayward CAN R105406 } Can POR 51/43
Also
Sgt D.A. Wagar CAN R97194 } Can POR 51/43

Sgt G.S.B Honey 1334610 } ref POR 33/43
Sgt R.O. Tudberry 1338109 } ref POR 33/43
Sgt R.A. Ward 1578303 } ref POR 33/43
Sgt A.J. Dick 1557603 } ref POR 33/43
Sgt J. Brennan 1210913 } ref POR 33/43

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY. [/underlined]

[underlined] JULY [/underlined]

8.7.43 Target COLOGNE – 7 “Non-Markers” – cancelled [18:38]

9.7.43 Target GELSENKIRCHEN – 9 “Non-Markers”
ee bottom)

13.7.43 Target AACHEN – 10 Backers up and 8 Main Force.

15.7.43. Target PEUGEOT MOTOR WORKS, MONTBELIARD. 35 and 405 Squadrons required. 6 Blind Markers, 4 Visual Markers, 4 Backers-up and 6 Non-Markers from 35 Squadron

16.7.43. 35 Squadron not required tonight. [10:00]

17.7.43. 35 Squadron not required tonight. [10:05]

18.7.43 35 Squadron not required. [09:45]
F/O. R W Fraser gave lecture on “Battle of the Ruhr” – a series of lantern slides showing results of the raids – to Flying Crews of 35 Squadron.

19.7.43. 35 Squadron not required. [10:06]
F/Sgt Kidd, who returned to Britain recently after forced descent in Enemy Territory, gave lecture to 35 Squadron on his experiences.

20.7.43. 35 Squadron not required. [09:50]

21.7.43 35 Squadron not required. [09:35]
A/C. D.C.T. Bennett CBE, DSO, AOC visited Graveley and addressed all crews of 35 Squadron.

22.7.43 Target HAMBURG – cancelled [21:50]

23.7.43. Target HAMBURG – cancelled [18:22]

24.7.43. HAMBURG – Halifax P/35 crashed on runway when taking off. Crew unhurt. Long delay fused 1000lb bomb liable to explode. Runway cleared later.

25.7.43. HAMBURG – changed to ESSEN.
At 18:10, 1000lb GP Bomb exploded during fusing operations in Fusing Shed. 7 personnel killed. Bomb dump area declared unsafe, 5 1000lb GP Bombs still lying in area fused.

26.7.43. 35 Squadron not required. [10:15]

10.7.43 All PFF Sqdns stood down [9:40]

11.7.43. 35 Squadron not required [no time given]

12.7.43. Target TURIN - cancelled [10:08]

[page break]

[underlined] 35 Squadron. [/underlined]

[underlined] 8th July 1943. [/underlined] Posted to unit from 102 Squadron:

Sgt F.R Hayward CAN R105406 } Can POR 51/43
Also
Sgt D.A. Wagar CAN R97194 } Can POR 51/43

Sgt G.S.B Honey 1334610 } ref POR 33/43
Sgt R.O. Tudberry 1338109 } ref POR 33/43
Sgt R.A. Ward 1578303 } ref POR 33/43
Sgt A.J. Dick 1557603 } ref POR 33/43
Sgt J. Brennan 1210913 } ref POR 33/43

[page break]

[inserted] Jack’s 1st op [symbol] 35 [/inserted]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 27th July 1943 [/underlined].

09:48 Target HAMBURG.

Require: 5 Blind Markers, 1 Visual Marker, 2 “Y” Backers-up. 6 Backers-up and 7 Non-Markers.

Method: Mixed visual and blind ground marking.
Yellow route markers at A: 5418N 0840E and at B: 5352N 1025E.
A/P – Red by Visual Markers, Green Backers-up Yellow route markers at C: 5340N 0830E on way back.

Route: Z = 0100hrs.
Base – 5448N 0430E – 5407N 1025E – HAMBURG – 5320N 0930E – 5435N 0620E – 5448N 0430E – Base.

Method changed to Blind ground marking.

Report [21:53 to 04:15]: 21 aircraft of 35 Squadron, 91 aircraft of PFF and 667 of other Groups. Weather favourable. Visibility good TIs down on time. Concentration very good. Fires began to spread rapidly and whole town a mass of flames. Smoke rising to more than 20,000ft. Several large explosions. More heavy flak than last time. Hundreds of searchlights but ineffective. Some coning. 19 attacked. 2 returned early.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 27th July 1943 [/underlined]

“Of 23 aircraft detailed, 21 took off to attack Hamburg. Two returned early but the remainder carried out highly effective attacks in favourable conditions.”

[page break]

[underlined] 27/28th July 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] HAMBURG [/underlined] Halifax Mk II HR878 “J”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 21:55 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 3.33 (Duration 5hrs 38mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Blind Marker.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Squadron Leader W. Surtees.
Sgt H.G.W. Wooley.
Flt/Lt G. Newsham.
F/O. H.A. Penny.
Sgt. F.R. Hayward.
F.S. J Griffin.
F/S. E.J. Brown.
F/O. R.W. Jones.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
3 Yellow TILB. 1 Yellow TI 6 x 500 MC 1 x 1000 GPLD.
00:36hrs, 16,000ft, 245°T, 180 IAS.
Weather : nil cloud – hazy and smoky.
Identified by navigation aid “Y” which was working very well. Aircraft was over target too early to see results but many small fires were seen burning to the North of A/P on approach.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY. [/underlined]

28.7.43 All squadrons stood down except for No 139 [10:00]

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 29th July 1943 [/underlined]

Target: HAMBURG

Require: 6 “Y” Blind Markers, 2 “Y” recentrers [sic], 5 Backers-up and 8 Main Force. (plus 3 Backers-up and 8 Main Force on Solingen – secondary target).

Report [21:52 to 04:29]: Weather favourable with clear skies but some industrial smoke haze round target. Fires already burning at Hamburg could be seen when crossing enemy coast. Several large explosions were seen and later aircraft reported the whole centre of the town a seething mass of flames. Smoke rose to 15,000ft to 20,000ft. Flak moderate to intense. Some searchlights coning with flak being pumped into them.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 29th July 1943 [/underlined]

“21 aircraft set out to make a further raid on Hamburg. Again, conditions were suitable and 19 of the aircraft carried out their attacks without difficulty. The remaining 2 (F/Sgt Spooner R. and F/Lt H.C. Paxton) failed to return.

[page break]

[underlined] 29/30th July 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] HAMBURG [/underlined] Halifax Mk II HR798 “S”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 22:07 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 3:43 (Duration 5hrs 36mins)

[underlined] Role. [/underlined] Main Force.

[underlined] Crew. [/underlined] Regular (F.R. Hayward down as F/S but must be error)

[underlined] Report [/underlined]

12 x 500 M.C.
00:41.8hrs, 17,700ft 170°M, 155 IAS
Weather pretty clear. Slight ground haze. Visibility moderate Identified by yellow TIs which were in bomb sight and seen to cascade. From 20 miles away the glow of many fires seen, giving a big red glow in the sky. Could still see glow covering a huge area half an hour after crossing enemy coast on return.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined]

[underlined] J[missing letter]LY [/underlined] cont.

30.7.43. Targets SOLINGEN & REMSCHEID.

31.7.43. Target HAMBURG. Crews who have operated 2 nights in succession only to go if they volunteer. – Cancelled [22:27]

“Preliminary reports on Hamburg attacks state that such concentrated devastation has never been experienced, hardly even imagined, before”.

[underlined] AUGUST [/underlined]

1.8.43 35 Squadron not required. [09:50]

[underlined] 35 SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] JULY [/underlined] Sgt Honey G.S.B added to C flight.

[underlined] Postings [/underlined] [underlined] from. [/underlined] [underlined] date [/underlined] [underlined No [/underlined].

S/Ldr W. Surtees DFC 77 Sqdn 2.7.43. 70876
F/O H.A. Penny 77 Sqdn 2.7.43 139204.
F/O R.V. Jones 1652 (HCU.) 2.7.43 139585
F/L G. Newsham 77 Sqdn 2.7.43 75955
killed 1943. P/O E.J. Brown 77 Sqdn 2.7.43 52566
Sgt Wooley H. W 77 Sqdn 2.7.43 1402920
(F/S E.J. Brown 614729)

POR 33/43 Sgt HONEY GSB 102 Sqdn 8.7.43 1334610
POR 33/43 Sgt TUDBERRY R.O 102 Sqdn 8.7.43 1338109
POR 33/43 Sgt WARD R.A 102 Sqdn 8.7.43 1578303
POR 33/43 Sgt DICK AJ. 102 Sqdn 8.7.43 1557603
POR 33/43 Sgt BRENNAN J. 102 Sqdn 8.7.43 1210913
CAN POR 51/43 Sgt HAYWARD F.R. 102 Sqdn R105406
CAN POR 51/43 Sgt WAGAR D.A. 102 Sqdn 8.7.43 R97194.

30.7.43 21 aircraft. 19 carried out duty successfully. F/Lt H.O Paxton and F/Sgt R. Spooner failed to return.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 2nd August 1943 [/underlined]

Target: HAMBURG

Require: 7 Blind Markers, 1 Visual Markers, 2 Recentrers [sic] 5 Backers up and 6 Main Force aircraft.

Main Force to bomb centre of all green ground markers

Route: Base – 5422N 0400E – 5420N 0700E – 5345N 0832E – 5300N 1000E – HAMBURG – 5400N 1000E – 5430N 0700E – 5422N 0400E.

Report [23:02 to 05:26] 21 aircraft of 35 Squadron, 52 other PFF and 74 Medium and 575 Heavy Bombers of other Groups. Weather adverse. Severe icing over North Sea. Heavy thunder and electrical storms over Target area. Hamburg visible through broken cloud below 10/10 cloud at 10000ft. Some scattered fires seen through gaps. One crew reported large explosion.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 2nd August 1943 [/underlined]

“Of 21 aircraft which set out to attack Hamburg, 5 returned early due to severe icing and one, captained by Sgt S. Solomon E. failed to return. The remainder attacked in extremely difficult conditions”

[page break]

[underlined] 2/3rd August 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] HAMBURG [/underlined] Halifax Mk II HR873 (B)

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 23:21. [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 4:47 (Duration 5hrs 26mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Main Force.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular except Sgt. V.E. Bent instead of Wagar & Dick. (all Sgt).

[underlined] Report [/underlined]

10 x 500 MC. 1 x 1000 GPLD
01:33hrs, 18,000ft, 144°M, 145 knots.
Weather 10/10 cloud, cumulo-cimbus, icing and thunderstorm. Good apart from cloud.
Bombs dropped on believed Bremen area as unable to climb and after taking evasive action aircraft became * uncontrollable. On way out climbed to 18,000ft and later clouds were up to 20,000ft. We could not get any higher and when we ran into this cloud we were over a heavily defended area. Predicted flak, very accurate, was coming up and during evasive action aircraft tended to become uncontrollable so order to bomb was given. Believed to be over Bremen at the time. After bombs had gone we got up to 20,000ft and headed for home.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined].

[underlined] August [/underlined] cont

3.8.43 35 Squadron not required. [09:50]
4.8.43 35 Squadron not required. [09:55]
5.8.43 35 Squadron not required. [09:55]
F/O Chesters gave lecture to Flying Crews on intelligence matters.
6.8.43 35 Squadron not required. [10:05]
Night Flying Exercise and demonstration of target indicators. 14 aircraft, 10/10 cloud and only 1 aircraft came below cloud and dropped red TIs. All other crews successfully completed course. A few caught by searchlights but weather conditions spoiled effect of demo.
7.8.34 35 Squadron not required. [10:15]
8.8.43 Target – TURIN – cancelled [20:00]
9.8.43 Target – LEVERKUSEN – only 4 special aircraft – changed to LUDWIGSHAFEN then MANNHEIM – 14 Halifax.

(Sqdn record) 14 aircraft set out. 4 returned early. One, with F/Sgt E.G. Brown, failed to return.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] [missing number]0th August 1943. [/underlined]

Target: NUREMBERG.

Require: 7 Blind Markers, 2 Visual Markers, 5 Recentrers [sic] and 7 Non markers.

Route: Reading – Beachy Head – Le Treport – 4935N 1040E – [underlined] Nuremberg [/underlined] 4910N 1100E – 4917N 0826E – Le Treport – Beachy Head - Reading.

Report [21:32 to 0528] 21 aircraft of 35 Squadron, 85 other PFF aircraft and 573 Heavy Bombers of other Groups.

8/10 low stratos cumulus, tops 8000 to 10000ft. Good visibility. Defences light to moderate. Searchlights ineffective owing to cloud.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 10th August 1943 [/underlined]

21 aircraft took off to attack Nuremberg. 1 returned early with engine trouble and 1, captained by F/O (A F/L) E.T. Ware DFC, failed to return.

[page break]

[underlined] 10/11th August 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] NURENBERG [/underlined]. Halifax Mk II HR798 “S”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 21:48 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 4:32 (Duration 6hrs 44mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined]. Non Marker.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular except Sgt Bent instead of Wagar. Sgt Dick back. Hayward down as F/S but probably error.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
7 x 500 MC. TI
00:59 hrs, 16,000ft, 200°M, 150 IAS.
Weather: 8/10 low broken cloud strato-cumulus. Visibility good.
Target defined by Red TI and bombed with a Red TI in bomb sight. First Red TI seen at about 00:58hrs. Other Red TI fell at East of first one. Both were backed up by Green TI at 01:01 to 4 or 5, seen between the two Reds. Aircraft too early to see results.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined].

[underlined] [missing letter]UGUST [/underlined] cont

11.8.43. 35 Squadron not required. [09:35].

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 12th August 1943. [/underlined]

Target: TURIN – Overload tanks to be fitted on all Halifax

Require: 9 Blind Markers, 3 Visual Markers, 2 Backers-up. 5 Non-Markers.

Route: Reading – Selsey Bill – Cabourg – Lake Bourget – 4518N 0740E – TURIN – 4425N 0737E – Lake Bourget – Cabourg – Selsey Bill – Reading.

Report [[missing number]:05 to 0538] 20 aircraft of 35 Squadron, 20 other PFF and 118 of 3 Group. Weather clear. Slight ground haze and a little thin low cloud. Town and bridges clearly seen and built up area “nicely covered” with incendiaries. Fires and explosions seen. Crews enthusiastic about results. Some light to moderate flak and searchlights but ineffective.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 12th August 1943 [/underlined]

Of 21 aircraft detailed, 1 failed to take off to attack Turin. 2 aircraft returned early owing to technical troubles, the remaining 18 attacked their objectives.

[page break]

[underlined] 12/13th August 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] TURIN [/underlined] Halifax Mk II HR798 “S”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 21:08 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 5:25 (Duration 8hrs 17mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Main Force.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular except Sgt Bent instead of Wagar. Hayward down as F/S but probably error.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
9 x 500 MC Target Indicators
0117.5hrs, 16,000ft, 230°M, 155 IAS.
Weather – cloud nil, very good visibility.
Identified by Red and Yellow target indicators and built-up area. Centre of red and yellow concentration was in the bomb sight. Incendiaries and target indicators were all down in one big circle. There were several individual fires going on inside this, with buildings illuminated. The raid was developing as aircraft left. Rear Gunner could see explosions in Turin from Lake Bourget. Could see raid going on at Milan.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined].

[underlined] August [/underlined] cont.

13.8.43. 35 Squadron not required. [09:45]
14.8.43 35 Squadron not required. [10:05]
15.8.43. 35 Squadron not required. [10:20]

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD. [/underlined]

[underlined] 16th August 1943 [/underlined]

Target: TURIN (returned early)
Route: Reading – Selsey Bill – 4822N 0200E – Lake Bouget – 4520N 0740E – TURIN.

Report [20:05 to 05:10] 22 aircraft from 35 Squadron, 16 of 405 Squadron and 122 of 3 Group.

Fog at Graveley. Diverted to southern aerodromes. 4 landed at FORD, 2 at TANGMERE.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 16th August 1943 [/underlined]

22 aircraft took off to attack Turin. 1, captained by S/Ldr P.A. Haggerty DFC, failed to return. 2 aircraft returned early with engine trouble but the remainder carried out successful attacks.

[page break]

[underlined] 16/17th August 1943. [/underlined] [underlined] TURIN [/underlined] Halifax Mk II BB359 “V”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 20:23 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 23:55 (Duration 3hrs 52mins – returned early – landed at Ford)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Main Force.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular. (Given as F/S F.R. Howard – probably error)

[underlined] Report [/underlined].
8 x 500 G.P.
Returned early from Alençon 10 miles NE, 22:22 1/2hrs, 15,000ft.
8 x 500 GP jettisoned safe 10 miles NE of Alençon at the above time and position.
(Port outer coolant pressure dropped – temperature rose and engine feathered. Also oil leak in port inner.) Landed at Ford.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined].

[underlined] AUGUST [/underlined] cont.

17.8.43. Target – PEENEMUNDE – 10 aircraft.
18.8.43. 35 Squadron not required [09:40]
19.8.43. Target – TURIN – cancelled – unfavourable weather over Alps [16:52]
20.8.43. 35 Squadron not required [09:32]
Command Flying Exercise but 35 Squadron have no aircraft available to participate.
21.8.43 35 Squadron not required [09:41]
22.8.43 35 Squadron not required [10:10]

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

17.8.43 10 aircraft, 1 of which, with F/Sgt Ragget, failed to return.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 23rd August 1943 [/underlined]

Target: BERLIN

Required: 8 Blind Markers, 6 Recentrers [sic], 5 Backers up 4 Non Markers.

Route: Base – 5305N 0220E – Egmond – 5250N 0930E – 5205N 1347E – BERLIN – 5250N 1340E – 5420N 1225E – Mando – 5420N 0300E – Base.

Master of Ceremonies

Report [20:07 – 0400] 23 aircraft of 35 Squadron, 100 other PFF and 616 aircraft of other Groups.

Weather at Berlin clear with slight haze. Many fires. Column of black smoke to 15000ft. Several big explosions, one very severe. Only moderately intense flak but large number of searchlights in cooperation with many night fighters.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [underlined]

[underlined] 23rd August 1943 [/underlined]

23 aircraft took off to attack targets in Berlin. 4 of these, captained by F/L Webster DFC, P/O L.E.N. [indecipherable word], F/Sgt Arter A.E, and F/Sgt Williams J.J. failed to return. The Station Commander G/Cpt B.V. Robinson DSO, DFC accompanied F/L Webster. 4 aircraft returned early with technical defects but the remainder carried out successful attacks.

[page break]

[underlined] 23/24th August 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] BERLIN [/underlined] Halifax Mk II BB359 “V”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 20:37 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 3:51 (Duration 7hrs 14mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Main Force.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular (All sergeant).

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
10 x 500 MC
23:51:2hrs, 17,500ft, 335°M, 150 IAS.
Weather, no cloud. Good visibility.
Identified by navigation aid “Y”. Bombed on centre of cluster of red TI which was in bomb sight. First red TIs formed in a circle which centred into a good cluster. Green TIs backed up well into the middle of the reds and seemed very well placed. One big red glow was seen in the North Central part of the city. A big pall of smoke was seen after aircraft left and the attack seemed to be developing well.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined].

24.8.43. 35 Squadron not required [09:40]
25.8.43. 35 Squadron not required. [09:45]
26.8.43 Target – MANNHEIM – cancelled [11:25]

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 27th August 1943 [/underlined]

Target: NUREMBERG.

Require: 4 Blind Markers, 2 Visual Markers, 4 Recentrers [sic], 3 Backer-up and 6 Non-markers

Route: Base – Reading – Beachy Head – 5005N 0125E – 4865N 1100E – NUREMBERG – 4938N 1103E – 5005N 0125E – Beachy Head – Reading – base.

Z = 0030 hours.

Master of Ceremonies (Deputy Sq/Ldr Surtees of 35 Squadron)

Report [20:48 to 04:44] 18 Aircraft of 35 Squadron, 93 other PFF and 577 other aircraft of other Groups.
Weather on target clear at first with good visibility but later thin patches of low cloud. No spectacular results observed but a number of fires. Flak defences not heavy. Large number of searchlights and many night fighters.

U/35 landed at Ford.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 27th August 1943 [/underlined]

“18 aircraft set out to attack Nuremberg. 14 successfully carried out their attacks. The remaining 4 returned early due to technical defects. Of these 1, captained by F/O R.V. Jones, burst a tyre on landing, both undercarriages collapsing.”

[page break]

[underlined] 27th/28th August 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] NUREMBERG [/underlined] Halifax Mk II HR802 “U”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 20:58 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 4:06 (Duration 7hrs 8mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Main Force

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
10 x 500 MC.
00:27.8hrs, 15,000ft 002°M 170 IAS
Weather: fine and clear. Good visibility.
Identified by Red TI. Bombed centre of about 12 Red TIs which were in bomb sight. Red TIs were fairly well concentrated but there were a few scattered ones. Green TIs fell in centre of reds. Six really good fires were seen burning and others taking hold among incendiaries.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined].

[underlined] August [/underlined] cont.

28.8.43. 35 Squadron not required [09:40]
29.8 43 35 Squadron not required [09:40]

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 30th August 1943 [/underlined]

Target: MUNCHEN GLADBACH.
Require: 5 Backersup [sic], 5 Non Markers.
Z = 0200hrs.
Route: Base – 5210N 0240E – KNOCKE – 5100N 0430E – MUNCHEN GLADBACH – 5135N 0340E – 5210N 0240E – Base.
Non Markers to aim at Red TI or MPI of Green TI.

Report [00:20] to 04:23] 10 aircraft of 35 Squadron, 48 other PFF and 51 Medium and 550 Heavy Bombers of other Groups.
8 to 10/10 low cloud over target but moved S and town clear by 0215hrs
Many fires in good concentration in N town but a lot of incendiaries spreading West.
Light to moderate heavy flak and searchlights illuminating cloud base and many fighters.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 30th August 1943 [/underlined]

Of 10 aircraft which set out to attack Munchen Gladbach, 1 returned early through a technical defect The remainder reached and attacked their objective.

[page break]

[underlined] 30th/31st August 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] MUNCHEN GLADBACH [/underlined] Halifax Mk II HR802 “U”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 00:25 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 4:19 (Duration 3hrs 54mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Non Marker

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular except Sgt Bent instead of Wagar.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
6 x 1000GP. 6 x 500 MC TI.
02:12hrs, 16,500ft, 079°M, 150 IAS.
Weather: 8 to 9/10 cloud – strata-cumulus, tops about 6 – 8,000ft. Visibility good.
Identified by Red TI. Incendiaries were in bomb sight and bombs were dropped short as the aircraft was forced to take evasive action when approached by a fighter. At 01:57hrs a Red TI was seen to cascade but it went out immediately. At 02:03hrs another Red TI was seen and some bombing developed around it. Then reds were seen to go down North of target. Attack appeared to be very scattered.

[page break]

[underlined] BERLIN – 31st August 1943. [/underlined]

Squadron Leader Surtees in HR878 “J” (which took F.R. Hayward on his first flight with 35 Squadron!) Crashed into the Ijsselmeer. 20 years later, Surtees was taken to the spot, now polder, and a wheatfield, where his aircraft came down. Much was found in good condition in the wreckage including the fire axes which Surtees had used to get out of the sinking bomber. It was located by Gernt Zwanenburg

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 31st August 1943 [/underlined]

Target: BERLIN.
Require: 6 Ground Markers, 3 Recentrers [sic] and 7 Non Markers.
Z= 23:30hrs.
Route: Base – 5322N 0323E – 5147N 1108E – 5217N 1405E – BERLIN – 5100N 0930E – 5030N 0720E – Cayeux – Beachy Head – Reading – base.

Report [19:56 to 03:57] 16 aircraft of 35 Squadron and 18 other aircraft of PFF and 534 Heavies of other Groups.
Partially obscured by low thin cloud, 3 to 9/10 strato-cumulus. Attack widespread. No spectacular results. Flak moderate but many night fighters which also dropped white flares. S/Ldr Surtees missing.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined 31st August 1943 [/underlined]

18 Aircraft were detailed for operations. 16 took off but 1, captained by S/Ldr W Surtees DFC failed to return. The remainder carried out successful attacks

[page break]

[underlined] 31st August/1st September 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] BERLIN [/underlined]. Halifax Mk II HR802 “U”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 20:05 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 3:30 (Duration 7hrs 25mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Non Marker

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular. (Wagar returned).

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
9 x 500 MC.
23:37hrs, 16,500ft, 340°M, 150 IAS.
Weather: 6/10 cloud to 8/10 cloud. – Cumulus with gaps
Identified by Skymarkers and Red and Green TIs. Bombed on Red TI with one Green TI in centre. Skymarkers seen at first at 23:29hrs and at 23:30hrs. First Red TI seen at 23:31 and 23:32hrs. First Green TI down at 23:36hrs. On first approach, aircraft decided to bomb on Skymarkers but on arrival Red TIs were seen cascading in two groups about 1 1/2mls apart. One of these was backed up by Green TIs and aircraft bombed this group. Later both lots of red were backed up with green and later still these two groups merged into one with other red and green TIs and incendiaries falling in between. Results were not observed.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [underlined]

[underlined] SEPTEMBER [/underlined]

1.9.43 35 Squadron not required [10:15]
2.9.43 35 Squadron not required [09:50]
3.9.43 35 Special target. 6 aircraft on successful rail [sic
4.9.43 35 Squadron not required. [09:48]

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 5th September 1943 [/underlined]

Alternative target: MANNHEIM. Z = 2300hrs

Route: Base – Reading – Beachy Head – 4925N 0040E – 4937N 0300E – MANNHEIM.

Require: 5 Blind Markers, 1 Visual Marker, 2 Recentrers [sic], 4 Backers up and 8 non Markers

Report [19:38 to 02:40] 20 aircraft of 35 Squadron, 87 other PFF and 491 Heavies of other Groups.

Returned early – intercom trouble (one of 2)

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 5th September 1943 [/underlined]

20 aircraft were detailed to attack Mannheim. Of these, 2 returned early with technical defects. The remainder carried out successful attacks.

[page break]

[inserted] >13 [/inserted]

[underlined] 5/6th September 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] MANNHEIM [/underlined] Halifax Mk II BB359 “V”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 20:06 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 22:22 (Duration 2hrs 16 mins – returned early) intercom trouble

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Main Force.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined]. Regular.

[underlined] Report [/underlined] Returned early from 50°09 1/2N 00°33’E. at 21:14.4hrs. With intercom trouble. 9 x 500 MC jettisoned live at 50°09 1/2N at 21:14.4hrs, 15,000ft.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 22nd September 1943 [/underlined].

Target: HANNOVER.

Require: 5 Blind Markers, 2 Visual markers, 5 Backers-up and 9 Supporters.
Supporters to drop bombs after visual identification or using TI as target.
Z = 21:30

Route: Base – Cromer – 5350N 0400E – 5240N 0920E – HANNOVER – 5210N 0945E – 5350N 0400E – Cromer – base.

Report [18:34 to 00:32] 9 aircraft of 35 Squadron with 71 other PFF and 615 heavies and 29 Medium Bombers of other Groups.

Weather in target area favourable, no cloud, good visibility.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined].

[underlined] 22nd September 1943 [/underlined]

Of 21 aircraft detailed to attack Hannover, 2 failed to take off and 2 returned early, one with defective equipment and one which took off too late to arrive at target at the scheduled time.

[page break]

[underlined] 22nd/23rd September 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] HANNOVER [/underlined] Halifax Mk II HR798 “S”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 18:34 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 00:21 (Duration 5hrs 47mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Supporter.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular (P/O Honey, F/S Wagar – rest Sgt)

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
3 x 1000 MC, 3 x 1000 GP, 6 x 500 MC
21:31.2hrs, 17,000ft, 098°T, 160 IAS
Weather: Excellent visibility.
Identified by Red and Green TIs confirmed by navigational aid “Y”. Bombed centre of Red and Green TIs which were all together in one large group. On run-in Red TI seen cascading right into Lake STEINHEIDER. Aircraft circled Hanover for 10 mins outside waiting for TIs to fall. Red TIs down first at 21:24.1hrs. Greens followed quickly and fell on Reds. City had about 7 fires starting and many incendiaries well in built-up area. Appeared a very good raid, if Red and Green TI were in right place.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 23rd September 1943 [/underlined]

Target: MANNHEIM.

Require: 5 Blind Markers, 1 Visual Marker, 6 Backersup [sic] and 6 Supporters.
Z = 21:30hrs.

Route: Base – Clacton – 5058E 0254E – 4955N 0750E – MANNHEIM – 4619N 0820E – 4800N 0400E – 4830N 0030W – 4920N 0040W – Selsey Bill – Reading – base.

Backers up maintain marking with Green TIs.

Report [18:55 to 01:21] 18 Aircraft of 35 Squadron, 60 other PFF and 541 Heavies of other Groups.

No cloud. Some smoke haze. At 21:42hrs a Yellow TI fell right on aiming point and was promptly backed up. Red and Green TIs fell continuously in built-up area but not very closely grouped. Several explosions and one particularly big one at 21:50 giving 3 secs. bluish white flash. Fires getting good hold towards end and whole area covered with smoke. Many searchlights but only moderate flak.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 23rd September 1943 [/underlined]

18 aircraft took off to attack Mannheim but 2 returned early with defective equipment. The remainder successfully carried out their attacks.

[page break]

[underlined] 23rd/24th September 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] MANNHEIM [/underlined] Halifax Mk II HR798 “S”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 19:25 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 01:21. (Duration 4hrs 56mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Backer up.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular plus P/O Ganderton.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
2 TI Green, LB 2 TI Green. 3 x 1000 MC. 6 x 500 MC.
22:01hrs, 17,000ft, 131°M, 150 IAS.
Weather: nil cloud – good visibility.
Identified by TI Greens and set. Bombed centre of cluster of TI Greens. Reds and flares were seen going down on run-in at approx. 21:41hrs, which were backed up by Greens. Terrific explosion seen at 21:59hrs with bluish white flash which lasted about 3 secs. Fires were getting well hold.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined]

[underlined] SEPTEMBER [/underlined] cont.

6.9.43 Special target – cancelled [17:30]
7.9.43 Special target – cancelled. [17:45]
8.9.43 Target BERLIN – cancelled [17:40]
9.9.43 Target BERLIN – cancelled [21:09]
10.9.43. 35 Squadron not required [09:54]
11.9.43 35 Squadron not required [09:45]
12.9.43 35 Squadron not required [09:45]
13.9.43 35 Squadron not required [09:35]
14.9.43. 35 Squadron not required [09:30]
15.9.34 Target MONTLUCON
16.9.43 Target MONDANE.
17.9.43 Maximum called but stood down 4 mins later [09:35]
18.9.43 35 Squadron not required [09:50]
19.9.43 35 Squadron not required [09:50]
20.9.43 35 Squadron not required [09:30]
21.9.43. 35 Squadron not required [09:45]

[underlined] 35 SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

7.9.43. Notification of commissioning of G.S.B. Honey (pilot) as P/O.
15.9.43 For the first time, the squadron provided the Master Bomber, Wing Commander D.F.E.C. Dean with HX157 “H”. 21 aircraft in a successful raid. 1 returned early.
16.9.43 19 aircraft. 1 returned early. The rest attacked the target.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined]

[underlined] SEPTEMBER [/underlined] cont.

24.9.43 Air raid “alert” 00:27hrs. “All clear” 00:37hrs. All Heavy Bomber squadrons stood down [09:54]
25.9.43 Target KIEL – cancelled [20:40]
26.9.43 Target HANNOVER – cancelled. [17:02]

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [underlined]

[underlined] 27th September 1943 [/underlined]

Target: HANNOVER.

Route: Base – Southwold – 5237N 0330E – Egmond – 5235N 0800E – 5234N 0900E – HANNOVER – 5210N 0945E – 5235N 0800E – Egmond – Southwold – base.
Backersup [sic] with Green TIs.

Report [19:20 to 00:58] 21 aircraft of 35 Squadron, 68 other PFF and 590 heavy and 24 Medium Bombers of other Groups.

Nil cloud, ground haze, good visibility. Good concentration of Red and Green TIs centred in SW of built-up area. One or two large explosions and large area of fires and heavy smoke. Glow of fires still visible from Dutch coast on return route.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 27th September [/underlined]

21 aircraft took off to attack Hannover and all attacked successfully with the exception of “P” captained by P/O N.J. Matich DFM which failed to return.

[page break]

[underlined] 7/28th September 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] HANNOVER [/underlined] Halifax MkII HR912 “X”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 19:48 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 00:42 (Duration 4hrs 54mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Backer up

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
2 LBTI Green, 2 TI Green, 3 x 1000 GP, 8 x 500 MC
22:08hrs, 17,000ft, 130°M, 190 IAS.
Weather: nil cloud – good visibility.
Identified by special equipment. Bombed TIs Red. Yellow TIs seen at 21:54.2hrs. Reds at 21:57.9hrs and Greens at 21:58.9hrs. Greens were being dropped 1/2 mile to East of Reds but some Greens were backing up Reds quite well. Concentration of TIs was quite good apart from a few scattered Greens. Attack seemed to be developing well on way out.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD. – GRAVELEY [/underlined]

[underlined] SEPTEMBER [/underlined] cont.

28.9.43 35 Squadron not required. [09:40]

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 29th September 1943 [/underlined].

Target: BOCHUM.
Require: 3 Backers-up, 7 Supporters
Route: Base – Cromer – 5320N 0350E – Texel – 5220N 0708E – BOCHUM – 5150N 0730E – 5230N 0710E – Texel – 5320N 0350E – Cromer – Base.
Z = 20:45
Backers-up – Green TIs.

Report [18:25 to 23:14] 10 aircraft of 35 Squadron and 35 other PFF and 372 Heavy and 24 Medium Bombers of other Groups.

No cloud but much ground haze. Good area of fires with one extra large one to West. Smoke to 8000ft and glow of fires visible from Zuyder [sic] Zee. Great number of searchlights but flak not up to usual severe standard of Ruhr.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD. [/underlined]

[underlined] 29th September 1943 [/underlined]

10 aircraft took part in an attack on Bochum. Successful attacks were carried out and all the aircraft returned safely.

[page break]

[underlined] 29/30th September [/underlined]. [underlined] BOCHUM [/underlined] Halifax Mk II HR912 “X”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 18:36 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 23:06 (Duration 4hrs 30mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Backer up.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular (Flight Sgt Hayward).

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
5 x 100GP [sic], 6 x 500 MC.
21:00hrs, 17,000ft, 194°M, 135 IAS.
Weather nil cloud, very hazy.
Identified by navigation aid “Y” and skymarking. One Red TI and one Green TI also seen later. Bombed skymarkers. 4 TI Green at 20:49hrs seen cascading which seemed well away from Red TI. If skymarking OK then other TIs undershot including incendiaries. Really good fire going as aircraft left. Several big explosions One at 20:59hrs. Others later.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined]

[underlined] [missing letter]EPTEMBER [/underlined] cont.

30.9.43 Target STETTIN – cancelled. [12:55]

[underlined] OCTOBER [/underlined].

1.10.43. 35 Squadron not required. [13:55]
2.10.43 35 Squadron not required. [09:50]
3.10.43 Air raid alert 02:20hrs, All clear 02:43.
- see next page also
(4.10.43.) First Mk III Halifax HX232.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 3rd October 1943 [/underlined]

Target: KASSEL.
Require: 6 Blind Markers/Illuminators, 2 Visual Markers 7 Backers-up and 6 Supporters.
Z = 21:15hrs.
Route: Base – Cromer – 5320N 0400E – Texel – 5228N 0910E – 5147N 0840E – KASSEL – 5112N 0938E – 5030N 0720E – 5018N – 0132E – Beachy Head – Base
Supporters to bomb visually or aim at TIs.

23:39 hrs. Air raid “alert”.
23:46. hrs. Bombs dropped on aerodrome. 2 small anti-personnel bombs landed to East of Aerodrome (one on Main Runway) and others in fields in TOSELAND, the latter continued to explode intermittently for about 1/2 hour. No damage or casualties reported.
00:40hrs. “All clear”.

Report [18:20 to 00:53] Aircraft took off and returned between 18:20hrs and 00:53hrs.

21 aircraft of 35 Squadron with 66 PFF and 457 Heavies of other Groups.

Clear sky over Kassel with ground haze. Fires leading to smoke and some violent explosions. Opposition moderate. Owing to presence of hostile aircraft overhead when aircraft reached Graveley, 7 were diverted to Bourn.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 3rd October 1943 [/underlined]

21 aircraft took part in an attack on Kassel. All reached the target, attacked and returned safely to base.

[page break]

[inserted] 18 [/inserted]

[underlined] 3rd/4th October 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] KASSEL [/underlined] Halifax Mk III HX167 “S”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 18:29 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 00:33 (Duration 6hrs 4mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Supporter.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular

Underlined] Report [/underlined]
3 x 1000 MC, 7 x 500 MC
21:17.5hrs, 18,000ft, 216°M. 170 IAS.
Weather: very good; visibility – nil cloud.
Identified by navigational aid “Y”, working well. Bombed on Yellow TIs. First run on too late so made a second run-in. Lake and ornamental gardens seen and Yellow TIs believed near this and own bombs seen to explode. Fires seen to South of aiming point. Terrific explosion seen at 21:10hrs with flashes coming up from it.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 4th October 1943 [/underlined]

Target: FRANKFURT.
Require: 12 Blind Markers, 3 Backers up, 2 Visual Markers, 4 Supporters.
Route: Base – Reading – Beachy Head – 5020N 0135E – 4934N 0752E – FRANKFURT
- Returned early.
23:30 Air Officer Commanding ordered Station Commander to take up central position on Aerodrome, have guns and Sandra lights manned and prepare to give hostile aircraft a warm reception.
23:46 Air raid “Alert”
00:24 Air raid “All clear”.

Report [18:20 to 00:47] 20 aircraft of 35 Squadron with 47 PFF and 361 Heavies of other Groups. 1 aircraft returned early for technical reasons.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 4th October 1943 [/underlined]

21 aircraft took off to attack Frankfurt, 1 returning early with U/S equipment. Aircraft “G”, captain F/L J.R. Wood was coned by searchlights for at least 5 mins and was badly damaged by flak. The aircraft crashed and burst into flames near Biggin Hill, 4 of the crew receiving injuries which necessitated their removal to hospital.

[page break]

[inserted] >18 [/inserted]

[underlined] 4/5th October 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] FRANKFURT [/underlined] Halifax Mk III HX168 “Y”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 18:44 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 21:52 (Duration 3hrs 8mins – returned early)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Backer up

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
Returned early from 50°.13’N 02° 08’E at 20:30hrs 16,000ft because of presumed compass trouble, intercomm unserviceable and navigational aid “Y” unserviceable
Jettisoned 11 x 500 MC at 50° 20’N 01° 10’E at 20:43hrs 16,000ft (live).

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined]

[underlined] OCTOBER [/underlined] cont

5.10.43 Target GELSENKIRCHEN – cancelled [10:25]
6.10.43 Officer’s mess moved into new building on Graveley – Offord Road.
Target – SCHWEINFURT – cancelled [16:25]
7.10.43. 35 Squadron not required. [10:35]
20:55 Air raid “Alert”
22:29 “All clear”.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 8th October 1943 [/underlined]

Target: BREMEN (Spoof raid, main target HANNOVER but not 35 Squadron)
Require: 12 Blind Markers and 6 Supporters.
Route: Base – 5320N 0350E – Texel – 5255N 0800E – BREMEN – 5330N 0910E – 5440N 0530E – Base.
Z = 02:45hrs.

Blind Markers to drop Yellow TIs as Route Markers at 5259N 0819E then Red TIs onto Aiming Point either blindly or by Visual Identification if possible.

Report [22:46 to 04:07] 17 aircraft from 35 Squadron with 7 Lancasters of PFF and 100 Stirlings of 3 Group.

Visibility good in target area but 6 to 9/10 thin low cloud. Flares and some Red TI dropped on time. No concentration of TIs reported however and very little of attack could be seen due to cloud. Some crews reported seeing a glow which might have been fires. 40 to 50 searchlights in operation at first with moderate flak. Later, after our aircraft had left, more searchlights came on and large numbers of Fighter Flares were dropped over target from which it may be inferred that the object of this spoof attack, to draw fighters from the Main Target, had been achieved.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 8th October 1943 [/underlined]

18 aircraft were detailed to attack Bremen but 1 was withdrawn before take off and 2 returned early. with defective equipment. The remainder carried out successful attacks, but aircraft “Y”, captain F/O M.M.V.L. Muller was badly damaged and crash landed near Coltishall, the crew escaping with very minor injuries.

[page break]

[inserted] 10 [/inserted]

[underlined] 8/9th October 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] BREMEN [/underlined] Halifax Mk II HR877 “W”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 22:57 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 3:39 (Duration 4hrs 42mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Blind Marker/Illuminator.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
6 x 4 flares White, 3 x 1000 MC, 3 x 500 MC.
01:12.3hrs, 18,000ft, 081°M, 135 IAS.
Weather 7/10 cloud – thin, up to 8000ft. Good visibility. Identified and bombed on navigational aid “Y”. First Red TI seen at approx. 01:10 hrs. Then 2 Green TIs seen going down at 01:11 hrs when aircraft was over target. Cloud obscured any further view after aircraft had bombed. All that was seen was a glow shining on the base of the clouds. What target indicators seen seemed to be well-placed

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined]

[underlined] OCTOBER [/underlined] cont.

9.10.43 Target LEVERKUSEN – cancelled. [22:37]
10.10.43 No Heavies required [09:46]
11.10.43. 35 Squadron nor required. [09:38]
9:45 S/Ldr Day gave lecture to Flying Crews on “Interrogation of Prisoners of War”.
12.10.43 35 Squadron nor required. [09:35]
21:17 Air raid “Alert”
21:27 “All clear”.
13.10.43. 35 Squadron not required. [09:45]
20:46 Air raid “Alert”
“All clear”.
14.10.43. 35 Squadron not required [09:45]
15.10.43. 35 Squadron not required. [09:35]
16.10.43. No Heavies required. [09:41]
17.10.43 All Heavies “stood down” [09:45]
18.10.43 35 Squadron not required. [09:40]
02:30 Air raid “Alert”
03:05 “All clear”.
23:00 Warning received that hostile aircraft operating in East Anglia.
19.10.43. Target: AUGSBURG – cancelled [15:25]
23:32 Air raid “Alert”
23:48 “All clear”.
20.10.43. 35 Squadron not required. [09:55]
21.10.43 35 Squadron not required. [09:54]
22.10.43. Target – KASSEL – 22 aircraft from 35 Squadron
19:32 Air raid “Alert”
20:15 “All clear”.
23.10.43. 35 Squadron not required. [09:45]
24.10.43. 35 Squadron not required. [09:50]
25.10.43. 35 Squadron not required. [09:55]
26.10.43 35 Squadron not required. [09:45]
27.10.43 35 Squadron only one required tonight
Target – LEVERKUSEN – cancelled. [16:09]
28.10.43 35 Squadron not required [09:40]
29.10.43 35 Squadron not required. [09:40]
30.10.43 Target: LEVERKUSEN – cancelled. [16:10]
31.10.43 35 Squadron not required. [09:45]

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

22.10.43 22 aircraft took off. 2 returned early. “Z” captained by F/Sgt Durrant S.A. failed to return.

[page break]

[underlined] 35 SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] OCTOBER [/underlined]

Honey in B flight.

[underlined] Medical report [/underlined] During the month of October there was a small outbreak of colds among operational personnel thereby rendering them temporarily unfit for flying duties. Operational man-days were lost on this account.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined]

[underlined] [missing letter]OVEMBER [/underlined]

1.11.43 35 Squadron not required [09:45]
2.11.43 35 Squadron not required. [09:40]
3.11.43 Target – DUSSELDORF – 8 aircraft from 35 Squadron
4.11.43 All heavy squadrons make and mend. [09:40]
5.11.43 All heavy squadrons make and mend. [09:45]
21:47 Air raid “RED”
22:25 Air raid “WHITE”.
6.11.43 All heavy squadrons make and mend. [09:55]
23:02 Air raid “RED”
23:25 Air raid “WHITE”
23:52 Air raid “RED”
00:07 Air raid “WHITE”.
7.11.43 35 Squadron not required – changed – Target AUGSBERG – cancelled. [21:20]
8.11.43 Target AUGSBERG – cancelled [22:08]
9.11.43. Target FRIEDRICHSHAVEN – cancelled. [17:10]
10.11.43 35 Squadron stood down. [10:00]

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD. [/underlined]

3.11.43. 8 aircraft in a successful raid.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 11th November 1943 [/underlined]

Target: CANNES (for Halifax).
Require: 8 Blind Markers, 8 Visual Markers, 2 Backers-up and 6 Supporters.
Z = 22:15 (amended to 22:30)

24 aircraft from 35 Squadron with 34 PFF and 100 Heavies of 4 and 6 Groups.

Report [18:12 to 03:19] Weather over target clear, good visibility, bright moonlight.
Routemarker TI Yellow dropped at position 4316N 0635E by the Finder Illuminators. They then released a string of flares over A/P blindly or after visual identification unless Visual Markers had marked red, when they should retain flares and drop bombs only.
Marshalling yards particularly well covered. Defences negligible – only 2 light guns and 2 searchlights. 20 photos attempted, 13 of Aiming Point.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 11th November 1943 [/underlined]

24 aircraft set out to attack Cannes, 20 of them carrying out their attack to plan. 2 aircraft, captained by P/O R.W. Daniel and F/L W.C. Dallin respectively, failed to return. One, captained by P/O J.R. Petrie-Andrews DFC “ditched” off the coast of Sardinia, the crew being rescued uninjured from their dinghy. One aircraft failed to reach the target, its bombs being jettisoned safe prior to return to base.

[page break]

[inserted] 20 [/inserted]

[underlined] 11/12th November 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] CANNES [/underlined] Halifax Mk II HR916 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 18:20 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 02:51 (Duration 8hrs 31mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Illuminator

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular (F/S Tudberry)

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
3 x 1000GP.
22:26.2hrs, 14,000’, 053°M, 150 knots IAS.
Weather clear, good visibility.
Identified visually by light of moon. Saw marshalling yards fanning out by railway line and Red TIs. Centre of Red TI concentration in bomb sight. Reds cascading over marshalling yard at 22:20hrs, 22:21.8hrs and 22:23.9hrs backed up by Green TIs at 22:30hrs. Incendiaries burning at 22:32.4hrs 3/8 mile N of aiming point. TIs were well-placed and attack well concentrated.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined].

[underlined] NOVEMBER [/underlined] cont

12.11.43. All Heavy Squadrons make and mend. [09:40]
13.11.43 All Heavy squadrons make and mend [09:45]
14.11.43 All Heavy squadrons make and mend. [09:55]
15.11.43 All Heavy squadrons stood down. [09:40]
16.11.43 35 Squadron not required (after change of orders twice in one hour) [11:00]
17.11.43 All Heavy squadrons make and mend [09:55]
Target – MANNHEIM – 17 aircraft of 35 Squadron.
18.11.43 Target – MANNHEIM - 21 aircraft of 35 Squadron.
19.11.43 Target – LEVERKUSEN – 7 aircraft of 35 Squadron
20.11.43 All Heavy Squadrons make and mend [09:45]
21.11.43. All Heavy Squadrons make and mend [09:40]

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

17.11.43. 17 aircraft took off. 2 returned early. Rest returned safely.
18.11.43. 21 aircraft took off. 2 returned early. One captained by F/Lt E.T. Baker, failed to return. After aircraft “A”, HX169 captained by P/O. D. Everett had landed, it was discovered that the rear gunner F/Sgt Healy B.J. was dead in his turret. The cause was later found to be lack of oxygen.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 22nd November 1943 [/underlined]

Target: BERLIN (one overload tank on all Halifaxes)
Z = 20:00hrs

Require: 15 Blind Markers and 6 Supporters. – returned early.

Report [16:52 to 00:05] 21 aircraft from 35 Squadron with 121 PFF and 612 Heavies from other Groups.
One returned early.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 22nd November 1943 [/underlined]

21 aircraft set out to attack Berlin, 1 returning early with an unserviceable engine and another through inability to gain height above 12,500ft. The remainder took part in a highly successful raid.

[page break]

[underlined] 22nd/23rd November 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] BERLIN [/underlined] Halifax MkII HR916 “P”.

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 17:11 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 20:20 (Duration 3hrs 9mins returned early) starboard inner u/s.

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Backer up

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
Returned early from 53°04’N 05°04'E, 18:34hrs, 16,500ft. Starboard inner unserviceable. Jettisoned 4 x 1000GP LD at 53°04’N 04°54'E at 18:40hrs, 16,500ft, fused.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 23rd November 1943 [/underlined]

Target: BERLIN.

10 aircraft from 35 Squadron with 90 PFF and 329 Heavies of other Groups.

Report [17:13 to 00:25] 9/10 cloud up to 10,000ft, good visibility above. Another very good attack. Even better concentration than previous night. TIs and Wanganui flares dropped. Glow of fires from previous night’s raid seen and many new ones started. One large orange explosion at 20:07hrs. Moderate Heavy Flak barrage. Considerable Light Flak. Many searchlights but ineffective owing to cloud Numerous fighter flares. South-west of Berlin.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 23rd November 1943 [/underlined]

Of 10 aircraft which took off to attack Berlin, 1 returned early with defective equipment and unserviceable overload tanks. The remainder carried out successful attacks.

[page break]

[inserted] 21 [/inserted]

[underlined] 23rd/24th November 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] BERLIN [/underlined] Halifax Mk II HR879 “Z”.

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 17:30 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 23:42 (Duration 6hrs 12mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Blind Marker

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
1 x 4 R/G stars. 2 LB TI Green. 1 TI Green. 1 explosive Green. 2 x 1000 GPLD.
20:07hrs, 18,500ft, 106°M, 150 knots.
Weather 8/10 cloud, tops 3 to 4,000ft.
Target identified and bombed by equipment. First Red TI seen going down at 19:56.5hrs. Flares red/green starts followed, also green TIs. Some smashing fires were observed and one huge explosion with orange flames seen just after bombing at 20:07.5hrs.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined].

[underlined] NOVEMBER [/underlined] cont

24.11.43. All Heavy squadrons make and mend. [09:47]

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 25th November 1943 [/underlined]

Target: FRANKFURT.

Require: 9 Blind Markers, 6 Visual Markers, 4 Backers up and 2 Supporters.
Z = 20:00hrs – then 02:30 then 02:45hrs.

Report [23:48 to 06:25] 20 aircraft of 35 Squadron with 33 PFF and 215 aircraft of other Groups.
10/10 cloud with tops at 10,000ft and further layers at 19000ft. Could not ground mark aiming point as weather conditions did not allow and attack not very successful. Emergency Wanganui flares dropped but disappeared into cloud very quickly so raid very scattered. Also severe icing. Defences only moderate with many searchlights which were ineffective due to cloud.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 25th November 1943 [/underlined]

21 aircraft were detailed for an attack on Frankfurt. 1 failed to take off and 1 returned early with the port inner engine unserviceable. The others carried out their attacks and returned safely to base.

[page break]

[inserted] 22 [/inserted]

[underlined] 25/26th November 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] FRANKFURT [/underlined] Halifax Mk II HR916 “P”.

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 23:57 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 5:50 (Duration 5hrs 53mins – landed at Ford short of petrol)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Blind Marker.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular except F/O G.A. Stocks instead of Tudberry. Brennan now Flight Sgt.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
3 x 1000 MC, 2 x 1000 GP ID.
02:54hrs, 19,000ft, 036°M, 150 knots.
Weather 10/10 Cloud with tops 8,000ft. Poor visibility at height. Nothing at all seen. Believed identified Frankfurt on “Y”. and bombs dropped. Landed at Ford because of shortage of petrol.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined].

[underlined] NOVEMBER [/underlined] cont.

26.11.43. Target: STUTTGART – 11 aircraft of 35 Squadron
27.11.43 All Heavy Squadrons make and mend. [10:00]
28.11.43 All Heavy Squadrons stood down. [09:40]
29.11.43. All Heavy Squadrons make and mend. [09:40]
30.11.43. 35 Squadron not required. [10:25]

[underlined] DECEMBER [/underlined].

1.12.43. Target – LEIPZIG – cancelled. [22:40]
2.12.43 Target – BERLIN – 15 aircraft of 35 Squadron.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined].

26.11.43. 11 aircraft. All returned safely.
2.12.43. 15 aircraft. 2 returned early. 2 failed to return, F/Sgt Stinson H.V. and Lt. G. Hoverstad.

[page break]

[underlined] 3rd/4th December 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] LEIPZIG [/underlined] Halifax Mk II HR916 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 00:25 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 7:25 (Duration 8hrs)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Secondary Blind Marker.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular except Sgt C. Hogg instead of Tudberry.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
7 x 500 MC.
04:08hrs, 17,500ft, 185°M, 150 knots.
Weather: 10/10 cloud, tops 4,000ft.
Identified and bombed on “Y”. Not satisfactory enough for dropping TIs. Big orange glow which flared up and died out quickly seen at 04:07hrs. Whole effort was concentrated.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined].

[underlined] DECEMBER [/underlined] cont

4.12.43 Heavy squadrons make and mend [10:05]
5.12.43 Heavy squadrons make and mend [09:40]
6.12.43 Heavy squadrons make and mend [09:35]
7.12.43 Heavy squadrons make and mend [09:35]
8.12.43 Heavy squadrons make and mend. [09:45]
9.12.43 Heavy squadrons stood down [09:45]
10.12.43 Heavy squadrons stood down [09:40]
11.12.43 Heavy squadrons stood down [10:00]
12.12.43 Heavy squadrons make and mend. [09:45]
13.12.43 Heavy squadrons make and mend [09:44]
14.12.43 Heavy squadrons make and mend [10:00]
15.12.43 Heavy squadrons make and mend. [09:40]
16.12.43 35 Squadron not required. [09:55]
17.12.43 Complete stand down [09:45]
18.12.43 Target LEVERKUSEN – cancelled. [13:05]
19.12.43 Make and mend [09:40]

[underlined] 35 SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

13.12.43 Authority received for the commissioning of P/O R.O. Tudberry (161358) – w.e.f 18.10.43. Reposted to F/O (same date)

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined].

[underlined] 20th December 1943 [/underlined]

Target: FRANKFURT (spoof MANNHEIM)

Require: 10 Blind Markers, 1 Visual Marker, 6 Backers up and 4 Supporters.
Z = 19:35.

21 Halifax of 35 Squadron with 72 PFF and 605 Heavies of other groups. (4 Mk III Halifax from 35 Sqdn)

Report [17:06 to 22:56] Weather thin cloud layer with 3 to 8/10 cover, tops 6 to 7000ft. Excellent visibility. Attack opened on time. Newhaven. Several large explosions. Many scattered fires but good concentration in centre of town reported by later aircraft. Moderate Heavy Flak. Large fighter activity.

17 photos but none with ground detail.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 20th December 1943 [/underlined]

21 aircraft including 4 Halifax Mark III aircraft took off to attack Frankfurt, the aircraft captained by F/L J.H. Wright failed to return, nothing being heard after take off. With the exception of 1 aircraft, captained by F/O P.R Bales which was compelled to jettison its bombs owing to the failure of the electrical circuit, all the remaining aircraft carried out their attacks. While circling the airfield prior to landing, aircraft HX328, captained by S/Ldr J. Sale DSO, caught fire when a Target Indicator exploded. S/Ldr Sale climbed to 2000ft, baled out 5 members of his crew, the mid-upper gunner being unable to do so as his parachute was destroyed by the ensuing fire. S/Lrd Sale calmly landed the burning aircraft, taxied off the runway. The aircraft exploded when he and the gunner were some 200yds away. The rear gunner was the only casualty, sustaining a fractured ankle after bailing out.

[page break]

20th[underlined]/21st December 1943 [/underlined] [underlined] FRANKFURT [/underlined] Halifax Mk II HR916 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 17:13 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 22:29 (Duration 5hrs 16mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Blind Marker.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular. Ward now Flight Sgt. (Only Dick now Sgt).

[underlined] Report [/underlined].
6 x 4 flares White, 1 LBTI yellow, 1 TI yellow, 5 x 1000 GPTI
19:31.3hrs, 18,000ft, 098°M, 145 knots
Weather 8/10 cloud through very thin broken cloud – tops 6000ft.
Target identified by equipment and bombed on same. About four good red fires seen when passing on homeward run. Many incendiaries seen undershooting and a few overshot slightly.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined] – [underlined] GRAVELEY [/underlined].

[underlined] DECEMBER [/underlined] cont

21.12.43 All heavies make and mend [09:55]
22.12.43 All heavies make and mend. – cancelled
– 35 Squadron 3 Backers up for Special Targets 5005.15 N 01.59.10E – 3 aircraft.

Squadron record) All 3 aircraft returned safely.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 23rd December 1943 [/underlined]

Target: BERLIN.

Require: 7 Blind Markers.
Z=0400hrs.

[underlined] Report [00:33 to 07:33] 7 aircraft of 35 Squadron with 83 PFF and 353 Heavies from other Groups.
8 to 10/10 cloud, tops 5 to 10000ft en route, 9 to 10/10 cloud, tops 10,000ft in target area. Good visibility. Mixed ground and skymarking. Opened on time but scattered. 4 aircraft of 35 Squadron bombed on timed run from Luckenwalde but only 2 sufficiently certain to drop flares and TIs. One large red glow in centre of city reported 0408hrs. Large explosion. Moderate Heavy Flak, considerable Light Flak. Hosepiping and numerous but ineffective searchlights. Little sign of fighter activity. 5 photos attempted.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined 23rd December 1943 [/underlined]

7 aircraft took part in an attack on Berlin in good conditions and returned safely to base. 1 returned early owing to port inner engine becoming unserviceable.

[page break]

[underlined] 23rd/24th December 1943. [/underlined] [underlined] BERLIN [/underlined] Halifax Mk II HR916 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 00:40 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 7:33 (Duration 6hrs 53mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Secondary Blind Marker.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
2 x 500 GP
04:09.3hrs, 19,000ft, 354°M, 170 knots.
Weather 9/10 cloud, tops about 7000ft. Clear skies above target Identified by TIs green and bombed same seen through a small gap in the cloud. A good explosion seen at 04:08.3hrs which lasted several seconds. A good red glow seen reflecting on cloud after leaving area.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined]

[underlined] DECEMBER [/underlined] cont

24.12.43. Special target – cancelled. [16:23]
25.12.43 Target – BERLIN – cancelled. [10:00]
26.12.43 All heavies make and mend. [09:50]
27.12.43 No target for Heavy Squadrons [09:50]
28.12.43 All heavies make and mend. [09:50]
29.12.43. Target – BERLIN – 21 aircraft of 35 Squadron.
30.12.43 All heavies make and mend. [09:48]
31.12.43 Target – FRANKFURT – cancelled. [14:58]

Epidemic during month of December of Naso-pharyngitis abating about middle of December resulted in average daily non-effective sickness rate of 40 per thousand among Aircrews but did not appreciably affect operational effort of Squadron.

[underlined] January 1944 [/underlined]

1.1.44 35 Squadron stood down [10:50]
2.1.44 Target – BERLIN – 9 aircraft of 35 Squadron
3.1.44 All heavies stood down [10:07]
4.1.44. All Heavies stood down. [10:00]

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

29.12.43. 21 aircraft. 2 returned early. One, captained by F/O R.C. Williams DFC, failed to return
2.1.44. 9 aircraft. 4 returned early. 5 attacked.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 5th January 1944 [/underlined].

Target: STETTIN
Require: 2 Visual Markers and 8 Blind Backers up

10 aircraft of 35 Squadron with 92 PFF and 325 Heavies of other Groups.

Report [23:41 to 09:08] Layers of wispy cloud but perfect visibility in gaps. Opened on time. Concentrated marking sustained. Bombing well concentrated. Large fires and explosions in town centre with columns of smoke to 15,000ft. Glow of fires seen 150 miles away. Flak defences moderate. Searchlights few and ineffective. A few fighters and fighter flares.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 5th January 1943 [sic] [/underlined]

10 aircraft detailed to attack Stettin. The target was reached in excellent visibility and the Pathfinders seem to have been most successful. 2 aircraft, captained by S/Ldr T.W.A Hutton and F/L RRG Appleby DFC, resp, failed to return.

[page break]

[inserted] 26 [/inserted]

[underlined] 5/6th January 1944. [/underlined] [underlined] STETTIN [underlined] Halifax Mk II HR916 P

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 23:54 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 8:54 (Duration 9hrs)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Blind Backer up.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
4 x 500 MC.
03:51.5hrs, 18,000ft, 111°M, 150 knots.
Weather, good downward visibility – layers of very thin cloud Target identified by equipment and bombed by same. Very concentrated raid, fires starting up on leaving target area. Glow over Stettin seen from beyond Bornholm.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 21st January 1944 [/underlined]

Target: MAGDEBURG.

21 aircraft of 35 Squadron with 117 PFF and 560 Heavies of other Groups.

Report [19:45 to 03:22] 3 to 4/10 cloud, tops 6 to 7000ft, good visibility above. Mixes skymarking and groundmarking. Fires numerous and large areas of incendiaries in centre of town. Red glow from 140 miles away. Defences weak. Few searchlights. Ineffective. Fighters numerous. Following aircraft home. Many combats seen particularly between Hamburg and Maddeburg. 4 of our aircraft had combats. (including F/O Honey in P/35) (Combats reports D24, 25, 26 and 27)

10 Halifax III and 11 Halifax II were detailed.

18 attacked primary. 3 missing.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 21st January 1944 [/underlined].

Of 21 aircraft which took off to attack Magdeburg, 3, captained by S/Ldr J J Jagger DFC, F/O P. R Bales, and F/Sgt Hill TW, respectively, failed to return. Aircraft “N”, captain F/O K.A. Petch was attacked by an enemy fighter south of the target and P/O J. Napier, the tail gunner, sustained a fractured knee which necessitated his removal to hospital immediately the aircraft landed at Woodbridge. In good visibility and good conditions, the remainder of the aircraft successfully attacked.

[page break]

[underlined] 21st/22nd January 1944 [/underlined] [underlined] MAGDEBURG [/underlined] Halifax Mk II HX147 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 20:05 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 02:45 (Duration 6hrs 40mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Blind Backer up

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular (F/O Honey and Warrant Officers Hayward and Wagar)

[underlined] Report [/underlined].
1 x 4 flares Red/Green, 2 LBTI Green. 2 TI Green. 3 x 1000GP (T Task)
23:05.24hrs, 18200ft, 214°M, 147 knots.
Weather: 7/10 broken thin cloud, tops about 7000ft. Visibility good.
Target identified by equipment and bombing was done by same. Many incendiaries seen in town and scattered around countryside to the East and South for some miles. Very few TIs seen. Own fell on to some other Green TIs. No fires had started when our aircraft left.

[page break]

[underlined] COMBAT REPORT [/underlined].

[underlined] Target [/underlined] MAGDEBURG. [underlined] 21st/22nd January 1944 [/underlined]

Halifax II “Y” 35/P No HX147.

Captain: P/O Honey
A/Bomber: P/O Tudberry.
Navigator: F/S Ward
W/Operator: F/S Brennan
M/Gunner: W/O Hayward
R/Gunner: W/O Wagar.
F/Eng.: Sgt Dick

At 2310hrs on night of 21st/22nd January 1944, Halifax II (HX147) “P” of 35 Squadron was homeward bound from Magdeburg at 5158N, 1125E, flying at 18000ft with an IAS of 155 knots heading 234°T. The visibility was good above and below due to 7/10 cloud below. Monica u/s.

Suddenly the R/G saw a Me210 astern level at 150yds. He told his Captain to “corkscrew starboard” and caused o/a to pass to port quarter up. As the bomber rolled at bottom of corkscrew and commenced its climbing, turning to port, the fighter attacked from deep port quarter. Rear gunner opened fire at 100yds with 2 long bursts of 250lb each and saw tracer enter the underside of the Me210 causing it to break off, starboard beam below. E/A fired a short burst without trace before breaking off.

No damage to Halifax but Me210 claimed as damaged.

Rear Gunner: W/O Wagar
9 BaG, Mont Joli, Quebec.
24 OTU (Honeybourne)
Captain: - (on leave)
Gunnery leader: P.B. White (S/Ldr)

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined]

[underlined] [missing letter]ANUARY [/underlined] cont.

6.1.44. All heavies stood down. Make and mend. [09:57]
12:01 Message from Halifax II 35/F Port engine u/s. – Air sea rescue search by 4 Halifax from Graveley from 15:54hrs to 18:40hrs – unsuccessful. Went out at 1000ft spaced 1/2 ml out.
7.1.44 All heavies stood down [10:50]
8.1.44 Target – LIMOGES – cancelled. [16:05]
9.1.44 All heavies stood down. Make and mend. [09:55]
10.1.44 35 Squadron – special target – cancelled. [10:00]
11.1.44. All heavies stood down [09:35]
2.1.44 [sic] All heavies make and mend. [09:37]
13.1.44 All heavies stood down. [10:12]
14.1.44. Targets – BRUNSWICK – 2 aircraft from Graveley
[symbol] Special – 13 aircraft from 35 Squadron.
15.1.44 All heavies make and mend [09:44]
16.1.44 All heavies make and mend [09:50]
17.1.44 All heavies make and mend. [09:50]
18.1.44 All heavies make and mend. [09:51]
19.1.44 All heavies make and mend. [10:40]
20.1.44 Target – BERLIN – 11 aircraft of 35 Squadron. (out of 24). One aircraft returned early. Rest attacked.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined]

[underlined] JANUARY [/underlined] cont

22.1.44 All heavies make and mend [09:37]
23.1.44 All heavies make and mend [09:45]
24.1.44 All heavies make and mend [09:43]
25.1.44 Target – FRANKFURT – all heavies – cancelled. [16:35]
26.1.44 All heavies make and mend. [09:55]
27.1.44. Target – BERLIN – all heavies – cancelled [09:45]
[symbol] HELIGOLAND – 21 aircraft
28.1.44. Target – BERLIN – 17 aircraft
29.1.44 All heavies make and mend. [09:55]
30.1.44 Target – BERLIN – 13 aircraft
31.1.44. All heavies make and mend. [09:43]
(Poor weather during the month restricted 35 Sqdn to 7 operations)

[underlined] FEBRUARY [/underlined]

692 (Mosquito) Squadron began operating.

1.2.44 No heavies required [09:45]
2.2.44 No heavies required [09:30]
3.2.44 No heavies required. [09:40]
4.2.44 No heavies required [09:40]
5.2.44 No heavies required [09:55]
6.2.44 No heavies required [10.15]
7.2.44 No heavies required [09:40]
8.2.44 No heavies required [09:50]
9.2.44 No heavies required. [09:40]
10.2.44 All Heavies stood down [10:05]
11.2.44. All heavies make and mend [09:53]
12.2.44. All heavies on navigation exercise – cancelled [16:15]
13.2.44 Target BERLIN – cancelled. [16:00]
21:00 Air Raid warning RED
21:45 Air Raid warning WHITE.
14.2.44. All heavies make and mend. [09:50]

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD. [/underlined]

[underlined] 15th February 1944 [/underlined]

Target: BERLIN
Z = 21:15

17 Mk III and 2 Mk II aircraft with 96 PFF and 763 heavies of other Groups.

Report [17:10 to 00:41] 10/10 cloud, tops 6 to 10000ft. Good visibility above All crews reported good concentration of TI Reds and Greens but quickly disappeared into cloud. No accurate assessment could be made because of cloud. Defences moderate Heavy Flak with some Light Flak, searchlights ineffective. Fighter flares numerous.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 15th February 1944 [/underlined]

Of 24 aircraft scheduled for operations, 23 took off. 4 performed a gardening operation and returned safely to base while the remainder set out to attack Berlin. One aircraft, captained by F/O. P.F James DFC returned early through overheating and one, captained by F/L R.V. Jones, was unable to release its bombs over the target. One aircraft, captained by P/O. C.F. Blundell, failed to return. The remainder returned safely to base.

[page break]

[underlined] 16th February 1944 [/underlined] [underlined] BERLIN [/underlined] Halifax Mk III LV825 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 17:26 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 00:27 (Duration 7hrs 1min)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Blind Backer Up.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular (P/O. Tudberry).

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
1 x 4 Flares. R/G stars. 2LBTI Green. 2 TI Green 3 x 100 MC T Inst, 1 x 500 MC T Inst.
21:20.42hrs, 18500ft, 158° M, 151 knots.
Weather: 10/10 cloud, tops 7000ft, good visibility above.
Target identified by means of equipment and bombed by same. Good concentration of flares with exception of Red and Green TIs and some seen 2 miles to port.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 19th February 1944 [/underlined]

Target: LEIPZIG
Z = 0400 hrs
(returned early)

Report [23:41 to 07:04] 14 Mk III and 3 Mk II with 108 PFF and 736 Heavies of other Groups. 2 returned early.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 19th February 1944 [/underlined]

17 aircraft set out to attack Leipzig. 4 aircraft, captained by S/Ldr J. Sale DSO, F/L R.V.Jones, F/L W. McTurk and P/O K.G. McAlpine, failed to return. 2 aircraft, captained by F/O G.SB Honey and Major J. Christie respectively, returned early through engine trouble.

[page break]

[underlined] 19/20th February 1944 [/underlined] [underlined] LEIPZIG [/underlined] Halifax Mk III HX295 “Q”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 00:10 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 6:34 (Duration 6hrs 24min
(Returned early as boost capsule in starboard outer u/s

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Blind Backer up

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
Returned early from position 55°57’N 04°35’E owing to boost capsule in starboard outer engine unserviceable. 3 x 1000 MC and 1 x 500 MC jettisoned at position 54°00’N 04°43’E at 01:55hrs at 15,500ft. (1 x 1000 was jettisoned live and remainder safe). Weather, low cloud, stratocumulus, tops 600ft. Thin layer above to 12,000ft

[7th back ie last but 4 – even though “early”]

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 20th February 1944 [/underlined]

Target: STUTTGART
Z = 0400hrs

22:08 Air Raid Red
22:40 Air Raid White

10 Halifax IIIs and 6 Halifax IIs with 103 PFF and 597 Heavies.

Report [00:08 to 07:10] 5 to 9/10 cloud, thin tops approx 7000ft. Excellent visibility. Night photographic evidence and day cover indicate considerable damage was done in Northern and North Eastern industrial suburbs of Stuttgart. As yet, no evidence of damage inflicted on town itself. Attack started very spread out in N – S direction and most concentrated area of bombing was probably a few miles to North East of town centre. It is to be hoped some of spread fell back in central area but cloud and smoke covered so no estimate of damage can be made. Defences – moderate Heavy Flak. No searchlights. Enemy fighters’ activity very slight.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 20th February 1944 [/underlined].

17 aircraft were detailed to attack Stuttgart but one, captained by F/O W.G. Barnes, crashed on take-off. One aircraft, captain P/O R.W. Beveridge, abandoned the task through engine trouble and one, captained by F/Sgt Leslie, failed to return.

[page break]

[underlined] 20th/21st February 1944 [/underlined] [underlined] STUTTGART [/underlined] Halifax Mk III LV825 “F”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 00:52 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 6:58 (Duration 6hrs 6mins

[underlined] Role [/underlined]. Blind Backer up

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
1 x 4 flares G/R. 2 LBTI Green. 2 TI Green, 5 x 1000 MC
04:07 hrs, 18000ft, 022°M, 151 knots.
Weather 6/10 cloud, low thin, tops 4000ft, 2/10 thin medium layer.
Target identified by equipment and bombed by same. Good number of fires and flares. Green and Red were well concentrated. Glow from fires seen from 100 miles on homeward run.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined]

[underlined] February [/underlined] cont.

21.2.44. All heavies stood down [09:55]
22.2.44. Target – SCHWEINFURT (heavies) – changed to FRANKFURT cancelled. [17:40]
23.2.44. All heavies make and mend. [09:59]

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 24th February 1944 [/underlined].

Target: SCHWEINFURT

18 Mk III and 2 Mk II Halifax with 64 PFF and 294 Heavies of other Groups.

Report [18:44 to 02:31] Weather clear, good visibility, some ground haze. Most crews report good concentration of TIs but photos indicate attack began to drift to SW early on and by end of phase, Main Force bombing very short. However, a great weight fell on the factory area. Much damage done and crews returning from 2nd phase report whole area a mass of flames. Defences:- moderate Heavy Flak, approx. 50 searchlights. fighters very active.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 24th February 1944 [/underlined]

20 aircraft set out to attack Schweinfurt. Of these, one, captained by F/Sgt Bourassa, returned early due to engine trouble. In excellent conditions, the remaining aircraft carried out their attacks and returned safely. Halifax LV860, captained by F/O WC. Barnes landed without brake pressure and collided with stationary Halifax LV866, both aircraft being damaged and rendered CAT “AC”. Halifax HX323, captain P/O R.W. Beveridge, broke a tail wheel unit on landing

[page break]

24/25th February 1944 [underlined] SCHWEINFURT [/underlined] Halifax Mk III LV825 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 19:00 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 1:51 (Duration 6hrs 51mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Blind Backer up

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
10 x 500 MC T Inst.
23:04.12hrs, 18000ft, 084°M, 151 knots.
Weather, no cloud, slight ground haze.
Target identified by H2S and bombed on same. Main concentration of bombing with incendiaries appeared to be well to the south west, probably outside the town with a smaller amount of bombing to the north east of the town. River could be seen with two lots of red TIs close to the aiming point. Two long explosions were seen when bombing.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 25th February 1944 [/underlined]

Target: AUGSBERG.
Z = 22:45 (1st wave) Z = +150 (2nd wave)

Report [21:31 to 05:10] 13 Halifax Mk II and 4 Mk II took part in the 2nd wave with 48 PFF and 240 heavies of other Groups.
Nil cloud with considerable smoke haze from fires.
All aircraft report seeing fires from Augsburg from 60 to 100 miles away on way in and a considerable pall of smoke rising to 12,000ft. TIs seen but quickly disappeared in smoke. Most crews report town as bubbling blazing inferno.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 25th February 1944 [/underlined]

17 aircraft set out to attack Augsburg but 3, captained by F/Lt R.T. Fitzgerald DFC, P/O C.G. John DFM and W/O F.W.G. Tropman returned early. The remainder carried out seemingly most successful attacks. Aircraft “K”, captain P/O. C.G. John DFM broke a tail unit then taxying to dispersal.

[page break]

[underlined] 25/26th February 1944 [/underlined] [underlined] AUGSBURG [/underlined] Halifax Mk III LV825 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 21:49 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 4:26 (Duration 6hrs 37mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Blind Backer up

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
1 x 1000 MC. 1 x 500 MC
01:14.36hrs, 17000ft, 006°M, 151 knots.
Weather, clear except for ground haze or smoke.
Target identified by Wanganui flares and confirmed by large fires. Deep red glow seen from 60 miles away. No TIs visible on run-up but Red TIs seen after bombing. Big orange fire to NW of concentration of smaller fires. Some incendiaries seen to SE outskirts of target area. 2 x 1000 MC dropped fused at Schouwer 23:00hrs, 15,800ft to gain height.

[page break]

STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY

[underlined] February [/underlined] cont.

26.2.44 All Heavies make and mend. [09:45]
27.2.44 All Heavies make and mend [09:40]
28.2.44 Target – MUNICH – cancelled [18:40]
29.2.44. All Heavies make and mend. [09:45]

No one sick during February

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 1st March 1943 [sic] [/underlined]

Target: STUTTGART.
Z = 03:00.

18 Halifax with 88 PFF and 438 Heavies of other Groups.

Report [23:40 to 06:50] 10/10 cloud up to 15 to 16,000ft. Visibility above cloud, moderate to good. Attack opened 02:57hrs. TI Green and Red seen to burst below cloud but immediately disappeared. Grouping of skymarkers good at times but gaps of about 1 min observed. Explosions reported including a big orange one at 03:02 and 03:05hrs. A few fires seen in occasional gaps in clouds and the glow in the target area could be seen 140 miles away on return. 19 aircraft detailed. 16 attacked primary. Defences slight to moderate Heavy Flak. Searchlights ineffective. Fighter activity negligible.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 1st March 1943 [sic] [/underlined]

Of 19 aircraft detailed to attack Stuttgart, 1 failed to take off and 2 returned early. Despite 10/10 cloud, a concentrated attack was carried out.

[page break]

[inserted] 32 [/inserted]

[underlined] 1st/2nd March 1944 [/underlined] [underlined] STUTTGART [/underlined] Halifax Mk III LV825 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 00:00 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 06:39 (Duration 6hrs 39mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Blind Backer up

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular (P/O Ward)

[underlined ] Report [/underlined]
1 x 4 Flares Green/Red. 1 LB TI Red. 1 TI Red. 5 x 1000 MC 1 x 500 MC.
03:03.06hrs, 18400ft, 059°M, 151 knots.
Weather 10/10 cloud, tops 15,000ft.
Target identified and bombed on H2S. Three lots of flares Green/Red under our aircrafts nose at 02:57hrs as we ran in. A vivid blue explosion seen. No others until own bombing. Big glow seen under cloud and some bursts.

[page break]

STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY

[underlined] M[missing letter]RCH [/underlined].

2.3.44. 02:57 Air Raid message PURPLE.
Air Raid message WHITE.
All Heavies make and mend. [10:10]
3.3.44 All Heavies make and mend. [09:43]
4.3.44. Target MUNICH – cancelled [18:50]
5.3.44. Target – MUNICH – cancelled. [17:16]
6.3.44. No ops for 35 Squadron [09:48]
7.3.44. All Heavies make and mend [09:51]
8.3.44 All Heavies make and mend. [09:55]
9.3.44 All Heavies make and mend. [09:52]
10.3.44. Target – KONIGSBERG (not 35 Squadron) – cancelled [09:46]
11.3.44 All Heavies make and mend [10:00]
12.3.44. All Heavies make and mend [09:49]
13.3.44 All Heavies make and mend. [09:40]
14.3.44. All Heavies make and mend. [10:00]
22:33 Air Raid “Red”
Air Raid “White”
15.3.44. Target: STUTTGART – 12 Lancaster III of 35 Squadron.

During past fortnight 35 Squadron have effected a changeover from Halifax to Lancasters and this was their first operation from Graveley with the new aircraft (Now large bombs and 4000lb “Cookies” could be dropped)

16.3.44 Target – MUNICH – cancelled. [18:27]
17.3.44 All Heavies “make and mend”. [09:45]

[underlined] 35 SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

4.3.44 Authority received for appointment of F/O G.S.B Honey (149946) to A/F/L with effect from 21.2.44
6.3.44 Re-equipping of the Squadron with Lancaster III aircraft commenced when Lancaster III ND643 was flown from RAF Station Wyton to the Squadron by Major J Christie, B flight commander.
15.3.44 (First Lancaster raid) 12 Lancaster III took off to attack Stuttgart. One, piloted by F/O A. Ganderton, failed to return and one (P/O PF Jarvis) returned early owing to oil leakage, after attacking Horfleur area. This was the Squadron’s first raid after re-equipping with Lancaster III aircraft. [ND702 delivered 16th March and ND692 on 14th March, both from RAF Station Wyton] First away was Sq/Ldr R.T

[page break]

[inserted] 33 [/inserted]

[underlined] 18/19th March 1944 [/underlined] [underlined] FRANKFURT [/underlined] Lancaster Mk III ND702 “G”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 19:42 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 00:43 (Duration 5hrs 1min)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Blind Backer up

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular except P/O J.G Walters instead of Ward and Sgt T. Nainby instead of Wagar. (F/L Honey)

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
1 x 4 Flares Red/Yellow. 2 LBTI Red. 2 TI Red 1 x 4000HC (Minol), 7 x 90 x 4lb incendiaries. 1 flare – Green (internal).
22:09hrs, 18000ft, 203°M, 155 knots.
Weather – nil cloud with haze up to 5000ft.
Target identified by H2S. 3 flares, red/yellow stars seen at 22:06hrs and at 22:08hrs. Green TIs seen cascading. Skymarkers were well concentrated and one big glow of fire seen on ground.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] [missing number]8th March 1944 [/underlined]

Target: FRANKFURT.
Z = 22:00
Require: 6 Special Blind Marker/Illuminators, 2 Visual Markers, 7 Special Blind Backers up, 3 Visual Backers up and 3 Supporters.

19 Lancaster III with 119 PFF and 688 other Heavies.

Report [19:19 to 00:49] Weather very hazy to 10 to 15000 feet with moderate visibility owing to hazy conditions. TIs not observed by aircraft on run up to target. On arrival, however, glow of TI Reds and a few Green observed but appeared generally scattered, and covered a wide area. At no time was there any decided concentration and crews report that on leaving target many scattered incendiary fires were seen.

Defences – slight to moderate Heavy Flak, generally inaccurate. Numerous searchlights – ineffective. Few fighter flares in target area.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined].

[underlined] 18th March 1944 [/underlined]

Of 21 aircraft detailed to attack Frankfurt, 2 failed to take off and 3 returned early. The remainder carried out successful attacks and all returned safely to base.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined].

[underlined] MARCH [/underlined] cont

19.3.44. Target – BRUNSWICK – cancelled [16:50]
20.3.44 Target – MUNICH – cancelled [16:50]
21.3.44 Target – BERLIN – cancelled. [18:10]
22.3.44. Target – FRANKFURT – 14 aircraft.
23.3.44. All Heavies make and mend. [10:08]

[underlined] 35 SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

20.3.44. 635 Squadron formed out of one flight using 102 ground crew personnel from “B” flight.
22.3.44. 14 aircraft. 2 failed to return, S/Ldr T. Rowe DFC and F/Sgt J.C.K. Webb. The rest returned safely.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 24th March 1944 [/underlined]

Target: BERLIN
Require: 5 Special Blind Marker/Illuminators 2 Special Visual Markers and 3 Special Blind Backers-up and 4 Supporters.
Z = 22:30hrs.

Report [18:32 to 02:28] [indecipherable words]
6 to 9/10 cloud (patchy), tops 7 to 10,000ft, clear above. TI Greens and flares Red/Yellow stars seen going down on time. In early stages, attack very scattered but later on fairly good concentration of skymarkers built up though some remained dispersed over an area of several miles.
Defences: moderate Heavy Falk. Searchlights numerous but hampered by cloud.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 24th March 1944 [/underlined]

14 aircraft took off to attack Berlin. One, captained by S/Ldr R.T. Fitzgerald DFC, failed to return and one did not attack owing to unserviceable navigational aids and damage by Heavy Flak.

[page break]

[inserted] 34 [/inserted]

24/25th March 1944 BERLIN Lancaster Mk III ND692 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 18:37 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 01:26 (Duration 6hrs 49mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Blind Marker/Illuminator.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular except F/O L Roberts instead of Ward

[underlined] Report [/underlined]:
1 x 4000 MC (Minol), 1 x 1000 MC, 2 x 500 MC, 4 x 4 x 7” flares.
22.27 [indecipherable words]
Weather 9 to 10/10 cloud. Tops 10 to 12,000ft. Good visibility. Identified and bombed on H2S. 2 TI Green and about 3 skymarkers seen going down on arrival. Several explosions seen and two very large ones. TIs and skymarkers were very scattered, as much as 3 miles between some of them.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 18th April 1944 [/underlined]

Target: Marshalling yards at ROUEN
Require: Southern A/P. – 1 Blind Marker/Illuminator. 3 Backers up.
Northern A/P. – 7 Blind Marker/Illuminators. 3 Visual Markers (including 1 Master Bomber) and [indecipherable words]
Z = 00:20 (South) }these must have been changed
Z = 01:05 (North).}

Report [22:21 to 02:39]
16 Lancasters with 46 PFF and 229 Heavies of other Groups.
Weather clear with slight ground haze and increasing smoke as attack developed.
First wave attacked southern A/P. First Green TI went down at 00:15hrs. Ground detail visible and white illuminating [indecipherable words] mixed Red and Green TIs, reported to be right on A/P. TI concentration very good and indications suggest a successful attack. A big explosion was seen in the early stages of raid.
HONEY [symbol] In second wave attack opened at 0039hrs when Green TIs were seen apparently near and slightly SW of A/P, which was clearly seen in early stages of attack. Attack at first tended to overshoot and later undershot and spread over built-up area to South-West. Instructions, by Master Bomber to [indecipherable words] within town of ROUEN.
Defences negligible with no searchlights.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 18th April 1944 [/underlined]

[indecipherable words] carried out their attack and returned safely to base

[page break]

[underlined 18/19th April 1944 [/underlined] [underlined] ROUEN [/underlined] Lancaster Mk III ND692 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 22:36 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 02:18 (Duration 3hrs 42mins)

Role Blind Marker/Illuminator.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular except W/O FJ. Tudor instead of Brennan. (F/S Dick)

[underlined] Report. [/underlined]
5 x [indecipherable words] Hooded flares 9 x 1000 MC TI
00:41.18hrs, 14,000ft, 029°M 155 knots.
Weather: clear with slight ground haze.
Target identified on H2S and Red and Green TIs. 3 Green TIs seen cascading at 00:38hrs approx. [indecipherable words] placed on the Marshalling Yard which could be identified visually. M/C was clearly heard and should have been most useful.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined].

[underlined] 20th April 1944 [/underlined]

Target – OSNABRUCK – cancelled.

Target – COLOGNE
Require 4 Blind Marker/Illuminators, 7 Visual Backersup 1 Visual Backerup.

12 Lancasters and 13 Mosquitoes plus 40 Heavies and 7 Mosquitoes of PFF and 305 Heavies of other Groups.

Report [23:59 to 04:14] Weather 10/10 stratocumulus, tops 10 to 15000ft. Good horizontal visibility. All aircraft windowed across target [indecipherable words] built up. Bombing appeared to be very scattered at first but improved in later stages. 5 crews report slight orange-red glow seen as far as Dutch coast on return journey. Numerous bomb bursts seen on track spreading from North Sea to target area on outward journey. Defences slight to moderate Heavy Flak including some barrage and some predicted. Some reflection of searchlights in cloud.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD. [/underlined]

[underlined] 20th April 1944 [/underlined]

16 aircraft were detailed for operations but the number was later reduced to 14. 12 ultimately took off to attack Cologne and returned safely to base.

[page break]

20th/21st April 1944 COLOGNE Lancaster Mk III ND692 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 00:07 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 03:55 (Duration 3hrs 48mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Blind Backer up

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
1 x 4000 HC Minol, 1 x 4 flares Red/Yellow. 2 TILB Green 2 TI Green, 5 x 1000 GP. 2 x 500 MC.
02:04.12hrs, 19000ft, 057°M 155 knots.
Weather 10/10 cloud. Layer cloud up to 13000ft.
Target identified by H2S, good picture, confirmed by [indecipherable words] to be Red, steady at 02:01.24hrs. About 3 more went down before bombing. Altogether about 7 skymarkers seen, 5 of which formed a reasonably good cluster with 2 more to South West and West.

[page break]

STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY

[underlined] MARCH [/underlined] cont.

25.3.44. All Heavies stood down [10:00]
26.3.44. Target – ESSEN – 6 Lancasters. All safe. All attacked.
27.3.44 All Heavies make and mend. [09:53]
28.3.44. All heavies stood down [09:45]
29.3.44 Target: – BRUNSWICK – cancelled. [16:40]
30.3.44. Target – NUREMBERG – 14 Lancasters. All attacked. All safe
31.3.44. All Heavies make and mend. [09:40]

March:- last Halifax operation 1st March, first Lancaster operation 15th March, both Stuttgart.
20th March:- B flight of 35 Squadron to Downham Market.

[underlined] APRIL [/underlined]

1.4.44 All Heavies make and mend [10:10]
2.4.44 All Heavies make and mend [09:45]
3.4.44 All Heavies make and mend [09:50]
4.4.44 All Heavies make and mend [09:50]
5.4.44 All Heavies stood down [09:50]
6.4.44 All Heavies make and mend [09:50]
7.4.44 All Heavies make and mend [09:55]
8.4.44 All Heavies make and mend [09:40]
9.4.44 Target – VILLENEUVE ST. GEORGE or LILLE – 4 Lancasters
10.4.44 – All Heavies make and mend [10:26]
11.4.44. Target – OSNABRUCK – changed to AACHEN – 8 Lancasters.
12.4.44. All Heavies make and mend. [10:30]
13.4.44 All Heavies stood down [10:00]
14.4.44 Target – OSNABRUCK – cancelled [20:03]
15.4.44 All Heavies make and mend. [10:05]
16.4.44. Target – ROUEN – cancelled [10:37]
17.4.44 Target – Marshalling yards ROUEN, VILLENEUVE ST GEORGE and JUVISSY – cancelled. [17:50]

[underlined] 35 SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] MARCH [/underlined]. B flight:- P/O. Tudberry
F/O (A/F/L ) Honey
P/O Ward

9.4.44 First attack on a French pre-invasion target (rail)
4 aircraft failed to return F/O R.J. Bordiss
11.4.44 8 aircraft attacked successfully.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined].

[underlined] APRIL [/underlined] cont.

21.4.44. 00:01 Air Raid message “Purple”
Air Raid message “White”.

All heavies make and mend. [10:40]

[page break]

[underlined STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 22nd April 1944 [/underlined].

Target: Marshalling Yards LAON.
Require: North A/P – 4 Illuminators and 2 Master Bombers – Z = 23:25.
South A/P – 4 Illuminators and 3 Backers up – Z = 00:05

[indecipherable words]

Report: [22:06 to 01:20] Weather clear. No cloud, good visibility.

South A/P – The 5 Illuminator aircraft arrived in good time in target area with good H2S. Flares gave good illumination and made visual identification easy. Master Bomber’s instructions well-received and followed. Attack generally concentrated.

[indecipherable words]

Identification by loop in rails and by sheds was very good. Master Bomber’s instructions good and clearly understood. Attack appeared good. Few bombs dropped wildly.
Defences – Negligible Heavy Flak, no searchlights.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 22nd April 1944 [/underlined]

Of 14 aircraft detailed to attack Laon, 13 took off, carried out attacks successfully and returned safely to base.

(Wing Commander S.P. Daniels was Master Bomber in ND692 “T” and Sq/Ldr E.K. Cresswell was Deputy in ND755 “B”.)

[page break]

[inserted] 37 [/inserted]

[underlined] 22nd/23rd April 1944 [/underlined] LAON Lancaster Mk III ND692 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 21:33 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 01:12 (Duration 3hrs 39mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Illuminator.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
5 x 4 7” hooded flares. 9 x 1000MC.
[indecipherable words]
Weather, cloud nil, visibility good, deteriorating with smoke from attack.
Target identified on H2S, very good. Arrived on target at 23:20hrs. H2S on [indecipherable word] on run in with good picture. Flares seen dropping as running over target. Marshalling yards was identified by light of same – no TI seen. Bomb doors not operating and obliged to make 3 orbits. On 3rd run, dropped bombs, and [indecipherable words] as directed by Master Bomber. Unable to pinpoint exactly but appeared well placed. Several bomb bursts seen a good mile to East. A Yellow TI, seen to S of aiming point. Own bomb burst seen on Green TI.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD -GRAVELEY [/underlined].

[underlined] APRIL [/underlined] cont

23.4.44. All heavies make and mend. [10:03]

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined].

[underlined] 24th April 1944. [/underlined]

Target: KARLSRUHE.
Require: 3 Blind Marker/Illuminators 1 Visual Marker 4 Blind Backers-up, 3 Visual Backers-up and 3 Supporters.
Z = 00:40.

13 Lancasters with 80 PFF and 523 Heavies of other Groups.

Report [21:53 to 04:04]
Thin layer cloud drifting over target with thicker layer at 17 to 19,000ft. Attack opened on time with white flares at approx. 00:35hrs. Visual Markers not able to mark Aiming Point owing to technical failures. Incendiaries fell over wide area causing several scattered fires. Most crews report good proportion of attack fell in region of main concentration and those aircraft able to pinpoint river or docks to West of town consider this was centred on South edge of built-up area.

Defences slight. Heavy Flak – accurate at height. No searchlights.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 24th April 1944 [/underlined]

14 aircraft were detailed to attack Karlsruhe. 13 took off and carried out successful attacks in moderate conditions

[page break]

[inserted] 38 [/inserted]

[underlined] 24/25th April 1944 [/underlined] [underlined] KARLSRUHE [/underlined] Lancaster Mk III ND692 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 21:53 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 03:34 (Duration 5hrs 41mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Blind Marker/Illuminator

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
5 x 4 7” hooded flares. 1 LB TI Green. 1 x 4000 HC Minol 1 x 1000 MC, 4 x 500 GP.
00:35.42hrs, 18000ft, 168°M, 155 knots.
Weather: clear, hazy below. Cloudy above 18000ft.
Target identified and bombed on H2S. Nothing to be seen on arrival. Ground detail of town could be clearly seen on arrival. Ground detail of town could be clearly seen by light of flares which straddled the town. Green TIs seen cascading just after bombing 1 on West and 1 on East of town. Attack somewhat scattered at first but improved later. Icing encountered around 6°E on outward run.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined]

[underlined] APRIL [/underlined] cont.

25.4.44. 0430 Air Raid “Purple”
04:37 Air Raid “Red”
05:17 Air raid “White”

26.4.44 Target – SCHWEINFURT – cancelled [17:50]

ND734 landed from Essen and a 692 Sqdn Mosquito, its radio out of action, touched down and crashed into it, killing a gunner.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

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

Targets: (ESSEN and)
“a target in France for markers only”
ie. VILLENEUVE ST GEORGES.

Require: 4 Blind Marker/Illuminators, 1 Master Bomber and 1 Deputy Master Bomber. (Southern A/P)

6 Lancasters with 12 PFF and 90 Heavies of other Groups.

Report [21:43 to 02:06]
No Cloud Good visibility.
Attack opened at 23:58 with Red spot fires 2 miles ENE of Aiming Point and Red TI in same area 1 minute later Master Bomber gave instructions to Main Force to drop flares only and he dropped a White TI at 00:06hrs leading to a well placed attack. Fire and large explosion at 00:15hrs. All crews [indecipherable words] of clear instructions received from Master Bomber. Defences – negligible Flak, no searchlights. Some fighter activity

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined].

[underlined] 26th April 1944 [/underlined]

6 aircraft carried out a successful attack on Marshalling Yards at Villeneuve St Georges and returned safely to base.

[page break]

[inserted] 39 [/inserted]

[underlined] 26/27th April 1944 [/underlined] [underlined] VILLENEUVE [/underlined] Lancaster Mk III ND692 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 21:46 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 01:43 (Duration 3hrs 57mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Illuminator

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
5 x 4 7” hooded flares. 9 x 1000MC.
00:04hrs, 11000ft, 018°M, 155 knots – Flares
00:13.30hrs, 11000ft, 038°M, 155 knots – Bombs
Westher clear.
Target identified on H2S and by Red TI. Red TI seen at 00:00.15hrs cascading. Flares only called for by Master Bomber and these were dropped on TI Red. Orbit made and Master Bomber dropped TI White on which run was made but bombs failed to release. Further and run made on centre point of two White TIs as requested by Master Bomber. Ground detail clearly seen and bombing well concentrated on Marshalling Yard. Highly successful raid.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined 27th April 1944 [/underlined]

Target: FRIEDRICHSHAVEN.
Require: 2 Blind Markers/Illuminators, 3 Visual Markers, 3 Blind Recentrers [sic], 6 Supporters.

14 Lancaster and 48 PFF and 311 Heavies of other Groups.

Report [22:15 to 05:47]
No cloud, slight haze.
Alteration to zero hour caused slight scatter in timing of attack. Master Bomber did not arrive until after new zero hour owing to W/T receiver being u/s for a period. Visual Marker identified Marshalling Yards and sheds and one Green TI seen nearby. Own TIs overshot slightly (400yds East of Aiming Point). Aircraft arriving later could not visually identify Aiming Point because of smoke and incendiaries. Main effort concentrated. Explosion with yellow flash around aiming point between 2:06 and 2:07hrs. Raid fairly successful. Defences, slight to moderate Heavy Flak, accurate and predicted. Slight, inaccurate Light Flak. A few ineffective searchlights.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 27th April 1944 [/underlined].

14 aircraft took off to attack Friedrichshaven. One, captained by W/O. R.G. Peter, failed to return. One aircraft, captain F/L J.P Petrie Andrews DFC DFM arrived on target too late to attack as a visual marker.

[page break]

[inserted] 40 [/inserted]

[underlined] 27th/28th April 1944 [/underlined] [underlined] FRIEDRICHSHAVEN [/underlined] Lancaster Mk III ND692 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 22:29 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 05:02 (Duration 6hrs 33mins)

[underlined Role [/underlined] Blind Centrer [sic]

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
1 x 4000 HC Minol. 4 x 1000 MC
02:05 hrs, 18000ft, 121°M, 155 knots
Weather – cloud nil. Good visibility, very slight mist.
Target identified on H2S. Cluster of Red/Green TIs on ground seen in bomb sight. First TIs seen going down at 02:00.24hrs. Large explosion seen at 02:10.30hrs in target area after bombing. 1 x 4 flares R/Y starts brought back. Not required.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined].

[underlined] A[missing letters]IL [/underlined] cont.

28.4.44. 03:07 Air Raid “Purple”
03:29 Air Raid “White”.

All Heavies make and mend. [10:05]
29.4.44. Target – ACHERES – cancelled [12:57]
30.4.44. target – ACHERES – 13 Lancasters.

[underlined] MAY [/underlined]

1.5.44. 35 Squadron stood down. [11:06]
2.5.44. All Heavies make and mend [10:05]
3.5.44 All Heavies make and mend. [but see below] [10:40]
4.5.44 All Heavies make and mend. [10:15]
5.5.44 All Heavies make and mend. [10:08]
6.5.44 Target:- MANTES – GASSICOURT Marshalling Yards – 9 Lancasters
7.5.44 35 Squadron stood down [11:00]

[underlined] 35 SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined].

27.4.44 Notification received of following awards.
DFC – F/O (A/F/L) G.S.B. Honey (149946)
DFM – P/O R.A. WARD. (171773)

List: F/O (A/F/L) G.S.B. Honey DFC
P/O. R.A. WARD DFM
P/O. R.O. TUDBERRY

30.4.44 13 aircraft attacked successfully
3.5.44. 14 aircraft in raid. 1 failed to return, P/O C. Elton.
6.5.44. 7 aircraft attacked successfully

[page break]

STATION RECORD

[underlined] 8th May 1944 [/underlined]

Target: HAINE ST PIERRE Marshalling Yard.
Require: 4 Illuminators, Master Bomber, Deputy Master Bomber and 8 Bombers.
H Hour = 03:25.

14 Lancasters with 106 aircraft of other Squadrons.

Report [01:48 to 05:06]
Weather over target clear, bright moonlight with slight, industrial haze. Master Bomber arrived on target at 03:18hrs and visual identification was greatly assisted by lights and activity at Marshalling Yards. First Red spot fire 3 to 400 yds South of Aiming Point and Green same distance to South east. Master Bomber dropped TI Yellow at Aiming Point. Bombing very concentrated and TIs soon obscured by smoke and dust. Deputy Master Bomber unable to re-mark Aiming Point due to smoke. When obscured, crews ordered to bomb centre of conflagration. All reports point to well-concentrated attack and Master Bomber estimated 90% of bombs fell within Marshalling Yards. Ground defences nil but considerable fighter opposition encountered.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined].

[underlined] 8th May 1944 [/underlined]

Of 14 aircraft which took off to attack Haine St Pierre, one, captained by W/O J.C Kemp, failed to return. The remainder bombed in good conditions.

[page break]

[underlined] 8/9th May 1944 [/underlined] [underlined] HAINE ST PIERRE [/underlined] Lancaster Mk III ND692 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 01:51 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 04:36 (Duration 2hrs 45mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Illuminator

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
6 x 4 7” hooded flares. 7 x 1000MC
Flares: 03:20hrs, 8000ft, 140°M, 170 knots
Bombs: 03:26hrs, 8000ft, 140°M, 170 knots
Weather: no cloud, hazy.
Target identified by Red spot fires and Red TIs. First saw 2 Red Spots at 03:14.48 hrs. Then 2 Red TIs cascaded at 03:16hrs approx. These were seen in bomb sight, one bang on the estimated position of engine sheds, the other about 200yds south. Flares dropped between these two TIs. Master Bomber instructed to bomb the NW edge of Green TI. This was done. At the time there was much smoke over the Yards but bombing appeared to be concentrated.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined].

[underlined] MAY [/underlined] cont.

9.5.44. 35 Squadron not required. [11:00]

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 10th May 1944 [/underlined]

Target: LENS Marshalling Yards.
Require: 6 Illuminators, Master Bomber and Deputy and 6 Bombers.
“Blind lluminators should have best set operators in each case”.
H Hour: 23:25hrs.

14 Lancasters with 104 aircraft of other squadrons.

Report. [22:00 to 00:55]
Nil cloud and slight industrial haze. First illuminator flares dropped on H2S at same time as first red spot fires. Flares somewhat scattered and illumination was poor. Target became slightly obscured by smoke and dust early in attack. Bombing by Main Force thought to be careless and scattered. Master Bomber’s instructions not clearly heard owing to interference. Defences, 2 to 3 light guns, no searchlights. Master Bomber and Deputy Master Bomber re-marked target several times.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined].

[underlined] 10th May 1944 [/underlined]

14 aircraft set out to bomb Lens in moderate conditions. All returned safely to base.

[page break]

[inserted] 42 [/inserted]

[underlined] 10/11th May 1944 [/underlined] [underlined] LENS [/underlined] Lancaster Mk III ND692 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 21:55 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 00:27 (Duration 2hrs 32mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Illuminator

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
6 x 4 7” hooded flares. 8 x 1000 MCTI.
Flares: 23:19hrs, 12000ft, 169°M, 170 knots.
Bombs: 23:26.43hrs, 12000ft, 178°M, 170 knots
Weather: no cloud, ground haze.
Target identified on H2S – bearing and distance from Arras taken as guide. As flares went down, red spots went down – 2 quite close together. Flares dropped on H2S. No visual pinpoint obtained. White TIs went down as aircraft was on run-up to drop bombs. Master Bomber gave instructions immediately to bomb this. Some flashes on White TI and others about 200 yds West.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined].

[underlined] 11th May 1944 [/underlined]

Targets: (LOUVAIN Marshalling Yards)
(BOULOGNE SUR MER)
and HASSELT Marshalling Yards

Require: 3 Illuminators (Reserves)
H = 23:50.

3 Lancasters and 118 aircraft of other squadrons.

Report [22:34 to 01:47]
Visibility good. Slight haze. All 3 on target 23:48 to 23:51hrs. All saw flares and 1 crew reported identifying target. 1 aircraft dropped flares at request of Master Bomber. 1 aircraft dropped flares on own initiative. All orbited for 15 minutes and saw bomb bursts but no TIs. Master Bomber ordered Main Force to return to base as couldn’t identify aiming point. No defences encountered. All 3 aircraft returned after jettisoning part of loads in sea.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 11th May 1944 [/underlined].

3 aircraft set out to attack Hasselt but did not bomb as the Master Bomber was unable to identify target.

(Another 11 aircraft attacked other targets. All returned safely)

[page break]

[inserted] 43 [/inserted]

[underlined] 11th/12th May 1944 [/underlined] [underlined] HASSELT [/underlined] Lancaster Mk III ND692 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 22:13 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 01:09 (Duration 2hrs 56mins)

Role Illuminator Reserve

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
4 x 4 7” hooded flares.
23:56.18hrs, 12000ft, 142°M, 170 knots
Weather: cloud nil, ground haze.
Target identified on “Y” – good, and flares. Arrived target area 23:48hrs. Saw flares going down. Orbited after first run over target. Flares dropped at request of Master Bomber. At 00:01.30hrs. Master Bomber instructed aircraft to set course for base without bombing.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY [/underlined].

[underlined] MAY [/underlined] cont

12.5.44. Heavies cancelled. [17:52]
13.5.44 Heavies cancelled [17:58]
14.5.44. 35 Squadron stood down [11:38]
02:20 Air raid Purple
02:28 Air raid “Red”
02:50 Air raid “White”.
15.5.44 35 Squadron not required. [10:55]
16.5.44 Heavies make and mend. [09:56]
17.5.44 35 Squadron make and mend. [10:13]
18.5.44 Heavies stood down [09:50]
19.5.44 Targets:- LE MANS, BOULOGNE, ORLEANS – 16 Lancasters
20.5.44 Targets:- Coastal battery, CALAIS – cancelled. [16:35]
21.5.44. Target: DUISBERG – 11 Lancasters.
22.5.44. Target: DORTMUND – 16 Lancasters
23.5.44. Heavies make and mend. [10:15]
24.5.44 Target – AACHEN – 11 Lancasters.
25.5.44 Target – MANNHEIM – cancelled. [21:33]
26.5.44. All Heavies make and mend. [10:07]
27.5.44. Targets – RENNES (2 Lancasters) and BOURG LEOPOLD providing Master Bomber. (14 Lancasters)

[underlined] 35 SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

17.5.44. Notification received of the promotion of P/O RO Tudberry (161686) to the rank of F/O (War Subs)

19.5.44 16 aircraft. All returned safely
21.5.44 11 aircraft. All returned safely
24.5.44 11 aircraft. All returned safely.
27.5.44 16 aircraft. All returned safely

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 28th May 1945 [sic] [/underlined]

Targets: (ANGERS) and MARDICK Med. Coastal Battery
Require: 14 Bombers.
H = 00:30.

14 aircraft and 44 other aircraft of PFF.

Report [23:20 to 01:45]
No cloud. Good visibility. Mosquitoes late so 11 aircraft bombed on Gee fix only. One aircraft bombed on Gee fix only. One aircraft bombed Green TIs at 00:44 after orbiting for 15 mins. Bombing [indecipherable words] somewhat scattered, bomb bursts being observed on sea and beach. Defences nil.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 28th May 1945 [sic] [/underlined]

14 aircraft of the Squadron attacked Mardick in good visibility, despite which bombing was rather scattered.

[page break]

[underlined] 28/29th May 1944 [/underlined] [underlined] MARDICK [/underlined] Lancaster Mk III ND692 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 23:30 [/underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 01:23 (Duration 1hr 53mins)

Role Bomber.

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
18 x 500 GP TI
00:32hrs, 12500ft, 153°M, 160 knots.
Weather: clear, good visibility.
Target identified and bombed on Gee. No TIs seen before or after bombing. Coast line easily seen and bomb flashes appeared to be round target area. According to check up on Gee.

[page break]

[underlined] STATION RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 31st May 1944 [/underlined]

Targets: (Radar Jammer)
TRAPPES Marshalling Yards

[underlined] Report [/underlined] [22:23 to 03:06] 9 Lancasters of 35 Squadron took off from Graveley to attack Trappes MY in cooperation with 9 other aircraft of PFF and 80 Halifaxes of 4 Group. The weather varied from clear to 5/10 stratus drifting over the target at about 8000ft. Visibility was fair. The attack opened on time with Red TIs, one cluster falling near the engine shed and another about 1000yds ENE. At 00:32 the DMB, on instructions from the MB attempted to mark the A/P with white TI which overshot some 300yds to the N. MB then instructed the Main Force to bomb on the Red TI and the Backers-up to backup on the Red. This instruction led to White TI being dropped up to 1000yds too far East. The Main Force were instructed to ignore them and to bomb slightly south of the DMBs TIs, the Reds being then obscured. The MB dropped his yellows at 00:39hrs but these overshot to 1500yds S of A/P. The attack was somewhat scattered. A series of 3 explosions were reported between 00:37 and 00:39hrs. Defences were slight H/F in loose barrage and one S/L was reported.

9 aircraft were detailed. 8 attacked primary and 1 aircraft 35/N returned early after jettisoning part of his bombs owing to misunderstanding a message received over the W/T.

[underlined] SQUADRON RECORD [/underlined]

[underlined] 31st May 1944 [/underlined]

Of 14 aircraft detailed for operations, 9 took off to attack Trappes, one of which returned early. (5 other aircraft attacked Montcouple and all returned safely to base).
(Provided Master Bomber).

31.5.44. B flight: F/O A/F/L. GSB Honey DFC
F/O R.O. Tudberry
P/O R.A. Ward DFM.

[page break]

STATION RECORD – GRAVELEY.

[underlined] MAY [/underlined] cont

29.5.44. Heavies make and mend. [10:11]
30.5.44 Heavies cancelled [17:54]

[page break]

[underlined] 31st May/1st June [/underlined]. [underlined] TRAPPES [/underlined] Lancaster Mk III ND692 “P”

[underlined] UP [/underlined] 22:23 [underlined] DOWN [/underlined] 02:42 (Duration 4hrs 19mins)

[underlined] Role [/underlined] Illuminator

[underlined] Crew [/underlined] Regular except W/C P.H. Cribb instead of G.B.S Honey.

[underlined] Report [/underlined]
6 x 4 7” hooded flares. 8 x 1000 MC TI.
Flares: 00:29.36hrs, 12000ft,089°M, 180 knots
Bombs: 00:37.30hrs, 11000ft, 310°M, 170 knots.
Weather: slight haze, clear skies.
On approach a Green TI was seen followed by Red TIs. After dropping flares, Master Bomber’s instructions were clearly heard instructing not to drop on White TI but stand by. This was followed by instructions to bomb a cluster of Reds which were in the bombsight. The White TIs were a bad undershoot and attracted spasmodic bombing but most of the bombing was around the Red TIs. A good explosion was noted at about 00:39hrs.

[page break]

[underlined] 35 Squadron Record [/underlined]

[underlined] J[missing letter]NE 1944 [/underlined]. [underlined] Summary [/underlined]

B flight: Honey G.S.B.
Cribb P.H [Sq/Ldr A/W/C) DSO, DFC]
- not Tudberry or Ward.

6.6.44 Notification of award of DFC to F/O R.O. Tudberry (161686)
26.6.44. P/O R.A.Ward DFM (171773) posted to No 85 O.T.U.
29.6.44 F/O Tudberry (161686) posted to ACAC.

Flights. (of crew members in other crews)

2.6.44. Ward and Tudberry with P/O A.V. Hardy (J19301) } All in ND692 “P”
5.6.44. Wagar with Cribb. } All in ND692 “P”
7.6.44 Wagar with Cribb } All in ND692 “P”
9.6.44 Wagar with Cribb } All in ND692 “P”
11.6.44 Wagar with Cribb. } All in ND692 “P”

Later flights of Cribb including one as Master Bomber.

25.6.44 without any of Honey’s crew.

[underlined] JULY 1944 [/underlined] [underlined] Summary [/underlined]

B flight – neither Honey or Cribb.
14.7.44. F/O. (A/F/L) G.S.B. Honey DFC posted to No16 OTU
25.7.44 Sq/Ldr (A/W/C) P.H. Cribb DSO DFC (33360) posted to 582 Sqdn to command.

Summaries for AUGUST and SEPTEMBER 1944 – nothing of interest.

[underlined] SEPTEMBER 1944 [/underlined] [underlined] Summary [/underlined]

B flight – A.J.DICK (P/O).

5.9.44 Notification received of promotion of P/O A.J. Dick (182841).

No record found of operations by A.J.Dick.

[underlined] OCTOBER 1944 [/underlined] [underlined] Summary [/underlined]

B flight P/O A.J.Dick.

[underlined] Flights [/underlined]

P/O A.J Dick on 6,14,15,19,21, 25.10.44 (F/L EC Gregory

NOVEMBER 27, 29.11.44 (F/L A.E. Johnson & Gregory

D[missing letters]EMBER 5,6,12,17, 21.12 44 (F/O Douglas and F/L Tropman (last flight)

[underlined] JANUARY to AUGUST [/underlined] 1945 – still on list
[indecipherable words]

[page break]

[underlined] OPERATION STATISTICS [/underlined]

[table of operations]

*Sgt Honey was, of course, missing but safe.

[underlined] Rate of early return [/underlined] Total flights = 841.
Total early returns = 57
% early = 6.8% (c.f. 10% for Honey’s crew)
([formula] = 0.9 – not significant.)

[underlined] Cumulative loss rate [/underlined]

Not including early returns : 80.0%
Including early returns : 86.0%
(true rate is intermediate as part of risk was run on operations from which an early return was made)

In fact risk is closest to the second figure as on the aborted operation with a 26.7% loss rate the aircraft was one of the last back.