Extract from No 102 Squadron history in 1942

Extract from No 102 Squadron history in 1942

Extract covers eight planned flights of aircraft captained by Peter when he was a SNCO pilot. They take place between 11 August 1942 and 13 October 1942 when the squadron was at Pocklington.

Four typwritten pages

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MThirskTP1378816-170214-010001, MThirskTP1378816-170214-010002, MThirskTP1378816-170214-010003, MThirskTP1378816-170214-010004

On 7th August 1942 the aircraft of 405 (RCAF) Squadron left RAF Pocklington for their new base, RAF Topcliffe. They were closely followed by a convoy of lorries carrying the ground personnel and their equipment. Later in the day the aircraft and personnel of 102 Squadron RAF, arrived at Pocklington from Topcliffe.

On 8th August 1942, the serviceability of 102 Squadron is recorded as follows :-

11 aircraft + 4 training aircraft
10 crews, including 1 operation conversion crew and 5 other conversion crews.

[underlined] 11 August 1942 [/underlined]

5 aircraft detailed to attack MAINZ

W 1066 “G” Sgt. T.P. THIRSK

F/Sgt. C.E. Sorsdahl; Sgt. R. Gayler; Sgt. D.P. Johnson; Sgt. W. Storey; Sgt. W.E. Pattison; Sgt. R.J. Gould;

Up: 22.09 Down: 0215

Turned back for base, 51° 20 N, 02° 15 E. because the rear turret was u/s. The bombload was safely jettisoned in the sea.

[underlined] 1 September 1942 [/underlined]

8 aircraft detailed to attack SAARBRUCKEN

W 1271 “C” Sgt. T.P. THIRSK

P/O W.R. Plummer; Sgt. A.M. Long; Sgt. A.F. Tuck; Sgt. J.F. Ray; Sgt. D. Knight F/Sgt. G.H. Rowe.

Aircraft did not take off because of engine trouble.

[page break]

[underlined] 13 September 1942 [/underlined]

10 aircraft detailed to attack BREMEN

W 1271 “C” 1378816 Sgt. T.P. Thirsk Pilot

119472 P/O W.R. Plummer Navigator
R87333 Sgt. A.M. Long W/Op/Air Gunner
Aus 411061 Sgt. A.T. Tuck Air Gunner
911418 Sgt. J.F. Ray Air Gunner
563197 Sgt. D. Knight Flight Engineer
R54032 F/Sgt. C.H. Rowe Bomb Aimer

The aircraft took off at 23.59 hrs, and went on to attack the primary target, where the crew reported seeing fires. On the return journey, the aircraft was damaged by Flak over the Dutch coast, which caused them to make a forced landing near RAF Coltishall at 04.18 hrs.

The pilot, two air gunners and the wireless operator, all escaped uninjured. P/O Plummer was wounded in the left leg, Sgt Knight received a shrapnell [sic] wound in the left arm, F/Sgt Rowe sustained a severe wound in his left hip.

The injured men were admitted to the Norfolk and Norwich hospital. Those who were not injured, returned to Pocklington where they were detailed for operations again on the 19 September.

[underlined] 19 September 1942 [/underlined]

9 aircraft detailed to attack SAARBRUCKEN

W 1066 “H” Sgt. T.P. Thirsk

P/O E.W. Hargreaves; Sgt. A.M. Long; Sgt. A.T. Tuck; Sgt. J.F. Ray; Sgt. W.E. Pattison; P/O J. Field

[page break]

Up: 19.33 Down: 23.43

Oxygen failure. Jettisoned bombload at 13,000 ft. 50° 51 N 01° 00 E, at 21.30 hrs. Hang up on 1 SBC (90 x 4); 1/2 SBC (8 x 30).

[underlined] 5 October 1942 [/underlined]

10 aircraft detailed to attack AACHEN

W 1181 F/Sgt T.P. Thirsk

P/O Swain; Sgt. H. Wroughton; Sgt. A.O. Gilbert; Sgt. J.F. Ray; F/Sgt. D. Knight. P/O J.R. Field

Up: 18.40 Down: 0026

Attacked the primary target at 13,000 ft. where bursts and two ”blob” fires were seen.

[underlined] 6 October 1942 [/underlined]

6 aircraft detailed to attack OSNABROOK

W 1181 F/Sgt. T.P. Thirsk

P/O Swain; Sgt. H. Wroughton; Sgt. A.O. Gilbert; Sgt. J.F. Ray; F/Sgt. D. Knight; P/O J.R. Field.

Up: 1906 Down: 23.37

The crew attacked the primary target from 13,000 ft. They saw their own bursts, which fell amongst fires already started. They jettisoned 6 x SBC (8 x 30), at 53.10 N 04.40 E to lighten the load, as the aircraft would not climb, and the fuel consumption was excessive.

[page break]

[underlined] 13 October 1942 [/underlined]

10 aircraft detailed to attack KIEL

R 9531 F/Sgt. Thirsk

P/O Swain; Sgt. A.M. Long; Sgt. A.O. Gilbert; Sgt. J.F. Ray; F/Sgt. D. Knight; P/O Burns

Up: 18.24 Down: 20.40 Linton

The aircraft returned early, because the oil temperature of the port outer engine rose. The bombs were jettisoned safely at 54.08 N 00.39 E.

[underlined] 15 October 1942 [/underlined]

10 aircraft detailed to attack COLOGNE

W 1181 F/Sgt. T.P. Thirsk

P/O Swain; Sgt. A.M. Long; Sgt. A.O. Gilbert; Sgt. J.F. Ray; F/Sgt. D. Knight; P/O Burns

Up: 18.24 Down: 20.40

No attack was made. The aircraft was South of the [deleted] track [/deleted] course, and it was believed to be off track. In addition, they were 30 minutes late crossing the enemy coast. Their bombs were jettisoned safely at 51.42 N 03.15 E.