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https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1791/32503/BWierTWierTv1.2.pdf
5f188c9ba5ddfdcf0a5d99baf50ed940
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Title
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Wier, Tadeusz
T Wier
Tadeusz Wierzbowski
T Wierzbowski
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IBCC Digital Archive
Date
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2017-01-22
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
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Wier, T
Description
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24 items. The collection concerns Tadeusz Wier (b.1920) and contains his log books, memoirs, photographs and documents. He flew operations as a pilot with 300 Squadron.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Michael Wier-Wierzbowski and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
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Tadeusz Wierzbowski grew up on a farm near Zgierz, Poland. He learned to fly at the training school at Deblin and escaped from the Nazi and Russian invasions in 1939. He travelled through Romania to the Black Sea, and was in France when the Nazis invaded. He eventually arrived in Liverpool on the Andura Star in June 1940.
He flew as an instructor, training others to fly for three years, before he was posted into combat with 300 Squadron. He flew 25 operations as a Lancaster pilot from RAF Faldingworth including bombing Hitler’s Eagle’s nest at Berchtesgaden.
Tadeusz was a test pilot after the war and shortened his name to Wier to make it easier for air traffic control officers. Over his career, he flew over 40 different aircraft types from Polish RWD 8 trainers to Vampire jets.
Transcribed document
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Transcription
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FLASHBACKS – 0 to 4
SQN. LDR. T. WIER, A.F.C., R.A.F. (Retd.)
[page break]
[underlined] 0 FLASHBACKS 0 [/underlined]
Most of my family are of the opinion that I ought to write something about my childhood. I guess they are right because I came and eventually settled in this country over half a century ago and with the exception of my wife and my son, Michael, no other member of my immediate family have seen or heard much about the part of Poland where I come from.
I must confess that up till now I did not think that the times of my youth were particularly interesting but, having lived all these years I have come to the conclusion that one should leave something in black and white for the children and succeeding generations.
I can even cite a personal example why one should do so. I have never met or known my grandparents because I was born quite a few years after their death. Therefore, the only good and reliable source of information about them would have been my own parents but, due to the way my life has been fashioned by world events, I could not talk to them about it, simply, because I was not able to see them in my later years. I saw the family for the last time during the Christmas holidays in 1938 when I was already in military uniform and spending the few days of my leave at home between recruit training with the infantry and posting to the Officers' Flying Training School in Deblin, Poland.
My father died less than a year later and I was not able to visit my mother after the war because the communist regime would not allow Polish citizens any social contacts with the people living in the Western countries. Actually, I received a letter from by brother about my mother's death six months after her demise while I was serving in Singapore. She died on the 1st of May, 1960, age 77 years. The next person to die in my family was my eldest brother, Wacek, and I got the news of that event again half way round the world while I was serving in Belize, British Honduras, in the early seventies.
It is obvious that I should start writing my story from as far back as it is possible. And, as all the beginnings come from our ancestors, then it must be in order to mention them at this stage.
Every time when I go to Poland, I set aside a few hours to visit the Parish Cemetery in ZGIERZ where a lot of my dead relations are now buried. It is not in any way a depressing experience because I usually find people there tending the graves, bringing flowers, clearing the footpaths or just simply walking about. There are permanent flower stalls outside the cemetery gates and they are open every day of the year. I still remember All Saints' Day celebrated on the 1st of November each year when there is a real flood of people who turn out in the evening to light the candles on the graves of their family departed. Some persons travel long distances, even scores of miles, to visit on that day their parents or other relatives graves
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and also to meet old colleagues and friends. Most of the graves will have dozens of candles flickering in the wind, others a few and there may be the odd one unattended. Very likely it will have a candle lit by a neighbour. The glow of thousands of candles is visible a long way off even on a darkest night, no matter what the weather. It is a real social occasion and one not to be missed lightly.
Last year, when I went to the cemetery, I made a note of the inscriptions on the gravestones of my grandparents and my parents.
Here are the names and dates I have noted: -
My mothers' parents: -
WAWRZYNIEC i MALGOZATA (z PABIANCZYKOW) WIERZBOWSCY
ZYL LAT 39, ZM. 4.10.1904 (Born 1582)
ZYLA LAT 67, ZM. 28.11.1917 (Born 1850)
My fathers' parents:-
BRONISLAWA i MARCEL WIERZBOWSCY
ZYLA 44 LAT, ZM. 3.1.1904 (Born 1860)
ZYL 56 LAT, ZM. 20.1.1906 (Born 1850)
My mother: -
ELEONARA WIERZBOWSKA
UR. 22.11.1882, ZM. 1.5.1960 (Lived 77 years)
My father: -
JOZEF WIERZBOWSKI
UR. 19.3.1883, ZM. 1.10.1939 (Lived 56 years)
Some explanatory notes: -
ZYL, ZYLA means Lived
LAT means Years
ZM. (Zmarl, a) means Died
UR. (Urodzony, a) means Born
WIERZBOWSCY is a collective name of the family.
It seems that in the nineteenth century Poland people did not live too long – old age being an exception rather than the rule.
As I said before, I never saw my grandparents and now I very much regret that I did not talk closely to my parents about the life of our ancestors. Were my mother and father
[page break]
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alive today, I would have hundreds of questions to ask them but, unfortunately, it is too late and I have only odd bits of information which remained in my memory.
Somehow, I don’t think there was an opportune time, urge or sufficient will to delve deeply into my parents’ past. Neither do I know if the lives of my grandparents were particularly happy or joyous. None of them lived in a free country because Poland was then partitioned amongst our age-old enemies of Russia, Germany and Austria. It is certain that they were not benevolent as masters.
By a curious coincidence my mother’s parents had the same surname as my father. I queried that fact once or twice with my mother but she assured me that there was no blood relationship between her and my father. Apparently, her family came from a small settlement 25-30 miles to the west of KROGULEC which was the name of the village where we lived. I suppose, the chances are that some Wierzbowski strayed in one direction or another long, long ago and started a new branch of the family. However, my maternal grandparents must have lived not too far away because they are buried in our cemetery.
I only vaguely remember being told that my father’s parents lived in a neighbouring village and raised altogether twelve children, my father being the eldest of the five brothers. My mother had two brothers and two sisters, making five children in all on that side of the family. When I went back to Poland for the first time after my retirement in 1976, my brother, Ryszard, and I sat down and made a list of our first cousins. There were over sixty of them and some were already dead. One was killed as a soldier during the Polish campaign and another was murdered by the Gestapo during the occupation.
I think that my paternal grandfather was a small farmer because I remember that the parts of the land which were inherited by my father and belonged to our farm were really in the next village where the grandparents lived.
There is not much more that I can write about my grandparents so I will now say something about my parents, my brothers and my only sister.
My mother was married twice, my father being her second husband. Her first husband’s name was KOSTECKI so that my two elder brothers and the sister had that surname. Her name was GENOWEFA, I think she was born in 1900 or 01 which made her the eldest of the children. Unfortunately, she died in 1936 with lung disease – her trade was tailoring. Next was my brother WACLAW who served as an officer in the Polish Army (Armoured Brigade) and he was followed by HENRYK who trained at an Agricultural College and became a farmer. I believe their father died just before the First World War at a fairly young age.
I was born on the 2nd of January 1920 as the first of three brothers, the other being RYSZARD born in February 1921 and ZENON born January 1927. Ryszard became a chemical
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engineer and Zenek studied Agriculture and eventually took over our farm. There is only Ryszard left now of all of my family and we are in a kind of a race for the second place with the undertaker. I think our chances are fairly even.
Something about my father. As far as I can figure out, our part of Poland was under Russian occupation because my father was called up or conscripted into the Russian army. I still have a photograph of him in a Russian army uniform which was taken somewhere in Moscow. (There is an inscription on it to that effect). He was eventually taken prisoner by the Germans during the First World War and spent sometime in a Prisoners of War camp in Germany. I want to mention one legacy of those times which remained with him for the rest of his life – he had a somewhat choleric temperament and when he got mad he could swear fluently in three languages – Russian, German and Polish!
He returned home after the war and married my mother who was then a widow. I suppose one of the factors which helped in the marriage was the fact that my father's land was adjoining my mother's. The plots were divided only by the village road so it made economic sense to combine the two properties together. As a matter of fact, this made our farm one of the largest in the neighbourhood.
I was really born in a thatched cottage. It was very ancient, rather small and built on my mother's part of the property. A few years after my birth my parents must have decided that a larger dwelling was necessary. A new house was built of bricks and roofed over with tiles simply on the outside of the old cottage so that we had somewhere to live while the building was going up and the new roof covered the lot. I was then 4 to 5 years old.
One incident from that period of time remained in my memory and it concerns the actual new building. Well, the external walls were built of red-fired bricks but, I think, that in order to save expense, the chimney which was located in the centre of the house, was built of dried but unfired clay bricks. It was an important structure in the house because it contained near its base a kind of bakery for making our bread every week. I guess it was an accepted practice to use unfired bricks in that situation because, when the fire was lit in the bakery stove, it produced a lot of heat and would, obviously, further dry and harden the bricks. The chimney was partly built and then one night it came crashing down. There must have been some damage but, fortunately, no one was hurt. Next morning the builders inspected the havoc and looked for the cause of the disaster and eventually said that it must have been one of our dogs which peed against the corner of the chimney and thus weakened the structure. Some explanation! In point of fact I now think (with hindsight!) that the mortar they used which was lime and sand only might have been too wet and thus soaked the unfired bricks so they eventually gave way. Anyway, I believe they stuck to their story but had to rebuild the chimney where it stayed until recent years.
[page break]
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One of the earliest memories which I have is that of our orchard. This happened while we still lived in the cottage and when I was very young. I was sick with measles and on top of that I caught a cold or some other infection, became very seriously ill and remained in bed for good few weeks. I remember when I was eventually allowed outside I saw the orchard in full bloom. We had a lot of fruit trees; - apples, pears, plum and cherry trees, damsons and also lots of fruiting shrubs. The time must have been in May or so because all the trees were covered in blossom. They looked beautiful to me and after being cooped up inside all those weeks, seeing the sun and the blue sky, and feeling the warm spring air, was as good as heaven to me, or at least a kind of paradise. I have never forgotten the experience.
I was my father's oldest child and he must have been quite fond of me because I was often with him and sometimes he led me around the farm by the hand. Life slows down in winter on the farm, the days get shorter so on most evenings my father would sit me on his knee and read aloud books to me. They were mostly fairy tales and, of course, I was fascinated by the wonderful stories. When my father read to me he also used a pointer showing me the words and letters as he pronounced them. Somehow or other I very quickly learned to read myself and from then on I was always in love with the written words and the treasures and wisdom to be found in books. Later on, when I was at school, I belonged and used three different libraries so that I would always have an unread book at hand. To illustrate my commitment to reading I will quote my uncle who seeing me for the first time during my return visit to Poland in 1976 said:- “Last time I saw you before the war you were reading a book and now almost forty years later on you still have a book in front of you.” Another uncle used to say to his children:- “Why aren't you like Tadek and read books?!” Those cousins reminded me of that many years later. I must have been a real pain in the behind to them.
The school starting age in Poland is seven years, although now they have a kind of preparatory classes from the age of six. My father knew the local village Schoolmaster fairly well and he arranged for me to start school before I was even six years old. It was a very small school, one classroom, one teacher and the kids up to the age of twelve or fourteen. I was probably a little shrimp of a lad amongst the other village boys and girls but I could read, while my contemporaries were beginning to learn the alphabet. Life was real easy for me then.
I don't really remember too much about that school except that I busted my collar-bone during one playtime period and was off school for two or three weeks. It was a peculiar kind of a game called “Snake” where about a dozen boys and girls would join hands in a line, usually according to size and then run. The 'heavy' end of the Snake would turn and the whole line would act like a whip. I was the sucker at the end of the line and went flying as if I were shot out of a catapult. Result, damaged and painful arm.
[page break]
I left the village school at the age of ten to attend a large school in town. From there to the Gimnasium still in Zgierz where I matriculated in 1938.
A few lines of information about our farm. It was situated 2 1/2 miles or so west of Zgierz which was our nearest town. I think we had over 25 acres of land and were mostly self-sufficient in food. 2 or 3 horses to work on the farm. 6 to 8 cows, some pigs, chickens, geese and turkeys. The farm produce included mainly rye grain, oats, barley, potatoes and plenty of fruit in the season. We had to go occasionally to town to get such things as sugar, coffee, tea and again fish which was usually salted or fresh herrings.
While I was at home, that is to say between the wars, we always had a hired man and woman living in; the woman helping mother in the house (laundry, baking) and working outside on jobs like milking cows and feeding poultry and pigs. The man would work mainly in the fields with my father. Of course, at harvest time everybody was on the go including us when we were off school. When the cherries were in season and there was no panic about work I would often hide in a tree with a book and stuff myself with fresh fruit. Now and again mother would chase us around to pick the cherries or plums as they could be sold in town without any trouble. They were sure great times!
I do not wish to create the impression that we were particularly well-off. Far from it! There was never too much money about and regular taxes to pay. It was the time of the Great Depression and there certainly weren't any farm subsidies to collect. It was more or less a hand to mouth existence and people would work for next to nothing, very often for their keep and a small reward. For instance, I never heard of the idea of pocket money for kids until I came to this country. I guess it would be very difficult to starve on a farm but we certainly never had any luxuries. Nevertheless, it was a healthy kind of life and the sun always seemed to be shining. Youth is such a wonderful time but one only learns to appreciate it in later years!
January 1992 T. Wier
N.B. One of my Aunts' first name was NEPOMUCENA. How about that?!
[page break]
[underlined] FLASHBACKS 1 [/underlined]
I still remember our first bombing raid. Not necessarily because it was the first but because it did not go exactly according to plan.
I was posted with the crew just after Christmas 1944 to No 300 Bomber Squadron at Faldingworth, near Lincoln. It was snowing heavily at the time - fortunately the journey was not too long, about 30 miles from Blyton, near Gainsborough, where we had finished our training on four-engined Halifaxes and Lancasters.
I think I ought to write something about my experiences in England up to that time because it is likely that they are different from those of my colleagues.
I started flying in England in May 1941 about 10 months after the collapse of France. I had one week on aircraft type Magister at Hucknall, near Nottingham and after that to Montrose in Scotland (NO 8 SFTS) for training on Masters and Hurricanes. From September until the end of that year I was in the south of England flying Henleys and Lysanders at Weston Zoyland [sic], Somerset. January and February 1942 Flying Instructors Course at Church Lawford, near Rugby and then a posting to No 25 (P) EFTS at Hucknall, Nottingham for duties as a Pilot Instructor. I must have been one of the youngest instructors there – a new, 22 year old Pilot Officer serving in “C” Flight with Capt. Tanski as Flight Commander.
The next two years felt like a constant roundabout. Each instructor had, normally four pupils every eight weeks and the first ten hours flying (average) with a pupil is mostly all talk in the air and often lots of explanations on the ground. So much talk that often one’s throat would get sore. And the pupil listened and learned to fly, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. What amazes me now is the fact that they learned so much in such a short time – first solo, spinning, aerobatics, instrument flying, cross-country flights and even night flying. I remember one poor soul made 23 approaches before finally landing without mishap. I must admit that landing was difficult that particular night because the wind was from the wrong direction. The Flight Commander and the instructors heaved a sigh of relief – somebody wanted to bring anti-aircraft artillery!
At Hucknall there was also another problem.
Practically each and every one of the instructors wanted to join an operational Squadron. Of course, the result was that there was a regulated list of such volunteers and one had to wait for one’s turn to be released from flying instructor’s duties. I must have been way down the list because my turn did not come until June 1944. Moreover, I only got in because someone ahead of me declined this privilege.
I received an allocation to a bomber Squadron and a posting to Finningley, near Doncaster for training on twin-engined Wellingtons. I was very pleased that my instructor would be Janek Dziedzic and Flight Commander Jozek Nowak – both of them my colleagues from the Flying School, Deblin, in Poland.
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At Finningley, apart from flying training the aircrew personnel were formed into individual aircraft crews, that is to say the crew would consist of pilot, navigator, bomb-aimer, radio-operator and two gunners. The flight-engineer would join the crew later for training on four-engined aircraft.
I was very lucky with my crew. They approached me as a gathered and complete group – all good lads – I had a lot of flying hours under my belt, maybe that helped. They were all N.C.O.s, younger than I was with the exception of the bomb-aimer a year or so older. The youngest was the rear-gunner, only nineteen!
Flight Sergeant Hieronim Stawicki, our Flight Engineer, became eventually “The Father” of the crew. I think he was 27 years old at the time and started flying with us in November 1944.
I return now to our arrival at Faldingworth. The end of December, winter, frost. There were not too many people as the older crews were finishing their tours of duty and some of the others simply were not returning from the raids. In spite of the fact that the Germans were retreating on all fronts, the Squadron was still losing crews. One aircraft lost meant seven aircrew, leaving a large hole in the Unit. Even during the last raid of the war on the 25th of April 1945 while bombing Berchtesgaden, one of Squadron aircraft was so badly damaged that the pilot was forced to crash-land in France. Luckily, the whole crew escaped without too many injuries. The bomb-aimer in that crew was my school-friend, Flying Officer, Roman Piaskowski.
A few weeks after our arrival, reporting to all our Commanders and some training flights we found ourselves on the 2nd of February 1945 at the briefing with all other aircrews for our first raid on Germany. Target – WIESBADEN. A night flight, but not too bad because most of the route was over France. The flight duration was about six hours.
As far as I remember the weather was fairly good. From time to time we could see the other aircraft in the stream. The only problem which we discovered on route to the target was strong head wind, much stronger than forecast – the navigator was complaining that we should be late over the target. I was not sure what to do about it – we increased the speed slightly, but this was not necessary as we discovered after our return to base. The correct procedure was to continue as per flight plan following the principle that the same wind was affecting all the other aircraft. I guess we must have been in good time over Wiesbaden.
There was quite a bit of anti-aircraft fire on the approach and over the target. Not much time to worry about it because one has to fly accurately following bomb-aimer's instructions. After a while the aircraft jumps up, “Bombs gone!”, bomb doors close and the aircraft shoots forward without the load.
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14,000 pounds went down – a great relief for the aeroplane and all crew members.
The return flight is always easier. The aircraft is very light and after crossing of the Channel everyone feels fairly safe. We were returning to Faldingworth from the south. When the navigator said that we were getting near the airfield I noticed the lights and received clearance to join the circuit and to land over the R/T. Normal circuit, approach and landing without much trouble.
Then our problems began. After clearing the runway and taxying [sic] to dispersal we stopped the engines and started to leave the aircraft. To my surprise we had landed at FISKERTON, an airfield few miles south of Faldingworth which also had Lancasters probably taking part in the same raid.
The worst trouble was that we were not allowed to take off again and return to Faldingworth because we had one or two hung-up bombs in the bomb bay which we were unable to jettison earlier. And naturally, the Armament Officer in charge of such operations decided that it would be more sensible to tackle a job like that in daylight rather than in the middle of the night. We, of course, had to sit and wait there, returning eventually to Faldingworth eight or nine hours later.
What had happened? Well, there were quite a number of Bomber Command airfields in Lincolnshire (I can list 10 of them within 12-15 mile radius of Faldingworth) and they were very much alike. That is to say, their lighting was similar, the runways more or less in the same direction and of nearly standard length. One thing which distinguished one airfield from another were the recognition letters placed in, what was called “The Outer Circle” of airfield lights. Nearly always they consisted of two letters – the first and the last letter of the airfield's name. Thus Faldingworth had FH and Fiskerton FN. I did see the letters when I was doing the circuit, but unfortunately, I did not know or realize that there was an airfield with similar letters so close to ours. As a matter of fact, I thought that the installation of the lights was slightly damaged and the centre bar of the letter H had dropped at one end and was simply leaning over. I fully intended to report the matter on the ground after landing.
This is my explanation of the incident. It ended without mishap, but now I realize that we really avoided trouble. A simple oversight on my part, but talking to our own air Traffic Control and landing at another airfield was neither a sensible nor a safe occupation.
I stopped flying as a pilot in the Royal Air Force towards the end of 1959. Sometime later I read the following short article (I do not know the author and I decided that it would be appropriate to place it on the last unused page of my Pilot's Flying Log Book:-
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[underlined] “I WANT TO BE A PILOT” [/underlined]
[underlined] by a 10- year old Schoolboy [/underlined]
“....I want to be a pilot when I grow up ….because it's a fun job and easy to do. That's why there are so many pilots flying today. Pilots don't need much school, they just have to learn to read numbers so they can read instruments. I guess they should be able to read road maps so they won't get lost. Pilots should be brave so they won't be scared if it's foggy and they can't see, or if a wing or motor falls off, they would stay calm so they will know what to do. Pilots have to have good eyes to see through clouds and they can't be afraid of lightning or thunder because they are closer to them than we are. The salary pilots make is another thing I like. They have more money than they can spend. This is because most people think plane flying is dangerous except pilots don't because they know how easy it is. There isn't much I don't like except girls like pilots and all the stewardesses want to marry pilots so they always have to chase them away so they don't bother them. I hope I don't get air sick because I get car sick and if I get air sick I couldn't be a pilot and then I would have to go to work....”
I guess this is the right way to finish this part of my recollections.
June 1991
T. Wier
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[underlined] FLASHBACKS 2 [/underlined]
There must be lots of reasons which influence and help young people in the choice of their career. I was already interested in flying in Primary School – I read what I could find about the subject, made flying models of gliders and aeroplanes and when I was in Gimnasium (Grammar School) I attended several lectures given by a glider instructor. At fifteen or sixteen I received a brochure describing conditions of Service in the Polish Air Force and in the Officers Flying Training School situated at that time in Deblin forty or fifty miles south of Warsaw. There were a number of photographs in the book and the one that impressed me a lot was a photograph of a pilot with the rank of a colonel in the Polish Air Force. He looked very smart at at 36 was about to retire. Fantastic! Of course the profession was somewhat risky and there was always a possibility of a fatal accident but the pilot then had a very impressive funeral and a propeller over his grave!
One of the books which I read was by Captain Janusz Meissner and the title of it was “School of Young Eagles”. Beautifully written and the contents were really inspiring – kind of an answer to the dreams of all would-be young Flyers. As it happened we met Captain Meissner later while we were interned in Romania and where he was our Unit Commander for a while. A very imposing and kind officer – he looked after us like a father. Very much like “Captain Grey” - the character in the book I mentioned.
While considering my future career I received some advice from my older colleague. Takek Walczak matriculated from the same school in ZGIERZ one year ahead of me and joined the Polish Air Force in 1937. He was actually then at the Flying School and I met him while he was on leave all resplendent n his uniform and the “walking out” dagger at his side. My original intention was to apply for admission to the Technical Officers School but he soon convinced me that life as a “plumber” would be very dull and that of a pilot much more interesting.
I must now admit that he was absolutely right. I can not now imagine the 22 years of my life from 1938 to 1960 in a profession other than as a military pilot. I feel certain that I have lived during the “golden age” of aviation. When I started flying the aeroplanes were “string, wires and canvas” (at least the first ones I trained on were!) and by 1948 I was flying the early jet aircraft. In 1957 the SPUTNIK was circling the globe and in 1969 NEIL ARMSTRONG walked on the surface of the moon. What progress!
Soon after my matriculation in 1938 I received a notification to attend a course on gliders in Ustianowa, South-East Poland. Two weeks earned my category “B” on glider type “Wrona”. Week or two later another course in Ustianowa but this time for selection to the Officers Flying Training School. Gliders “Czajka” and “Salamander” ending with the award of category “C”.
2
After all these valiant efforts the authorities still managed to get hold of me and sent me to a Labour camp in Southern Poland. The work involved building a road and was kind of obligatory for all students who have completed secondary education. I think the attachment was for a month or so. However, the Camp Commandant realized that I have done my stint of service for the Government and sent me home after three or four days. Just in time for the harvest! Father was very pleased – great help on the farm.
End of September 1938 found me in a khaki uniform with a very short haircut in the barracks of 31st Infantry Brigade in Lodz for my course of Recruit Training. Lots of drill, marching, weapon training, instructions in field tactics, rifle and machine-gun range firing and, thank God, after Christmas posting to Flying School in Deblin. Much, much better there! Fitted uniforms, modern barracks, mattresses instead of straw pallets. (Easy to remake the bed after duty N.C.O.s' failed inspection). About an hour of drill a day and an awful lot of lectures. I think that we had about seven hours – one had to have a brain like a sponge to assimilate it all – somehow a lot stayed in. We started lectures about six or seven in the morning then one break and a small snack at eleven. Lunch was well after two in the afternoon. And one hour of drill after that!
Spring 1939. The weather was kind because I remember that we finished initial flying training on aircraft RWD 8 fairly quickly. We used a small grass satellite airfield called Zajezierze on the west side of the river Vistula. I ought to add that the main airfield at Deblin, the other satellite airfields and the nearby town Irena were all on the right, east bank of the river.
Before the first solo we had a dual flight and carried out spinning on aircraft type PWS 26 (our initial RWD 8 was non-aerobatic and not stressed for practice of spinning) and after that a free fall parachute jump out of a large three-engined Fokker aircraft. There were six of us in each group to carry out the jump and I was the first to be pushed out of the aeroplane. I do not know if I was the lightest or the heaviest in the group but I fell down fairly fast. 3 seconds later I pulled the ripcord and the parachute opened without any trouble. One had to hang on to the handle of the ripcord because it’s loss meant a small fine and every penny of our meagre pay soon got used up. What actually frightened me most was the fact that I seemed to be heading straight for a huge metal wind indicator which was situated in the corner of the airfield not too far from the Officers’ Mess. However, my Guardian Angel looked after me and I managed to land several yards away from this obstruction. There would not be much fun having an argument with such a heap of iron and one could certainly do oneself an awful lot of painful injury by landing on it.
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3
I do not remember now the exact date but early in June we found ourselves at another satellite airfield called Borowina. I still had my original instructor on the next type of aircraft which was a biplane PWS 26. I think now that my instructor was near enough a saint – he never got angry and had infinite patience. Only once, I remember, he told me after an hour’s instrument flying under the hood that he could not have lasted much longer. I don’t know if it was my flying or some other reason that caused the remark.
I recollect a couple of incidents from that part of my flying career. I was very impressed with the speed with which our Technical Branch dealt with a problem which was discovered in our aircraft following a near-fatal accident. It happened that one of our lads, Stasiek Litak, was carrying out an exercise in spinning. This required starting the spin, two or three turns and then recovery. Fairly simple exercise – one needed some height, a clear bit of sky, speed reduced to minimum and then the stick fully back, rudder pedal hard over to one side and the machine goes round. for the recovery exactly opposite action of the flying controls, that is to say, the stick fully forward and the rudder pedal hard over to the other side. I must add that Stasiek Litak was a big chap and wore very large size boots. (This has no connection with the incident but he was a brilliant player on the accordion). What I heard eventually was that Stasiek started the spin OK but while doing so his foot slipped of [sic] the rudder and got jammed by the side of the fuselage and the bar itself. In spite of great efforts he was unable to pull his foot out and apply the opposite rudder. And so the aeroplane continued spinning although at a slower rate all the way down. I believe Stasiek was injured but, fortunately, still able to explain what had happened.
Few days later all the PWS 26 aircraft were modified – special wooden guards were fitted to prevent the foot getting jammed. Very simple and effective.
We had a very comprehensive program of flying exercises to carry out. Towards the end of the course one of them involved live air to ground firing – fixed machine gun firing through the propeller into a target on the ground. The target was a large rectangle of cleared ground and covered with smoothed-out sand so that every bullet hitting it would show a trace. We had a prescribed number of rounds loaded for each pilot to fire and it was thus fairly simple to count the hits and figure out who was a good shot.
As the target was flat on the ground, one had to dive and aim the aircraft. Furthermore, the nearer the vertical the dive and closer to the ground, the better the score. Of course, we were limited to the number of passes we could make on the target so one had to judge everything nicely – there wasn’t much time to correct any mistakes.
I guess, I must have got a pass-mark for my live firing – I certainly do not remember my score. But I remember what happened to another pilot doing the same exercise.
4
Parallel with our course we had eight or ten officers from the Bulgarian Air Force trained by Polish instructors. They were not billeted with us and we saw them only from time to time. Their senior officer was a Bulgarian captain, very strict, keen and correct. He was always trying to get top marks in every activity, no doubt to set a good example to his other officers.
Unfortunately, as I said before, one did not have much time to correct mistakes during the air firing exercise. It was necessary to stop the firing and pull out of the dive in good time to avoid crashing into the ground. Few seconds too long and the pilot was in trouble which is exactly what happened to our Captain. He must have pulled out very hard but did not quite make it and left some bits of his aeroplane on the surrounding bushes and trees. Somehow he got away without serious injury himself.
September 1939 and the German invasion of Poland. The bombing of Deblin and our own airfield was not very pleasant. Fortunately, we were a mile or so away from the airfield and nobody was injured in our Section. The bombing took place about lunchtime on the 2nd of September and that afternoon we cleared out of our barracks and continued the march for most of the night in the direction of Lublin, which was South-East of our airfield. We stopped for a couple of days near a large farming estate and from there I was detailed for my last flight in Poland. I do not know how it happened but I think that my instructor must have been confident of my flying ability because I was instructed to fly one of our training aircraft, PWS 26, in formation with my instructor in the direction of Lwow in South-East Poland. These aircraft were already dispersed from our home airfield so the take off and landing were to be on temporary landing grounds. My instructor flew ahead and I had to follow him. We were flying quite low and I simply kept close so as not to lose his aircraft – he was navigating for both of us. My attention must have wandered off temporarily because I got a real fright when a tall chimney of some brickworks or a factory suddenly appeared ahead of me. Quick yank on the stick and full throttle got me out of that predicament. I landed, eventually, behind my instructor on a field still covered with short stubble from the recent harvest. After landing, the aeroplane was pushed tail first into a nearby wood, few branches across the front completed the camouflage. I guess, the Russians found the aircraft there when they marched in, we could not fly them any further because of lack of fuel.
About 11 o'clock on Sunday, 17th of September our Commanders received a message that the Russians have invaded Poland from the East. Soon after came the order to evacuate the Unit in the direction of Rumanian border and next day we found ourselves in that country – disarmed and in a foreign land.
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5
It must have happened during our journey to the southern region of Rumania. Somewhere and somehow I contracted dysentery, most likely eating contaminated fruit. I spent about a week in a hospital in Tulcea and slowly recovered my health. My youth and skilled medical care helped to overcome a very unpleasant illness.
Unusual coincidence. My father, in Poland, only 56 years old at the time, also contracted this disease about the same time as I did. He died because of it on the 4th of October 1939. I received the information about his death and the cause of It well after the war ended. Life for a life?
The following recollection which touched me very deeply will always remain in my memory. It happened on the first Sunday of our internment in Rumania. A large camp of tents, Holy Mass in the open and at the end a hymn: -
O God, Who for centuries Have allowed Poland
The splendour of might and glory and Who
Protected her with the shield of Your care
From the misfortunes which had threatened.
We carry this prayer before Your altars
Bless our free Motherland, O Lord.
We sang:-
Return to us our Motherland, O Lord.
I was then nineteen....
Tadek Wier
August 1991
[page break]
[underlined] FLASHBACKS 3 [/underlined]
Rumania. Soon after my return from the hospital (first days of October, 1939) we were moved from the tented camp in Tulcea to a village in Dobrudja, somewhere near Bazargic in South-East Rumania. Bolek Uszpolewicz and I were billeted with a village family which consisted of the old farmer and wife, his married son and wife, and a younger daughter of the old farmer, about twenty years of age. Bolek was six years older than I and his family lived in Lithuania.
I must add that I am relying entirely on my memory when writing these recollections and sometimes I am not quite certain of the dates. The reason for this is that during our internment in Rumania everybody was trying to escape to the West, that is to say to France or England which were still at war, and so to continue fighting the Germans. The right way to go about it was to get rid of everything which would connect a person with the fact that he was in the Polish Forces, then acquire a civilian suit and proceed to a designated collection point given to us just before the escape. Therefore, all the photographs, documents and papers had to be destroyed or thrown away. As a result, I do not have any positive records from that period of time. I am not quite certain now that such a drastic clear-out was absolutely necessary, but when one is young and without experience of tricky matters, it is best to listen to the advice of people who are older and have the knowledge of what to do in unusual circumstances.
Our old farmer left the house practically every day to work in the fields and always took with him a full jug of wine. The jug was a fair size, three pints or so and when he returned in the evening he was in high good humour. His son invited us one day to have a look at their cellar where the wine was kept – huge barrel, about five feet in diameter – must have lasted a whole year until next grape harvest.
I am ashamed to say that I do not remember our host's name or even their religion. Rut religious they were. Each Sunday the young woman in the house would trot off to church and later join the group of young people gathered in the village square. There was a small band of musicians and men and women would dance. The dances had a definite oriental flavour – very likely the influence of Bulgaria and Turkey.
A small happening which I recollect with pleasure. Our food was no great shakes and there wasn't too much of it. The winter was approaching fast, November, snow, frost and often howling wind – a hungry person feels such discomforts quite a lot. Bolek and I decided that it would be nice to have a real feast for once. We managed to save some money and then bought a goose from a neighbour's wife. This lady, very kindly has agreed to cook or roast the goose for us. The cooked bird was truly delicious – stuffed with sauerkraut and paprika. These two ingredients seemed to a perfect flavouring for the goose meat, I would recommend this method of preparing it to any cook or chef.
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2
Sometime at the beginning of December we got our, sort of, civilian outfits, some extra money for the journey and one early morning caught a train which eventually took us to Balcic on the coast of the Black Sea and very close to the Bulgarian frontier. We waited there a couple of weeks or so for the boat and for our travel documents. These, of course, were forged and our senior officers had a lot of work inventing new names for all of us. I don't think they had much trouble finding one for me – Tadeusz Eugeniusz Wierzbowski disappeared and Maciej Gruszka showed up in his place. I guess I ought to add that there is a common Polish proverb which says that the good times will come when willow trees will start growing pears. And wierzba means willow in Polish – gruszka is a pear!
A few days before Christmas a boat called “Patris” showed up in the harbour. There must have been several hundreds of us and all eager to get away. We eventually found out that our destination was Beirut in, as it was then Syria. The boat must have been fairly small and rather unstable because when we were passing one of the islands and most of the passengers on top moved to one side to get a better view, the boat listed quite a few degrees towards the island.
We landed in Beirut two or three days before Christmas and spent the next three weeks in a military camp just to the north of the city. With French hospitality we were treated at Christmas to a choice meal and half a bottle of champagne. Once or twice we wandered into the city – very busy, lots of money changers and cafes – sweet, thick coffee and cakes when one could afford it! What surprised me a lot was the sight of fruiting orange trees (January!) and the cheepness [sic] of oranges – one could buy a dozen for next to nothing.
About the middle of January we embarked on a large passenger ship and after leaving Beirut spent few pleasant days on the journey to Marseille [sic]. They were pleasant because the weather was quite good and when we sailed through the Straits of Messina (between Sicily and Calabria – Italy was then still neutral) we had a good view of Mount Etna and sometime later the island and volcano of Stromboli.
The ship docked in Marseille on the 20th of January, 1940. Hard winter there - frost, some snow and a short stop-over in a camp just outside the town. Very primitive, I think we inherited it after the refugees from the Spanish Civil War. Eventually we were transported to a camp near a village of Sept Fonds, not far from Caussade in South-West France. Lovely countryside, but the camp not so good, very much like the one in Marseille.
The situation improved a lot when we were moved to Lyon in March, 1940. We stayed in Lyon-Foire, a large building which housed some sort of Exhibition a year or so before. It was located on the edge of the city and right on the bank of the River Rhone. Nearby was a nice park – I still remember a flock of peacocks which was kept there – they would strut around and display their dazzling tail feathers.
[page break]
3
The city itself was very impressive – lovely buildings, bridges over the Rhone, spring and early summer – about the best time of the year to get to know the place and to learn French which was most important for further service in the Air force there.
It did not last long. The German offensive started on 10th of May, 1940. We had an early raid by German bombers directed mainly against nearby airfield of Lyon-Bron used by our training Units. There were casualties, killed and wounded. One of the young officers in the air at the time attacked the formation of bombers but was himself shot down by them and killed – death of a hero!
The 18th of June, 1940 was a sad day in Lyon. The end of the fighting in France and the armistice. Also the tears of the women who wept as they watched us marching from Lyon-Foire to the railway station. Overnight journey and we found ourselves the next day somewhere near Montpelier on the Mediterranean coast of France. We waited there nearly two days because our Commanders expected a boat or a ship to transport us to North Africa or to England. Unfortunately, nothing turned up and we were loaded on to a train again and transported in the direction of the West coast of France. The train stopped for several hours in Toulouse on a siding and alongside a goods train. I mention this because someone discovered that one of the wagons of the goods train was loaded with boxes of fresh peaches. I do remember that we were very hungry, so in no time at all quite a few of the boxes found their way on board or our train. Soon there was no trace of the peaches and the empty boxes disappeared also. Since then, I have noticed, that I had become very indifferent to the sight or taste of fresh peaches.
After our stop in Toulouse the train headed southwards towards the Spanish frontier through Bayonne and halted eventually in St Jean de Luz. I think we spent the night there and the next day started boarding a British ship which was anchored about half a mile from the shore. The ship was called “Andora Star”.
The following letter from a reader appeared in the “Sunday Times” on the 13th of October, 1991:-
LAST TO LEAVE: The account of Sir James Goldsmith's escape from France in 1940, News Review last week stated that his family left from Bayonne in the last ship to leave for England. On Monday, June 24 1940, we (my family) overtook a German advance military unit just north of Bordeaux and raced on to Bayonne to find the British Consul had moved to St Jean de Luz. It was there that we boarded the Arandora Star, together with the remnants of the Polish air force. The ship sailed at 17.30 on June 24 with 4000 on board and reached Liverpool on June 27. That was the last sailing from the Atlantic coast of France to England.
I remember it well – I was there. - R.S. Bendall, Exeter.
I was there as well among the others....
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4
I also have a Post Scriptum about the ship “Arandora Star”. It happened that the journey from St Jean de Luz to Liverpool was the last that the ship completed successfully. The next sailing from Liverpool to Canada on the 1st of July 1940 ended tragically when the ship was torpedoed soon after passing Ireland by a U-boat whose Captain was the renowned Gunther Prien of Scapa Flow fame. The Arandora Star went down in half an hour with the loss of 800 lives.
My Guardian Angel was still taking care of me.
Tadek Wier.
October 1991.
[underlined] FLASHBACKS 4 [/underlined]
I ought to explain how it came about that I changed my surname from WIERZBOWSKI to WIER.
During the second half of 1948 I received my appointment to a Short Service Commission in the General Duties Branch of the Royal Air Force. This was a very welcome news because, before that, I spent my time in the Polish Resettlement Corps on detachments to various R.A.F. Units where I was employed on administrative duties and later, just over four months of 1948, on a training course in Millom, Cumberland, learning the trade of turner and metal-worker. I enjoyed that course quite a lot because I was always interested in technical matters. The theory and practice of turning and metal work came in very handy when I retired from the Royal Air Force in 1975 and managed to do one year's training in watch and clock repair under the auspices of the Training Opportunities Scheme (TOPS) which was then available for ex-service personnel.
It was great to get back to flying. I shall always be grateful to the members of the R.A.F. Selection Board for allowing me to continue my career of the military pilot which was my original choice when I left school in Poland in 1938. My flying stopped when I left 300 Polish Bomber Squadron a few months before the Squadron was finally disbanded on the 11th of October 1946.
Actually, I did a fair amount of flying with the 300 Squadron from the end of the war until 7th of June 1946 – my last flight there recorded in my Pilot's Flying Log Book.
My final wartime bombing raid was on Berchtesgaden, Hitler's residence in the Alps, on the 25th of April 1945. Three days later, on the 28th of April we were off again to Europe, but this time on, a kind of, rescue mission, that is to say, repatriating former British Prisoners of War from one of the Allied forward airfields which I think was somewhere in Belgium. We were scheduled to carry back 20 men from Belgium to an airfield just north-west of London. We were taking with us 20 extra Mae Wests (life jackets!) for our passengers. I mention this fact because the flight did not start very well as one of our engines caught fire few seconds after take off. To close the throttle, feather the propeller, turn off fuel and press the fire extinguisher took less than a minute and we were back again on the ground in 12 minutes-flat landing on 3 engines.
While we were carrying out our circuit and landing, Wing Commander Jarkowski, our Squadron Commander, did some very smart, fast footwork and organised a replacement aircraft, so that after landing all we had to do was to transfer our own flying gear and the extra 20 Mae Wests to the other aircraft which was waiting for us with engines warming up. We were slightly behind the rest of our chaps but at least we got on the way without further problems and well in time to collect our 20 passengers who, otherwise, would have been cruelly disappointed.
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2
About one and a half hours after take off from Belgium we were landing in England. There was a very touching moment when we were coasting in somewhere near Dover and my crew brought the passengers forward in small batches to see The Cliffs when we were approaching the coast. There were some tears – quite a few of the men have been in captivity since 1940.
Few days later starting on the 2nd of May we carried food supplies to Holland which was then still under German Occupation. The drop was made from a very low altitude to prevent scattering of the load. These supplies were desperately needed because the people in Holland were near starvation and the drops must have been a success because we flew again on identical missions on the 5th and 7th of May, 1945.
The war in Europe ended on the 8th of May 1945. From then on we were busy carrying supplies to Europe and on the return journey bringing back former Prisoners of War. One or two flights were to and from temporary forward airfields surfaced with PSP (Pierced Steel Planking) making it a bit of tight squeeze to land a four-engined Lancaster on an airfield used only by our Spitfires or other light aeroplanes.
These operations ceased towards the end of June 1945 and we were then able to relax and fly over Germany on sightseeing trips. I have two such sorties listed in my Log Book – the first with my crew only to see the damage caused to targets which we bombed and to observe the results of the bombing from a comfortable height of 2000 or 3000 feet. Appropriately, this flight was named “Post Mortem”. The second flight was made for the benefit of our ground crew personnel who worked all hours of day and night throughout the war years to keep our aeroplanes in the air. No doubt, they understood that without their contribution, it might have been German airmen looking at such sights over England.
In September 1945 we started flying to Italy to transport mainly army personnel back to United Kingdom for their leave. Again 20 men at a time were back in England in about seven hours. The route for the outbound and return flight was via the South of France, near Northern Corsica, then Elba, with landing at Pomigliano, close to Naples which was our pick up point. On one occasion, when we were approaching Naples, I made a wide circuit over the Vesuvius and Pompei and actually had a look from above inside the cone of the volcano. It looked like a funnel of ashes – that’s all.
We usually spent one night in Naples and then back home the next day with the passengers. I remember that on one of my trips when we were delayed, I managed to get a ticket and see a splendid performance of the opera “Aida” at the Royal Opera House in Naples. Beautiful singing, music of the orchestra, costumes and scenery – quite an experience, I must say.
As a Flight Commander, it fell to me on one return journey to carry 20 nurses – all females; and all delivered safely back to England.
3
Some of the flights were not very pleasant because, as the autumn progressed, we had to fly sometime through severe storms which seemed particularly vicious at that time of the year in the Bay of Genoa and on our route. For the comfort of the passengers and safety we had to maintain heights of about 5000 to 8000 feet and these are pretty nasty heights to fly through a thunderstorm. Fortunately, such bad flying conditions do not last for very long and twenty to thirty minutes was enough to get through the worst turbulence, hail rain, lightning or what there was about. Nevertheless, we were unlucky in losing one aircraft and the crew somewhere over the Mediterranean. I do not remember now if they had any passengers on board or not.
On the 4th of November, 1945, my crew and I flew to Gatow airfield, Berlin, for an overnight stay and to have a look at the capital of Germany which was then still mostly in ruins. A short wander around the City, a walk through the parts of Reich Chancellery which were accessible and a flight back to UK. I guess, we used the same corridor route as the aircraft which were to fly in the supplies during the Berlin Airlift a couple of years later.
I had 2000 flying hours flown on various types of aircraft when I left the Squadron in 1946. I suppose this flying experience helped me to be selected for service in the Royal Air Force and to be employed on flying duties as a pilot.
Because I haven't done any flying for over two years I had to complete a 3-week Pilot Refresher Flying Course at R.A.F. Finningley and then I was posted to No 4 Ferry Pool which at that time was located at R.A.F. Hawarden, near Chester. I also spent further 3 weeks at R.A.F. Aston Down, near Stroud, converting to other types of aircraft, as well as jets.
I found the task of ferrying aeroplanes very rewarding and interesting for two main reasons. The first was the fact that I visited just about all the airfields in use in the United Kingdom at the time, delivering or collecting aircraft. The flights were carried out normally in fairly good weather but, inevitably, one encountered all sorts of conditions on longer trips and sometimes diversions were necessary. Great experience for getting acquainted with the geography of the country as we operated the length and breath [sic] of Great Britain, from the very North of Scotland to the Channel coast in the South and from the North Sea in the East to all of Northern Ireland in the west. Later on we also flew on some of the ferrying duties between UK and our Units in the British Zone of Germany.
The second interesting point was the variety of the aircraft which we ferried about. I was lucky because I qualified on all the categories which were then currently in use. All the single-engined, twin, four-engined and jets. Such was the variety that flying three different types and categories in one day was routine.
[page break]
4
Looking through my Log Book and monthly summaries I have the following: -
January 1949 - 9 types
May 1949 - 10 types
June/July 1949 - 12 types
June 1951 – 13 types
With such a collection of aeroplanes, one would learn peculiarities of each type and remember the differences – Pilot’s Notes were always handy to refresh one’s memory. Fortunately, flying itself is always standard; forward fast or slow, left or right, and up or down!
As I mentioned before, ferrying of aircraft meant landing and taking off from a lot of different airfields. Visiting 20, 25 locations in one month was again routine. Normally, the flight details would be passed to these airfields by phone from our Operations Room first thing in the morning and, similarly, that information updated would be phoned through between the airfields concerned as the day progressed.
One of the items of information phoned through would be the aircraft captain’s name and, of course, a name like Wierzbowski with eleven letters in it offered innumerable permutations for misspelling to the Air Traffic Control clerks who would copy out the name on the Movements Board for use by the Controllers.
A pilot would usually visit or contact the Air Traffic Control after arrival or before departure to check on the weather or other flight information of the destination aerodrome. Nearly every time during my visits I would see my name misspelled in a variety of ways. Then, after a few weeks with the Unit even our operations people got tired of spelling-out such a long name and started using a shortened form of the first four letters of it, that is to say, WIER.
I suppose, it was lucky that we had no other pilot with a name like WEIR because that is how my name sometime still appeared. And still does!
I guess what really convinced me that it would be right to change my name formally was the incident which occurred when my daughter, Elizabeth, started attending the Primary School in Ellesmere Port where we lived from 1949 onwards. I do not remember the exact date when this happened but Libby was then about eight years old and, one day, her teacher asked Elizabeth to write her full name on the blackboard for all the children in the class to see. No doubt, the teacher meant well but was somewhat insensitive to Libby’s embarrassment at being so different from all the other Smiths, Jones, Mills or what have you. I believe, Libby cried and refused to obey the teacher’s request and had to suffer painful consequences as a result.
I changed my surname by Statutory Declaration soon after to WIER. Even after that, my name was still somewhat
[page break]
5
unusual because of the strange spelling and until my retirement from the Service in 1975 was the only one so written in the Official Air Force List.
My son, Michael, was born in February 1952, a couple of years after the change of my surname and was duly registered as Michael Richard WIER. Sometime in his teens he decided that he was deprived of his Polish heritage to a certain degree and so after his eighteenth birthday he added the full name of Wierzbowski to his own. This was all done legally and at his own expense. I must say, I was quite touched by his determined action and, of course, very proud of the fact that he wanted to acknowledge his paternal ancestry and descent.
I imagine all this sounds like a very long-winded explanation of a simple happening but I have to point out that the situation and conditions 40-45 years ago were very different from the present. Life is much simpler now – we have Singhs, Patels, Wongs or Muhammads, one hears names like Gorbachev or Yeltsin and nobody bats an eyelid at the sound of them. It sure is a very welcome progress!
Talking of progress; I had a good example of it when Michael was about 3 years old. I will mention it now because at the time it made me realize that the world is developing much faster than we think or are aware of.
We lived in Whitby, Wirral, not very far from R.A.F. Station, Hooton Park, which was then used by an Auxiliary Squadron equipped with jet aircraft. These were flying around quite a lot and on occasions fairly low so that Michael was very familiar with the shape and sound of these aeroplanes. Well, one day, we were waiting at the traffic lights on the road passing the end of the runway at Hawarden near Chester, where I was actually stationed. As it happened, and old ANSON (twin-engined, propeller driven aircraft), was coming in to land and passed in front of us very low, throttled back and with the propellers turning slowly. I still remember the remark which, greatly astonished Michael made :- “Look, Daddy, an aeroplane with windmills on!”
June 1992.
T. Wier.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Flashbacks 0 to 4
Description
An account of the resource
Starts with commentary on family in Poland and names recorded on visits to Poland. Continues with account of early life, school and life in Poland before the war.
Flashback 1. Mentions first operation on 300 Squadron at RAF Faldingworth. Continues with account of training in England at Hucknall, Montrose and Western Zoyland. He then trained as an instructor and was posted as a flying instructor. He volunteered for operational duties and eventually was allocated to a bomber squadron at RAF Finningley training on Wellington where he crewed up before posting to RAF Faldingworth, Continues with description of first operation to Wiesbaden and mistakenly landing at RAF Fiskerton on return. Concludes with a 10 year old schoolboy's wish to be a pilot.
Flashback 2. Account of Tadeusz joining the Polish Air Force including the reasons for his ambition, early experience of gliding, labour camp and military training. Continues with account of flying training with various incidents. Describes events during German invasion and escape to Romania.
Flashback 3. Continues with events after arriving in Romania and then travelling onwards by boat to Beirut then onwards to Marseille, Lyon. Gives account of German invasion of France in May 1940 and his escape via Toulouse, Bayonne and St Jean de Luz and then by British ship to Liverpool.
Flashback 4. Writes of changing his name and of his career in the RAF after the war including continuing flying with 300 Squadron and his final operation to Berchtesgaden as well as prisoner of war repatriation flights and food drops in Holland. Continues with account of flying troops back from Italy and a visit to Berlin. He was posted to ferry aircraft of many different types.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
T Wier
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1992-01
1991-06
1991-10
1992-06
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Poland
Poland--Zgierz
Poland--Dęblin (Warsaw)
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
England--Nottinghamshire
England--Hucknall
Scotland--Angus
Scotland--Montrose
England--Somerset
England--Warwickshire
England--Rugby
England--Yorkshire
Germany
Germany--Wiesbaden
Romania
Lebanon
Lebanon--Beirut
France
France--Marseille
France--Lyon
France--Toulouse
France--Bayonne
France--Saint-Jean-de-Luz
England--Lancashire
England--Liverpool
Germany--Berchtesgaden
Belgium
Italy
Italy--Genoa
Germany--Berlin
England--Bridgwater
Romania
Romania--Tulcea
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1941
1944-12
1941-05
1944-06
1944-10
1945-02-02
1939
1939-09-17
1940-05-10
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Twenty-five page printed document
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Memoir
Identifier
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BWierTWierTv1
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Civilian
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Contributor
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Jan Waller
Rights
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
300 Squadron
aircrew
crewing up
Halifax
Hurricane
Lancaster
Lysander
Magister
Operation Dodge (1945)
Operation Exodus (1945)
Operation Manna (29 Apr – 8 May 1945)
pilot
RAF Faldingworth
RAF Finningley
RAF Fiskerton
RAF Weston Zoyland
training
Wellington
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Monks, Maurice Arnold
M A Monks
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-03-23
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Monks, MA
Description
An account of the resource
39 items and a subcollection of eighty-one items. The collection concerns Flying Officer Maurice Arnold Monks (152996 Royal Air Force) and contains documents and photographs. Sub-collection contains photographs taken while he was training in Canada. He flew operations as a bomb aimer with 166 Squadron and was killed 13 June 1944.<br /><br /> <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/show/2023">Monks, Maurice Arnold. Photograph album</a><br /><br />The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Hilary Megget and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br />
<p><span data-contrast="none">Additional information on Maurice Arnold Monks</span><span data-contrast="none"> is available via the</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}"> <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/116453/">IBCC Losses Database.</a></span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
AIR MINISTRY,
(Casualty Branch),
73-77 OXFORD STREET.
LONDON, W.1.
Telephone No.: GERRARD 9234
Trunk Calls and Telegraphic Address: “AIR MINISTRY,” LONDON
June, 1944.
P. 418570/3/P.4.A.2.
Sir,
I am commanded by the Air Council to express to you their great regret on learning that your son, Flying Officer Maurice Arnold Monks, Royal Air Force, is missing as the result of air operations on the night of 12/13th June, 1944, when a Lancaster aircraft in which he was flying as air bomber set out to bomb Gelsenkirchen and failed to return.
This does not necessarily mean that he is killed or wounded, and if he is a prisoner of war he should be able to communicate with you in due course. Meanwhile enquiries are being made through the International Red Cross Committee, and as soon as any definite news is received you will be at once informed.
If any information regarding your son is received by you from any source you are requested to be kind enough to communicate it immediately to the Air Ministry.
/The
A. Monks, Esq.,
27, Dixon Street,
Lincoln.
[page break]
The Air Council desire me to convey to you their sympathy in your present anxiety.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
[signature]
[page break]
[crest]
ADVICE TO THE RELATIVE OF A MAN WHO IS MISSING
In view of the official notification that your relative is missing, you will naturally wish to hear what is being done to trace him.
The Service Departments make every endeavour to discover the fate of missing men, and draw upon all likely sources of information about them.
A man who is missing after an engagement may possibly be a prisoner of war. Continuous efforts are made to speed up the machinery whereby the names and camp addresses of prisoners of war can reach this country. The official means is by lists of names prepared by the enemy Government. These lists take some time to compile, especially if there is a long journey from the place of capture to a prisoners of war camp. Consequently “capture cards” filled in by the prisoners themselves soon after capture and sent home to their relatives are often the first news received in this country that a man is a prisoner of war. That is why you are asked in the accompanying letter to forward at once any card or letter you may receive, if it is the first news you have had.
Even if no news is received that a missing man is a prisoner of war, endeavours to trace him do not cease. Enquiries are pursued not only among those
[page break]
who were serving with him, but also through diplomatic channels and the International Red Cross Committee at Geneva.
The moment reliable news is obtained from any of these sources it is sent to the Service Department concerned. They will pass the news on to you at once, if they are satisfied that it is reliable. It would be cruel to raise false hopes, such as may well be raised if you listen to one other possible channel of news, namely, the enemy’s broadcasts. These are listened to by official listeners, working continuously night and day. The few names of prisoners given by enemy announcers are carefully checked. They are often misleading, and this is not surprising, for the object of the inclusion of prisoners’ names in these broadcasts is not to help the relatives of prisoners, but to induce British listeners to hear some tale which otherwise they could not be made to hear. The only advantage of listening to these broadcasts is an advantage to the enemy.
The official listeners can never miss any name included in an enemy broadcast. They pass every name on to the Service Department concerned. There every name is checked, and in every case where a name can be verified, the news is sent direct to the relatives.
There is, therefore, a complete official service designed to secure for you and to tell you all discoverable news about your relative. This official service is also a very human service, which well understand the anxiety of relatives and will spare no effort to relieve it.
[page break]
[underlined] CONFIDENTIAL NOTICE. [/underlined]
The names of all who lose their lives or are wounded or reported missing while serving with the Royal Air Force will appear in the official casualty lists published from time to time in the Press.
Any publication of the date, place or circumstances of a casualty and particularly any reference to the unit concerned, might give valuable information to the enemy, and for this reason, only the name, rank and Service number are included in the official lists.
Relatives are particularly requested, in the national interest, to ensure that any notices published privately do not disclose the date, place or cicumstances [sic] of the casualty, or the unit.
The Press have been asked to co-operate in ensuring that no information of value to the enemy is published.
Any premature reference in the Press to those reported “missing” may jeopardise their chance of evading capture if they have survived without falling into enemy hands.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter to Mr Monks from the Air Ministry and enclosed documents
Description
An account of the resource
Informs him that his son was missing in as a result of air operations on the night of 12/13 June 1944 when his Lancaster in which he was flying as air bomber set out to bomb Gelsenkirchen and failed to return. Includes a notice of advice to the relative of a man who is missing and a confidential notice advising that any publishing of information about the date, place or circumstances of casualty or reference to their unit could give valuable information to the enemy.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Great Britain. Air Ministry. Casualty Branch
C Evans
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-06
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two page typewritten letter, two page printed document and one page typewritten document
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EEvansCMonksA4406XX
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Civilian
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--London
England--Lincolnshire
England--Lincoln
Germany
Germany--Gelsenkirchen
Germany--Ruhr (Region)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-06
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Lancaster
missing in action
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1671/31368/PCameronD2138.2.jpg
5dc32e3d002ed5aa1576f1fe767ecac5
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Cameron, Don
D Cameron
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2020-08-20
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Cameron, D
Description
An account of the resource
90 items. The collection concerns Flight Lieutenant Don Cameron (173516, Royal Air Force) a pilot who flew Lancaster on 115 Squadron. Collection contains his log books, a memoir, a aircrew categorisation card and photographs.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Neil Cameron and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Access Rights
Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies.
Permission granted for commercial projects
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
An RAF Officer, Women's Auxiliary Air Force officer and another woman standing on a path
Description
An account of the resource
A Woman's Auxiliary Air Force and an RAF officer both wearing tunics standing either side of a woman wearing civilian jacket and skirt. They are standing line abreast on a path with low railings and shrubbery on the left and a building in the background. Submitted with caption 'Miraim, Mary and Don Cameron at Mrs Clarks house London June 1944, the house was bombed the day after they left June 13 1944'.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-06
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One b/w photograph
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PCameronD2138
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--London
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-06
1944-06-13
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
aircrew
ground personnel
pilot
Women’s Auxiliary Air Force
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1671/31352/PCameronD2120.2.jpg
72f4972d0fe52b06cdd2b4f4a89b4a9c
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Cameron, Don
D Cameron
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2020-08-20
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Cameron, D
Description
An account of the resource
90 items. The collection concerns Flight Lieutenant Don Cameron (173516, Royal Air Force) a pilot who flew Lancaster on 115 Squadron. Collection contains his log books, a memoir, a aircrew categorisation card and photographs.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Neil Cameron and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Access Rights
Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies.
Permission granted for commercial projects
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
An RAF and a Women's Auxiliary Air Force officer
Description
An account of the resource
An RAF pilot and a Women's Auxiliary Air Force officer both wearing tunics and peaked caps sitting side by side on a fence in front of a river. They are both holding overcoats. Submitted with caption 'Don Cameron and sister, Miriam Cameron, London June 1944 M'.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-06
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One b/w photograph
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PCameronD2120
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--London
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-06
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
aircrew
ground personnel
pilot
Women’s Auxiliary Air Force
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1773/31259/PFOMetheringhamAF19040017.1.jpg
079ee676a697e31cceede5cba15255a7
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
RAF Metheringham collection
Description
An account of the resource
131 items. The collection is from the Royal Air Force Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre and contains photographs of aircraft, aircrew, other RAF personnel and places. Includes some target and reconnaissance photographs. Many items are concerned with 106 Squadron at RAF Metheringham and RAF Syerston.
The collection has been licensed to the IBCC Digital Archive by the RAF Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2019-01-31
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
FOMetheringhamAF
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is property of the Royal Air Force Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre which has kindly granted the International Bomber Command Centre Digital Archive a royalty-free permission to publish it. Please note that it was digitised by a third-party which used technical specifications that may differ from those used by International Bomber Command Centre Digital Archive. It has been published here ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lancaster and members of Women's Auxiliary Air Force
Description
An account of the resource
Top rear quarter view of a parked Lancaster PB437 J9-L , with buildings in the background.
Bottom - four members of Women's Auxiliary Air Force in shirtsleeves out side a Nissen hut with a Union flag above and behind. Submitted with description 'Four WAAF Sgt's at RAF Metheringham, May 1945. Left to right: Sgt Molly Lilley (Stores), Sgt Grace Bayley (Ops), Sgt Anne Walker (Admin), Sgt Peggy Haining (Ops). Taken Sunday after VE Day just before leaving Metheringham for Victory Parade to Lincoln Cathedral. Note the name of their Nissen hut: "The Sarjery"'.
Submitted with description 'Unidentified 1668 HCU Lancaster J9-L at RAF Metheringham May or June 1944. This aircraft may be either PB437 or PB487, both of which were known to have been operated by this Heavy Conversion Unit'
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-05
1944-06
1945-05
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two b/w photographs mounted on an album page
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PFOMetheringhamAF19040017
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
England--Lincoln
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-05
1944-06
1945-05
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is property of the Royal Air Force Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre which has kindly granted the International Bomber Command Centre Digital Archive a royalty-free permission to publish it. Please note that it was digitised by a third-party which used technical specifications that may differ from those used by International Bomber Command Centre Digital Archive. It has been published here ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre.
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Matt Lunn
Roger Brindley
1668 HCU
ground personnel
Heavy Conversion Unit
Lancaster
Nissen hut
RAF Metheringham
training
Women’s Auxiliary Air Force
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1414/28283/MWareingR86325-161005-57.1.pdf
5bcd0d87ba83800dcfd887d036d2d75e
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Wareing, Robert
R Wareing
Description
An account of the resource
258 items. The collection concerns Flight Lieutenant Robert Wareing DFC* (86325 Royal Air Force) and contains his flying logbooks, prisoner of war log book, memoirs, photographs, extensive personal and official correspondence, official documents, pilots/handling notes, decorations, mementos, uniform badges and buttons. He flew operations as a pilot with 106 Squadron. After a period of instructing he returned to operations on 582 Squadron but was shot down and became a prisoner of war.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Andrew Wareing and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-10-05
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Wareing, R
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
A F Hill’s flying log book extract
Description
An account of the resource
Flying log book extract for A F Hill, navigator, covering the period from 13 April 1944 to 7 August 1944 when he was missing on operations. He was stationed at RAF Warboys and RAF Little Staughton. Aircraft flown in was Lancaster. He flew a total of 25 operations with 582 squadron, 9 Daylight and 16 night. Targets were Essen, Somain, Montdidier, Nantes, Montcouple, Foret de Cerisy, Laval, Longues, Fougeres, Lens, Les Hayons, Blainville sur L’Eau, Villers Bocage, Oisemont Neuville, Nucourt, St Philibert Ferme, Colombelles, Mont Candon, Foret du Croc, Les Hauts-Boisson, Stuttgart, Coquereaux, L’Isle Adam and Mare de Magne. Evading capture he returned to the Great Britain by naval vessel on 14 September 1944. His pilots on operations were Squadron Leader Wareing, Wing Commander Dunnecliffe and Pilot Officer Sexton.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Sixteen photocopied pages
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Log book and record book
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MWareingR86325-161005-57
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Conforms To
An established standard to which the described resource conforms.
Pending review
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944
1944-06
1944-07
1944-08
1944-04-26
1944-04-27
1944-04-30
1944-05-01
1944-05-03
1944-05-04
1944-05-07
1944-05-31
1944-06-01
1944-06-05
1944-06-06
1944-06-07
1944-06-09
1944-06-14
1944-06-15
1944-06-16
1944-06-24
1944-06-28
1944-06-29
1944-06-30
1944-07-02
1944-07-15
1944-07-16
1944-07-18
1944-07-19
1944-07-20
1944-07-23
1944-07-24
1944-07-25
1944-07-28
1944-07-29
1944-07-31
1944-08-01
1944-08-03
1944-08-07
1944-09-14
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Great Britain. Royal Air Force
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Mike Connock
Cara Walmsley
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
France
Germany
Great Britain
Atlantic Ocean--English Channel
England--Cambridgeshire
France--Abbeville Region
France--Bayeux Region
France--Caen Region
France--Calais (Arrondissement)
France--Dieppe (Arrondissement)
France--Dreux
France--Fougères (Ille-et-Vilaine)
France--Laval (Mayenne)
France--Lens
France--Lille Region
France--L'Isle-Adam
France--Longues-sur-Mer
France--Montdidier (Hauts-de-France)
France--Nancy Region
France--Nantes
France--Normandy
France--Nucourt
France--Oisemont (Canton)
France--Somain
France--Villers-Bocage (Calvados)
Germany--Essen
Germany--Stuttgart
Germany--Ruhr (Region)
France--Saint-Philibert (Morbihan)
France--Forêt du Croc
France--Coquereaux
582 Squadron
aircrew
bombing
bombing of the Normandy coastal batteries (5/6 June 1944)
Lancaster
missing in action
navigator
Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944)
RAF Little Staughton
RAF Warboys
tactical support for Normandy troops
V-1
V-weapon
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/911/26999/CKilleenKAL-170703-01.2.jpg
8f72aaea413f065ac8f3f8539a300c15
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Killeen, Kenneth
Kenneth Alfred Leonard Killeen
K A L Killeen
Description
An account of the resource
20 items. An oral history interview with Flying Officer Kenneth Killeen (b. 1922, 184115, Royal Air Force), his log books, photographs and documents. He flew operations as a navigator with 115 Squadron.
The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Kenneth Killeen and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-03
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Killeen, KAL
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Annotated Chart of Western Europe
Description
An account of the resource
A map of Western Europe marked with the location of bombing operations. Titled 'First Tour - 10th May to 14th August, 1944'.
Within a compass rose is a key to the symbols used on the map.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-08
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One printed map with handwritten annotations
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
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Map
Identifier
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CKilleenKAL-170703-01
Coverage
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Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Temporal Coverage
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1944-05
1944-06
1944-07
1944-08
Spatial Coverage
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France
Germany
Great Britain
Netherlands
bombing
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1412/26737/MTindallAJ173966-150815-01.1.pdf
a1be5ac8a0b08b29a93ddf0e2b323d17
Dublin Core
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Title
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Tindall, Arthur John
A J Tindall
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Date
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2015-04-03
Rights
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
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Tindall, AJ
Description
An account of the resource
Nine items. The collection concerns Flight Lieutenant Arthur John Tindall DFC (1388739 Royal Air Force) and contains his log book, documents and photographs. He flew operations as a wireless operator with 97 Squadron.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by June Tindall and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Transcribed document
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Transcription
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EE179 OF-T Transferred to 44 Sqn. Shot down 3/12/43. Attacking Berlin = no survivors.
JB470 OF-T Transferred to 635 Sqn. Shot down (Nightfighter) 12/4/44. No survivors.
ND355 OF-T Transferred to 635 Sqn. Crashed at Bokel 27/8/44. 5 survivors – all POW.
ME625 OF-T Collided with ND981 OF-H on 23/6/44. Both crashed = one survivor.
ND 589 OF-D Returned to Avro. Converted to Air Sea Rescue Mk.III. Finally scrapped Oct. 46.
PB181 OF-D Transferred to 83 Sqn. Collided with 97 Sqn aircraft on 8/2/45. Both aircraft crashed. No survivors.
[underlined] The Targets [/underlined]
7/10/43. Stuttgart. Fairly successful raid, but Boblingen (16K north) was attacked by second wave
8/10/41 Hanover Very accurate bombing. Hanovers worst raid of the war.
18/10/43 Hanover Raid scattered. Most bombs falling in open country north and north west of city.
20/10/43 Leipzig Very scattered bombing due to “appalling” weather.
22/10/43 Kassel Main raid “exceptionally accurate and concentrated.. There was a firestorm.
3/11/43 Colonge Bombs hit centre of city “with extreme accuracy”
18/11/43 Berlin Marking and bombing carried out blind – very scattered result
22/11/43 Berlin The most effective raid on Berlin of the war. Vast area of destruction.
23/11/43 Berlin Although cloud covered, most aircraft on target. Much damage.
26/11/43 Frankfurt Less than half of Force reached target. Very scattered bombs.
26/11/43 Stuttgart Bombing very scattered. Little damage.
2/12/43 Berlin Incorrect wind forecast – widely scattered bombing, Siemens factories hit.
3/12/43 Leipzig Accurate bombing. Leipzigs worst raid of the war.
16/12/43 Berlin “Reasonably accurate” Housing and railways badly hit.
20/12/43 Frankfurt German decoy fire site and dummy TIs caused scattered bombing.
24/12/43 Berlin Suburbs hit. Pathfinder radar problems and thick cloud.
14/1/44 Brunswick Unsuccessful – 10 houses destroyed, 4 people killed. Nearby villages bombed.
27/1/44 Berlin Again thick cloud. South and eastern areas of city bombed.
30/1/44 Berlin Heavy damage in city centre – but much bombing in surrounding countryside.
21/2/44 Stuttgart Considerable damage in city centre. Bosch factory heavily damaged.
25/2/44 Augsburg. Controversial result – beautiful town completely destroyed.
1/3/44 Stuttgart Housing, Daimler Benz factory and main railway station badly damaged.
15/3/44 Stuttgart Poor PFF marking- most bombing fell in open country SW of city.
18/3/44 Frankfurt Extensive damage in central, eastern and western areas of city.
22/3/44 Frankfurt Damage even more severe, especially in western district.
11/4/44 Laon Only a corner of the railway yards was hit.
22/4/44 Brunwick First 5 Grp low level marking- not very successful.
23/4/44 Munich Much devastation particularly to railway installations.
26/4/44 Schweinfurt Failure – most bombs fell outside Schweinfurt.
28/4/44 Kjeller Airframe factory. Very successful accurate bombing.
31/5/44 Maisy Gun Battery. Thick cloud. Only 6 aircraft bombed.
6/6/44 St Pierre du Mont Railway installation – No report due to invasion confusion.
6/6/44 Argentan Much damage to railway installation.
9/6/44 Etampes Railway and road systems badly damaged
12/6/44 Poitiers This attack was the most accurate of many attacks this night. Railway yards.
21/6/44 Gelsenkirchen Oil Plant – all production ceased for several weeks.
24/6/44 Prouville Flying Bomb site, so many craters, difficult to assess results.
4/7/44 St Leu D’ Esserent. Underground F/bombs store. Very accurate bombing.
20/7/44 Coutrai Railway yards and junctions. Devastated.
24/7/44 Donges Oil Depot. Devastated.
25/7/44 Stutgart No German report available on this raid.
31/7/44 Joigny-laroche Railway yards. Very accurate attack in excellent weather.
6/8/44 Bois du Casson Flying bomb site. Very scattered bombing.
11/8/44 Givors “Exceptionally accurate “ attack on Railway yards.
14/8/44 Brest Clemenceau & Gueydon both left sinking.
[Page Break]
[underlined] Fl/Lt. A.J. Tindall DFC [/underlined]
[underlined] Operations with 97 Squadron [/underlined]
[underlined]7/8 October 1943 [/underlined]
Lancaster Mk.III EE179 OF-T Target: : STUTTGART
Crew: Sgts A.A. Johnson. J.A. Pearson. K. Swale. P/O J. Peden. Sgt [inserted] A.J [/inserted] [deleted] J.A [/deleted] Tindall Sgt J.H. McGregor. F/Sgt E.H. Hansen.
Bomb Load: 1 x4,000lb. 10 x 500lb.
Time up: 21:06 Down 03:24
Primary target Stuttgart attacked. 18,000ft. 8/10ths cloud. Bombed point between yellow and red TIs in bombsight. Own results not seen. Two glows from fires seen.
8/9 October 1943
Lancaster Mk.III JB190 OF-Y Target: Hanover
Crew: Normal.
Bomb Load: 1 x 4,000lb. 6 x 1,000lb.
Time up: 22:57. Down: 03.40.
Primary target bombed. 19,000 ft. Clear sky. Vis. good. Bombed on one yellow TI marker in bombsight. Had no time to verify results visually as Flight Engineer was ill. One particularly big fire was noticed.
18 October 1943
Lancaster Mk.III EE179 OF-T Target: HANOVER
Crew: Normal.
Bomb Load: 6 x 2,000lb.
Time up: 17:23 Down 22:11
Primary target Hanover bombed. 20,000ft. 10/10ths cloud. No moon. Bombed centre between two red and one green TIs. Big red glow illuminated cloud followed by a similar one three minutes later. Nothing else seen.
20/21 October 1943
Lancaster Mk.III EE179 OF-T Target: LEIPZIG
Crew: Normal.
Bomb Load: 1 x 4,000lb. 7 x 500 lb.
Time up: 17:47. Down 00:07
Target Leipzig attacked. 21,000ft. 9/10th cloud. Bombed on one red cascading TI marker in bombsight. No other TIs seen. Nothing else observed except scattered incendiaries.
22 October 1943
Lancaster Mk.III EE179 OF-T Target: KASSEL
Crew: Normal, plus F/Lt E.F. Cawdery, 2nd Pilot.
Bomb Load: 1 x 4,000lb. 6 x 1,000lb.
Time up: 18:30. Down 23:28
Kassel attacked, 20,000ft. No moon, no cloud, vis. good. Bombed centre point between two red TI markers. TIs well concentrated over aiming point. Too early on target for results.
[Page Break]
3 November 1943
Lancaster Mk.III EE179 OF-T Target: COLOGNE
Crew: Normal, plus F/L Cawdery.
Bomb Load: 1 x 4000lb. 6 x1,000 lb. 4 x 500lb.
Time up: 17:26. Down: 21:36.
Target Cologne. Moonlight clear sky, hazy below. 20,000ft. Bombed on cluster of red and green TIs- red actually in bombsight. Many bomb burst seen to slightly overshoot reds. Long line of fires seen as aircraft left target.
18/19 November 1943
Lancaster Mk.III JB470 OF-T Target: BERLIN
Crew: F/L Cawdery now pilot. F/Sgt Johnson with another crew shot down and killed on this raid.
Bomb Load: 4 x 2,000lb.
Time up: 17:30 Down: 00:05.
Berlin attacked from 20,000 ft. 10/10th cloud. Vis. poor. TIs at first appeared spread but improved later. Starboard inner engine and bomb doors holed by heavy flak.
22 November 1943
Lancaster Mk.III JB470 OF-T Target: BERLIN
Crew: F/L Cawdery, normal crew.
Bomb Load: 7 xTI. 1 x 4, 000lb. 3 x 1,000 lb.
Time up: 17:25. Down: 23:10.
9/10ths – 10/10ths cloud, tops at 6,000ft. Vis. good. Bombs released on cluster of three TIs red and one green.
23 November 1943
Lancaster Mk.III JB470 OF-T Target: BERLIN
Crew: Normal
Bomb Load: 4 x TI, 1 x 4,000lb.
Time up: 17:30 Down: 23:50
Berlin bombed from 19,000ft. Aiming point identified by cluster of TI reds and few greens. Large patch of fires seen on arrival in target area.
26 November 1943
Lancaster Mk.III JB470 OF-T Target: FRANKFURT
Crew: Normal
Bomb Load: 6 x TI. 1 x4, 000lb. 6 x 1,000 lb.
Time up: 00.35. Down: 06:00.
Frankfurt attacked from 20,000ft. Target identified by red TIs. Sudden glow observed below clouds at 02:50 hrs. No markers seen.
26/27 November 1943
Lancaster Mk.III JB470 OF-T Target: STUTTGART
Crew: Normal
Bomb Load: 6 x TI. 1 x4,000lb. 5 x 1,000 lb.
No times entered in ORB. Average for other aircraft Up 17:30 Down. 00:10.
Stuttgart bombed from 21,000ft. Only one TI red seen over target but fires were reflected on clouds, and ref glow was seen for 60 miles on track home.
[Page Break]
2 December 1943
Lancaster Mk.III JB470 OF-T Target: BERLIN
Crew: Normal.
Bomb Load: 5 x 2,000lb.
Time up: 17:20. Down: 23.50
Target located by aid of “Y” and bombed from 19,000t. On target too early to observe results. Glow from fires seen on return. Red TIs appeared to be accurate.
3 December 1943
Lancaster Mk.III JB470 OF-T Target: LEIPZIG
Crew: P/O E.E. Osler replaces F/O Peden.
Bomb Load: 1 x 4,000lb. 4 x 2,000 lb. 1 x 500lb.
Time up: 17:20. Down: 23:30
Leipzig bombed from 17,000ft. “Y” equipment used for locating target. Vis. good. Aircraft was early on target but on leaving glow from fires could be seen.
16/17 December 1943
Lancaster Mk.III JB470 OF-T Target: BERLIN
Crew: It is now [underlined]S/L [/underlined] Cawdery. F/O Peden is back. Plus F/Lt. E. Clarke as 2nd Pilot.
Bomb Load: 5 x2, 000lb.
Time up: 16:50. Down: 00:35
Berlin bombed from 19,500ft. Vis. good. 10/10ths cloud tops at 3,000ft. TIs and Wanganuis fairly well concentrated. No results seem owing to cloud.
20 December 1943
Lancaster Mk.III JB470 OF-T Target: FRANKFURT
Crew: Normal.
Bomb Load: 6 x 2,000lb.
Time up: 17:25. Down: 21:59
Frankfurt bombed from 19,000ft. 6-7/10ths cloud. Vis. very good. Target located on “Y”. One Wanganui flare observed falling at 19:27hrs. Many yellow TIs fells after 19:30hrs. Little immediate results but huge red explosion seen from distance at 19:48hrs. Fires were visible from 70 miles.
24 December 1943
Lancaster Mk.III JB470 OF-T Target: BERLIN
Crew: Normal.
Bomb Load: 5 x2,000lb.
Time up: 00:21. Down: 07:15
Target attacked from 20,500ft. TIs and Wanganuis well concentrated. Cloud prevented observation of results. Rear gunner observed glow from some distance on track home.
14 January 1944
Lancaster Mk.III ND355 OF-T Target: BRUNSWICK
Crew: Normal, plus S/L J. Simpson, 2nd Pilot.
Bomb Load: 16 x flares. 3 xTI. 1 x 4,000lb. 4 x 1,000 lb.
Time up: 16:51. Down: 22:01
Primary target attacked in fairly good visibility. Bombs released in centre of concentration of Wanganui flares. Majority of Wanganui flares scattered.
[Page Break]
27/28 January 1944
Lancaster Mk.III ND355 OF-T Target: BERLIN
Crew: PROMOTIONS!! S/L Cawdery. F/Sgt Pearson, F/Sgt Swale. F/L Peden. F/Sgt Tindall F/Sgt McGregor. F/Sgt Hansen.
Bomb Load: 4 xTI. 1 x4,000lb. 4 x 1,000 lb.
Time up: 17:20. Down 00:25
Primary target bombed on H2S. Wanganui concentration good and compact. No results observed owing to 10/10ths cloud.
30 January 1944
Lancaster Mk.III ND415 OF-Z Target: BERLIN
Crew: Normal.
Bomb Load: 5 x Flares. 4 x TI. 1 x 4,000lb. 4 x 1,000 lb.
Time up: 17:30. Down: 23:45
Berlin successfully bombed. Bombs dropped in centre of concentration of Wanganuis. No fires or bomb burst seen, but slight reflection on clouts form red and green TIs.
21 February 1944
Lancaster Mk.III ND355 OF-T Target: STUTTGART
Crew: It is now [underlined] P/O [/underlined] Pearson
Bomb Load: 4 x Flares. 4 x TI. 1 x 4,000lb. 5 x1,000lb.
Time up: 00:25. Down: 07:00
Bombed target at 19,000ft with H2S. Weather 4/10ths cloud tops 5,000ft. Vis. good. Large explosion seen.
25/26 February 1944
Lancaster Mk.III ND355 OF-T Target: AUGSBURG
Crew: Normal.
Bomb Load: 21 Flares. 1 xRSF. 3 x TI. 1 x 4,000lb. 3 x 1,000lb.
No times entered in ORB. Average for other aircraft up 19:00 Down 02:10
Augsberg bombed from 18,000ft. Vis. good with a clear sky. H2S used for bombing. Green TIs were clear and formed circle round target. A red/green salvo appeared to overshoot.
1/2 March 1944
Lancaster Mk.III ND355 OF-T Target: STUTTGART
Crew: Normal
Bomb Load: 4 x Flares. 2 xTIs. 1 x 4,000lb. 5 x 1,000 lb.
Time up: 23:40. Down 06:45
Stuttgart bombed from 20,000ft. 10/10ths cloud, vis. good. Good concentration of Wanganui flares. Good explosion observed of orange coloured flames.
15/16 March 1944
Lancaster Mk.III JND355 OF-T Target: STUTTGART
Crew: Normal. It is now [underlined] P/O Swale [/underlined]
Bomb Load: 20 x flares. 4 x 4 TI. 1 x 4000lb. 2 x1,000 lb.
Time up: 19:25 . Down: 02:20
9/10ths cloud over Stuttgart. Vis. good, bombed on H2S. The first Wanganui went down at 23:11hrs Three minutes later a good concentration of Wanganuis at about 5 miles to the east – one only which was being bombed by Main Force. No results could be observed.
[Page Break]
18/19 March 1944
Lancaster Mk.III ND355 OF-T Target: FRANKFURT
Crew: Normal
Bomb Load: 20 x Flares. 4 xTI. 1 x4,000lb. 1 x 1,000 lb. 2x 500lb
Time up: 19:25. Down 00:15
Frankfurt bombed from 18,000ft on H2S. Nothing was seen in target area except flash from own bomb. After bombing 4 or 5 large flashes seen.
22 March 1944
Lancaster Mk.III ME625 OF-T Target: FRANKFURT
Crew: Normal.
Bomb Load: 20 x Flares. 4 xTI. 1 x 4,00lb. 1 x1,000lb. 2 x 500 lb. 1 x red/yellow Flare..[sic]
Time up: 18:45. Down:23:50
2/10th cloud over target, vis. good. Bombed from 18,500ft on H2S. Two green TIs descended and one red/yellow stars fell at the same time as aircraft bombed target at the same spot. One 4,000lb HC observed to explode over built up area.
11 April 1944
Lancaster Mk.III ME625 OF-T Target: LAON
Crew: Normal.
Bomb Load: 6 x 1000lb GP. 6 x 1,000lb MC.
Time up: 01:25. Down: 05:10
Vis. good over Laon. No cloud. Bombed from 15,700ft in centre of green TIs. Red and greens were tight together and marking was constant. Bursts of own bombs seen. Target could not be identified visually but was seen from light of photo flash.
[underlined] RAF CONINGSBY [/underlined]
22/23 April 1944
Lancaster Mk.III ME625 OF-T Target: BRUNSWICK
Crew: It is now [underlined] P/O [/underlined] Tindall. F/Sgt Hansen replaced by F/Sgt R..M.Clarke
Bomb Load: 12 x 4 7” flares. 1 x 4.5” flare. 1 x green TI.
No times entered in ORB. Average from other aircraft Up: 23:05 Down 04:50
Weather over target 6-8/10ths cloud. Hazy, visibility bad. Flares scattered. One RSF seen to south-east, outside area of flares.
24/25 April 1945
Lancaster Mk.III ME625 OF-T Target: MUNICH
Crew: W/O Clarke as rear gunner
Bomb Load: 12 x cluster flares. 1 x green TI No.4
Time up: 20:53. Down 06:27.
Bombing by visual on markers at datum point, H2S over target. Had good run from yellow TI. Our flares went straight across town which was clearly seen. Concentration of fires seen after leaving target. Glow seen for 100 miles.
26/27 April 1944
Lancaster Mk.III ME625 OF-T Target: SCHWEINFURT
Crew: W/O Clarke as rear gunner.
Bomb Load: 12 x 7” flares. 2 x green TI No.4.
Time up: 21:33. Down 05:44
No cloud, slight haze, visibility good. Bombed on H2S. Several lots of flares were down and one green TI which Master Bomber was instructing aircraft to bomb. All flares dropped on one run as original 6 not gone before orders were received to back up.
[Page Break]
28/29 April 1944
Lancaster Mk.III ME625 OF-T Target: KJELLER (OSLO)
Crew: W/O Clarke as read [sic] gunner.
Bomb Load: 6 x clusters 7” flares. 1 x yellow TI no.4. 5 x1000lb MC.
Time up: 21:08. Down 04:12
Good visibility permitted visual identification of runway on airfield. Flares dropped across runways between aiming point “A” and “B”. RSF on roof of one building (Aiming point “A”). Bombs dropped running due west across target. As we were early to bomb, results not seen but rear gunner saw stick of bomb bursts on building as we were leaving the area.
31 May/1 June 1944
Lancaster Mk.III ND981 OF-H Target: MAISY
Crew: S/L J.A. Ingham. P/O J.A. Pearson. P/O K. Swale. F/L J. Peden. P/O A.J. Tindall.
F/O F.P.L. Broome (Permanent). W/O E.H. Hansen
Bomb Load: 6 x 7 4.5” clusters. 8 x1, 000lb MC. 3 x 4.5” reco flares.
Time up: 23:03. Down 02:23
Target located by yellow T1 and H2S. Yellow (Oboe) at 00:45 hrs followed by two others at 00:47hrs in target area. Slightly visible above cloud. Instructed at 00:50hrs approx. on VHF, confirmed by W/T to return to base by ordered route. Landed Chipping Norton.
6 June 1944
Lancaster Mk.III ND589 OF-D Target: ST. PIERRE DU MONT
Crew: S/L J.A. Ingham. (Deputy Controller) Normal crew.
Bomb Load: 11 x1000lb MC. 4 x 1,000 lb GP.
Time up:02:52. Down:06:56
Weather over St. Pierre du Mont 10/10th cloud base 8,500 – 9,000ft. Broken low cloud below. Target identified visually and by Oboe markers red TIs. Layer of cloud made it impossible to bomb from any greater height than 9,000ft. Controller gave orders to decrease height but 2,000ft. Oboe markers not down on time; first one seen in sea just off shore. PFF very good and green TIs were rather scattered at first. Bombing Oboe seemed to be fairly good. Sticks seen bursting or target. Visibility was impeded by ice on the bomb aimer’s Perspex and pilots’s windscreen. VHF rather noisy on channel B and changed to channel C on Controllers order. Still a lot of interference probably due to people transmitting at the same time.
6/7 June 1944
Lancaster Mk.III ND589 OF-D Target: ARGENTAN
Crew: Normal plus F/L W.G. Cooper (Vis. B/Aimer)
Bomb Load: 2 x red/green star Flares. 3 x green TI no.23. 15 x 500lb MC.
No times entered in ORB. Average for other aircraft Up 23: 30 Down 03:20
Good vis. 10/10ths Stratus cumulus 6-7,000ft. Target located visually. Green TI lighting actual buildings. Backing up was on the target too. Marking went through very well indeed in spite of the fact that most of the illuminating flares overshot by about 2 miles. Oboe marker was not seen but it may have burst on the ground. On reaching the target 00:53hrs, appeared to be large buildings in the town itself well on fire. Attack appeared successful. Marking appeared 60 yards west of aiming point and bombing generally was w [sic]
[Page Break]
9/10 June 1944
Lancaster Mk.III ND589 OF-D Target: ETAMPES
Crew: Normal.
Bomb Load: 2 x TI green. 2 xTI red. 2 x TI yellow. 2 x Flares green/red stars 10 x 500lb MC.
3 x 4.5” rec. flares.
Time up: 21:56. Down: 02:10
Weather 10/10ths cloud, base 7,500ft. Vis. moderate, slight haze. Target traced by Oboe marker. First flares were 2-3 minutes late. Oboe marker also one minute late. Initial marking was not quite as ordered and a long time elapsed before permission given to bomb at H+14, meantime some aircraft had bombed. Released green TI on RSF on Controller’s orders 00:05hrs approx. (after one dummy run), then attacked by fighter for two minutes. Patter between gunners and pilot was seriously impeded by VHF. In spite of this, the gunners succeeded in shooting the fighter down on Controllers instructions. As an anti-climax, our bombs released safe as during attack by enemy aircraft the switch was put in Safe in case we had to jettison, and this was forgotten when bombs were dropped. Controllers instructions on VHF passed on by W/T Spoof yellow TI seen to cascade after attack but quiet useless as a decoy.
12/13 June 1944
Lancaster Mk.III ND589 OF-D Target: POITIERS
Crew: S/L Ingham (Deputy Controller 1) Normal crew..
Bomb Load:2 x flares green/red. 2 x 1 000lb MC. 2 x TI green. 1 x TI yellow. 9 x 7” clusters.
Time up: 22:27. Down: 04:47
Good vis. broken stratus layer at 6,500 ft. Location by H2S. Bombing started by overshooting as markers were a bit scattered and tended to be to port. After large red TI was dropped, bombing improved but some sticks were still scattered far and wide. Oil or petrol explosion at 01:52hrs 300 yards south of large red.
21/22 June 1944
Lancaster Mk.III ND589 OF-D Target: GELSENKIRCHEN
Crew: S/L Ingham (Deputy Controller 1) Normal crew.
Bomb Load: 4 x TI red. 1 x TI yellow No.16. 9 x7” cluster. 2 x flares green/red stars.
Time up: 23:08. Down: 03:29.
10/10th cloud, tops estimated 3,000ft. Target identified by yellow Oboe marker. First Oboe went down at 01:30.5hrs. This was ahead. At 01:32hrs another Oboe went down starboard quarter approx.. 1 ½ miles north of first Oboe, cascading from about 5,000ft, which was confusing as we were not expecting more than one (at H-hour only). Saw one red TI go down some miles north of main cluster. We took over from Controller at 01:20hrs as he was having engine trouble. Ordered Flare Force not to drop flares and sent Marking Force home. . [sic] Ordered Main Force to bomb southerly TI at 01:38.5hrs.
24/25 June 1944
Lancaster Mk.III ND589 OF-D Target: PROUVILLE
Crew: S/L Ingham (Deputy Controller 1) Normal Crew.
Bomb Load: 4 x TI red No.16. 1 x TI yellow No.16. 2 x flares red/green stars. 9 x7 x 4.5”clusters.
1x 4.5” rec. flare.
Time up: 22:49. Down: 02:10
No cloud, ground haze, vis. moderate. Target located by yellow Oboe marker. This fell 2 minutes early at 00:10 and a second at 00:11hrs almost together. No Mosquito marking seen except one RSF which appeared momentarily. Controller asked for Mosquitos to mark but nothing happened. Further flares were requested and dropped. No Wanganuis dropped to indicate so second flares were dropped on H2S. At Controller’s request own aircraft dropped two red TI on H2S and backed up with two more on 4th run. Controller ordered bombings on red TI dropped by D/97 – at 00:35hrs approx. Final Cease Bombing signal and order to go home not heard. Over target for 30 minutes.
[Page Break]
4/5 July 1944
Lancaster Mk.III ND589 OF-D Target: ST. LEU D’ESSERENT
Crew: Now [underlined] W/C [/underlined] Ingham (Deputy Controller 1) Normal Crew.
Bomb Load: 6 x T1 green. 2 x TI yellow. 5 x 1,000lb MC. 1 x 1,000lb MC (LD)
Time up: 23:30. Down: 03:35
Searchlight belt extended 15 miles approx. further SW, no indication of radar control, attacked by two fighters at 01:10hrs – 49.47N 0135E at 14,00oft and sustained damage to mort mainplane. Handed over to Deputy 2 by W/T – acknowledged 01:16 hrs approx.. Target not attacked.
20/21 July 1944
Lancaster Mk.III PB181 OF-D Target: COURTRAI
Crew: W/C Ingham (Deputy Controller 1) Normal Crew.
Bomb Load: 9 X 7” clusters. 3 X yellow TI No. 16. 2 x Wanganui flares green/red star.
Time up: 23:08. Down: 02:16
Nil cloud, moderate base. First Oboe went down slightly early. Marking very rapid and successful. Bombing at first was a little wide north and south and west. After first few sticks bombing was good. Clouds of smoke tended to obscure markers. Controller called in VBU at 01:00hrs (attack had been ordered 00:57hrs). Some fighter activity.
24/25 July 1944
Lancaster Mk.III PB181 OF-D Target: DONGES
Crew: W/C Ingham (Deputy Controller 1) Normal Crew.
Bomb Load: 6 x7” clusters. 2 x yellow TI No.16. 5 x 1000lb MC (LD 6 hours) 2 x Flares green/red stars.
Time up: 22:42. Down: 03:47
Nil cloud below 16,000ft. Slight haze. Target identified on H2S. Raid opened up with Oboe marker one minute early. Flare illuminated target, marked by Mosquitos, assessed as being 200 yards east of aiming point. This green TI was backed up and produced a concentration of markers round the aiming point. Bombing order given at 01:14hrs. Bombing seemed to be quite concentrated around the green TIs.
25/26 July 1944
Lancaster Mk.III PB181 OF-D Target: STUTTGART
Crew: W/C Ingham Normal Crew.
Bomb Load: 6 x 4 flares white. 2 x TI red LB. 1 x 4,000lb. 4 x 500 lb. 1 x flare green/red.
Time up: 22:00. Down 05:20
8/10ths thick cloud, tops 18,000ft. Vis. moderate. Target located on GPI run. General concentration of TIs was good, mainly red, some greens seen.
31 July 1944
Lancaster Mk.III PB181 OF-D Target: JOIGNY-LAROCHE
Crew: Normal Crew, plus F/Sgt M.H. McBride, Front Gunner.
Bomb Load: 4 x 500lb MC ( ½ hr). 11 x 1,000 LB (1hr).
Time up: 17:20 Down: 23:20
Weather good, no cloud, slight haze. Located target by visual on canal and yards and by TIs. Lax attention to height caused trouble when the two forces divided. A gap of at least 500ft should be left between the two forces. Navigation could be better controlled if the Path Finder Force were not divided. Flying speed after the target was increased above that laid down by 10mph at least. It would be better policy to reduce rather than increase speed after leave the target, to allow formation to close up the straggle due to bombing, and also to allow any aircraft damaged to have a chance to keep up. Landed at Swinderby.
[Page Break]
6 August 1944
Lancaster Mk.III PB133 OF-C Target: BOIS DU CASSON
Crew: Normal
Time up: 09:12. Down 13:59.
There are no individual crew reports for 6/8.44. No Bombs Loads are listed But there is a resume of the operation carried out that day.
[underlined] Weather [/underlined]
Clear, break over target, cumulus tops 15,000ft to 20,000ft in target area.
[underlined] Results [[/underlined]
Crossing English coast Controllers Gee and intercom failed. As planned to home to target on Gee, handed over to G/38 (F/L Drinkall-missing)). [sic] Controller and Deputy changed position, Controller having fixed up poor intercom on 1196 (after 7 minutes) stood by in advisory capacity. About 40 miles inland a big cumulus cloud was lying across track. Deputy descended to 16,000ft and broadcast that he was going to take Force below the cloud. Controller warned him not to go below 15,000ft, and next advised him to turn to starboard. Deputy ordered Force to diverge and dive through cloud. Formation broke up in cloud. On emerging, Main Force were scattered over many miles of sky. There were some attempts to gather into a bunch (or bunches) but impossible to regain proper formation. As a result some aircraft appeared to bomb the primary. The number bombing was not large enough to impede daylight bombing runs and the other bombing of the target that did occur was believed accurate. Other aircraft bombed as best they could with some mistaking pin-points owing to icing troubles and the rush. Attack scattered over a large area.
Aborted : S/97 aborted mission, unable to identify target
Missing J/97 ND 840 (F/O Bucknell)
Opposition encountered: Moderate heavy flak seen. Fighters in target area attacked aircraft which were most dispersed on breaking cloud.
11/12 August 1944
Lancaster Mk.III PB181 OF-D Target: GIVORS
Crew: W/C Ingham (Deputy Controller 1) Normal Crew.
Bomb Load: 6 x red TI No. 16. 2 x yellow TI No . 16. 1 x yelow [sic] TI B22.
2 x Flares green/red. 4 x 1,000lb. 1 x 1 ,000lb (LD)
Time up: 20:39. Down: 05:17
Weather clear. Target located by illuminating flares. Unable to contact Controller so took over controlling. First flares fell two miles east, not illuminating target properly. Flares very scattered, heard green Force Controller ask for reserve flares. Marker Leader requested Wanganui but it did not function as a skymarker and went sraight [sic] down. We postponed H-hour for 5 minutes at 01:00hrs reserve flares then forthcoming, which gave good illumination. First red TI (at 01:012 hrs) assessed as 600 yards south, then second red TI more accurate on aiming point. This was backed up by third red which fell at least 500 yards to west. B/U asked to back up centre TI at 01:07hrs, which promptly went out. This left two inaccurate ones so instructed B/U to drop red directly between two and did so myself at 01:11 hrs. These TIs were subsequently thought to be in marshalling yard itself and were assessed by Marker Leader as 300 yards east of aiming point, so Main Force were ordered to bomb these with zero wind and ignore most westerly red TI, which was not cancelled as main concentration was obvious. Bombing subsequently well concentrated on these, though some ticks overshot to north and south. One or two fires seen. Yellow datum point TI not dropped by us as top pre-occupied as Controller. Landed at Witchford.
14 August 1944
Lancaster Mk.III PB 181 OF-D Target: BREST (Shipping)
Crew: Normal.
Bomb Load: 8 x1,000lb. ANM 65
Time up: 17:44. Down: 22:26
Weather clear, good visibility. Target identified visually. Two of our stick of bombs observed bursting on the cruiser. Tanker was seen burning after the attack. Winds received B3 100/7, B1 200/9, B4 126/5, B5 148/9. Winds sent 150/6 at 20:12hrs. Bombing heading received at 20:16 hrs as 010T.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Arthur Tindall's service and operations
Description
An account of the resource
A list of aircraft, operations and details of each operation undertaken by Arthur Tindall.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Ten typed sheets
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Memoir
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Germany--Berlin
Germany--Rendsburg
Germany--Stuttgart
Germany--Leipzig
Germany--Kassel
Germany--Cologne
Germany--Frankfurt am Main
Germany--Augsburg
France--Laon
Germany--Munich
Germany--Schweinfurt
Norway--Kjeller
France--Normandy
France--Argentan
France--Poitiers
Germany--Gelsenkirchen
France--Abbeville
France--Oise
France--Donges
France--Joigny
France--Paris
France--Givors
France--Brest
Great Britain
England--Cambridgeshire
England--Lincolnshire
Belgium--Kortrijk
Germany--Hannover
Germany--Braunschweig
France--Étampes (Essonne)
France--Saint-Pierre-du-Mont (Landes)
France
Germany
Belgium
Norway
Germany--Ruhr (Region)
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MTindallAJ173966-150815-01
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1943
1944
1944-06
1944-07
1944-08
1944-06-05
1944-06-06
1944-06-24
1944-06-25
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Claire Monk
44 Squadron
635 Squadron
83 Squadron
97 Squadron
aircrew
anti-aircraft fire
bombing
bombing of Kassel (22/23 October 1943)
bombing of the Creil/St Leu d’Esserent V-1 storage areas (4/5 July 1944)
bombing of the Normandy coastal batteries (5/6 June 1944)
bombing of the Pas de Calais V-1 sites (24/25 June 1944)
Distinguished Flying Cross
flight engineer
Gee
H2S
Lancaster
Mosquito
Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944)
Oboe
Pathfinders
RAF Coningsby
RAF Swinderby
RAF Witchford
target indicator
V-weapon
wireless operator
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1407/26700/PSimpsonHEW1713.1.jpg
37b79b28fbfdea51f43a3c923ee72e49
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1407/26700/PSimpsonHEW1713.2.jpg
37b79b28fbfdea51f43a3c923ee72e49
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Simpson, Henry
Henry Evan Wade Simpson
H E W Simpson
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2019-03-13
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Simpson, HEW
Description
An account of the resource
42 items. Collection concerns Henry Evan Wade 'Harry' Simpson DFM (1806333 Royal Air Force) a flight engineer on Lancaster of 166 Squadron whose aircraft failed to return on 7/8 June 1944. Collection contains his flying logbook, correspondence, documents and photographs. <br /><br />Additional information on Harry Simpson is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/121329/">IBCC Losses Database.</a><br /><br />The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Jean Simpson and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Officer addressing a crowd of aircrew
Description
An account of the resource
A flight lieutenant stands addressing a large crowd of airmen all wearing battledress. On his left a wing commander stands with hands in pockets. On the reverse 'our dear son somewhere in the crowd just before D-Day 1944. W/C Garner OC on left. F/Lt Franks Tighe addressing squadron, Photo loaned by: W E Jones, [redacted]''.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-06
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One b/w photograph
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PSimpsonHEW1713, PSimpsonHEW1714
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Conforms To
An established standard to which the described resource conforms.
Pending review
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-06
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944)
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/455/25240/MCothliffKB[Ser -DoB]-151020-40.jpg
7dd421fdb382f079dbe8556c80d4ca8f
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Cothliff, Ken
Ken Cothliff
K Cothliff
Description
An account of the resource
486 items in 12 sub-collections. The collection concerns Ken Cothliff's research on 6 Group Bomber Command and contains an interview with Adolf Galland, documents and photographs. Sub-collections include information on 427 Squadron, 429 Squadrons, Gerry Philbin, Jim Moffat, Reg Lane, Robert Mitchell, Steve Puskas and logs from RAF Tholthorpe.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Ken Cothliff and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2015-10-20
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Cothliff, K
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
429 Squadron Crest
Description
An account of the resource
A copy of 429 Squadron's crest with 'Approved George R.I.'.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-06
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One b/w print
Language
A language of the resource
eng
lat
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MCothliffKB[Ser#-DoB]-151020-40
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Canadian Air Force
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-06
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Great Britain. College of Arms
429 Squadron
George VI, King of Great Britain (1895-1952)
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1624/25155/PCothliffKB17030037.1.jpg
09cf3e70845e74e3ea7afc56d44fd2cf
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1624/25155/PCothliffKB17030038.1.jpg
5a9af1b430d2716cff8cbd6b784397ee
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1624/25155/PCothliffKB17030039.1.jpg
e058d00806c15c4757ff64433376deff
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1624/25155/PCothliffKB17030040.1.jpg
490756a6698e567013fa49a0b8dbd328
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Cothliff, Ken. Folder 1703
Description
An account of the resource
27 items. The collection contains photographs and a map.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Ken Cothliff and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Cothliff, K
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
"Ted" Lewis with Mid under gun
Description
An account of the resource
Ted crouched under a Halifax with a gun.
On the reverse 'E.G. "Ted" Lewis with .5 showing free standing mount on bottom of gun. To escape the .5 must be thrown out. June 1944'.
A second image shows the gun in position. On the reverse 'E.G. "Ted" Lewis mid under with .5 in position June 1944'.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-06
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two b/w photographs
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PCothliffKB17030037,
PCothliffKB17030038,
PCothliffKB17030039,
PCothliffKB17030040
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Royal Canadian Air Force
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-06
420 Squadron
air gunner
aircrew
Halifax
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1624/25154/PCothliffKB17030035.2.jpg
025c8c7ea52ad892515cd001c45eea46
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1624/25154/PCothliffKB17030036.2.jpg
a4202acf313154c41c60afc57835bcf2
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Cothliff, Ken. Folder 1703
Description
An account of the resource
27 items. The collection contains photographs and a map.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Ken Cothliff and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Cothliff, K
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
"Ted" Lewis - Gunner
Description
An account of the resource
Ted Lewis at the rear gun turret of a Halifax.
On the reverse 'E.G. "Ted" Lewis Spare Gunner June 1944'.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-06
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One b/w photograph
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PCothliffKB17030035,
PCothliffKB17030036
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Royal Canadian Air Force
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-06
air gunner
aircrew
Halifax
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1624/25153/PCothliffKB17030033.1.jpg
b11437f46d31b4458b42cbb44063ccc0
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1624/25153/PCothliffKB17030034.1.jpg
f7b65a992c3c7af744a20272309cfb4f
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Cothliff, Ken. Folder 1703
Description
An account of the resource
27 items. The collection contains photographs and a map.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Ken Cothliff and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Cothliff, K
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Halifax 'X Terminator' and Crews
Description
An account of the resource
14 airmen under the front of their Halifax.
On the reverse -
'This is the only photo of our crew with Ground Crew standing, 2nd from left
Doug Moe Mid-upper
Barry Ashbee F/E
Ray Irwin B.A.
Bill Lynn W.A.G.
Russ McKay Pilot
Gerry Pelletier R.G.
Harry "Andy" Anderson Nav
E. G. "Ted" Lewis Mid under
PT-X MZ505
June 1944
Tholthorpe'.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-06
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One b/w photograph
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PCothliffKB17030033,
PCothliffKB17030034
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Royal Canadian Air Force
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-06
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Yorkshire
420 Squadron
air gunner
aircrew
bomb aimer
flight engineer
ground crew
ground personnel
Halifax
navigator
nose art
pilot
RAF Tholthorpe
wireless operator / air gunner
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1624/25152/PCothliffKB17030031.2.jpg
04cf85ea957b08e0a20136604331523e
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1624/25152/PCothliffKB17030032.2.jpg
36d72cf1b3974053116013f4c6bf7833
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Cothliff, Ken. Folder 1703
Description
An account of the resource
27 items. The collection contains photographs and a map.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Ken Cothliff and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Cothliff, K
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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Halifax 'X Terminator'
Description
An account of the resource
The nose of a Halifax with two ground crew working on a ladder.
The nose art is a cartoon of a man with a hammer, named 'X Terminator' and crossed bones indicating operations.
On the reverse 'E.G. "Ted" Lewis and ground crew member, painting on another op 1 op 2 ops June 1944'.
1 op is a single bone, 2 ops a crossed pair of bones.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-06
Format
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One b/w photograph
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
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PCothliffKB17030031,
PCothliffKB17030032
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Royal Canadian Air Force
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-06
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Yorkshire
aircrew
ground crew
ground personnel
Halifax
nose art
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1623/25035/PCothliffKB15110073.2.jpg
644ed027a860e3d2d101fec9711c9065
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Cothliff, Ken. Folder 1511
Description
An account of the resource
77 items. The collection contains photographs.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Ken Cothliff and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Cothliff, K
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Bill Gracie and cousin Jean Muir
Description
An account of the resource
An airman and a girl standing on a hillside. Information supplied with the collection states 'Bill Gracie with his cousin Jean Muir in Crossford, Lanarkshire on his last leave in June 1944'.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One b/w photograph
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
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PCothliffKB15110073
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Royal Canadian Air Force
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Lanarkshire
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-06
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-06
aircrew
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1619/24851/PCothliffKB15060020.2.jpg
1eb68a5321be39d79a63058d28732f03
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Cothliff, Ken. Folder 1506
Description
An account of the resource
19 items.The collection contains photographs.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Ken Cothliff and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Cothliff, K
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Bill Gracie and Jean Muir
Description
An account of the resource
An airman and a woman standing on a hillside. Additional information supplied with the collection identifies them as Bill Gracie with his cousin Jean Muir.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One b/w photograph
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PCothliffKB15060020
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Civilian
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-06
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-06
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Lanarkshire
aircrew
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1391/24703/MDunmoreG635201-160526-03.1.pdf
66e9cdc7b6b0f6706fc2113aa115abfb
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dunmore, George
G Dunmore
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-05-26
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Dunmore, G
Description
An account of the resource
17 Items concerning Flight Lieutenant George Dunmore DFM (5601) who flew 45 operations as a flight engineer on Lancaster with 83 Squadron at RAF Scampton and then as part of the Pathfinder Force at RAF Wyton. Commissioned in 1944 he continued to serve in the general duties branch as flight engineer and then equipment branch until 1967. The collection contains his logbook, an account of a maximum effort operation, official documents and letters, a history of an individual aircraft, pathfinder certificate, recommendation for DFM, career notes as well as photographs and memorabilia. A sub-collection of 58 photographs of aircraft under repair or being manufactured in factories.
The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Louise Dunmore and catalogued by Nigel Huckins
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
OPERATIONAL HISTORY OF [underlined] AVRO LANCASTER IB R5868 MERLIN XX [/underlined]
29 Jun 42 Joined No 83 Squadron RAF Scampton – a/c letter “Q”
[underlined] OPERATIONAL FLYING WITH 83 SQUADRON [/underlined]
[list headings] [underlined] Date [/underlined] [underlined] Pilot [/underlined] [underlined] Target [/underlined] [underlined] Hrs Mins [/underlined]
[list] 8/9 Jul 42 S/L R.L.Hilton DFC Wilhelmshaven 1,260 x 4 IB 4 13 [space] 11 Jul 42 S/L R.L.Hilton DFC Danzig 5 x 1,000 10 5 Daylight. 14/15 Jul 42 P/O J.E.Partridge Bordeaux Mining 1 x 22 1 x 14 1 x 13 set 6 1 x 22 7 40 [space] 18 Jul 42 S/L R.L.Hilton DFC Essen – Krupps Works 6 x 1,000 4 0 Daylight. 19/20 Jul 42 F/Sgt Calvert D. Vegesack 6 x 1,000 6 0 [space] 21/22 Jul 42 S/L R.L.Hilton DFC* Duisburg 112 x 30 IB 3 41 [space] 25/26 Jul 42 S/L R.L.Hilton DFC* Duisburg 1 x 4,000 6 x 500 2 x 250 3 32 [space] 26/27 Jul 42 P/O J.E Partridge DFC* Hamburg 1,260 x 4 IB 5 8 Holed in port wing on way out by flak ships. 5/6 Aug 42 W/C D.Crighton-Biggie Mining in Gironde River 22 – 13 set 2 13 set 6 44 – 13 set 1 7 14 Slight flak damage. 6/7 Aug 42 P/O J.Marchant Duisburg 1 x 4,000 900 x 4 IB 4 3 [space]
-1-
[page break]
[list headings] [underlined] Date [/underlined] [underlined] Pilot [/underlined] [underlined] Target [/underlined] [underlined] Hrs Mins [/underlined]
[list] 9/10 Aug 42 S/L R.L.Hilton DFC* Osnabruck 1 x 4,000 900 x 4 IB 3 57 Alternative target. 10/11 Aug 42 P/O J.Hodgson Mainz 1 x 4,000 8 x 30 IB 5 38 [space] 18/19 Aug 42 S/L R.L.Hilton DFC* Flenxburg 14 x 4 Flares 5 5 PFF. No attack. 24/25 Aug 42 S/L R.L.Hilton DFC* Frankfurt 112 x 30 IB 5 45 [space] 8/9 Sep 42 F/Sgt Jackson L.T. Frankfurt 6 x 4 Flares 8 x 250 IB 5 24 No attack. Flares dropped but cloud and haze plus intercom failure prevented bombing. 13/14 Sep 42 S/L R.L.Hilton DFC* Bremen 1 x 4,000 6 x 4 Flares 4 24 [space] 14/15 Sep 42 S/L R.L.Hilton DFC* Wilhelmshaven 6 x 4 Flares 8 x 250 IB 4 6 W/Op wounded by frire from another 4-engined twin fin a/c overtaken on return flight over the sea! 2/3 Oct 42 S/L R.L.Hilton DFC* Krefeld 4 x 7 Flares 10 x 250 inc 3 40 [space] 5/6 Oct 42 F/Lt J.E.Partridge DFC* Aachen 8 x 4 Flares 2 x 7 Flares 1 x 4,000 HC 5 45 No attack. Weather u/s. 2 x 4 flares dropped, remainder brought back. 6/7 Oct 42 S/L R.L.Hilton DFC* Osnabruck 1 x 4,000 HC 9 x 4 Flares 1 x 4 Flares 4 25 [space] 13/14 Oct 42 S/L R.L.Hilton DFC* Genoa 10 x 4 Flares 6 Flares internally 1 x 4,000 HC 9 20 Landed at Mildenhall (weather).
-2-
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[list headings] [underlined] Date [/underlined] [underlined] Pilot [/underlined] [underlined] Target [/underlined] [underlined] Hrs Mins [/underlined]
[list] 7/8 Nov 42 S/L J.K.M.Cooke DFC Genoa 10 x 4 Flares 6 Flares loose 1 x 4,000 HC 7 10 [space] 9/10 Nov 42 S/L R.L.Hilton DFC* Hamburg 9 x 4 Flares 1 x 3 whole and ! green with stars 1 x 4,000 HC 5 0 [space] 13/14 Nov 42 S/L R.L.Hilton DFC* Genoa 9 x 4 White 3 x 1,000 RDX 7 55 [space] 15/16 Nov 42 P/O R.N.H.Williams DFM Genoa 9 x 4 Flares 3 x 1,000 GP 7 20 [space] 29/30 Nov 42 Sgt Partridge H.A. Turin 1 x 4,000 gel 4 x 500 GP 7 25 [space] 2/3 Dec 42 P/O J.Marchant Frankfurt 10 x 250 inc 1 x 4,000 gel 5 55 [space] 21/22 Dec 42 F/Lt J.Hodgson DFC Munich 1 x 4,000 gel 7 07 [space] 15/16 Jan 43 S/L R.L.Hilton DFC* Berlin 1 x 4 Green 1 x 4 White 6 T.I. Red 6 T.I. inc 1 Red Flare int 7 20 No attack claimed. Flares brought back except 1 x 4 White. 11/12 Feb 43 F/Sgt Partridge H.A. Wilhelmshaven 6 x 4 White Flares 3 T.I. Green 1 x 4,000 HC 3 x 500 GP 5 23 Flares and T.I.s brought back as instructed. 13/14 Feb 43 F/Sgt Partridge H.A. Lorient 6 x 4 White Flares 4 T.I. Green 1 x 4,000 gel 4 40 [space] 14/15 Feb 43 S/L J.K.M.Cooke DFC Milan 9 x 4 White Flares 1 x 4 Red Flares 2 T.I. Red 1 Green Flare 1 x 4,000 HC 7 35 9 x 4 Flares brought back.
-3-
[page break
[list headings] [underlined] Date [/underlined] [underlined] Pilot [/underlined] [underlined] Target [/underlined] [underlined] Hrs Mins [/underlined]
[list] 16/17 Feb 43 S/L S.Robinson DFM Lorient 8 x 4 White 4 T.I. Red 1 x 4,000 HC 4 22 Bomb sight u/s. 18/19 Feb 43 F/O F.J.Garvey Wilhelmshaven 1 x 4,000 gel 12 x 8 x 30 inc 4 22 Rear turret u/s for 3/4 of trip. 19/20 Feb 43 W/C R.L.Hilton DFC* Wilhelmshaven 4 T.I. Red 6 x 500 GP 4 07 [space] 25/26 Feb 43 F/O F.J.Garvey Nurnberg 1 x 4,000 gel 10 x 8 x 30 inc 6 24 [space] 26/27 Feb 43 F/O F.J.Garvey Cologne 1 x 4,000 HC 12 x 8 x 30 inc 3 24 Dropped but bombing circuit u/s – bomb doors damaged by bombs falling on them. 28/1 Mar 43 P/O U.S.Moore DFM St Nazaire 8 x 4 White 4 T.I. Green 1 x 4,000 HC 4 34 [space] ½ Mar 43 P/O U.S.Moore DFM Berlin 4 T.I. Green 1 T.I. Yellow 1 x 4,000 HC 6 15 Minor flak damage. 8/9 Mar 43 F/O F.J.Garvey Nuremburg 2 x T.I. Yellow 2 x T.I. Green 1 x 4,000 HC 8 x 8 x 30 inc 6 47 [space] 11/12 Mar 43 F/O F.J.Garvey Stuttgart 4 x T.I. Green 6 x 4 Flares 2 x 90 x 4 inc 1 x 4,000 HC 5 37 Mid-upper and Gee both u/s 12/13 Mar 43 F/O F.J.Garvey Essen 4 x T.I. Green 1 x T.I. White 1 x 4,000 HC 2 x 250 GP LD 1 x 250 GP LD 4 08 [space] 27/28 Mar 43 F/O F.J.Garvey Berlin 6 x T.I. Green 6 x T.I. Yellow 1 x 4,000 HC 2 x 250 GP (LD) 6 56 [space]
-4-
[page break]
[list headings] [underlined] Date [/underlined] [underlined] Pilot [/underlined] [underlined] Target [/underlined] [underlined] Hrs Mins [/underlined]
[list] 29/30 Mar 43 F/O F.J.Garvey Berlin 2 x T.I. Yellow 1 x Green with Red 3 x 4 White 4 x T.I. Red 1 x 4,000 HC 7 08 Flak damage. 2/3 Apr 43 F/Sgt McNichol G.A. St Nazaire 4 x T.I. Red 6 x 1,000 GP 4 x 500 GP 4 36 [space] 23/24 May 43 F/O F.J.Garvey Dortmund 4 x T.I. Green 1 x T.I. Green (LB) 4 x 1,000 GP (NF) 1 x 4,000 HE 2 x 1,000 GP (LD) 4 33 [space] 25/26 May 43 F/O F.J.Garvey Dusseldorf 1 x T.I. Yellow (LB) 1 x T.I. Green (LB) 3 x T.I. Green 1 x 4,000 HC 3 x 1,000 GP 1 x 1,000 GP (LD) 4 08 [space] 27/28 May 43 F/Sgt King R. Essen 1 x 4,000 HC 4 x 1,000 GP 6 x 500 MC 4 34 [space] 29/30 May 43 F/O M.R. Chick Wuppertal 1 x 4,000 HC 1,008 x 4 inc 72 x 4 ‘x’ inc 4 48 [space] 11/12 Jun 43 F/O M.R.Chick Munster 1 x 4,000 12 SPC x 8 x 30 4 52 [space] 12/13 Jun 43 F/O M.R.Chick Bochum 1 x 4,000 HC 1 x 1,000 GP 1 x 1000 GP (LD) 12 x 90 x 4 inc 4 36 [space] 16/17 Jun 43 F/Sgt Cummings M.K. Cologne 1 x 4,000 HC 12 x 90 x 4 inc 4 07 [space]
-5-
[page break]
[list headings] [underlined] Date [/underlined] [underlined] Pilot [/underlined] [underlined] Target [/underlined] [underlined] Hrs Mins [/underlined]
[list] 19/20 Jun 43 P/O H.Mappin Moutchanin 5 x 1,000 MC 8 x 500 MC 3 45 [space] 21/22 Jun 43 F/O M.R.Chick Krefeld 1 x 4,000 HC 12 x 90 x 4 inc 4 18 [space] 22/23 Jun 43 F/Lt F.J.Garvey Mulheim 8 x T.I. Green 1 x 4,000 HC 6 x 1,000 GP 4 07 Flak damage. 24/25 Jun 43 F/Lt F.J.Garvey Elberfeld 1 x T.I. Green LB 4 x T.I. Green 1 x 4,000 HC 6 x 1,000 GP (2LD) 4 24 [space] 28/29 Jun 43 F/Lt F.J.Garvey Cologne 3 x T.I. Green 1 x T.I. Green LB 1 x 4,000 HC 6 x 1,000 MC 4 19 [space] 3 Jul 43 F/Lt F.J.Garvey Cologne 1 x T.I. Green LB 3 x T.I. Green 1 x 4,000 HC 6 x 1,000 MC Backer Up 4 48 Windscreen holed. 12/13 Jul 43 F/O W.R.Thompson Turin 8 x 500 GP LD 6 x 8 x 30 inc 9 30 [space] 24/25 Jul 43 S/L R.J.Manton Hamburg 1 x 4,000 HC 4 x 1,000 MC 1 x 12 x 20(F) 6 11 [space] 25/26 Jul 43 F/Lt F.J.Garvey Essen 1 x 4,000 HC 3 x 1,000 MC 2 x T.I. Green (LB) 3 x T.I. Green 4 39 Passenger: General Anderson USAF
-6-
[page break]
[list headings] [underlined] Date [/underlined] [underlined] Pilot [/underlined] [underlined] Target [/underlined] [underlined] Hrs Mins [/underlined]
[list] 27/29 Jul 43 F/Lt F.J.Garvey Hamburg 2 x T.I. Green LB 3 x T.I. Green 1 x 4,000 HC 3 x 1,000 GP LD 5 34 [space] 29/30 Jul 43 S/L R.J.Manton Hamburg 1 x 4,000 HC 10 x 500 MC 5 42 [space] 12/13 Aug 43 F/Lt F.J.Garvey Milan 2 x T.I. Green LB 2 x T.I. Green 1 x 4,000 7 47 [space] 14/15 Aug 43 F/Lt F.J.Garvey Milan 4 x T.I. Yellow 1 x 4,000 3 x 500 8 07 [space]
[underlined] OPERATION FLYING WITH 467 SQUADRON (BOTTESFORD) – a/c letter “S”
*27/28 Sep 43 P/O A.M.Finch Hanover 1 x 4,000 HC 104 x 30 1,260 x 4 inc 5 23 Recommended a/c after [underlined] 78 [/underlined] trips unreliable for ops. *29 Sep 43 P/O N.M.McClelland Bochum 1 x 4,000 HC 104 x 30 1,260 x 4 inc 4 50 [space] *2/3 Oct 43 F/Lt H.B.Locke Munich 1 x 4,000 HC 84 x 30 600 x 4 inc 8 17 [space] *3/4 Oct 43 F/O J.A.Colpus Kassel 1 x 4,000 HC 24 x 30 1,440 x 4 inc 6 11 [space] *4/5 Oct 43 P/O B.R.Jones Frankfurt 1 x 4,000 HC 1,440 x 4 inc 6 51 [space] *7/8 Oct 43 F/O J.A.Colpus Stuttgart 1 x 4,000 HC 72 x 30 990 x 4 inc 6 50 Landed at Tangmere
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[page break]
*18/19 Oct 43 P/O N.M.McClelland Hanover 1 x 4,000 HC 104 x 30 1,260 x 4 inc 5 15 This aircraft ‘S’ is only fit for a conversion unit *3/4 Nov 43 P/O N.M.McClelland Dusseldorf 1 x 4,000 HC 108 x 30 1,560 x 4 inc 4 21 [space] *10/11 Nov 43 P/O A.Fisher Modane 1 x 4,000 HC 44 x 30 840 x 4 inc 7 35 [space]
11 Nov 43 Moved with Squadron to Waddington.
*18/19 Nov 43 P/O N.M.McClelland Berlin 1 x 4,000 HC 52 x 30 1,170 x 4 inc 8 21 Shot-up over Bonn. *23/24 Nov 43 P/O N.M.McClelland Berlin 1 x 4,000 HC 48 x 30 900 x 4 inc 6 31 [space] *23/24 Nov 43 P/O N.M.McClelland Berlin 1 x 4,000 HC 64 x 30 1,230 x 4 inc 6 31 [space] 26/27 Nov 43 F/O J.A.Colpus Berlin 1 x 4,000 HC 56 x 30 1,050 x 4 inc 7 46 Had collision with another Lancaster just after bombing the target. Went into severe dive to port, but by use of rudder aileron and engines, aircraft maintained height and landed at Tholthorpe. 15/16 Feb 44 P/O J.W.M.McManus Berlin 1 x 4,000 HC 6 x 30 900 x 4 ‘X’ 6 48 [space]
* Sorties credited to other aircraft in the official records for which there is sufficient evidence to indicate that they were flown in R5868.
-8-
[page break]
[list headings] [underlined] Date [/underlined] [underlined] Pilot [/underlined] [underlined] Target [/underlined] [underlined] Hrs Mins [/underlined]
[list] 19/20 Feb 44 P/O J.W.M.McManus Leipzig 1 x 4,000 HC 36 x 30 1,050 x 4 150 x 4 ‘x’ 7.24 [space] 20/21 Feb 44 P/O J.W.M.McManus Stuttgart 1 47 DNCO (Did Not Complete Operation) Port Outer shaky on take-off, cut at 13,000 ft. Bomb load jettisoned. 24/25 Feb 44 P/O J.W.M.McManus Schweinfurt 1 x 4,000 HC 104 x 30 900 x 4 inc 7 32 [space] 25/26 Feb 44 P/O J.W.M.McManus Augsburg 1 x 4,000 HC 92 x 30 650 x 4 100 x 4 ‘x’ IB 7 45 [space] ½ Mar 44 P/O J.W.M.McManus Stuttgart 1 x 4,000 HC 72 x 30 800 x 4 100 x 4 ‘x’ IB 8 08 [space] 18/19 Mar 44 P/O J.W.M.McManus Frankfurt 1 x 4,000 88 x 30 1,200 x 4 inc 150 x 4 ‘x’ 5 58 [space] 22/23 Mar 44 P/O J.W.M.McManus Frankfurt 1 x 4,000 60 x 30 1,500 x 4 inc 5 12 Tail wheel tyre collapsed on landing (possibly flak damage). 24/25 Mar 44 P/O J.W.M.McManus Berlin 3 19 No attack. Port outer failure. Port inner oil leaks. Bombs jettisoned. 25/26 Mar 44 P/O R.E.Llewelyn Aulnoye 13 x 1,000 MC 5 15 Bombed with port outer engine failure – returned at 5,000 ft resulting in just making Tangmere. 11/12 Apr 44 P/O A.B.L.Tottenham Aachen 16 x 5000 MC 30 x 4 inc 4 11 [space]
-9-
[page break]
[list headings] [underlined] Date [/underlined] [underlined] Pilot [/underlined] [underlined] Target [/underlined] [underlined] Hrs Mins [/underlined]
[list] 18/19 Apr 44 P/O A.B.L.Tottenham Juvisy 14 x 1,000 M fused 6 hr delay 4 15 [space] 20/21 Apr 44 P/O A.B.L.Tottenham La Chappelle 18 x 500 MC 4 17 [space] 22/23 Apr 44 P/O A.B.L.Tottenham Brunswick 1 x 2,000 HC 12 x 500 ‘J’ clusters 5 27 [space] 24/25 Apr 44 P/O A.B.L.Tottenham Munich 6 x 500 ‘J’ inc 144 x 30 inc 9 39 Landed at Market Harborough. 26/27 Apr 44 P/O A.B.L.Tottenham Schweinfurt 1,800 x 4 inc 150 x 4 ‘x’ IB 8 58 [space]28/29 Apr 44 P/O A.B.L.Tottenham St Medard-en-Jalles 6 x 1,000 (USA) GP 5 x 500 MC 7 29 [space] 3/4 May 44 P/O T.N.Scholefield Mailly 1 x 4,000 HC 16 x 500 MC 5 33 [space] 6/7 May 44 P/O T.N.Scholefield Sables-sur-Sarthe/Louailles 13 x 1,000 GP (USA) 4 46 [space] 10/11 May 44 P/O T.N.Scholefield Lille 1 x 4,000 HC 16 x 500 MC 3 28 [space] 11/12 May 44 P/O T.N.Scholefield Bourg Leopold 3 36 Ordered NOT to bomb. Fighter attack for 9 1/2 mins by 2 Ju 88s. Successfully forestalled 9 or 10 attacks carrying full bomb load. 5/6 Jun 44 F/O I.Fotheringham St Pierre du Mont 11 x 1,000 GP (USA0 4 x 500 GP 4 12 [space]
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[page break]
[list headings] [underlined] Date [/underlined] [underlined] Pilot [/underlined] [underlined] Target [/underlined] [underlined] Hrs Mins [/underlined]
[list] 6/7 Jun 44 F/O I.Fotheringham Argentan 2 x 1,000 MC 2 x 1,000 SAP (USA) 10 x 500 GP 3 59 8/9 Jun 44 F/O I.Fotheringham Rennes 12 x 500 GP 2 x 500 LD 2 x 1,000 SAP (USA) 6 11 Landed Metheringham. 12/13 Jun 44 F/Sgt Millar K.V. Poitiers 11 x 500 MC 2 x 1,000 GP (USA) 12/13 Jun 44 F/Sgt Millar K.V. Poitiers 11 x 500 MC 2 x 1,000 GP (USA) 1 x 1,000 MC 6 35 [space] 14/15 Jun 44 F/O I.Fotheringham Aunay sur Odon 11 x 1,000 MC 4 x 500 MC 4 35 Army Support. 24/25 Jun 44 F/O G.C.Skelton Prouville 14 x 500 MC 2 x 1,000 MC 3 22 ‘P’ Plane Installations. 27/28 Jun 44 F/O I.Fotheringham Vitry 9 x 1,000 GP (USA) 2 x 500 GP (USA) 2 x 500 GP LD 72 hrs 7 31 [space] 29 Jun 44 F/Sgt Johnson M.G. Beauvoir 11 x 1,000 4 x 500 3 25 Buzz-Bomb site. Daylight attack.4/5 Jul 44 F/O W.R.Williams St Leu d’Esserent 11 x 1,000 4 x 500 4 23 Buzz-Bomb site. 7/8 Jul 44 P/O M.G.Johnson St Leu d’Esserent 11 x 1,000 4 x 500 4 49 Buzz-Bomb site. 14/14 Jul 44 P/O M.G.Johnson Villeneuve St Georges 16 x 500 GP 2 x 500 GP 6 hr LD 6 44 [space] 18 Jul 44 F/Sgt Cowan I.R. Caen 11 x 1,000 SAP (USA) 4 x 500 MC 3 30 Daylight.
-11-
[page break]
[list headings] [underlined] Date [/underlined] [underlined] Pilot [/underlined] [underlined] Target [/underlined] [underlined] Hrs Mins [/underlined]
[list] 18/19 Jul 44 F/O M.G.Johnson Revigny 10 x 1,000 MC 12 hrs LD 3 x 500 12 hrs 5 07 [space] 8 Dec 44 W/C J.K.Douglas Urft Dam 14 x 1,000 4 25 Daylight attack. Landed at Ford. 17/18 Dec 44 S/L E.L.Langlais Munich 1 x 4,000 9 09 [space] 18/19 Dec 44 F/O P.K.Shanahan Gydnia 9 x 1,000 9 19 [space] 21/22 Dec 44 F/O G.A.Stewart Politz 1 x 4,000 HC 5 x 1,000 MC 10 51 Landed at Leuchars. 27 Dec 44 F/Lt M.G.Johnson Rheydt 13 x 1,000 MC 4 53 Daylight. ½ Jan 45 F/O W.K.Boxsell Gravenhorst-Mittelland Canal 13 x 1,000 MC 6 38 Landed at Lossiemouth. 13/14 Jan 45 S/L E.L.Langlais Politz 1 x 4,000 HC 9 x 500 MC 2 x 500 MC LD 10 10 [space] 14/15 Jan 45 F/O J.J.J.Cross Merseberg 1 x 4,000 HC 9 x 500 GP 9 11 Landed at East Moor. 16/17 jan 45 F/Lt F.Lawrence Brux 1 x 4,000 HC 10 x 500 MC 2 x 500 MC LD 9 43 Hit by light flak. Bomb Aimer slightly injured. 1/2 Feb 45 F/Lt F.Lawrence Siegen 1 x 4,000 HC 16 x 500 MC 6 11 [space] 2/3 Feb 45 S/L E.L.Langlais Karslruhr 1 x 4,000 HC 12 SBCs (150 x 4 inc) 7 04 [space] 16/17 Mar 45 F/Lt P.K.Shanahan Wurzburg 1 x 4,000 HC 11 SBC (150 x 4 inc) 6 40 [space]
-12-
[page break]
[list headings] [underlined] Date [/underlined] [underlined] Pilot [/underlined] [underlined] Target [/underlined] [underlined] Hrs Mins [/underlined]
[list] 20/21 Mar 45 F/O L.W.Baker Bohlen 1 x 4,000 HC 14 x 500 MC 8 19 [space] 22 Mar 45 W/C I.H.A.Hay Bremen 14 x 1,000 MC 5 19 Daylight attack. 23/24 mar 45 F/O L.W.Baker wesel 13 x 1,000 MC 5 32 [space] 27 Mar 45 F/O L.W.Baker Farge 11 x 1,000 4 35 Daylight attack. 7 small flak holes in wings. 4 Apr 45 W/C I.H.A.Hay Nordhausen 1 x 4,000 HC 16 x 500 MC 7 09 Daylight attack. 6 Apr 45 S/L W.M.Kynock Ijmuiden 14 x 1,000 MC 3 18 Daylight. No attack made. Army already there. Turned back by the Master Bomber. 9 Apr 45 W/C I.H.A.Hay Hamburg 13 x 1,000 MC 4 18 Daylight. 16/17 Apr 45 F/O R.A.Swift Pilsen 1 x 4,000 HC 13 x 500 MC 8 23 Landed at Boscombe Down. 18/19 Apr 45 F/O L.W.Baker Komotau (Czechoslovakia) 18 x 500 MC 8 08 Landed at Lyneham. 23 Apr 45 F/O L.W.Baker Flensberg 8 x 1,000 MC 6 x 500 MC 5 24 No attack made Weather u/s.
Grand Total of Operational Flying = [underlined] 795 25 [/underlined]
Bombs Dropped Operationally = [underlined] 466 tons approx. [/underlined]
[underlined] POST-WAR HISTORY [/underlined]
[list] 23 Aug 45 to 15 MU – exhibition aircraft. 16 Mar 56 Struck off charge as an exhibition aircraft and transferred to 13 MU Wroughton to the Historical Aircraft Collection (Museum). 1959 To Scampton – for display. 24 Nov 70 to 71 MU for refurbishing. 12 Mar 72 To RAF Museum, Hendon.
-13-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Operational history of Lancaster 1B R5868
Description
An account of the resource
List of 135 operations flown by Lancaster R5868 from 8/9 June 1942 until 23 April 1945. List includes pilot, target, bomb load. hours flown and comments. Was with 83 Squadron at RAF Scampton and Wyton then 467 Squadron at RAF Bottesford and then RAF Waddington until the end of the war.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-06-29
Format
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Thirteen page typewritten document
Language
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eng
Type
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Text
Text. Log book and record book
Identifier
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MDunmoreG635201-160526-03
Coverage
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Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
England--Lincolnshire
England--Cambridgeshire
England
Germany
Germany--Wilhelmshaven
Poland
Poland--Gdańsk
France
Germany--Essen
Germany--Duisburg
Germany--Hamburg
Germany--Vegesack
Germany--Mainz (Rhineland-Palatinate)
Germany--Flensburg
Germany--Frankfurt am Main
Germany--Bremen
Germany--Krefeld
Germany--Kiel
Atlantic Ocean--Baltic Sea
Germany--Aachen
Italy
Italy--Genoa
Italy--Turin
Germany--Munich
Germany--Berlin
France--Lorient
Italy--Milan
Germany--Nuremberg
Germany--Cologne
France--Saint-Nazaire
Germany--Dortmund
Germany--Wuppertal
Germany--Bochum
France--Montchanin
Germany--Kassel
France--Modane
Germany--Leipzig
Germany--Schweinfurt
Germany--Augsburg
France--Maubeuge Region
Germany--Braunschweig
France--Bourg-en-Bresse
France--Saint-Médard-en-Jalles
France--Mailly-le-Camp
France--Sablé-sur-Sarthe
France--Lille
Belgium
Belgium--Leopoldsburg
France--Saint-Pierre-du-Mont (Landes)
France--Argentan
France--Rennes
France--Poitiers
France--Villers-Bocage (Calvados)
France--Abbeville Region
France--Vitry-en-Artois
France--Beauvoir-sur-Mer
France--Creil
France--Caen
Poland--Gdynia
Poland--Police (Województwo Zachodniopomorskie)
Germany--Rheydt
Germany--Mittelland Canal
Germany--Merseburg
Germany--Siegen
Germany--Karlsruhe
Germany--Würzburg
Germany--Wesel (North Rhine-Westphalia)
Germany--Nordhausen (Thuringia)
Netherlands
Netherlands--IJmuiden
Czech Republic
Czech Republic--Pilsen Basin
Czech Republic--Chomutov
Germany--Düsseldorf
Great Britain
Germany--Münster in Westfalen
Germany--Hannover
Germany--Osnabrück
Germany--Stuttgart
France--Bordeaux (Nouvelle-Aquitaine)
Great Britain
Germany--Ruhr (Region)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1943
1944
1945
1943-07-24
1943-07-25
1943-07-27
1943-07-28
1943-07-29
1943-07-30
1944-04-18
1944-04-19
1944-05-03
1944-05-04
1944-07-04
1944-07-05
1944-06
1944-07
1944-08
1942-07
1942-08
1942-09
1942-10
1942-11
1942-12
1944-02
1944-03
1944-04
1944-05
1944-12
1945-01
1945-02
1945-03
1945-04
1944-06-05
1944-06-06
1944-06-14
1944-06-15
1944-06-24
1944-06-25
1944-07-18
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Robin Christian
467 Squadron
83 Squadron
bombing of Hamburg (24-31 July 1943)
Bombing of Mailly-le-Camp (3/4 May 1944)
bombing of the Creil/St Leu d’Esserent V-1 storage areas (4/5 July 1944)
bombing of the Juvisy, Noisy-le-Sec and Le Bourget railways (18/19 April 1944)
bombing of the Normandy coastal batteries (5/6 June 1944)
bombing of the Pas de Calais V-1 sites (24/25 June 1944)
Lancaster
mine laying
Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944)
Pathfinders
RAF Bottesford
RAF Scampton
RAF Waddington
RAF Wyton
tactical support for Normandy troops
target indicator
V-1
V-weapon
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1612/24532/MCothliffKB[Ser -DoB]-151020-120008.pdf
6ebf91679bc0aca1a2f7736d2f01d8db
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Cothliff, Ken. Tholthorpe Logs
Description
An account of the resource
10 items. The collection contains flying control log books from RAF Tholthorpe.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Ken Cothliff and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Cothliff, K
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[underlined] S.O. Book 129. [/underlined]
Code 28-69-0
From June 17/44
Flying Control Log to July 21/44
G. [crest] R.
SUPPLIED
FOR THE
PUBLIC SERVICE
T.2523. Wt. 5630 Gp. 99-21-0 10/42 E.JA. & S. Ltd.
[page break]
[underlined] June 17/44. [/underlined]
0020 / Crash / Ex.12 Group – Report of crash in V-3515 – Allerston Moor – south of R.O.C. post at Goatland, could be seen from Lockton. 61 Base informed Wombleton taking action
0118 / H33/T / False start, ran off end of runway and bogged.
0130 / Taxi Accident. [underlined] 433/I & 424/O [/underlined] (Cat B A resp.) LV911 LW119 / Due to entry [deleted] 0020 [/deleted] [inserted] 0118 [/inserted], change of runway necessary. Aircraft are marshalled. In manoeuvring around, the tail of 431/I was chewed up in prop of 424/O. Rear Gunner badly injured. – (died of injury) F/S. Hoston D.E. R-176443. Informed G.2.d. [inserted] A.O.C. [symbol] [/inserted] SASO [symbol] – AIR I [symbol] – SFCO [symbol] – EQUIP. [symbol] – ENG[symbol]
P4L
0350. / Crash Entry 0020 / Upon arriving at Lockton, no trace of crash or fire to be seen by fire tender & ambulance. Authorities surrounding the district checked. Eventually Wombleton learned from “Q3” that some Polish troops had been on manoeuvres. R.O.C.L.O. 12 had previously said definitely the army were not out.
0320 / [deleted] 0 /deleted] 1664/B 1664/N Accident / “B” landed at 0240hrs. on way to dispersal one engine raced and in front of hangar near watch office pilot switched engine off and ground crew took over. Several other a/c manoeuvred around it to dispersal, but “N” failed to notice it and crashed into it enroute to dispersal.
Category:-
1664/B (LL175) Prov. AC. Tail unit + turret replacement Pilot – F/O Steppe.
1664/N (LL174) Prov. A. Props and cowling damaged Pilot Sgt. Diamond
Informed G. A. I., G.2.L [symbol], Eqpt
AOC [symbol] SASO [symbol] AIR1 [symbol] SFCO [symbol] ENG [symbol]
[page break]
[underlined] Target XI/A/43 [/underlined]
Balloons. – [deleted] Coventry – 1500’ – 0130 – 0500 [/deleted] [inserted] none [/inserted]
Longley & Weybridge – 1500’ – 0210 – 0310
Brockworth – 1500’ 0130 – 0500
Birmingham – 1500’ 0130 – 0500
[underlined] Gardens [/underlined]
[symbol] Billingham – Cl. hauled – 2130 – 2300
0230 – 0415
10 Brockworth – 500 2300 – 0230
10 Bristol – 1500’ 2300 – 0230
10 Yeovil – 1500’ }
10 Weston Super Mare } – 1500’ 2330 – 0230
[page break]
0900 Off duty F/O Spence. On duty B.T.O Beirse F/O
0935 / Balloons / Two Mark V balloons at 15000’ sweeping across Dishforth a/D. Inf. 12 Grp F.C. who have sent up two spitfires to shoot them down.
0950 / 432/S / - permission to go to Preston at 1030 – for modification OK’d by AIR 1
1010 / Proctor / - G/C Wurtell to take G/C Kerr to Wombleton. – OK’d by AIR 1.
1010 / 426/M / Crew at Woodbridge may bring back a Hal. (repaired A/C) - but not a Lancaster – OK’d by AIR 1
1020 / 1666 CU / - Crew to be taken to Marston Moor to bring back 1666/Z. – OK’d by AIR1.
1210 / a/c away / 425/G, 426/M, MZ585/432, all serv. at Woodbridge – No crews. Inf. 62 Base.
1420 / 425/ / 1 a/c to Preston for modification. 1 a/c + 2 skeleton crews to Woodbridge to pick up serv. a/c. OK’d by AIR1 & SASO.
1645 / Balloons requested – see opposite page.
1655 / Anson / N5359 l. Topcliffe 1611 from West Freugh. W/T U/S. – Hope to serv. in 2 hrs – Inf. 29 Grp.
1900 / 1666 CU / - Permission for a/c to take crew to Carnaby to pick up S/1666.
1935 / Mosquito LL577. – P/O Speke took off from Dishforth at 1845 for Hensdon pilot “beat up” the aerodrome in two directions at approximately 20’.
Reported the above breach of discipline to 11 Grp. F.C. with a request that action be taken.
015 / 1666 CU / a/c could not land at Carnaby – owing to cross wind. – “S” remained at Carnaby.
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
Sunday – June 18/44
0001 / Off duty F/O Beirse
/ On duty HL Spence F/O. Off duty F/O Spence.
0900 / On Duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O.
0905 / TO C.F.C / - All aircraft landed at base. No diversions.
0950 / 431/a/c / F.C.L.O. 12 Grp reported that one of our a/c is circling Stirling ascending and descending between:
1005 / 420/K, 425/B / - Permission to go to Preston granted.
1015 / Croft a/c / - 12 Grp F.C. – report one of Crofts a/c circling at Stirling – between 200’ – 1000’. At 1012hrs. a/c went S.W. out to sea at Oban 13 Grp. are concerned about it and request that we get a position report on our a/c
Requested Croft HF/DF to find position if possible. Early ones should be over the Irish sea.
1100 / Croft a/c / Consulted signals (6 Grp) re using MF section “K” – decided against contacting all a/c on MF.
1300 / Lightnings / CY-W – Lt. Pope, CY-D Lt took off at 1244 from Dishforth for Wormingford. Lightnings shot up the aerodrome at low across runway in use for 10 min. Reported it to VIII Fighter Command for discipline.
1440 / Croft a/c / - Ref. 1015 Entry – all a/c returned to base safely. - Asked Croft to check and report to 6 Grp. the reason for the above behaviour.
1500 / “Bristol” / Flashlight target is on to-night from 0310 – 03.35 hrs. It is not a Bullseye & 10 Grp & 93 Grp have no gen, so 6 Grp have no offers for it.
630 / Balloons requested for Gardens – see next page
[page break]
[underlined] Balloons. [/underlined] – [underlined] Gardening [/underlined]
[symbol] Billingham – close hauled 2145 – 2330
0230 – 0415
[symbol] Birmingham – 1500’ } 2300 – 0230
[deleted] Brockworth 500’ [/deleted]
[symbol] Bristol } – 1500’ 2315 – 0245
[symbol] Weston-super-Mare }
[symbol] Yeovil – 1500’ 2330 – 0215
[underlined] Z – 3166 [/underlined]
Balloons – [symbol] Billingham – 2330 – 0030.
0245 – 0450
12 Norwich – 1500’ – 0045 – 0130.
[symbol] Harwich – 1500’ – 0050 – 0130
[symbol] Langley } – 1500’ – 0200 – 0315
[symbol] Weybridge }
[page break]
1820 / Balloons – Z-3166 – Requested.
1820 / To C.F.C. / Request for 7 provisional weather diversion bases in the 92-3 Grps.
1830 Off duty – B.T. O’Beirn F/O
1830 On Duty F/O Spence.
2200 / Ops =. / Cancelled = Gardening at A.O.C’s discretion.
2200 / Colerne = / Laid on a definite diversion for all Gardening A/C. Stn informed & each individual A/C informed by S/L Jones. S.F.C.O. before take-off.
2300. / X Country / = Rather dubious re weather on return of Croft’s & Tholthorpe.
JUNE. 19/1944.
0230. / DIVERSION / All 5 A/C landed at Colerne instructed 10 Grp. to have A/C keyed up for early morn. return if weather permits.
0700 / Met. / Check weather re return of 5 A/C away.
0900 off Watch F/O W.A. Warwick
On Watch B.T.O’Beirn F/O
0935 / 428/ - 5 a/c at Colerne – Instructed 10 Grp to have them return.
1012 / Anson (AOC) / + pilot standing by at Dishforth for AOC. At 1630 hrs.
1030 / 61 Base / - Query seviceability of Carnaby [inserted] #58 [/inserted] occult 4 Grp – report it serv. day & night.
1210 / Anson (AOC) / - Only A.O.C. going in Anson at 1630 hrs. – Inf. 61 Base.
420 / ANSON (A.O.C. / - for A.O.C. to Hendon. – Informed 12 Grp M.L.O., Hendon F.C. & 61 Base Route – via York to Hendon. ETD – 16.30.
[page break]
[underlined] Z – 3076 [/deleted]
Balloons –
[symbol] Billingham – 2300 – 0045 {2230-004
0330 – 0510 {0210 - 051
[symbol] Chelsmsford - } 1500’ –
[symbol] Thames Estuary } 0110 – 0200 (2330-020
[symbol] Langley& Weybridge 0235 – 0320
[underlined] Z – 3136. [/underlined]
[symbol] Billingham } 2230 – 0030
Close-hauled } 0210 – 0430
[symbol] Chelmsford } – 1500’ 2330 – 0145
[symbol] Thames Estuary }
[symbol] Harwich – 1500’ 0130 – 0230
[symbol] Norwich – 1500’ 0145 – 0300
[page break]
June 19 1944
1530 / [underlined] Proctor [/underlined] / – Reserved for S/L Rawson – to go from Dishforth to Wombleton. – all day. ETD – 1000hrs 20/6/44.
1535 / Anson - / Request 61 Base to have the motors ready at Dishforth for the arrival of AVM MacEwan at 1630.
1600 / DIVERSION Bases – Request to C.F.C. for 13 Provisional weather bases.
1645 / ANSON - / - DG-816 – Pilot F/O MacIntosh – passengers A.O.C., W/C McIntosh, T.O. 1631 – ETA Hendon 1744. Inf. 12 Grp Sn.L.S. & Hendon F.C.
1700 / Carnaby / Occult #58 – 61 Base & 62 Base query position – Given in SD 214 – Amendment. Does the same method of approach prevail?
1730 / DIVERSION Bases – C.F.C. Cannot assign us any stations until after the late Met. Conference. Only SW Eng & NW Eng.
1807 / Balloons requested – See opposite page.
1810 / Diversions. Z3136 to listen out on Grp. frequency after point “R” send Z3076, after “I”
1830 / Off duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.
2200 / Balloons / Requests cancelled.
2330 / Night Flying / Met deteriorating – X-C’s recalled on M.F. & H.F.D.F.
2350 / Wombledon C & L. / At Eastmoor told to return to Base. On doing so Wombledon contacted Eastmoor direct & sent them over again. No advice given to 61, or 62 Base or 6 Group until 62 informed us.
[page break]
Tuesday. – June 20/44
0010 / Enemy Activity / Ex 12 Group:- 13 Group report a Junkers 88 around Leuchars, possibly on route of some of our recalled cross countries.
0030 / Enemy Activity / Warning “Enemy aircraft on track” sent to our 61 Base aircraft on Sect K M.F./D.F.
0045 / Weather. / Low cloud over Filey now. Should be over Wombleton by 01.30hrs. Base 1500 ft; In case of emergency Silloth & Millom are quite fit: 10 mi vis. N.L.C. all night.
02.05 / Diversion / From 1 Group:-
20 aircraft to be diverted by WT. if we can give them a base. Met. suggest Linton as being quite O.K. for some time
02.10 / Diversion / Call-signs and aircraft letters passed to 62 Base.
02.14 / Diversion / 1st aircraft over Linton!
02.15 / Diversion / One a/c from 4 Group “Bandbox” C to Linton
02.28 / Last X-Country from 61 Base down.
03.40 / Diversion / Last aircraft landed – 16 at Linton, 3 at Eastmoor
0900 / Off duty F/O Spence. On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
0930 / 4 Grp / - “C”/102 – Instructed to return to Pocklington
1050 / 1 Grp / - a/c to return to their bases 62 Base inf.
1450 / J/434 / - 64 Base report m/n a/c overdue. T.O. on Radar X/C. ETA – 1335.
Checked with 12 Grp F.C.L.O.
1600 / J/434 / Landed safely at 1500hrs – Took 1 hr to get this info from 64 Base – a poor show.
1635 / 429/R / - 63 Base base m/n a/c recalled on MF “K” – F/O Hitchen arranging to send message.
1640 / 429/R / “R” acknowledged recall on HF/DF.
1650 / Weather / - deteriorating in Grp. – All X/C a/c down in 62, 63, & 64 Base.
61 Base – 1664 have 2 on P/B & 2 on A/A. Advised then to check W/X & recall if not nearly due.
[page break]
1745 / 1 Grp - / All 1 Grp a/c except 1662/M from Blyton have returned to their base.
1745 / Night Flying / Weather uncertain for 4 – 5 hrs – Low stratus. Even after midnight weather is uncertain
1815 / NF. / - Inf 61 Base that no a/c to take off without S.O.C. permission.
1830 / Off duty – B.T.O’Beirn F/O.
On duty H.L. Spence F/O
1920. / N.F. / Gave 61 Base Group Met picture 800 – 1200ft cloud base, 10/10ths, vis 2 – 4 miles all night. Controller’s advise they check carefully before commencing cross-country.
2055 / Bomb Demolishing / Informed F.C.L.O. 12 Group 1000 pounder would be demolished by Tholthorpe at 2130hrs.
2055 / N.F. / 61 Base going ahead with night flying, as their Met. Picture somewhat improved:- cloud 10/10’s, 1000’ to 1500’ thickness up to 2500’. Crews to be particularly briefed what to expect on return. Possibility of diversion being necessary.
2130 / N.F. / Summary to C.F.C. Their Met feel cloud at Silloth should not be lower than 1500ft. Normal there might request it as a diversion base.
2240 / Re Marshalling of Operational Aircraft / To Station & Base. Ops to be passed to D.F.C.O’s.
(1) The order of take-off for the Squadrons will be passed to the Stations by this HQ.
(2) Aircraft are to be marshalled in Squadrons.
(3) The order in which these Squadrons are to be marshalled at the individual stations will be passed from this H.Q.
(4) No Marshalling to commence until this order is received.
[page break]
2330 to 2350. to 0015 / N.F. / Checked 61 Base. – not happy – Contacting their stations re their wishes – final decision to divert – C.F.C. suggest we contact [inserted] direct [/inserted] bases we wish. Chose Ayr, Squiresgate and Prestwick. Information passed to stations; also 13 Group. F.C. & C.F.C.
[underlined] Wednesday – June 21/44 [/underlined]
0200 / / Ident Board changed.
0300 / a/c away / Crews to stand by at 1000hrs for instructions for return to base. Informed Squiresgate & 13 Group & Prestwick.
0800 / Information re. Diversion / Passed to Central Flying Control.
0900 / off duty P Revyman F/L. On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
0930 / a/c away / - Instructed Prestwick to stand by for instructions about mid-day.
1030 / 426/B & K / - to go to Croft – Permission by Air I checked W/X at Croft and 6 Grp Met. Advised 62 Base to have a/c fly below cloud.
1040 / a/c away / - Instructed Prestwick to have a/c return – 1664 a/c to proceed to Topcliffe and call on Channel “D” for further instructions.
1042 / Anson / - Com. Fl. Dishforth is U/S at Halton. AIR I cancelled his request for the Anson.
Signal A [inserted] 79 [/inserted] [deleted] 01 [/deleted] – 20th June – Cypher Message – Changing the restricted area – plotted – on SD 300, Restriction map and nav.chart.
1240 / a/c at Prestwick ready to take off at 1330 plan to fly back in formation.
[page break]
[underlined] Balloons. – Z – 3072 & Z3005 [/underlined]
Billingham – 1700 – 1830, 2100 – 2300
Langley & Weybridge – 1500’ – 2000 – 2130
[underlined] Diversion Bases – Provisional Weather. [/underlined]
[underlined] Sqn [/underlined] [underlined] No. a/c [/underlined] [underlined] Station [/underlined] [underlined] Group. [/underlined]
408 18 Desborough 92
426 12 Markey Harborough 92
420 18 Bruntingthorpe 92
425 18 Bitteswell 92
432 18 Silverstone 92
419 15 Wing 92
428 6 Wing 92
427 17 Little Horwood 92
429 17 Westcott 92
424 17 Chipping Warden 92
433 17 Turweston 92
431 17 Morton-in-Marsh 91
434 16 [deleted] Enstone [/deleted] Honeybourne 91
[page break]
/ / S.O.C. forbids the formation return
/ F/1659 HAL V LL-171/ - Inf. Prestwick
- Requires a new tail wheel. Inf 61 Base. – Suggested that S/L Chipling could take it & work party to Prestwick.
1255 / Oxford / - W/C Weiser B.T.I. wishes to take Oxford to transport tail wheel and rigger to Prestwick, as S/L Chipling is not going.
1255 / HAL “H” /Tholthorpe / - ready at Ford. Instructed to fly above stratus.
1715 / 61 Base / - Re A.F.C. at Dalton – F/L Lewis is to let his two A.F.C. proceed and S/L Swann is to provide him with two A.F.C. from his surplus by to-morrow morning. – Inf. D.F.C.O at 61 Base who was to inform S/L Swann & F/L Lewis.
1717 / Balloons – Requested – See opposite page.
1720 / 61 Base a/c. Away – 1664/D., 1664/L. ready for take off from Squires Gate tomorrow morning 1664/X – should be serv. to-morrow evening. 1659/N. tomorrow morning.
1830 / C.F.C. / -Allocate provisional Weather Bases in 91 & 92 Grp.
1830 / Off duty – B.T. O’Beirn F/O.
On duty H L Spence F/O
2030 / A.S.R Search / Ex 16 Group:- Request offers for tomorrow, to search for Airborne boat crew had boarded and was lost due to weather; also to-day’s American effort. Checked Controller & Air I. Informed 16 Group we had large effort out now and could not give them an offer until morning our commitments were known.
[page break]
1800 / 429B. LV-866 Pilot F/O LASEK. / Engine cut on take off. Pilot had the tail up, cut his motors, braked but could not stop. Continued on past end of runway. Stbd. wheel collapsed; stbd props & rudder & wheel damaged. CAT. B.
Inf – SASO [symbol] AIR I [symbol] SOC. [symbol] SFC.O [symbol] ENG. O. [symbol] EQUIP. [symbol]
1830. / Div’n’s / Provisional Weather Dv’n’s. Stations laid on in 91 & 92 Grp. Met. not very sure of weather for return.
2120. / Ops. / First A/C [deleted] off [/deleted] [inserted] landed [/inserted] on Z-3005.
2140 / Ops. / Skipton it seems sent 12 A/C + out to sea to jett. but do not know which A/C. opened up on York 9 & 10 plotting same. Weather holding out OK.
2317 / Ops. / All A/C down, none missing.
2330 / 5 Grp. / 5 Grp’s effort due back at approx. 0430hrs. and possibly diverting to 4 Grp. & if possible our Linton clutch could possibly take some.
JUNE 22nd 1933 [sic] .
0330. / 5 Grp. / Figure they can cope with their present weather.
0800. / Squires Gate. / Gave them permission to let. 1664. Sqds. 2 servicable A/C return to base, 61 Informed
0900 / Off duty – F/O Spence. On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
0930 / Report to F/L Smith of Gransden – no new work.
0930 / Oxford/1657 / - Permission for S/L Skene to take radiator to Prestwich granted by AIR I.
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
0945 / Oxford/P-1820 / - Permission for Engineer party to inspect 2 a/c at Colerne & St Eval respectively. – Granted by Air I, saying it is a matter for Base Com. As it is their a/c.
0950 / Proctor (61 Base) / - G/C Wortell – Dishforth wishes to Com. Flight Proctor to fly locally. Has received SASO’s permission. S.O.C. agrees.
1030 / A.S.R. / Refer – 2030hr entry 21/6. – 428 sqdn offer – 6 a/c.
16 Grp – now do not require us.
1700 / 62 Base / - Request permission for P/O Severard – pilot attached Linton to go on Bullseye with experienced crew. – Granted by S.O.C.
1730 / Bullseye / - Met are not happy about returns – fear of stratus. Further check later.
1830 / X/1664 & N/1659 / - Should be airborne within an hour. If not off before 2030hrs check with Met. & inform Squires Gate & Prestwick. Inf. 61 Base
1830 / Off duty – B.T O’Beirn F/O
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.
2315 / X-C. / Cross countries recalled due to weather. – To make ETA Base 0100hrs.
Friday – June 23/44.
0230 / 1666/W / Called Darky – answered by Croft – was given QDM to Wombleton. Had considerable trouble breaking cloud. York 9 & 10 lines opened to watch his progress, also looking for 1666/T. M/n. landed at 0313hrs.
[page break]
Call sign LVB/T.
Crash.
[underlined] 1666/T. [/underlined] – Crew List.
JD-106
Pilot J25812 F/O. Haacke A.B.
Nav. J35518 P/O Foy, M.A.
B.A. J29903 P/O Garwood, H.M.
WOP. R96696 W/O Plante J.M.C.
R.G. J39863 P/O Lemon, L.B. – OK.
M.U.G. J.40067 P/O Scutt L. A.
F.E. Sgt. Lucas RW. Hemlington Emerg. Hospital Compound Fracture Pattela [sic]
F.E. Sgt. Davis.
Informed A.O.C. [symbol] S.A.S.O. [symbol] Air I [symbol] Cont. [symbol] S.F.C.O. [symbol] G.T.I. [symbol] G.A.I. [symbol] Equipt [symbol] Engrg. [symbol] P.4 [symbol] C. of. A. [symbol]
Category E – Burned.
Guard – Wombleton.
[page break]
[underlined] Friday – June 23/44 [/underlined]
0235 / 1666/T JD-106. Overdue. / Over one hour overdue if route completed. Having 12, 13, 15, & 9 Groups check re crashes or landing of visitors. No joy although a false report from Squiresgate indicated “Airblast “C”” landed there at 0312hrs. However further check revealed this in error as the a/c concerned was a Wellington from 92 Group. Overdue action by 61 Base.
0400 / 1666/T / Following to 15 Group Air Sea Rescue. Route:- Base 2145 – Stirling 2247 – Inverness 2319 – Mull [indecipherable word] 2357 – Mull Galloway 0019 – Holy Head 0041 – St. Bees Head 0111 Base 0147. Crew of 8. Request for search They ask for our offer
0450. / Report of Crash. / 61 Base state Thornaby on to Wombleton re crash. Checked 12 group. No knowledge. Then 61 Base advise Thornaby taking action on crash in QZ 074260 near Ingleby Greenhow. Police there informed them of it [inserted] at 0420hrs. [/inserted] . 12 Group finally confirmed this.
0500 / Report of Crash. / Thornaby have no further particulars as yet, except the police rescued the Rear Gunner who mentioned Wombleton. Informed 13 & 15 Groups. + C.F.C.
0605 / Report of Crash. / Ex. Thornaby. N.F.S. report 2 of crew alive & 6 dead. Stokesley Police also at scene of crash. 61 Informed.
0640 / Report of Crash. / Ex Stokesley Police:- At 0318hrs. Rear Gunner of Halifax from Wombleton reported from Bank Foot Farm, Ingleby Greenhow, that aircraft had crashed about 2 miles south east of the farm on the Moor. Plane was on fire.
0720 / 1666/T Crash. / Ex. Thornaby & 61 Base. Above entries definitely 1666/T. P/O Lemon OK. One other of crew at [deleted] Scorton [/deleted] Hemlington Emerg. Hospital. Bodies of remaining 6 will be taken to Thornaby
[page break]
Gardens. Colerne?
[underlined] Balloons. [/underlined]
- [deleted] Billingham – close-hauled 2130 – 2300 [/deleted]
[deleted] 0430 – 0630 [/deleted]
[underlined] Z-3180. [/underlined]
[symbol] [deleted] Billingham – Close hauled – 2200 – 2345 [/deleted]
[deleted] 0200 – 0400 [/deleted]
[symbol] Harwich – 1500’ – 2330 – 0030
[symbol] Thames Estuary – 1500’ – 2300 – 0045
[symbol] Langley & Weybridge – 1500’ – 0100 = 0200.
[page break]
0800 / 1666/T / Thornaby & Stokesley police report watches of some of crew stopped at 0105hrs. Middleton Met then was 3/10ths cl. l. 3,000ft., vis 6 miles. Observer Post S.I saw nothing but report a sound plot on our a/c at about that time. They also report heavy ground mist at that time with a cloud base of 1,000 to 1500ft.
15 Group A.S.R., 12 Group & 13 Group in the picture.
0900 / Off duty F/O Spence, On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
1115 / 1664/X / - Took off from Squires Gate at 1011 without permission from 6 Grp – Squires Gate made arrangements direct with Dishforth. Pilot was given a forecast at Squires Gate.
1200 / 1664/X / Landed Dishforth OK.
1210 / 64 Base Oxford [inserted] “T” [/inserted] 1820 (F/O Walker) / - Request information. – Story exists that above a/c is U/S at Honiley (9 Grp) & that G/C of Defford (10 Grp) was going to fly this Oxford to Defford. – 64 Base do not wish this.
1220 / Oxford [inserted] T. [/inserted] 1820 / - Not at Honiley, Defford, St Eval nor Colerne.
Last known, he took at 1719 for Colerne from St Eval. Where did he land?
1300 / Oxford [inserted] T. [/inserted] 1820 / Did not land at Desborough – 92 Group have no information
1500 / Oxford 1820 “T” / - Located at Harrington – VIII Air Force Composite Command. Requires Engine Change. Pilot, who was broke, instructed to get a travel warrant from Americans, or nearest R.A.F., or R.T.O. and return by train.
Inf. 64 Base F.C.
[page break]
Blenheim # 7425 – from Woodhall Spa en route to Dundee. Staging overnight [inserted] or Dishforth [/inserted] proceeding Dundee in the morning.
[page break]
1505 / Oxford “T” -1820 / - Requested by 6 Grp. Diversion Servicing at Gransden to handle the matter. – May only need a cylinder sleeve & new cylinder not a new engine?
1540 / 64 Base - / Request enquiry at A.M. re Signal A/7288 5th June – Pundit 87 U/S – Pundit 245 to operate for it. Extreme distance between the two.
1550 / 61 Base - / Query Nav. Warning A2543, 17 June no times are given for this firing. 61 Base are planning X/C routes near this area.
1720 / Return of Ops – Met say bases good – No diversion bases requested.
1800 / Re 1540 Entry – Correction to A7288 – 5th June Pundit – 256 to operate for Pundit 87. Inf. 64 Base.
1810 / Re 1550 Entry – Nav Warning A2543 17 June was cancelled by A2849 18 June. Inf. 61 Base.
1810 / Balloons – D.F.C.O. note / Billingham balloons have been removed for the past two day – perhaps permanently. 12 Grp B.L.O. will notify us if they are put into operation again.
1812 / Balloons – Requested for Target Z-3180.
1830 / Off duty – B.T. O’Beirn F/O.
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.
2040 / 431/N / Ex. 9 Group. Report from RAF N.I. the m/n stooged around Eire and infringed I.A.Z. at Belfast. etc., Plotted carefully by Radar & R.O.C. to make certain where he landed. Croft checked Pilot who admitted being off course & lost for some time. Crews intending to fly this route to be particularly warned in future, no such infringements will be permitted
[page break]
[underlined] Balloons. [/underlined] Z – 3027 (DAY
[symbol] Thames Estuary } – 1500’ – 1600 – 1645hrs.
[symbol] Chelmsford }
[symbol] Langley } [deleted] 1500’ [/deleted] 1725 – 1810hrs.
[symbol] Weybridge } 500’
[underlined] Z – 3179 (NIGHT) [/underlined]
Balloons.
Thames Estuary – 1500’ – 0050 – 0140
Chelmsford
Langley – 1500’. 0210 – 0300
Weybridge
[page break]
2300 / Dalton F/A. / Requested 63 & 64 Bases to have stations light up outer circles to assist Fighters to keep their bearings.
/ 419 & 428. / 2 Lancs to go to Aston Down for Radar equipment installation. E.T.D. 1000 S/L. Miller & G/C Lawson going along.
[underlined] Saturday – June 24/44 [/underlined]
0900 / off duty S. R Wyman F/L. On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
1030 / Low Flying – 12 Grp grant permission for low flying up 500’ over the sea.
1035 / Ops Route – cleared with M.LO 12 Grp. Mablethorpe – Skegness. Kings Lynn Gravesend. – 10000’+.
1100 / Local Bullseye. offered to 61 Base.
1110 / 427, 429 / - Recall from X/C. MF “K” – C/s – RPF a/c N, Y, MAV, a/c N, W, Z, Q. Message “XA” – Return to Base. Contacted Duty Eng. Officer.
1110 / 428/I / took off from Mid. at 0958 for Aston Down.
1120 / Weather good for return 0 – 3/10 S.C. – 2000 – 4000’ no request for diversion bases.
1215 / 427 – 429 / - X/C – one “Z” yet to acknowledge message. – Continuing message on MF.
1245 / Balloons requested for Z-3027.
1511 / 62 Base / - Requested check on 408/ M & L. on X/C over the sea., one hour & 45 min. overdue.
1512 / 62 Base / F.C.L.O. 12 can not help as he has no plot of a/c flying at 500’
1515 / 62 Base / a/c returned to base OK.
[page break]
[underlined] Z – 3027 [/underlined]
[underlined] Non Starters [/underlined]
434/E – started P.I. & S.O. failed and turned around and started again.
434/O LW 385 P/O Bacoye (Cat a/c.) – Undercarriage collapsed; a/c slid over perimeter track into a ditch. A/C did not burn nor explode. Crew OK.
434/P NZ 749 (F/L. Flewelling?) – a/c was flying this morning and damaged leading edge of port tail plane.
They tried it but the tail plane was vibrating too severe
[underlined] Early Returns [/underlined]
F/427 flying for Y/433 – U/C would not retract
431/D – Hyd. Failure; pipe line burst; U/C would not retract.
[page break]
1715 / 61 Base / - Request to fly non – op. below 5300 from Isle of Man to Fishguard, Shrewsbury, and Gainsborough – Refused by SASO.
1740 / Local Bullseye scrubbed for 61 Base upon request to 6 Grp. SASO. Permitted X/C exercises instead as target at Newcastle will be obscured by stratus. Inf. Night Ops 12 Grp & 61 Base.
1750 / Balloons requested for Z – 3179.
1815 / Off duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
On duty H.L. Spence F/O
19 [deleted] 0 [/deleted] 15 to 1940 / A.S.R. Exercise / S/L. Seabourne advises he & some Command A.S.R. Officers wish to do an exercise off Whitby using Special Flash Bombs, which are in stock in Dishforth Station Armoury. Wishes W/C Sinton to line up an aircraft, Pilot & crew and load with the special bombs. Informed 61 Base who later wished S/L. Seabourne to call W/C Sinton as they did not think they could cope this evening. Unable to contact S/L. Seabourne at Harrogate before he left for 6 Group.
M.L.S. 12. Notified & has requested the a/c should go 40 miles east of Whitby to drop the special bombs.
2358 / Balloons / Ex 11 Group. Following are non-operational until further notice:-
Langley – Weybridge – Harwich Thamesford.
2359 / Balloons / Thames Estuary will be controlled at 1500ft. from 0745 – 0845hrs.
Sunday – June 25/44
/ A.S.R. Exercise / S/L. Seabourne contacted. Put three to [indecipherable word] was to let us know final decision forth re m/n but failed to inform believes exercise off for tonight
[page break]
Missing – Day Ops – June 25/44
433/S – HX 275
Pilot – F/O Prescott – [underlined] not missing [/underlined]
LANDED AT CHAILEY
B/A – F/O HARRIS – BADLY WOUNDED.
IN. SURREY GEN. HOSP.
[page break]
June 25/44
0023 / 419/W Overshoot (KB707) / Overshot, continued on past end of r/w 24 (100yds away) scraped a hut. Damaged tail plane - whipped off H2S blister etc. Crew OK. Pilot – P/O. Mansfield. First attempt to land a Lanc.
Informed Cont., G.T.I., G.A.I. Equipt. Air I AOC’s PA
0300 / 408/U (D.S. 651) F/O. Kennedy. / Overshot, continued on past end of runway, obstructing it temporarily [inserted] U.C. Collapsed. [/inserted] Information received from 62 Base F.C. at 0335. Linton coping O.K. with return of operational a/c. Early Return 408/W diverted to Eastmoor in interim – landed 0317hrs.
Informed Cont., G.T.I., G.A.I., Equipt. Air I AOC’s PA
0420. / 408/X D.S. 741 P/O Kasper / Believed to have burst tire on take off. O.C. N.F. requested to land it at Carnaby. Passed “gen” to 4 Group F.C. Landed 0440. Undercarriage collapsed, a/c turned around about 4 times before finally settling. Crew O.K. Informed Cont. G.A.I., G.T.I., Equipt. Air I AOC’S PA
0530. / Crew of. 408/X / Ex 62 Base. Crew to return by rail or first available civilian transport. Informed 4 Group F.C.O.
1100 LANDED CHAILEY } / 433/S Missing HX – 275 F/O PRESCOTT / Identified on [deleted] Hull [/deleted] [inserted] Southampton [/inserted] at 0922hrs. bearing of 114° from Southampton. ASR. 11 Group say the Channel area is getting a thorough search.
1230 / 433/S Missing HX – 275 F/O PRESCOTT / No other Groups a/c missing and from sightings etc., indications are favourable that a/c ditched in Channel. Report that 2 Spits are circling an aircraft in the vicinity.
/ [underlined] ASR Exercise [/underlined] / Ref. entry 1905d. 24/6/44. This to be done tonight. S/L. Seabourne & W/C Sinton conferred. Informed 61 Base F.C.O.
1400 / Off duty F/O Spence, on duty B. O’Beirn F/O
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
From 11Gp.
1425 / 433/S See 1620 ENTRY / Crash landed at Chailey at 1000hrs. approx. Crew injured and in sick-bay. Advised Ops 2.; G.F.C.O.; 63 BASE; SKIPTON; 64 Base; Int D.S.O SASO. P4.
1445 / 408/X / Crew to remain with a/c at Carnaby
1500 / 408/X / a/c now serviceable. After checking met. gave O.K. for a/c to come home.
1505 / 62 Base a/c to Woodbridge / Permission granted by S.O.C. (seconded by S.A.S.O) for 408 a/c to go to Woodbridge to collect Lanc LL621.
1550 / 62 Base a/c to Woodbridge / Cancelled 408 a/c to Woodbridge. Anson will go to-morrow. S.A.S.O. has said O.K. for the Anson.
1555 / 61 Base: (1659) / Ops 1. 6 Gp said O.K. for an a/c from 1659 to go to Wellsbourne on a liaison visit to-morrow, provided weather O.K.
1620 / 433/S / S/L Lewington 433 says a/c landed at Chailey 0943. A/c ready to return to-morrow, 1 member of crew wounded.
1700 / A.S.R. - / S/L Seabourne requests permission to do special exercise of dropping parachute flares 40 miles east of Whitby 0001 – 0100 hrs to-night M.L.O. 12 Grp grant permission.
1715 / A.S.R. / Info. 61 Base ZU – “C” Call sign WGX – MF “K”.
1830 / 419 – 4 Lanc. “V” “D” “S” “P” / X/C routed over Middlesborough G.D.A. – 64 Base did not inform us until 1800hrs – a/c already airborne & had set course at 1750.
Informed 12 Grp. M.L.S. – Instructed 64 Base to have Mid., divert a/c by WT about the G.D.A. Requested that 64 Base insist what Mid. pass their movements in plenty of time for clearance.
[page break]
[underlined] Balloons – Z – 3031A - [/underlined]
Thames Estuary – 1500’ – 1215 – 1315
[page break]
1830 / M.L.O. 12 - / Sanctions routes for to-morrow’s ops.
1845 / Skipton / - Request a route & weather forecast for Harvard to Hullavington 2200 – 2300hrs to-night
1845 / 64 Base / - Ref. 1839 entry. Mid. S.G. have contacted S.D.A. posts and Middlesborough and they are happy about 419 4 a/c crossing their area now.
(1800) / 62 Base. / AIR I agreed to use Linton station Oxford for all day to-morrow instead of 6 Grp Com. Flight Anson.
Permission granted for 408 sqd to use Anson to take equipment and extra crew to Woodbridge to-morrow.
Inf. 61 & 62 Base.
[underlined] Monday June 26 [/underlined] .
0140 / Handfull / “Z” – Calling, requesting permission to land & Q.FE. Topcliffe are answering him.
0215 / Handfull / Wellington 15H- “Z” landed M.S.G. at 0200 hrs. – staying overnight – Engine trouble – a/c from Nuneaton, sat. to Bramcote – Transport Command. Inf. 9 Grp. F.C. & 12 Grp F.C.L.O.
0415 / Darky / - Aline “B” heard by Top. Dish. & Womb. Thought to be an Am. a/c – Answered by St Mawgan in Cornwall – Inf. 12 Grp.
0850 / 433/S / - From Intell. Report – only one member of the crew B/A. F/O Harris was wounded. (Surrey Gen. Hosp.)
[page break]
Magister – N3838 from Church Fenton landed Dishforth – staying overnight
Douglas DC-3 FD 943 from Sherburn-in-Elmet landed at Topcliffe & taking off again soon
T.O. 1959
[underlined] Balloons [/underlined]
Birmingham – 1550’ – 2345 – 0100
Bristol – 1500’ – 0001 – 0445
Yeovil – 1500’ – 0015 – 0430
[page break]
0850 / Balloons – Requested – Thames Estuary – 1500’ from 1215 – 1315.
1005 / Balloons / Time of Control postponed indefinitely.
1000 / Comm. Flt. Anson / Reserved for G/C Fauquier for today.
/ 433/S / F/L. Smith unable to get any information from Chailey re this a/c FCLO 12 Group checking for us. 63 Base also checking re entry 1620 hrs. 25-6-44.
1540 / Dvn. Base / Provisional weather diversion base requested for 9 Gardeners
1630 / 433/B / Is serviceable & waiting for weather improvement to return. Likely tomorrow.
1810 Off duty F/O Spence. On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
1820 / C.F.C. / Morton-in-Marsh – allocated as diversion weather base for 428 Gardeners.
1900 Diversion Base confirmed with C.F.C. & 91 Group.
1930 Diversion Station information passed to 64 Base.
2015 Balloons reserved
2245 / 91 Grp / - a/c letters etc to 91 Grp for diversion to Morton-in-Marsh.
[underlined] Tuesday June 27. [/underlined]
0100 / 91 Grp / - Report that Morton has 2000’ although Enstone has cloud base of 500 – 800’.
6 Grp Met. are still hopeful of conditions improving in 91 Grp. If not at 0230 we can have them diverted to St Eval.
[page break]
Visiting a/c.
Lib. [deleted] F/L [/deleted] FL/K (Lt. King) from Bungay landed at Topcliffe at 16:45hrs. Returned 1817hrs for Bungay.
[page break]
0235 / 428/a/c / Weather duff in 91 Group. Decided to divert to Saint Eval. Call D.S.O.
0238 / 428/a/c / C.F.C. agree and say for us to make arrangements with 19 Group.
0243 / 428/a/c / 19 group confirm Definite diversion. Passed them the gen.
0250 / 428/a/c / W/T room confirms diversion signal being sent.
Advised 12 M.L.O. 64 Base
10 M.L.O. & FCLO 91 Group.
0305 / 428/a/c / 10 Gp F/control say all of [deleted] own [/deleted] [inserted] their [/inserted] stations good, and any one not looking too happy will be contacted on R/T and put down. Gave them R/T call signs.
0500 / 428/a/c / Ex MLO 10 Gp. From plots it would appear 6 aircraft received the diversions. 1 landed at Colerne – 1 landed Morton-in-Marsh.
/ 428/a/c / Instructions to 10, 19 and 91 Group F.C.L.O’s. Aircraft to remain until they receive the “go” signal from us.
0525 / 428/C / Received diversion signal in a rather awkward place & was afraid to go across to St. Eval and so made landfall in the usual manner & was s/n’d to Colerne.
0740 / C.F.C. / Diversion summary – 6 a/c to St Eval, 1 to Colerne, 1 to Moreton-in-Marsh.
0900 Off duty – B.T. O’Beirn F/O
On duty H L Spence F/O
0940 / A/c away / Conferred with Met. & Controller. Instructed 9, 19, 91, & 11 Groups to have a/c return as soon as possible.
1545 / 428/P. & Y / All but m/n returned from St.Eval.
P – Electrical trouble.
Y – Mag. trouble.
Crew of Y to bring back 428/X
Informed Middleton who report a crew going by train now for their a/c at St Eval.
[page break]
[underlined] Non – Starters [/underlined]
428/B – 4 attempts to T.O. – Slow leak in starboard tyre causing swing.
428/S – Brake air line broken. Too late to take off. Confirmed by C.T.O.
434/Y – Fuel warning lights U/S. Confirmed by C.T.O.
[underlined] 425/A. NZ 683 [/underlined] [underlined] CRASH [/underlined]
PILOT – R-13677 Sgt Lavaie M.J.P. – (Serious Back Injury
(York Military Hos
M.UNDER/AG. R-189709 Sgt PICHE – BURNS on face & hand
F/E 1592787 Sgt RAPER – Contusions on left hand.
Other members of the crew OK.
A/C Ross – Right hand amputated above the wrist – In York Military Hospital.
Crash Tender Crew
LAC Wolfe – injured – in York Military Hosp.
LAC McKenzie – injured in York Military Hosp.
LAC Jardine – injured in York Military Hosp.
[page break]
Tues. June 27/44.
1830 / / Off duty H.L. Spence. On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
1900 Balloons – GSGS 4250. – Thames Estuary – 1500’ – 2330 – 0015hrs.
/ D.F.C.O.’s Note } / Billingham G. Yarmouth, Lowestoft & Norwich may be operative. any day – Consult B.L.O. daily.
[underlined] Wednesday June 28 [/underlined]
0030 / RE Bases / - Met advise there is no need for diversion bases.
0035 / 61 Base / - Wombleton reports a white light hovering 100 – 200ft off the ground about 2 miles west of Wombleton. Info. R.O.C.L.O.
0240 / 61 Base / - Wombleton report distant explosions. Info. 12 Grp. F.C.
0245 / 61 Base / Tholthorpe report 3 red vereys N.W. Tholthorpe
0250 / Red flares / - Dishforth report 3 single red cartridges 15 miles east of Dishforth Info. 12 Grp. F.C.
0300 / 426/B. / Unable to locate 426/B. – He was on R/T but disappeared Checked with 12 Grp.
0310 / 425/A [underlined] CRASH [/underlined] NZ-683 / Crashed [inserted] at 0307 hrs. [/inserted] on runway at Tholthorpe – burning – bombs exploding, no particulars. Rundway obstructed
0400 / 425/A [underlined] CRASH [/underlined] NZ-683 / A/C Ross suffered the loss of his hand and possibly his arm as result of the explosion Taken to the hospital.
Reported to A.O.C. & SASO.
0420 / 425/A [underlined] CRASH [/underlined] NZ-683 / 425/A – All crew alive – pilot Sgt Lavoie badly injured, and two others of crew injured. Three of fire tender party injured.
0425 / 426/B. / - Landed at Molesworth 0305hrs – Ran into thunderstorms – Crew O.K.
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0430 / 408/A / - Landed at Ford at 0113. Mid. Under Gunner Sgt. Proudlove wounded in arm and leg – fighter action. a/c shot up.
0500 / 425/A / S/L Austin reported that A/C. Ross had his [inserted] right [/inserted] hand amputated above the wrist.
S/L Austin reported that a/c had not received permission to land. He passed the funnel in the circuit and began to lose height. He turned at right angles and tried to land on aerodrome. In landing he collided with “U” Uncle, which was u/s and bombed up. Both a/c burned and explosions occurred wounding A/C Ross. & others.
0900 / 425/A / - Cat E – Burned –
425/U – Blown to pieces.
425/W – Hole in wing. possible damage to 2 – 4 other a/c.
0900 Tholthorpe aerodrome U/S obstructed TFN.
Off duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O.
0950 / 420 a/c Mod. / Permission granted to fly extra crew to Preston to pick up m/n. if not required today.
/ Linton Oxford / OK. For F/L. Smith to take m/n to [deleted] Cransh [/deleted] Cranwell to pick up brake parts for the 6 Group Servicing Oxford at Dalton.
1125 / 428/E / Ex 19 Group:- SI. & S.O. Engs. u/s.; came in with burst tire (unknowingly), swung on landing, crashed into & through dispersal line, ending up into rubbish pile breaking a wing. Informed 64 Base.
/ 428/Y / Ex 19 Group: Now serviceable at St Eval Check 1230hrs for take-off permission
[page break]
Emergency Petrol Diversion Bases.
[underlined] Snaith [/underlined] – 427, 429, 424.
[underlined] Burn [/underlined] – 426, 432, 433.
[page break]
Wed. – June 28/44.
1212 / Piper Cub. / Landed at Linton for refueling. Received Met forecast of poor weather en route and at Carlisle, but took off nonwithstanding.
1335 / Hudson BW619 / G/C Davis + 1 G/C left Dishforth in m/n a/c E.T.A. 1443. Cleared with R.A.F Hendon and MLS 12. Movement No. 1535.
1330 / Wellington KB-E Hixon / Advised 93 Group – m/n a/c landed at Wombleton with P/E u/s. When servicable is to take is to take off for base after checking with this Group HQ.
1520 / 426/B / Instructed to return from Molesworth – to get good route forecast before taking off.
/ 428/Y / Checked Met & Controller. Instructed crew to bring back crew of 428/E with them. Suggested route – St Eval – Holyhead – Leeds – Base, below freezing level of 5,000ft.
/ Leeming S.B.U. / Temporarily U/S.
1745 / Petrol Dvn. Bases / C.F.C cannot guarantee any bases south of 53°N (from Spurn Head to S.W. Wales.
/ Bulls Eye Weather / Southern part of route no good from a Met Standpoint for Bulls Eye purposes. A.D.G.D. change in route on request of 100 Group to assist them in their work tonight, particularly first leg out from Ipswich to Sea 91, 93, 1, 3 & 6. Groups were on it originally. 91 & 3 Groups have scrubbed and remainder are wobbling.
1845 / Div’n to 6 Group / C.F.C. have asked for our 3 stations, as possible diversion tonight. Have approx. 60 a/c to look after. We are to inform C.F.C.
1850 Off duty F/O Spence. On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
1930 / To C.F.C. / - Offer Mid, Croft & Dishforth for diversion to us from 8 Grp.
2015 4 Grp & C.F.C. agree to our using Snaith & Burn as emergency petrol bases.
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[page break]
2020 / / Diversion – Emergency Petrol bases – gen to stations.
[underlined] Thursday June 29. [/underlined]
0001 / 1666/G. BB.-217. / At 1507hrs 28/6 – taxied into a building at Wombleton – Damaged port propeller and nose of fuselage
Category A (R) – 2 engine. P.Bomb & 4 Landings.
Pilot – Sgt MacDonald W.H.K.
/ 1659/D HR-801 / At 2250hrs landed at Dalton. a/c was on Radar X/country – S.I. engine became u/s. As the pilot was about to land S.O. engine cut. As he landed he was travelling too fast, swerved to port, ran across the road, through two hedges and stopped at the edge of the bomb dump. Crew are O.K. Considerable damage to a/c. – Special equipment removed and guard posted.
Pilot – F/L Bugle
Category –
0055 / RAF NI / - One of our a/c – 30 miles west of course at 5400N 0645W. proceeding N.W. at 18000’ – over Eire.
0200 / Div. Bases / - Met. advise Skellingthorpe and Bardney. S.O.C. will make decision before 0250 broadcast.
0215 / 427/D / - Early return – Navigator trouble A.P.I. u/s., H2S u/s.; D.R. Compass u/s. 10 miles off track using P4 compass further investigation in the morning.
0250 / DIV. Base. / Message – “If require [deleted] emergency [/deleted] petrol [inserted] diversion [/inserted] land at Waddington.” Sent a/c on Z642.
Waddington will divert to Skellingthorpe or Bardney.
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0300 / To 5 Grp / - C.F.C. – Arrangements for possible petrol diversions to Skellingthorpe & Bardney.
0300 / 433/C LV-839 / Landed at Woodbridge. 0235 – Shot up.
At 0216 – W/T 6 Grp picked up message from 433/C to Southampton “Rudder u/s hit by fighter” T.O:O 0200. – At 0226 hours “Landing at Woodbridge 0225hrs”
0330 /13 Grp. / - Had a Halifax plot at 0245hrs – QB5452 (west of Stornaway – then plot disappeared. – Inf. 61 Base
0400 / To 5 Grp / - passed call signs to F.C. – re possible petrol diversion.
0405 / 433/C LV-839. / Jettisoned 15-20 mi N.W. of Chatellon sur Marue (4908N 0345E) a/c in a spin – gave orders to bale out.
M.U/AG – Sgt Palmer R.W. } Baled out over France
A/B – F/S. Carter } Baled out over France
[underlined] Pilot W/O McVeigh [/underlined] regained control of a/c and returned to England with the rest of the crew.
Skipton informed 6 Grp.
0600 / Skipton / Request permission to take Anson from Dishforth to pick up crew of 433/C at Woodbridge. S.O.C. wishes us to wait for AIR I.
0600 / a/c away – After landing were to refuel and return.
0740 / a/c away – All a/c instructed to get airborne as soon as possible.
0750 / C.F.C. / - Diversion Summary – 12 a/c landed at 9 stations.
0810 / 63 Base / - Re 0600hr entry. AIR I grants permission to take Anson
[page break]
[underlined] Visitors & Diverted a/c to us. [/underlined]
Whitley from 19 O.T.U. at MSG
Spit XB/I From Ouston at Leeming
Spit XB/L From Ouston at Leeming
Hurri HZ/Z From Ouston at Leeming
Spit From Acklington at M.S.G.
Hal 78/M From Breighton at M.S.G [underlined] T.O. [/underlined] 1536.
Hal 78/A From Breighton at M.S.G. 1552
Hal 77/G From Full Sutton at M.S.G 1610
Hal 77/E From Full Sutton at M.S.G 1600
Hurri 3033 From York at Linton
Well E From Hixon at Wombleton
Well Q From Hixon at Wombleton
Anson MH235 From West Hampnett at Dalton.
Entry 1615hrs.
Informed A.O.C. [symbol] S.A.S.O. [symbol] Air I [symbol] G.T.I. [symbol] Equip’t. [symbol] S.F.C.O. [symbol] G.A.I. [symbol] Cont. [symbol] Eng’rg. [symbol]
[page break]
Thursday – June 29/44
/ / if the crew was needed for operations to-night.
0900 / Report to F/L. Smith of Gransden who was at Leeming. He is going to Dalton and will call from there.
0900 / crew 433/C / - Suggested this crew bring a former Cat AC. a/c 433 LV – [deleted] 933 [/deleted] [inserted] 922 [/inserted] back from Woodbridge
0915 / 12 Grp. / - Want a station immediately for 2 Halifaxes circling Melbourne – Checked with met. – Offered Mid.S.G.
Off duty F/O O’Beirn
On duty HL Spence
1045 / Crash Tender Middleton / Tender u/s. – being repaired. Spare from Croft if required.
1110 / Taxi Accident? / 63 Base report:-
C.I.O. on checking over a/c this morning at Skipton noticed 433/B. had damage to Stbd. Wing Tip and Stbd. Rudder (Cat A) and 433/J had damaged Port Wing Tip. (Cat A). Conclusion reached these 2 a/c may have had a taxi accident on landing from Ops at 0500hrs. Crews of both a/c sleeping. Check to be made later to-day.
1615 / 6 Grp. Servicing Flt. Oxford / Ex F/L. Smith – a/c burned in accident at Woodbridge. C.F.C. confirmed that a Fortress crashlanded at Woodbridge, hit the m/n which caught fire & completely burned. Time, approx. 1315hrs. Our crew O.K.
F/L. Smith says the Oxford was not in good condition and had been categorised but no signal sent on it.
No negligence on part of 6 Group personnel.
[page break]
Re – Average Landing Times.
62 Base query the request for average landing times.
Requested 62 Base to get a good honest average landing time for day ops & night ops for B.C. report.
[underlined] Total [/underlined] [underlined] R.T. to last Down [/underlined] [underlined] 1st to last Down [/underlined]
Skipton 398 800 mins (2.01) 723 mins (1.82)
Leeming 417 876 mins (2.10) 805 mins (1.93)
[page break]
1605 / 427/F. / Permission by Controller for 427 Sqn to fly crew to Winfield to pick up m/n.
1700. / 427/F. / Not going to-day – too late & weather.
1632 / Proctor from Hendon / Landed at Dishforth & took off again without reporting to Watch Office.
1730 / LV-922 / Crew of 433/C to return in m/n from Woodbridge. On test brake shoes gave trouble & could not take off. F/L. Smith later reported a/c again serviceable but C.F.C. say it’s not, yet.
Off duty H.L. Spence F/O On duty
B. T O’Beirn F/O.
2030 / Anson / - On request of SASO, requested Anson + good pilot from Dishforth T.O. 1200 to-morrow for Hendon. Passengers Maj. Stevenson & Major Meholson. TO 61 Base.
2200 / Anson / 61 Base say Anson and pilot will be ready at 1200hrs – for Major Stephenson.
2210 / Mosq. MM-460 / took off from Dalton at 2210 for Clifton. Inf. 12 Grp. F.C. (6 Grp Met – reported no low cloud.
[underlined] Friday June 30 [/underlined]
0815 / Weather / - Fog will clear and about 1100 may be able to get a/c at Woodbridge & Wigsley to return.
0900 Off duty F/O O’Beirn
On Duty H.L. Spence F./O.
1100 / Heston Phoenix at Linton / Informed 12 Gr F.C.L.O. the m/n was ready for Woolsington. They are to send a pilot for it. (Later Linton to provide)
1145 / Com. Flt. Anson / Reserved for A.O.C., 1400 1-7-44
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[page break]
1215 / Spitfire / En route to Thornaby from Cambridge appears lost, must be short of Petrol. Keyed up Middleton & Croft to assist. Beaufighter sent to lead him in. Plotted on table & finally lost. At [deleted] 01 [/deleted] 1330. learned Spit had forced landed in a field near Newby Bewley. Thornaby taking action 64 Base in picture.
1330. / Hurricane (Wyton) “Revenge” / Ex 12. Lost apparently. Stations on look-out for it. No. joy.
1430 / Dakota (Squiresgate) / En route from Squiresgate for Catterick Landed Middleton 1158hrs. 12 Group & Catterick informed. Latter by Leeming.
1440. / P38 from Chalgrove / Signalled out to Linton in error. 62 Base informed. Landed O.K.
1450 / Anson (West Hampnett) En route to Turnhouse. Landed at Leeming. Informed 13 Group F.C. Checking weather before continuing. T.O. for Scorton 1640hrs.
1600 / Bulls Eye / 61 Base unhappy about Met. on return – also at target. Would need diversion base. for return.
1800. / Dvn Base. Gardeners. / Requested definite weather diversion base from C.F.C. Suggested St. Eval.
/ Linton Oxford / Reserved for A.O.C. & F/L Holmes for 1400hrs. 1-7-44. Going to Hendon. This cancels the reservation for Anson with 61 Base.
1815. / Dvn Base Gardeners / C.F.C. their Met & 19 Group not happy – low stratus at St. Eval at 0400hrs. Suggested further north – Prestwick & vicinity.
1830 / Off duty F/O Spence. On duty B. O’Beirn F/O
1850 / Bullseye scrubbed by S.O.C. as Fighters do not wish to co-operate in poor weather.
[page break]
Flashlight Targets.
61 Base – Intend putting on 2 per week wish to know procedure, etc.
Ex. A.D.G.B. (F/L. Napier)
Ref. B.C./S. 26484/1/Training I./2-6-44
Contact Night Ops. Of. Fighter Group in which Flashlight is located for original O.K. Advise Controller at Southdown who will broadcast it to all Groups for their information.
Proviso:- to get flashlight target there must be at least 10 a/c involved.
London Flashlight not available at present
No searchlights at Newcastle.
Bristol – Major Hill. 10 Group
1640.hrs. X-C (Regular & Radar.)
Checked with M.L.O. 12 Group, who confirms following routes are O.K.
Regular routes Radar routes.
[table]
Following are not to be used:
Regular Radar
R.C.A.F. 13 29
21 33
37
Informed 61 Base 1-7-44
62, 63, &64, Base 2-7-44.
[page break]
1900 / Div. Base – for Gardeners – C.F.C. allocate Prestwick. Inf. 13 Grp.
2000 / C.F.C. / AYR substituted for Prestwick as weather diversion base. Inf. 63 Base, Skipton 64 Base. Sigs. Int.
2140 / Gardens cancelled – Inf 13 Grp Ayr not required.
2300 / WEATHER / Hopeless in Group area, no flying.
[underlined] JULY 1st 1944. [/underlined]
0500 / C.F.C. / Asked for offer of 6 aerodromes for our “do.”
0545 / B.C. / Postponement of our “H” until 1420 hrs.
0900 / Off duty F/O. O’Beirn
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.
1010 / Comm. Flight Anson / Reserved for S/L. Rawson for 1030hrs July 3rd. Going to Swanton Morley. Navigator to be provided.
1245 / V.I.P. A.V.M. McEwen / Cleared route to Hendon with M.L.O 12 Group.
1320. / Balloons. / Thames Estuary will be at 300ft. all day.
1350 / V.I.P. / Reference entry 1245. Movement cancelled. All concerned informed.
1420 / Graves End Corridor / To Southdown – safe passage requested 1605 – 1634 hrs.
1430 / Pyrotechnics Skipton / Told 12 Group F.C. Mortars, Vereys, Rockets would be fired off at a Skipton around 1600 hrs.
1830 / Off duty F/O Spence. On duty B O’Beirn F/O
1841 / Met. / Rain at Croft – Leeming is O.K. if storm persists.
[page break]
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1855 / 420/K [underlined] CRASH [/underlined] / – On 2 engines Crash landed at Linton at 1850 on R/W 22. – stopped clear of R/W – a/c did not burn.
1902 / Smoke. / E-9779 – R.O.C. report 2 columns of smoke.
Checked with Linton 420/K now burning.
1935 / Diversion Base – On advice of Met. request a definite weather base in 93 Grp – . C.F.C. will check for us.
1950 / 420/K LW421 [underlined] CRASH [/underlined] / - A farmer reported to 62 Base. He met 2 of the crew helping a third member, who had a broken leg, to a farmhouse. Rest of the crew are O.K.
a/c crashed 1 mile south of Linton aerodrome., across the river.
21.00 / 420/K LW421 [underlined] CRASH [/underlined] / Flew over Linton losing height rapidly – Port inner feathered, port outer windmilling. – Crashed landed approx. 1850hrs. Made good crash landing. Aircraft caught fire but was quickly put out by Linton crash crew. No category yet.
P/O Caine (Pilot) suffering from lacerations over right eye – S.SQ Linton.
Sgt. Monument (F Eng.) has compound fracture left tibia – Neyburn Military Hospital.
Rest of crew are O.K.
Posn of crash – 1 mi. [deleted] S.E. Nunmonkton [/deleted]
1 1/2 mi S.W. Linton
2230 / 420/K LW421 [underlined] CRASH [/underlined] / Category E. –
Grid Reference – Sheet 27 – 946793. Linton is posting the guard; as the crash is very close to the boundary between 4 & 6 Grp.
[underlined] July 2nd 1944. [/underlined]
0120 / 4 Grp & 12 Grp think that Windlass “A” from Breighton near Dishforth.
[page break]
1664/O
Entry 0950. Informed S.A.S.O [symbol] Air I [symbol] Controller [symbol] G.T.I. [symbol] G.A.I. [symbol] Equipt. [symbol] Engrg [symbol] SFCO [symbol]
Re Crash of 408/C.
Enough Fire tenders despatched to handle this crash – I hope.
61 Base were asked to take action;
62 Base acted on their own initiative.
Informed S.A.S.O [symbol] Air I [symbol] Cont. G.T.I. G.A.I. S.F.C.O. Engrg Equipt.
[page break]
/ / Requested 61 & 63 Base, that if they contacted him to give him a QDM and distance to Breighton
0135 / 4 Grp – have located their a/c. Inf 61 & 63 Base.
0210 / Thornaby Occult U/S – T.F.N.
0900 Off duty O’Beirn F/O.
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.
0950 / 1664/O Landing [underlined] Accident. [/underlined] / Ex 4 Group:- Undercarriage of m/n. collapsed on landing at Marston-Moor. Crew OK. Details later.
1010 / 427/J / Controller authorised flying crew to Winfield to pick up aircraft.
1500 / 1664/O. Accident EB-156. / Ex 61 Base:- W/C Weiser investigated and has reported to. G.T.I. and Air I direct. No details given us or 61 Base F.C.O. but that there appeared to be poor judgement & error on the part of the Pilot. Cat. E.
1558. / Crash 408/C DS-621 / Ex 12 Group. – Reported in E-9397 – 5 miles east of Topcliffe. 61 Base informed and Dalton taking action.
1608 / Crash 408/C DS-621 / Crew at Brafferton Bombing Range also reported this crash to Dishforth and personnel from Range will direct Crash tender & ambulance to the scene, near [deleted] Pulmore [/deleted] [inserted] Pilmoor Jct. [/inserted] (PILMOOR HALL). Thirsk N.F.S. also on hand. Sheet 22 – GRID 930930
1625 near Helperby / 408/C. / Ex 62 Base. – Confirmed this being their a/c which crashed. Crew O.K. Tholthorpe taking crash action, & supply guard.
1635 / 408/C. / Ex Croft. One of their X-C aircraft reported crashed Lanc at pos 5410N 0119W. – (408/C.
1645 / 408/C. / 62 Base state Linton Fire tender also dispatched.
[page break]
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[page break]
1830 / Off duty – F/O Spence. On duty B.O’Beirn F/O
2000 / 408/C. DS-621 / Crashed near Pilmoor Hall – Sheet 22 – Ref. 930930
Pilot was feathering one motor when a second engine cut.
Crew OK.
Category – E Burned.
Instructor – F/O Clothier
Pilot F/O Franklin.
2230 / N.F. / - No cross countries – 1666 may do C & Bs 2330 – 0330
-[underlined] 3 JULY 1944 [/underlined] –
NIL RETURN
0900 / OFF DUTY F/O O’BEIRN B.
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.
1200 / Hurrican [sic] Lunchmeal/N. (DALTON) / Sent on weather test 1054hrs. Checked 12 Group & learned he landed at Church Fenton 1200hrs. Flying Control here at Group had no knowledge of test being undertaken.
Ex. Controller, Church Fenton. - Pilot of m/n states he requested before taking off, assistance be laid on for his safe landing. The channel of communication between these a/c and Church Fenton is crystalized with Operational Frequency and only by chance (luck) was a listening watch kept this morning, when the weather was duff and no “Ops” on. Perhaps some liaison is indicated.
1300 / Off duty F/O Spence. On duty B. O’Beirn F/O
1320 / 61 Base & Clifford Hal. / stn called re Halifax “B” Flight “F” which left Tarrant Rushden at 1100 hrs for Clifton now overdue.
1322 / 61 Base & Clifford Hal. / Requested 62 Base to have stations look for above a/c
[page break]
3 July 1944
[underlined] FIDO [/underlined] – now serviceable at following aerodrome
Melbourne – 4 Grp.
Ludford Magna 1 Grp.
Fiskerton 5 Grp.
Downham Market 8 Grp.
Hartford Bridge 11 Grp.
St Eval 19 Grp.
Woodbridge C.F.C.
Bradwell Bay 11 Grp.
Graveley 8 Grp.
[underlined] Fido. [/underlined] -under construction
Ingham 1
Metheringham – 5
Favesham 100
Manston 11
[page break]
1325 / 62 Base / - Have HF/DF contact with MCV- “F” – Requests Cloud base and S.B.A. [inserted] 1314hrs. [/inserted] Linton replied that SBA Eastmoor serv. Inf. 12 Grp F.C. who are in touch with 4 Grp & Clifton.
1350 / Hal – “2PF-“ / landed Linton at 1346 hrs. From Tarrant Rushden. Waiting for weather to clear before proceeding to Clifton.
1400 / S/L Miller 426/W. / - planned to fly to Defford in 426/W. – T.O. at 1500 hrs. Checked with Met. – Route bad. Cloud base 600 – 800’ – Trip delayed 2 or 3 hrs. Inf. W/C French at 62 Base & S/L Miller at Grp.
1408 / Hal – “2PF” / - T.O. 1506 from Linton for Clifton. Inf 12 Grp who will inform Clifton.
1515 / TO C.F.C. / Request for the list and serviceability of [underlined] “fido” [/underlined] equipped aerodrome
1525 / MLS. / 12 Grp – permissible for X/C including non-H2S a/c., to pass over Manchester and Birmingham. Ops. May pass over.
1545 / Fido -/ aerodromes – now serv. – from C.F.C. See opposite page.
1600 / 426/W / - checked with Met. – advise the trip to Defford be postponed for at least 2 hrs. Inf. S/L Miller & W/C French. W/C French planned to cancel the trip to-night – to leave at 0900 hrs. to-morrow. S/L Miller to make arrangements with W/C French.
1605 / Diversion Bases / - Request to C.F.C. for definite W/X bases – 91, 92 Grp
[page break]
[underlined] Window Eric [/underlined] –
Ex:- Night Ops. 12 – Major Jackson.
Wednesday – July 5/44
Details:- Starting Line 5505N 0134W } Northern Line.
to 5510 0055W}
Southern Line Whitby
to 5440N 0010W
a/c to cross the Starting Line (flying south) at 1430hrs, height 14000feet; reduce height to be at 12,000 feet at Southern Line; return back to Northern Line (or starting line) still reducing height to, 9,000 – 10,000ft.
[underlined] Window. [/underlined] – 1 bundle of type K and 1 bundle of type L window to be dropped simultaneously every 10 seconds after crossing the Starting line to the southern line.
Informed 61 Base 62 Base, 63 Base,& 64 Base
Offers 419 – 14+ if no ops
428 – 3 L (8-H & 6-L if no ops) + 2 Hals
431 – 12 if no ops.
434 – 12 if no ops.
1659 – nil
1664 – nil
1666 – 5 – (Bailed out)
[page break]
11 Grp.
1607 / Spitfire / - Appleby 41 – took off from Lee-on-Solent at 1545 for Leeming. Inf. 63 Base. Told 12 Grp our W/X was not good – pilot had been informed.
1630 / 12 Grp -D.F.C.O NOTE } / Major Jackson [inserted] – N ops. 12 Grp. [/inserted] – plans a Window “Eric” exercise for Wednesday afternoon – 1430 off coast near Newcastle – Middlesborough.
1720 / Spitfire / - Re 1607 entry – returning to Lee-on-Solent, weather unfit.
1800 / Diversion Bases. - Cancelled bases requested for day target. Now requested 7 bases for night targets in 91 Group – in area Pershore to Colerne.
2140 / Ops / Cancelled – so cancelled request for diversion bases with C.F.C.
2200 / N.F. / - Bases unfit – No flying in 6 Grp. Inf. 12 Grp. F.C.
[underlined] Tuesday July 4. [/underlined]
0900 Off duty F/O. O’Beirn
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.
1000 / Balloons / Thames Estuary will be at 1,000 feet all day. No change in 12 Group Balloon situation.
1140 / Comm. Flight. [underlined] D.F.C.O. Note [/underlined] / Permission by S.A.S.O. to fly a/c Waite to London tomorrow. Inform Wing Officer Walker Group Sick Quarters.
1140 / Dishforth Oxford / Permission by Air I for S/L. Skeene (Investigating Officer) to land at Marston Moor. Investigating 1664/O. accident.
1500 / 421/W. / To fly crew to pick up a/c at Winfield. Previously authorised – neither crew or a/c required today.
[page break]
Oxford from Heston (R-6015) at Linton U/S – Will remail overnight & until serviceable.
[page break]
1845 off duty F/O Spence On duty B. O’Beirn F/O
1930 / Bullseye / - Times amended. a/c to be at position 5220N 0300E at 0015hrs. Inf. 61 & 64 Base.
2115 / 62 Base / - 408 Sqdn Com. wishes an emergency petrol base.
Checked with Met. and requested a base near Morton-in-Marsh.
2135 / Emergency Base – (Petrol) – Morton-in-Marsh – allocated by C.F.C. Inf. 62 Base.
2255 / 63 Base False Alarm. / - Report what appears to be a crash – approx. 9 mile NE of Leeming near Yafforth. Checked with 12 Grp F.C. and ROCLU – who have no information.
2305 / 63 Base False Alarm. / Leeming crash tender & S.F.C.O. have gone to Yafforth. Holding the ambulance for more definite information.
2307 / 63 Base False Alarm. / Leeming report that North Allerton Fire section reported that an a/c crashed near Yafforth.
2345 / 63 Base False Alarm. / No evidence of a crashed a/c near Yafforth. False alarm.
[underlined] Wednesday July 5th. [/underlined]
0315 / 408/Y LL-621 Pilot P/O BURNELL. / - Landed from Ops (Z-801) – at Dunsfold at 0155 – R/G. Sgt Stevens killed.
MID/UG. Sgt. HEPPELL -
Rest of crew O.K.
a/c made normal landing – 1 long delay 500lb aboard in #5 position. – 6hr.
a/c badly shot up; cannot be flown back to base.
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/ / After crossing in over French coast they were attacked by a ZU [sic] – 88 from astern. NAV. lights came on.
0415 / 408/Y / - Re – Long Delay 500lb. – Armament officer [inserted] at Dunsfold [/inserted] lacks experience and equipment to handle long delay bombs. Requests 6 Grp handle it.
/ D.F.C.O. NOTE} / Linton armament say it will be O.K. until the morning. Shall have 6 Grp Arm. Off. make full arrangements in the morning. Inf. 11 Grp. who will inform Dunsfold.
0430 / a/c / Away in 91 Grp. & 10 Grp instructed to return after checking with Met. who forecast ground fog in a few of 6 Grp stations but others OK.
0600 / Diversion summary to C.F.C. – 6 a/c at 4 stations.
0845 / 408/Y / - W/C Trites is dealing with the long delay bomb
0850 / Anson / - From Topcliffe to Hendon – T.O. 1000. ETA 1130 – Inf. Hendon.
0900 / 419/O / - On landing from Ops – damaged wings & lopped.
Phoenix from 62 Base – to go to Woolsington to-day T.O 0930. pilot, Signals officer.
Oxford may go up to take him back.
Off duty F/O O’Beirn
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.
0910 / Linton Oxford / Controller authorised landing at Woolsington to bring back pilot ferrying Phoenix there
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July 5/44.
1830 / Off duty F/O Spence On duty B. T O’Beirn
1850 / 433/R / - SIE u/s – may get off from Rufforth later to-night.
1900 / Top. Oxford / - W/C Weiser & S/L Skene to Hendon to-morrow TO 1000hrs.
1920 / 63 Base / - Request to recall 427/”E” & “C” c/s – WCK. Message “NC” – Return to Base 29 June.
1930 / 63 Base / 427/E & C ackn. on HF/DF
1935 / 1666/Y / - Overdue 1 hr – on X/C radar “6” reversed – MF section at Hull had no word of him. Asked 12 Grp F.C. to help. Requested Top. to use HF/DF & request ETA.
1950 / 1666/X / - On local was sent north by R/T. during a shower – now overdue.
2000 / 1666/Y & X / - Both reported on R/T.
2105 / Floodlight target at Bristol – flashing 0005 – 0030 Inf. 61Base who are participating.
2120 / Anson (61 Base) D.F.C.O. note.} / - Com. Flight – reserved for S/L Rawson – Sat 8/7/44 for trip to Binbrook. – T.O. – 0930 Does not require pilot nor nav.
2145 / Diversion Bases – Request to C.F.C. for 4 bases in East Anglia as prov. weather bases.
Inf. 62 Base re possible diversion for Eastmoor, Tholthorpe and Linton.
2200 / C.F.C. / Diversion Bases. allocated in 3 Grp. “Gen” to 3 Grp on the Scrambler
“Gen” to 62 Base, Tholth. & Eastmoor.
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426/D. landed Leeming at 0207.
1666/W landed Mid. S. G at 0136.
1666/S landed Mid. S. G. at 0220
[underlined] Missing [/underlined]
431/P – LK432 – Pilot P/O CONNER D.
[underlined] (Showed up at [indecipherable word] ) [/underlined]
[underlined] Accidents [/underlined]
425/H LW391 Pilot F/O TODD – u/c collapsed on landing at Tholthorpe
425/D – LW397 Pilot F/O DARGIS – overshot on landing at Little Horwood ran into a hedge.
431/K – MZ657 Pilot – F/O HARRISON Crashed on take off. – Burned and two bombs blew up.
[deleted] Crew in hospital not serious. [/deleted]
F/O Dumville – Died.
1 of crew – has a broken arm
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2250 / Oxford / - {Top. to Hendon.} Air I suggests
{Leeming to Hendon}
that G/C Newsome from Leeming and S/L Skene from Top. to go down together. Since S/L Skene is remaining W/C Weiser will return.
Suggested this to 61 & 63 Base. – Answer later
2330 / Diversion Base – for 431 & 434 requested
[underlined] Thursday July 6. [/underlined]
0045 / Diversion of 61 Base a/c arranged 1659, 1664 to Silloth. 1666 to Acklington.
0130 / Diversion / 1659 – diverting some of their a/c by RT to Driffield
0400 / Diversion of Ops a/c on Z3119, given by signal.
0750 / Diversion of Ops a/c on Z3069 Cancelled as bases are clearing.
0815 / Ops / a/c away in 3 Grp, 12 Grp & 5 Grp are requested to take off after 0900
0820 / Con. Unit a/c at diversion bases will be given instruction later. To be ready.
0830 / C.F.C. / - 91 Ops a/c landed at 11 bases outside Group. Inf. C.F.C.
0901 / 1664 / a/c at Silloth. Inf. 9 Grp. that a/c are to be DI’d and if serv. to get airborne at 1100hrs.
0905 / Oxford / G/C Newsome & SASO plan to go to Hendon about 1300hrs to-day. SASO informed.
0945 / a/c 1659/F. K. / at Driffied [sic] – instructed to return to base.
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0945 / 1666 a/c at Acklington. Instructed Acklington that the D.I. holds until noon. Request a/c to be airborne by 1100hrs.
1000 Off duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O.
On duty H.L Spence F/O.
1100 / 420/H. / Permission to fly parts to Mildenhall granted by Controller. S/L. Hutton (Padre) to go along – Ok’d by S.A.S.O.
1500 / 1666/O. / Permission by controller to fly parts in Hal to Acklington for 1666/Z.
1700 / Loose Balloon. / Ex. 433/T. pos. 5227N 0108W at 0908hrs. at 9,500ft. F.C.L.O. 12. informed.
1830 / Off duty F/O Spence. On duty B. O’Beirn F/O
[deleted] [underlined] Friday July 7/44. [/underlined] [/deleted]
2200 / Bullseye. / Scrubbed all concerned notified.
2230. / MET. / Not very happy re. some of 61 Bases turning pts. on X/C’s due to thunderstorms especially a point = Dumfries = approx. 0330.
2345 / 61 Base. / Instructed to contact A/C on X/C & from a point in N.E. Scotland proceed to Stirling, then the base avoiding Dumfries.
[underlined] JULY 7th 1944. [/underlined]
0326 / 61 Base. / Last A/C down on X/countries.
0430 / 61 Base. / All circuits & bumps down.
0900. / off Duty F/L Warwick W.A.
0925 / Servicing Flight / Picture of a/c away from base passed to F/L Smith – Gransden Lodge.
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On Duty F/O H G Mountjoy
1208 / Hurricane / G – Lunchmeal – querried [sic] 62, 61 & 63.
1210 / / [deleted] Reffe [/deleted] Referred to 12 Grp & R.O.C. Last heard of Linton at 1202.
1215 / / Dishforth R.O.C say just landed. Queried 61 Base – none at Dishforth.
1247 / Hurricane / C – Landed at Dalton.
/ Hurricane / J – landed at Church Fenton – Returning when weather is O.K.
/ Hurricane / G – still outstanding
1312 / 63 Base Anson LT120 HO – Sqdn. / Took off from M.S.G. for Leeming at 1225 has not arrived. Called R.O.C. they have nothing – F/O Owen pilot. Called M.S.G. they have heard nothing of him since he took off.
/ Halifax V / Enroute York to Kinloss. landed at Leeming because of weather.
/ 62 Base / Called regarding L/426 unheard of.
1320 / L/426 / Called 61 Base – he landed at Dishforth 1305 informed 62 Base.
1325 / Anson LT120 HO. / 62 Base called – say he may be on a beam approach a/c and may still be in the area Checked with R.O.C. – they have no plots. Say 9 Grp had a plot that failed at 1245 Checking with all bases.
1350 / Gransden Lodge / F/T. Smith Called re a/c DS848 – Cat ac at Woodbridge. Says he won’t be able to service it until tomorrow.
1405 / 63 Base LT 120 H.O. / Home base of a/c is Doncaster. He may have gone there direct. Checked with 44 Grp.
1430 / Anson LT120 / Doncaster has no news of a/c.
1500 / 12 Gp re Anson LT120 / No news at Scorton or Catterick
1515 / Anson LT120 / Instructed 63 Base to take overdue action re anson. Watchkeeper took message
1519 / / Confirmed that there was no news and overdue action was being taken.
1525 / Hurricane G / 61 Base Confirmed that “G” landed at Base 1240
1550 / 61 Base. / Allocated times requested for Bullseye a/c.
1625 / M.L.O. Air H.Q. / G/C. Fauquier requested we get O.K. for operational a/c to follow route Peterbro’ – Reading – Little Hampton – Height 2000’ – 19 a/c
1652. / Bristol Flashlight. / Eastmoor request Lat & Long Position of Bristol Flashlight 51° 27’ 18” N – 02° 35’ 29”
1830 / Off duty F/O Mountjoy. On duty B. O’Beirn F/O
1915 / Diversion Bases – allocated and assigned to Stations – Prov. W/X.
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1930 / Diversion requested for Gardeners and Bullseye a/c.
2000 / Div. Bases – Cancelled for Gardeners & B.Eye a/c.
2240 / Ops / - No diversions necessary – Bases are remaining fit.
2332 / 64 Base / - Mid. Report a red verey cartridge fired 2 – 3 miles N. of Mid. at 2000 – 3000ft at 2330 hrs. – Checked with 12 Grp.
2359 / 64 Base / 12 Grp no information – re the verey lights.
[underlined] SATURDAY JULY 8. [/underlined]
0005 / 408/X / Landed Worksop (93 Grp) – short of Petrol. – Being interrogated and re-fueled.
Checked with Met – Bases to be fit until 0200hrs. Requested crew to prepare to return and check with us when ready.
0041 / 432/K / - Was on R/T and disappeared. Checked with 12 Grp.
a/c at WA 0393.
0045 / 432/K / Landed at Elvington (4 Grp) short of Petrol. TO refuel and await instructions to return.
0130 / 408/X / - Is refueled but not interrogated – Instructed to return.
0135 / Diversion Summary – 1 at Worksop and 1 at Elvington – nil missing.
/ 425/U / - Early return – unable to retract U/C – Jettisoned at 5412N 0046E at 2032 hrs – 2500’ – Full load all safe
0150 / 432/K / Re-fuelled instructed to return.
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0900 / 429 / 2 crews – requiring 1 X/country to complete conversion – given permission to use ops. a/c. for X/country this morning. (S.O.C.)
On duty F/O H G Mountjoy
0935 / 1664 V – Silloth / Serviceable ready to return. – 9 Grp will give us his take-off time. 61 Base advised.
0952 / F/420 Mildenhall / Servicable – Tholthorpe have 1 crew available. Will advise 62 Base whether it will be O.K. to send an a/c after days requirements are ascertained. Permission has been given.
1046 / Pundit. / Linton have loaned this reserve pundit. for 7 days. Their own is going U/S. Can we obtain another for them for tonight.
1110 / 408 – Cat a/c / Central F/C advised that 408 Sqdn. are sending an a/c down to Woodbridge.
1125 / / Permission Granted for Linton to borrow Thornaby’s reserve pundit from 8th to 12th.
1146 / Proctor. / Ex 63 Base – Proctor 6322 – pilot a/c. Rook. landed at Leeming at 1142 from Halton.
1215 / 1664 V Silloth. / Ex 9 Grp. – V/1664 u/s. His u/c needs repair Dishforth are sending parts. He will probably be delayed another 24 hrs. Will not be returning today.
1300 / Off duty – F/O Mountjoy. On duty B. O’Beirn F/O
1345 / 63 Base / - S/L Cribb – o/c of 427 Sqdn has been given permission by Air I to fly Oxford to Doncaster to-day.
1345 / TO 62 Base. FC. – R.O.C. post X3 at Tollerton found a box 14” square – marked “RCAF - Linton – Care – Instruments. - Box fell from RAF Lorrie [sic] at 1320 hrs to-day.
1415 / F.C. OPS. / Air Ministry grant permission for Linton to have Thornaby’s pundit. Inf 62 Base & Thornaby 62 Base to arrange to pick up.
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63 Base –
S/L Kyles reports that 63 Base Commander thinks that 63 Base information and charts of areas for [underlined] WINDOW [/underlined] vary from our charts or 6 Grp. – and would like any additional information.
Last inf. at hand at 63 Base is postagram 6G/S56/28/AIR 29th June 44.
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1420 / 420 / - Permission granted by S.O.C. for non-ops a/c & non-ops crew to fly to Newmarket on window chute experiment.
1655 / 61 Base Hurricane “S” / - Hurricane “S” took off from Dalton at 1502 hrs to-day on air task. ETA 1530 – No trace of him.
Inf. 12 Grp [inserted] F.C. [/inserted] who are checking for us.
1700 / 61 Base Hurricane “S” / Checked with 62, 63, 64 Base, 12 Grp. F.C., Scorton, & Church Fenton. – no trace of Hurricane. Had not worked Church Fenton on VHF.
1745 / 61 Base Hurricane “S”/ Returned to Dalton. 1743. Had previously landed at Lindholme – 1 Grp did not confirm us or Base – poor show.
1750 / Gardens / - Bases fit for return. No diversion bases requested.
1825 / S/L Patterson – OC of 426 – wishes permission to have a 426 Hal III – non-ops a/c go on X/C to Inverness to-morrow to drop him at Inverness for leave.
Air 1 rules – S/L Pattison must wait for word to-morrow AM re leave & trip.
Inf 62 Base.
1830 / / On duty F/O H G Mountjoy.
1837 / Diversion Base Gardening a/c. / Ex 63 Base. – Skipton are wanting a diversion base – provisional for weather.
Contacted Central Flying Control who OK’d Colerne as a prov. diversion base.
Passed information to 63 Base.
1900 / F/434 at Mepal / Advised 64 Base that F/434 was airborne from Croft at 1855. – From 3 Grp.
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2147 / a/c showing distress / R.O.C. plot giving an a/c at 800’ in neighbourhood of Skipton Topcliffe Dalton Etc. Advised 61 & 63 Bases.
2153 / / a/c reported landed at Topcliffe.
2355 / Anson L.T 120 / Checked with 63 Base. Re Anson which was missing July 7. – He landed O.K. at Hinton in the Hedges.
SUNDAY – JULY 9th – 1944.
0240/ 61 Base / Called wanted a diversion base concerned lately for 12 training a/c. Wombleton only have 1 up and they think they can cope. 6 a/c from Topcliffe and 6 a/c from Dishforth. Linton Eastmoor Tholthorpe have closed down.
0250 / 64 Base / Diverted 6 Topcliffe a/c to Middleton
Diverted 6 Dishforth a/c to Croft.
0255 / 64 Base / Croft down to 1500 yds. Asked Middleton to take all 12 a/c if Croft could not cope. Croft are keeping a/c overhead until Middleton are all down.
0300 / 63 Base / Skipton are quite happy although they are down to 1600 yds. Will let us know.
0307 / 61 Base / Confirmed that there are only 9 a/c outstanding. The other three down at Topcliffe.
0310 / 63 Base / Called for a diversion Base for Skipton’s a/c. Our Met suggested Holm – 4 Grp say Holm is stood down but Marston Moor had full flying program and were happy about Met situation. Sent out a W/T message diverting Skipton’s a/c to Marston Moor.
031[deleted] 2 [/deleted] 8 / 4 Grp / Said Marston Closed down Could we re-divert a/c to Holm on 0345 broadcast. This is being done. Asked 4 Grp to have Marston Moor stand by to divert any a/c on R/T that may miss broadcast.
0400 / Diverted Training a/c / Following a/c at M.S.G. – Topcliffe – R, J, K, B, F, R,
Dishforth – H, D, W,
Following a/c at Topcliffe – Dishforth – A, L, M.
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0410 / 63 Base / Report Wellington on 1 engine the other on fire overhead. M.S.G. have cleared so have sent him there by R/T.
0425 / 64 Base. / Wellington landed. – Belly landing – nobody hurt, but runway obstructed. Temporarily considering M.S.G. as totally U/S. Time 0424.
0443 / 64 Base / Wellington belonged to 84 O.T.U. from Desborough. a/c letter C
0508 / / All 8 of 424 Operational Gardening [inserted] a/c [/inserted] down O.K at Holme
0800 / 64 Base / Aerodrome now Servicable. – Crash Removed. Provisionally Cat AC.
0820 / 63 Base aircraft / To return if they can be airborne before 0930hrs; otherwise wait until 1130. Station Commander concurs.
0900 / Off duty F/O Mountjoy. On duty B.T O’Beirn F/O
0920 / Silloth – Checked re V/1664 – crew there – Trying to get it serv.
0940 / 424 / a/c at Holme – Those not airborne instructed to remain until further instruction.
0940 / S/L Patterson O/C of 426 – Ref. 1825 Entry July 8 – Air I rules that S/L Patterson cannot go on X/Country to Inverness & X/Country a/c cannot land there.
AIR I wishes to speak to Stn Commander before S/L Patterson goes on leave.
1015 / 62 Base – Request for 425 to have one a/c land at Scorton to arrange a F/A detail.
1015 / Diversion – Informed C.F.C. we may need – 8 Bases in East Anglia 1400hrs.
1055 / Diversion Bases – requested from C.F.C.
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1115 / Diversion Bases – allocated – Inf. 12 Grp 3 Grp. 100 Grp. and 6 Grp Bases.
1230 / Re X/Country a/c. – to be recalled to make ETA – 1330 hrs. Inf 64 Base.
1250 / Ops / a/c definitely diverted – Inf 6 Grp stations - & Grp of Div. stns. a/c to be standing by at 1700hrs for instructions re return.
1530 / Ops / all aircraft landed safely
1700 / a/c away – Instructed to standby for 1800 prov. take off. Inf. 62, 63, 64 Base.
1800 / a/c away – Instructed I USBD. II USBD. III USBD. 12, 3, 100, 4, 8, 5, 91, Grps & C.F.C. to get airborne at 1830 or as soon as possible after 1830.
1845 / C.F.C. / - Diversion summary – 75 a/c landed away at 22 stations – 25 returned to the Group.
1900 / Off duty B. T O’Beirn
On duty F/O H G Mountjoy.
2200 / Diverted a/c / All but following a/c have returned to their respective bases.
/ 424 – J / Will be staying the night. F/LT. Smith has this in hand.
/ 433 – J / Needs a Stbd. Outer Engine change. F/LT Smith has this in hand.
/ 427 – C / Needs Port Wheel Change – Will probably return in the morning.
/ 434 – D / Hydraulic Line Broken – Cowling Gill Motor U/S. Crew Returned to Base. – F/LT Smith has this in hand.
2258 / 64 – Base / All Night X/C scrubbed – W/X – 2 a/c doing Bombing and 4 C/B.
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64 Base – F.C.
{ A/C. Mr Burnly at 64 Base has not received a copy of the report of sorties flown by each squadron during last month.
AIR Staff preparing one.
64 Base –
S/L Brown queries a letter of July 8 6G/S54/1/AIR.
Re- Identification of a/c. over Continent – 2nd par. – vague or incorrect Checked with Air Staff. Message is correct - & clarified it with S/L Brown.
Swordfish – LS – 272 took off from Linton at 1242 for Sherburn
D/434 – at Coltishall (sp. F/L. Smith Gransden) S.I.E. requires the drive from the gill motor to the gills. Request that S/L Seath (Croft) send the “drive” + a fitter – 10” worm plus a crew.
Inf. 64 Base & S/L Seath
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MONDAY – JULY 10th – 1944.
0540 / 61 Base Diversion / Report that base has packed up. Told them to divert on R/T to M.S.G.
0542 / 10 Grp / Report an a/c on 3 engines wandering about in the area.
0610 / 61 Base [symbol] / Report 1666/J on 3 engines, has got his diversion to M.S.G.
0635 / / All training a/c down O.K.
0900 / Off Watch F/L Warwick W.A.
On Watch B.T.O’Beirn F/O.
0940 / 1666 & 1659 a/c at M.S.G. instructed to return to bases.
0950 / Z/1666 / at Marston Moor (Rufforth) is U/S – 4 Grp checking.
1000 / Proctor requested from 6 Grp. Com. Flight for 1300hrs – S/L Rawson. Granted. Inf. S/L Rawson.
1100 / 63 Base – Granted permission by Air I for Skipton to take Com. Flight Anson from Dishforth to North Creake with parts for 424/J.
1340 / Dominie X 7417 Pilot 1st Off. KEMPSTER. / - Clearance from MLO – 12 Grp from M.S.G. to Gatwick T.O. 1400 ETA 17:25 – Route M.S.G. – York, Reading, Guildford Gatwick – approaching from the West.
Inf. 11 Grp & 64 Base.
1545 / Weather at bases – Definitely OK to-night – no diversion bases required for Gardeners or Bullseye.
1830 / off duty F/O B.O. O’Biern. [sic]
On Duty F/O H G Mountjoy.
2015 / Demolition of Bombs. / 4 Grp asked whether or not we had been doing any demolition of bombs in the area. They had heard Linton had been doing some. They reported a very heavy explosion felt as far away as
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2015 / Demolition / Checked with Linton. They had demolished a 1000lb bomb. L.D. 4 Grp. Suggest that in future people in the vicinity should be warned. Nothing in this log that indicates 6 Grp was warned at all.
TUESDAY – JULY 11th – 1944
0055 / 61 Base / Dalton have scrubbed their night flying. They report a breach of R/T Discipline from one of Dalton’s pilots.
0158 / MLS-12 / Message received – SSQK – QH – 0151
Ident FIX 5407N – 0006E +1 – 0152
Decode of Message – Returning to Base
Passed to 63 Base. Used wrong C/S. should have used TGB. S/L Carter informed.
RZFS-ADFNZT – T.O.O. 0205.
0216 / / Message received S-1666 – Returning to Base ETA 0235
0220 / 64 Base. / X/434 landed at Scorton – Refuelling. Time 0020
0222 / 63 Base / K/433 landed on 3 Engines at Base.
0255 / 64 Base / X/434 landed at wrong aerodrome. He has returned to base.
0310 / 63 Base Early Return / K/433 – Early Return – Had no Gee and on 3 Engines – Jetissoned [sic] mines safe at 53°57’N – 02°00’E from 7500’ at 0110 hrs. 12 Group notified.
0326 / 62 Base / Report there has been a crash 5 miles north of York near Haxby – Haxby police don’t know anything about it, nor do the NFS. 408/T still outstanding
0327 / York R.O.C. / Checked with York R.O.C. – York police had reported a crash in the city
0329 / 4 Grp. / Checked with 4 Grp who hadn’t heard anything. They are checking also.
0331 / / York R.O.C. report crash very close to Rawcliffe aerodrome or about 1/4 mile north of railway crossing on the York. Wiggington Road.
0335 / 63 Base / Complained that Skipton were landing their a/c from Ops and Topcliffe still had a/c in their circuit and others taking off. Spoke to 61 on this as they had had plenty of warning of Skipton’s E.T.R.
Had previously told 62 Base to have Eastmoor’s Ambulance & tender standing by.
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Crashes July 10/11 1944.
Crew List of Y/1666 – HX147
P. F/L BEST – J11043 J.D.
NAV P/O CORLEY – J36334 W.A.
B/A. P/O KOLONIC – J35077 I.D. KOLOMIC
WAG. W/O MOORE – R124087 R.K.
R/G SGT SINNODS – R173465 R.F. SIMMONDS R.F.
MU SGT KIDNEY – R215860 M.J. KIDNEY – NJ
F/E SGT BARKER B.A. – 1392337 C.E.
[deleted] F/E SGT COOK [/deleted] –
NAV [deleted] SGT [/deleted] P/O ZARATI. V-J35036 Pupil RADAR NAV
AOC, SASO AIR I [symbol] SOC [symbol] EQUIP [symbol] ENG [symbol] C of A [symbol] G.AI.O [symbol] P4 [symbol] S.F.C.O. [symbol]
Crew List of T/408 – LL675 ([deleted] BOTTESFORD [/deleted] [inserted] [underlined] LANGAR [/underlined] [/inserted]) IN CHARGE OF CRASH
P. P/O SHAW E.A.
NAV F/O SMITH G.L.
WOP SGT BUCKBERROUGH R.C.
B/A F/O WAYCHUCK W.S.
M/U [deleted] SGT [/deleted] SGT BRITLAND G.D.
F/E SGT GRIEVE
- Cause of crash unknown – all crew killed
Controller [symbol] GAIO [symbol] Equip. [symbol] S.F.C.O. [symbol] Air I [symbol] P4 [symbol] SASO C of A [symbol] A.O.C.
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0339 / / Despatched Eastmoor’s Ambulance & Engineering officer and M.O. to Crash near York.
0405 / 61 Base / Report Wombleton Y/1666 still have 1 a/c outstanding from Bullseye. Checked with 12 Grp FCLO regarding any additional crashes. They have one reported near Grantham, and will try and find something more about it.
0425 / 12 Grp / Report that a/c letters on the Crash near Grantham are either LC or EC. We think that may be EQ – 408’s – It was a 4 engined a/c an [sic] 6 bodies have been recovered.
0432 / 63 Base / C.T.O at Skipton confirms that K/433 – early return had no Gee – and Sbd Inner Throttle Control was broken.
0505 / 12 Grp. 1666/Y CRASH / Confirmation that Crashed a/c near York was Y/1666 – 4 bodies recovered. a/c Serial no’s HX147 – 61 base notified.
0510 / 63 Base / Skipton have been sending that N/433 landed by mistake at Dishforth and that he had still not been allowed to take off because Topcliffe had a/c in their circuit, and he had been down for approximately 40 minutes. Checks with 61 and they claim that they could not contact him on R/T and by the time they had got him ready to take-off their own a/c were overhead and also Topcliffes were overhead. He oiled up before he could get off.
0540 / 12 Grp / T/408 CRASH / Report that a/c crashed near Grantham was Lintons T/408. Sgt Greive identified from Mess Card. Saltby & Bottesford looking after the Crash. George Douglas Britland identified. Melton Mowbray Police gave this information. Crash is near Streatherm Rd & Eaton – 400 yds west of Eaton near Great Northern Railway. Map Reference Sheet 54 – 48052505.
Linton advise that there were only 6 members of the crew.
0740 / 64 Base / Say Eastmoor have identified 6 of the 8 bodies found with pay books identification tags etc. 61 Base can’t tell us whether or not there were 9 until they have checked with the Flight Commander.
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NOTE – W/C MILLWARD IS AIR I to-day. Replacing G/C FAUQUIER.
Flashlight – Bristol 2359 – 0025
1666 – 11a/c
1664 – 8+ 16000’ – 45 Well 92 from Northampton
1659 – 8+ [underlined] CANCELLED [/underlined]
Oxford W6574 – took off from Linton for Croft at 11:04
Pilot W/C Mitchell
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Off duty F/O Mountjoy. On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
0930 / 62 Base – 1666/Y – 8 bodies located. Inf. 61 Base. Sgt Cook was not on the detail.
0940 / 12 Grp / - 408/T – Crashed a/c is lying across a railway line & main road. Langar handling the crash. Inf. S/L Sanderton for W/C Saunders to take action as a/c must be moved.
1015 / 62 Base / - 408/T – needs immediate removal, and Langar has requested help. Request permission to send men in 408/D to Langar
AIR I rules that Grp Eng. or Linton C.T.O. arrange with the nearest M.U.
Inf. 62 Base. Cannot locate W/C Smith. S/L Marshall is contacting AIR I re the action – 408 O.C. S/L HALES wishes to inspect the crash.
AIR I is making the final arrangements.
1545 / Bases / - Met forecast conditions good all night. – no diversion bases requested for ops (3 targets) or for Bullseye.
1545 / 424/J (N. CREAKE) / - Wheel is changed, but S.O.E. is temporarily u/s. Expect to have it ready by 1830hrs to-night.
/ 434/D / - at Coltishall has crew ready and a/c should be ready this evening.
1820 / 1 Grp / - Enquire if W/C Spier in a Tiger Moth landed at Topcliffe Sunday eve. or since then
Reply – no sign of him at 61 Base stations. Inf. 1 Grp.
1830 / Off duty B.T.O’Beirn F/O.
On Duty F/O H G Mountjoy.
1845 / 62 Base. / Inquiry regarding W/C Hamber of 426 Sqdn. projected trip to Wellsbourne tomorrow in a Halifax a/c. S.A.S.O. has authorised this. The W/C will probably be returning in 4 or 5 days.
(X) 426 0816 12/7
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1851 / 62 Base / Advise that none of their squadrons are debombing.
WEDNESDAY – JULY 12th. – 1944
0001 / / The Glorious 12th. – Oh Yeah.!
0002 / 61 – Base DARKY / Wombleton landed a Wellington a/c – that had been calling DARKY – No gen. on him yet. Told 12 Grp. They had had a report of an a/c in difficulties in the area.
0045 / 29 OTU/X / Ex 61 Base – m/n a/c landed as above with oil leaks in both engines. Advised 92 Group F/C who said Do not let him T/O without permission from this [inserted] 92 [/inserted] H.Q.
0900 / Off duty – F/O Mountjoy On duty B O’Beirn F/O
1020 / W/C Saunders G.A.I.O. requests use of the Proctor at Dishforth Inf 61 Base.
1050 / 61 Base – Above request O.K. Too much delay. Informed S.O.C. about it – who is going to request daily serv. reports of 6 Grp. Com. Flight a/c.
AIR I – giving instructions.
1115 / 425 Sqdn. F/O RAY F/O Whiticombe / – Permission granted by Air I to take 2 visiting staff pilots on X-country flight. Inf. 62 Base.
1150 / 425 / S.O.C. grants permission for 425 a/c + experienced pilot to drop 2 skeleton crews at Leeming to bring back 2 a/c.
1440 / 432 / - request permission for X/C training for 2 non-ops a/c + 2 ops crew.
1615 / LOW FLYING / - 64 Base report that Hal “B” being ferried from Mid S.G to Dishforth T.O. at 1602. On second half of the circuit pilot flew across the airfield below hangar roof level. – Dishforth pilot. Inf. 61 Base F.C. to take necessary action HAL “Y” – T.G. Mid S.G. 1615. Repeated above.
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428/V & N T.O. from M.S.G. for Blyton (1 Grp.) at 1638 & 1700 hrs. for transfer 1 Grp . informed.
F/O Jesson – 12 Group will pay us a Liaison visit on the 26th of this month. S/L. Stanley informed and this chap will probably stay until the 28th.
Query raised by 64 Base re Non-operational flying areas. Checked with MLO and he has passed the following as the latest Flying restricted area for Non-operational Flying. A line joining Winchester, Exeter, Penzance, Lands End.
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1623 / Black Smoke / 12 Grp F.C. report what may be an a/c crashed – Z 7703 – between Skipton & Leeming.
Checked with 63 Base.
Report that there is a bon-fire at Wells – no confirmation of a crash.
1715 / 62 Base / - W/C Weiser D.T.I requests permission for a Lt/Col. – Intell off. of Northern Command to take a flip in a Halifax at Topcliffe to-morrow. AIR – rules that it is O.K. if he has his C.O.’s permission and Base Commanders permission.
1820 / C.F.C. / Request to C.F.C. for 6 bases - provisional weather in East Anglia.
1830 / / Off Duty F/O B O’Beirn
On Duty F/O H G Mountjoy.
1917 / 61 Base / Dishforth want to know if there are any instructions on tonights Bullseye re – burning of Resin lights. Southdown Ops 2. say Normal Procedure tonight.
2100 / 61 Base / Request Permission for S/L Harnett to go on Bullseye – Air I gave permission
2120 / MLS-12. Central Flying Control / Passed Bullseye “gen” to MLS-12.
Have laid on the following diversion bases which have been allocated to the following Squadrons.
METHWOLD – 427 SQDN. 17 a/c.
MILDENHALL – 429 SQDN – 17 a/c.
MEPAL – 431 SQDN. – 17 a/c
WITCHFORD – 434 SQDN 16 a/c
TUDDENHAM. – 424 SQDN – 16 a/c
NEWMARKET – 433 SQDN – 8 a/c
NEWMARKET – 428 SQDN – 8 a/c.
26
2145. / / Passed to 3 Grp. + other relevant “Gen” concerning the diversion.
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2221 / 63 Base / Leeming Repost that a Black Widow. a/c landed there – Short of Petrol – a/c No. 22564 – Time 2215. Advised – 12 Grp.
2340 / D/419 overdue / Had 12 Group checking to see if they could locate him.
2359 / D/419 / Down at Marston Moor. – O.K.
THURSDAY – JULY 13th – 1944.
0529 / / All our a/c included Bullseye a/c down O.K several away from Base, [deleted] but [/deleted] all but the above noted D/419 within the Group. We are standing by to assist 1 Group with their a/c if they can’t cope. There were no losses.
0730 / / Report from our Met of an a/c in the 4 Grp. area. Apparently of 1 Grp with orders to bail out if he can’t get down. Checked with 12 Grp who say the crew have apparently all bailed out as this plot has headed out to sea.
Checked also with 4 Grp who give the same information and say a search is being started for the crew.
0900 / / Off Duty F/O H G Mountjoy On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
1010 / 429/D Hx-339 P/O RAND / - Landed at Dishforth after Ops. Later took off and landed in poor visibility at Leeming, overshot and ran through a fence before stopping. Pilot taxied back to perimeter track. H2S Perspex damaged.
Weather – 0600 Obs – 63 Base – Vis 3000yd. cloud 8/10 at 2000’
Weather – 0700 Obs – 63 Base – Vis 2500yd cloud 1/10 at 500’
3/10 at 2000’
Inf. SASO, AIR I, SOC, SFC.O. ENG. O. EQUIP. O. G.A.I.O.
1105 / TO 61, 62, 63, 64 Base. / - 6 Grp Met report conditions will be slightly worse than forecast cloud 10/10 base 1000 – 1500’ or less in rain. Vis. variable 1-3 miles or less in showers. Medium cloud fairly thick 10000 – 15000’. Conditions general over Eng. Scot. Irish Sea 1600hrs – X/countries inadvisable. C & L if local conditions permit.
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Martinet MS-741 landed at Leeming at 1141 from Catfoss - owing to weather.
Oxford “T” 1104 landed Linton from Halton at 1205
Pilot G/C Donaldson.
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1100 / Routeing D.F.C.O. note. / - S.F.C.O. is preparing a letter laying down definite instructions regarding restricted areas which apply to training flights/ Rest. area south of Orfordness, Ipswich, Buckingham, Winchester, Exeter, Lands End.
1150 / 433/B. / at Dishforth instructed by Skipton to return home. – Skipton aerodrome green.
1330 / 315/Sqdn T. Command (DAKOTA) / Requested QBB on M.St.G. H/F D/F. Told 64 Base to do the following (1) send this message “ALCO imi”; if a neg reply was received not to send out in plain unless again requested in a Priority message.
1415 / 315/Sqdn T. Command (DAKOTA) / 62 Base Met. have coded Mid. weather in Alco and sent it to 64 Base Met for transmission to Dakota a/c over Mid.
Above a/c is instructed upon getting the QBB & QFE and wishes to land in 10 minutes
Instructed 64 to give him the message in Alco code. – If this fails to give him QBB & QFE in case of distress.
1425 / 315/Sqdn T. Command (DAKOTA) / 64 Base transmitted the Alco code message on HF/DF. Dakota did not acknowledge.
Later Dakota sent the message in clear returning to base.
1515 / 433/J D.F.C.O. note } / - Request by 63 Base to have 6 Grp. Anson or 433 Hal. to take crew to pick up 433/J at West Raynham.
Air I rules weather not good, request permission to-morrow. Inf 62 Base.
1545 / 64 Base / Magister took off from Mid. S.G. at approx. 1545 for Drem and if weather permits to Abbotsinch
Met at 6 Grp & Mid had painted a gloomy picture – but pilot was confident despite low cloud
T.O. – 1545 ETA Drem 1620; or Abbotsinch 1700
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Oxford “T” 1104 took off at 1711 for Halton from Linton. Captn – G/C Donaldson. ETA – 1900
Proctor – Capt. - G/C Innis took off at 1730 for Mid. S.G. from Halton. E 1814
Correction – 64 Base advise proctor took-off from Croft at 1814 for Halton.
Controller [symbol] – S.A.S.O. [symbol] – Air I. [symbol] Equipment [symbol] – Engineering have been informed of this crash.
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1600 / Proctor / - AIR refused permission to G/C. Wortell or Dishforth to fly the Proctor locally pending issue of new instructions regarding the use of 6 Grp Com. Fl. a/c.
1740 / To M.L.S. / Movement of Oxford from Linton G/C Donaldson and Proctor from Mid. S.G. (G/C Innis) took off for Halton – (N 108.)
Inf. Halton and requested transport for G/C Innis from Halton to B.C.H.Q.
1830 / / Off Duty F/O B O’Beirn
On Duty F/O H G Mountjoy
2135 / 63 Base CRASH 429/N LV-913 Pilot W/C AVANT. / A crash occurred at Leeming at approximately 2125. It was N/429 LV913. – W/C Avant was pilot. The a/c was burnt out but has not as yet been Categorized. W/C Avant was taken to Northallerton Hospital in an injured condition, but it is not known how serious or what the nature of his injuries were. W/O Engineer the other person in the a/c suffer superficial cuts and burns. The a/c was
taking off on an A/T when the P/O engine cut just as the a/c was reaching flying speed. It swung and headed toward some dispersed a/c. The pilot pulled it into the air, over the dispersed a/c and crashed near the perimeter track on the field, where it caught fire.
2355 / 63 Base / Skipton report seeing Tracer shells – Ground to Air on a bearing of 70°T. Checked with 12 Group who say it is an Army exercise.
[underlined] JULY 14/1944. [/underlined]
0900 Off Watch F/L. F.D. Cleland.
1000 / 1664/H / - Permission granted by Air I for Liaison work by screen pilot to Honeybourne.
1015 / 419/Q / Permission granted by Air I for Window chute demonstration on Lanc X at Newmarket to-day – Good pilot to be provided.
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Puss Moth
HL-537. landed Dishforth at 1124 from Doncaster
Pilot G/C Robinson.
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1110 / HUDSON BW-619. [underlined] V.I.P. [/underlined] / - m/n a/c landed at Dishforth at 1059 from Hendon.
V.I.P. – Sir Patrick Duff, Mr Jones, G/C McLennan.
S.A.S.O. has gone to Dishforth to meet the party.
1115 / 61 Base – (Filey Bay G. to A./Firing / D.F.C.O. 61 Base requests the no. of the squadron & station from which Martinets operate over Filey Bay.
Checking with 12 Grp, Newcastle etc
1500 / 61 Base – (Filey Bay G. to A./Firing / After contacting 12 Grp F.C., 12 Grp A.A.L.O., Newcastle sector Ops, and Ouston F.C. – confirmed that Ouston – 289 sqdn – Martinets operate over the Tees, Tyne area in ground to air firing.
Inf. 61 Base.
1505 / Crash / - 61 base fighter reports a 4 eng. a/c crash S.E. of Wombleton. Inf 12 Grp. who had learned about – 4 Grp taking crash action no details yet.
Definitely 4 Grp a/c
1510 / 431 / - 16 a/c doing X/country formation flying in sticks of 3 a/c.
1515 / 62 Base / - 426 Sqdn request permission to do H2S X/C to-morrow morning
S.O.C. grants permission subject to recall if necessary.
1745 / Diversion Bases – prov. weather bases (2) requested for Bullseye and (4) for 63 Base – in East Anglia. Met advise that no bases required for a/c on Z3135
1815 / 12 Grp FC Re Filey Bay G. to A/Firing} / - Report that drogue towing is done by Central Gunnery School at Catfoss – on a bearing of 110° from Flamborough – their turns may take them over Filey Bay at times.
Also 291 Sqdn from Hutton Cranswick operate over Filey Bay
Inf 61 Base to inform W/C Weiser
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1850 / Hudson BW-619 [circled] V.I.P. [/circled] / - Taking off from Dishforth 2015 ETA 2145 hrs at Hucknall.
Sir Patrick Duff, Mr Jones & G/C McLennon.
Inf. 12 Grp to inf Hucknall & MLS 12. Grp.
1850 / Flying Training (TO 61, 62, 63 & 64 Base. / - Restricted south of lines bounded by Orford Ness, Ipswich Buckingham, Winchester, Exeter, Land’s End. – Letter from S.F.C.O. 6 Grp being sent to-day.
1900 / Diversion Base allocated for 63 Base & 61 Base.
“Gen” of bases passed to stations confirmed the use of these 6 stations with 3 Grp.
2000 / Proctor / Proctor has been ordered by AIR I W/C Millward to be ready for 0600hrs. As Operations were Cancelled, this will not be required – Dishforth advised. Also 61 Base.
2020 / 6 Grp Met. / Met say that Bullseye may be scrubbed due to adverse weather conditions back at bases – Rain around midnight, Cloud base down to 1000’ or lower with Continuous rain by 0300 or before.
2025 / 61 Base / Request Information regarding diversions signal procedure (from Base Flying Control). Advised them diversion signal went out on Group frequency in Bomber Code. Also raised the point that return times of Bulseye [sic] a/c at Topcliffe and
2028 / 63 Base. / Advise U/433 LW115 crashed on the Isle of Man. Information came to 61 who passed it to Skipton – there was no further information but “Controller” at Isle of Man said he would call Skipton direct.
2032 / 61 Base / Confirm above re - crash and also advise that Hudson BW619 – VIP took off for Hucknall [inserted] at 2022. [/inserted] – His clearance was as far as Hucknall but after dropping passengers there he was proceeding to Hendon. 12 Grp Informed they will clear him.
[page break]
Crew of 433 – U – LW115 – Crashed on Isle of Man.
P. – R122292 – WO1 MURIE J.M.
N – J35764 – F/O WALLACE W.M.
B/A. – J35075 – F/O EVANS JT
W.Op. – R166772 – F/S. TEES BE
F/E. – 1594671 – SGT WALKER G.F.W (R.A.F.)
M/U – R252874 – SGT MOVOLD R.L.
R/G – R255673 – SGT PIDGEON G.W.
AOC SASO [symbol] AIR I [symbol] SOC [symbol] EQUIP [symbol] ENG. [symbol] C of A. [symbol] G.A.I.O. [symbol] P4 [symbol] SFCO [symbol]
F/O O’Beirn
The above people not ticked off have not been notified
Anson – N5060 landed Linton 1400 from Pocklington. – ATA pilot.
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2100 / 63 Base / Say that information skipton received from Ramsey was that 8 bodies had been found. Only 1 identified, that being a Sgt Teas. There was a report that a parachute or parachutes were seen also. This would indicate that there may have been more than 1 a/c involved Skipton say there were only 7 in the a/c. Checked with 12 Group, who checked with 15 Group re – report of any a/c missing other than Skipton’s. But they had nothing.
2109 / Crash BM-U 433 Sqdn. on RCAF X/country no 16. / Called Ramsey via 12 & 9 Groups. They report that crash happened at about 1625 hrs. Villagers reported they had seen the a/c on fire and that it exploded in the air. Wreckage was spread over an area of 2 – 3 miles. Wreck is located on the Isle of Man 1/2 mile due west of Laxey. [deleted] St [/deleted] Andreas took Crash action – 63 Base advised
2155 / 61 Base / If Bullseye is not scrubbed before Bullseye a/c take off to do preliminary details, can we advise the following a/c of any subsequent scrub on R/T from Strenshall Bombing Range
a/c 1659 – J, R – R/T Clockdress
K – Handmade
2220 / Bullseye / Bullseye Scrubbed.
SATURDAY – 15 JULY – 1944
0348 / / All Operational a/c & Training a/c down and accounted for O.K.
0900 / Off duty F/O Mountjoy. On duty B. O’Beirn F/O
1120 / 63 Base / - Request information re crash of 433/U – Was Sgt Walker definitely identified.
1125 / Ramsey (Isle of Man). / - Sgt Walker G.F.W. definitely identified by letters in his pocket & no Canada flash. All Canadians identified aircraft a complete write off. Inf. 63 Base.
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Flashlight Target
Newcastle – 0030 – 0055
Approach from Alnwick
Ht – 6 Grp – 16000’
[underlined] Offers [/underlined]
432 – 3 Hal. – Cancelled.
62 Base & Eastmoor advised.
[underlined] C.C. Bullseye Offers. [/underlined] Ops II Southdown
1659 – [deleted] 9 [/deleted] H 10
1664 – 7 H
1666 – 7. H
433 – 10 H
424 – 6 H
428 – 1 L.
39+1 = 40
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1445 / 1666/Z / Air I grants permission for Wombleton to take a crew by air to Rufforth to pick up m/n a/c.
1520 / 433/J / - Air I grants permission for a/c to take aircrew to West Raynham – W/O Barton has checked the serviceability. They started the motors this morning and two magnetos are u/s. Expect to have it ready to-morrow morning.
Inf 63 Base who cancelled the flight to-day.
1820 / 6 Grp Met. / Say bases will O.K all night for Bullseye and operational a/c Diversion bases will not be required.
1830 / / Off Duty F/O O’Beirn
On Duty F/O H G Mountjoy.
SUNDAY – JULY 16th – 1944.
0030 / 62 Base / Eastmoor report searchlight activity on a Bearing of 090°T. Checked with 12 Grp who report that it was a mobile searchlight battery scheduled to practice with an Anson but that the a/c did not turn up. There is no way of contacting them.
0105 / MLS-12. / Have a fix on an a/c using c/s WOJT. This is an operational Call sign of 6 Grp for tomorrow. It came from Heston over Section K. There is no one with this Call sign allocated for today. It will be a 6 Grp spare tomorrow.
[deleted] 0120 [/deleted]
0135 / / This was a call sign of 100 Grp yesterday. Probably one of their a/c so asked MLS-12 to advise them.
0240 / 61 Base F-1659 / F/1659 – on Bullseye landed at DOWNHAM MARKET at 0156 – Port Outer Engine overspeeding and a drop in oil pressure – Stbd. Inner had one Mag u/s. The pilot and crew are staying the night. Gransden Lodge advised.
0320 / Target Z-3291 / 419 Sqdn V- on this target is the only a/c missing Have checked with 12 Grp who report a plot coming in from over the sea off Flamboro Head.
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Croft a/c 434/R at West Raynham, formerly Cat A.E. now serv. and awaiting crew. Inf. 64 Base
[deleted] Crew Lost.
P – F/O JOPLIN J.S. – J24979
W/op – W/O. MINCHEN G.H. – AUS. 421661
AG – SGT. BARNARD W.S. – 204833
AG – SGT. KENT G.A. – 154859
F/E – SGT SHAND H.J – 1825385 [/deleted]
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0405 / 64 Base. / V/419 landed OK at M.S.G.
0550 / / All Operational a/c and all Bullseye a/c and all Training a/c are down O.K.
0900 / Off duty F/O Mountjoy. On duty B. O’Beirn F/O
1000 / 433/J / - at West Raynham – is serv. – and awaiting a crew. – reported by W/O Barton. Inf. 63 Base.
1020 / 433/J / AIR I grants permission for a 433 a/c to take a crew to West Raynham for 433/J. – Does not wish them to take AOC’s Anson.
1200 / Well. / - Inlay “W” – MF516 (Honeybourne a/c) took off at 1037 from Linton for Brackla via Stirling.
Both Linton & 12 Grp now report Brackla is u/s. and has no W/T or R/T facilities.
Contacted 91 Grp F.C. – who propose getting the W/T callsign from Honeybourne and directing the pilot to land at Kinloss (91 Grp). 91 Grp. taking action
Inf 62 Base & 12 Grp F.C.L.O.
Landed Brackla – later T.O. & landed Lossiemouth at 1400hrs.
1205 / Oxford 64 Base / - W/C Palmer granted permission to go to Gransden Lodge. (S.O.C.)
1430 / 1659/S / - Request for m/n a/c – pilot S/L Stinson to go to Downham Market to pick up crew of 1659/F which will not be serviceable until night of July 17 or later.
Tried to contact W/O Barton at Downham. He was leaving but F.C. at Downham confirmed this. AIR I grants permission for the above flight.
1630 / Passengers in a/c. S/L Mitchell Ops officer at 62 Base – query – Does 6G/S70/1/AIR 24 June 1944 by SASO exclude A.T.C. from flying in service a/c.
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/ Passengers – No copy of m/n letter in Ops Bible. and no one in Air Staff this afternoon Contacted AIR I who rules that A.T.C. are to be allowed as passengers.
1830 / / Off Duty F/O O’Beirn.
On Duty F/O H G Mountjoy.
1908 / 64 Base / W/C Pleasance 419 Sqdn. advises they will not be doing observation of Spot fires due to Met Conditions. This will be carried out tomorrow night weather and ops requirements permitting. Controller advised.
2238 / 12 Grp. / 2 Fixes – { WCKZ FIX. 57°10’N 04°41’W – 2213 1st Class. – Ack.
429 – Sqdn { WCKL FIX 57°11’N 04°41’W – 2228 1st Class – Ack.
Inverness.
Passed to 63 Base.
2255 / 61 Base / Inform that they are not happy about their Met. Conditions for their Bullseye a/c. Suggest that when they return to Base they contact them on R/T and have them continue with their Bombing Details or scrub them.
2300 / 64 Base / Advise us a/c H/419 squadron burst a tire on take-off – Completed his X/C detail – make a good attempt at landing, but is now blocking the main runway.
2310 / 63 Base Recall of a/c. / Not happy about their Met and they suggest they recall their a/c. Controller gave his permission after discussing Met situation Recall signal was sent at 2330. for all 63 Bases a/c.
2359 / 61 Base Recall of a/c / Decision to recall a/c to Base at about 0130hrs.
MONDAY – JULY 17th – 1944.
0105 / 63 Base / Report Leeming picked up a Darky Call from an a/c “Handful” H – He apparently was in no trouble, but just wanted his position. He did not want to land although he was given permission.
[page break]
Crash
Dalton Hurricane 3KE – LE – 136.
Made normal landing at Skipton and as it turned off the runway starboard u/c collapsed.
Cat. Pilot –
Inf. SASO [symbol] AIR I [symbol] SOC [symbol] S.F.C.O [symbol] EQUIP ENG. [symbol] G.A.I.O. [symbol]
431/A. – MZ-685 Cat A.C
Pilot – F/O TUCKEY
431/P. – LK-432. Cat A.C.
(Disp
Inf. - SASO [symbol] AIR I [symbol] SOC[symbol] S.F.C.O [symbol] EQUIP ENG. [symbol] G.A.I.O. [symbol]
[page break]
/ / Checked with W/T room who report it is an a/c of Bramcote’s.
0109 / 61 Base / Report hearing a Darky call sign “Landfall” H for How. Checked with 62 Base who say they have no H flying at Eastmoor.
0110 / DARKY Call / Reported to Bramcote who say it is probably their a/c – unheard of on W/T for some time.
0900 / Off duty F/O Mountjoy On duty B. O’Beirn F/O
0905 / 434/R / - Air I grants permission for a crew to be flown to West Raynham by a training a/c.
434/R – Landed at Croft 1245hrs.
0950 / 428/D / AIR I grants permission to go to Aston Down for instruction on modification to Lanc X.
/ 420/K / - AIR I OK’d trip to Boscombe Down – Weight test.
1000 / Occult / - 58 (Carnaby – 64 Base & 61 Base enquire if this occult is S. as there is no [deleted] code [/deleted] key for letters to be flashed.
Signal of 9 July shows it serv. – operating since 15 June.
1050 / Hurr – 3KE – LE – 136 (DALTON / – made a normal landing at Skipton. As it turned off the runway, starboard u/c collapsed.
1115 / CRASH /431/A /431/P / - 431/A swung on take off at 0935hrs and struck 431/P in dispersal – Both a/c Cat a-c. or worse. Crews O.K. – Reason for swing not yet apparent.
1200 / Re- Amendments to Secret Documents. D.F.C.O Note /These should all be referred immediately to Grp Cypher officer.
[deleted] 12 [/deleted] 14.30 / Proctor / Tee’d up with Dishforth for S/Ldr Rawson to go to Digby at 15.15. hrs.
1440 / Occult / - Checked with F.C. Ops Bushhouse – Occult 58 – Table II is in the same line as Occult 38 for July & Aug.
[page break]
Well – HE – 425 l. Wombleton [inserted] 1418 hrs [deleted] 1500 [/deleted] [/inserted] from Finningley (93 Grp)
Sgt McCormick.
No oil pressure in P.E. Being repaired. May have to stay overnight.
DAMAGED A/C
1666 – JD212 –
Inf. – A.O.C. - SASO [symbol] - SOC [symbol] - AIR I [symbol] - EQUIP [symbol] - ENG O [symbol] [circled] C of A [/circled] - GAIO [symbol] - [circled] P4 [/circled] - S.F.C.O[symbol]
[page break]
/ [underlined] Occult [/underlined] – Table II is correct in showing Occult #10 in line 10 and 32 in in [sic] line8. At present #10 W.E.P. U/S – substitute reserve flashing whitish green.
Inf. 61, 62. 63. 64 Base.
1500 / 1666- / S/L Davidson, of Wombleton wants to know who instructed that a message be sent to 1666 Bullseye a/c to cancel their bombing detail last night.
Checked and reported that S.O.C. had advised 61 Base to cancel bombing owing to weather. At 0130 S.O.C. instructed that the cancellation be sent on HF/DF.
Wombleton think they should have been allowed to bomb as a/c could be recalled quickly from Pickering.
1600 / Dakota / - Am. General Nugent arrived at Wombleton – proceeded to Pickering Range – no particulars available.
1605 / Crash Areas [underlined] S.F.C.O. note [/underlined] / - 64 Base request the newest Crash area “gen”-
1715 / - Dakota / - Gen Nugent – to Northolt from Topcliffe. ET – 1800.
Oxford – FD – “Z” – W/C Weiser to Northolt. ETA – 2000
Inf 11 Grp to inform Northolt
Farnborough.
1745 / Gardening / - Met advise bases will be fit vis – 4-6 miles for return.
1800 / / Off Duty F/O O’Beirn
On Duty F/O H G Mountjoy.
2305 / 61 Base / Report 1666 QY-D – JD212 – [underlined] “Cat B” [/underlined]
He had made a Heavy landing and it was discovered and reported to Flying Control this evening that he had twisted the main plane. [underlined] F/O McDonald [/underlined] Pilot – Occurred at 1540hrs
(over).
[page break]
Crash – 1659 – FD – L. – LL142.
A.O.C. - SASO [symbol] - AIR I [symbol] – S.O.C. [symbol] – EQUIP. [symbol] - ENG O [symbol] [circled] C of A [/circled] – G.A.I.O. [symbol] - [circled] P4 [/circled] - S.F.C.O [symbol]
[page break]
2305 / 61 Base [underlined] lt was [/underlined] / 1664 – [deleted] H/U [/deleted] ZU – D – DK226 – “Cat AC” Dishforth’s G/C reported today that the above a/c had suffered damage due to a Halifax a/c opening fire on him during the Spoof Attack Bullseye on the night of 15/16 July. This may have been reported in the Intelligence report.
2310 / MLS 12 / Report that one of our a/c on X/C has been showing partial distress in his IFF. Possibly a fault. The only possible a/c [deleted] Could [/deleted] are those of Topcliffe. There are no a/c reported in difficulties, this has been reported to 61 Base who will see that a/c IFF sets are checked on return to base.
TUESDAY – JU[deleted] NE [/deleted] LY 18th – 1944.
0016 / 61 Base Crash of C & B a/c. / Report that a/c believed to be L1659 – FD – L – LL142. Crashed on or near Skipton’s aerodrome – Skipton have taken Crash Action. No further information.
0020 / 63 Base / Inquire whether it will be O.K. to Broadcast “Return to Dishforth” to 4 of their Gardening a/c whose E.T.R. conflicts with take-off time. [indecipherable word] have O.K’d this. Group will also broadcast the same.
0025 / 63 Base / Say that 1659’s a/c is clear of the aerodrome not forming any obstruction, but within Skipton’s Outer Circle. He did not burn. No report as to Casualties or damage. Seen to be coming in on the approach to land and then go in.
0053 / 61 Base & 63 Base / Confirm that the a/c that crashed was FD-L of 1659 – Crew are all O.K. F/O Graham the instructor was the pilot. The a/c is in the Swale river just nnw of Skipton aerodrome. The a/c did not burn but its back was broken and it was badly smashed up. No Category was placed on it. One engine is reported to have cut while in the circuit and another when the a/c was on the approach.
0110 / 61 Base DARKY / Advise Dalton landed a Wellington a/c that had been calling darky. a/c letter “P” – Home Base Honeybourne – Pilot Sgt Adams. His W/T was U/S. Did not reach Newcastle flashlight – landed 0049.
[page break]
DAMAGED A/C 424/T – MZ 814.
A.O.C. - AIR I [symbol] SASO [symbol] - S.O.C. [symbol] – EQUIP. [symbol] - ENG O [symbol] [circled] C of A [/circled] – GAIO [symbol] - P4 - S.F.C.O [symbol]
[page break]
/ Wellington P. 91 Group / Say don’t let him off when he is Servicable until we receive the O.K from them. W/X at base likely to deteriorate if he is held up long. Advised 61 Base of this. They will check with us.
0203 / 61 Base Wellington P. / Advise Crew of Wellington will be staying the night. 91 Group informed.
0457 / 63 Base / 424/T – MZ814 – F/O Cronin pilot. – Overshot runway on landing – returning from Gardening ops. – Time 0452. – Tail wheel damaged. Not forming an obstruction. – 200yds from end of runway and off line of approach. Tentatively Cat A.C.
0458 / 63 Base / All training a/c down.
0900 / Off duty F/O Mountjoy On duty B. O’Beirn F/O
0910 / Oxford 63 Base / - Air I gives permission for trip to Isle to Man re 433/U. F/O Betcher from 6 Grp to arrange another method.
1023 / Explosion reported by 12 Grp F.C. – Location approx. 1 mile North of Wombleton.
Checked with Wombleton – nothing seen or heard – Reported to 12 Grp.
1100 / W/C Saunders – requests use of 6 Grp Anson – This is u/s. Then requested Topcliffe Oxford – which W/C Weiser has at Farnborough.
1100 / 62 Base / - Request 6 copies of [inserted] H2S Routes) [/inserted] 6GP/S864/1/NAV. – Referred the matter to F/O Bartelman who is going to arrange it. Inf. 62 Base.
1200 / Well. / - from Bircham Newton arrived Linton to take 6 Grp entertainers Sgt Angell, Lac Davis, Lac Serge to Bircham Newton. S/L Muter said that London H.Q. had arranged it. T.O. 1318 for B. Newton.
[page break]
Martinet MS747 l. 1606. at Leeming from Newmarket. T.O. 1645 from Newmarket.
[page break]
1215 / Proctor 1500hr / - S.O.C. requested a proctor & pilot from Dishforth to take G/C McFarlane to Halton.
/ Proctor 1500hr / Request another proctor to stand by to take films to Halton 1400hrs.
1220 / 1666 / a/c to Elvington to pick up an allotted a/c. OK’d by Air I
1230 / Proctor ready at 1400 hrs for Films. to Halton.
1310 / Oxford / NM541 A/C. Heslop landed at Topcliffe at 1300hrs from Colfons [sic].
1420 / 425/F / - Training flight to Digby with F/L Dupuis – OK’d by AIR I
1540 / Proctor / V-7218 Took off at 1521 from Dishforth for Hendon – G/C McFarlane. Inf 12 Grp.
1600 / Proctor / HM-422. Took off at 1545 for Halton S/L Boosey – with films. Inf 12 Grp & Halton signal to Int. B.C.H.Q.
1710 / Oxford / - NM-5041 took off at 1654 from Topcliffe for Ternhill – A/C. Heslom [sic]
1740 / 9 Grp / - Request instruction re return of Skipton Oxford from Isle of Man. (Andreas)
1835 / To 9 Grp W-6547 / - Skipton Oxford instructed to fly under cloud from Andreas via Sealand, Ternhill, Nottingham and Base. 63 Base inf.
1840 / Off duty – B.T.O’Beirn F/O
/ / On Duty F/O H G Mountjoy
1900 / 9 Grp. Oxford W. – 6547 / Say pilot not happy about route and weather so wants to stay the night. 63 Base informed.
[page break]
[underlined] Missing [/underlined]
431/Y – MZ628 S/L BULL.
431/Q – LW572 P/O LONGSTAFF.
425/N. – LW672 P/O TAILLON
[underlined] Early Return [/underlined]
429/V – P.I.E. U/S.
[page break]
1920 / 64 Base / Croft is Panicking about their weather – weather OK but smoke reducing vis. Laid on Dishforth for 431 Sqdn & Topcliffe for 434. Provisionally if Croft can’t cope.
1940 / 92 Grp. 434-U. / Landed at Westcott – Short of Petrol. Standing by for instructions. Suggested to Croft they have Scorton stand by if any a/c are very short of fuel.
1942 / 11 Grp. 434-T. / Landed at Hartford Bridge due to Petrol shortage – standing by for instructions
2125 / 431-.U / Landed at Gransden Lodge – Flak Damage – Hydraulic Pip [sic] Shot Away – Pilots’ leg was nicked by flak – nothing serious. They will be returning in the morning if a/c is Servicable.
2205 / 64 Base / Message Received by M.S.G. H/F D/F
KRV M QJV - (say IFF is off.)
Belongs to 9 USAAF. Informed them.
2350 / 63 Base / G/C Dunlop landed in a Mitchell from Dunsfold. No other information.
WEDNESDAY – 19th – 1944
0024 / 62 Base / G/432 on R/T – Gone out to jettison.
0032 / 12 Grp / Report Church Fenton have been keeping a listening watch for 4 Hurricane a/c from Dalton. They haven’t arrived so checked up and found 61 Base didn’t know anything about it, but the details have been scrubbed.
0109 / 63 Base G/C Dunlop / Report Mitchell took for Dunsfold with G/C Dunlop. – Reported this to 11 Grp.
0340 / 63 Base 424/S / Skipton’s 424/S has a burst tire and is overhead – Also about 35 minutes petrol. Called Croft direct – and had him sent there. Also advised 64 Base.
0400 / 64 Base 424/S / 424/S landed at Croft. OK. He didn’t have a burst tire.
[page break]
420/Z – LK – 803.
Inf. A.O.C. [symbol] SASO [symbol] AIR I [symbol] S.O.C. [symbol] ENG [symbol] EQUIP. [symbol] G.A.I.O [symbol] S.F.C.O [symbol] P4 [symbol] C.of A.
[deleted] Pilot - F/O JOPLIN [/deleted]
[deleted] W/OP – MINCHEN G.H. [/deleted]
420/Z – LK – 803.
Crew List
P. – F/O JOPLIN J.S. – J24979 Killed
W/OP. – W/O MINCHEN G.H. – AUS. 421661 Killed
AG – SGT BARNARD W.S. – 204833 Killed
AG – SGT KENT GA. – 154859 Killed
F/E – SGT SHAND H.J. – 1825385. Killed
[page break]
[underlined] JULY 19/1944. [/underlined]
0404 / 16 Grp. T/433 / Landed at DOCKING at 0312 – Short of Petrol But burst a tire while taxying
0640 / A/C away / 425 & 420 A/C that landed at Woodbridge back at Base.
0900 / Off duty F/O Mountjoy. On duty B. O’Beirn F/O
1000 / Proctor 61 Base / - G/C Wortell requests m/n a/c to go to Halton to-day returning to-morrow – or to go on the “film” trip.
Checked – no film trip to-day. But may be needed to-night or early to-morrow.
Anson and other Proctor are U/S. SASO rules G/C Wortell to go by train as only one Proctor S.
1145 / Crash 420/Z / - at Tholthorpe at the upwind end of the runway – a/c on fire no details yet.
1150 / Smoke / - 61 Base – Dishforth report column of black smoke toward Brampton evidently smoke of Tholthorpe a/c.
1222 / 420/Z LK-803 CRASH Pilot F/O JOPLIN. / Took off at 1130, crashed at 1133 Location – 1/2 mile from Tholthorpe aerodrome behind a woods.
Detail. Fighter Affiliation.
a/c spun to the ground, burst into flames and exploded. Pilot and all crew killed. Reason and details not yet available.
1250 / Bullseye / - C.C – Cancelled. Inf Met & 61 Base.
1255 / Off duty F/O O’Beirn
On Duty F/O H G Mountjoy.
1450 / F/LT Smith / 426/A – Is Cat AC. At Woodbridge – 62 Informed.
433/T – Docking – Should be ready this Afternoon 63 Informed
1659/F – Downam Market – Should be ready by 1900hrs today. 61 Base Informed.
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
1407 / 64 Base. / 2 Tiger Moths Took off from Croft to Carlisle T6855 & T7810
Route Croft, Corbridge, Carlisle. Took off at 1335
F-428 Local Flying – Landing at Wombleton – T.O. at 1515 – but not off yet. No reason. But 61 Base informed.
1618 / 62 Base. / Report Crash of an a/c 5-6 miles East of Eastmoor in the Sherriff Hutton Area.
1620 / / Called FCLO – 12 Grp for a plot. – an a/c is reported to be circling.
1621 / [underlined] CRASH [/underlined] / Eastmoor report it to 3 miles East of them. Noticed it from a Pall of Smoke. Think it might be G/432 – Time 1612. He took of [sic] at 1603. – 2 a/c are now circling it.
1625 / (4 Grp RICCAL) / Eastmoor took Crash action immediately. Local NFS & York NFS notified. 12 Grp give plot as A 1187. Advised S.A.S.O: SOC
1633 / 61 Base / 1659 Squadron request Permission to go to Downham Market to pick up 1659/F. They will make it an H2S X/C training trip with a Screened pilot. O.K’d by S.O.C.
1645. / 61 Base / 1659 want to delay this until tomorrow morning Told them OK as far as we can tell – but before going to get the OK again from 6 Grp.
1650 / 64 Base / Request permission to let Oxford AP1820 – F/LT Betcher from 6 Grp to go to Isle of Man. Route – Appleby – Morecambe – Jurby S.A.S O gave permission – Met is O.K.
1707 / CRASH. [deleted] 62 Base [/deleted] (4 Grp) / The a/c that crashed is not ours. – JB-844 Halifax 2. – From Riccall – P/O Forrest. Crew OK – Engineer has broken leg taken to York Military Hospital. Rest of Crew at Eastmoor. It was a forced landing. Feathered 2 Stbd Engines at 9000’ – Crew took up Crash positions. Eastmoor passed “gen” to Riccall.
1800 / Oxford NJ 296 / Took off from Wombleton for Lulsgate Bottom via – Linton – Sywell at 2000’ at 1755
1812 / Oxford AP 1820 / Took off from M.S.G. at 1810 – [deleted] Ramsey [/deleted] JURBY Informed.
1837 / 64 Base / Advise – Oxford AP 1820 returned to Base at 1832. Advised Jurby.
[page break]
[underlined] Oxford [/underlined] – ED 1740 l. Croft 2033
Pilot – S/L EVANS
From Hartford Bridge en route to Ouston – Landed to check the weather. Remaining overnight Inf. 11 Grp. & 9 Grp (to advise Ouston)
[underlined] ACCIDENT [underlined]
1664/J – DG-348.
Inf – SASO AIR I, SOC [symbol] Eng. EQUIP SFCO. G.A.I.O [symbol]
[page break]
Off duty F/O Mountjoy. On duty B. T O’Beirn F/O
1940 / 433/T / - Instructed Docking to get him airborne before 2100 hrs or to hold him for our approval
2050 / 433/T / Instructed pilot to take off and return – to call Dishforth on Darky to request permission to land at Base. – Landed OK.
[underlined] Thursday July 20th [/underlined]
0230 / 1664/J P/O ELDER DG-348 / - On circuits and landings – U/C collapsed – prov. Category B. – Normal landing. –
0330 / 1659/K / FIX - .5356N 0124W II class Hull at 03:03 – passed to 61 Base. (a/c landed OK from Bullseye at 0343.)
0430 / Ops & Bullseye / - All a/c landed safely at base.
0900 / / On Duty F/O HG Mountjoy
1230 / 12 Grp / Advise a plot out over sea – Wellington going NW – Showing Broad IFF.
1445 / 64 Base Oxford AP1820 / M.S.G. Request permission for F/L. Betcher of 6 Grp to go to Isle of Man via Hexham – Carlyle [sic] – Jurby. AIR I gave permission Informed Jurby when he took off.
1543 / 62 Base / Report they can see a large column of white smoke West of Linton.
Checked with 12 Grp. & 61 Base – Dishforth. Dishforth Could see it but it looked like a brush fire or Hay Stack. No other information.
1602. / 12 Grp. / Report that ROC saw an a/c which landed at Wombleton from which several parachutist came. Called 61 Base. They say it was D/1666 practising 2 engine flying. Couldn’t unfeather his engines. W/C told crew to bail out, they did an [sic] parachutes all opened. Pilot then landed a/c safely.
1622 / CFC S/432 / S/432 landed at Woodbridge 1616 – Port outer Engine feathered and other damage. 62 Base informed.
[page break]
433/D – LV-842. ON OPS.
Pilot – SGT SHUARD
Inf. SASO [symbol] AIR I [symbol] S.O.C. [symbol] ENG [symbol] EQUIP [symbol] GAIO [symbol] S.F.C.O.
Warwick – (Herring P.) landed Topcliffe at 2300 hrs – 20 July from Thornaby
pilot F/L Proctor
Serv. Staying overnight – owing to weather Inf 12 Grp
Black Widow. – Captain – 2nd Lieut. Woolley landed Topcliffe at 2304 from Searton serv. staying overnight, owing to weather – Inf 12 Grp.
Dominie – X – 7492 – F/L Hughes landed Mid.S.G. from 61 O.T.U. (REDNAL.). en route Milfield – Staying overnight.
[underlined] 1659/G – on Bombing & Bullseye [/underlined]
Took off at 2146 to bomb on Strensall until 2300hrs and then to proceed on C.C. Bullseye.
61 Base sent recall at 2245hrs.
“G” acknowledged recall message at 2353.
61 Base sent – “Request ETA.”
“G” sent message at 0103 – R/T U/S ETA 0110
61 Base sent “Land at Ossington” 0125hrs.
“G” Acknowledge. above message 0144..
Landed Ossington 0256. hrs.
[page break]
1820 / 38 Grp P/427 / Advise that P/427 had Port Inner U/S & Stbd Outer U/S. Crew are all O.K and are being taken to Harwell for interrogation Pilot has already been on to 63 Base. No “gen” on what instructions they have given re-return.
1827 / 63 Base P/427 / Leeming say if a/c can be made serviceable tonight they are to return – if not they will try and pick them up tomorrow.
1900 / 12 Grp / - Report that 7 of a crew baled out in the Wash at 1800 hrs. – Reported as an American a/c attached to 6 Grp.
Not a 6 Grp a/c – although one of our ops a/c saw it upon return
2050 / 433/D LV-842 Pilot SGT SAVARD / - Swung on take-off for operations – Tentative Cat. A.C.
Crew O.K. Did not burn.
2050 / Smoke / - Tholthorpe report smoke at 38° from them.
Checked with 61 Base – Dishforth report nothing.
2110 / 425/I / Early return. P.O.E. U/S.
2135 / 431/S / - Fix 5123N 0113E II class. report by 6 Grp Sigs.
2135 / 62 Base / - Request a recall for 426 U, E, F. – 14th day code c/s LPG. planned to send it on MF “K” if a/c do not answer HF/DF
2140 / / Above a/c replied on HF DF
2140 / FL/O Engleson / - requests a flight on Proctor with films at 0530 to-morrow from Dishforth to Halton. AIR I wished to see the AMO 1310 – 1943. To get SASO’s approval at 2200hrs.
2230 / / Bullseye cancelled, – 1659/S, N, G on bombing prior to Bullseye. recalled
[page break]
2240 / Diversion / - Croft aerodrome red, Mid S.G yellow. Arranged diversion with 62 Base – 431 & 419 to Eastmoor, 434 to Linton.
2310 / Diversion / - 433 SQD – given Marston Moor, 420 Rufforth, 425, Riccal
2330 / 1659/G / - Acknowledged recall message on HF/DF – but has not answered request for ETA.
Trying to contact him on MF. -
Arranged for diversion base at Ossington. Inf 61 Base.
[underlined] Friday July 21 [/underlined]
0150 / 1659/G / - Acknowledged receipt of diversion to Ossington on HF/DF.
0310 / 1659/G / - Landed Ossington 0256.
0500 / Diversion Summary – to C.F.C. – 12 a/c landed outside the Group.
All a/c landed safely.
/ [underlined] a/c Away [/underlined] / Aircraft away instructed to await instructions at 0900 hrs.
Oxford / W6574 (63 Base) / - pilot - F/L Appleton at Cark a/c is serviceable. Awaiting better weather and OK. from 6 Grp.
/ 0800 / - a/c away which are now serv. are instructed to be ready for take off at 1000 hrs pending confirmation from 6 Grp.
/ [deleted] 0900 [/deleted]
0900 / / Off Duty F/O O’Beirn
On Duty F/O H G Mountjoy.
1020 / OXFORD 61 Base / G/C FAUQIER gave permission for Oxford to drop an officer at Ossington and continue on to Farnborough to pick up W/C Weiser as previously arranged.
[page break]
Duty Staff Officer Bie. [sic]
F.C (OPS) A.M. BUSH HOUSE 9482.
Dublin Core
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Title
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Flying Control Log Book
Description
An account of the resource
A record of events and their times at RAF Tholthorpe covering the period 17 June to 21 July 1944 (78 pages).
Format
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78 handwritten pages
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eng
Type
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Text
Text. Log book and record book
Identifier
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MCothliffKB[Ser#-DoB]-151020-120008
Coverage
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Royal Air Force
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Date
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1944
Temporal Coverage
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1944-06
1944-07
Spatial Coverage
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Great Britain
England--Yorkshire
Contributor
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Peter Bradbury
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Pending text-based transcription. Under review
RAF Tholthorpe
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1612/24531/MCothliffKB[Ser -DoB]-151020-120007.pdf
3901534ccb650b36e1cfaa40bb81d4ed
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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Cothliff, Ken. Tholthorpe Logs
Description
An account of the resource
10 items. The collection contains flying control log books from RAF Tholthorpe.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Ken Cothliff and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
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IBCC Digital Archive
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
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Cothliff, K
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Transcription
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[underlined] S.O. Book 129. [/underlined]
Code 28-69-0
Flying Control Log May13th 1944 to [underlined] June 16th (mid). [/underlined]
G. [crest] R.
[boxed] SUPPLIED FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE [/boxed]
13 May 44 ─ 16 June 44
T. 4269. Wt. 7837. 1/43. 240,000 Bks. E.J.A. & S. Ltd.
[page break]
[underlined] Gardens [/underlined]
[underlined] L.F.B [/underlined] – Selsey Bill bearing 355°T from 00.20 – 01.20 hrs [symbol]
[underlined] Balloons [/underlined] – Yeovil ─ 1500ft ─ 23.10 – 02.30 hrs. [symbol]
Langley }
Weybridge } 1500ft – 23.10 – 01.30 hrs [symbol]
Portsmouth }
Billingham C/H – { 21.00 – 22.30 hrs [symbol]
{ 01.20 – 04.30 hrs
[underlined] ZB 886 [/underlined]
[underlined] L.F.B [/underlined] Felixstowe – 285°T from 0115 ─ 0215 hrs [symbol]
[underlined] Balloons. [/underlined] Harwich ─ 1500ft 01.00 – 02.30 hrs [symbol]
Billingham – C/H 21.50 – 23.20 hrs [symbol]
02.00 – 03.30 hrs
[underlined] GS 5609 B. [/underlined]
[underlined] LFB. [/underlined] Flamborough Head ─ 270°T from 02 05 ─ 0305hrs. [symbol]
[underlined] For all targets : [/underlined]
[underlined] Billingham Balloons : [/underlined] Close – hauled ( 21.00 ─ 23.20 [symbol]
( 01.20 ─ 04.30.
[underlined] Anson DG 814 :- [/underlined] Landed Middleton from Moreton in Marsh
en route Kinloss. Needs new propellor which is being sent [deleted] down [/deleted] up from Moreton. Staying overnight
[underlined] Beaufighters JL846 ─ JM327 [/underlined]. From Catfoss ─ staying overnight at Croft.
[page break]
Saturday. May 13th 1944
09.00 / Off duty. / HL Spence F/O
On duty / F.D. Cleland F/L.
10.00 / N/426 / is u/s at Woodbridge. Instructed K/426 and W/431 to call there on way back from Mildenhall and Tuddenham and each bring back half the crew of N/426. (Back by 1500hrs.)
14.45 / / [underlined] Air Sea Rescue. [/underlined
Aircraft engaged. / 3 Halis from 424 Squadron
Call Signs / WCF 63, 64, 65.
Search Area / 5514N 0028E ─ 5526N 0028E ─ 5514N 0112E ─ 5526N 0112E.
Starting Point / SW Corner, parallel track, west to east creeping north at 1/4 mi. vis.
Convoys etc. / No information available.
ASR Craft. / Will be at bases – operational readiness
Other ASR a/c. / None in this area.
Wind Force. / 020° ─ 20 at 2000’.
Sea Condition / Slight. Vis. 10 miles.
Narrative. / A number of pyrotechnics & flashing lights were seen on sea by number of aircraft last night.
A search was organized and sent out this morning at 07.00 hrs. but mist conditions made it only about 20% effective.
[symbol] [underlined] DFCO Note [/underlined] / If any results notify S/L Seabourne.
15.30 / A/Comm Hislop landed at Topcliffe from Morpeth at 15.12 hrs. Informed Air I. S.A.S.O.
16.00 / A.S. Rescue / Inf. AVM, SASO, AIR I, Controller, MET, SIGS
17.50 / All ops scrubbed by Bomber Command.
17.58 / L.F.B. / cancelled.
Balloons / cancelled.
18.30 / Off duty / FD Cleland F/L.
On duty / B.T. O’Beirn F/O
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
2110 / X/C C & B / 61 Base & Eastmoor Cancelled at Topcliffe, Wombleton & Eastmoor.
2200 / [underlined] Sea Search Report. [/underlined]
424/E – F/L Loudoun – no dinghy seen. Sighted floating object presumed to be a [indecipherable word] – pos’n 55 22 1/2 N. 0101E at 1940 hrs. HT 100’ ─ vis 5 miles. Sea calm – not much cloud ─ mist patches 500’ + General route out and back clear. ─ 16 Grp. inf.
2210 / Hurry ─ BV / ─ 160 PA ─ “W” G/C Bowling landed Topcliffe 2156 from Grantham. Stopping overnight ─ before proceeding Annan.
[underlined] SUNDAY MAY 14 th 1944 [/underlined]
0800 / HURRY – BV / - 160 – G/C Bowling left Topcliffe 0646 for Annan
0900 / Off duty F/O. O’Beirn.
On duty HL Spence F/O.
1000 / a/c Cat. D.F.C.O’s. to note / Immediately it is learned that an a/c away from base is Cat. A.c. Engineering Officer is to be informed & given serial number.
1124 / Movement W/c Wiser / To take 61 Base Oxford to Farnborough. On a 2-day course. OK’d by Air I providing the Base Commander’s permission is given. Passed to Farnborough Flying Control
1220 / L.F.B. [symbol] 15 [symbol] 16 / Hour on 325°T from 0330 – 0430hrs. Selsey Bill on 355°T from 0020 – 0120 hrs.
Balloons / Billingham – Close hauled 2115 – 2250 hrs.
and 0130 – 0430 hrs.
Langley } [deleted] close [/deleted] Control at 1500ft. from 2310 to 0430 hrs
Weybridge } [deleted] close [/deleted] Control at 1500ft. from 2310 to 0430 hrs
Southampton } [deleted] close [/deleted] Control at 1500ft. from 2310 to 0430 hrs
Portsmouth } [deleted] close [/deleted] Control at 1500ft. from 2310 to 0430 hrs
Yeovil – 1500ft. Control 2310 to 0230hrs
[page break]
Diversion Bases – Emergency.
[underlined] Sqn. No a/c Div Station [/underlined]
424 14 } Westcott
433 14 } Westcott
408 14 } Wing
426 12 } Wing
428 10 [deleted] Middle Wallop [/deleted] changed Boscombe Down
N.S. BOUNDARY LINE
BETWEEN. 11 & 12 GROUPS.
MORETON IN MARSH
LYNEHAM.
ZEAL.
FROM ZEAL DUE SOUTH.
Idents –
RRK / A 50°21’N 00°47’ W 2nds S’Hampton Idents.
T.o.o. 0142.
[page break]
1530 / Emergency Div. Bass / Allotted by C.F.C. and allocated as on opposite page.
1600 / Bomb. Exercise “Snape” / Being executed this evening by Leeming & Skipton Squadrons. 61 Base aircraft not bombing but may use cameras.
1730 / Emery Dvn. Bass. / Ex C.F.C.:- Middle Wallop will not be serviceable. Suggest Boscombe Down. Passed to M.S.G.
1730 / Bomb. Exercise “Snape” / Ref. entry 1600 hrs. General notification to M.L.O. Individual movements to be passed in regular manner. 12 group will clear with local authorities
1830 / Off duty HL Spence F/o.
1830 / On Duty – F/L [signature] Mason.
2310 / ─ / Bombing operations cancelled by H.Q.B.C.
L.F.B. [symbol] 15 / Cancelled with F.C.L.O. H.Q.B.C.
Balloons / Effective until 0200 hrs.
Diversion Bases / Cancelled with F.C. 92.
23 35 / Boscombe Down / Provisional Diversion particulars passed.
23 45 / Binds. ! / From Croft, middleton, Base 62 and 4 Group ref not having been informed of the “PFF” demonstration on Snape Range by Leeming Skipton and Base CI. ─ “[indecipherable word], & [indecipherable word]!” {inserted} Surely included in summary of N/F to Stations [/inserted]
MONDAY. MAY 15th.
0001 / ident Bd. Connected.
0900 / off duty ─ F/L [signature] Mason.
On duty ─ B.T. O’Beirn F/O
[page break]
[underlined] GARDENS – SILVERTHORNE [/underlined] ─ 433 SQDN.
[symbol] L.F.B. – Flamboro Head – 280°T 0405 – 0505
[underlined] Z ─ 3 3 4 [/underlined]
[symbol] L.F.B. Selsey Bill ─ 350°T – 0115 – 0215
[underlined] Balloons [/underlined]
[symbol] 1500’ { Langley & Weybridge. ─ 2200 – 0230
{ Portsmouth & Southampton. 0045 – 0230
[underlined] Emergency Diversion Bases. [/underlined] Z ─ 3 3 4
427 SQDN – Silverstone
429 SQDN – Westcott
424 SQDN – Wing
433 SQDN – Wing
[page break]
MONDAY MAY 15 / 44.
0915 / 434/D / which landed Woodbridge on X/C with low brake pressure instructed to return as soon as possible. F/L. Smith [indecipherable word].
434/D – Returned to Croft.
0920 / martinet ─ permission granted to 61 Base to fly martinet from Walton to Leconfield to pick up spare parts.
1020 / Bombing (SNAPE) / – Re 1730 Entry 14/Snag. Leeming repair that civil defence, Army and N.F.S. were not informed, of the bombing.
Consulted M.L.O 12 Grp. He reports that they notified the
[symbol] / [underlined] Regional Commissioner [/underlined]
[symbol] / Nottingham who should have
[symbol] / notified the local authorities
1035 / 1659 / ─ Wish to take a screen crew to Coltishall to pick up an a/c allotted to 1659. – OK’d by air I
1035 / H2.S. Routes – Reversed Routes will come into effect 0001 hrs 20th may. 6 GP/S. 864/1/NAV. 13th may 1944. – See Bible
1300 / L.F B. & Balloons land on – see opp. page.
1400 / DIV.’N Bases allotted – Emergency only. – Stations given the “gen”
1545 / X/C. / Dishforth on Route 17 to-night [indecipherable word] to fly the overland return portion at 3000’ below cloud. O.K. for 12 Grp. M-LO
1830. / off Watch F/O O’Beirn.
On duty H.L.Spence. F/O.
2045 / L.F.B. & Balloons / For Bombing Target all times 2 hrs later.
2115 / ditto / Request for Balloons & L.F.B. for Z334 cancelled.
2115 / Emerg. Dom. Bases / Stood down.
[page break]
Belly Landing. ─ 1659 a/c ─ BB 248
Crew OK.
Informed: ─ A.Q.C. [symbol] ─ S.A.S.O. [symbol] ─ Controller [symbol]
G. A.I [symbol] ─ G.[indecipherable letter].I. [symbol] ─ Equipt. [symbol]
[indecipherable word]
[page break]
2055 / Belly Landing 1659 (BB248) / A/c circled for sometime, trying to get it’s undercarriage down. Although the “horn” was blaring, it was eventually thought possible that the wheels might actually be fully down (with a short causing the horn to operate), or sufficiently far down so that on touchdown it might lock fully. It was finally decided to land the aircraft on the runway. The undercarriage collapsed and a/c skidded along the runway on its belly. Crew O.K.
Time 1730hrs. a/c Cat. A.C.
Pilot ─ F/O R.Wilson (J25378)
Exercise ─ Fighter Affil
Preliminary crash report completed for G.A.I.
2250 / N.F. / Summary to C.F.C. & Stations (Bases)
[underlined] 16 MAY ─ 1944 [/ underlined]
0200 / Ident Board changed
0350 / Crash / From 4 Grp – Halifax a/c crashed at Helmsley Bombing Range. Advice received from Marston Moor who contacted Wombleton, from where a crash tender was dispatched plus ambulance & M.O.
0355 / Crash / Same information from 61 BASE.
Crash / 12 Group F.C.L.O. nor York 9 or 10 can give any gen on this crash.
0440 / Op a/c / All a/c returned from Gardening
0511 / N/F a/c 419/B on x/c [symbol] 17 Bomb (Snape) / All a/c down except 419/B. Had already contacted 12 Grp who say no crashes except for reported one at Helmsley. 9 Gp. F.C.L.O. say 2 crashes – (1) a Wellington
(2) a fading plot in YJ47 & lights in the Hills at 0236
Other fighter groups T.A.F.C. say NIL. Bombing Ranges at Both SNAPE & HELMSLEY had closed down & no one answered the phone. NIL RESULTS FROM STRENSALL.
[page break]
[underlined] 419/B – Lancaster X – KB 701 [/underlined]
[underlined] POSITION OF CRASH. [/underlined] nr. Potter House
near Helmsley (Sheet [symbol] 22 – 072119)
Crew of 7 all dead – A/c Burnt out.
Crash & guarding action taken by RCAF Wombelton.
STORY –
2238 – Took off on a {X-C [symbol] 17 Bombing} exercise at Snape.
0313 ─ Acknowledged a weather message from M.St.G. H/F D/F.
0340 ─ 4 Grp & 61 Base – say an a/c crashed nr. Helmsley.
0700 ─ a/c identified as 419/B.
CREW MEMBERS
TRADE / RANK / NAME / NUMBER
MU / SGT. / F.A.MILNE / R199345 } These bodies at RCAF Wombleton.
A/B / Lt. / E.N. FORDHAM / O886275 } These bodies at RCAF Wombleton.
R/G / SGT. / N.F. ALSOP / R143477 } These bodies at RCAF Wombleton.
[deleted] W.C. ANDRICH / R152304 [/deleted] } / MIS – IDENTIFIED.
NAV/ SGT / E.M. PARSONS / R113035 } These bodies at RCAF Wombleton.
CAPT / P/o / [inserted] J.G [/inserted] McMASTER / J.19923
WAG / F/S. / H.G. GRICE
FE SGT. G.T. JONES
[underlined] Advise [/underlined]
[symbol] A.O.C [symbol] GTI [symbol] Controller
[symbol] S.A.S.O. [symbol] GEgO [symbol] G.A.I
[symbol] AIR I [symbol] GEO [symbol] P4.
[page break]
Tuesday.
0600 / 419/B / M.St.G F/C say 419/B acknowledged a weather [deleted] fix [/deleted] message at 0313. ─ no bearing was taken. Why not lay on that a snap bearing be Taken on every a/c calling Base D/F?
0600 / Crash / {PHONE – HELMSLEY 87 Helmsley Police} N.F.S, 61 Base 4 Gp F.C.L.O. R.O.C. still have no gen on crash.
0700 / [underlined] Crash / now identified as 419/B. [/underlined] [underlined] (see facing page) [/underlined] Advised 12Gp F/C
0900 / off duty / H/L Spence F/O.
0900 / On duty – F/L [signature] Mason [symbol]
1830 / On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
1845 / X/C / – Wombleton plan X/C ─ 10 a/c. and Eastmoor 2 a/c on X/C. Checked with met. ─ Cloud base 1500’ ─ Tops 15000’ ─ danger of icing. ─ freezing level 2000’
Requested 61 Base to check carefully with met.
2000 / 62 Base / ─ Flying exercise scrubbed.
2030 / X/C ─ / Eastmoor cancelled X/C exercise.
2150 / X/C ─ / 61 Base cancelled X/C exercises C & B’s – Topcliffe until 0001hrs. and Dichforth [sic] until 0300hrs
2330 / V.I.P. / [censored text] Premier Wm. L. Mackenzie King visited the Operations Room. He was accompanied by A/M. Breadner, G.C Dunlop, and family. After introduction to the Operations staff, the premier and his party were shown about the Ops Room. AVM McEwen and S.A.S.O. explained the workings of Operations to the visitors.
[page break]
Crash
1666/B. ─ (DT 551)
Informed A.O.C. [symbol] S.A.S.O. [symbol]
Air I [symbol] Controller [symbol]
G.A.I. [symbol] G.T.I. [symbol]
Engr. [symbol] Equipt. [symbol]
S.F.C.O. [symbol]
[underlined] Crash [/underlined] 1664A. Hal V EB200. Pilot F.O Streight.
Pin-point : Sheet 21 ─ 875901 about 1 mi E of Dishforth
Time: Approx 01.55hrs.
Aircraft was in circuit with one engine feathered on return from X-Country. Another engine suddenly cut out and pilot decided to crash land. Landed on field but struck a hedge. Did not catch on fire. Aircraft is Cat E.
F/E Sgt Smith Killed.
NAV F/O Potts Injured (5SQ Dishforth)
MUG Sgt. Hamilton Badly injured (N.A. Hosp.)
All other crew members unhurt.
Informed:
Controller [symbol]
AOC [symbol] SFCO [symbol] P4 [symbol]
AIR I [symbol] SASO [symbol]
GAI [symbol] GTI [symbol]
ENG [symbol] EQUIP [symbol]
[page break]
WED. MAY 17 1944.
0900 / Off duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
On duty H.L.Spence F/O
0945 / 433/W Manston / Permission granted to fly crew to pick up m/x aircraft if weather OK.
1135 / 1666/B Crash. (DT-551) / Time:- 1121 ─ Crew OK. Made a normal approach but ground looped on touching down. Port under carriage collapsed, caught fire but was extinguished quickly. Runway 10 (long one) in use. Cross wind. Wind N.E. by E. 15 miles gusting to 25.
Pilot ─ F/O Stewart
Instructor ─ F/O Heron
Detail:- Circuits & landings
Preliminary Crash Report sent to G.A.I A/C Cat E.
1155 / 408 Sqn Army Personnel Flying / Permission granted for 2 army personnel to go on details with 408 Sqn a/c ─ Bombing Fighter Office, Air – air Firing ─ at discretion of Station Commander, if individuals have O.K. from their own unit.
18.30 / Off duty / H L Spence F/O
On duty / FD Cleland F/L
[underlined] Thursday. May 18th 1944 [/underlined]
01.55 / Crash / See opposite page.
04.10 / Stirling T. / From Swinderby ─ landed at Linton ─ Hydraulics u/s. Swinderby informed.
05.00 / B/1659 / Landed Gamston at 01.33 with P.I.E. trouble. F/L Smith at Gransden informed
09.00 / Off duty / FD Cleland F/L On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
0945 / Thunderstorm warning expected in all districts of England and Wales to-day. Requested F.C.O.’s at all stations to check carefully with met before authorising flights.
1000 / N.F. / S.O.C. requests SQDNS. To have their N.F. programme submitted to group by 1430.
[page break]
Wellington left Topcliffe 11-30hrs for Wellesbourne.
Stinson [inserted] Reliant [/inserted] ─ FK – 873 on way from Melton Mowbray to Domino landed mid – St – G. owing to weather. Staying overnight
Barracuda ─ MD-629 on way from Sherburn to Newcastle landed mid. ─ Expects to return to Sherburn. [inserted] [underlined] 1800hrs [/underlined] [/inserted] Staying overnight
Proposed Route 433 X/C. S/L Patterson
Skipton 10,000’
S/C
:54 5150N 0050W. 13,000’
1 : 33 5242N 0130E 15000’
2 : 37 5226N 0300W. 15000’
3 : 22 Snape – B.R. 8,000’ ─ Bombing – 13 tech Q2B.
Base
433 ─ 18 HAL. H2S. SCRUBBED
432 ─ 10 HAL. SCRUBBED
429 ─ 8 HAL. SCRUBBED
16 59 ─ 5 HAL. SCRUBBED
16 66 ─ 6 HAL. SCRUBBED
16 64 ─ [underlined] 5 [/underlined] [inserted] 52 [/inserted] HAL. SCRUBBED
52.
Halifax [symbol] – Immune “H” landed Topcliffe with a passenger for Middleton ─ Took off again for Blyton. At 1800
Wellington ─ TD/W from Ossington landed [underlined] Croft. [/underlined] at 1214. ─ Bogged at the end of runway.
Oxford [symbol]. ─ T 1501 – W/C Leach landed Croft 1801 from St Eval on way to Prestwich ─ staying overnight.
Auster MF-935 – Mr Edwards (ministry air production) from Rearsby on way to Arbroth [sic] landed Croft ─ staying overnight.
Expediter ─ (ATA) FT-979. Capt Ellis from White Waltham on way to Donnie Bristle. Staying overnight
[page break]
Thursday May 18th 1944.
1015 / 1659/B. D.F.C.O. { / Landed Gamston (93 group) from X/C. P.I.E. U/S. Engineer is checking and will inform us later C.T.I. wants crew to remain until a/c no S.
1200 / 433/ X/C / S/l Patterson requests F.AFF. for X/C to-night. 18 a/c. Contacted night Ops 12 Grp – major Holmes will arrange it [indecipherable word] W/X [indecipherable word] – Inf. S/L Patterson.
1250 / ACCIDENT MART. “V” (DALTON) / Martinet V/MS-869 taxied into a van and damaged port wing. Category “A”
Inf. – SOC [symbol] SASAO [symbol] AIR I Eng.O [symbol] G.A.I.O. [symbol] G.2.I. Equipt.
1430 / “Q” Site / – 61 Base report that a representative of Col. Currie visited Baltby “Q” site and requested that they do not operate on Saturday & Sunday 20th & 21. F.C. ok
1645 / 12 Grp / - a/c [inserted] Oxford [/inserted] seems to be lost near Middleton Inf. Mid. To keep a look out.
1650 / Oxford / - AB-710 on way from Heston to Milfield landed Middleton. At 1640 – owing to weather – staying overnight
1655 / Typhoon [symbol] / - MN 229 – on way from Heston to Milfield landed Walton owing to weather.
1710 / X/C ─ / Skipton, Eastmoor and Con units scrubbed X/C owing to weather. Inf. 12 Grp. M.fo. x night Ops.
1710 / Leeming D.F.C.O. note { / a/c – LK-755 – W/C Smith wants D.F.C.O. to request that F/L Smith at Gransden check to-morrow to see if LK-755 (Cat A.C) at Honeybourne is serviceable. ─ Information to be passed to W/C Smith 6 Grp.
1800 / N.F. / No X/C.’s – C & Bs only at Wombleton 2230 – 0430
[page break]
Barracuda MD629 left Mid.S.G. at 2000hrs for Lossiemouth.
10.30 [underlined] Bullseye C95. [/underlined]
Route: [deleted] Base ─ Thetford – Folkestone – Henley on Thames – Bristol (flashlight target 00.30-00.55hrs) – Milford Haven – Fishguard – York – Grimsby – Base. [/deleted] (AMENDED 13.00hrs)
Heights: Hals. 17000ft. Lancs 20000ft.
[underlined] Notes [/underlined]
No starter beacon
Interception anywhere on route.
Crews to listen out for diversion or cancellation.
13.00 Route: Base – Leicester – Basingstoke – Bristol – Gt.Suffield – Base.
[underlined] Hals [/underlined] [underlined] Lancs [/underlined] zero hour:- 23.40-00.05hrs
1659 – [deleted] 5 [/deleted] 4
1664 3
1666 7
431 5
434 9
419 8
428 4
420 2
425 2
424 [underlined] 4 [/underlined]
41 8.
[underlined] For Bullseye [/underlined]
Billingham Balloons close-hauled 21.15-22.30hrs, 0015-0145hrs [symbol]
[underlined] For 1/J/197 [/underlined]
Oxfordness L.F.B 275°T – 02.00-03.00hrs. [symbol]
Harwich Balloons – 1500ft. from 01.00-02.50hrs. [symbol]
[underlined] For 10J/81 [/underlined]
[deleted] Worthing [/deleted] Selsey Bill L.F.B. 330°T – 01.50-02.50hrs. [symbol]
Langley Weybridge 1500ft – 00.20-02.50hrs [symbol]
[underlined] For Limpets & Trefoil [/underlined]
Landfall Beacon – Flamborough Head – 270°T – 0110-0210hrs. [symbol]
[page break]
[underlined] May 18th 1944 [/underlined]
1830 / Off duty F/O O’Beirn.
On duty H.L Spence F/O
May 19/44.
0200 / Ident board changed.
0900 / Off duty HLSpence F/O.
09.00 / On duty. / FD Cleland F/L.
11.30 / Diversion Bases / Asked CFC for 8 provisional weather bases tonight for 105 Hals & Lancs.
17.30 / Bullseye. / Cancelled by Air I – Weather reasons. ASGB & stations informed.
17.45 / Leeming Beam / U/S tonight. All stations informed & Controller.
18.25 / Diversion Bases / 408Sq. to Boscombe Down 23 Gp
424 Sq + 426 Sq to Moreton in Marsh 91 Gp
425 Sq to Westcott 92 Gp
420 Sq to Wing 92 Gp
433 Sq to Wyton 8 Gp
432 Sq to Woolfx Lodge 3
427 Sq6 to Newmarket 3 Gp
429 Sq to Tuddenham 3 Gp
18.30 / LF.B. Balloons / Flamborough Head – cancelled (Trefoils & Limpets II)
Billingham – cancelled (Bullseye.)
1830 / Off duty F/L CLELAND. On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
2000 / SBA ─ / Manston & Carnaby ─ 61 Base wish the frequency & stud of there two – 61 Base Signals haven’t this information.
Reply. Carnaby SBA – Freq.34.4. Stud 6. No information on Manston.
2100 / Expediter [underlined] missing [/underlined] / FT-979 Beechcraft) left Croft at 1705 for Donni – Bristle. Donnie Bristle, & 12 Grp F.C.L.O. have no trace of him. Route – Croft Hexham, new Biggin, Berwick-on.Tweed East Linton, DoniBristle. ETA – 1820. Movement N1019.
[page break]
[underlined] No Non - Starters. [/underlined]
[underlined] Early Returns [/underlined]
420/R ─ S.O.E. U/S. – no Revs. S.I.E. – overheated and oil pressure low. OK’d by C.T.O.
[page break]
2130 / Proctor [symbol] / ─ F/C Donaldson landed Linton from Halton. ─ staying overnight. Informed F.C. Halton
2320 / Diversion / ─ Call signs & letters passed to Groups 11, 3, 91, 8, 92.
2350 / Diversion / 3 Grp. Report that Woolfox Lodge has vis down to 3000yd.
[underlined] Saturday May 20th [/underlined]
0005 / C.F.C. / ─ Considering Bury St Edmunds instead of Woolfox Lodge.
0015 / C.F.C. / Booked again as Woolfox Lodge is unfit. After [indecipherable word] Snatter Foulsham chosen for 432 Sqdn if Diversion necessary. C.F.C. tried to allot Mendlesham but as this station is not in Bomber Code and not on navigators flimmies we requested another station ─ Faversham was allotted.
0130 / 424 a/c / Decided to let Gardeners return to Base.
0210 / DIVERSION (By AIR 1) / ─ 427 to Newmarket, 429 to Tuddenham, 433 to Wyton. Informed 6 Grp stations and diversion bases.
0210 / Cloud marker beacon – at Boroughbridge land on – 0245 – 0345 ─ 4 Grp Ops inf. Base 62 inf.
0245 / 433/E / Leeming report him on DF asking if there is any message. Requested Leeming to send him BZOE (Land at Wyton).
0250 / 61 Base / Request Topcliffe & Dishforth to light up at 0300hrs until further advised to did 62 Base a/c if necessary.
[page break]
[underlined] SAT. MAY 20th [/underlined]
0315 / P/OTS. / ─ Few plots on our Board. Contacted R.O.C.L.O. and queried lack of plots. He said that they had been telling to us as requested. ─ Plots improved after that.
0400 / Cloud marker Beacon doused.
0410 / 62 Base a/c – all landed – none missing
0450 / Ops - / all a/c returned safely.
0500 / 427 & 429 a/c all serv. At Newmarket and Tuddenham.
0525 / Diversion summary passed to C.F.C.
0640 / MET / - Checked weather in regard to a/c landed away. Cloud base 500’ – 1000’ in base – and poor vis. – drizzle. – Cannot give OK. to return until weather improves in late morning.
0850 / Diversion reported to F/L Smith at Gransden
0900 / Off duty F/O O’Beirn
On duty HL Spence F/O
0930 / Proctor LZ-801 / A.T.A. Pilot (Flt. Capt. Hageneau) taxied into flight crew bus damaging 18” of wing tip. Can glue it up OK. Pilot finger trouble. Informed Air I A.O.C. & Controller.
1115 / LK-735 Leeming / Ref. entry 181710B. – a/c only requires wheel & tire [sic]. Van left Gransden with them this morning. When put on a/c should be serviceable & only requires M.V. check. W/C Smith’s office informed.
1148 / L.F.B. [symbol] 1 / At Filey – elev. 070° – bearing 250°T from 0400 to 0500hrs.
1145 / A/c away / Stood down until 1400hrs. Met still not good. To be checked again about 1245 – 1300hrs.
[page break]
1900 Crash. [underlined] 1659C.U/Z – LK 684. [/underlined]
While on circuits and landings made a heavy landing on the starboard wheel. Undercarriage collapsed. All crew OK but aircraft is Cat E.
Inf. Controller [symbol] G.Eq.O [symbol]
G.A.I. [symbol] G.ENG O. [symbol]
G.T.I. [symbol] S.F.C.O. [symbol]
Wind – dead down R/W 03.
[page break]
[underlined] Sat. – May. 20/44. [/underlined]
1130 – / Darky 61 Base Skipton Leeming / All heard Seaborne “C” calling (faintly) L my report another station replied giving course of 246° to [deleted] Milly [/deleted] Milfield at 1135 hrs. No such call sign. Nearest “Seabrook” is Sumburgh aircraft. 12 Group F.C.L.O. in picture but have no plots.
1200 / Expediter missing / Ref. entry 192100B. – landed at Boulmer.
1340 / a/c away / 3 Grp & 8 Grp. F.C. informed these a/c may take off at 1400 hrs. 92 Grp. F.C. requested to route 425/H via Peterborough All a/c to return below cloud. 429/H. at Peplow (93 Gr.) not to return until we give O.K. later this afternoon. 63 Base informed also 62 Base.
1415 / LK-755 / Ref. entries 181710B & 201115B. Information required by W/C Smith is, – what was wrong with the aircraft and what work had been done by the M.V. W/O. Barton is checking & will advise.
18-30 / Off duty / H L Spence F/O
On duty / FD Cleland F/L.
20.00 / a/c Away. / Information ie 1659B & 429 C passed to F/L Smith
22.40 Cloud Marker Beacon – ordered on from 03.45 – 04.45 hrs.
00.01 / [underlined] Sunday May 21 1944. [/underlined]
02.25 / Weather / Skipton reporting 10/10 cloud at 800ft.
03.00 / Weather / 61 Base not happy about weather.
03.30 / Weather / Our met. Still confident about bases, Told Skipton Silloth & Drem cast-iron – Acklington good and M.S.Y. probably 1800ft QBB – good vis.
04.00 / Weather / Skipton to use Dishforth for stacking aircraft if cloud base low. No need to direct.
04.54 / Last Oper. / aircraft down.
05.14 / Last a/c / down in Group.
[page break]
[underlined] Sunday May 21st 1944 [/underlined]
06.00 / A.S.R. / Ex 16 Group:
5245N 0203E
5256N 0239E
5313N 0225E
5300N 0147E
Direction: [deleted] NW-SE [/undeleted][inserted] SW 6NE [/inserted] creeping [inserted] NW [/inserted] NE.
Parallel track 1/4 mi. vis.
Time: 09.00
C/S: WCF 62 [inserted] T [/inserted], 63 [inserted] W. [/inserted]. 64 [inserted] D. [/inserted].
[symbol] On convoy area. Check Convoys first.
A/SR surface craft: Operational readiness at Yarmouth.
III Group searching area also – C/S: WCF 58-59
Area of their search {5239N 0240E
{5246N 0152E
{5256N 0155E
{5249N 0243E
W/Force & Dir: 020° – 12 knots.
Sea Conditions: Moderate.
Passed to 61 Base.
08.00 / A.S.R. / Passed to Croft – Offer of 3 a/c from 431 Sq.
T.D.W.
09.00 / Off duty. / FD Cleland F/L On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
1000 / 1659/H / – Instructed to get W/T & R/T repaired and return to-day.
1000 / Sea Search – 16Grp – All gen passed to Croft – No convoys en route.
1125 / 429/G / Permission granted by Air I for S/L Anderson to fly skeleton crew to Woodbridge to pick up. 429/G and also an [indecipherable word] at Linton.
1200 / Balloons / – Billingham – C/h. – [deleted] 2200 – 2315 [/deleted][inserted] 2130-2315 [/inserted][symbol]
[deleted] 0230 – 0400 [/deleted][inserted] 0200 – 0330 [/inserted]
1200 / Pundit / – Padannack – SD 264. pos’n [indecipherable word] – stn Z. inf. – who will send us [indecipherable word]. Then mid.S.G. to be informed.
[page break]
1205 / Parachute / – Croft F.C. report that Hurworth police saw a parachute descending at 1200hrs – no body on it.
Inf. 12 Grp F.C.L.O. who checked with R.O.C.L.O. – no gen.
Request that Hurworth police make further check.
1205 / 1659/H / – ready to leave Tilstock for Topcliffe – via Peterboro + Topcliffe beam – at 1200’. T.O. 1255
1355 / Sea search / – FCLO 12 Grp reports that 2 of our 431 search a/c are about 60 miles north of the search area.
No message received from them
Reckoned position is 5340’N 0120E. from 1400-1440. – This just north of homeward route.
1620 / Proctor / – LK-801 left Dishforth at 1615 for Winkton. – Route via Doncaster Nottingham, Oxford, Salisbury.
1645 / SEA search / – Nothing seen in the search area. A convoy of 20 – 30 ships at 5340 – 0100E at 1445 hrs. Visibility variable – not less than 1/4 mile, and better in the south.
1650 / Balloons / – Billingham – times amended. 2130 – 2315 and 0200 – 0330hrs.
1700 / Greater Circle Landing scheme – Practice at Tholthorpe – 2300 – 2315 – after a short X/C.
1830 / Off duty F/O O’Beirn – On duty F/O Spence
1945 / Sea search Met report. / Drawing line NW To SE. – On the N.E. side solid cloud down to 200ft. vis 200 to 400 yds, rain falling. Remainder of area – cloud base 600ft vis 2-4 miles occasionally broke to 7/10’s (thin layer) Wind at 300ft. 20 miles 350° Sea surface some swell, no breakers but enough wind to throw spray from tops of waves. Reported to 16 Group F.C.
[page break]
[underlined] Sunday. May 21st 1944. [/underlined]
2105 / F/L Pyle (F.C.O.) / Authority by Air I for [indecipherable word] to fly with S/L Beale this pm. on X-C & Great Circuit landing practice.
2115 / Ex. Croft:- Police at Hurworth report finding an [inserted] oblong [/inserted] plywood aircraft ammunition carrier
Description:- Painted gray [sic], numbered “2” with letters [circled] H.L.R.8 [/circled] and wording “Single end of link to bottom”. Found near Croft village. Police concerned there may have been ammunition in the carrier when it was precipitated from the aircraft.
2335 / Night Flying / Passed summary to C.F.C. and stations.
[underlined] Monday – May 22/44 [/underlined]
0200 / Ident Board changed.
0319 / All Op a/c landed.
0430 / A.S.R. Search / 16 Group request 8 aircraft. Informed them we could supply for 1100hr take-off, but could not know from which squadrons until after morning conference. They’re to call back.
0700 / A.S.R. Search / Details of search from 16 Grp F.C.
09.00 Off duty HL Spence F/O
On duty FD Cleland F/L.
10.30 / A.S.R. / All information passed to Croft. 9 aircraft from 434 Sq.
10.30 / Permission granted by Air I for 426 Sq to take an aircraft to Preston – also for 425 Sq to take one there for modification.
11.00 / [underlined] Attention ASRO. [/underlined] / Only 4 Lindholme dinghies on the whole station at Croft. Is this their quota?
13.30 / For / Landfall Beacons & Balloon arrangements on Z444A, Sprat & Gardens see overleaf :-
[page break]
[underlined] Gardens [/underlined]
Balloons. Billingham C/H 22.30 – 23.30 [symbol]
02.45 – 04.15
{ Langley 1500ft. 00.15 – 02.15 [symbol]
{Weybridge 1500ft. 00.15 – 02.15 [symbol]
{Portsmouth 1500ft 00.30 – 02.00 [symbol]
{Southampton 1500ft 00.30 – 02.00 [symbol]
Yeovil. 1500ft 00.30 – 01.00 [symbol]
02.20 – 02.50 [symbol]
LFB. Selsey Bill. 355°T from 01.15 – 02.15 [symbols]
[underlined] Z444A [/underlined]
Balloons: { Langley 1500ft [deleted] 2345 – 03.45 [/deleted] [inserted] 04.00 hrs [symbol]
{Weybridge 1500ft [deleted] 2345 – 03.45 [/deleted] [inserted] 04.00 hrs [symbol]
{Portsmouth 0045 – 0500 [symbol]
{Southampton 0045 – 0500 [symbol]
L.F.B. Selsey Bill 355°T from [deleted] 02.30 – 0330 [/deleted] hrs. [symbols][inserted] 0320 – 0420 [/inserted][symbol]
[underlined] Sprat [/underlined]
Balloons: Billingham C/H 21.15 – 23.00, 02.30 – 04.45 [symbol]
L.F.B. Flamborough Head 280°T from 02.30 – 03.30 [symbol]
[page break]
[underlined] Monday. May 22nd 1944. [/underlined]
13.32 / A.S.R / All 9 aircraft of 434 Squadron off.
1800 / Off duty. F/L. Cleland On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
1820 / [underlined] Sea Search Report [/underlined] [inserted] AREA I [/inserted] 15 fishing trawlers at 5345N 0050E at 1630hrs. Height 500’. Sea Calm – no cloud at first – later 10/10 – 2000’.
Area II – nothing sighted in the area Convoy of 15 ships at 5400N 0012E at 1358 hrs – 300ft. Cloud at 7000’ 2/10 – vis 5 mi. Sea – Calm.
Area III – Search completed: nothing seen in the area. – Convoy of 27 ships. – Two pieces of o floating dock sighted from 1500’ at pos’n 5435N, 0035W. Time – 1700hrs. – Vis 10mi. Cloud 4/10 – 2000’ – Sea Calm. Passed to 16 Grp. F.C.
1830 / Balloons / + L.FB. – Times changed for Z444A.
1930 / [underlined] H2S [/underlined] - D.F.C.O / X/C at 61 Base scrubbed according to BC/30716/11/AIR/OPS. of 21st May 1944. And also – 6G/S54/1/AIR of 22nd May 1944. – Reference appendix “B” S.D. 158 (2). –
No flying over G.D.A’s T.F.N.
DITTO.- / F/L Rowe advised 61 Base to arrange RCAF. X/C routes to replace H2S Routes.
2107 / Fire – / near Linton reported by 12 Grp. – Linton burning rags on airfield.
2125 / Hal – SE/U – Circled Tholthorpe with U/C. partly down – headed north. Warned 61 & 63 Bases and Croft.
Crofts a/c – landed safely.
[page break]
[underlined] Non Starter [/underlined]
408/Z – Swung on take-off: damaged a/c. no spare a/c. C.T.O. Would not break take off. Had no spare.
[underlined] Early Returns. [/underlined]
408/Y – Severe icing C.T.O
408/K – P.O.E. + P.I.E overheating [inserted] OIL PRESSURE [/inserted] – due to icing
[symbol] 426/F – P.I.E. U/S. OK’d by C.T.O.
[symbol] 426/N – Hydraulics U/S. OK’d by C.T.O.
424 X – Too late for target – as he took off at 0038.
[underlined] Missing a/c [/underlined] – passed to W/C Guest.
419/E – KB-717 CAPT – P/O CF.G. PATTERSON
408/A – DS – 759 CAPT – F/O SHERRILL T.R.
408/H – LL – 723 CAPT – W/CDR JACOBS D.S. D.F.C.
432/X – MZ – 506 CAPT F/O MATTHEWS
425/Y – LK – 801 CAPT P/O LAPORTE EE.
[underlined] Accident [/underlined] – Dishforth –
DH-J- at 0220 – while being marshalled it collided with DH/F standing in dispersal.
Danage – “F” – port elevator damaged
“J” – flare chute and lead to trailing aerial damaged.
Inf.- SASO, SFC.O. [symbol]
AIR I EQUIP. [symbol]
G.A.I.O. [symbol] ENG. [symbol]
G.T.I. [symbol] SOC [symbol]
[underlined] Accident [/underlined]
432/E – While taxiing out for take off the starboard wing struck an engine standing in dispersal – Clipped off starboard navigation light.
Inf. SASO G.T.I. [symbol] ENG. [symbol]
AIR I S.F.C.O. [symbol] EQUIP. [symbol]
GA.IO [symbol] S.O.C. [symbol]
[page break]
NW-785 20/5/44 / Carnaby – Serv. Except Belly Landing area
/ Manston - Serv. Except Belly Landing area
Two channels of white lighting in conjunction with one green channel.
2355 / Yeovil / Balloons – 16 Grp report that Yeovil balloons will be at 6500’ at 0001 hrs. Our a/c to be at 8000’
2359 / Balloons – on South Coast going up to 6500’ –
[underlined] Tuesday May 23rd 1944. [/underlined]
0020 / Crash / Leeming and Skipton report a crash west of Skipton. F.C.L.O. 12 Group give the position Z-7903 – due west of Kirklington. Skipton requested to take Crash action
0030 / Crash / Several flashes seen and explosions heard by Skipton Leeming and Topcliffe.
0035 / Crash / R.O.C.L.O. give the position as Z-7701. Say that R.O.C. – notified N.F.S. at Thirsk.
0051 / Crash / Loud explosion heard even as far as 6 Grp. Cannot get exact position of Crash. Sergeant at Snape had previously reported the crash, but after the explosion we could not contact him.
0110 / Balloons on South Coast now close-hauled.
0150 / Crash: “Snape” / Information from Leeming. Aircraft R. of 429 Sqdn: Position 150 feet south of Snape bombing Range: Fire tender was combating [sic] fire when the aircraft blew up killing one member of the fire party and injuring a medical officer and the fire officer who were immediately rushed off to hospital. One member of the aircraft crew
[page break]
[underlined] Crash [/underlined]
429/R – LV-989.
pos’n – 150’ south of Snape Bombing Range.
[underlined] Crew [/underlined] –
Capt. F/O Brown A.F. J-25827
NAV. F/O HUNTER W.G. – J-25758
B/A. SGT. LEITCH J.W – R-186879
F/E SGT VOSE P 2210136
W/OP. F/O SWORDY J.E. – J24061 – Baled out.
MU/G SGT MORRIS L.E. – R-106875
R/G F/O SCOTT W.E J29485
CRASH TENDER CREW. (Leeming)
LAC SMITH – seriously injured by explosion – in north Allerton Hospital.
M.O. – Dr Hutchinson – slightly injured by explosion – N.A.Hosp
Fire Officer – F/O Hall – slightly injured by explosion.
[underlined] Guard [/underlined] – Leeming
[page break]
TUESDAY MAY 23.
F/O Swardy baled out and is OK. No news of the rest of the crew or the cause of the crash as yet.
0200 / Gee – / N.E Chain which went u/s at approx. – 0045 is now S.
0210 / Bedale police – report that the crash was in north Allerton police area – phone n. allerton 180.
0235 / 429/R. / - Leeming report that LAC Smith of Leeming crash tender who was reported killed is still alive – in north Allerton Hospital. Other members of crash tender are O.K. Leeming fire officer & medical officers. (Dr Hutchinson) are in n. allerton hospital but not serious. Leemings crash tender is written off by the explosion.
0330 / FIX – 420/H – from Southampton – 5005N 0115E 3rd Class at 0320 hrs. – prefixed emergency; did not ask.
0430 / 429/R / – F/O Swardy is now reported to be badly shaken up. He was listening to Group frequency, when a/c seemed to shudder and pilot told crew to abandon a/c.
0430 / 408/X / – landed Woodbridge 0248. – W/op. slightly wounded. – Damage to tailplane and fuselage.
0435 / 420/H / landed Ford 0351. Collided with another a/c. Starboard fin and mid-upper turret damaged. M/UG – slight injury – Perspex in his eye.
0445 / 426/S / landed Ford at 0425 – M/Un/G. Sgt Murphy has head and leg injuries – not serious. a/c badly shot up.
[page break]
1666/X (JB. 969) – [underlined] Ditching [/underlined]
F/O. G.L.Heron. – Pilot. (J276817)
Informed:-
A.O.C. [symbol] Air I [symbol]
S.A.S.O Controller [symbol]
G.A.I. [symbol] G.I.I. [symbol]
Engr. [symbol] Equipt. [symbol]
S.F.C.O. [symbol]
PILOT: F/O G.L. Heron – J276817
NAV: P/O N.C. Christie – J29335
B/A: P/O J.L. Balmer – J28969
WOP: Sgt. J.F Beetham – R183519
AG. Sgt J.R. Archibald – R223627
M.U Sgt. ─ Pecks – R221129
F/E Sgt. ─ Kenwright – 2205643.
[page break]
0745 / a/c Away / – Reported to C.F.C.
0900 / Off duty F/O O’Beirn
On duty H.L Spence. F/O.
1045 / 1659/B / Permission by Air I to fly skeleton crew to pick up m/n at Gamston.
1100 / Com Flt. Anson / Attached to Leeming. Arranged with them & 62 Base for its use by S/L Stanley & F/L. Justason. Pilot being furnished by 62 Base. E.T.O. – 1130hrs
Com Flt. Oxford / Reserved for W/C Palmar for 1200hrs. Going to Gransden Lodge for remainder of day.
1125 / 419/M. / S/L. Bales granted permission to take m/n & crew to Ashton Down to gather complete “gen” on conversion figures
1230 / 1666 – X (JB 969) [underlined] Ditching [/underlined] / Crashed in the sea off Whitby – 1/4 mile beyond the low water mark. A/c burned for half an hour and then sank. Crew ([deleted] 6 [/deleted] 7) picked up by cutter and will be at Whitby coast guard station by approx 1430 hours. Cause – eng caught fire. Incident first reported by a Martinet aircraft in the area.
The story confirmed [symbol] 12 Grp. F.C.L.O.
District officer Coast Guard
Whitby. Phone ext 107 or 285
1240 / 1666 – X (JB 969) [underlined] Ditching [/underlined] / Told 61 Base – crew O.K. and told them to send transport to pick up crew.
1300 / 426 – a/c / Air I says O.K. for an aircraft to go [deleted] to Leek [/deleted] for a crew which was shot-up and landed [deleted] laid [/deleted] at Ford last night. Told 62 Base.
1300 / Balloon “gen” in B FORM / Billingham – close. hauled 2220 – 2345
Billingham – close. hauled 0215 – 0400
Yeovil – 500’ 0015 – 0115
Langley
Weybridge 1500’ 0001 – 0230
Portsmouth
Southampton
LFB at Selsey on 355°T from 0115 TO 0215hrs.
This gen cleared with responsible FIGHTER GROUPS {BLO {FCLO
[page break]
[underlined] Local Bullseye [/underlined] – Form B. T-80
Starting point. (Beacon) normal – 2330
Route – Base, Norwich York, Newcastle (flashlight target), Middlesborough, Peterborough and Base.
Height – 17000’
Fighters and searchlights along the route.
[underlined] Squadron [/underlined] [underlined] Halifax [/underlined]
1659 CU 5 CANCELLED
1666 CU 6 CANCELLED
[underlined] Target – 11/J/172 [/underlined]
[symbol] [underlined] Balloons [/underlined] Billingham – C/R. – 2230 – 0030
0315 – 0515
[symbol] Langley, Weybridge} 0600
Portsmouth – 1500’} 0010 – 0330
[symbol] L.F. Beacon – Worthing [deleted] 11 [/deleted] 15 – 330°T 0230 – 0330
[underlined] Target Elver. [/underlined]
[symbol] Balloons – Billingham C.R. 2230 – 0030.
0410 – 0600
[symbol] Harwich – 1500’} – 0130 – 0245
} 0300 – 0430
[symbol] L.F. Beacon – Orfordness. – 310°T.
0150 – 0250 0300-0400
0320 – 0420
320
[page break]
[underlined] Tuesday May 23rd 1944. [/underlined]
1800 / Croft. Fighter Aff. / To assist fighters affiliating with Croft a/c (from 2300 hrs to 0030 hrs.) Leeming & Linton have been requested to have their Pundits flashing & outer circles lit for that time. Also Middleton’s.
18.30 / On duty:- FD Cleland F/L. Off duty:- H.L. Spence F/O
22.00 / 1666X – / Crew list passed to Flying Control, 16 Group.
[underlined] Wednesday May 24th 1944. [/underlined]
0900 / Off duty. F.D. Cleland F/L. On duty B.T.O’Beirn F/O
0945 / Fixes / – 62 Base report black smoke – 338°M 6 miles from Tholthorpe.
1130 / Bullseye. No B.C. Bullseye –
Local Bullseye. (12 Grp) – arranged by night Ops S/R H yams.
Inf. 61 & 62 Base. Sigs. Met.
1220 / 420/y / – Permission granted for m/n a/c to accompany 420/A to Preston for modification & bring back extra crew.
1220 / 408/ / AIR I refused permission to take ops a/c to Gransden. To pick up visual monica. If equipment needed to – night send an Oxford or non – ops a/c. If no needed to – night have equipment sent by train.
1230 / 420 / – Permission for Lac Hodkinson F.C. U/T to fly on training flight.
1440 / Local Bullseye – scrubbed – cloud in Northern area. – Inf. 61, 62 Bases and night ops 12 Grp. Met. & dye.
[boxed] D.F.C.O’s [/boxed] / The watch roster remains unchanged for F/LT’S [inserted] & F/O Wall [/inserted] F/O’s Spence and O’Beirn are to continue with the watch they are on (day or night) until the first stand-down, when they will exchange watches [signature]
1530 / Balloons & L.F. Beacons – arranged
[page break]
[underlined] Emergency Bases. [/underlined]
408 & 419 – [indecipherable word]
424 & 433 – Wendling
427 & 429 – Little Snoring
431 & 434 – Ford
428 & 426 – Odiham
Missing from ops.
419/A W.O.I Robinson D.M. [deleted] (AO [/deleted] (KB706)
429/L W.O.II Michael J.L. (HX352)
429/K F/L. Rawlinson I. (LW137)
429/N W.O.II Fernandez M.A. (LW124)
424/S P./O. F.W. Dolter (LW157)
[page break]
1600 / SD 264 / - Query from 63 Base – re HW-515 11th May 1944. – When does table III become effective.? At what hour on May 25th.
Reply – confirmed by A.M. –
Table III. – Wef. – at DUSK – 25/mag/44
Inf. 61, 63 Bases.
1800 / Emergency Bases allocated by C.F.C. Gen passed to stations.
1805 / FIX 1664/H. / - LVB/H – 1664 – 4956N 0624W. 1st at 1757 hrs. – Acb. – passed 61 Base.
1830 / Off duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
On duty H.L Spence F/O.
1930 / Balloons / Billingham close hauled also from 0230 to 0315 hrs.
2100 / A.S.R. Search / Ex 16 group:- Request for 3 aircraft from us.
[deleted] 1200 [/deleted] 0001 / ditto / Passed Search “gen” to Middleton 428 Squadron have offered a/c (E.T.O. 0700hrs)
[underlined] Thursday – May 25/44 [/underlined]
0200 / Ident Board changed.
0500 / a/c away / - Summary to C.F.C.
0505 / 431/L / Permission requested to fly crew and parts to Beaulieu for m/n aircraft.
0900 / 431/L / Ref. entry 0505 hrs. request cancelled.
1120 – 1240 / A.S.R. Branch / Recalled at instance [sic] F/C 16 Group who “messed up” message (told to return to base “at Catfoss) 6 Group Signals Contacted Pulham to send correct message, which was then sent to all but our a/c. Again contacted 16 Group to straighten it out. Finally our a/c returned to M.S.G. in spite of the confusion.
“Headwork”
[page break]
[underlined] Rosemary [/underlined]
[symbol] L.F. Beacon. Flamboro Head – 295°T
[deleted] 0330 – 0430 [/deleted][inserted] 0400 – 0500 [/inserted] hrs.
[symbol] Balloons – Billingham c/h – 2300 – 0100 hrs
0330 – 0530 hrs
[underlined] Chub [/underlined]
Balloons.
[symbol] Billingham – c/h – 2130 – 2320
0330 – 0545
Thames Estuary} 1500’ – 0215 – 0400
Chelmsford} 1500’ – 0215 – 0400
Harwich} 1500’ – 2320 – 0020
[symbol] 12 Grp {Norwich} 0245 – 0430
{Yarmouth
{Lowestoft
L.F.Beacon
[symbol] Bradwell Bay – 330°T = 0245 – 0345
[symbol] Southwold 295°T = 0250 = 0350
Anson – G1 – from Manby landed Skipton 1636 W.T. U/S. – en route Wigtown
Took off at 1606 for Wigtown.
a/c from Tr. F.C. Romsey.
[page break]
1300 Off duty F/O Spence. On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
1320 / Sea search – Report – nothing seen in area – a few ships sighted off our coast.
Sea – calm. Not very choppy.
Vis – 2-3 miles. Cloud 10/10, 4000 – 5000’ & sun could be seen through it, – breaking toward the south. Inf. 16 Grp.
1430 / Diversion Board – 9 – requested in East Anglia.
1500 / 429/G- / (AL – G-) – took off from Woodbridge at 1400 hrs for Leeming but returned as undercarriage would not retract and top Rotor blew off. Inf. Leeming. – Took off again & landed Leeming
1845 / Diversion bases – passed to stations – emergency only.
2130 / Ops. / scrubbed. Cancelled balloons & L.F. Beacons.
2145 / Off duty – B.T. O’Beirn F/O
2150 / Recall. / 61 Base re- unfit weather will contact A/C on way to return.
2230 / Recall / 61 Base sent recall on Stn. HF/DF & Hull.
2300 / Recall / All X/C A/C act recall except H of 1664.
[underlined] May. 26th 1944 [/underlined]
0130 / Recall / All A/C from 61 Base down safely. All aerodromes in Grp “Red”.
0230. / M.L.O.12. / Notified re all cessation of flying in Group.
0830 / On duty H.L. Spence F/O.
0945 / 432/R / OK to fly crew to Ashbourne to pick up m/n if weather is O.K.
[page break]
Signal – AF.289 26 MAY 1944 – Halifax LV 941 Completed. Aircrew required immediately. Serviced by 6 Group & [indecipherable word] party. – W/O Barton. – Woodbridge.
429 – LK-755 Serv at Honeybourne.
Crash. 1666/B. HR-834 at 1031 hrs 26/5/44
Pilot – R-112271 W/O Poiria P.N.
Position – Wombleton – beyond R/W – 23.
Exercise – A/A Firing & Practice Bombing
Category – E Burned.
Crews alive.
W/C Weiser 61 B.T.I reports that accident was unavoidable and that the pilot is to be -commended on his good handling of a/c.
Inf. – A.O.C. [symbol] SFCO [symbol]
SASO [symbol] ENG.O [symbol]
AIR I [symbol] EQUIP O [symbol]
SOC [symbol] G.A.I.O. [symbol]
G.T.I. [symbol]
S.O.E. cut on take off
[page break]
1200 / L.F.B. [symbol] 16. / Selsey Bill. exposed 340°T from 0120 – 0220 hrs.
Balloons at Langley, Weybridge, Portsmouth and Southampton will be controlled at 1500 ft. from 0001 to 0230 hrs.
LK 755 Leeming / Permission by Air I to fly crew to Honeybourne to pick up m/n.
1240. / Percival Q-6 / Ex. Middleton – Civilian aircraft “GAFIW” landed from Castle Bromwich. Pilot Mr. Hancock of Ministry of Aircraft Production.
1610 / Emergence Base. / C.F.C. confirms FORD will be standing by to receive our a/c in case of emergency. Passed to Skipton.
1737 / Emergency Base. / Ford standing by, but a provisional weather diversion arranged with CFC – Gransden Lodge. Passed to Skipton
1750 / From F/L FORBES – WATKINS – POCKLINGTON – VIA 4 Gp.
BRITISH BODY WASHED UP AT WITHERSEA. [sic]
OBSERVER TYPE PARACHUTE – No 17995 or No 47995
Passed to stations – 62 Base, 64 Base, and Skipton say not one of ours.
Advise 4 Gp when you get the final story.
[underlined] May 27th [/underlined]
0830 / on duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O Off duty F/L Cleland.
1015 / Re 1750 entry of parachute – Does not belong to 64, 63, 62, or 61 Base
1036 / Crash, 1666/B. / – QY/B. HR-834. on A/A flying and practice bombing – Pranged on take off on R/W 23 – Crew alive. a/c burned fiercely.
1125 / Oxford / – a/c Whitley from 4 Grp left Linton at 1120 for Driffield – Inf 4 Grp.
1130 / Route / Ops – (1) Oxford out at Bridport & return
(2) Reading Littlehampton & return
OK’d by M.L.O. 12 Grp.
[page break]
[underlined] Avenger – F.N. [/underlined] 784 Sub. Lieut Moir landed Skipton (1300 hrs) from Donibristle. Informed Inskys (9 group) and Donibristle (18 Grp)
T.O. for Ringway later.
[underlined] GARDENS. [/underlined]
Balloons – [symbol] Billingham c/h. – 2300 – 0030
0330 – 0500
[symbol] Yeovil – 1500’ 0010 – 0110
0200 – 0300
[symbol] Langley & Weybridge – 0010 – 0050.
[inserted] 500 [/inserted] 0120 – 0222.
[symbol] L.F. Beacon – Flamboro 295°T 0320 – 0420.
Balloons – Billingham. – c/h – 2300 – 0040
0330 – 0500
[symbol] Harwich 1500’ – 0050 – 0140; 0240 – 0340
[symbol] Thames Estuary} 1500’ – 2300 – 0140
[symbol] Chelmsford} 1500’ – 2350 – 0140
L.F.Beacons
[symbol] Bradwell Bay – 330°T – 0055 – 0155
[symbol] Southwold 295°T – 0245 – 0345
[symbol Orfordness 305°T 0245 – 0345
[underlined] DIVERSION BASES (EMERGENCY) [/underlined]
[underlined] MAIN TARGETS. [/underlined]
408 & 426 SQDNS – Shipsham
420 & 425 SQDNS – Bungay
427 & 429 SQDNS – Seething
424 & 433 SQDNS – Woodbridge
432 & 419 SQDNS – Woodbridge
431 & 434 SQDNS – Old Buckenham
[underlined] GARDENS. [/underlined] – [underlined] HYACINTH [/underlined] & [underlined] SCALLOPS [/underlined]
433 SQD – Colerne & Ford
427 LK – 755 Serv at Honeyboune. Advised 63 Base.
Horsenden – 3 5316 I. Linton 1700 from Coxhill returning immediately.
[page break]
1210 / Darky / – Dalton answered a Darky Bridal “W” – gave him QDM to Warton. Inf. F.C.L.O. 12 Grp.
1315 / W/T message to 91 Grp – for Wellesbourne [indecipherable word] TRA O – pos’n – 5408N [underlined] 67 [/underlined] 48 W [underlined] ? [/underlined] at 1215
TRAT – pos’n 5410N 0050W. at 1226 – inf. 91 Grp.
[underlined] X/C Routes [/underlined] D.F.C.O’s note. – a/c on X/C training flights are [underlined] not [/underlined] to be routed south of a diagonal line Cromer (Norfolk coast) to Bridport. 6G/54/1/AIR 26/5/44
1515 / 433/L / Permission granted by Air I for trip with crew to pick up a/c at Woodbridge.
1600 / [underlined] Intruder [/underlined] / – 61 Base report an a/c (appeared like a JU / [deleted] 87 [/deleted] 88 or Dornier 21 [deleted] 5 [/deleted] [underlined] 4 [/underlined].) flying near Topcliffe.
Inf. R.O.C L.O. – 12 Grp.
1605 / [underlined] Intruder [/underlined] Black widow a/c. – new twin boom a/c with radial engine and American markings flying from Scamton [sic]. This is evidently the one seen by 61 Base.
1610 / Balloons and L.F. Beacons requested. C.F.C. Requested emergency bases.
1830 / Emergency Dvn. Bases. / Received from C.F.C. and allotted ason opposite page. Stations informed.
Off duty F/O O’Beirn
On duty H.L Spence F/O
2000 / Billingham Balloons / Now to be close hauled from 2200 hrs to 0500 hrs. Croft informed.
2320 / Night Flying / Summary to C.F.C.
[underlined] Sunday – May 28/44 [/underlined]
0030 / Weather Diversion / Met. Confirmed diversion bases laid on were were [sic] out of the question; also risk of ground fog in south part of 6 Group.
[page break]
0100 / Weather diversion / Skipton concerned about ground fog which is appearing & disappearing.
0145 / ditto / Skipton still worried. Leeming O.K. and ready to handle Skipton’s
0200 / Ident Board changed
0215 / Met say 62 Base really only doubtful bases in 6 Gp. Checked with 12 Gp and Controller, Newcastle who say:-
Ackington can handle 12 – 15
Charter Hall can handle 20 – 25
Ouston 12 – 15
Winfield (emergency) 10 – 12
Scorton 20
C.F.C. advised of above after having obtained Chipping Warden, Westcott, Oakley, Edgehill. 6 Gp say 6 Gp div. to Shipdham O.K. (viz – better than 4 mis [sic] at Shipdham)
Bases in 90 Grps scarce as 4 Gp & 100 Gp already have laid on provisional weather diversions in this area. In view of this following diversions prepared.
0250 / sent on Group Freq. at 0250
{408 – Shipdham
{420 – Chipping Warden
{425 – Westcott
{426 – Oakley
{432 – on R/T to Acklington and 63 Base & Skipton aircraft to land at base and in case of any trouble proceed to Croft who were cast-iron. Everyone happy about this arrangement.
0320 / SKIPTON / m/n a/d u/s. Diverted 2 433 a/c to M.St G. This was a ground haze which came in and blanketed the ‘drome.
0338 / LEEMING / Above has happened to Leeming. Inf 12 & 13 Gp. to lay on and advised C.F.C. of the following diversion.
424 a/c – ACKLINGTON
429 a/c – OUSTON
427 a/c – CHARTER HALL
62 Base a/c – CROFT
[page break]
Missing from X – C
1659/R. (LL286)
Crew list
Pilot P/O Bradley. J.R. – J – 85652.
Nav. Sgt. Scott. T.F – R – 182724
WOp F/S. Blair W R – 119545
RG Sgt. Stevens [deleted] EV [/deleted] F.C. – R – 207875
B.A. F/O Gagnebin R.P. J – 29369
F.E. Sgt Pickering D.A 1198988
M.U.G. Sgt Nelson G.H R – 213165
F.E (Extra) Sgt Newlands J. 1823350.
[page break]
0340 / DIVERSION / Diversion “gen” passed to Croft & Controller Newcastle, who gave us the following R/T C/S Acklington – ROVUK Oustom – PUPPET charter Hall – CIVSTREET
Passed c/s to Leeming & Skipton F/C. Former called back to say these are incorrect. D.S.O. couldn’t help so we used what we had. Leeming F/C also said Controller had not informed the stations concerned. Newcastle denys [sic] this.
0340 / DIVERSION / C.F.C. says Shipdham now U/S. and they have made arrangements to divert to Bruntingthorpe. Good old 92.
0405 / BLOCKED RUNWAY EASTMOOR / Ex 62 Base – Eastmoor has a pranged a/c on runway in use. Gave them Scorton with a viz of 7 miles. Newcastle happy.
Thought Newcastle should be chewed off for effort – entry [deleted] 0305 [/deleted] 0340 hrs. In view of their good show I humbly bowed & said “Thank you.”
0436 / 432/a/c / Eventually landed at Eastmoor.
0400 / 1659/R Overdue / Overdue action taken by 61 Base. a/c not heard from following take off. No joy from 9 or 13 Groups. Later 9 Group advised Sealand had given a/c a 2nd class fix at 2317 hrs. pos. 5235N 0134W. Search of fresh sea area being instigated by 9 Group. 61 Base also to log on some cross countries along the route. Liaison to be with [deleted] 13 [/deleted] 15 Group.
0830 Off duty F/O Spence On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
0930 / a/c away / Requested all of 99 a/c who landed away at 20 stations to return to base.
0935 / 1659/R / – Checked the fix shown by entry at 0400 – RAFNI. had no word
Sealand say it is called as given. Inf. 61 Base, S/L Seabourne W/C Milfield.
[page break]
Oxford – T 1343 left Skipton 1225 for Lindholme. Inf. Lindholme a/c & G/C aboard.
1200 / 28 th May – From station “Z”
Leeds Police Report. – Rec’d by station Z at 0138/28 –
A/C crashed in field 3 miles NW of Lindholme airfield near Doncaster – Machine completely smashed and burned out. Br . Hal. at 0250 to-day?
Crew of 7 all killed – a/c No BB.264
[underlined] Gardens [/underlined]
420/O – landed at Edgehill – short of petrol – ran off the end of R/W. Crew returned with F/420.
[page break]
1030 / Sea Search – organized . for search of 1659/R over Irish Sea.
15 Grp – 2 warwicks + others on X/C, on northern part
19 Grp – 2 Warwicks + others on X/C,
61 Base. – 2 Hal. on Route 17 Reversed.
1035 / Sea Search. – Re 0300 hr report from 429/O –
A/C shot down – crew baled out 5149N, 0146E
16 Grp have had 2 Anson out for 2 1/2 hrs. and boats also searching the area.
1200 / Search / 1659/R – Top. a/c delayed - owing to Air Ministry report of a crash at Lindholme – of Hal. BB – 264. –
Evidently not 1659 a/c – LL286
1230 / Ops. Route – 12 Grp – OK to go out at Bridport and Little Hampton 8000’t.
1210 / Sea Sighting – 9 Grp. – report that an a/c. sighted a dinghy south of Isle of Man with a number of bodies in it. Sea Search a/c directed to this spot while just a/c staged & circled. – 61 Base holding their a/c until further word heard.
Off duty B.T O’Beirn – On duty HL Spence
1345 / Balloons / Control at 1500ft. as follows:-
Langley } 2359 hrs to 0150 hrs.
Weybridge } 2359 hrs to 0150 hrs.
Yeovil – 0005 – 0040 & 0230 – 0320 hrs
1400 / Comm. Flt. Anson / Authority by S.A.S.O. to take parts to Congleton & Barford St. Johns in m/n.
1430. / Permission M.S.G. / Requested to fly Hal. To Waddington for H.2S installation & pick up specialist H2S crew to instal [sic] new Mark 10 in remainder of their a/c. No. crew to come by regular transport.
420 Hal. / Request to fly Hal. To Bruntingthorpe and Chipping Warden to deliver parts. No. By transport.
[page break]
[underlined] 1659/P. Accident (LL288) [/underlined]
Informed AOC [symbol], SaSo [symbol], Air I [symbol], Controller [symbol] SFCO [symbol] , G.T.I. [symbol], G.A.I.
Report – that 420/W (call sign S.G.X U)
Report was calling Chipping Warden at 03.30 / 28/5/44.
Checked – Chipping Warden did not receive the above call.
Report – that a/c seen in flames near Chipping Warden at 0320 / 28/5/44 ─ 92 Grp had an a/c burned at Silverstone – evidently this was the one seen.
[page break]
Permission 432 Sqn / WC. McKay requests permission to take 2 ground crew on retraction test.
Comm. Flt. Anson / Reserved for W/C White, S.L. [indecipherable word], F/Ln Holmes, etc for 1500 hrs, 29-5-44. to go to Hendon. Also [deleted] to [/deleted] 62 Base to furnish pilot.
[boxed] D.E.C.O’s [/boxed] / Instructions have been received from O.C. Unit, with reference to P.T., that, the following regulation will apply to this section as regards attendance:-
(1) Officers on night watch are not expected to be present as watch doesn’t finish until 09.00 hrs.
(2) Officer’s commencing watch at 09.00 hrs must attend that day’s P.T. parade
(3) Officer’s on a day-off are excused P.T. if [underlined] off the camp [/underlined] for one day. (24 hrs)
1500 / Weather Diversion / Middle Wallop allotted by C.F.C. 433 Sqn.
1405 / Take-off Accident [underlined] 1659/P [/underlined] / Swung to port on take off; undercarriage collapsed. Port Wing & undercarriage on the deck. 300 yds off runway.
[underlined] [indecipherable words] [/underlined]. Pilot F/S Hen. Crew O.K.
1530 / Sea Search 1659/R / False report as to dinghy & bodies. Liberator making sighting saw only wooden crate at pos 5356N 0452W. Anson doing square search in area. Pinnace searched area & found the wooden crate. W/C Newsome 1664 Sqn doing low level [inserted] (200-500ft) [/inserted] search to Mull Galloway – 10 miles south Edinburgh – Topcliffe. 1659 are doing 2000’ flight over remainder of land route to Welsh coast.
1830 / Off duty H.LSpence. On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
TO C.F.C. / Diversion summary posted. 108 a/c landed away at 23 stations.
[page break]
[underlined] 1659/R – Sea Search. [/underlined]
[underlined] May 28 [/underlined] – 5 Warwicks and 1 Anson searched – nil result Pinnace found and picked up the body of F/S Blair at 2208 hrs and took it to West Freugh.
Fortress went out and dropped flares and boats Continued search
Wigtown sent out Anson at 0455 to search all the sea area
5445N 0500W. 5435N 0440W.
5435N 0500W. 5443N 0430W
Height – 400’ 1/2 mile vis.
10 Ansons from Bishops Court to search area.
5450N 0510W 5430N 0430W
5430N 0510W. 5443N 0430W
Tidal drift E to NE. into the bay.
Search starting 8 miles south of position where body was found
Passed to 61 Base.
[page break]
1900 / Sea Search – Irish sea – nothing further sighted
1 a/c 1659 and 1 a/c 1664 searched over land but saw nothing.
2210 / 1659/R. S.Search / 9 Grp – Report – re 1659/R. – Body of F/S Blair – R119574 spotted by an a/c 300 yds off shore – near Mull of Galloway. – Body picked up by boat – Search proceeding in the area. Inf 61 Base. SASO S.O.S. S/L Seabourne.
[underlined] MONDAY MAY 29th [/underlined]
100 33 – on Scallops – Met advise that Skipton will be fit for them - ,
For those returning from Jelly Fish should get them down in Group - possibly mid. S. G. – Inf. Skipton mid. S. G – & 11 Grp.
0145 / 1659/R / – 15 Grp. that M.O. says that F/S Blair’s body had been in the sea about 24 hrs. – Had been spotted and picked up by boat [inserted] 2208 hrs/28 [/inserted] A fortress has continued the search dropping flares and boats are in the area. 15 Grp requested to continue search in the morning.
0250 / Intruders / – Opened lines for plotting. One hostile about the mouth of the Humber. And one following the coast north of Humber.
0311 / Air Raid Warning Purple – one intruder heading between Middleton and Leeming. Fighter followed him out to sea
0322 / All clear – Fighters continued pursuit – one shot down enemy a/c.
0400 / Ops / a/c landed O.K. at base (Skipton).
0900 / Off duty F/O O’Beirn – On duty H.L. Spence
[page break]
11.30. A/C belongs to Scorton. Scorton taking action.
[page break]
[underlined] Monday. May 29th 1944. [/underlined]
1120. / LK-755 / Permission given Leeming to fly crew to Honeybourne to pick up m/n.
Permission to fly. (Army personnel) / Ruling by S.S.S.O. –
Provided their Unit’s permission has been secured and the Base Commander is agreeable, there’s no objection by us at 6 Group, for station aircraft to take them along on ordinary training details
1130. / Crash. Nr Swinithwaite [symbol] / Ex Leeming:- Report of a crash from Leyburn police [inserted] N.F.S. [/inserted] Fire Tender despatched. Map – ref. Sheet 21 – pos. 311096. While it appears to be 4 Group area in view of hills and proximity informed Catterick. Also put Newcastle Controller in possession of the facts.
Com Flt. Oxford / Reserved for F/L. Rawson. 1330 hrs. remainder of day – within Group.
1210. / L.F.B’s / [symbol] 2 at Flamborough Head. exposed on 300°T from 0145 – 0245 hrs.
At Oxfordness – exposed on 300°T from 0120 to 0220 hrs.
Balloons / – [underlined] Billingham [/underlined] close hauled from 2230 – 2350 hrs. and 0200 – 0330 hrs.
[underlined] Harwich [/underlined] will be controlled at 1500ft from 0015 to 0200 hrs.
1300 / Off duty H.L. Spence F/O.
1400 / Permission To fly / Air I O.K.’s flight by a 426 a/c to Barford St. John to take a crew for 426/A.
1520 / REPORTED CRASH / From 61 Base – Crash near Helperby (Observer Corp post Y2) checked with R.O.C.R.O. & F.C.L.O who say NO CRASH
Told 61 Base
1735 / 1695 B.O.W. N/F / Request all outer circles on 2345 – 0030
Passed to 62, 63 and 64 Bases.
[page break]
[underlined] ALL DECO’s NOTE [/underlined] ref signal:- HW-7/29 MAY
W.E.F 1st JUNE. F.C.(Ops.) LOCATED AT STATION Z WILL MOVE TO [underlined] AIR MINISTRY BUSH HOUSE [/underlined]. THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE IN THE FUNCTION OF THE DEPT. ALL SIGNALS TO BE ADDRESSED TO AIR MINISTRY KINGSWAY – [underlined] TELEPHONE EXTENSIONS [/underlined] 9482 & 9483. G.P.O. TEMPLE BAR – 5411.
[underlined] Gardens [/underlined]
Balloons
[symbol] Yeovil – 1500’ 0010 – 0045
0210 – 0245
[symbol] Langley Weybridge – 1500’ 0020 – 0315
[symbol] Billingham c/h. 2210 – 0030
0245 – 0500.
[underlined] 4/J/189 [/underlined]
Balloons.
[symbol] Billingham – c/h. 2210 – 0030
0245 – 0500.
Langley & Weybridge. 1500’ 0020 – 0315
[deleted] Billingham [/deleted]
[symbol] Landfall Beach Hastings – 305° T. 0205 – 0305
[underlined] D.F.C.O’s [/underlined]
The map showing DGA’s in South of England which are to be avoided by both training and operational aircraft is on the second map mount under the clock and should be consulted when any route is doubtful as regards Gun Defended Areas.
[indecipherable letters] Fearnley S/Ldr.
[underlined] Z-431 [/underlined] [symbol] L.F. Beacon – Worthing – 330° T 0115-0215
[symbol] Balloons. Billingham c/h. 2100-2230 0215-0400
[symbol] Langley Weybridge } 1500’ 2300 – 0001
[symbol] Portsmouth } 1500’ 0115 – 0240
[page break]
[underlined] Monday May 29th 1944. [/underlined]
1725 / 433/X / Lands at Aldermaston with hydraulic trouble. He was advised by Skipton F/C to remain until 6 Gp Servicing Flight contacted him. I have been unable to see F/R Smith or W/O Barton. (F/L Smith informed)
2030 / 433/X / – Could not locate F/L Smith.
Have instructed crew to remain overnight. – Shall get F/L Smith to check it in the morning.
2030 / X/C / Scrubbed by all bases. SASO had previously asked to be informed before take off.
[underlined] TUESDAY MAY 30th [/underlined].
00.01 / Off duty. F/O O’Beirn.
On duty. F.D.Cleland F/L.
02.00 / Weather. / M.S.G. should be OK for Gardeners. 2300yds vis and NLC. Croft standing by – 3 mi. vis.
02.00 / A.S.R. / 3 a/c of 428 Sq. detailed for search tomorrow morning. Weather at sea very doubtful.
Chance of 10/10 ths sea fog.
09.00 / Off duty. F.D. Cleland
On duty N.A. Warwick F/O.
0935. / D.F.C.O’s / Please note opposite page.
1100. / C.F.C. / offer for 8-9 aerodromes within 91-92 Groups for possible weather diversion stations for tonights A/C.
1245 / Off duty F/O Warwick. On duty B. O’Beirn F/O
1430 / Balloons and LF. Beacons arranged.
1604 / Cesna ([indecipherable word] “A”) / 37784 landed Croft en route to Ouston from Heston.
Vis was 1500yds at Croft and worse about Newcastle.
ROC were unable to get [indecipherable word] – confused it with Hal. Near Thalthorpe.
1800 / DIV. Bases – Request for Weather diversion for 2 a/c in Gardens. Other ops scrubbed
[page break]
Following a/c landed due to weather: staying overnight.
Argus 35342. 30-5 Tholthorpe – Warton.
Oxford DF415 30-5 Topcliffe – Lindholme.
Proctor HM315 30-5 Skipton – White Waltham.
Cessna 37784 30-5 Croft – Hendon
[page break]
1815 / DIV Base – for 428 – Emergency weather – Market Harborough. – passed gen to 64.
1825 / Darky / – mid report that Croft answering a darky Curley “D”. 12 Grp
– have no plot. – Landed Scorton.
1830 / Off duty B.T. O’Beirn
On duty – H.L.Spence. F/O.
2030. / L.F.B’s. & Balloons / Requests for m/n on 4/J/189 and Z-431 now cancelled.
2230 / Balloons. / Request for controller close haul of Balloons for Gardening aircraft cancelled.
Weather Dvn.Base / Cancelled Market Harborough with 92 Group.
N.F. / No night flying in Group.
[underlined] Wednesday – May 31/44. [/underlined]
[deleted] Morning Offer [/deleted]
0200 / Ident Board changed.
1045 / 420/U&T 420/K&B. / Permission to fly crew in 420/U to Bruntingthorpe to pick up 420/T. Also 420K with extra crew to Preston to pick up 420/B.
1600 / Wellington 22OTU Wellesbourne. / a/c which landed at Wombleton yesterday. 91 Group request he be sent on following crosscountry: Malton – Filey – 5408N 0200E – Wells – Hitchin (5157N 0015W) Lincoln – Priors Hardwick (Bombing Range) Base. To be given route forecast and briefed particularly of thunder storms. 6 Group met concerned about thunderstorms in Midlands west of 00°30’ W and south of Liverpool to Wash. 91 Group say OK for a/c to take off, as other of their's are doing the route. Pilot to be instructed to avoid the thunderstorms.
[page break]
[underlined] D.F.C.O’s. [/underlined] to note
Flying Restrictions HW.43 May 30.
N.E.F. 0001 hrs. 1st June TFN all non-operational flying by night is prohibited south of a line joining Ramsgate, Croydon, Winchester Exeter and Lands End – except
(a) Flights to & from stations located south of this line are permitted solely for purpose of entering or leaving area by shortest practical route having regard to regulations contained in SO 158(2) below 3,500ft ft or below cloud whichever is lower.
(b) Training flights for special exercises in connection with impending operations are permitted provided clearance is obtained in advance from the appropriate Air Defence Group Movement Liaison Section.
(c) Flights by Fighter aircraft under close R.I. Control by Ground Stations.
All aircrews to be warned.
[page break]
10.30. / Command BullsEye. / C – 96 tonight. Details passed to 61 Base. Operational squadrons not requested to participate – Controller stating they will not have any spare aircraft for it. Gen. passed to station – 61 Base.
1130. / Darky Egress H. / Ex Croft – Requested weather, stating he was on a heading of 340°. Was loud and clear at 1120 but then faded. No report from other stations in Group.
Com. Flt. Anson DJ618. / Left Hendon for Linton at 1044hrs. Informed W/C McCarthy.
1220 / NBL/O. Message / Ex Topcliffe for 22 O.T.U. Wellesbourne prefixed important. Pos 5433N 0155W T.O.O. 1158 received 1215 hrs: Informed 91 Group.
1147 / Fortress at Topcliffe / From Twinwood (Cranfield) landed after firing 2 white verseys. Was lost. Will continue to Prestwick this afternoon.
Informed 12 Group who wished a check made.
1255 / NB4/U message. / Ex Topcliffe. for 22 O.O.U. Wellesbourne Pos. 5422N 0142W T.O.O. 1230. rec. 1247 hrs. Informed 91Group.
1200 / Com Flt. Proctor / Reserved for S/L. Rawson for 1230 hrs. – To Wombleton, rest of day.
1550 / L.F.B. / [underlined] Orfordness [/underlined] – 300° T from 0045 – 0145 hrs.
[underlined] Dungeness [/underlined] – 295° T from 0030 – 0130 hrs.
Balloons / [underlined] Billingham [/underlined] close hauled 2115 – 0001 hrs 0130 – 0545 hrs.
[underlined] Harwick [/underlined] – 1500’ control 2345 – 0130 hrs.
[underlined] Yoevil [sic] [/underlined] – 1500’ control 0100 – 0245 hrs.
Langley }
Weybridge } – 1500’ control 2315 – 0130 hrs.
Portsmouth }
1655 / Crash / Ex 12 Group: Crash in Z [inserted] (7345) [/inserted] 7549 at Midridge Lane on L.N.E.R line (Nr Shildon) (Thunderbolt or) 4-eng. a/c (or both) Middleton to take action.
[page break]
[underlined] 500 1/E/15 [/underlined]
Balloons – Billingham – 2100 – 2300
0030 – 0230
[symbol] London, Thames Estuary } 1500ft
Canterbury, Chelmsford } 2315 – 0015
Dover }
Harwich – 1500’ 2359 – 0045
[symbol] L.F.Beacon
Orfordness – 305°T 2359 – 0059.
0130
[underlined] 9/K/3. [/underlined]
[symbol] Balloons – Yeovil at 1500’ – 2310 – 0000
0030 – 0130
[underlined] Diversion Bases. Emergency [/underlined]
408 } Wing.
426 } Wing.
424 & 433 – Wesheath
420 & 425 – Silverstone
427 & 429 – Honeybourne.
432 } Woodbridge.
419 & 428 } Woodbridge.
431 & 434 } Woodbridge.
[page break]
1745 / Crash. (1654CU.) / Ref. entry 1655. – 12 Group have arranged for [deleted] Newcastle [/deleted][inserted] Northern Command [/inserted] to take care of guard for first 48 hrs. Also state aircraft is UG/A. – [inserted] 1654 5Grp [/inserted]. Crash is 2 miles west of [deleted] Skipton [/deleted][inserted] Wisely [/inserted] and all crew dead. Rumour by villagers that they saw one person bale out. This may have been tail unit which was reported as being some considerable distance away.
1800 / Command Bulls Eye. / All Groups have cancelled their offers to participate. Ours also withdrawn.
1830 / Off duty F/O Spence On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
2000 / Balloons & LF. Beacons times amended.
2045 / Diversion – Emergency Stations passed to stns.
2145 / Crash / – UG/A – is 1654 C.U. a/c – from Wigsley in 5 Grp. – Line busy
2235 / Crash 1654/A / Reported details to 5 Grp F.C. Regret the delay as we were busy.
2250 / 434/Z / Croft – a/c circling Croft – Cannot get wheels up –
S.O.P. instructed Croft to tell pilot to go out to sea and [indecipherable word] detail.
2310 / C.F.C. / – request us to arrange with Thornaby – to divert Granny “U” (Lane) – Thornaby agree.
2330 / 428/P / – Returning with aleo leg trouble. – Cannot land him at Woodbridge
– weather duff. – Requested 61 Base to have Dalton lay a cinder strip.
2335 / 428/P / – U/C only 1/2 way down. – Sending him to Dalton.
[page break]
[underlined] CRASHES [/underlined]
426/C LK-880 – Swung on landing from ops. And hit bomb dump. Crew OK.
Category AC or E
F/O Taylor WJ
425/P LW-375 – Pranged on the runway on landing at base; blocked the runway. Crew O.K.
Category – B
F/L Rance?
428/P JN-963. – Could not get wheels completely down – belly landed at Dalton
Crew O.K. [deleted] Cat A.C. [/deleted] or Cat [underlined] B [/underlined].
P/O Ganthorean
434/G. (LW 389) – Landed at Woodbridge. Amid thunder storm
Vis. Was low. S.O.E. was feathered. Landed downwind (25MI. NE) in heavy rain.
Was swept to stbd. Off flare path and hit a clump of trees.
[page break]
[underlined] June 1st [/underlined]
0020 / 1 Grp / – Diversion of 12 a/c – on X/C diverted to Dishforth
0112 / 428/P / – Belly landed OK at Dalton no one hurt
0115 / 425/P / – pranged at 0103 on landing at base – blocked the main R/W.
0220 / Diversion 428/G.B, Q,T,U,X – send message to “Land at St Eval”
LW FY.
0320 / 4 Grp - / Request provisional bases in 6 Grp. – Leeming. mid. Eastmoor & Thal. Assigned if required.
0420 / N.F. / Ceased – 4 Grp, 1 Grp & 5 Grp do not require us longer.
Closed down the stations:
0510 / Croft - / Power supply U/S for 2nd time to-night. Mid. Taking the darky watch.
0540 / (TO C.F.C) Diversion Summary – 8 a/c used bases assigned 4, used 4 other bases and 186 retuned to home base.
4 a/c from 5 Grp (Training) and
6 a/c from 1 Grp landed in 6 Grp.
0550 / Crash – 1654 CU. / 1654/A – Mid. is the nearest RAF station to Shildon and instructed to continue guarding the a/c.
Seven [indecipherable word] are at Middleton awaiting instructions from 5 Grp.
0710 / Re a/c away – Contacted 92 Grp, 8 Grp, 5 Grp and C.F.C. to get our a/c ready to take off between 0800 & 0900 hrs after getting our O.K.
0715 / 62 Base / – Linton & Thalthorpe partly u/s – bogged & pranged a/c.
0830 / Off duty F/O O’Beirn
On duty H.L.Spence F/O.
[page break]
[underlined] Gardens [/underlined]
[underlined] Balloons [/underlined]
Billingham – close hauled 2200 – 2330 hrs.
0145 – 0345 hrs
Harwich – Controlled at 1500ft. – 2330 – 0200 hrs
[underlined] L.F.B. [/underlined]
Orfordness – on 305°T – 0045 – [underlined] 0145. [/underlined]
[underlined] Target 9/K/3. [/underlined]
Billingham Balloons close hauled – 2245 – 0030 hrs.
0330 – [underlined] 0515 [/underlined] hrs.
Yeovil – controlled at 1500ft – 0115 – [deleted] 0200 [/deleted] hrs [deleted] 0236 [inserted] to [/inserted] – 0320 hrs
[underlined] L.F.B. [/underlined]
Bridport – on 045° T – 0230 to 0330 hrs.
[underlined] Target. 4/J/100. [/underlined]
[underlined] Balloons. [/underlined]
Langley & Weybridge. – controlled at 1500ft. from [deleted] 2320 [/deleted] 2300 hrs to [deleted] 2350 [/deleted] 2329 hrs.
Billingham – close hauled – [underlined] 2120 [/underlined] – 2250 hrs & 0125 – 0245 hrs.
[underlined] L.F.B. [/underlined]
Orfordness 305°T from [underlined] 0020 [/underlined] – 0120 hrs.
[page break]
1320 / 44/F / Ex 5 Group. OK’ d return to base.
1245 / 1657/W&C. / Ex 1 Group a/c to stand by at 1400 hrs for. T.O. but await final OK.
1320 / A/C away. / Ex 6 Group Met. – Still feel conditions en route ropey for return to bases.
Belt of rain & low cloud from Liverpool to Ipswich; cloud in Lincolnshire 1000ft. & lower, similar at St Eval; Irish sea area also bad.
Balloons. L.F.B’s. / See opposite page.
1415 / 207/H&J. / 5 Group OK’d return to base. Pilot to be given route forecast & if necessary could be routed out over sea and in on eastern lattice line. In any [indecipherable word] over low ground. 62 & 64 Base informed.
1430 / 1656/MUL 1667/W / Ex 1 Group: OK for return – all to go to Sandtoft as Lindholme U/S.
1415 / 1662/D / Ex 1 Group: OK. For return.
1530 / a/c away / Controller checked Met and could see no possibility of these aircraft returning this afternoon.
1655 / 431/P. / Checked Met & Controller OK’ d return.
1710 / 421/T / OK’ d return.
1720 / 428/U / If standing by, to return to base, bringing crew of 434/G. If not ready to take off check further with us before taking off.
1800 / 434/T } OK’d return. 1830. – 434/T – not tonight – weather
408/H } OK’d return. 1830. – 434/T – not tonight – weather
426/E } OK’d return. 1830. – 434/T – not tonight – weather
1810 / 428/G BQXT / Return OK’d. Fly at approx. 8000ft.
(X & Q – not here. – others Ret.
1825 / Balloons & L.F.B. / Requests to cover 9/K/3 & 4/J/100 cancelled.
[page break]
Mustang V5M from middle Wallop, landed Middleton
[page break]
1850 Off duty – F/O Spence. On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
2045 / Anson / Permission granted for Linton to take crew down to-morrow to pick up 426/E at Westiam.
[underlined] June 2 1944 [/underlined]
0020 [underlined] Cloud marker Beacon [/underlined].. Met advice is no cloud – 2000’ – lowering to 1500’ or less. – laid on for 61 Base & Ops. Inf. [indecipherable word] & Finlay, 12 Grp & 4 Grp.
0240 / Diversion – 4 Grp request provisional bases if the cloud lowers suddenly – Offered Dishforth & Topcliffe.
0300 / C.F.C. / – Diversion summary passed to CFC. 10 a/c returned to base – one to Wittering.
0400 / 4 Grp / – No diversion to us.
0820 / 1656/M / Instructed to return to Sandtoft (1 Grp)
0820 / Oxford / – Mid – S.G. request permission to take repair parts for Q/428 & X/428 at St Eval. (OK’d – Air I)
0900 Off duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
On duty H.L. Spence F/O
0910 / 425/F / Air I authorized flight to Preston with skeleton crew to pick up m/n provided a/c to be used is not required on ops tonight.
0930 / 432 Sqn. MZ590 & 672 / To be flown to Preston for modification.
Will not interfere with today’s offer – either a/c or crews. OK’d by Air I – good crews to be used as civilian airfield is small.
1220 / Swordfish LF 272 Force Landed. / Landed in field to west of Leeming airfield. Anticipated by F.C. Leeming & tender & ambulance dispatched. No harm to either a/c or Pilot.
A.T.A. Pilot from Sherburn en route to Donnibristle [sic].
Sherburn informed by Leeming.
[page break]
[underlined] Gardening [/underlined]
[underlined] Balloons [/underlined]:
Harwich – 1500ft. control 0030 – 0240 hrs
Portsmouth } 1500ft. control 0001 – 0300 hrs.
Southampton } 1500ft. control 0001 – 0300 hrs.
Langley } 1500ft. control 2300 – 0300 hrs.
Weybridge } 1500ft. control 2300 – 0300 hrs.
Billingham – close hauled [deleted] 2230 [/deleted] 2200 – 0001 hrs
and 0300 – 0450 hrs.
[underlined] Landfall Beacons [/underlined].
Worthing – bearing 340°T – 0145 – 0245 hrs.
Orfordness – bearing 305°T – 0135 – 0235 hrs.
Flamborough – bearing 270°T – 0215 – 0315 hrs.
[underlined] 4/J/140. [/underlined]
[underlined] Balloons [/underlined]
Langley } 1500ft. Control 2230 – 0300 hrs.
Weybridge } 1500ft. Control 2230 – 0300 hrs.
[underlined] Landfall Beacon [/underlined].
Hastings – bearing 295°T – 0017 – 0117 hrs.
[underlined] Diversion – Emergency Bases [/underlined].
433 Sqdn – Foulsham
428 & 432 – Wanborough
408 & 426 – Market Harborough
420 & 425 – Bruntingthorpe
[page break]
1200 / Low Flying. 8 gr a/c TL-C / Shot up Dishforth 5 times at zero feet between 1130 & 1150 hrs. Air I informed. Also 8 Group F/C. who are to investigate & advise.
1225 / 427/J / Permission by S.A.S.O. to fly crew to Winfield to pick up m/n.
LV-988 Skipton / F/L Smith to check re status [indecipherable word] of m/n aircraft at Manston & advise.
1330 / L.F.B. Balloons / Arranged as on opposite page.
1620 / Emergency Dvn. Bass. / Requested 3 in 92 Gr. & 1 in East Anglia.
1830 Off duty F/O Spence On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
1900 / Diversion stations allocated & gen passed.
2225 / RAFNI / – Report QBB 800’ – decreasing – Concerned about our Bullseye a/c – Checked with met – Tops 4500’
2300 / 61 Base / F/A at Walton – Request for outer circle lights within Grp. from 2330 – 0030 – Arranged.
2330 / Smoke & flames between Middleton and Thornaby – by mid. Inf. ROCLO.
2340 / Parachute – F.C.L.O. – 12 Grp – report a parachute or parachutes near Stockton-on-Tees. Inf. Mid.
[underlined] June 3rd [/underlined]
0110 / Beaufighter – 412 Grp – a/c in trouble –
– A Beaufighter being directed by searchlights to Thornaby.
6 Grp stations inf.
0450 / TO C.F.C. / – all [inserted] 94 [/inserted] ops a/c landed at homebase.
0900 / Off duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
[page break]
[underlined] Balloons. [/underlined]
Langley } Controlled at 1500ft. from 2315 hrs. to 0230 hrs.
Weybridge } Controlled at 1500ft. from 2315 hrs. to 0230 hrs.
Dover. – Controlled at 2000ft. from 2359 to 0100 hrs. X
Harwich – Controlled at 1500ft. from 0030 to 0145 hrs.
Billingham – close hauled from 2130 to 2300 hrs
and 0115 to 0415 hrs X
[underlined] Landfall Beacons [/underlined]
Orfordness – bearing 305°T – from 0040 to 0140 hrs.
Rye. ([symbol] 14) – bearing 295°T – from 0100 to 0200 hrs. X
Little Hampton – bearing 340°T – from 0045 to 0145 hrs.
Flamboro ([symbol] 2) – bearing 270°T from 0140 to 0240 hrs.
[underlined] Provisional Weather Bases [/underlined].
419 – West Raynham – 100 Grp } Ops Scrubbed
431 – Foulsham 100 Grp } Ops Scrubbed
434 – Downham Market 8 Grp } Ops Scrubbed
427 – Wyton 8 Grp } Ops Scrubbed
429 – Bourn 8 Grp } Ops Scrubbed
424 – Chedburgh 8 Grp } Ops Scrubbed
408 – Mildenhall 3 Grp } Ops Scrubbed
426 – Tuddenham 3 Grp } Ops Scrubbed
420 – Waterbeach 3 Grp } Ops Scrubbed
425 – Newmarket 3 Grp } Ops Scrubbed
Definite W/X Diversion. { 428 – [deleted] Witchford [sic] [/deleted] 3 Grp Waterbeach
Definite W/X Diversion. { 433 – Little Snoring 100 Grp
[page break]
[underlined] Sat. June 3/44 [/underlined]
0900 / On duty H.L.Spence F/O.
1300 / Balloons & L.F.B. / Arranged as on opposite page.
1400 / Well “N” 105 O.T.U. / Landed at Croft. from Bramcote – reason W/I, Intercom & Eng. U/S. Bramcote [deleted] and [/deleted] informed by Croft direct.
1405 / V.I.P. / A.O.C. landed at Dishforth in a Hudson from Hendon. No prior notice of the movement was received by F.C. here at 6 Group or 61 Base.
1600 / Emerg. Weather Dvn.Bases. / Preliminary warning passed to C.F.C. for 6 Bases in East Anglia (Orfordness to Wash) and 6 in 92 Group area (West of London). Met do not desire at moment to commit themselves to any cast iron safe areas.
1522 / 1666/F U.C. Collapse. [underlined] (W-1235) [/underlined] / Ex 61 Base:-
Pilot:- P/O Howe (pupil on 1st solo.)
No instructor in aircraft.
Normal approach but a very bumpy landing, as a result of which the undercarriage collapsed. Runway 05 in use.
Met: - S.W. Wind 13 MPH. Cl. 9/10 [indecipherable word]. Base 2000’ vis. 15 miles. Crew OK.
Informed:-
A.O.C. S.A.S.O. [symbol] Air I [symbol]
Cont. [symbol] G.A.I. [symbol] G.T.I. [symbol]
Equipt [symbol] Engig. [symbol]
Crash report to G.A.I.
1800 to / Dvn. Bases. / Received from C.F.C. – [deleted] West Raynham [/deleted], and allotted as on opposite page
1830 / Off duty F/O Spence, On duty B. O’Beirn F/O
1900 / Diversion gen passed to stations.
– Provisional weather bases.
2000 / D.F.CO’s note. [underlined] Black Widow [/underlined] – 62 Base F.C. report that this type of a/c approached within 500 yds of Lintons bombers
[page break]
[underlined] 0500 [/underlined]
Mid. St. Geo. re. overdue Action Signal A-7136 – re Auster MZ- [deleted] 818 [/deleted] 181. A/C had been at M.S.G. since June [deleted] 2nd [/deleted][inserted]3rd. [/inserted] No signal action had been taken by M.S.G. to [deleted] hi [/deleted] its Parent Station Tangmere or Pt. of destination Milfield = Air Ministry phoned & information passed, instructed M.S.G. to taken immediate signal action to Milfield rpt’d Tangmere.
[page break]
recently, and that aircrew were [indecipherable word] by these “intrudes. like“ approached
Contacted F.C.L O. 12 Grp. who is to check and ask for a discontinuance of these actions
Seaton F-C. reply that some of their pilots were testing their radar equipment and became too eager and approached our a/c. Seaton are issuing instructions for these approaches to cease.
2200 / Diversion – Definite 433 to Little Snoring 428 to Waterbeach. – gen passed.
[underlined] Sunday. June 4. 1944. [/underlined]
0050 / Diversion- Signal – sent on Group Ops. Wave.to 433 & 419.
0055 / Mid. – / Darky – heard by mid & Croft – “I am crashing” – Inf. ROCLO.
0057 / Darky / – 64 Base & 62 Base lit up. 12 Grp believe mid Darky due to skip distance. Mosquito over Linton headed South.
0150 / 4 Grp / – May wish to divert to us, our stations [indecipherable word].
0230 / A0966 / – 3 June – Special Routeing areas off South Coast. Teleprinter copy sent to all the stations.
0230 / Diversion Summary to C.F.C. – 15 of 433 to Little Snoring 100 Grp. 10 of 428 to Waterbeach.
0400 [symbol] / Diversion / 4 Grp. re. closing down as they have coped with own A/C O.K.
0700. / DIV. A/C / Checked with Met. re. return of A/C away & not happy.
Will check at 10 [underlined] 00 [/underlined] hrs. 100 Grp & 3 Grp informed.
[page break]
R/433 – Serv. 1800 hrs. 4/June – Requires crew.
I/433 – U/S – Crew remaining at L. Snoring.
[page break]
[underlined] JUNE 4-1944: [/underlined]
0900 / Off duty F/O O’Beirn
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.
1140 / A/c away / 3 Grp. told to route 428 a/c via Spalding, York, North Allerton Base, and 100 Grp to route 433 a/c via Spalding, York & Base. This covers low ground because of low cloud (down to 1,000ft & less in places). Crews to fly below cloud or not more than 6-7000ft (freezing level 8,000ft.) Conferred with Met. Controllers instructions. Skipton & M.St. G. informed.
1245 / L.F.B. At Orfordness – 305°T from [deleted] 0300 –0130 [/deleted] hrs. [inserted] 0300 – 0400 hrs [/inserted]
Balloons. / Harwich – 1500’ Control – from [deleted] 0030 [/deleted] to [deleted] 0130 [/deleted] hrs [inserted] 0300 – 0400 hrs
Canterbury – 1500’ Control } – from [deleted] 2345 [/deleted] to [deleted] 0045 [/deleted] [inserted] 0215 – 0315 hrs [/underlined]
Thames Est. – 1500’ Control } – from [deleted] 2345 [/deleted] to [deleted] 0045 [/deleted] [inserted][underlined] 0215 – 0315 hrs [/underlined][/inserted]
Dover – 2000’ Control } – from [deleted] 2345 [/deleted] to [deleted] 0045 [/deleted] [inserted][underlined] 0215 – 0315 hrs [/underlined][/inserted]
Billingham – close hauled from [deleted] 2145 [/deleted][inserted] 0015 [/inserted] to [deleted] 2315 [/deleted][inserted] 0145 hrs.[/inserted]
from [deleted] 0115 to 0315 [/deleted] hrs [inserted] 03:45 to 05:45 hrs [/inserted]
a/c away / Told 100Grp to have 433/I & E check with us further before taking off.
1515 / D.F.C.O’s N.B. / Ref. new column “Operations” in “Night Flying Training Report”. These figures are to be completed here at Group by D.F.C.O. (or desk)
1830 / Off duty F/O Spence. On duty B.O’Beirn F/O
2230 / Balloons & LF. Beacon times amended. No diversion bases laid on.
2330 / Lossiemouth request possible diversion base at Middleton. Inf. C.F.C.
[underlined] Monday June 5th [/underlined]
0015 / 13 Grp / – Diversion of 24 Wellingtons from Lossiemouth.
Offered Topcliffe & Dishforth.
0145 / 13 Grp / – “A” from Lossiemouth landed Topcliffe at 0130. – No definite diversion to 61 Base.
[page break]
0820 Diversion Summary to CFC. – all 69 of 6 Grp landed at base.
A/2207U. Lossiemouth landed Topcliffe.
0900 / Off duty [deleted] H L Sp [/deleted] F/O O’Beirn
On duty H.L. Spence F/O
0945 / 433/R / Permission requested to fly skeleton crew to Little Snoring to pick up m/n. Crews concerned not in morning offer. Ruling by Air I & Controller:- “If a/c to be used could be used on ops. tonight movement is not sanctioned. – Skipton informed.
Final decision Crew of 433/I to bring back 433/R.
1040. / 426/R. Mod. / Permission refused to fly a/c to Preston for modification & to pick up 426/L today. (Controller 62 Base failed to inform the Squadron & a/c took off without O.K.)
1245. / Ops. Clearance / Gun Defended areas. Route cleared with A.A.L.O. 9 Group; A.A.L.O, F.C.L.O. and ML.O. 10 Group; and A.A.L.O. 11 Group Latter request times for firing restriction.
Com Flight Anson / Received for 433 Sqn. Skipton to take crew to Little Snoring to pick up m/n a/c. Crew not one already detailed for ops tonight.
1600 / Balloons / Billingham. – close hauled – {2130 – 2300 hrs 0100 – 0800 hrs [symbol]
Thames Est. – 1500’ Control – {2245 – 0010 hrs 0230 – 0330 hrs [symbol]
Port Talbot } 1500ft. Control from 0115 hrs to 0600 hrs [symbol]
Barry } 1500ft. Control from 0115 hrs to 0600 hrs [symbol]
Cardiff } 1500ft. Control from 0115 hrs to 0600 hrs [symbol]
Swansea } 1500ft. Control from 0115 hrs to 0600 hrs [symbol]
Newport } 1500ft. Control from 0115 hrs to 0600 hrs [symbol]
Bristol } 1500ft. Control from 0115 hrs to 0600 hrs [symbol]
Weston-S-M } 1500ft. Control from 0115 hrs to 0600 hrs [symbol]
L.F.B. / Sidmouth (Special) will be on a bearing of 345°T
from 0115 to 0215 hrs and
from 0430 to 0545 hrs
1720 / L.F.B. / Ex 10 Group: Beacon at Sidmouth not available
[page break]
Emergency Diversion Bases.
419 & 428 – Calerne – 10 Grp.
431 & 434 – Lyneham – 44 Grp. Trans. Com.
427 & 429 – Moreton Valence – 25 Grp
424 & 433 – Pershore 44 Grp. – Trans. Com.
408 & 426, 432 – Honeybourne – 91 Grp.
420 & 425 – Long Marston 91 Grp.
[page break]
1815 / Emerg. Dvn. Bases / Ex C.F.C. – All the Stations in south of 10 Group will be standing by but none definitely allotted. 5 or 4 (1 for each of our bases) will be given us later.
1830 / Off duty F/O Spence, On duty B. O’Beirn F/O.
1915 / Emergency Diversion Bases allocated
2000 / Routeing – of 6 Grp ops to AA.L.O. 11 Grp; A.S.LO 10 Grp. M LO. & AA L.O. 12 Grp; AA LO; 9 Grp.
2015 / Diversion gen to stations.
2020 / X/C [symbol] – Routes must stop north of 5400N to-night – height 6500 – Ruling by SASO. Inf. 61 base.
2225 / Routes / – 12 Grp – Will not accept Bombing nor Fighter Affiliation.
Only X/C & C&B permitted. No X/C over the North Sea. Inf. 61 Base
2350 / Diversion “gen” passed – to Emergency Base.
Tuesday. [underlined] June 6. 1944 [/underlined]
0043 / Re Diversion [underlined] 91 Grp. [/underlined] / 91 Gp called to say could we releive [sic] congestion in their group by accepting two other stations.
[underlined] Made following agreement. [/underlined]
420 by R/T from Long Marston – Enstone
432 by R/T from Honeybourne – Moreton Marsh with provision that any emergency aircraft should land at first station.
0137 / Crash / – FC.L.O 12 Grp & 62 Base report a crash 1 mile east of Tholthorpe
0140 / Crash / position E – 9785. –
Linton taking crash action as Tholthorpe spare tender is u/s.
0220 / Crash / 62 Base report that Tollerton police and Easingwold police have no news of a crash. ROCLO. 12 Grp no more “gen”
[page break]
[underlined] Ref. entry 1305. [/underlined]
Ex-Bircham Newton. at 0300 hours Kings Lynn Police reported a crash. Only meager details available. Story:- a/c was on fire and exploded in the air before crashing and pieces scattered considerable distance. Some on Bircham Newton’s bombing range where crash occurred. 7 bodies found.
[page break]
0300 / Re crash / – Reports not confirmed. Linton Crash party can find nothing and ROCLO Can only confirm flash or flashes in the sky. Instructed Linton tender to return to base.
0300 / [deleted] S [/deleted] andras D.F.CO’s note. / – [inserted] C.F.C. [/inserted] Bomber Command permit use of sandras in 6 group during U.S. Bullseye owing to any northern location. Informed all stations.
0230 / Diversion Summary – one a/c landed at Moreton Valence (25 Grp), and 2 a/c at Honeybourne 91 Grp – 226 landed at base – one missing. – passed to C.F.C.
0900 / Off duty F/O O’Beirn.
On duty H.L. Spence.
0910 / Flying restriction / Ex M.L.O. 12 Group – a/c are not to fly in area to the south of 53°00N, east of 0200°W, nor to cross the east coast south of Flamborough Head. Passed to stations.
1115 / Flying Restriction / Ruling by S.A.S.O. – Training aircraft are not to fly south of 53°00’N by day or night. Informed 61 Base &
Topcliffe D/F. / Ex. C.S.O. Topcliffe H7/D7 now closed down on Bomber Command’s order.
1666 Sq. will use Middleton
1664 will use Linton
1659 will use Leeming.
61 Base asked to provide these H7D7’s with the Basic QFE’s and variations every day.
1300 / Permission granted by SASO for 433 Sq to take crew down to Little Snoring to pick up R/433. Informed 61 Base that they could use the Anson if required.
1300 / [deleted] R [/deleted] L/429 / left Honeybourne for Leeming.
1305 / 426/0 (ops.) / Ex. C.F.C. & Bircham Newton. a/c crashed at Bircham Newton, [inserted] some [/inserted] bombs exploded; all crew killed.
62 Base informed.
[page break]
[underlined] Emergency Diversion Bases. [/underlined]
419,428,424 – Calerne – 10 Grp.
408, 426, 432 – Honeybourne – 91 Grp.
420, 425 433 – Long Marston – 91 Grp.
431 434 – Lyneham 44 Grp T.C.
427, 429 – Moreton Valence – 25 Grp
[underlined] Definite Weather Diversion. [/underlined] at 0120 hrs 7 June.
419 – Calerne 10 Grp.
428 – Westcott – 92 Grp.
408 – Honeybourne – 91 Grp.
426 – Oakley 92 Grp.
432 – Wing 92 Grp.
420 – Wellesbourne 91 Grp.
425 – Tiverton 92 Grp.
[underlined] Provisional Weather Diversion Bases [/underlined].
431 – Lyneham – 10 Grp.
434 – Little Horwood - 92 Grp.
427 – Moreton Valence – 25 Grp. (10 Grp)
429 – Cranfield –
424 – Long Marston 91 Grp.
433 – Weston Zoyland –
[underlined] Early Returns [/underlined].
431/O – { SBA U/S. W/T faint
{ Gee U/S.
433/S – P.O.F. U/S moj cut confirmed by C.T.O.
[underlined] G/426 [/underlined] – Abandon of a/c.
S.O.S. sent when over occupied territory. When over target 500lb Bomb dropped thru his wing. On return to English Coast, Pilot ordered crew to bale out and headed a/c out to sea before jumping himself. 5 of crew are at R.A.F. Hope Cove (only slightly injured) Exeter state the remaining 2 are also accounted for and OK. a/c crashed 1/2 mile out to sea. Gave W/T. c/s “PNR”
[page break]
1730. / Dvn. Bases / Requested Emergency bases from C.F.C.
1815 / Balloons / Yoevil [sic] – [deleted] 1 [/deleted] 500ft Control – 2315 to 0340 hrs [symbol]
Bristol } – [deleted] 1 [/deleted] 500ft Control – 2300 to 0400 hrs [symbol]
[deleted] Weston [/deleted] } – [deleted] 1 [/deleted] 500ft Control – 2300 to 0400 hrs [symbol]
Billingham – close hauled – 2050 – 2400 hrs
0200 – 0600 hrs [symbol]
1830 Off duty F/O Spence. On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
1900 / Diversion bases assigned – Gen passed to stations.
Requested Moreton Valence to have bawser [sic] of 100 octane standing- by
1930 / A-7558 / – 6 June – Amendment to SD 214 –
Correction 2nd live – Dusk of 6th June to dawn 7th June – by phone from A.MINISTRY – passed to 61, 62, 63, 64 [indecipherable letters].
1930 Route / – Ops – Cleared with 12 Grp MLO. X 10 Grp A.A.L.O.
2220 / Red flares – Tholthorpe saw a double red flare in direction of Eastmoor – ROCLO – has no report – probably Eastmoor A.F.C. signal.
2310 / Diversion Bases – Request 8 more Diversion bases. – C.F.C. will try but cannot promise one base per squadron.
2345 / Call signs passed to 10 Grp & 91 Grp.
[underlined] Wednesday June 7th 1944 [/underlined]
0105 / DIVERSION / S.O.C. in consultation with met & Air I decided to divert all a/c. – Inf. Stations.
0120 / Diversion signal sent to 408, 426, 420, 425, 432, 419. 428.
Inf. Above stations.
0150 Diversion S.O.C. decided not to divert 427, 429, 431, 434, 424 or 433.
[page break]
8/9 June.
Landed away – 92 a/c at 16 stations.
[underlined] S.F.C.O. [/underlined]
N.B. – Storm 1700 hrs. – Seems like a “buck passing” job on the part of Wellesbourne without asking our wishes.
[page break]
0230 / a/c Away / – Instructed [inserted] 10 Grp. [/inserted] 91 Grp & 92 Grp to instruct our a/c on R/T to proceed to base, as bases now fit. Only 428 sqdn a/c were to land away at Westheath.
0400 / 426/G (LW-377) / – Crew baled out at Hope Cove (near Torquay) – a/c crashed into sea 1/2 mile offshore.
0500 / a/c away – Informed 91, 92, 10 Grp, for all a/c away to return immediately.
0800 / 92 Group – Slow departure of a/c re-instructed them to get a/c off from Westeath, Oakley [indecipherable word]
0805 / C-M-C- / B.C. – Orders all a/c away to return to base at once.
Sent urgent request to 91, & 92 Groups.
0900 / Off duty F/O O’Beirn
On duty H.L Spence F/O.
1020 / 426 a/c at Woodbridge / Permission granted to fly Hal to Woodbridge to pick up an a/c there; also necessary ground crew for D.I.
1200 / S/L McNeil / Request to use Com. Flt. a/c to fly to R.A.F. Hospital Scunthorpe refused. To use transport.
1500 / Emerg Div. Base / Requested St Eval as base for our Gardeners this evening in case of emergency.
1256 / Crash nr Marston Moor / 426/L reported a/c burning on ground at pos. 5358N 0113W. R.O.C.L.O. 12 Group advises crash in hand. Marston Moor a/c. 62 Base informed.
1600 / Emerg. Dvn. Base / Ex C.F.C. St. Eval OK for emergency purposes.
1700 / U/425 / Took off from Honeybourne to pick up crew of 420/S at Wellesbourne. Could not get his U.C. locked and was sent on to his base Tholthorpe. 62 informed. (W/C McCarthy
[page break]
Well B – 20 OTU. – from Elgin (set of [sic] Lossiemouth landed mid – S.G. owing to weather. Staying over night – mid informing his base
Well “N” – landed Croft 0027 from Castle Donnington (93 Grp)
Carburetor [sic] U/S – staying over night
OB/N –
[page break]
[inserted] 5330 – 6 Grp. [/inserted]
1830 / L.F.B. [symbol] 2. / At Flamboro Hd will be exposed on a bearing of 280°T from 0310 hrs to 0410 hrs; and from 0420 hrs to 0520 hrs. [symbol]
Balloons / Billingham [symbol] – close hauled –
from 2200 to 0040 hrs. and
from 0315 to 0600 hrs.
[symbol] / Thames Estuary – 1500ft. Control
from 0001 to 0140 hrs.
from 0310 to 0410 hrs.
[symbol] / Chelmsford – 1500ft. control.
from 0310 to 0420 hrs
[symbol] / Canterbury – 1500ft. control
from 0150 hrs to 0230 hrs.
[symbol] / Harwich – 1500ft. control
from 0200 hrs to 0300 hrs.
1820 / Off duty – F/O Spence [inserted] On duty [/inserted] B.. O’Beirn F/O.
A/426 / – at Wescoth – Tire [sic] Changed – Ready for morning of June 8. – Crew back.
2350 / Intruders – MLO 12 Grp report 3 Liberators shot down near Bury St Edmunds.
Message sent to our a/c on Target 4802E/12 – “Enemy a/c on track” on 2350 hrs group broadcast – this to be repeated again at 0020 if necessary.
[underlined] Thursday June 8th [/underlined]
0001 / Bullseye – message in Bomber Code to all a/c – on MF “K” and on Stn HF/DF – at 2330 – “Check winds. less than forecast
0020 / Intruder – warning for 4802E/12 & 24/C/31 a/c.
0055 / L.F. Beacon [symbol] 2 – is blacked out – cannot be supplied.
[page break]
426/U –
Landed Bradwell Bay at 0222 hrs 8th June – Flak damage.
Four of crew are O.K.
Three of crew baled out over France.
[underlined] Early Returns [/underlined] –
432/R – S.O.E. U/S confirmed by C.T.O.
1666/A – LV-279 HAL II
CREW – ALL KILLED.
Pilot – P/O GILL A.T.
NAV. P/O HAWKINS W.B. J-35828.
B/A Sgt ASTLES W.W. R-169396
W/OP F/Sgt BANNER W.J R-127993
R/G. P/O WARNS R.F. J-39032.
M/UG. P/O Wilson T.H J-39036.
F/ENG Sgt Ryan
Crashed at Gilling East near Wombleton
[page break]
[underlined] Thursday. June 8th 1944 [/underlined]
0100 / Hostiles have disappeared. Three Liberators believed shot down.
02.00 / 61 Base. / Report from some of their aircraft re icing between 7-13000 ft over bases. They suggest bringing bullseye aircraft back on last leg from Warwick to base at 5000 ft. Our met. agree this is advisable. Message sent out by us on MF/DF at 02.30 “Fly at 5000 last leg”.
0300 / Diversion – Mid have vis 3000 yds cloud base at 350’ – suggested diverted to Skipton – Skipton perimeter track partly blocked do not wish diversion of Mid. a/c.
Requested Dishforth to stand by for 419 a/c.
0330 / 419 / – Mid. Vis 3 miles cloud base 1000’
– a/c will try to land at Mid. and if conditions not per, they will go to Dishforth.
0345 / 429 – Diverted by RT to Chalforth
427 – Diverted by RT to Eastmoor
0355 / 433 / Diverted by RT to Topcliffe
0400 / Crash / – Reported by ROCLO & Wombleton.
0530 / Ops. / All a/c landed in 6 Group except 5 missing a/c; 429/V crashed at RAF Benson; 426/U landed Bradwell Bay with flak damage.
4 Group, on our request had offered Burn, Riccall and Marston Moor for our late a/c.
0540 / Crash 1666/A / – Crashed at 0358 hrs near Gilling East and Stonegrove (A-1399.) – Cloud base 800 – 2000’ vis. 2 miles. – B/A identified.
0550 / 429/V / – Crashed at R.A.F. Benson.
Three of crew baled out over France when a/c damaged by flak. Pilot S/L Anderson severely injured in his back. F/Eng. flew the a/c as far
[page break]
[underlined] 408/Q [/underlined] – 62 Base report that at 0346 hrs. Linton gave an aircraft using 408 Sqn a/c call sign (or similar) a position for entry in the circuit but did not get an acknowledgment. Their listening contend ‘they’ heard a reply however. No other contact was made.
[page break]
429/U Crash. / as Chalgrove. – Hampstead Norris directed a/c to Woodbridge, but crew did not understand the message and continued to circle Chalgrove. Finally Hampstead ordered the crew to bale out
Three of crew put the unconscious pilot out on a static line and then baled out themselves.
Sgt [indecipherable word], Sgt Mangaine and Sgt Ritchie landed OK.
Chalgrove station commander sent out Tiger Cubs who spotted S/L Anderson, and directed an ambulance to him. M.O. reports that S/L Anderson died of his wound either before landing or shortly after landing, although his parachute had opened and ha had made a normal landing.
11 Grp. F.C. think that Chalgrove stn C.O. should be commended for their prompt efficient finding of the pilot.
Above reported to 63 Base as details came in.
0630 / a/c away within the Group instructed to return to bases.
0640 / 426/U / – Four of crew baled out over France – Remainder of crew landed a/c safely at Bradwell Bay despite flak damage to a/c.
0700 / 420 / – Request by W/C McCarthy to pick up a a/c at Woodbridge.
0930 / Off duty – B.T. O’Beirn F/O
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.
1100 / 426/U / At Bradwell Bay. Crew (3) to be picked up by 432 Sqn a/c going to Woodbridge also following equipment.
Camera Equipt, Gee Monica & 4 Crystals.
F.C.L.O. 11 to inform Bradwell Bay
[page break]
Take-off accident – 420/R. (MZ569)
Pilot – F/O Zavitz
Informed A.O.C. Air I S.A.S.O. [symbol]
Controller G.A.I. [symbol] G.T.I. [symbol]
Equipt [symbol] Eung [symbol]
Note A.S.C. & Air I not available to inform.
[page break]
432 a/c Woodbridge / Permission refused by Air I for a/c to also go to Bradwell Bay to pick up crew (3) & equipment from 426/U, but OK’d to go to Woodbridge. Later the SAS.O. authorized the landing at Bradwell Bay.
426/A. / Permission granted for 426/L to take crew to Westcott to pick up 426/A; Also to continue to Hope Cove to pick up 4 of crew of 426/G who bailed [sic] out night of 6 – 7/6/44. Route OK’d by 12 Group.
424 a/c (LV988) / Serviceable at Manston. Permission granted to fly crew [inserted] down [/inserted] to pick it up
Route cleared by M.L.O. 11. Skipton informed.
1400 / M.St G. Offord / Permission granted to fly to Prestwick for Lanc parts urgently required.
1345 / 1659/W (Handmade R/T US) / Sent to Carnaby – no brake pressure. Landed OK. should be able to return this P.M. C.S.U. trouble P.O.E.
1440 / Gardeners Emerg. Dvn Base. / Requested St Eval from C.F.C. for emergency. No good from Met Standpoint. Will give us another after Met conference.
1530. / S/L. Hamer / Permission by S.A.S.O. for [indecipherable word] to fly.
1530. / 1664 a/c. Low flying / Permission by S.A.S.O. to fly at 500ft from Skipton to Topcliffe villages. Army personnel in a/c to study the effectiveness of camouflage
1511 / 420/R accident / On circuits & landings. Tire [sic] burst on take off, got about 20ft in air, came down, bounced, lost control, starboard undercarriage collapsed. [inserted] prop damaged [/inserted]! Believed to be write-off. Crew O.K. Obstructing runway 24.
Prelim. Report to G.A.I.
1630 / 420/D / by S.A.S.O. authorized to go to Preston for modification; crew to return in other a/c.
[page break]
1645 / S/L Homing Cl. Mkr Beacon LFB [symbol] 2 / Ex Church Fenton S.L.L.O.
Limited homing available north of Humber; no cloud marker beacon; No L.F.B. [symbol] 2 possible I.F.N.
1745 / Balloons / Yoevil [sic] – 1500 ft. Control 0020 – 0050 hrs.
0245 – 0330 hrs.
Bristol } 500ft. Control 0001 – 0055 hrs.
Weston } 500ft. Control 0250 – 0350 hrs.
Brockworth – 500ft. Control 2345 – 0030 hrs
0245 – 0350 hrs.
Billingham – Close hauled – 2120 – 2330 hrs.
0330 – 0630 hrs.
1810 / Ops. route. / Cleared passage over Coventry 2355-0005 hrs & 0330 – 0340 hrs with A.A.L.O 9 Group.
1815 / Gardening U/C Dvn. / Requested definite Base for 428 a/c from C.F.C. Suggested Pershore. Will advise.
1830 / Off duty F/O Spence On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O.
1900 / Diversion stations granted by C.F.C. allotted to stations and gen passed to stations on scrambler.
1905 / [underlined] Whitely [/underlined] “KNZ”-“P” / “P” en route Kinloss to Honeybourne diverted by 91 Grp to Topcliffe (I – 2005) – Staying overnight owing to weather.
1955 / Broadcast to D.F.C.O at all stations. – To Contact D.S.O and get latest gen on met reports, passing of weather & QFE’s in emergency.
[indecipherable word] being sent to D.S.O. to-night.
2310 / Recall TO “KXU” a/c H.S.T.Y.I. / 428 – 5 a/c on Beecher – W/X at Pershore not fit for return.
Recall being sent on Group ops. freq. – Inf. Mid.
[page break]
Provisional Weather Diversions.
[underlined] TO [/underlined] 6 Grp
Croft – 15 SQD – 10 LANCS. (3 Grp)
Croft – 622 SQD – 10 LANCS. 3 Grp
MID.S.G – 514 SQD – 10 LANCS 3 Grp
EASTMOOR – 75 SQD – 20 LANCS. 3 Grp
WOMBLETON – 218 SQD – 8 STERLINGS. 3 Grp
Dishforth – 20 (8PFF).
[underlined] Weather Diversion Bases. [/underlined] – allocated
433 & 424 – Hutton Cranswick – 12 Grp.
427 & 429 – Valley – 9 Grp – (Middleton
408 & 426 – Nutts Corner RAFNI.
432 – Dishforth
420 & 425 – Hawarden – 9 Grp.
[page break]
2310 / 3 Grp & 8 Grp – C.F.C. ask offers for a possible diversion to us 0300 – 0500 hrs.
SASO & SOC consulted. Offers mid – 15. Croft – 20 Womb. 20 Dish – 20, East – 10 – possibly 20 more to Topcliffe after 0500hrs.
2315 / Flares / – Yellow flares – 10 miles N.E. of Tholthorpe reported by Tholthorpe & Skipton. White flare dropped near Raskelf “Q” set.
R.O.C.L.O. say flares are in use as glider practice in progress in Eastmoor direction.
[underlined] Friday June 9 [/underlined]
0005 / [underlined] Gardeners [/underlined] 428 / E,& C. returned to base – Instructed on R/T to lose petrol on Intruder Evasion Route –
Several errors – Recall was sent to “KXU”, a/c H,S.T.Y I., and not to “PSS” – a/c E, & C.
Evidently an error by mid signal
0006 / [underlined] Gardeners [/underlined] 428 / D.S.O. 6 Grp. & D.F.C.O. at Mid say that “KXU” is correct call sign. Requested a further check.
0010 / [underlined] Gardeners [/underlined] 428 / Recall to a/c of both call signs “KXU” & “PSS” now to be sent out on 0020 hr Grp broadcast.
0100 / 3 Grp – / Provisional Diversion from 3 Grp – see opposite page.
0210 / 3 Grp / – Coping – will not divert to us. – Weather improving.
0300 / 6 Grp / – vis at Leeming 3-4000 yds.
Cloud base – 800’
Shepton almost the same.
Have been constantly checking with met for possible diversion bases.
0400 / New diversions laid on
See opposite page.
Definite weather diversions
[page break]
[underlined] Crash [/underlined].
426/J LW-598.
0411 hrs –
Position – at Newton Village near Linton
a/c seen to catch fire. Hit houses, but no civilian injured.
Pilot P/O Craig NL. – alive
M U/AG: Sgt Neill – R.C. alive
B/A P/O Holenchuk – W – Died.
NAV. W/O2 Southeram A – Died.
WAG. WOI Parker RC. Died.
FE Sgt Howard FH Died
A/G Sgt Hughes JP Died.
2nd Pilot P/O Parker DR Died.
Inf – AOC. [symbol] SFCO [symbol]
SASO [symbol] EQUIP [symbol]
AIR I [symbol] ENG [symbol]
SOC [symbol] P4 [symbol]
C of A [symbol]
[page break]
0405 / Diversions – Weather closing in – 6 Grp all red – 4 Grp – have only 3 green stations to land 100 a/c, 12 Grp can only offer us Hutton, Cranswick, and 9 Grp Hawarden.
0430 / Vis. and cloud base improving at Mid. – As W/C Turnbull would not divert his a/c to Valley they were now sent to Mid.
Skipton – coped, Dishforth and Dalton helped out.
408 & 426 diverted to Nutts Corner N.I. – Good show.
0430 / Crash 426/J / – Crashed in bad weather at Newton village near Linton. Pilot and MUG. alive
Six other members of crew killed.
Linton sent crash party. R.O.C.L.O.
12 Grp had no plots.
0600 / All a/c landed safely at bases except above crash.
0615 / A/C / Within 6 Grp away from bases instructed to return home where bases were fit – Leeming. Mid. Dishforth.
0800 / 429/L / – Touched down at 0411 hrs at Leeming, ran off runway into river bank – U/C collapsed. [inserted] Cat a.c. [/inserted]
0800 / 425/R / – Collected an outer Circle cable, which wrapped around two engines landed at Dishforth.
0800 / a/c away – All a/c outside of 6 Grp will be unable to return before 1300 hrs as met cannot promise definite improvement.
Halifax / KN/”G” at Mid. from Elvington to remain for instructions about 1100 hrs.
[page break]
Provisional Weather
[underlined] Diversion Bases [/underlined]
[underlined] a/c [/underlined] Station
428 Sqn. – 10. [deleted] Wyton [/deleted] Gaydon.
433 Sqn. – 4 [deleted] Wellesbourne. [/deleted] Wyton
424 Sqn. – 10 Wellesbourne
408 Sqn. – 10 Little Horwood
426 Sqn. – 10 Wing
432 Sqn. – 10 Chipping Warden
420 Sqn. – 10 Oakley
425 Sqn – 10 Westcott
431 Sqn – 13 Silverstone
434 Sqn – 13 Turweston
419 Sqn. – 14 Enstone
[page break]
0900 / Off duty – B.T. O’Beirn F/O.
0900 / C.F.C. / – 60 a/c diverted to 16 stations
On duty H.L. Spence. F/O.
1100 / a/c away / In Rafui to take off at 1300hrs.
At west Freugh & Cark to take off as soon as possible.
Remainder to take off at 1300 hrs or as soon as possible
All to fly high to avoid hills & high ground but below 9000ft (freezing level) To get Met forecast.
Informed West Freugh & Rafui: F.C.L.O. 9 also informing Cark & Wrexham [inserted] Pershore [/inserted] (direct lines) as well as Valley & Hawarden.
Stations & C.F.C informed.
1715 / Emerg & Prov. Weather Dvn. Bases. / Requested 1 base in East Anglia and 9 in Eastern Wales, Pershore area.
[underlined] Balloons [symbol] [/underlined] / [underlined] Billingham [/underlined] – close hauled – from 2020 hrs to 2310 hrs & from 0230 hrs to 0515 hrs.
[symbol] / [underlined] Thames Est. [/underlined] } 1500ft. Control – 0015 hrs. to 0330 hrs.
[underlined] Chelmsford [/underlined] } 1500ft. Control – 0015 hrs. to 0330 hrs.
[symbol] / [underlined] Yoevil [sic] [/underlined] – [deleted] 1 [/deleted] 500ft. Control } – 0140hrs to 0255 hrs.
[underlined] Brockworth [/underlined] – 500ft Control } – 0140hrs to 0255 hrs.
[symbol] / [underlined] Thames Est. [/underlined] – 1500ft. Control – [underlined] 2230 [/underlined] hrs to 2330 hrs.
1905 / Prov Weather Dion. Base / For Jellyfish Gardeners – [deleted] 428 [/deleted] 433 Sqn – Wyton. – Ex [deleted] [indecipherable word] [/deleted] C.F.C.
1945 / Ditto / Received from C.F.C. and allotted Bases as on opposite page. Passes to Stations.
2230 / Off duty F/O Spence. On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
2300 / Emergency Diversion Bases given our call signs.
2359 / Weather looks favourable for return of A/c.
[page break]
Crash – 1659/V DK-235
0125 hrs – at Topcliffe aerodrome.
Exercise – Circuits and landing.
Position – Runway –
Weather – Fit.
Category – E – Burned out.
1st pilot – P/O McNeill.
Instructor F/O Goddard – Crew – O.K.
2nd Pilot F/O Morris.
Inf. A.O.C. [symbol] S.O.C. [symbol] ENG. O. [symbol]
SASO [symbol] S.F.C.O [symbol] G.A.I. [symbol]
AIR I [symbol] EQUIP. [symbol] GT.I [symbol]
[page break]
Saturday June 10
0125 / 1659/V [underlined] Crash [/underlined] / – Crashed on Topcliffe aerodrome.
(Incorrect see 0302 entry) / { Starboard inner and starboard outer engine and main plane caught fire in the air and the pilot landed it on the runway. Crew escaped – OK.
0210 / TO 91 & 92 Grps – Stood down – a/c returning to base.
0300 / 408/E / On X/C – . ETA – 0132 – not accounted for. 12 Grp & 9 Grp – have no trace of him. Inf. 62 Base.
0302 / 1659/V / – Ref. entry 0125hrs. – Correction a/c was not on fire in the air.
It made a normal approach swung to starboard on landing and Port outer caught fire when the undercarriage collapsed.
Aircraft burned – Cat E.
Obstructing R1 21/03 and 27/09.
Aircraft burned Category E.
0340 / 408/E / Landed at base. 13 Grp helped by giving us a plot on his position 30 minutes earlier.
0420 / a/c away – 420/E at Oakley. S. & ready to leave at 0530 hrs.
425/H – Engine trouble.
0450 / Ops / – all a/c down safely – no non-starters nor early returns nil missing.
0450 / a/c away – TUC.F.C. – 2 a/c landed at diversion bases.
0500. / 92 Grp. / re. E/420: at Oakley OK for him to return.
0535 / 92 Grp / E/420 airborne for base 62 Base informed.
0600 / 92 Grp / H/425 at Westcott airborne for base – 62 informed.
0700 / 92 Grp / H/425 landed at Base.
[page break]
[underlined] Definite Petrol Diversion Base [/underlined]
428 – {Beeches – 5 } – Colerne.
{artichokes 5 } – Colerne.
[underlined] Emergency Diversion Bases [/underlined]
428 – Sultana II – 2 – Colerne.
419 & 432 – Pershore.
431 & 434 – Silverstone
427 & 429 – Wing.
424 & 433 – Westcott. – 92 Grp.
420 & 425 – Enstone (Sat. of Moreton in Marsh
[underlined] Target – 24/C/31 [/underlined] June 10/11 at 2020 hrs
Balloons –
[symbol] Billingham. close-hauled – 2120 – 2250
0320 – 0500
[symbol] Thames Estuary – 1500’ 2320 – 0020
[symbol] Yeovil – 1500’ 0220 – 0320
[symbol] Brockworth – 1500’ 0230 – 0330
[page break]
[underlined JUNE 10th 1944. [/underlined]
0900 / Off duty F/O O’Beirn
On duty H.L. Spence F/O.
0940 / 434/S. / At Woodbridge. Croft sending a/c on acceptance test, will also take crew down. OK’d by Air I
1045 / 1664 a/c P.D. & R. / Weather deteriorating. 61 Base requested diversion station for m/n. 4 Group offered Driffield – accepted.
1055 / 1664 a/c P.D. & R. / Panic over – landed at base – 4 Grp informed
1545 / 420/S. / Permission by Controller for crew to be flown to Wellesbourne to pick up m/n. Warned 62 Base that the station was using 1050 yd runway, with good wind.
1610 / [underlined] Balloons. [/underlined] / For Gardeners –
[underlined] Billingham [/underlined] close hauled from 2045 hrs to 2300 hrs from 0400 hrs to 0600 hrs.
1620 / Petrol Dvn. Base / Warned C.F.C. Petrol Diversion base required for Gardeners somewhere between Lands End and Pershore.
1635 / Petrol Dvn. Base / Colerne offered by Central Flying Control for definite diversion base – Beeches & Artichokes
1745 / Emerg. Bases. / Requested 5 Stations from C.F.C. in 91,92 & 10 Groups area.
1750. / Balloons. / Bristol } Control at 500ft. from 0400 to 0500 hrs.
Weston } Control at 500ft. from 0400 to 0500 hrs.
Brockworth } Control at 500ft. from 0400 to 0500 hrs.
Cleared with A.A.L.O. 12 Hals going to Colerne might infringe Bristol & Weston.
Defended areas at approx. 0425 and requested safe passage.
1830 / Emerg Dvn. Bases / Received from C.F.C. & allotted as on opposite page.
1830 / Off duty F/O Spence. On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
1945 / Diversion gen passed to 6 Grp stations
[page break]
408/E – Belly landed Linton.
Inf- SASO [symbol] SOC [symbol] EQUIPT [symbol]
AOC [symbol] SF.CO. [symbol]
AIR I [symbol] ENG.O [symbol]
G.A.I [symbol]
[page break]
2020 / Balloons requested – see previous page
2035 / 428/ / – Definite petrol diversion for Beeches and Artichoke – Colerne
Emergency diversion for Sultana II – Colerne
Asked Mid. D.F.C.O to check with watchkeeper.
2115 / DIVERSION – to Colerne – Call signs etc passed to 10 Grp.
2230 / 408/E [underlined] CRASH [/underlined] DS-656. / – Belly landed at Linton. Detailed for X – Country and practice bombing, “E” blew a tire [sic] on take off. Pilot dropped his bombs at Strensall and belly landed on the grass on the port side of R/W 22. A/c stopped 180 ft clear of R/W. S.I. engine caught fire, and the Crash party had the fire out by 2237 – Crew O.K.
Pilot – W/O Harlow.
2232 / 428/G BLEW TIRE [sic] ON TAKE-off / – on “Garden” detail, blew a starboard tire on take-off. A/c almost nosed in so mid F.C. believe pilot is aware of it although he maintained R/T silence. Continued on detail.
2232 / 419/E. / – Swung on take off, headed south gaining height slowly. Asked 63 Base & 61 Base to keep a watch – no further report.
2255 / 1659/R / – Topcliffe reports an a/c heading eastward from them with smoke pouring from it.
ROCLO give the plot as B-5 74 in Z 80. – Pilot feathered the engine and smoke decreased.
– Landed safely on 3 engines at 2309.
2300 / 428/G. / SASO, and S.O.C. in touch with
[page break]
2300 / 428/G. / Squadron Commander of 428. – Decided to have 428/G. land with his wheels down.
Requested Colerne to warn “G” on R/T that his starboard tire is flat and that 6 Grp request the pilot to land with wheels down.
2359 / Off duty – B.T. O’Beirn F/O.
[underlined] Sunday June 11 [/underlined]
0001 / On duty H.L. Spence F/O.
0045 / [deleted] 1664/H [/deleted] 1664/H / Landed at Silloth – Receiver U/S. Instructed to return to base continuing from point 6 on his route. – 0145 hrs. Landed. 0555hrs.
0647 / 428/G. / On arrival over Colerne (about 0520 hrs.) m/n came upon R/T and instead of landing, decided to continue on to base. Much concern about his endurance.
Finally made a splendid landing on one wheel, holding starboard wheel above runway and then settling easily.
0700 / a/c away / Summary to C.F.C.
0955 / 432/H. Jett. / OK from M.L.O. to jettison 2 Long delays at pos. 5410N – 0130E. 62 Base informed.
1600 / 1664 Sqn Liaison / Request to fly a/c to Honeybourne for liaison visit. Return same day [inserted] 12-6-44 [/inserted] OK’d by Air I.
1445 / 425/L / Request to fly skeleton crew to Long Marston to pick up m/n. OK by Controller.
1610 / [underlined] Balloons. / Billingham [/underlined] close-hauled 2100 – 2300 hrs. 0330 – 0630 hrs.
[underlined] Bristol [/underlined] – } 500ft Control 0345 hrs to 0530 hrs
[underlined] Weston [/underlined] – } 500ft Control 0345 hrs to 0530 hrs
[underlined] Brockworth [/underlined] – } 500ft Control 0345 hrs to 0530 hrs
1610 / Defended Area. Bristol-Weston / Cleared with A.A.L.O. 10 passage of 2 a/c 0410 and 2 a/c at 0450 hrs.
[page break]
[underlined] CRASH – 428/D). [/underlined] – JN 953 [underlined] 12 JUNE 1944 [/underlined]
TRADE / NUMBER / RANK / - NAME - / - REMARKS -
PILOT. / F/O / MARTIN, / SHOCKED – YORK MILITARY HOSPIT[missing letters]
NAV. / F/O / SAVAGE, / O.K.
B.A. / F/O / BLAKELY, / O.K.
F/ENGINEER / SGT. / CRANE, / O.K.
W A/C / W/O / BOURDAGES, / O.K.
M/U GUNNER / SGT McDOUGALL, / O.K.
R/GUNNER / SGT / MORGAN, O.K.
[underlined] POSITION[/underlined] – STRENSALL BOMBING RANGE.
Informed. A.O.C. [symbol] S.A.S.O. [symbol] Air I [symbol]
Cont [symbol] Eng. [symbol] Equipt. [symbol]
GTI [symbol] G.A.I. [symbol]
[page break]
1620. / [underlined] Petrol [/underlined] Diversion / For Gardeners on Artichokes & Beeches.
Arranged for [underlined] Colerne [/underlined]. M.St G. informed.
1616. / 101 Sqn Lanc / Landed Linton from Ludford Magna & returned.
1750. / Eastmoor attached Aircrew / Permission by SAS.O. The aircrew attached to Eastmoor from Bournemouth may accompany crews on X – country tonight.
432/a/c [symbol] Mod. / Permission by S.A.S.O. for m/n a/c to be taken to Preston for modification. – crew to return in 432/C
1830 / Off duty – F/O Spence. On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
2145 / Diversion gen – 49/C
[underlined] Monday June 12th [/underlined]
0001 / Off duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
0033 / glow in sky / Dalton via 61 Base reports glow in the sky 30 miles E.S.E of Dalton. 12 F.C.L.O. confirms a crash in Strensall area.
0035 / 62 Base on Crash / Eastmoor – Tender – Ambulance & N.F.S. to crash
Awaiting [indecipherable word] pements. Told 12 Gp. 4 Gp F/C & 61 Base.
0105 / 62 Base on Crash 428/D / Eastmoor confirm – Crashed aircraft was 428/D. F/O Savage, a crew member; who said other crew members had baled out. Eastmoor has sent transport. to collect crew members. Told 62 Base to confirm Eastmoor had police looking for crew members.
0150 / Emergency circuit in V.01 / From 12 F.C.L.O. A/c doing emergency circuits in V 01 & flashing downward ident. Lights. Warned 61 Base. Opened up 9 R.O.C.L.O. line
Asked Wombleton for pyrotechnic display.
0215 / Emergency circuit in V.01 / Above flap cancelled by 12 Gp F.C.L.O. Advised 61 Base.
[deleted] 0900 [/deleted] / [deleted] On [/deleted]
[page break]
0221 / 428/O [symbol] Crew / Wingco says let the crew get some sleep and come home in the a.m. “Bringing equipment and parachutes with ‘em”. (0225) Pilot went down with crash & badly shocked, but was able to advise rescuers that his crew had bailed [sic] out.
0325 / 1666/S / Landed Carnaby 0325. One engine U/S. No lights.
Crew O.K. staying overnight. Told 61 BASE.
0330 / 1659/O / Landed at Eval. S & P.E. I. low oil pressure.
0325 / 1666/S / Landed at Carnaby. P.O.E. U/S.
0900 / On duty H.L. Spence F/O.
429/M / Permission requested to fly crew to Woodbridge to pick up 426/M.
0950 / 1666/Y / Serviceable at Woodhall Spa. Air I authorized flying crew down to pick it up.
1030 / 429/M / Serviceable at Woodbridge. Authorization given with proviso that neither crews nor a/c are included in today’s offer.
1045 / 425/T / Permission by Air I to fly m/n to preston for modification. Crew to return in 425/W.
1130 / 432/F / Serviceable at Wing. Authorization by Air I to fly crew down provided neither a/c or crews required to-day
62 informed.
Balloons / For Gardeners.
[symbol] Billingham – close hauled. – 2100 – [inserted] 2359 [/inserted] 2230 hrs. 0415 [inserted] 0203 [/inserted] – 0630 hrs.
[symbol] Bristol } [deleted] 1 [/deleted] 500ft. control – 0350 – 0515 hrs.
[symbol] Weston } [deleted] 1 [/deleted] 500ft. control – 0350 – 0515 hrs.
[symbol] Brockworth } [deleted] 1 [/deleted] 500ft. control – 0350 – 0515 hrs.
[symbol] Cleared with A.A.L.O. 10 Group that 2 a/c at 0343 & 2 at 0423 hrs would be near or might infringe Defended areas Weston Super Mare and Bristol.
[page break]
[underlined] Emergency Diversion Bases. [/underlined] 6/C/96 & 5/C/24
[table]
Sqn. / No. a/c. / Station / Group.
419 / 16 / Woodbridge / C.F.C.
408 / 16 / } Foulsham / 100
426 / 15 / } Foulsham / 100
420 / 15 / } Little Snoring / 100
425 / 15/ } Little Snoring / 100
432 / 15 / Woodbridge / C.F.C.
431 / 15 / } West Raynham / 100
434 / 15 / } West Raynham / 100
427 / 15 / } Wyton / 8
429 / 15 / } Wyton / 8
424 / 15 / } Docking / 16
433 / 15 / } Docking / 16
[underlined] Petrol Diversion Base. – Definite. [/underlined] – Gardeners
419 4 Colerne 10
[underlined] Balloons – [/underlined] 6/C/96 & 5/C/24
[symbol] Billingham – close-hauled – 2100 – 2359. hrs
– 0200 – 0500 hrs
[symbol] Chelmsford - } 0030 – 0110 hrs
1500’ 2315 – 2355 hrs
[symbol] Thames Estuary } 0030 – 0110 hrs
1500’ 2315 – 2355 hrs
[symbol] Norwich – 1500’ – 0110 – 0150
0220 – 0300
[symbol] Harwich – 1500’ – 0150 – 0300.
[page break]
1300 / Pet. Divn for Gardeners. / Checked Met & received Colerne from C.F.C.
1537 / D/C 3. / Landed at Skipton F/O Jones. Taking off shortly for Aldermaston.
1715 / Emergency Dvn. Bases. / Requested 6 Emergency bases from C.F.C. in north part of East Anglia.
1730 / Emergency Dvn. Bases. / Received from C.F.C. and allotted as on opposite page.
1830 / Off duty F/O Spence, On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
1900 / Balloons requested for two main targets.
2155 / 426/M / – Going to “Q” site to jettison.
Could not retract his u/c.
Dropped normal bombs on “Linton” Q site
2215 / 426/M / – Request from 62 base to drop the 2 long delay bombs on “Q” site or within 5 mile of the coast. (2 x 500 L.D)
2220 / 426/M / M.L.O 12 Grp gives permission to jettison the long delay bombs 5 mile from shore off Flamborough provided the pilot is certain that the sea is clear of shipping.
If possible the pilot is to go 30 miles out to sea off Flamborough.
2250 / Bomb Disposal Squad – Snaith – 6 Grp requested [deleted] that [/deleted] them to dispose of the bombs.
Location – “Q” site – Sheet 27
Ref – 032819 – Acorn Farm – 4 miles east of Linton.
1[deleted]4[/deleted][inserted] 0 [/inserted] x 500 G.P. fuzed [sic] .T.D. .025 [symbol] 30 tail pestal
Speed – 145 – 150 m.p.h. Ht – 500’ (APPROX)
Dropped safe. buried 8’ deep about 600’ from the shelter.
2300 / Colerne / – 10 Grp – not happy about weather for return of our gardeners.
[page break]
[underlined] Non-Starters [/underlined] –
424/X – Too late for T.O.
[underlined] Early Returns [/underlined]
426/M – U/C – U/S – Confirmed by G.T.O.
420/F – CSU. SIE. U/S – over reving. OK’d CTO
424/H – P.O.E. U/S. – Broken Throttle Control Rod JETT. over sea
434/E – P.O.E – Sleeve Seizure –
Reduction gear casing was loose - - Engine change. C.T.O
[page break]
2345 / Met. advise Wellesbourne is diversion base for our gardeners (4)
[underlined] Tuesday June 13 [/underlined]
0050 / C.F.C. / & 91 Grp – Requested an optional diversion base if Colerne unfit.
0130 / 426/M – / Ref. 2220 hr entry June 12th.
Jettisoned 2 bombs (long delay – 6-36 hrs. at position 5418N 0147E. at 2258hrs. from 2000’ – Inf 12 Grp M.L.O.
434/E / – Jettisoned all his bombs including 2 long delay bombs at 5418N 0014W.
– a/c was losing height. jettisoned live. Inf 12 Grp M.L O.
420/F / Jettisoned his bombs safe at 0003 hrs – position 5418N 0040E from 6000’ – Inf 12 Grp M.LO.
0200 / 1695/Q / – Hurricane LF – 564 – during C & B’s at Dalton, over-taxied into a hedge, smashed a prop.
Pilot – F/S GAUKROGER
0230 / Diversion of 428 sqdn gardeners to Wellesbourne
Mountford – Colerne weather unfit
0300 / 424/H / – Jettison at 5348N 0057E at 0120.
0640 / a/c away instructed to remain if not already airborne. Weather deteriorating on route.
1006 / 427/E / – Shot up – at Woodbridge – Cat. A.C.
Asked C.F.C. to have the crew return by train. Inf. 63 Base.
1100 / 62 Base S.F.C.O. – reports that 426/M dropped only 10 bombs on Linton “Q” site, not 14.
Informed Bomb Disposal Squad Snaith – who are proceeding with the work this morning.
[page break]
[underlined] Tuesday. June 13th 1944 [/underlined]
1135 / Explosions reported by 12 Grp F-C. near Leeming.
Leeming demolished one bomb behind the bomb dump. Inf. 12 Grp F.C.
0100 / Off duty – B.T. O’Beirn F/O
1445 / 426/M Bombs / D.F.C.O. sixty [inserted] two [/inserted]-base now say – 8 bombs dropped on Q-site – remainder with Long Delays in the sea.
Local Bulls’eye to 62 Base. / Information re 12 Gp. Local Bull’s Eye passed to 62 Base. [deleted] Base [/deleted] [inserted] Cottesmore [/inserted] – North Walsham – Peterboro – york – Flamboro Head – Peterboro – Base.
Time at North Walsham 2345 hrs.
Height 16-18000 feet.
X-Country / Unapproved cross-country passed to Skipton for checking on S.O. 300. Time approx. 5hrs. To be cleared later.
Permission to fly a/c / Station Commander, Dishforth, given permission to fly Group Communication Flight a/c for 1 1/2 hr. in Local Flying Area, by S.A.S.O.
1535 / K/428 / Left Wellesbourne 1535. Told M st G. F/C.
1600 / Army Officers Flying / 62 Base query re – Army Officers Flying. At the discretion stn. C.O. provided “brown types” have their unit commander’s approval.
1615 / 2 away off. 1 F/LT. / Given permission to fly on a X-country with 431 Sqdn. as Station C.O. affirmed they have their Unit Commander’s approval.
1650 / Suggested that we get from Air I or S.A.S.O. – A ruling [inserted] on paper [/inserted] re. [indecipherable word] A.F.U Pilots (Bournemouth) flying on training details – X/C’s & Bull’s eyes.
To date it is this.
(a) At Squadrons they are to fly only with more experienced crews.
(b) At H.C.U.’s only with screened captains.
[deleted] 1830 / Off duty F/L SR Wyman [/deleted]
[deleted] On duty F D Cleland F/L [/deleted]
[page break]
Bullseye – Command Bullsye [sic] – C-98.
Exercise Catseye
Ref. – A.D.G.B./F/29412/Ops 3P
4th June 1944.
[page break]
[underlined] Tuesday June 14th 1944. [/underlined]
1720 / [underlined] From Leeming [/underlined]. – Preliminary warning only.
T.I. demonstration at Snape. Between 0100 & 0110.
At least 4 Squadrons taking part.
Advised 4 Gp; 61 Base [symbol]
62 Base [symbol]
1730. / 64 Base – Croft.
1800 / To 12 Gp F/C – The two Hurricanes, which landed at Wombleton are being refuelled and then going on to Grangemouth.
18.30 / Off duty. SR Wyman F/L
On duty. FD Cleland F/L
20.00 / Information for Base 62. No P61’s on tonights’ Bullseye.
21.00 / Billingham Balloons close-hauled from 22.30 – 02.30 hrs.
20.00 / Details of Leeming’s T.I. demonstration at Snape tonight passed to FCLO, MLO, ROCLO 12 Gp., 4 Gp. and Stations.
21.00 / Contacted Scorton Air Operations and passed on complaint from 64 Base that P61’s were interfering with operational take-offs at Midd. & Croft last night.
Wednesday – June 14/44
03:37 / 1659/S Landed Port Ellen. Stooged around the area for an hour or so and was homed to P.E. on showing distress.
Reason given – bad weather. Staying overnight.
08.45 / Anson reserved from 61 Base for AOC & 3 others Friday afternoon at 14.30 hrs to go to Hendon. Pilot required. Return on Sat.
0900 / Off duty F/L Cleland, On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
0930 / R/434 – at West Raynham – Cat. A.C. hole in rear. – Inf. S/L Seath via Croft D.F.C.O. – Crew instructed yesterday to return by rail.
1120 / Requested return of S/1659 from Port Ellen. Gave a suggested route to avoid the hills. Inf. 15 grp.
1230 / Command Bullseye C-98 – Request for offers to 61 Base and 64 Base
[page break]
[underlined] Emergency Bases [/underlined]
408 and 426 – CHEDBURGH
420 and 425 – WRATTING COMMON
419 and 428 – NEWMARKET
427 and 429 – FOULSHAM.
424 and 433 – LITTLE SNORING
431 and 434 – WYTON
432 – WEST RAYNHAM.
[page break]
1500 / Form B – / T83 dispatched – 1659 wished to withdraw their offer of 4 a/c but Air I requested that their a/c participate
1730 / Emergency Bases allocated by C.F.C. & passed to Stations 1900 hrs.
1830. / Off duty F/O O’Beirn.
On duty H.L Spence F/O.
2100 / Balloons / Billingham close hauled 2145 – 2300; 0030 – 0600 hrs [symbol]
Harwich & Norwich – 1500ft. Control 2330 to 0315 hrs. [symbol]
Thames Est. & Chelmsford – 1500ft. control 0240 to 0430 hrs. [symbol]
2225 / S/L Hamer / Permission granted by Air I for S/L Hamer to fly in an a/c (as passenger) doing Circuits & Landings. Instructor will be in aircraft.
[underlined] Thursday – June 15/44. [/underlined]
[deleted] 0039 [/deleted][inserted] 0055 [/inserted] / 1659/J / Landed at Carnaby – no brake pressure. Staying over night – 0300hrs. – Serviceable.
0147 / Darky Damsel/W 10/O.T.U. WHITLEY / Heard by Dalton, Topcliffe & Middleton. Acknowledged I.F.E. from M.S.G. Landed there 0157 hrs. Informed 91 Group. Port Engine U/S. Staying overnight. – (from Abingdon).
0315 / 431/S Landing Accident. / Stbd undercarriage collapsed. Aircraft swung off runway. R/W. 27/09 & 33/15 unserviceable. Hydraulics U/S. Cat A.C.
Informed:-
Air I [symbol] A.O.C. [symbol] S.A.S.O. [symbol] GA.I. [symbol] Equipt [symbol] Engig. [symbol]
0900 / Off duty – F/O Spence, On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
0930 / 62 Base – Request permission for 432/S to be flown to Preston for modifications – Crew to bring back 432/V now S. AIR I grant permission for non-op. crew.
[page break]
[underlined] VISITORS [/underlined]
Wellington – OP-357. L. Dishforth. 1435 hrs from Halfpenny Green. – a/c from Honeybourne. Liaison visit.
Oxford – V 3602 L. Dalton at 1315 hrs. from Gransden Lodge, for re-fueling [sic] en route Leeming. – W/O Barton.
Heck – GAEMR. l. Dishforth at 1436 from Tholthorpe.
Oxford – LX-513 l. Linton from Tatenhill 0115hr
Anson DG-786 l. Linton from Ouston 1523
[underlined] Balloons [/underlined]
12-G. Billingham – Close hauled – 1940 – 2145 [symbol]
2359 – 0130 [symbol]
12 G Norwich – 1500’ 2300 – 0115 [symbol]
11 G Chelmsford. – 1500’ 2150 – 2345 [ symbol]
11 G Thames Estuary – 1500’ 2200 – 2345 [symbol]
11 G Harwich – 1500’ 2300 – 0115 [symbol]
[underlined] Diversion Bases – Provisional Weather [/underlined]
Sqn. No a/c. [box deleted] Group. Base.
419 13L 3 RDU.S. Bury St. Edmunds
428 6L 3 RDU.S. Bury St. Edmunds
431 13 H 3 RDU.S. Horsham
434 13 H 3 RDU.S. Mendlesham
427 13 H 2UDU.S Knettishall
429 13 H 2 UDU.S. Wendling
433 13 H 2 UDU.S. Bungay
408 13 L 3rd U.S. Attlebridge
426 13 H Deepham Green
420 13 H Sudbury
425 13 H Snetterton Heath
432 13 H Great Ashfield
[page break]
1020 / (Phone – Whitby 545 } / Now warning A-752. 14/6/44
Firing will take place on Flyingdale [sic] Range on June 15 and 16 from 2300 hrs to 0300 hrs.
POSITION – 9 miles south of Whitby
– A.F.V. Range – Inf. 63 Base.
1210 / 426/M Bombs. / – 62 Base report only 8 bombs dropped on “Q” site. Inf. Bomb Disposal Squad Snaith who have accounted for 8 bombs. Drawing off their party.
1230 / 62 Base (Outfit period) / Intell. – Ref – Sq. A/748/13 June
– Query – period commence 1530B.
– Has it been 1530 Z (G.MT.) previously & now changing to 1530 B. ?
1500 / To C.F.C. / Request for 13 provisional weather bases in East Anglia.
Suggested Woodbridge and Manston for emergency if a/c are shot up.
1520 / Re 62 Base (Outfit period) / – After a check with Cyphers and B. Command – Period commenced 1530 [underlined] B [/underlined]. Inf . 62 Base Intell.
1800 / Balloons – requested from B.L.O 11 & 12 Grp. – see opposite page.
1820 – 1945 / Diversion Bases / Received 10 Bases from C.F.C. Requested 2 more. Received them; Had to change a couple due to serviceability on checking U.S.B.D’s. Considerable “ado” compiling all necessary information & getting it passed to stations. Allotted as on opposite page.
2130. / Met Div’n. / Weather deteriorating and likelihood of diversion more imminent.
Complete “gen” passed to 2nd & 3rd U.S.B.D’s. Definite decision to be made 2230 hrs.
2230 / Met Div’n. / Met picture improved, - S.A.S.O. & Controller decided a/c to come home. 2nd & 3rd. U.S.B.D’s. & C.F.C. informed.
[page break]
Missing 425/Q – LW 715 – F/O Kirk.
[page break]
2320 / Met. / Cloud Base lowering – Middleton & Croft yellow, Leeming Base 1000 ft. Checked with Met & Controller & 4 Group for possible assistance if as, & when required Carnaby, Lissett Catfoss will be lit up on return of our a/c.
[underlined] Friday – June 16/44 [/underlined]
0030 / Ops. / All stations coping & satisfied.
0130 / 4 Gr Dvn. / Warning from 4 Group they might require some help. Stations standing by.
0230 / 4 Gr Dvn. / 4 Group coping – Stations stood down.
0245 / A/c away. / Summary to C.F.C.
0730 / A/c away. / Checked Met. & told had U.S BW. to have 429/U & 433/D return as soon as possible.
0900 / Off duty F/O Spence , On duty B.T. O’Beirn F/O
0915 / 432/H / requested that m/n a/c be instructed to return if seen.
0920 / Anson to Hendon. Checked forecast weather for F/L Holmes and party to Hendon from Dishforth. Requested a good pilot & W O.P & navigator if pilot wishes.
1130 / 1664/R Accident Pilot F/O Kelly / – EB – 158 – On check dual, circuits and landings. – On final landing the rudder strap jammed between rudder bar and fuselage – a/c ran into engine stand – sheared off port outer prop and damaged the flaps. Cat “A” R Inf. SASO. [symbol], AIR [symbol] SOC. [symbol] S.F.C.O [symbol] ENG. [symbol] EQUIP [symbol]
1150 / [underlined] crash [/underlined] LL-550 (LINTON / – New a/c for Tholthorpe was on its way to Tholthorpe from Linton.
Did not get airborne – Crashed off the runway between the bomb dump and the aerodrome.
Pilot reported a mag. drop on S.I.
[page break]
but it cleared up during run – up
Pilot could not get over 85 M.P.H on take off.
Category – Provisional Cat. “B”
Inf. SASO AIR I S.O.C. SFCO. [symbol] ENG. [symbol] [inserted] EQUIP [symbol] [/inserted]
1620 / TO C.F.C. D.F.C.O. NOTE } / Request for 6 emergency bases
C.F.C. reply that Woodbridge will serve for any number of emergencies. They argue that since our weather forecast for return is fit, they cannot give us additional emergency bases, as it interferes with other groups.
Took the matter up with S.F.C.O who discussed it with S.A.S.O.
SASO’s / Ruling – 6 Grp will not request emergency bases but will use Woodbridge, Carnaby and Manston. (However provisional weather bases or petrol bases are to be requested when necessary).
1630 / 61 Base / – Request full details of aerodromes north of 5400N – in order to give more gen about diversion bases and their facilities – passed the matter on to S/L Stanley.
1700 / 64 Base (OXFORD) / – Request permission from [inserted] G/C SAMPSON [/inserted] W/Co Dunphy
Engineer to be flown to Aston Down (9 Grp) to-morrow morning.
(20MU) Off by Air I M.St.G. informed.
1701 / 61 Base / F.C. – Request that MF be increased in time in order to give weather information to a/c if conditions deteriorate. Took the matter up with the Controller and D.S.O.
D.S.O. ruled that M.F. is being used for Ops. – further that if the weather deteriorates they can send the information on HF DF. (Emergency
1740 / DIVERSION – PROV. Weather bases for 61 Base Bullseye a/c allocated. see opposite page.
[page break]
[underlined] X1/A/97 – [/underlined]
[underlined] Balloons – [/underlined]
{ Chelmsford – 1500’ – { 0220 – 0310
{ Thames Estuary { 0220 – 0310
Langley & Weybridge – 1500’ – 0350 – 0450
Billingham – close hauled –
2215 – 2345 & 0300 – 0415 hrs.
[underlined] 1666/Z. [/underlined]
Later reports & investigation revealed, that at approx. 10,000 ft. a/c encountered icing, dove to 6,000ft. & 5 of the crew baled out. Pilot regained control and landed at Marston Moor at 2355hrs., with 2 other crew members. – All OK.
F.C.L.O. 12 in the picture at all times.
2350 Fire Nr. Helmsley (Burk Farm) Ex. 61 Base. – Report fire seen shortly after an a/c was heard, either by police at Helmsley or Helmsley Bombing Range [inserted] about 2 miles north of the range [/inserted]. F.C.L.O. 12 & R.O.C.L.O; also F.C.O. 4 Group informed. Latter confirmed fire seen near Helmsley R.O.C.L.O. 12 later confirmed there was a fire in that area (moor fire) which was being attended to by the local civil authorities
No action required by Wombleton.
[page break]
1830 / Balloons – requested from BL.O. for Target X1/A/97
Off duty F/O O’Beirn
On duty H.L. Spence F/O
2025 / Balloons / Requested for G.2. 1517.
2100 / Rascoff Q Site / Ex 61 Base – U.S. I.F.N. – Decarbonising Engine
Met. / At 1900 Met forecasted for 0100 – 0300 hrs, a change in wind to N.E., and Strato Cumulus cloud, main base 1500 ft with 3-6/10ths patches down to 800 – 1200 ft. Later, (approx. 2000hrs.) reported some clearing up of viz. main cloud base 2000ft. with patches at 1200 – 1500 anticipated at that time. In both cases greater improvement was to be expected after 0300 hrs.
2320 / 1666/Z (QY-Z) Pilot P/O Laballe. / Checked 61 Base on [indecipherable word] of crew baling out was Harrogate. They knew nothing at the base but learned later that the crew of the hfx had baled out, and 5 of them were at village of Plumpton near Harrogate. They were Navigator, Mid-Upper, Rear Gunner & 2 Flt Engineers. They called thru to Wombleton direct stating all the crew had jumped clear.
Previously ROCLO 12 had reported a Halifax in VE 6070 and in VE 7251 going south east. It had circled for some time as though lost but showed no distress. Informed 61 Base thinking it might be their late starter on Bulls Eye who was cutting over to St Annes On Sea to pick up the route at Great Ormes Head, and wondered if they had any contact with that aircraft.
No joy!
(see opposite page.)
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
Odstone Bombing Range pos 51°33’15”N 01°39’00”W
Snape Bombing Range pos 54°16’N 01°34’W – 1 MILE off SNAPE VILLAGE 1 1/2 M. W by S of LEEMING PUNDIT
ST Tudwals Island 52°48’20”N 04°27’36”W
(H2S. Bombing daylight only)
Bradbury Bombing Range pos. 54°37’25”N 01°31’28”W.
Cat A – Repaired by sqdn in 8 days
AC – By contractor or MU on site
B – Dismantled & rebuilt at factory
E – Reduced to spares
E1 – Salvage.
E2 – Burned out
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Flying Control Log Book
Description
An account of the resource
A record of events and their times at RAF Tholthorpe for the period 13 May to 16 June 1944 (126 pages).
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
126 handwritten pages
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Log book and record book
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MCothliffKB[Ser#-DoB]-151020-120007
Coverage
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Royal Air Force
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-05
1944-06
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Yorkshire
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Paul Ross
RAF Tholthorpe
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/536/24404/PWatsonJB1502.1.jpg
59ba4ed6cdc1e17d0f282b0307ef3d98
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Watson, Joan
J Watson
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Watson, JB
Description
An account of the resource
An oral history interview with Joan Watson.
The collection was catalogued by IBCC Digital Archive staff.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2015-09-04
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Airmen and Stirling
Description
An account of the resource
A large group of airmen arranged in four rows in front of a Stirling. Information supplied with collection:
Black and white landscape photograph of 620 squadron at Fairford taken in front of a Short Stirling Mk4, K Watson is in the front row 8th from the left.
Submitted with caption; “620 Sqdn Fairford June 1944. KW front, 8 from left”
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-06
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One b/w photograph
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PWatsonJB1502
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-06
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Gloucestershire
620 Squadron
aircrew
ground crew
RAF Fairford
Stirling
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1607/24381/PWatsonJB15010022.1.jpg
c9eb3c31bba1d3dacc25ddc04b6a29e1
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Watson, Joan. Watson, K. Album
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2015-08-25
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Watson, JR
Description
An account of the resource
28 items.
Covering K Watson’s service from training onwards and in Bomber Command and then Coastal Command. Includes sketch maps and mementos.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
Germans Give 6 Captives Champagne
Then Surrender – 60 of Them
SIX men whose heavy bomber, dropping supplies, crashed in flames behind the German lines in Normandy came back with one of the oddest stories of captivity – and 60 prisoners.
Flight Lieut. Gordon Thring, Canadian pilot of the bomber, told of their two days in German hands.
Told how he and his fellow prisoners [indecipherable words] water and got champagne, [indecipherable word] German troops bowed and said: "Excuse, please, British soldier" when they passed [missing words] and how at last [missing words] asked to be taken [missing words]
[inserted] Ops. "Tonga"
[underlined] "D" day June 5.6-6 – 10-11 1944. [/underlined]
Ops. "Arnhem"
[underlined] Sept 17.18.19.21 1944 [/underlined]
Ops. "Rhine"
[underlined] March 24 1945. [/underlined] [/inserted]
[photograph]
Fairford "D" day Line Up.
[photograph]
The "Old Robin Hood"
[photograph]
Mr & Mrs Fisher of The "Old Robin Hood" Leics.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Operations, D Day and The Old Robin Hood
Description
An account of the resource
Five items on an album page.
Item 1 is a newspaper cutting about Germans giving an aircrew champagne, then surrendering.
Item 2 is a handwritten list of three operations and their dates.
Item 3 is a photograph of a number of Stirlings captioned 'Fairford "D"-day Line Up'.
Item 4 is a photograph of a building across a street with two cars, captioned 'The "Old Robin Hood".
Item 5 is a photograph of a man and women at a doorway captioned 'Mr and Mrs Fisher of the "Old Robin Hood", Leics.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One newspaper cutting and three b/w photographs
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PWatsonJB15010022
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Royal Canadian Air Force
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Gloucestershire
England--Leicestershire
England--Leicester
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-06
1944-09
1945-02
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Sue Smith
aircrew
crash
Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944)
pilot
prisoner of war
RAF Fairford
Stirling
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1376/24265/YChapmanN153939v10001.1.jpg
872c7ea50a63fc39a8a0fcbbecaaf8a5
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1376/24265/YChapmanN153939v10002.1.jpg
e9b9a17c4b206ae67bf64caf8824f946
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1376/24265/YChapmanN153939v10003.1.jpg
8eb8721615f402904286ea9858f1e17c
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1376/24265/YChapmanN153939v10004.1.jpg
5c23815f7b67a58084f9bf1bfd427aa2
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1376/24265/YChapmanN153939v10005.1.jpg
9c981e6a61ab7fb87fcebcf8b6d79e68
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Ford, Terry
Ford, T
Description
An account of the resource
135 items. The collection concerns Terry Ford. He flew operations as a pilot with 75 Squadron. It contains photographs, his log book, operational maps, letters home during training, and documents including emergency drills. There are two albums of photographs, one of navigation logs, and another of target photographs.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Julia Burke and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-03-13
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Ford, T
Access Rights
Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies.
Permission granted for commercial projects
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
DESBOROUGH – TWICKENHAM
[inserted] (Diary of Neill Chapman Bomb Aimer)[/inserted]
SATURDAY MAY 27th
As I have a day off I took Terry home with me to Meadowside and to meet Dad. We spent the evening with John Messenger in the Roebuck and Duke of Marlborough on Richmond Hill which were crowded.
SUNDAY (WHIT SUNDAY) MAY 28th
Dad, Terry and I journeyed to Shepperton for a pleasant lunch at the Anchor and a drink at the King’s head. The atmosphere was very pleasant and the day warm. After a good lunch we walked down to the Weybridge locks. Came back for tea with Mr & Mrs Messenger and met Janet Cane, a horticulturist. Dad took us all for dinner at the R.A.C. and Terry and I had to dash off to catch the nine fifteen to Kettering which was half empty on leaving St Pancras. We met my course shepherd, F/O Cushing[?], who gave us the gen on his operational experiences.
Richmond was crowded on this hot Whit Sunday,
[page break]
the small beach across the river was a mass of howling, laughing and splash children whose din reverberated through the flat. While the children in the garden were in next to nothing and Mr Francis James barely wore is[sic] socks and shorts. In spite of the nearness of the invasion the people seem happy and the Londoner still has the knack of enjoying himself in crowds.
MONDAY MAY 29th
This evening we went (Terry and myself) to Market Harborough and there I called on Mr & Mrs Widdowson who are staying at the Willows. They introduced Margery and Philip and gave us a welcome tea. After which we had a few drinks at the Angel and rushed back to catch the last train. Unfortunately we happened to drop in at the Freemason’s Arms on the way and thus we missed the train. We returned to town and Terry decided to go to a dance
[page break]
[page corner missing] ….ded to walk home and did so in a quick hour twenty minutes.
TUESDAY MAY 30th
Reg/ Wheeden has cyinitis [sic] unfortunately and so we could not fly tonight and he is admitted to hospital. So we are likely to get some leave.
THURSDAY JUNE 1st
Went home on a fortyeight. Spent the evening playing bridge.
[page break]
RESULTS OF GROUP BOMBING. 84.O.T.U.
DAY ERROR. SIGHTING HEAD ONLY.
DUAL 123 YDS. 6 BOMBS
SOLO 298 “ 7 “
SOLO N/A due to wind error 8 “
SOLO 223 YDS. 6 “
NIGHT
DUAL 112 YDS. [deleted] 8 [/deleted] 7 BOMBS
SOLO 158 “ 8 BOMBS
SOLO N/A due to wind error [underlined] 8 “ [/underlined]
TOTAL 50 BOMBS
Average error. 183 YDS. @ 10000’
Average height. 10,500 feet
For most of this our Navigator was away due to sinus trouble
[page break]
We visited John Fothergill’s pub, the Three Swans, which was not exceptional and was rather expensive.
After the first fortnight we crewed up and I found myself with the following very fine crew.
Pilot: Terry A. Ford Bristol.
Navigator: Reg. Wheedon. Cowley.
W/Op. George Tredinnick Melbourne Australia
Rear Gunner: Harry Fitzwater
Mid Upper: Paddy Glover. Ballymena. N.I.
And I pray and hope that we will be able to stick together until the end of our training and further.
During the first five weeks we had only two half days off, one of which I spent in Kettering. However in the evening of the 11th we heard that because we had finished our training early we were too [sic] get is four days off. Altogether our [indecipherable] and bombing had gone well.
[page break]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Diary of Neill Chapman, Bomb Aimer
Description
An account of the resource
Neill Chapman’s diary entries from 27th May to 1st June including a list of crew members and the results of their bombing trials.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Neill Chapman
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Five handwritten sheets
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Diary
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
YChapmanN153939v10001,
YChapmanN153939v10002,
YChapmanN153939v10003,
YChapmanN153939v10004,
YChapmanN153939v10005
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Desborough
England--Shepperton
England--Market Harborough
England--Kettering
England--Richmond upon Thames
England--Leicestershire
England--Northamptonshire
England--Surrey
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-05
1944-06
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Sue Smith
air gunner
aircrew
bomb aimer
bombing
crewing up
navigator
Operational Training Unit
pilot
training
wireless operator
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1375/23785/MEdgarAG172180-180704-03.2.jpg
cc3b8e628a56594008ffbbbd72816ee3
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Edgar, Alfred George
Edgar, A G
Description
An account of the resource
83 items. The collection concerns Pilot Officer Alfred George 'Allan' Edgar DFC (b. 1922, 172180 Royal Air Force) He flew operations as a pilot with 49 Squadron.
The collection has been licenced to the IBCC Digital Archive by Pip Harrison and Sally Shawcross nee Edgar, and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2018-07-04
2019-10-01
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Edgar, AG
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Alan Edgar's Operations
Description
An account of the resource
A list of 34 operations undertaken by Alan Edgar.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One typed list
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MEdgarAG172180-180704-03
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
France--Tours
France--Paris
France--Mailly-le-Camp
France--Amiens
Germany--Kiel
France--Cherbourg Region
France--Caen
France--Beauvois
Germany--Stuttgart
France--Givors
France--Reims
France--Rouen
France--Creil
France--Givors
France--Brest
Netherlands--Tilburg
Germany--Darmstadt
Belgium--Leopoldsburg
France--Normandy
Germany--Braunschweig
Poland--Gdańsk
France--Bordeaux (Nouvelle-Aquitaine)
Poland
France
Germany
Belgium
Netherlands
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944
1944-04-18
1944-04-19
1944-05-03
1944-05-04
1944-06-05
1944-06-06
1944-06
1944-07
1944-08
1944-08-03
1944-08-15
49 Squadron
83 Squadron
bombing of Luftwaffe night-fighter airfields (15 August 1944)
Bombing of Mailly-le-Camp (3/4 May 1944)
bombing of the Juvisy, Noisy-le-Sec and Le Bourget railways (18/19 April 1944)
bombing of the Normandy coastal batteries (5/6 June 1944)
Bombing of Trossy St Maximin (3 August 1944)
mine laying
Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944)
Pathfinders
RAF Coningsby
RAF Fiskerton
RAF Tuddenham
RAF Waterbeach
RAF Woodbridge
V-1
V-weapon
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/501/22554/MCurnockRM1815605-171114-014.2.pdf
cd7765b1e8f93979057c9dd4da7cbc4c
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Curnock, Richard
Richard Murdock Curnock
R M Curnock
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Curnock, RM
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-04-18
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Description
An account of the resource
92 items. An oral history interview with Warrant Officer Richard Curnock (1924, 1915605 Royal Air Force), his log book, letters, photographs and prisoner of war magazines. He flew operations with 425 Squadron before being shot down and becoming a prisoner of war.
The collection has been licenced to the IBCC Digital Archive by Richard Curnock and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR
RELATIVES ASSOCIATION
NEWS SHEET
[Drawing]
President
MRS. J. O. ASSELIN, M.B.E.
Vice-President
E. A. MACNUTT, C.B.E.
Hon. Secretary
MRS. E. I. BAROTT
Hon. Treasurer
MAJOR F. S. MOLSON
Honorary President
MRS. VINCENT MASSEY
Honorary Vice-Presidents
Wing Officer W. WALKER, O.B.E.
HON CHARLES G. POWER
R. A. LAIDLAW
Editor
HAZEL WANKLYN
News Sheet No. 31 150A Sun Life Building, Montreal, P. Q. June 1944
THE DANGER OF RUMOURS
The Invasion is now no longer a possibility of the future; it is an actual and awe-inspiring accomplishment of unprecedented magnitude. At this moment Canadian Servicemen, side by side with their Allies, are landing on the beaches of France and penetrating the European mainland in their march of liberation. Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen from Canada are after long years of hard training now facing the enemy in the bitter and the final combat.
It is too soon yet for any clear picture of what is happening, but over the air waves comes a continuous stream of dramatic stories told by eye witness commentators of their individual experiences. Modern science has made this “blow by blow” type of reporting possible. To the anxious people at home, this pseudo-participation is a doubtful blessing.
Families of prisoners of war are particularly vulnerable to sensationalism as they are in a constant state of anxiety and apprehension as to how changing events will affect their prisoners.
It must be remembered that the Red Cross, both National and International, the Protecting Power and several of our own Government Departments are vigilantly guarding the welfare of prisoners of war and it is from them that official news will come.
Preparations have been made by the organizations set up for that purpose, to protect the interests of prisoners of war no matter what contingency arises, the I.R.C. has amassed large supplies of food parcels in cast transportation becomes difficult.
Mr. Churchill in a world wide broadcast has warned us of the danger of rumours. Our part during the coming anxious months is very clear, it is to face these rumours calmly – and to reject them.
[Page break]
2 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION June 1944
EDITORIAL NOTES
All Correspondence to the Association should be addressed to the Secretary, Mrs. E.J. Barott, C.P.O.W.R.A., 150-A Sun Life Building. Requests for educational books and copies of prisoners letters should be written on a separate sheet of paper. Relatives are invited to submit their problems and difficulties which will receive prompt and sympathetic attention.
LETTERS
We have been asked whether letters printed in the News Sheet have been chosen for their cheerfulness, while those expressing homesickness complaints and unhappiness are not made public. The answer is a very definite NO. Letters published in this paper are printed as we receive them; apart from slight deletions of purely personal matters, no additions or changes are made and each letter conveys the thoughts, ideas and feeling of the writer, having nothing to do with the views of this paper. The only letters discarded are those considered out of date or not containing news of general interest.
Printing, as we do, over fifty letters a month from Officers and other ranks of all the Services means that thousands of letter have gone through our hands – letters from boys and men who come from every part of the Dominion, from farms and cities, towns and villages and whose family backgrounds are so varied that every type of Canadian is represented.
The extraordinary spirit and dauntlessness with which these letters abound is cause for great admiration and also for encouragement. Admiration for the ability to make the best of a situation, the hardships and humiliation of which are almost impossible to realize by those who have not experienced them and for the humour and light-heartedness which refuses to be extinguished. Admiration also for the gallantry that is shown by all those letters in the desire to stress the bright and minimize the dark side of captivity.
The encouragement one gets from these first hand records of prison life is not only from the individual letter, but from the fact that the thousands of letters from thousands of prisoners could not sustain the cheerful tone they do if written merely with the view of dispelling anxiety. That the overwhelming majority of letters show a mental and physical alertness is the most encouraging and comforting proof of the high state of morale of our prisoners of war during this temporary and onerous phase of their war service and is indicative of the useful part they will take in the postwar reconstruction era.
The importance of letters written to prisoners cannot be exaggerated and this is where we at home can give them a tremendous amount of help and reassurance; bright, cheerful letters inspire confidence and hope; despondent letters react quickly and seriously on a prisoner’s outlook. Prisoners of war need this stimulus from their families and friends just as much as they need food and clothing.
No organization can provide it; it is the lifeline and human bond between our men in enemy prison camps and the individuals at home who are closest to them irrespective of time and space.
N.C.O.’S ORGANIZE AT STALAG IVB
Word has been received at C.P.O.W.R.A. Headquarters that the Canadian N.C.O.’s at Stalag IVB have formed an organization similar to that existing at Stalag Luft VI. The 200 Canadians have elected a committee of which the President is W/O I.J.W. Meyers, the vice-President Sgt. R.F. Booth and the Secretary Sgt. R.J. Knight.
W/O I. Meyers writes:
“As the majority of prisoners in this camp are new prisoners in Germany and our numbers are steadily increasing we find that we are in urgent need of toilet articles, etc., and knowing that your organization can, and will, help us, we would appreciate any assistance that you may be able to render. Such things as gramophone records, sports articles and musical instruments would be very acceptable. These can be addressed to the Senior Canadian N.C.O. Could you also supply definite information with regard to the promotion scale for Canadian P.O.W.’s.
All the prisoners here are in reasonably good health and send their best wishes to your organization and to the folks at home.”
Requests in the above letter have been filled.
[Page break]
June 1944 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION 3
MRS IAN CAMPBELL’S WORK
for
PRISONERS OF WAR
There are few, if any, prisoner of war camps in Germany which have not benefitted by the splendid efforts of Mrs. Ian Campbell, who from Lisbon has sent many thousands of parcels containing special foods, tonics and all manner of extra comforts including pillows, books, educational and occupational supplies, church candles, shoes, etc., to make the prisoner of war’s life more bearable.
Every request that can be met is filled from Mrs. Campbell’s Depot for Prisoners of War, in spite of restrictions regarding the export of food and inability to obtain some of the articles requested which present increasing difficulties in carrying out this work. Mrs. Campbell writes from Lisbon in a letter dates March 22nd, 1944:
“Our work still continues although on a reduced scale, but thanks to most generous donations we are able to fulfill all the requests for special food parcels, tonics, pillows and clothes, etc. We send no more individual food parcels to identified prisoners but we do continue to despatch a certain amount of food in bulk in our 500 kilo monthly quota. There is a great demand for porridge always, so we concentrate mainly now on this form of food and boxes are sent to Senior British Officers and Camp Leaders in different camps on our list.”
CANADIAN RED CROSS PRISONER OF WAR SHIPMENTS
Total gross weight of prisoners-of-war food parcels shipped by the Canadian Red Cross during 1943 amounted to 26,075 tons and required 970 full loaded railway cars to carry them to seaboard. Mr. Harry Milburne, chairman of the national transportation committee of the society, announced at the annual meeting of the central council on April 20.
Shipment to Lisbon and Marseilles for British Empire prisoners in German camps totalled 4,172,800 food parcels during 1943 compared with 1,360,112 in the preceeding year. 1,326 cases containing cigarettes, tobacco, books, vitamins and games to the value of $110,695 were also shipped.
Mr. Mulburne added that food parcels, drugs, milk and fruit juices were sent to Japan, and 42,000 parcels were forwarded to a Russian port whence it is hoped they will eventually be transported to Japan.
To the end of December, 1943, the Red Cross had packed and shipped a total of 7,800,000 prisoners -of-war food parcels, or 42,900 tons of food. Norman C. Urquhart, chairman of the Prisoners-of-war parcels committee, announced. (Mr. Urquhart is now Chairman Executive Committee replacing Mr. Justice Gordon). Since January 1940, losses suffered by enemy action amounted to 1 1/2 % of the total value of goods shipped.
SUPPLIES FOR HONG KONG
An International Red Cross cable from Geneva has been received in Washington stating that supplies carried in the last trip of the Gripsholm have been received and distributed amongst military and civilian prisoners to Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Yangchow, Weishien and Peiping camps have also received their supplies form the Gripsholm.
WAR PRISONERS’ AID Y.M.C.A.
The War Prisoners’ Aid of the World’s Committee of the Y.M.C.A., New York, has received a cable from the Senior Canadian N.C.O. at Stalag Luft VI, sent from Berne, Switzerland, on April 5th, 1944, acknowledging the receipt of log books, as well as 25 pairs of skates, 6 pucks, 10 rolls of tape and 50 hockey sticks shipped from Sweden.
Also from Geneva, a shipment consisting of a gramophone with 20 records and needles, 400 pairs of clip-on skates, 100 pairs of crew hockey skates, 500 hockey sticks, 76 athletic metal cups, 50 goal sticks, 60 shin-pads, 12 pairs of chest protectors, 12 pairs goal-pads, 26 pucks, 36 rolls of tape, 48 hand skate sharpeners.
A consignment of musical instruments arrived from Canada and a typewriter from Stockholm. The cable expressed great appreciation of the work of the International Y.M.C.A. “who create channels, keep them open and transmit material for P.O.W.”
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6 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION June 1944
THE RED CROSS FLEET
The S.S. Caritas II, the latest addition to the Red Cross transatlantic fleet, left Philadelphia for Marseille in March on her maiden voyage under the neutral flag of Switzerland. Like the Caritas I, which entered the Red Cross service about a year ago, she has been acquired by the International Committee of the Red Cross to speed the delivery of food packages, medical supplies, and clothing to American and other United Nations prisoners of war in European camps. Formerly the freighter Spokane of 4,965 deadweight tons, Caritas II was built in Denmark. She is the first vessel provided by the United States to the Red Cross for use exclusively in prisoner of war service, and was furnished through the constantly helpful collaboration of the United Stated War Shipping Administration.
Prior to the acquisition of Caritas II, the latest addition to the Red Cross fleet had been the new motorship Mangalore, which left Philadelphia for Marseille on her maiden voyage toward the end of January with the largest cargo of prisoner of war relief supplies ever to leave the United States. The cargo, which was shipped by the American and Canadian Red Cross societies, comprised every essential need of a prisoner of war from needles to medicines, clothing, and food packages, and amounted in all to nearly 5,500 tons of supplies, having a value of approximately $5,000,000. It also included about 2,000 bags of prisoner of war letter and parcel mail.
The Mangalore was recently built in Sweden and flies the Swedish flag. Her crew is also Swedish, and she is under charter to the Swiss Shipping Foundation of the International Committee of the Red Cross at Geneva. The Mangalore is not only the largest vessel in the Red Cross service – she is also the fastest. She completed her first run from Philadelphia to Marseille in 17 days.
In all, seven ships are now making regular trips between the United Stated and Europe, carrying exclusively Red Cross cargo and mail for prisoners of war and civilian internees. Four of the seven ships are under charter to the British Red Cross. The British and American Red Cross societies guarantee the financial operation of these ships, all seven of which are used jointly to carry goods from the American and Canadian Red Cross societies. This fleet is apart from the Swedish-owned Gripsholm, which has made two voyages to the East and one to Europe in effecting exchanges of nationals. On each voyage relief supplies for prisoners of war and civilian internees were transported.
Special Protection
The Red Cross vessel, traveling alone and without convoy, is especially protected. She is fully lighted at night in all waters; she flies a neutral flag and carries a neutral crew. She bears the insignia of the Red Cross on her sides and decks. She has on board a convoyeur who is the direct representative of the International Committee and must be a Swiss. Her arrivals and departures are announced in advance to all interested belligerents, and she does not sail until safe-conduct guarantees have been obtained from all of them. She follows a prescribed route, and her position is announced by radio every day at stated times. All belligerent warships permit her to pass unchallenged. The International Red Cross cuts across the battle lines and is trusted by all sides. It also serves all sides because the Red Cross fleet which carries supplies for United Nations prisoners on the eastbound voyage brings supplies for Axis prisoners in the United States and Canada on the return voyage.
Besides the seven ships in the transatlantic service for the transportation of American and Canadian Red Cross supplies, a fleet of Portuguese and other neutral vessels, chartered by the British Red Cross, maintains a “shuttle service” between Lisbon, Portugal, and Marseille, France. British Red Cross supplies, which go from the United Kingdom to Lisbon, are transhipped from the latter port to Marseille.
Reprinted through the courtesy of the American Red Cross.
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June 1944 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION 7
CAMP STANLEY ORGANIZATION
Related by a former internee
Sidelights on life in Camp Stanley, Hongkong, are given by George E. Costello, repatriated on the Gripsholm after two years internment in Stanley, in a report submitted to the Department of External Affairs, Ottawa.
Camp Stanley was established in January, 1942, for the internment of 4000 civilians – British, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian, American and Dutch nationals. At the time Mr. Costello left 2500 remained. Including several dozen recently born babies. The others had been transferred to Shanghai, repatriated to America, or had died.
COVERS TWO SQUARE MILES
“The camp is situated on a peninsula, on the southeast coast of Hongkong and is six or seven miles by road over rugged hills from the city of Hongkong. Stanley is surrounded on three sides by the China Sea and the camp covers an area of about two square miles. There are a number of winding, rustic paths for walks, and sea bathing is permitted between 9 and 11 a.m. and 2 and 5 p.m. every day from April to November. There are also several good sized open fields used for sports and recreation.
“In addition there is a lawn bowling green formerly belonging to the Warders’ Club of the Hong Kong Prison. Baseball games and lawn bowl contests are daily events throughout the year and provide a great deal of pleasure for players and spectators alike. Up to the spring season of 1943 there were regular weekly matches of rugger and soccer football, but these had to be abandoned because of serious injuries to players whose weakened condition caused many of them to suffer broken limbs after each game.
“The camp was formerly the site of Hong Kong Prison and internees are now housed in the prison buildings and in four three-storey apartment buildings which were constructed for the European members of the prison staff. There are also several brick and concrete barrack buildings formerly occupied by Chinese and Indian prison guards; two college buildings and seven bungalows, previously occupied by the faculty of St. Stephens College, which is also situated at Stanley; and a number of garages, servants’ quarters, etc.
OVERCROWDING STILL PREVAILS
“Despite the considerable reduction in the original number of internees, there is still a great deal of overcrowding and almost a complete lack of privacy. Many of the larger rooms in the college buildings house as many as 30 persons, men, women, children, married and single, all thrown indiscriminately together. Washing and toilet facilities are inadequate in most of the buildings. The internees, however, in one way or another manage to get along somehow.
“The camp is operated entirely by internees, headed by a commandant, elected every six months, along with a general committee. The camp commandant and this committee are responsible to the Japanese for the well-being and discipline of the community. There is a medical board and well staffed hospital with internee doctors and nurses, but badly lacking in instruments and equipment, drugs and medicines. Up until recently mosquito control, by disinfection of stagnant water outside the camp, was permitted by the Japanese authorities. This privilege was withdrawn without reason with a consequent increase in malaria.
“The camp also has an improvised dental clinic.
“Food is rationed and provided daily; nine ounces of rice, four and one half ounces of flour, one half ounce of sugar and peanut oil, with additional Chinese vegetables and salt, and, at intervals, some meat and fish. The calory [sic] content is less than 1900 for each person. Children receive a small amount of milk.
“A force of former Hong Kong police maintain order and report persons violating regulations. Offenders are brought before a court presided over by the former Lord Chief Justice of Hong Kong and the former General Superintendent of Police. The only punishment the court is permitted to pass is withdrawal of all privileges such as participation in sports, swimming, attending concerts, purchasing goods from the canteen, cigarettes, tobacco, etc., but they are effective.
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8 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION June 1944
FOOD UNOBTAINABLE
“There is a canteen available, but at the time of our departure, no food could be obtained. At intervals the canteen obtained small supplies of Chinese cane sugar, syrup, tinned vegetables and jam, and occasionally fresh oranges, bananas and pineapples.
“Concerts are arranged and given every weekend. There are several well balanced bands and a dozen or more pianos. Two organs belonging to the college are much in demand, particularly for regular religious services of all denominations. There is one central library of 1500 volumes and several smaller ones throughout the camp. Regular lectures are given by those best qualified and faculty members of the Hong Kong University. Classes are provided in languages, shorthand, book-keeping, engineering, etc., all of which are well patronized. Various grades are maintained for children from the kindergarten up. “At the beginning of 1943 the Red Cross representative at Hong Kong announced that arrangements had been completed whereby each adult internee was to receive military yen $25 each month, children aged between five and 16 yen $12.50. The first payment under these arrangements were made to internees in February 1943, when yen $15 and $7.50 were distributed. Later the amounts were increased to yen $25 and $12.50 and these were being paid regularly each month up to my departure.
“The morale of the camp up to the time I left was excellent. Every internee was constantly looking to the day when he would be repatriated and expecting this to happen any day. All are down in weight, some slightly and others heavily, and everyone is suffering from effects of malnutrition, some very seriously ill. The camp is precariously short of medicines and drugs and terribly lacking in solid food substances.”
Reprinted from the American Edition Shanghai Evening Post, May 5, 1944.
OFLAG IVC
[Photograph of a group of men] 1st Row: Lt. Wood, Capt. Vandelac, Col. Merritt, V.C., F/Lt. Donaldson, Lt. Barott, Lt. O’Hara.
2nd Row: Lt. Milne, Lt. Roy, Lt. Marchand, Lt. Scott. Kindly lent by Mrs. E.I. Barott of Montreal.
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June 1944 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION 9
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Question: My April food permits for tea and coffee to be included in my next of kin parcel entitled me to more than the usual 1 lb. of coffee and 1/4 lb. of tea. Am I allowed to send the extra amount to my prisoner?
Answer: No. The tea and coffee ration in this country was increased at the time you speak of, but there has been no increase in the amount permitted in personal parcels. Since April, the food permits have been altered to allow the purchase of 1 lb. coffee and 1/4 lb. tea only.
Question: What does the word Belaria mean in P.O.W.’s address after Stalag Luft IV?
Answer: The word Belaria has not yet been clearly defined, but since it only appears in the address of prisoners at Stalag Luft IV via Stalag Luft III, it apparently designated a part or compound of the new Stalag Luft IV camp.
Question: How long does it take after a prisoner of war camp in Europe has been visited by the Protecting Power for a report to reach the war office in London?
Answer: In November last, sir [sic] John Grigg stated that reports were received on an average of two months after the visit. In case of an important report, a telegraphic summary is sent immediately from Berne, Switzerland, and received in England in slightly over three weeks from the date of the visit.
Question: What does the 25 word restriction on letters to the Far East include?
Answer: The restriction of 25 words in letters to the Far East is a Japanese regulation and has been interpreted in many ways. No official statement has yet been received clearly defining what part of the message must be included. We advise counting all words, including the date, salutation and signature, excluding only the address of the prisoner and that of the sender. This interpretation is considered the safest in view of the fact that the Japanese authorities have stated that messages containing more than 25 words will not be delivered.
Question: What happens to a personal parcel that is under weight or from which prohibited articles are removed?
Answer: When a next of kin parcel is under weight, or contains some article that is contrary to regulations and has to be removed by the censors, the Canadian Red Cross supplements the parcel by adding articles that bring it up to the permitted weight of 11 pounds. During 1943, 12,837 next of kin parcels were cleared through the Canadian postal censorship of which 835 were supplemented by Red Cross supplies. An additional 624 could not be passed and were returned to the sender with explanatory letters. When an article is removed from a next of kin parcel is also is returned and the reason for its removal explained.
Question: How many Canadian Prisoners of War are there?
Answer: Canadian prisoners of war totalled 4,907 at February 29, 1944. This figure includes 688 officer, and 4,219 men. They are scattered throughout 26 German camps, 11 Italian camps (many of these have been freed, and figures are not up-to-date yet) one Hungarian camp and an unknown number of camps in the Pacific. In the Pacific area there are camps in Japan, Singapore, Formosa, Borneo, Java, Shikoku Island, Hong Kong and others in unknown areas. No further details are available because of failure of notification by Japan.
In addition to the prisoners of war in enemy hands, there are a certain number of Canadian servicemen interned in neutral countries.
Distributed by their particular service, there are in Europe 1,991 prisoners of war from the Army, 1,194 from the Airforce, 129 Merchant Seamen and seven from the Navy. In the Far East, army prisoners total 1,545, air force 23, merchant seamen 16, and navy two. Total Army prisoners are 3,356; Air Force 1,217; Merchant Seamen, 145; Navy nine.
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10 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION June 1944
BOOK REVIEWS
The following books have been chosen as being suitable to send to Prisoners of War. They may be sent through firms holding postal permit licences, a list of which will be found in the Directory of the News Sheet.
“THE RED COCK CROWS”, by Frances Gaither. The Macmillan Co., of Canada. $3.00.
Hehe [sic] is a novel of the days of slavery in the Southern States. Adam Kiske [sic], schoolmaster from Maine, arrives in the South to open a school. His welcome to this new environment is, in its warmth and friendliness, typical of the hospitality for which the South is noted. Fiske soon becomes an accepted member of Ward Dalton’s household to whom he brings a letter of introduction, and being young and lonely, he inevitably falls in love with Dalton’s daughter. Gradually the sinister undercurrent of the slave problem overshadows what had appeared to be an idyllic life and as the racial hatred mounts the young schoolmaster is involved, against his will, in an hysterical uprising. Wrongly accused of stirring up the rebel slaves, Fiske comes near to being executed by the enraged slave owners.
“A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN”, by Betty Smith. Harper & Brothers. $3.00.
Possibly te [sic] best selling novel of the year. “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” is full of witty entertainment. A plot that holds the readers interest throughout, this story of Francis Nolan, her family and neighbours, living in the tenement district of Brooklyn some thirty years ago, is an interesting character study cleverly told. Children matured young in the tough environment that Francis was born into and at the age of nearly seventeen we leave this daughter of Brooklyn, a young woman who has had many experiences, both tragic and comic.
Judging by the popularity it has gained, one would expect this novel to be a great success with prisoners of war and it is highly recommended for that purpose.
“WALT WHITMAN”, by Henry Siedel Canby. Houghton Mifflin Company. $4.75.
In this most recent biography of one of America’s greatest poets, Henry Canby gives a frank and sympathetic interpretation of the work and character of Walt Whitman. Canby is a biographer of critical insight and understanding, and handles his difficult and complex subject with clear intelligence that gives us a new meaning and appreciation of Whitman’s genius.
The historical events of the time, the American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, together with the picture of New York in the middle nineteenth century, provides a background that is both interesting and entertaining.
This is not everybodys [sic] book, but those who are interested in literary biographies will thoroughly enjoy it and to devotees of Whitman it will be a delight. In sending this book to a prisoner of war, we suggest including a copy of Whitman’s poems as the reader will constantly wish to refer to them “Leaves of Grass” is published in the Modern Library at $1.25.
“THE RAZOR’S EDGE”, by W. Somerset Maugham. Doubleday, Doran. $3.25.
Somerset Maugham’s latest novel is not by any means his best. It is the story of a young American, Larry Darnell, a flier in the last war, who on returning to his native city of Chicago finds that the life of easy luxury and social gaiety that his friends indulge in, is not for him. So Larry turns down an offer of a good job and a high salary to search for truth, faith, or as he calls it “the experience of the Absolute”. The transformation of Larry into a mystic and ascetic is not a very convincing story and the characters are disappointingly unreal. In writing about Americans, Maugham has entered a field where he is not perfectly at home and the ease with which he creates characters of his own nationality is deplorably absent.
While most of the story takes part in Paris, Larry’s travels in India are related by him in detail. And it is in the distant obscurity of native India that he finds the truth for which he longs. The book ends as Larry returns to his own people with the zeal of an evangelist. One wonders what effect he will have on Chicago … and what effect Chicago will have on him.
It would not be possible for Somerset Maugham to write and “un-readable” or boring book and “The Razor’s Edge” although not up to the authors usual standard is above the average of current novels and will help pass the hours.
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June 1944 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION 11
PROVINCIAL HEADQUARTERS
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Mrs. R. Thistle
1013 Government St.
Victoria, B.C.
MANITOBA
Mr. W.S. King
906 Paris Building
Winnipeg, Manitoba
ONTARIO
Mrs. Gordon Weir,
Bank of N. Scotia Bldg.,
79 Queen St. East,
Toronto, Ont.
QUEBEC
Mrs. H.E. Plant,
718 Sun Life Building,
Montreal, Que.
NEW BRUNSWICK
Mrs. George Filliter,
68 Portledge Ave,
Moncton, N.B.
NEWFOUNDLAND
Mrs. C.A. Holmes,
Caribou Hut,
St. John’s, Nfld.
NOVA SCOTIA
Mrs. W.A. Black,
30 Ivanhoe Street,
Halifax, N.S.
SASKATCHEWAN
Mr. C.A. Cunning,
303 McCallum Hill Bldg,
Regina, Sask.
ALBERTA
Mrs. H. Thom,
10222, 118th St.,
Edmonton, Alta.
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
150A Sun Life Bldg.,
Montreal
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL BRANCH TORONTO
It was reported at the May meeting of the Ontario Branch that a group of Hospital Visitors has paid seven visits to the repatriated P.O.W. at Christie Street Hospital.
The Ontario Branch has donated $1,000.00 to the fund for Emergency kits. A new branch has been opened at Owen Sound.
It was announced that the badminton equipment and golf clubs could be sent in sports equipment parcels as in some camps golf courses are being built.
Flt/Lt. Ross Gillespie, a repatriate from Stalag Luft III spoke to the meeting. He suggested that more good books and good gramophone records be sent to P.O.W. as there is an ample supply of the lighter variety.
OTTAWA BRANCH
At the May meeting of the Ottawa Branch, a letter was read from the National President, Mrs. J.O. Asselin in connection with the Emergency Kits. The guest speaker, Flt/Lt. Foreman, Air Force Liaison Officer on the Committee for the Welfare and Protection of Prisoners of War gave an interesting account of his experience in enemy occupied territory and his escape and return to the United Kingdom. Fl/Lt. Foreman was enthusiastic about the Emergency Kits and stated that he knew they would be greatly appreciated in Transit Camps.
It was reported that the Ottawa Branch of the Canadian Red Cross would assist with packing personal parcels.
VANCOUVER BRANCH
At the May meeting of the Vancouver Branch Major Oscar Erickson M.C. gave an address on “Rehabilitation”. Major Erickson reviewed the existing regulations for the re-establishment of returned men and women of the three services and offered numerous suggestions for improvements. A motion was carried endorsing Major Erickson’s recommendations.
MANITOBA BRANCH
The monthly meeting of the Manitoba Branch was held on May 4th, with 70 members present. Mrs. Osler of the Red Cross spoke with regard to unused labels for next of kin parcels and stressed the importance of every prisoner receiving his permitted parcels. It was pointed out the C.P.O.W.R.A., the Red Cross or one of the Auxiliaries would see that parcels were sent for next of kin who were unable to do so for financial or other reasons. The notice of meetings of the Manitoba Brach are announced by radio as follows:
“Some folks with lov’d ones far across the sea,
Imprisoned in Japan or Germany,
Have formed a club, whose members monthly meet
To interchange their memories, and greet,
The meagre news which censorship has pass’d
And mails delayed by war have brought at last,
They share their letters, all alas too brief,
But even so, such antidotes to grief.
They talk about the parcels which they send,
And how their boys receive them in the end:
How some are lost, perhaps, in ships at sea,
Since no word comes of their delivery.
These and a hundred matters are discuss’d,
Pertaining to their common in’trests, just
Because those absent ones of whom they’re fond
Unite them in a sympathetic bond.
If you would like to come, please note the date –
To-night, in Grace Church Parish Hall, at eigth” [sic]
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12 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION June 1944
LETTERS RECEIVED
Letters from prisoners of war published in the News Sheet are of great interest to our readers. We appeal to prisoners relatives to share news of general interest that they receive from prison camps, by allowing us to print their letters or excerpt from letters. Photographs are also very much appreciated. The editor will handle very carefully all material received and return letters and photographs when requested.
GIROMAGNY BEI BELFORT
(Civilian Internment Camp)
February 12th 1944
I received the ping pong set from the Prisoners of War Relatives Association. I distributed the bats to members of the camp and the net I put on the communal table. Please thank them for their kindness. The playing cards I have kept for bridge. At the moment tiddley-winks is the favourite game in the camp. We hold terrific games in our room. I am ping pong champion of our camp now. I’m going to keep up practice when I get home. Hoping to see you soon.
OFFLAG VII B
March 31st 1944. Received May 11th.
Last letter to you March 10th. Since then received gym shoes, sweat shirt and soccer ball and your letter February 5th. Many thanks. The gym shoes arrived just in time to replace my old ones, which were wearing out. A Father Boulanger, from Megantic arrived here a short time ago from another camp. He was one of the Missionaries taken off the “Limzam” en route to Africa a long time ago. He has had a pretty interesting time since his capture, as you can imagine. Taking lots of exercise, feeling pretty good and managing to keep myself busy with odds and ends, so things could be a lot worse.
STALAG II D
March 10th 1944 Received May 11th
Well here I am writing from another camp, this time we’re up North in Germany. All the English speaking troops in this camp are Canadians, and it sure was good to meet a lot of the boys again. I correspond with a few of my friends in England and Canada, but have had to cut out writing to a lot of people for various reasons. Most of my letters go home and nearly everything in them you could tell to the Marines. We have had some quite good weather here, sometimes it gets a bit cloudy, with the clouds and other objects passing overhead. I received two letters from home the other day, dated April last, we move so often it takes quite a while for the mail to catch up with us.
We have started to toss the softball around, also play volley ball, we usually play bridge at night. Time is the thing that weighs heaviest on the mind, but everyone here in the best of spirits, and we all think that it wont [sic] be long now.
STALAG IV B
No date. Received April 13th 1944.
We have been unpacking and stacking Red Cross parcels today and are glad to be doing something to make the time pass. P- has written a concert, we dress the fellows up as girls with wigs made out of the Red Cross parcel string and the dresses are made out of old hospital night shirts with crepe paper accessories. They are giving out the mail now, but none for me. Oh well. I read some of your old mail and it was just as good as getting new mail, but I would like a letter and some pictures.
No date. Received April 18th 1944.
Winter has come at last with about four inches of snow. We had a great day snowballing the army. Played a game of football today, the ground was covered with ice. What a game, and what casualties. We had a very indignant cow in the camp the other day. It was employed in hauling a cart into the camp and while she was quietly standing two of the fellows relieved her of half a dixie of her best. We have a camp newspaper now and it is really very good. All kinds of stories, bits of news and cartoons. The way it has been done is really amazing. Christmas is nearly on us again, we are all sure we will make it in time for the next one. Here’s hoping. The food question and clothing are pretty good and we are preparing for a great feast on Christmas.
No date. Received April 26th 1944
No mail as yet, some fellows from around home passed through the camp. We got a lot of news. It sure is a small world. We are having a mild winter so far with muddy days and a few good nights. Its [sic] funny the number of falling stars we see nights. We usually have arguments over which constellation is which. In fact, star-gasing [sic] and astronomy have become two of the best camp recreations. We have a couple of camp orchestras and hut concerts are pretty regular. The Canadians have received some lovely instruments from the Canadian Y.M.C.A.
STALAG IX C
February 25th, 1944.
The German Authorities decreed upon removing all the Canadian Prisoners of War to a Camp of their own, and we shall be very sorry to see them go; they have all been such good sports and
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June 1944 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION 13
good friends. If I accepted all the invitations to Canada I would be there for the rest of my life. The weather is cold and much snow on the ground. The Red Cross food parcels which we have received every week are a great boon and a God-send, specially butter, klim and meat – I must say that they are very palatable.
STALAG XVII B
February 1944.
This is the first letter I have written in over a month. We have moved again and now we are in a Stalag 17 B, which is in Austria. Of course you notice that all letters still go to Stalag Luft III. I guess all airmens [sic] mail goes there first. This camp is on a hill and you can see for miles out beyond the barbed wire. The climate here is very healthy. Last week I received 27 letters: the latest was dated July 20th. I’m taking up Spanish in school now and have been doing a lot of reading.
STALAG XXI D
March 5th, 1944.
I am very thankful for the cigarette parcels received at intervals. A Canadian smoke is very much appreciated here I can tell you. I hope you will not mind me making a suggestion concerning the sending of Maple product. I live here amongst British the greater part of whom have never hear about maple syrup, taffy or sugar Coult [sic] it be possible to let them have a taste of it, for instance in a little tin included in the ordinary P.O.W. parcel by the C.R.C.S.
STALAG 317
December 23rd, 1943.
Well, Christmas has come and gone for another year. We have had quite a good one here, with plenty to eat and smoke, thanks to the Red Cross. I hope you had a real old fashioned one at home. Wish I could have been with you. However, we are looking forward to the next one at home.
December 17th 1943.
It looks as though we are going to have a green Christmas, much to the surprise of the local inhabitants. Green or white we will have a good time. Our Red Cross Christmas parcels arrived this morning. They are a special issue for the day. They contain chocolate, biscuits, cake, pudding, milk, sugar, two meats, soap, etc. Also Wednesday we got a Canadian parcel, so prospects are really O.K. in the food line. When you are making up my next parcel a couple of pairs of socks would be handy, also some toothpaste and washing soap. The sweater and other clothes are doing a real service. I am looking forward to your letters. I have only had 8, dated last April and May. Please dont [sic] worry. Everything is O.K.
STALAG 344
December 19th, 1943.
I trust that you spend a festive season, we here are keenly looking forward to ours and our Xmas parcels. I’m in the best of health, barring a cold, most of us have these. We have the barracks all decorated, trimmings cut from all can labels, cigarette boxes, parcel stuffings and some greenery. Numerous concerts are on, at our theatre (which we built years ago) the pantomime of which I’m in the choir, sings carols at six in the morning Xmas and later its program in the theatre, and concerts put on by individual billets, so you see we are still smiling. I am in the choir photo attached, you will note some snow not much, but it was below zero then and is still cold. Myself I’m quite warm, plenty of socks and sweaters and my bedding good, my blanket is sure the thing! I spent a very quiet birthday your smokes didn’t arrive here yet, but all mail is quiet and will undoubtedly get here later.
Xmas 1943.
Well, its [sic] been a merry and exciting Christmas, bags of eats. We sang ourselves hoarse going from one hut to the other and now all I need to hear is that you had as good a time as of old. Here’s looking forward to hearing from you.
January 9th 1944.
My New Years resolution is to be home this year, and al the news is looking forward to just that. Say, this life agrees with me, I get fatter every day, but plenty of work puts it on the right places. Everybody happy.
February 7th 1944.
I suppose you must have thought of what we do when there are no flicks to go to, although we do have plays and varieties in the Stalag. Well, in our time off we get lots of time for reading and you would be surprised at the books you can read that have been made into pictures, which is almost like going to the picture over again if you have plenty of imagination and what hasnt [sic] a P.O.W. got in that line. I am keeping at my French lessons, slowly now as I have less opportunity, but I hope to speak it well if this war doesnt [sic] quit too soon. The spirit of the lads here is great and its [sic] good to see how strong and healthy most of them are. A bit of stiff work is good for a chap in thay [sic] way as it keeps you fit and your mind occupied.
February 25th 1944.
Very please to receive your last letter, received blankets O.K., also received a couple more parcels from different sources in which I can see your hand. Thanks awfully I am doing well and have plenty of everything at present, also I receive every-
[Page break]
THEATRICALS AT STLAG LUFT III
Photographs kindly lent by Mrs. L. de Forest of Drumheller, Alberta and Mrs. E.A. Macnutt of Montreal.
[Photograph of a musical programme]
[[Photograph of four people on a stage in a theatrical production]
[Photograph of a group of people in theatrical costumes]
STALAG LUFT III
By
A Repatriated Prisoner of War
Stalag Luft III is considered the best Officers’ Camp in Germany, I suppose owing to the fact that the German Air Force look after us. They are considerably better types than the army. Apart from 2 roll calls a day they left us very much to ourselves and we made our own arrangements for recreation, lectures, etc. The treatment improved considerably and they were only too pleasant latterly.
The food situation when I left was the best it had been in camp. We had a 6 months reserve stock of parcels, and cigarette parcels were arriving regularly. Everyone was really fit, in fact I can assure you I was fitter over there than I am now after having so many late nights and occasional parties.
The theatre which you have heard about no doubt was a big attraction to our compound. Actually there were 4 compounds in the camp area, with roughly 1000 officers in each, but no official intercommunications was allowed. The huts were comfortable, 6 to a room. There was a stove in each room and the fuel allowance was reasonable. The cooking was mostly done on the main kitchen stove, each hut taking turn about on the cooking roster. The big meal was in the evening, and on the present system of one Red Cross parcel for each man per week, supplemented by the German rations the bulk of which was bread and potatoes, I don’t think anyone was ever hungry.
We got fairly up-to-date news as new prisoners were drifting in every week and we also had special methods of obtaining it. Boredom was the only bugbear, unless one was very interested in classes. There is ample opportunity for almost any type of game.
Receipt of mail was always very spasmodic. I have received letters within 3 weeks, while others have taken 9 weeks – it’s the main trouble. Prisoners’ letters out take even longer, as I checked this up when I got home.
The medical attention is O.K. as I can vouch for, but hardly anyone seems to get ill and the doctors at the camp, 2 German and 2 of our own must get very browned off.
I have stated accurate facts and assure you that such things as reprisals never take place nowadays. Escapes go on most of the year, all very amusing, but the punishment is only solitary confinement for 10 or 14 days which is a luxury to most people who want peace and quietness.
[Photograph of a group of people in costume on a stage, with players on various instruments on one side]
[Photograph of a group of people in costume on a stage]
[Photograph of a group of people in costume on a stage with a musical background]
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16 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION June 1944
thing O.K. The weather here has been real cold with plenty of snow for the last couple of months, but thanks to you I am well prepared. I think the spring is not far off, and shall be glad when the summer comes.
I have broken my wrist and it wont [sic] heal, which is rather unfortunate, it is the scaphoid and it has been broken six months now. I may have to have an operation on it and a peg put in as the bone is degenerating, but I don’t [sic] know whether it will be as strong as it used to be so may refuse, anyway it doesn’t [sic] bother me much as I am in plaster at present.
STALAG LUFT IV
November 1st. 1943.
There is a chapel here and two English priests so I go to Mass and Communion every Sunday. We are starting organized classes and several other subjects, the teachers subjects, so we should learn something. We can play practically any sport we wish here, some of the camps even have ice rinks. The Red Cross supply us with sporting goods, food parcels and plenty of books, at present I am reading the Alaskan by Curwood. By the way I am becoming quite a good cook, you should have tasted the cake I baked yesterday, made from raisins, etc. out of our Red Cross parcel.
STALAG LUFT VI
My first letter to you from my new home. We arrived a couple of days ago and I am nicely settled now. It is all air force here and we got treated royally on arrival and ever since. I received a complete new outfit of air force clothes and lots of extras from the boys so please don’t [sic] send any clothes parcels, just toilet articles, chocolate, shoe polish and any civy shoes you can. There are a lot of Canadians here and we have started making two rinks, one for skating and the other for hockey. My last letter from you was written March 8th and I hope my mail soon comes through. I had two months freedom in Italy and was recaptured November 5th. I had hoped to spend Christmas with you, but cheer up, I shall next year. Please write often and send snaps, I get two of these letters and four cards a month so you shall get 4 of them, one a week.
January 17th 1944.
A new letter on a New Year. This is my first letter this year and I sure hope it reaches you O.K. Letters havent [sic] been so good this last month but I did quite well before that. Things are pretty fair with me. We had a blizzard yesterday but its [sic] back to normal today. We have a rink and hockey of a kind. It gives us something to do. Have
[Photograph of three rows of men in uniform outside a hut with a shield] Group taken at Stalag 344. Kindly lent by Mrs. G.E. Kline of Toronto.
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June 1944 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION 17
started studying book-keeping and Diesel, also agriculture on the side.
February 4th, 1944.
Just received your letter of Oct. 1, in which you say you’ve sent parcel, thanks a lot, should be here soon. The boys were out skating this morning, as the weather has turned colder and made a rink possible. Lots of work carrying water but its [sic] worth it. Did I tell you that I received a Xmas card from the people of Canada signed by Mackenzie King. Quite a souvenir. Well believe it or not the cake we baked for Christmas really turned out good, and if you knew what went into it you’d say impossible. Will bring the recipe back with me, will give you a laugh. Received a swell photograph album and log from the Y.M.C.A. So will be able to keep snaps okay now.
February 5th 1944.
I have just from seeing a band concert I would gladly pay a dollar to see anywhere. It was really grand, a fourteen piece band with a special part put in for the Canadians, chaps in tartan shirts, big hats etc., playing old time music. Things are just the same here. It is still very mild. I am still waiting anxiously for news from you. There is a lot of mail it, but none for me. We are having a boxing match on Monday, 9 bouts in all against Lager A. It was their band played tonight. I read a fine book this week. “The Unknown Country” by Hutchison. It is very modern and deals with Canada and her problems.
February 17th, 1944.
To-day I received the second letter from you for about five or six weeks, Oct 29. Other was Sept. 26. As I told you in last letter personal parcel sent in October reached here not far behind September personal parcel… Also six records sent in Sept. arrived in good condition. Records sent by the C.P.O.W.R.A. arrived recently, a swell selection so don’t bother to send any more records, as I’ll be lucky if I hear all of them. Cooking utensils, cocoa, gum and candles sent by the Prime Minister also rolled in, and were greatly appreciated. Photo album and parlor baseball arrive yesterday and I’ve had several games since then. I’m taking vitamins every day and they help such a lot. Thanks for everything.
STALAG LUFT III
December 20th, 1943.
Played a game of Rugby and got bruised up a bit, and did some work around the skating rink and such little things, these fill our lives. Will soon be second Xmas as P.O.W. here, and that is food for thought. Am reading a good book tonight while listening to some dance music – contrast.
January 17th, 1944.
It seems very odd to be putting 44 at the top of my letter. We are putting on a Christmas pantomime here. I was playing in the band up till yesterday when I went along to get a bottle of cough medicine and the doctor put me in hospital for no reason at all that I can see. I received my clarinet just before coming here and just had time to try it out. It is a wonderful little instrument. I can’t tell you how grateful I am. There are a couple of professional players here. They tried it out and say it is absolutely perfect. There is a surprising amount of talent in our camp. The man who wrote and directs this pantomime was a professional actor in England. The women’s parts are amazingly filled by kriegies who are so well made up that is it almost impossible, seeing them on the stage, to think that they are men.
January 17th, 1944.
We are having a remarkably mild winter here in Germany. We’ve flooded the rink several times and every time it refuses to freeze. The boys in charge are getting a bit fed up. Personally I hope it remains like this all winter. Not enough coal for cold weather. There is a very good pantomime going on in our camp. Due to the bombing it is much harder to rent costumes for our shows than formerly, but we have been able to improvise quite well. Kriegs can make almost anything out of tin cans, bits of cloth, etc.
January 18th 1944. Received April 28th.
I received your Christmas letter about the chocolate and cigarettes a few days ago and they tell me the chocolate has arrived. Everyone tells me to thank you very much. Also your letter about pay and promotion is being circulated about; this is of greatest interest to us as we are rather hazy about some aspects of these things. The mail continues to be almost nil as far as I am concerned. The camp Christmas pantomime is going full swing; very good if a little late.
January 20th, 1944. Rec. April 21st, 1944.
A letter at last from you, sent in August. Your very fine parcel of Sept. came safely a while back, and thank you very much. You do understand how much these things mean to us don’t you? We had our customary Christmas, so slightly more cheerful than usual because we felt that this may be the last of its kind. Camps like this are very optimistic – they have to be. Do write. Could you send some music for guitar solos?
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18 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION June 1944
January 24, 1944. Received April 17th, 1944.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to write a newsy letter. Most of the chaps in my billet are studying away their time in preparation for the post war world, and the English chaps hope to enter the Civil Service. But us Canadians are sort of at loose ends. We can’t expect the Government to support us for ever and at this point might I make a suggestion? I would very much like you to sort of get your hands on something or other that I could do for a living, as it is we are as you might say loose ends (nothing in view) for our post war life. Well we are getting plenty of mud here, the really affectionate type that clings to your feet and is loathe to let you go. So much for mud. We are hearing many stories about the Repatriated P.O.W. and it only increases our anxiety to be home again. No parcels or mail for many moons, altho I suppose there is plenty on the way.
January 27th 1944. Receiver [sic] April 24th.
Well, here I am again hale and heart and hope you are the same. To-day I got 1000 cigarettes from you, although I have not yet received any other parcel and no more mail from you since your first letter which I got on January 18th. We made a move and are now living in more comfortable quarters. We live in rooms, 8 men to each, so our mess is intact. They each contain 4 double bunks, 1 heating stove 8 stools, 2 tables and 4 double lockers, which we use for a food cabinet, also a coal box. The rooms are quite large, and we are not at all crowded. Oh yes, I had the sixth tooth on the left bottom painlessly extracted this morning. I have just about recovered.
February 6th 1944.
Here foes another forlorn attempt at a letter. Had a couple from you the other day and also one dated June, but better late than never. Before going any further I have something to say. I should like to convey my appreciation and thanks, through you to the people of Canada for the many gifts
we have received. Recently we received eating utensils such as, plates, cups, forks, spoons, etc., which were, shall we say, just what the doctor ordered. The old tin can cup went out the window. Some of the large kettles, soup pots, frying pans and so on, because of the accommodations are not applicable, but we are not kicking. We have received many other things such as books, and chocolate which are not less appreciated. Am getting along fairly well. Still growing older every day. Glad to be doing something, if only that.
No Date.
Well here I am again happy and well. I have received four letters and were they welcome. O boy! Will you send me in your next letter some pictures of yourself and the family? I need as follows, pipe, tobacco, handkerchiefs, can opener, two knives, forks and spoons. Knife and jockey shorts. Anything else you can think of. I am walking without a cane now, but still and always will have a slight limp. My right leg is about one inch and a half shorter. We have plenty of books, cards, and games, so our time goes very fast. When I get home
[Photograph of a group of men unloading boxes from the back of a truck] Parcels arriving at Stalag IXC. International Red Cross Photograph.
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June 1944 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION 19
I will give the Red Cross a pile of money, because they are sure doing a wonderful job. Please don’t worry, I have enough food, but could always use more. I have met a lot of U.S.A. boys from Ohio here, they are with the U.S.A.A.F. I am in the R.A.F. camp.
February 17th 1944.
Received four September letters last week. Glad the fishing is improving. When I walk round with the chaps that’s my pet subject. Did I ever tell you how we go walking here? Well, the compound is about 100 yards square and we walk around and round and round. I wish I had a dollar for every circuit of the compound I’ve made as a prisoner. Have just come back from the “Ringer”, a play by Edgar Wallace, put on by some of the boys. Quite a thrill it was too.
Those Haliver Oil Capsules were a godsend. I have been taking two every day since Christmas and I haven’t [sic] had a cold since. Our Canadian soccer team swings into action to-morrow morning at 9.30 and I must be in shape. Could you put hair grease in my parcels?
February 17th 1944.
Don’t [sic] forget cigarettes and chocolate please, and sports parcel of running shoes. Much the same. Reading a lot. When writing please give all the news possible of Canada. Daily newspaper is something to be really appreciated. Odd Canadians give lectures on various subjects. One on investment in stock market interesting. The Aussie in this room is giving me gen on “Man Unknown”. Good book.
February 17th 1944. Rec. April 14th.
I have now received 14 letters, 2 personal parcels and a cigarette parcel from you. I am so pleased with everything they contained that I cannot find words to thank you in this letter, but wait until I see you. I am well equipped now and there is nothing else I really want, especially clothing. I shall wait until I get back before I apply for my caterpillar badge, as it cant [sic] be sent here and I don’t [sic] know if it can be sent to Canada. I am sorry to say I am the only one alive, so you know the way I feel about that. I cannot tell you any more now, but will tell you all when I see you. Dont [sic] forget to send a photograph.
February 18th 1944.
Well it is very cold here today. It is like February in Canada and not as warm as in Italy. I am sorry I could not make it, as I was loose for three months and lost everything in Italy; so send next of kin parcel and cigarettes again.
You sent wonderful parcels to me in Italy, so please send same again. Hope you know by now I am a prisoner again. I am still in good health. We get Red Cross parcels here.
February 22nd 1944.
Have received about 8 letters from you lately. I was quite amazed and delighted to receive the Album of Swing Records. Quite a number of chaps have borrowed them and some have even asked to buy Bunney Berigans record “I cant [sic] get started.” It is cold here but there is no snow. We have just been X-rayed for T.B. Still studying and bearing up.
February 25th 1944. Received May 4th.
To-day my first parcels arrived, forwarded from Italy. One was my July next-of-kin with cardigan in it. As you can guess, it arrived just as I began to need it badly. I’ve received every clothing you’ve send up to that one. A games parcel came too, there are two or three cigarette parcels in, but I havent [sic] got them yet. I told you in my last letter that I received ten letter cards from you all at once, written between August and October 10th 1943. I’ve been able to collect quite a bit of late news about most of my friends from new arrivals here, so I know where most of them are.
Our latest variety show ended last night, after a seven days run. We dont [sic] need Bing Crosby, Connie Boswell, Clark Gable, Norma Shearer, Ty Power or Glen Miller here. Neither do we need Cecil B. DeMille, Fred Astaire or Ginger Rogers. The hidden talent we find is amazing. Well, I am O.K. and for proof of that, I’m doing giant swings on the high bar again. Received your January 20th cable in eighteen days.
February 27th 1944.
All fine here. Big things have happened since I last wrote, firstly I had my first hot shower since October ’42, and it sure felt good, we have been building a shower house since last summer and it was christened yesterday. Speed is our motto. Secondly I have found my skating balance and can now whip round like an old hand, this comes from having a week of cold weather and so have been skating everyday, unfortunately the rink is small so it gets very crowded and soon gets cut up, net result I have been rising early and doing my skating before breakfast. The mail has been good this month so next month I will have lots of letters to answer. Please excuse the printing but I am practicing to standardise my printing for cartoon work, not that I expect to become a cartoonist but am working on a war log of camp scenes on the humourous [sic] side, and it should be nice to keep when all this is over. That’s all for now and am sure it cant [sic] last much longer so chin up.
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20 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION June 1944
February 27th 1944.
Mail hit an all time low for me this month, but I’ll likely get a big bash of it all at once. Received a thousand menthol cigarettes from you a few days ago and they were really a treat, very few of them are seen around the camp, so they were sure welcome. Also fifty cigars which gave the room an odour of opulence in the evening. We had a really swell “Revue” in the theatre last week, it ran three days over the schedule of five days – hope I can get some pictures of our female impersonators to take home they do a marvellous job. One of them, an English chap, has a beautiful girls voice in addition to being just about the right size. I’m having a lot of fun trying to encourage my artistic talents just now, using up G-‘s water colours in the process. So far I havent [sic] turned out a real masterpiece but is passes the time. Spring is very late this year, no sun-bathing or summer sports yet but it shouldnt [sic] be long. Warm weather and other things should come (we hope) so I can see you this summer.
February 28th 1944.
Your last letter is Nov. 21st. We all had medical exams by the British Medical Officer last week, including X-rays, blood tests, etc., I am happy to write I am O.K. All is well here so dont [sic] worry. I am looking after the boiler room, to break the monotony and studying very diligently so this year is passing quickly and if all goes well we will be home by the end of it. My surplus cigarettes I give to the new chaps as I don’t smoke much. My clothes are O.K. except pyjamas wear out quickly and much more tooth powder is really needed. Your letters are full of news and I cant [sic] attempt to acknowledge it all. Tell me what you can what we are to expect on our return in the line of positions etc. Will Dad raise hell on behalf of us chaps who joined up early and have not received promotions compared to new chaps and officers. Time promotions. Maths book from Geneva on way, definitely determined to enter University on my return if circumstances permit specializing in logging engineering. September clothing parcel received, all contents O.K., many thanks.
March 1st 1944.
Since I wrote you last month a group of Poles and Czechs arrived from Stalag IV B and are now in a neighbouring compound.
I have received a cigarette parcel from you and various organizations. Another book parcel from Simpsons just arrived too, several pocket books, but I dont [sic]know who sent them. Your most recent letters dated Nov. 29th, Oct 23rd, Oct. 29th and Nov. 25th, also one August 17th. I’m glad to know you meet other Kriegies parents. All going well.
March 5th 1944.
All fine here, weather still cold at night but it thaws during the day, so skating I am afraid, is a thing of the past. However, I have kept myself busy drawing and painting cartoons, and I think I am beginning to show a slight improvement be-
[Photograph of a variety of small figurines displayed on a table] An Art exhibition at Marlag und Milag. International Red Cross photograph.
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June 1944 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION 21
cause now I spend most of my time doing drawings for other peoples [sic] books. My own book is now half filled and come the warm weather it should not take long to complete it. Last night I saw the paly “Arsenic and Old Lace”; I rather enjoyed it but would have enjoyed it more if I hadnt [sic] read it before. We built our own theatre and have put on some really good performances. Musicals seem to be the most popular, probably due to the fact that we have a really first rate orchestra. The Americans in the next camp really have got a band, which includes players from Goodman, Shaw, Whiteman and several other big name bands. They put on a show for us a couple of months ago, just like a radio broadcast, an eighteen piece band, skat singers and comedies. We have now got an Englishman rooming with us and we expect to get him educated in a couple of weeks, already he is using Canadian expressions, and by June we will have him playing baseball.
March 11th, 1944. Received May 17th, 1944.
I have at last received word from you, letter of Nov. 28th, written to Germany, also letter of July 9th to Italy. Three cig. parcels have arrived so the month has got off to a big innings. I certainly needed then, and keep up the good work. You don’t know just how much we appreciate the efforts you are all making. You must express my appreciation to all those people who are doing so much for me; I only wish I could write to them all myself. Thank you for clearing up that bit of unfortunate information I had. Some news gets so warped by the time it reaches us that mountains are soon made out of molehills. Some of the Montrealers you mentioned as being here are not in our compound, so that I am not in contact with them. We moved in north some three weeks before the end, and when the great day came we witnessed the changing of the guard. We could bring from Bologna only what we could carry, which comprised mostly food, hence the shortage of clothes. Two nice letters from Mrs. R. She can’t wait to see us in London to entertain us. Neither can we. She threatens me with a visit to London’s best chef. Could she but know the somewhat limited capacity of my now deflated stomach! Nevertheless, I am in better order now that I am not eating macarino and rice. So far “tout est bien”.
March 12th, 1924. [sic] Received April 25th, 1944.
Your lovely Christmas parcel came thru and helped us out no end. We make out quite well really all the time. The Red Cross does a magnificent job, but it is the occasional extra little luxury which does so much to keep our spirits up. The gardening book came, but Oh! it is saddening the soil here, it is so poor.
STALAG LUFT III
February 19th, 1944.
Just a few lines to let you know I’m still O.K. Last couple of weeks have had a touch of flu, and not quite over it yet. Saw G- across the wire the other day, havent [sic] got over to see him yet. Three of us are all in different Lagers. Have had my name on the visiting list to “K” Lager for four months, but havent [sic] got there yet.
Received two personal parcels so far, and several packages of cigarettes. This is almost the only thing that is plentiful at present. However, with donations to new P.O.W.’s and others not so fortunate they wont [sic] last long. Everyone was x-rayed the other day for T.B. The spud ration has been cut down. A camp paper is published daily now and contains excerpts from letters and other articles made up from incoming mails. Have had one letter and a crad [sic] this month.
STALAG LUFT VI
February 23rd, 1944. Received May 13th.
None recently from you. Everything Oke here. Dont [sic] forget the Menthols and if possible a cheap watch; some of the fellows have received them okay. Lot of conjecture here.
February 12th, 1944. Received May 13th.
Personally I’d sooner be in – (censored) at least I’d know when I was getting out. Enough said. Not much news here now. The rink we made lasted one day and then back to mud. Received a dixie and some other articles from C.P.O.W.R.A. sent out for Xmas, will come in handy.
MARLAG UND MILAG
January 16th, 1944. Received March 8th.
The 13th was lucky for me. I collected my September parcel in good condition. Studies go on. I should complete my syllabus in time for my May exams is there arent [sic] too many interruptions. I have received four splendid technical books from the Y.M.C.A. New York. They are good in sending books. Next to the Red Cross I think they help us most. I’ve regained some weight and am feeling fine.
February 14th, 1944. Received March 29th.
The Canadian Red Cross Christmas gift has been large this year. We have received a 2 lb Christmas pudding, set of kitchen and table utensils, coca, gum and lifesavers, also a box of gramophone records. We have had a few record recitals in the room. They are very good. You know that we have several complete bands her and an excellent library. I think I’ve mentioned our theatre and the occasional German films. Now, in contrast to last year, we have adequate sports supplies. Red Cross parcels continue to arrive. We get along well, thanks to the Red Cross.
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22 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION June 1944
[Photograph of a group of men outside a hut] Group taken at Stalag 344. Kindly lent by Mrs. Arbic of Sudbury, Ontario, whose son W/O H.C. Arbic is 4th from left, 2nd row.
DIRECTORY
Subscribers are urged wherever possible to buy from those companies listed here; they are helping to defray the cost of this bulletin.
BOOKS
Albert Britnell Book Shop, 765 Yonge Street, Toronto.
[Advertisements for Burton’s Limited, Connolly’s Ltd., Wm. Collins Sons & Co. Canada Ltd. and F.E. Osborne]
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June 1944 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION 23
[Advertisements for Oxo, The Macmillan Company of Canada Limited and Charles Ogilvy Limited]
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24 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION June 1944
[Advertisements for Eaton’s War Service Depot, Jas. A. Ogilvy’s Limited, Henry Morgan & Co., Limited and Simpson’s]
APPEAL FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS – The annual subscription to the monthly News Sheet is $1 for next-of-kin and $1.50 for other relatives and friends.
Cheques should be made payable (at par, Montreal) to The Canadian Prisoners of War Relatives Association, Room 150A Sun Life Building, Montreal.
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June 1944 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION 25
[Advertisements for Clark’s, Gordon Beardmore & Co., Limited, Fry-Cadbury Ltd. And Harold P. Cowan Importers Ltd.]
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26 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION June 1944
[Advertisements for The Overseas League (Canada) Tobacco Fund and The C.P.O.W.R.A. Cigarette Fund, Sweet Caps or Winchester Cigarettes]
Imperial Tobacco Sales Co. of Canada Ltd., Address – Sweet Caps, P.O. Box 6000, Montreal (Overseas Department)
Gordon V. Thompson Ltd., 193-197 Yonge St., Toronto
[Advertisements for W.C. MacDonald Inc. and Hudson’s Bay Company]
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June 1944 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION 27
[Advertisement for War Saving Stamps and Certificates, Molsons Brewery Limited]
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28 THE CANADIAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES ASSOCIATION June 1944
WRITE TO THE BOYS IN UNIFORM
Contributed by DAWES BLACK HORSE BREWERY
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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News Sheet No 31 June 1944
Description
An account of the resource
News-sheet of the Canadian Prisoners of War Relatives Association. This edition covers the danger of rumours, editorial policy on letters, NCOs organise at Stalag IVB, Mrs Ian Campbell's work for POWs, Canadian Red Cross Prisoner of War shipments, Supplies for Hong Kong, War Prisoners' aid YMCA, The Red Cross fleet, Camp Stanley Organisation, Questions and Answers, Book reviews, Branch reports, Letters from POWs, Theatricals at Stalag Luft III and adverts.
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The Canadian Prisoners of War Relatives Association
Date
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1944-06
Format
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28 printed sheets
Language
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eng
Type
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Text
Coverage
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Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Royal Canadian Air Force
Spatial Coverage
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Portugal--Lisbon
Japan
China--Hong Kong
Switzerland--Geneva
Sweden
United States
Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
Canada
Ontario--Toronto
Ontario--Ottawa
British Columbia--Vancouver
Manitoba
France--Belfort
France--Marseille
Poland
Poland--Tychowo
Poland--Żagań
Switzerland--Bern
France
Ontario
China
Switzerland
Portugal
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Anne-Marie Watson
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-06
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MCurnockRM1815605-171114-014
aircrew
arts and crafts
Churchill, Winston (1874-1965)
entertainment
memorial
prisoner of war
Red Cross
sanitation
sport
Stalag Luft 3
Stalag Luft 4
Stalag Luft 6
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1339/22069/SValentineJRM1251404v10086.2.jpg
2359bbaf2e3f85cd8bdc94f8a6e7dbe3
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Valentine, John. Ursula Valentine's newspaper cutting scrapbook
Description
An account of the resource
131 items contained in a scrapbook. Mainly newspaper cuttings of events from May 1942 to 1945.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Headlines
Description
An account of the resource
Rome falls, allies reported across the Rhine, allies now, Greatest operation has begun well - invasion forces landed on assault beaches selected by allied command.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-06-07
1944-11-25
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Four newspaper cuttings mounted on a scrapbook page
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SValentineJRM1251404v10086
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-06
1944-11
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.