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502 Sqn (Aldergrove – Blenheims/Hudsons/Whitleys) 23.1.41

Whitley aircraft P.5041 crashed near Campletown in Scotland. Aircraft was returning from escorting HG.50. The crew consisted of:
39386 F/Lt. Billing, P.L. – Killed
90038 P/O Holmes, A.P.B. – Killed
754007 Sgt. Hooker, A.R. – Killed
755384 Sgt. Pilling, H. – Killed
627135 Sgt. Bradley, D.J.P. – Killed

Thanks for this thread warshipbuilder we here a lot about fighter command during the "BoB".

But your posts show how much the bomber crews lost so many men.

Even before the bombing of Germany became the focus under "Bomber Harris"

When I was in a combat stress unit I meet a remarkable man who served in bomber command and was shot down over Berlin in 41.

What he experienced over the next 4 years was extraordinary, being liberated by the Russians and then being ordered to join the assault on Berlin. With senior officers going missing after the liberation (never to be seen or heard of again and the the Russians denying any knowledge of them). Then deciding that he didn't like haw things were going.

A few of them decided to "escape"/ make off towards British/American lines after suffering the infamous march of death from Poland (He never blamed the Germans escorting them as he said they had no food to share with them)

When he eventually made it back to American lines and handed back to the British forces he then endured 6 months of de-briefing by MI6 to make sure he wasn't a spy. before he was allowed to return to the UK.

What a remarkable man he was and some others that served in WW2 that I met in there [&o] [&o][&o]

What I have been through seems to pale into insignificance compared to them.

Thanks for this thread warshipbuilder

You're welcome, glad you are enjoying it.

502 Sqn (Aldergrove – Blenheims/Hudsons/Whitleys) 24.1.41

Whitley T.4168 crashed off Quigley Point Lough Foyle in Eire. Returning from searching for tugs that were looking for bombed ships. Aircraft abandoned due to shortage of fuel.
41501 F/O L.J. Ward – Interned
41931 P/O E.I.C. Johnson – Killed
969800 Sgt J.E. Hogg – Killed
816145 Sgt C.V. Jefferson – Interned
553918 Sgt L. Greenwood – Killed

Base Changes

112 Sqn(Gladiator I) moved to Iannina
3 Sqn RAAF(Gladiator I/II) moved to Tmimi

First and Last Operational Missions

237 Sqn(Gordons Tree) flew its first OM in the Lysander I
603 Sqn(Drem) flew its last OM in the Spitfire IIA

401 Sqn RCAF(Castletown – Hurricane I) 25.1.41

The C.O. departed by air for Inverness accompanied by the Wing Cmdr. in a Harrow to attend a meeting at Group on Fighter Tactics. The squadron is to be moved to Skitten which is an unfinished R.A.F. Station about 15 miles from Castletown. There was a scramble and the section was vectored onto an Anson near Wick.

401 Sqn RCAF(Castletown – Hurricane I) 26.1.41

“A” and “B” Flights practised a new formation of two aircraft in each section instead of three as a result of the C.O.’s visit to Group, all agreeing that is was a superior formation. There were no scrambles during the day and all patrols were cancelled. Night readiness was performed as usual. The C.O. and Flt.Lt. Norris visited Skitten by air and returned with a completely unfavourable impression of the proposed accommodation the country in general.

Base Changes

64 Sqn(Spitfire IA/IIA) moved to Southend
274 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Gazala
307 Sqn(Defiant I) moved to Squires Gate
502 Sqn(Blenheim IV/Hudson I/Whitley V) moved to Limavady
611 Sqn(Spitfire IA) moved to Hornchurch

401 Sqn RCAF(Castletown – Hurricane I) 27.1.41

“A” Flight endeavoured to get some practice flying but heavy winds and drifting snow prevented much work being done. Skitten was again visited by the C.O., Flt.Lt. Norris and the W.O. Our move is scheduled for 5-2-41. Part of the squadron will have to be billeted in Wick as the station is far from completed and work progresses slowly in this part of the country.

401 Sqn RCAF(Castletown – Hurricane I) 28.1.41

All a/c were grounded as communication with Sector Control was cut off. A train came through from the South, the first for about two weeks.

214 Sqn(Stradishall – Wellingtons) 29.1.41

R.1226 0237-0859 – This crew bombed in area near WILHELMSHAVEN. Owing to poor visibility no definite result observed. Safe landing made at HONINGTON cloud base being very low at home aerodrome

N.2778 0252-0817 – This crew attacked primary target at WILHELMSAVEN. All bombs fell very close to point of aim causing some fifteen small fires and two explosions. Fires still visible forty miles from target. Safe descent and landing made through cloud base only 150 feet.

N.2745 0258-0650 – This crew jettisoned bombs in North Sea after escape hatch over pilot’s head had blown open, making the aircraft difficult to fly. The rush of air caused the pilot great difficulty in seeing out.

T.2841 0302-0304 – This crew was just airborne when port engine out. Aircraft caught fire in the air and crashed. The entire crew escaped before the entire fuselage blazed up and several bombs detonated. The Observer sustained a sprained ankle.

248 Sqn(Dyce - Blenheims) 30.1.41

Protective Cover to convoy E.N.64 and also W.N.75 (2).
Sgt. R.J. Houcham, Sgt. T.W.E. Williams and Sgt. Kirkham all killed when a/c suffered an engine failure, stalled and dived into the ground at Newmarcham Lincolnshire while RTB.

First and Last Operational Missions

268 Sqn(Bury St. Edmonds) flew its last OM in the Lysander II

99 Sqn(Newmarket – Wellington IC) 31.1.41

09.45 – The Squadron was informed they would be required to operate.

Wellington T.2541 LN-O well on training exercise force landed at Looms Lane, Burgh, 3 miles NW of Woodbridge, Suffolk and ran into shallow ditch. The engines were closed down, but at 1645 Sgt. Fennell decided he would restart. On doing so the port motor burst into flames and the bomber was destroyed by fire.

18.30 – Operations canceled owing to weather conditions.

BaseChanges

73 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Gazala West
237 Sqn(Hardy/Lysander I) moved to Umtali

61 Sqn(Hemswell – Hampden I) 1.2.41

2000 – Hampden AD725 during training mission crashed onto dispersal at base. Sgt. R. Guest killed and Sgt. N.M. Lloyd injured.

Base Changes

6 Sqn(Lysander II) moved to Tobruk
59 Sqn(Blenheim IV) moved to Manston
258 Sqn(Hurricane I) moved to Jurby

First and Last Operational Missions

237 Sqn(Umtali) flew its first OM in the Lysander II

CIRCUS 2 - Boulogne

139 Sqn(Horsham St. Faith - Blenheim IV) 2.2.41

Aircraft flew singly to NORTHOLT, thence to target in box formation with fighter escort. Aircraft landed at NORTHOLT on return, thence to base in box formation.

T.2134 – Target bombed
T.1832 – Target bombed
L.9402 – Target bombed
T.2320 – Target bombed
R.2791 – Target bombed
V.5498 – Bogged at NORTHOLT. Unable to take off on bombing raid
R.3611 – Lost on way to NORTHOLT. Landed at Northolt too late to take off on bombing raid

Base Changes

40 Sqn(Wellington IC) moved to Alconbury

First and Last Operational Missions

3 Sqn RAAF(Tmimi) flew its last OM in its Gladiators
303 Sqn(Northolt) flew its first OM in the Spitfire IA

401 Sqn RCAF(Castletown – Hurricane I) 3.2.41

Two aircraft took off for Donibristle. YO-Q – F.O. Hyde; YO-Z – F.O. Lochnan. Time of take-off 1048 hours. These officers departed on posting, F.O. Hyde to No.2 Canadian Squadron(402) and F.O. Lochnan to No. 110 Canadian Squadron(400). They ferried two Hurricanes belonging to this squadron in anticipation of a pilot shortage by the day the squadron is to move as a whole. Wing Commanders Campbell and Ferguson departed Wick Aerodrome by air at approximately 0930 hours. Movement order received on orders from Fighter Command.

53 Sqn(Thorney Island – Blenheim IV) 4.2.41

0600 – Seven aircraft were despatched to attack shipping in BREST harbour. One aircraft crashed taking off and the crew 84331 P/O G.F. Marriott (pilot), 743059 Sergeant E.L. Strudwick, (observer) and 755274 Sergeant G.T. Hadnam (gunner) were seriously injured of which the observer and gunner subsequently died; another failed to return and the crew 43108 P/O C.P. Morris (pilot), 976524 Sergeant G.W. Ashwin (observer) and 977806 Sergeant I.R.W. Clark (gunner) were posted as missing.

Following routine patrols were flown: one T.R. and one MOON II

1850 – Eight aircraft were detached to attack shipping in CHERBOURG. One failed to return and the crew 25070 B.B.St.G. Daly (pilot), 967660 Sergeant J.L. Jones and 552655 Sergeant R.H. Trafford were posted as missing.

ADDENDUM – The first raid was an attack on the Admiral Hipper in Brest drydock. The aircraft piloted by P/O Marriott was shot down by Uffz. R. Scmidt of 5/JG77 at 09.10 hours into the sea NW of Morlaix. The other aircraft (F/Lt Daly) was damaged by a Bf109 and ditched off Ramsgate. Unfortunately, ASR failed to locate the crew.

Base Changes

55 Sqn(Blenheim IV) moved to Bu Amud
113 Sqn(Blenheim IV) moved to Gambut

First and Last Operational Missions

151 Sqn(Wittering) flew their first OM in the Defiant I

CIRCUS 3
114 Sqn(Oulton – Blenheim IV) 5.2.41

6 aircraft from 114 Squadron took off from OULTON and picked up 6 aircraft from 139 Squadron over HORSHAM ST. FAITH. With 139 leading, the formation proceeded to NORTHOLT where a fighter close escort was picked up (1 Hurricane squadron). Formation then proceeded via RYE (where more fighters joined the formation) and the French coast to ST. OMER where an enemy aerodrome was bombed. There being snow on the ground the target was very difficult to see and at least two dummy runs were made over the target before bombs were released from 12000 ft. 8 x 250 lb. And 48 x 40 lb. Bombs were dropped. Two aircraft did not drop their bombs. The formation then returned via NORTHOLT to OULTON landing at 1445 hours. No attack of any sort was made on our bomber formation.

Base Changes

55 Sqn(Blenheim IV) moved to Heliopolis

First and Last Operational Missions

45 Sqn(Menastir) flew its last OM in the Blenheim I
71 Sqn(Kirton-in-Lindsey) flew its first OM in the Hurricane I
610 Sqn(Westhampnett) flew its last OM in the Spitfire IA

311 Sqn(East Wretham – Wellington IC) 6.2.41

2971 H A/C attacked harbour of Boulogne. Burst of own bombs followed by five big and seven small white fires, followed again by explosions, in Basin 3.
1022 K A/C bombed in one attack from OSTROHOVEN on right bank of river Lishe. No definite results observed. Some fires noted in area on arrival.
2553 B Crew unable to locate precise target, so bombed in one stick, where S/Ls appeared through cloud. No results seen.
7842 T No message received from A/C, aircraft not seen since leaving East Wretham aerodrome.
2561 A A/C unable to located target, so bombed in one stick believed just W of Basin 5. No results observed.
1371 F A/C bombed in one stick N-S, all bursts noted, but owing to 9/10 cloud over area precise results not observed. Bombs from other A/C noted S of Basin 4 and 6.

ADDENDUM - Wellington L7842 KX-T Force landed, intact, and later test flown by the Luftwaffe at its Experimental and Test facility at Rechlin. Crew taken prisoner, one was murdered by Gestapo in March 1944 following the mass escape at Sagan (Stalag Luft III) otherwise known as THE GREAT ESCAPE.

Base Changes

19 Sqn(Spitfire IIA) moved to Fowlmere

401 Sqn RCAF(Castletown – Hurricane I) 7.2.41

Squadron maintaining operational status by day and night. A number of officers visited Sqn.Ldr. Pitcher in Wick Hospital where he is confined with measles. F.O. Wallace reported to Squadron for duty from No. 3 Squadron R.A.F.

Base Changes

3 Sqn RAAF(Non-Op) moved to Benina

242 Sqn(Martlesham Heath – Hurricane I) 8.2.41

Three aircraft took off on interception – enemy aircraft sighted – Dornier 17 – which was shot down in flames by F/Lt. TURNER, F/O. CHRYDERMAN and P/O. COWLEY-WILLING. F/O. CHRYDERMAN reported on R/T that he was landing in sea approximately two miles off coast. Search was made without result. F/O. CHRYDERMAN missing.
ADDENDUM – He was never found.

01 Sqn RCAF(Castletown – Hurricane I) 9.2.41

Squadron still unable to move by air because of weather conditions. Still maintaining operational status. Work continued on cleaning up camp and turning and turning over everything to station in good condition.

Base Changes

45 Sqn(Blenheim I) moved to Helwan
211 Sqn(Blenheim I) moved to Paramythia

59 Sqn(Manston – Blenheim IV) 10.2.41

In the morning six aircraft led by P/O Sandes picked up a large fighter escort of Hurricanes and Spitfires over MAIDSTONE and set course for BOULOGNE, where a successful pattern bombing was carried out.

CIRCUS 5 – Calais

59 Sqn

In the afternoon another six aircraft again led brilliantly by P/O SANDES picked up a large fighter escort over CANTERBURY and set course for CALAIS where another successful pattern bombing attack was delivered. Accurate AA fire was encountered but no aircraft was damaged. No enemy fighter aircraft was seen by the bomber pilots or crews, who were greatly impressed and a little delighted at the magnitude of the fighter escort. Photographs showed direct hits on barges, trains and dock buildings in both attacks, which gives great credit to SGT. ROBINSON, the lead bomb aimer in both attacks

Base Changes

3 Sqn(Hurricane I) moves to Castletown
247 Sqn(Hurricane I) moves to St. Eval
253 Sqn(Hurricane I) moves to Skeabrae

First and Last Operational Missions

7 Sqn(Oakington) flies its first OM in the Stirling I
303 Sqn(Northolt) flies its last OM in the Hurricane I