Action This Day

[warshipbuilder]

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire VB) 25.12.41

Christmas Day, the second one overseas for this Squadron. Flying for the day consisted of local & formation practice. In the mess today at noon all personnel sat down to Christmas dinner. They were waited on by officers which seemed to appeal to them greatly. The dinner was good considering conditions of food rationing. All personnel were in high spirits and the Christmas celebration was prolonged as is only natural.

[warshipbuilder]

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire VB) 26.12.41

No operational flying was done today but practice wing was performed. Other exercise was local & formation flying, formation and cine gun. Sgt. W. Rothern overshot on landing and his aircraft hit the boundary fence at the field’s edge. Aircraft was badly damaged and the pilot was admitted to hospital with facial lacerations and possible fractured nasal bone.

Base Changes

21 Sqn (Blenheim IV) moved to Luqa

First and Last Operational Missions

3 Sqn RAAF (El Adem) flew its first OM in the Kittyhawk I
79 Sqn (Fairwood Common) flew its last OM in the Hurricane IIB

[warshipbuilder]

77 Sqn (Leeming – Whitley V) 27.12.41

Twelve crews (P/O. IRVING, SGT. GRACE, W/CDR. BENNETT, P/O. OGIER, F/LT. DEAN, P/O. SCOTT-MARTIN, P/O. WATTS, F/LT. DRURY, P/O. HAVELOCK, S/LDR. PARKIN, SGT. SMITH, D.C., P/O. SANDERSON) were briefed to bomb DUSSELDORF. P/O. IRVING and P/O. SANDERSON did not take off. SGT. GRACE, P/O. SCOTT-MARTIN and P/O. HAVELOCK were reported missing. W/CDR. BENNETT, P/O. OGIER, F/LT. DEAN, P/O. WATTS, S/LDR. PARKIN, and SGT. SMITH, D.C., landed at HONINGTON on return. F/Lt. DRURY landed at MILDENHALL.

ADDENDUM – Whitley V “S” Z9306 (P/O. Havelock) was shot down by Ofw. Paul Gildner (23rd victory) of 5./NJG2 NW of Leeuwarden at 19.57 hours.
Whitley V “K” Z9226 (P/O. Scott-Martin) was shot down by Hptm. Werner Streib (23rd victory) of Stab1./NJG1 near Viersen at 20.45 hours. Note: coned by 1.-3./Res. Flaksheinw Abt. 250 12. & 13./III./Flak Regt. 26 and 11./III./Flak Regt. 611.
Whitley V “B” Z6956 (Sgt. Grace) was shot down by Oblt. Hans Dieter-Frank (6th victory) of Stab1./NJG1 3 km SE of Kessen at 21.25 hours. Note: coned by 1.-3./Res. Flaksheinw Abt. 250 12. /III./Flak Regt. 26.
132 aircraft attacked Dusseldorf, 7 were lost. 96 claimed to have bombed Dusseldorf but the city reports only 32 high explosive bombs and 3 batches of incendiaries. There was only very light damage and no casualties.

Base Changes

3 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk I) moved to Msus
39 Sqn (Maryland I/Beaufort I/II) moved to LG.086
60 Sqn R SAAF (Maryland I/II) moved to Tmimi
79 Sqn (Non-Op) moved to Baginton
229 Sqn (Hurricane IIB/C) moved to Msus
350 Sqn (Tomahawk IIB) moved to Msus

First and Last Operational Missions

102 Sqn (Dalton) flew its last OM in the Whitley V

[warshipbuilder]

408 Sqn RCAF (Balderton – Hampden I) 28.12.41

At 10.00 hours Group requested 12 experienced crews for special effort over HULS, the primary target being Synthetic Rubber Plant. The attack was successfully carried out by 10 of the crews, and one aircraft was forced to turn back a short distance from the target, owing to port motor trouble where, at this point, they were forced to jettison their bombs in order to gain height. The bomb load carried by the above-mentioned crews: 2000 H.Cs. 1900 G.Ps., 1000 G.Ps., 500 and 250 G.Ps. The one remaining aircraft Hampden P.1165-B piloted by RCAF/J.5917 Pilot Officer S.B.K. Brackenbury, did not return from this operation and has not been heard of from the time of take-off at 18.55 hours, and subsequently reported as missing.

ADDENDUM – Hampden P1165 EQ-B was shot down by Oblt. Helmut Waltersdorf (14th victory) of 7./NJG1, 2 km W. of Winterswijk at 22.42 hours.

81 aircraft attacked Hüls, good bombing was claimed, and 4 aircraft were lost.

Base Changes

80 Sqn (Hurricane I) moved to El Adem

First and Last Operational Missions

44Sqn (Waddington) flew its last OM in the Hampden I
112 Sqn (Msus) flew its last OM in the Tomahawk IIB

[warshipbuilder]

485 Sqn RNZAF (Kenley – Spitfire VB) 29.12.41

3 Spitfires from Martlesham 14.00 hrs. on O.Q. Patrol but failed to locate ships and landed Manston 15.15 hrs. P/O. Palmer (NZ) who took off later on same Patrol and located convoy and patrolled same for 3 minutes at 1500/2000 feet without seeing remainder of section at 14.50 hrs. saw Ju.88 flying over Convoy at same height 600 yds. away. He turned to make quarter astern attack. When going into attack he saw 2 a/c above at 5.o'clock and 100 yds. apart. Continued towards Ju.88 and was attacked by 2 Me.109F’s P/O. Palmer turned away from bomber and lost all 3 E/A in cloud, he then was hit in engine and wings by cannon gained a little height. Engine cut out and Pilot baled out at 2000 ft.: he climbed into dingy and was picked up by Motor Launch from Flotilla and landed at Lowestoft.

First and Last Operational Missions

6 Sqn (Wadi Halfa) flew its last OM in the Gladiator II
131 Sqn (Atcham) flew its last OM in the Spitfire IIA
607 Sqn (Martlesham Heath) flew its last OM in the Hurricane IIB

[warshipbuilder]

10 Sqn (Leeming – Halifax II) 30.12.41

Four aircraft took off on operations over BREST.
S/L. Thompson returned to Base owing to a glycol leak on the port outer engine.
Informed that S/L. Webster and F/O Hacking had landed safely at ST. EVAL.
The aircraft captained by F/Sgt. Whyte was damaged by Flak over BREST and was forced down in the sea by enemy fighter action, the tail gunner F/L. Roach being killed. Remainder of Crew got into dinghy and was picked up by Air Sea Rescue Launch.

Base Changes

11 Sqn (Blenheim IV) moved to Bu Amud
237 Sqn (Hurricane I) moved to Berka
238 Sqn (Hurricane IIB/C) moved to Antelat

First and Last Operational Missions

22 Sqn (St. Eval) flew its last OM’s in the Beaufort I/II and was then sent to SEAC

[warshipbuilder]

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire VB) 31.12.41

Poor visibility continued today with the result no flying was performed.

Base Changes

213 Sqn (Hurricane I) moved to LG.90
234 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Ibsley

First and Last Operational Missions

73 Sqn (Port Said) flew its last OM in the Hurricane I
312 Sqn (Ayr) flew its first OM in the Spitfire VB
457 Sqn RAAF (Andreas) flew its first OM in the Spitfire VB

[warshipbuilder]

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire VB) 1.1.42

STRENGTH: Officers 17 (RCAF); Other Ranks 125 (RCAF); Other Ranks 3 (RAF) Attached – 4 (C.D.C.)
No operational orders were carried out during the day. Two aircraft tests were carried out and training flights consisted of camera gun exercises.

Base Changes

33 Sqn (Hurricane I) moved to Msus
134 Sqn (Non-Op) moved to Eglington
221 Sqn (Non-Op) left for Egypt
312 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Fairwood Common

First and Last Operational Missions

45 Sqn (Gambut) flew its last OM in the Blenheim IV
236 Sqn (Carew Cheriton) flew its last OM in the Blenheim IVF

[warshipbuilder]

78 Sqn (Croft – Whitley V) 2.1.42

10 Aircraft detailed for operations; Target ST. NAZAIRE. 5 Aircraft were later canceled. The remaining 5 took off to attack the primary. 1 aircraft returned to base with engine trouble. 1 aircraft attacked the primary successfully but on return journey crashed into high ground in cloud. Three of the crew were seriously injured, the remaining two members of the crew were slightly injured. 1 aircraft after successfully attacking the primary returned to Exeter owing to bad weather. 1 aircraft returned with engine trouble and landed at Pershore. 1 aircraft could not identify target so jettisoned bombs and landed on return at Exeter owing to bad weather.

ADDENDUM – Whitley V Z6656 while descending through cloud, crashed on high ground 15,000 feet above sea level on Woogill Moor, Nidderdale, 14 miles WNW of Ripon, Yorkshire.
27 aircraft attacked St. Nazaire. Only 8 aircraft bombed the primary. No losses.

Base Changes

12 Sqn SAAF (Maryland II) moved to LG.024
84 Sqn (Blenheim IV) moved to Heliopolis
233 Sqn (Hudson V) m0ved to Thorney Island

First and Last Operational Missions

69 Sqn (Luqa) flew its first OM in the Beaufighter I
213 Sqn (LG.090) flew its first OM’s in the Hurricane IIA & B

[warshipbuilder]

99 Sqn (Waterbeach – Wellington IC) 3.1.42

10.00 – Group confirmed we were on First Call.
15.52 – 16.18 – 6 A/C took off to attack the Warships at Brest.
Owing to 10/10 cloud nothing was seen and all bombs were released through the cloud in the target area.
1 A/C T Capt. P/O. Thomas failed to return. As only one a/c was missing from all operations that night, and the coastguard at Portland saw a Wellington go into the sea approx. 300 yds. out, we presumed it to be our T. Despite efforts to save the crew by trawler, there were no survivors, and within a few days, the body of one of the crew was washed ashore and identified as one member of our crew.

ADDENDUM – Wellington R1519 LN-T, crew P/O R.B. Thomas, Sgt. A.J. Copping, Sgt. A.R.W. Smith, F/Sgt. J.W. Colpitts RCAF, Sgt. A.H. Shattock and F/Sgt. B. Froude, crashed in the sea off Portland Bill. No communication was ever received from this a/c apart from a faint signal that it was force landing in the sea. Sgt. Copping is buried in Folkestone New Cemetery, Hawkinge; the rest of the crew were not recovered.

Base Changes

24 Sqn SAAF (Boston III) moved to Qotafiyah III
45 Sqn (Non-Op) moved to Helwan

First and Last Operational Missions

41 Sqn (Westhampnett) flew its last OM in the Spitfire VA

[warshipbuilder]

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire VB) 4.1.42

No operations were performed today but local flying and camera gun exercises were carried out. Some night flying was also done.

Base Changes

602 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Redhill

[warshipbuilder]

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire VB) 5.1.42

This morning’s flying consisted of local recco, and some low flying. During the afternoon a practice wing was carried out. No operational orders were received for execution.

Base Changes

57 Sqn (Wellington IC) moved to Methwold
214 Sqn (Wellington IC) moved to Honington

[warshipbuilder]

12 Sqn (Binbrook – Wellington II) 6.1.42

Operations were ordered against Brest and 8 aircraft were detailed. Captains of aircraft engaged were: P/O GARLICK, SGT. O’CONNELL, SGT. VOLLER, P/O BUCHANAN, P/O GOODMAN, SGT. MACLACHLAN, SGT. FULTON, P/O BAIRSTOW. P/O GARLICK’s aircraft went into a steep dive over the target and SGT. BRYANT (2nd Pilot) baled out at Captain’s orders. However, the aircraft responded to controls and returned to this country safely at ASHBOURNE. SGT. BRYANT was reported missing. P/O GOODMAN’s aircraft landed at NEWTON on return. SGT. VOLLER’s aircraft did not return from this operation, and the crew – SGT. VOLLER, SGT. YORKE, SGT. HILL, SGT. YOUNG, SGT. WILD, SGT. DRIVER reported missing. The remaining aircraft returned safely to Base.

ADDENDUM – Wellington II W5514 PH-S (P/O J.M. Garlick) Crash-landed 2348 after colliding with h/t cables and a lorry on approach to the partially finished aerodrome at Ashbourne, Derbyshire, ending up in Moor Close. Crew uninjured. Earlier while taking evasive action over the target, F/S H.D. Bryant RCAF, baled out as ordered. He has no known grave.
Wellington II W5523 (Sgt. P.C. Voller RAAF) Hit by flak and crashed, on fire, into the sea off Brest. The crew was not recovered.
31 aircraft attacked the German warships docked at Brest. Sgt. Voller’s aircraft was the only one lost. No special bombing results were claimed but a bomb which fell alongside the Gneisenau holed the hull and flooded two compartments

Base Changes

48 Sqn (Hudson V) moved to Wick
60 Sqn R SAAF (Maryland I/II) moved to Heliopolis
237 Sqn (Hurricane I) moved to Tmimi
601 Sqn (Non-OP) moved to Acaster Malbis

[warshipbuilder]

401 Sqn RCAF(Biggin Hill – Spitfire VB) 7.1.42

Local flying and tests were carried out early this morning and later the Squadron was ordered on a Channel Sweep. This operation was carried out without incident. Camera gun exercises were carried out in the afternoon.

[warshipbuilder]

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire VB) 8.1.42

Poor visibility resulted in all flying being canceled. Air Vice-Marshal Leigh-Mallory A.O.C., No. 11 Group, visited the Squadron today and carried out an inspection of the Dispersal.

Base Changes

55 Sqn (Blenheim IV) moved to Bu Amud
221 Sqn (Non-Op) moved to LG.039

First and Last Operational Missions

35 Sqn (Linton-on-Ouse) flew its first OM in the Halifax II

[warshipbuilder]

80th Anniversary of the first flight of the Lancaster.

207 Sqn (Bottesford – Manchester I) 9.1.42

Nine aircraft were detailed for operations including one Freshman. One landed at EXETER on return and one at BOSCOMBE DOWN, after bombing the alternative target. Four aircraft bombed the alternative target. Three failed to find any target. One aircraft failed to return to base, Captain – P/O Bayley. The Freshman failed to find his target.

ADDENDUM – Manchester I L7322 EM-Q, crew P/O GR Bayley, Sgt. NM Toohil RAAF, Sgt. AG Harris, Sgt. RV Griffiths, F/Sgt. JE Jones DFM, Sgt. PCH Goldie RAAF, Sgt. WR Seymour RAAF, hit by flak and believed to have crashed in the sea in the vicinity of Crozon, on the northern shores of the Baie de Douarnenez. P/O Bayle, Sgt. Goldie RAAF, and Sgt. Seymour RAAF are buried in Crozon Communal Cemetery. The rest have no known graves.
151 aircraft were sent to attack Brest, this was the only loss.

Base Changes

220 Sqn (Hudson VI) moved to Nutts Corner

First and Last Operational Missions

107 Sqn (Luqa) flew its last OM in the Blenheim IV and then returned to the UK
112 Sqn (Msus) flew its first OM in the Kittyhawk I
253 Sqn (Hibaldstow) flew its first OM in the Hurricane IIC
504 Sqn (Ballyhalbert) flew its first OM in the Spitfire VB

[warshipbuilder]

304 Sqn(Lindholme – Wellington IC) 10.1.42

The tasks for four Fresher crews and night-time flying were cancelled, but seven seniors were detailed to attack the railway station at WILHELMSHAVEN. Of these P/O ZAJAC and Sgt. OBIOREK captaining respectively aircraft numbers 423 and 1082, are missing. F/O KWAK bombed EMDEN and Sgt. KOSTURKIEWICZ, F/O ISZKOWSKI, F/O HIRSZ, and F/O SZCZUROWSKI completed their task, but on account of thick fog at base were diverted to another aerodrome.

ADDENDUM – Wellington IC Z1082, crew, Sgt. S Obiorek PAF, Sgt. B Patek PAF, F/O J Kurek PAF, F/Sgt A Kwikcien PAF, Sgt. A Rogowski PAF, Sgt. A Sankowski PAF, was shot down by Lt. Adolf Kaiser(1st victory) of 6./NJGII at Wadden Sea near Terschelling at 22.00 hours. Crew was never recovered.
Wellington IC DV423 crew, P/O J Zajac PAF, Sgt. S Garstka PAF, P/O J Maczynski PAF, Sgt. R Pokryzwa PAF, Sgt. J Strzyewski PAF, F/O TJ Klewicz PAF, was shot down by Oblt. Rudolph Schoenert(11th victory) of 5/NJG2 into the sea 17 km NW Langeooge at 22.15 hours. Note:aircraft subject barrage of heavy Flak from two Langeooge based Marine batteries 5000 m before being shot down in flames by Oblt. Schoenert.
124 aircraft attacked Wilhelmshaven, good bombing was claimed and 5 aircraft were lost. Wilhelmshaven records this as only a small raid with light damage and 6 people injured.

Base Changes

18 Sqn (Blenheim IV) moved to Helwan
86 Sqn (Beaufort I/II) moved to St. Eval

First and Last Operational Missions

201 Sqn (Castle Archdale) flew its last OM in the Sunderland I

[warshipbuilder]

266 Sqn (Wittering – Spitfire VB) 11.1.42

Operational Flying – 3 Aircraft on Convoy Patrol. Took off from DOCKING having heard that E/A might be expected. When near Convoy’s position told of E/A approaching then saw a Ju.88 and chased it in line astern. Experienced return fire when at 600 yds range. On closing to 200 yds. P/O. SMALL opened fire in beam attack and continued firing until E/A was lost in cloud. Sgt. LUCAS opened fire as E/A crossed 100 yds in front of him, and also continued firing as E/A went into cloud. P/O. SMALL and Sgt. LUCAS rejoined and tried to call F/Lt. ALLEN WHITE on R/T, but without success. F/Lt. ALLEN WHITE is missing. 3 aircraft searched for two hours, re-fuelled and searched for another 1 ½ hours and two aircraft searched for 1hr.50mins. but no trace of F/Lt. ALLEN WHITE. Air/Sea had also been informed and had searched.

Base Changes

94 Sqn (Hurricane IIB) moved to Antelat

First and Last Operational Missions

23 Sqn (Ford) flew its first OM in the Boston III
419 Sqn RCAF (Wellington IC) flew its first OM of the war

[warshipbuilder]

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire VB) 12.1.42

The day was spent considerably in practice and training. Air firing, formation practice, local flying, and searchlight co-op, were the exercises performed.

Base Changes

24 Sqn SAAF (Boston III) moved to Kasfareet
70 Sqn (Wellington IC) moved to LG.075
213 Sqn (Hurricane I/IIA/IIB) moved to Idku
214 Sqn (Wellington IC) moved to Stradishall
250 Sqn (Tomahawk IIB) moved to Antelat
260 Sqn (Hurricane I) moved to Antelat
272 Sqn (Beaufighter IIF) moved to LG.010
502 Sqn (Whitley V) moved to Docking

First and Last Operational Missions

123 Sqn (Castletown) flew its first OM in the Spitfire VB

[warshipbuilder]

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire VB) 12.1.42

Four aircraft were ordered on a convoy patrol today but on return trip landed at West Malling due to unfavourable weather and snow. They returned later in the day. Nothing was reported on this patrol. Snow fell thickly during the afternoon and all flying was cancelled.

Base Changes

3 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk I) moved to Antelat
33 Sqn (Hurricane I) moved to Antelat
112 Sqn (Kittyhawk I) moved to Antelat


First and Last Operational Missions

21 Sqn SAAF (Bu Amud) flew its last OM in the Maryland II
80 Sqn (El Adem) flew its first OM in the Hurricane IIC