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No.601 Sqn RAF |
Name : No.601 Sqn RAF Founded : 14th October 1925 Disbanded : 10th March 1957 Country : UK Fate : Disbanded 10th March 1957 More Details : County of London (Auxiliary) Known Code Letters : , UF, HT, YN, |
Known Service Details : | |||||||
Pilot or Aircrew | Rank | Start of Service | End of Service | Known Dates | Aircraft | Airframes | Notes |
unknown | unknown | ||||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | unknown | |||||
Flight Officer | unknown | unknown | 20th May 1940 | ||||
Flight Officer | unknown | unknown | 19th May 1940 | ||||
Flight Officer | unknown | unknown | |||||
Flight Lieutenant | unknown | unknown | 06th September 1940 | ||||
Flight Officer | unknown | 11th August 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Pilot Officer | June 1940 | 11th August 1940 | |||||
Flight Officer | unknown | 31st August 1940 | |||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | 17th August 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Flight Officer | unknown | unknown | 06th September 1940 | ||||
Flight Officer | unknown | 11th August 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
Sergeant | unknown | 18th August 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Sergeant | unknown | 18th August 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Squadron Leader | unknown | unknown | 17th July 1940 | ||||
Acting Squadron Leader | unknown | unknown | 18th May 1940 | ||||
Flight Officer | unknown | unknown | 07th June 1940 | ||||
Flight Officer | unknown | unknown | |||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | 10th February 1941 | Killed in Action | ||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | 26th July 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | unknown | 13th August 1940 | ||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | unknown | 08th August 1940 | ||||
Squadron Leader | unknown | unknown | 16th April 1941 | ||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
Sergeant | 9th June 1940 | unknown | 29th September 1940 | ||||
Squadron Leader | unknown | unknown | 01st December 1941 | ||||
Squadron Leader | unknown | unknown | 19th May 1940 | ||||
Flight Officer | unknown | unknown | 20th May 1940 | ||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | 11th August 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Squadron Leader | unknown | unknown | 31st July 1941 | ||||
Flight Officer | unknown | unknown | 06th September 1940 | ||||
August 1940 | unknown | ||||||
Sergeant | July 1940 | unknown | 11th July 1940 |
Pilots and Aircrew for : No.601 Sqn RAF | ||
A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking their name. | ||
Name | Info | |
Aitken, John William Maxwell âMaxâ Click the name above to see a profile of Aitken, John William Maxwell âMaxâ
| Aitken, John William Maxwell âMaxâ 601 Squadron. Born in Montreal and On 16 May, 1940 he flew to France with the Hurricanes of âAâ Flight to reinforce 3 Squadron. He was quite successful being involved in the destruction of six enemy aircraft. He returned to England as an acting S/Ldr and took command of 601 Squadron and destroyed a He 111 25 June,1940. For this and for his victories in France he was awarded the DFC 9/7/40. On 25/6/41, flying a Spitfire he shot down a Me 109 in a sweep over France. Commanding 68 Squadron flying Blenheims as a night-fighter unit with mainly Czech crews. He shot down a Do 17 on the night of 30 April and another on the night of 29/30 May and on the night of 23/24 shot down a Ju 88 and a Do 217. He was awarded the DSO and the Czech Military Cross. His operational tour complete, he was posted in February 1943 to HQ Eastern Mediterranean in the Fighter Tactics Branch. On 05 March, 1944 flying in a Beaufighter of 46 Squadron he shot down two Ju 52s, probably a third and damaged a fourth. His victories now totaled 14. He retired in 1946 as a Group Captain. He died 01 May, 1985. The RAF Museum at Tangmere has in its collection the flying boots Max Aitken wore in 1940 when at RAF Tangmere. It is said that when off duty and frequenting a public house in Bognor Regis, Max Aitken was unable to pay his bill and left his flying boots behind as payment. | |
Aldwingle, A. J. M. Click the name above to see a profile of Aldwingle, A. J. M. | Aldwingle, A. J. M. | |
Beake, Percival H Click the name above to see a profile of Beake, Percival H
| Beake, Percival H Joining the RAFVR in April 1939, Percival Beake was mobilised at the outbreak of war. Posted to 64 Squadron on Spitfires in the summer of 1940 at the height of the Battle of Britain, he flew with them until June 1941 when he was posted first to 92 Squadron at Biggin Hill, and then 601 Squadron at Duxford. On February 2nd 1941 Percy made a forced landing in a field at Sheperdswell in Kent. He tried to make a wheels-down landing to save his aircraft but ended up head down in the mud. Percyâs aircraft was a write-off and he suffered concussion for which he was treated in the RAF Officers Hospital in Torquay. He did not get back to the Squadron until March 27th. On May 16th the Squadron was posted to Turnhouse near Edinburgh. On June 26th Percy complained to the CO about the lack of combat opportunity there and the following day he was posted to 92 Squadron at Biggin Hill. On July 8, having taken part in a mission over France, he was shot down by an Me 109 just after leaving the French coast but he managed to bale out over the sea and was picked up 18 miles east of Dover by an RAF Rescue Launch. Towards the end of October the Squadron moved to Digby in Lincolnshire and by the end of the year Percy had completed 100 operation sorties and was declared âtour expiredâ. In January 1942 Percy was posted to 601 Squadron which at the time was equipped with Aircobras. These aircraft had serious maintenance problems and were never made operational. However, the Squadron was re-equipped with Spitfires in March and was posted to Malta. The CO said âBeaky you are tour expiredâ so I canât take you to Malta â you will have to go to instructing at an OUT. So it was he arrived at 58 OUT in Grangemouth on April 1st 1942. After a spell instructing he returned for his second tour in December 1942, joining 193 Squadron as a Flight Commander. In May 1944 he took command of 164 Squadron at Thorney Island flying Typhoons, moving to France shortly after the Normandy Invasion. With two victories to his credit he was awarded the DFC in September 1944. "Starting with 6th August 1944 my log book records that a successful attack was carried out on an enemy strong point in a quarry and that on the following morning I flew home on a very rare 48 hour leave. For a few days after my return we had only one specific target - an enemy dump which we effectively bombarded with rockets on 11th August - so we were deployed on armed reconnaissances. After landing from one of these on 13th August my Wing Commander, Walter Dring, called me to his caravan and said - Beaky, you have just done your last op. You are not to fly again and that is an order, until returning to the UK. I am arranging for your relief as soon as possible. - I was absolutely stunned and my lasting memory of that period is not of carnage but of acute embarrassment at having been grounded. I just hated sending the squadron up without myself leading and remember making frequent calls to the met office hoping to get forecasts of filthy weather that would make operational flying impossible. In the event, my relief, Squadron Leader Ian Waddy, was shot down by flak within two or three days of taking over command, so maybe Wally Dring had some sort of premonition that prompted my grounding." | |
Beamish, R. Click the name above to see a profile of Beamish, R. | Beamish, R. | |
Bernard, F. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Bernard, F. A. | Bernard, F. A. | |
Bisdee, John Click the name above to see a profile of Bisdee, John
| Bisdee, John John Derek Bisdee was born on November 20th 1915 at Weston-Super-Mare, and educated at Marlborough. He joined the RAF Voluntary Reserve, and began the war as a sergeant pilot. His combat career started while with 609 (West Riding) squadron RAAF, flying Spitfires when the squadron was moved from Edinburgh to Drem in December 1939. They participated in the air cover of the evacuation of the BEF form Dunkirk. John Bisdee destroyed six aircraft between July 1940 and July 1941, including an Me110 during an eventful day n August 1940 when they attacked a strong Luftwaffe force of 45 JU88's escorted by many Me109s and Me110s. In July 1941 he became instructor at No 61 Operational training unit. While here he had a small speaking roll in the classic wartime film The First of the Few. John Bisdee became commander of 601 (County of London) auxiliary Spitfire squadron and embarked (along with 603 (Edinburgh) Squadron) for Malta on board the US carrier Wasp. While off Algiers 47 Spitfires took of for Malta. and almost immedniatly upon arriving took part in combat. John Bisdee shot down JU88. He himself had to bail out. with a damaged parachute dangling by one leg, he had to disentangle himself as he fell, managing just in time and landing in the sea, paddling his way 6 miles in his dinghy to Malta. in June 1942 the squadron went to Egypt. In August John Bisdee became flight training officer at the Middle East Headquarters, Cairo, moving in 1943 as Wing Commander for day fighters in Tunisia. In July 1943, after the capture of the island of Lampedusa, halfway between Malta and Sicily, Bisdee was appointed its governor - the first governor in liberated Europe, as he liked to claim. Returning to North Africa, Bisdee trained Free French pilots at Bone. Later, after a brief spell in Corsica, he commanded No 322 Wing at Bone. In 322 Wing wre three Spitfire squadrons, a Beaufighter Squadron a Wellington Squadon used in anti shipping role and an Air Sea Rescue unit. Group Captain John Bisdee left the Royal Air Force in 1945 with his offcial score of 8 but it is likely there were a few others. Sadly John Bidee died at the age of 84 on the 21st October 2000. Group Captain John Bisdee was awarded the DFC in 1941 and appointed OBE in 1943. | |
Bland, J. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Bland, J. W.
| Bland, J. W. Pilot Officer J.W.Bland was part of No 501 Squadron. He was one of 4 Hurricane's from the Squadron shot down over Canterbury by Gerhard Schöpfel of III Gruppe of JG 26 flying a Bf 109 on 18th of August 1940.Bland was killed in his Hurricane I (P3208). | |
Branch, G. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Branch, G. R.
| Branch, G. R. Flight Officer G.R.Branch of No.601 Squadron was flying in Hurricane (P2699) on May 20th 1940, he baled out safely following combat with a Do17 near Izel. Branch was killed on August 11th 1940 when his Hurricane (P2951) was shot down and crashed into the sea off Swanage. He was aged 26 and buried at Quiberville in France. | |
Cleaver, G. N. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Cleaver, G. N. S. | Cleaver, G. N. S. Flight Officer G.N.S.Cleaver was part of No 601 Squadron's contingent in France, he shot down three of the enemy before No 601 Squadron was moved back to England. Cleaver shot down another six. On the 15th of August 1940 his Hurricane's cockpit was shattered by a cannon shell and his eyes were filled with perspex splinters. He returned to base and was rushed to hospital. His sight was saved, but he never flew operationally again. Cleaver was awarded the D.F.C. on the 13th of September 1940. | |
Clyde, W. P. Click the name above to see a profile of Clyde, W. P. | Clyde, W. P. Flight Officer W.P.Clyde was in France as part of No 601 Squadron's contingent, he was flying Hurricane's and he shot down a Bf 110 during his fortnight there. Clyde was awarded the D.F.C. on the 31st of May 1940. Clyde added a further 8 kills before the end of the Battle. | |
Coussens, H. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Coussens, H. W. | Coussens, H. W. | |
Davis, C. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Davis, C. R.
| Davis, C. R. Flight Officer Carl Raymond Davis joined No 601 Squadron in 1936. He was called for full-time service with No 601 Squadron flying a Hurricane's on August 27 1939.His Hurricane I (P3363) was shot down in combat with a Bf 109 over Tunbridge Wells at 09:30hrs. It crashed, inverted, and burned out in the back garden of Canterbury Cottage at Matfield, Brenchley, near Tunbridge Wells, he was 29. | |
Demetriadi, R. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Demetriadi, R. S.
| Demetriadi, R. S. Flight Officer R.S.Demetriadi of No.601 Squadron was killed on August 11th 1940. His Hurricane (R4092) was shot down by Me109s off Portland. | |
Dickie, W. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Dickie, W. G.
| Dickie, W. G. Pilot Officer W.G.Dickie joined No 601 Squadron in June 1940. Dickie was posted missing in action after combat on the 11th of August 1940. | |
Dixon, C. A. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Dixon, C. A. W. | Dixon, C. A. W. | |
Doulton, M. D. W. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Doulton, M. D. W. A.
| Doulton, M. D. W. A. Flight Officer M.D.Doulton joined No 601 Squadron in the July of 1940. He was shot down in his Hurricane(R4215) on the 31st of August 1940 and listed as missing in action. | |
Dundas, Hugh Click the name above to see a profile of Dundas, Hugh
| Dundas, Hugh Hugh Dundas, a pre-war member of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, was called up early in the war, serving with 616 Squadron. After a promising start as a fighter pilot, Dundas was shot down and injured during the Battle of Britain, but quickly returned to his squadron which in early 1941 was at Tangmere and came under the command of Wing Commander Douglas Bader. Dundas became one of the leading members of that Wing and frequently flew with Bader, gradually building his reputation as a fighter pilot and tactician. After receiving the DFC, Dundas became Flight Commander in 610 Squadron. December 1941 brought another promotion as commanding officer of 56 Squadron, the first in the RAF to be converted to Typhoons. Posted to the Mediterranean in 1943, he led 244 Spitfire Wing from Malta and later Italy. In 1944, Dundas was awarded the DSO and became one of the youngest Group Captains in the RAF. For some years after the war, Dundas served once more with the RAuxAF during which time he became CO of 601 Squadron. Cocky Dundas flew Spitfires with 616 Sqn during some of the heaviest air fighting of the Battle of Britain. With several victories to his name he was shot down on August 22nd and wounded. Later this distinguished pilot flew in Douglas Baders famous Tangmere Wing, and subsequently commanded successively Typhoon and Spitfire Wings. Sir Hugh Dundas (22 Jul 1920 - 10 Jul 1995) Served with 616 sqd 1939 - 1941, 56 sqd 1941 to 1942, 324 wing north Africa, Sicily and the first wing to move to Italy 1943 - 1944, 240 wing 1944 - 1945 in Italy.
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Dunning-White, Peter Click the name above to see a profile of Dunning-White, Peter
| Dunning-White, Peter Joining 601 Squadron in 1938, Peter Dunning-White was called up to full-time service in August 1939, being posted to 29 Squadron in May 1940, then a few weeks later to 145 Squadron at Westhampnett, flying Hurricanes. He was soon in action over the Channel, sharing in the destruction of an HeIll on 18 July. Transferring to 615 Squadron in March 1941, on 15 April his victory over an Me109 confirmed him as an Ace. In 1942 he was attached to 409 Squadron RCAF, and then to 255 Squadron on Beaufighters. He went to North West Africa with this squadron, being made Flight Commander in March 1943. In July 1944 he was posted to 100 Group, Bomber Command. Sadly, he died on 27th December 2008. | |
Edgley, A. Click the name above to see a profile of Edgley, A. | Edgley, A. Sergeant A.Edgley was part of No 601 Squadron and of No 253 Squadron. He was wounded on the 29th of September 1940 after he was shot down in his Hurricane I (P2677) during combat over the Newhaven. He baled out. | |
Fenwick, S. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Fenwick, S. G. | Fenwick, S. G. | |
Fiske, W. M. L. Click the name above to see a profile of Fiske, W. M. L.
| Fiske, W. M. L. Pilot Officer William Meade Lindsley Fiske was was an American and joined the R.A.F. in September 1939. On the 12th of July 1940 he was posted to No 601 A.A.F. Squadron at Tangmere. On the 16th of August 1940 after combat with Stuka's over Bognor, Fiske landed his seriously damaged Hurricane I (P3358) at Tangmere in the midst of a Stuka raid on the airfield. His aircraft burst into flames on coming to rest and Fiske was badly burned. Pilot Officer Fiske was taken to the Royal West Sussex Hospital in Chichester, but died later from shock. He was 29 years old. | |
Gilbert, H. T. Click the name above to see a profile of Gilbert, H. T.
| Gilbert, H. T. Pilot Officer H.T.Gilbert of No 603 Squadron baled out of his Spitfire on August 31st 1940, he was shot down over the Thames Estuary but was uninjured. On the 6th of September 1940 he was involved in combat near Mayfield, he baled out of his Spitfire and was wounded. | |
Gillan, J. Click the name above to see a profile of Gillan, J.
| Gillan, J. Flight Officer J.Gillan of No.601 Squadron was killed on August 11th 1940 when his Hurricane (P3783) was shot down by Me109s near Portland. | |
Gould, D. L. Click the name above to see a profile of Gould, D. L. | Gould, D. L. | |
Grier, T. Click the name above to see a profile of Grier, T.
| Grier, T. Squadron Leader T.Grier of No.32 Squadron was killed on December 5th 1941. His Hurricane (Z3237) was shot down off Le Havre whilst attacking ships. He was 23. | |
Guy, L. N. Click the name above to see a profile of Guy, L. N.
| Guy, L. N. Sergeant L.N.Guy of No.601 Squadron was killed on August 18th 1940. Guy was shot down in his Hurricane (R4191) by a Me109 near Sussex. He was 25. | |
Hawkings, R. P. Click the name above to see a profile of Hawkings, R. P.
| Hawkings, R. P. Sergeant R.P.Hawkings of No.601 Squadron was killed on August 18th 1940. His Hurricane (L1990) was shot down near Sussex. He was 22. | |
Hetherington, E. L. Click the name above to see a profile of Hetherington, E. L.
| Hetherington, E. L. Killed in accident October 31st 1942** | |
Hoare-Scott, J. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Hoare-Scott, J. H.
| Hoare-Scott, J. H. Killed November 21st 1940 | |
Hobson, W. F. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Hobson, W. F. C. | Hobson, W. F. C. Squadron Leader W.F.C.Hobson took command of No 601 Squadron on July 17th 1940. He was later posted away on August 10th 1940. | |
Hope, Sir A. P. Click the name above to see a profile of Hope, Sir A. P. | Hope, Sir A. P. Flight Lieutenant Sir A.P.Hope of No 601 Squadron, as "A" Flight commander, he led his flight of Hurricane's in France for the final fortnight of May. Hope was promoted to Acting Squadron Leader on the 19th of August 1940. He was awarded the D.F.C. on the 10th of October 1940. | |
Hubbard, T. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Hubbard, T. E. | Hubbard, T. E. Flight Officer T.E.Hubbard of No.601 Squadron was flying in Hurricane (P2684) on May 19th 1940 when he force-landed following combat with a He111 near Boyelles. | |
Hulbert, F. H. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Hulbert, F. H. R. | Hulbert, F. H. R. | |
Jankiewicz, J. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Jankiewicz, J. S.
| Jankiewicz, J. S. Flight Officer Jerzy S.Jankiewicz from Poland flew with No 601 Squadron. He was wounded on the 4th of September 1940. His Hurricane I (R4214) was damaged in combat over Worthing. He later joined No 303 Squadron and in July 1941 took over command. He was the first Polish pilot to command a British manned Squadron and was also the first to lead a British manned wing on operations. He was killed on the 25th of May 1942 during 'Rodeo 51' over Gravelines in a Spitfire VB (AD233). His tally of kills was 4 confirmed. | |
Lawson, R. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Lawson, R. C.
| Lawson, R. C. Pilot Officer R.C.Lawson of No.601 Squadron was killed on February 10th 1941. His Hurricane (V6630) was last seen crashing into the sea. He was 21. | |
Legge, B. P. Click the name above to see a profile of Legge, B. P. | Legge, B. P. | |
Lindsey, Patrick Challoner Click the name above to see a profile of Lindsey, Patrick Challoner
| Lindsey, Patrick Challoner Pilot Officer Patrick Challoner Lindsey of No 601 Squadron was shot down in his Hurricane I (P2753) 26th of July 1940, near St Catherines Point. He was buried in France at Wimereux, aged 20. | |
Macdonald, A. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Macdonald, A. S. | Macdonald, A. S. | |
Mayers, H. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Mayers, H. C.
| Mayers, H. C. Pilot Officer H.C.Mayers of No.601 Squadron was shot down in his Hurricane (P2690) on August 13th 1940 over Portland. He baled out and was rescued with slight shrapnel wounds. | |
Mccann, T. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Mccann, T. A.
| Mccann, T. A. Killed July 27th 1942 | |
Mcgrath, J. K. U. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Mcgrath, J. K. U. B. | Mcgrath, J. K. U. B. Pilot Officer J.K.U.B.McGrath flew Hurricane's as part of No 601 Squadron's detachment in France. McGrath was awarded the D.F.C. on August 27th 1940. | |
McInnes, Archibald Click the name above to see a profile of McInnes, Archibald | McInnes, Archibald Commissioned as a Pilot in 1940 with 601 Sqn and later moved to 238 Sqn, completing his service with this Squadron. | |
Milburn, R. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Milburn, R. A. | Milburn, R. A. | |
Moore, Eric Click the name above to see a profile of Moore, Eric | Moore, Eric Originally serving in the Army, he was involved in the Battle of Dunkirk before volunteering for the RAF in 1941 and joining 501 Sqn on Spitfires. Spending time in the Middle East and West Africa, he also spent time with 601 Sqn | |
O'Neill, J. A. Click the name above to see a profile of O'Neill, J. A. | O'Neill, J. A. Squadron Leader J.A.O'Neill of No.601 Squadron was wounded on April 16th 1940 when his Hurricane (Z3090) was involved in combat with a Me109 and he baled out near Dungeness. | |
Ogilvie, D. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Ogilvie, D. B. | Ogilvie, D. B. Captured November 1943 and made POW | |
Page, V. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Page, V. D. | Page, V. D. | |
Parry, Hugh Click the name above to see a profile of Parry, Hugh | Parry, Hugh Hugh Parry joined the RAF from Northern Rhodesia in December 1939, and after training in England was posted in February 1941 to join 260 Squadron flying Hurricanes. In April he transferred to 266 Squadron flying first Spitfires and then Typhoons. In March 1943 he went to Malta with 601 Squadron on the USS Wasp, flying the Spitfire Vc, where he remained until July. After a spell as a test pilot, he returned to combat with 41 Squadron flying Spitfire MkXIIs. On 24th September 1943 he was shot down near Beauvais and managed to evade capture for the next five months until he was eventually captured by the Gestapo in Paris. After a month in prison he was sent to Stalag Luft III until the end of the war. | |
Pickering, Tony Click the name above to see a profile of Pickering, Tony
| Pickering, Tony With the RAFVR just before the war commenced, Tony Pickering joined 32 Squadron at Biggin Hill in July 1940, flying Hurricanes, and in August 1940 to 501 Squadron at Gravesend. In September he was shot down in Hurricane P5200, but unhurt in a duel with an Me109, destroying another 109 a few weeks later. In December he joined 601 Squadron at Northolt. After a spell instructing, he joined 131 as a Flight Commander in February 1943, and later served as a Squadron Commander in the Middle East. | |
Pond, Arthur Bill Click the name above to see a profile of Pond, Arthur Bill | Pond, Arthur Bill Sergeant A.H.D.'Bill' Pond joined No 601 Squadron on June 9th. Due to hearing problems he ceased to fly operationally in December 1940. Pond was Mentioned in Dispatches on September 29th 1940. | |
Rhodes-Moorehouse, W. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Rhodes-Moorehouse, W. H.
| Rhodes-Moorehouse, W. H. Killed September 6th 1940 | |
Riddle, Christopher J.H. Click the name above to see a profile of Riddle, Christopher J.H.
| Riddle, Christopher J.H. Christopher John Henry Riddle, known throughout his life as Jack, was born in Buckinghamshire on 4th April 1914. He attended Harrow School from 1928 to 1931. He joined 601 Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force in early 1938 and was called to full-time service in October 1939. When 601 was formed in the early Thirties as part of the bolstering of Britains air defences its founder, Lord Edward Grosvenor, stipulated that all the pilots should be members of the London club Whites (as he was). With war looming this tradition could not be allowed to inhibit the induction of suitable candidates but Jack did have to run the gauntlet of dinner with Sir Philip Sassoon, who held a senior position in the Air Ministry and was Honorary head of 601. Presumably he reported favourably on Jack. In the early stages of the Battle of Britain, 601 were required to mount early-morning standing patrols over convoys in the Channel. If there was no enemy activity these could be extremely tedious. As the time approached for the patrol to return to Tangmere each pilot would radio in turn his requirements for breakfast - egg, sausage, bacon....etc etc.... This practice came to the attention of a senior officer who forbade this frivolous use of official channels. Jack said that it was rumoured that Churchill had heard of this for permission to continue the habit arrived, this supposedly gave German eavesdroppers the impression that our airmen were well fed and ready to do battle. Over Dunkirk, on 27th May 1940, Riddle probably destroyed a Me110. He shared a Me110 on 11th July and a Do17 on 4th September. In January 1941 Riddle was posted to HQ 10 Group as a Sector Controller. Later in the war he was in the Far East at HQ Air Command South East Asia, in Ceylon and later Singapore. Riddle was released from the RAF in 1946 as a Squadron Leader. He was later with an international trading group and his main work was buying Baltic timber for the Australian market. Riddle later had his own textile company. Jack Riddle passed away on 8th August 2009, aged 95. | |
Riddle, H. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Riddle, H. J. | Riddle, H. J. Flight Officer H.J.Riddle flying with No 601 Squadron scored a single kill on July 11th 1940. He and his brother C.J.H.Riddle were promoted to Squadron Leader on the same date, the 1st of December 1941. | |
Rippon, A. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Rippon, A. J.
| Rippon, A. J. Killed August 25th 1944 | |
Robinson, P. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Robinson, P. B. | Robinson, P. B. Flight Officer P.B.Robinson of No.601 Squadron was flying in Hurricane (P3278) on May 20th when it was damaged by flak and he was forced to land at Merville. | |
Rohaeek, R. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Rohaeek, R. B.
| Rohaeek, R. B. Killed April 27th 1942 | |
Rothwell, J. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Rothwell, J. H.
| Rothwell, J. H. Killed February 22nd 1941 | |
Seddon, J. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Seddon, J. W.
| Seddon, J. W. Killed March 31st 1941 | |
Smithers, J. L. Click the name above to see a profile of Smithers, J. L.
| Smithers, J. L. Pilot Officer J.L.Smithers of No.601 Squadron was killed on August 11th 1940. His Hurricane (P3885) was shot down by Me109s off Portland. He was buried at Le Havre. | |
Straight, Whitney W. Click the name above to see a profile of Straight, Whitney W. | Straight, Whitney W. Pilot Officer Whitney Willard Straight CBE, D.F.C. was born on 6 November 1912 in New York. He moved to England in 1918. After education at Dartington Hall he went to Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1935 he married, becoming British subject. Whitney joined No 601 A.A.F Squadron in early 1939 and was called to full-time service on August 24th 1939. He went to Norway with a naval force on the 15th of April 1940, with the temporary rank of Squadron Leader and was injured in a German bombing raid on a frozen lake on the 25th and evacuated to Britain by the Navy. He regained his operational category and rejoined No 601 A.A.F Squadron at Exeter on the 28th of September 1940 and flew in Hurricane's during the Battle of Britain. On the 1st of January 1941 for his work in Norway he was awarded the M.C. the Norwegian War Cross (18.12.42), received a Mention in Dispatches on the 1st of January 1943, was made a C.B.E. on the 8th of August 1944 and an Officer of the US Legion of Merit on the 15th of March 1946. He became Managing Director of B.O.A.C. in 1947. Whitney Straight died on the 5th of April 1979. | |
Stubbs, D. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Stubbs, D. R. | Stubbs, D. R. | |
Taylor, N. Click the name above to see a profile of Taylor, N. | Taylor, N. | |
Topolnicki, J. Click the name above to see a profile of Topolnicki, J.
| Topolnicki, J. Flight Officer J.Topolnicki from Poland of No 601 Squadron was wounded on September 6th 1940. He baled out of his Hurricane I (P3382) over Mayfield after combat with a Bf 109. | |
Wadham, J. V. Click the name above to see a profile of Wadham, J. V.
| Wadham, J. V. Sergeant J.V.Wadham joined No 601 Squadron on August 3rd 1940 then he moved to No 145 Squadron. J.V.Wadham was killed by a bullet to the head on October 12th 1940, by a Bf 109 in his Hurricane I (V7426), he was 21. | |
Ward, The Hon E. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Ward, The Hon E. F. | Ward, The Hon E. F. | |
Woolley, A. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Woolley, A. W. | Woolley, A. W. Sergeant A.W.Woolley joined No 601 Squadron on July 5th 1940 from No 604 Squadron, where he had been since the outbreak of war. Woolley was on patrol in his Hurricane (P3681) off Selsey on the July 11th 1940 when he was forced to bale out over the Isle of Wight after an attack on a Heinkel 111. His aircraft was written off, he survived suffering burns. In another Hurricane (V7238), on August 26th 1940 he crashed at Great Totham, Essex but survived the crash. Sergeant A.W.Woolley was shot down a total of three times during the Battle. |
Known Individual Aircraft of No.601 Sqn RAF : | ||||||||
Type | Serial | Codes | First Flew | Squadron History | Aircrew History | History Notes | Engine | Factory |
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27/12/1941 | no information | Merlin 45 | Chattis Hill | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
DL-S | - | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
MD-G | - | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
10/02/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | |||||
15/04/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Supermarine (dispersal) | ||||
01/04/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Chattis Hill | ||||
01/04/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Chattis Hill | ||||
03/04/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Chattis Hill | ||||
UF-R | 14/03/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | High Post | |||
17/03/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | High Post | ||||
01/04/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | High Post | ||||
24/03/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Eastleigh | ||||
02/04/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Eastleigh | ||||
07/05/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Eastleigh | ||||
02/05/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Chattis Hill | ||||
05/05/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | High Post | ||||
09/05/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Chattis Hill | ||||
21/05/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Chattis Hill | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 50A | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
16/01/1940 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
NK-T | - | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
OU-N | - | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 70 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
03/03/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
04/03/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
05/04/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Chattis Hill | ||||
HT-C | - | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
HT-A | - | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
NG-T | - | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
HT-Y | - | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
HT-G | - | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
RT-H | - | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | |||||
HT-M | - | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | ||||
HT-J | - | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | ||||
HT-B | - | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | |||||
HT-K | - | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | ||||
10/08/1940 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
31/08/1940 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
01/11/1940 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
13/01/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
27/01/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh |
Aircraft for : No.601 Sqn RAF | ||
A list of all aircraft associated with No.601 Sqn RAF. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name. | ||
Aircraft | Info | |
Airacobra
Manufacturer : Bell | Airacobra In early 1937, Bell Aircraft presented a revolutionary fighter design to the USAAC, the P-39 Airacobra. Incorporating machine guns and the most powerful cannon available, the new design by Robert Woods, utilized many revolutionary design features. The all-metal, low wing, monoplane design utilized a centrally located engine in the fuselage, a feature which enhanced maneuverability. A nine foot shaft ran through the cockpit to drive the propeller. Woods design was the first fighter to incorporate a forward tricycle landing gear, which gave the P-39 pilot great visibility while on the ground. The first prototype flew in 1938. Equipped with a supercharged Allison water-cooled V-12 rated at 1,150-HP, the prototype performed admirably. It exhibited a top speed of 390-MPH, and an amazingly quick rate of climb. Unfortunately for the Airacobra, the USAAC decided to eliminate the supercharged engine from the project, a move which would relegate the Airacobra to the distinction of being Americas forgotten fighter of WW II. | |
Blenheim
Manufacturer : Bristol Production Began : 1935 Retired : 1956 Number Built : 4422 | Blenheim The Bristol Blenheim, the most plentiful aircraft in the RAFs inventory when WWII began, was designed by Frank Barnwell, and when first flown in 1936 was unique with its all metal monoplane design incorporating a retractable undercarriage, wing flaps, metal props, and supercharged engines. A typical bomb load for a Blenheim was 1,000 pounds. In the early stages of the war Blenheims were used on many daylight bombing missions. On the day that war was declared on Germany, a Blenheim piloted by Flying Officer Andrew McPherson was the first British aircraft to cross the German coast and the following morning 15 Blenheims from three squadrons set off on one of the first bombing missions The Blenheim units operated throughout the battle, often taking heavy casualties, although they were never accorded the publicity of the fighter squadrons. The Blenheim units raided German occupied airfields throughout July to December 1940, both during daylight hours and at night. Although most of these raids were unproductive, there were some successes; on 1 August five out of 12 Blenheims sent to attack Haamstede and Evere (Brussels) were able to bomb, destroying or heavily damaging three Bf 109s of II./JG 27 and apparently killing a StaffelkapitĂ€n identified as Hauptmann Albrecht von Ankum-Frank. Two other 109s were claimed by Blenheim gunners. Another successful raid on Haamstede was made by a single Blenheim on 7 August which destroyed one 109 of 4./JG 54, heavily damaged another and caused lighter damage to four more. There were also some missions which produced an almost 100% casualty rate amongst the Blenheims. One such operation was mounted on 13 August 1940 against a Luftwaffe airfield near Aalborg in north-western Denmark by 12 aircraft of 82 Squadron. One Blenheim returned early (the pilot was later charged and due to appear before a court martial, but was killed on another operation); the other 11, which reached Denmark, were shot down, five by flak and six by Bf 109s. Blenheim-equipped units had been formed to carry out long-range strategic reconnaissance missions over Germany and German-occupied territories, as well as bombing operations. In this role, the Blenheims once again proved to be too slow and vulnerable against Luftwaffe fighters and they took constant casualties While great heroism was displayed by the air crews, tremendous losses were sustained during these missions. The Blenhiem was easy pickings at altitude for German Bf-109 fighters who quickly learned to attack from below. To protect the vulnerable bellies of the Blenheims many missions were shifted to low altitude, but this increased the aircrafts exposure to anti-aircraft fire. In the German night-bombing raid on London on 18 June 1940, Blenheims accounted for five German bombers, thus proving that they were better-suited for night fighting. In July, No. 600 Squadron, by then based at RAF Manston, had some of its Mk IFs equipped with AI Mk III radar. With this radar equipment, a Blenheim from the Fighter Interception Unit (FIU) at RAF Ford achieved the first success on the night of 2â3 July 1940, accounting for a Dornier Do 17 bomber. More successes came, and before long the Blenheim proved itself invaluable as a night fighter. One Blenheim pilot, Squadron Leader Arthur Scarf, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for an attack on Singora, Thailand, on 9 December 1941. Another bomber of No. 60 Squadron RAF was credited with shooting down Lt Col Tateo Katō's Nakajima Ki-43 fighter and badly damaging two others in a single engagement on 22 May 1942, over the Bay of Bengal. Katō's death was a severe blow to the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force. | |
Gauntlet
Manufacturer : Gloster | Gauntlet Full profile not yet available. | |
Hurricane
Manufacturer : Hawker Production Began : 1936 Number Built : 14533 | Hurricane Royal Air Force Fighter, the Hawker Hurricane had a top speed of 320mph, at 18,200 feet and 340mph at 17,500, ceiling of 34,200 and a range of 935 miles. The Hurricane was armed with eight fixed wing mounted .303 browning machine guns in the Mark I and twelve .303 browning's in the MKIIB in the Hurricane MKIIC it had four 20mm cannon. All time classic fighter the Hurricane was designed in 1933-1934, the first prototype flew in June 1936 and a contract for 600 for the Royal Air Force was placed. The first production model flew ion the 12th October 1937 and 111 squadron of the Royal Air Force received the first Hurricanes in January 1938. By the outbreak of World war two the Royal Air Force had 18 operational squadrons of Hurricanes. During the Battle of Britain a total of 1715 Hurricanes took part, (which was more than the rest of the aircraft of the Royal air force put together) and almost 75% of the Victories during the Battle of Britain went to hurricane pilots. The Hawker Hurricane was used in all theatres during World war two, and in many roles. in total 14,533 Hurricanes were built. | |
Martinet
| Martinet Full profile not yet available. | |
Oxford
Manufacturer : Airspeed Production Began : 0 Retired : 0 Number Built : 6695 | Oxford The Oxford was built by Airspeed (4,960), De Havilland (1,515), Percival Aircraft (1,525) and the Standard Motor Group (750) during WW2. It was capable of training pilots, navigators, air gunners, radio operators and flight engineers. As well as equipping service flying schools in Great Britain, they spread out all over the globe, training aircrew in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and Southern Rhodesia. Nearly 50% of all aircrew who served in the RAF, RCAF, RAAF and RNZAF went through the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, The Oxford was the preferred trainer for the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS) and British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), which sent thousands of potential aircrew to Canada for training. 27 Oxfords were on the strength of No 4 Flying Training School RAF Habbaniya, Iraq in early 1941 and some were converted locally, for use as light bombers to help in the defence of the School against Iraqi forces. Airspeed Ltd was founded by Neville Shute Norway in 1931. N.S. Norway had trained as an aeronautical engineer, and worked under Barnes Wallis (of âBouncing Bombâ fame) at Vickers Ltd. on the successful R.100 airship. His first design for the new company was the Airspeed A.S.6 Envoy, he was responsible for devising a retractable undercarriage for the Envoy, and it enjoyed both civil and military success â an Envoy served in âThe Kingâs Flightâ, and was used to convey members of the Royal Family, and the South African Air Force ordered a batch of seven âConvertible Envoysâ which could be fitted with an Armstrong Whitworth gun turret and carriers for small bombs, as needed. In 1941, the aviatrix Amy Johnson went missing in an Airspeed Oxford, presumably crashing into the Thames Estuary. After the war, 152 surplus Oxfords were converted into small 6-seat commercial airliners called the AS.65 Consul. A few Oxfords were acquired by the Hellenic Air Force and used during the Greek Civil War by No. 355 Squadron RHAF. Although the Oxford was equipped with fixed-pitch wooden or Fairey-Reed metal propellers, the cockpit contained a propeller pitch lever, which had to be moved from "Coarse" to "Fine" for landing. This was to reinforce this important step for trainee pilots. Oxfords continued to serve the Royal Air Force as trainers and light transports until the last was withdrawn from service in 1956. Some were sold for use by overseas air arms, including the Royal Belgian Air Force. | |
Spitfire
Manufacturer : Supermarine Production Began : 1936 Retired : 1948 Number Built : 20351 | Spitfire Royal Air Force fighter aircraft, maximum speed for mark I Supermarine Spitfire, 362mph up to The Seafire 47 with a top speed of 452mph. maximum ceiling for Mk I 34,000feet up to 44,500 for the mark XIV. Maximum range for MK I 575 miles . up to 1475 miles for the Seafire 47. Armament for the various Marks of Spitfire. for MK I, and II . eight fixed .303 browning Machine guns, for MKs V-IX and XVI two 20mm Hispano cannons and four .303 browning machine guns. and on later Marks, six to eight Rockets under the wings or a maximum bomb load of 1,000 lbs. Designed by R J Mitchell, The proto type Spitfire first flew on the 5th March 1936. and entered service with the Royal Air Force in August 1938, with 19 squadron based and RAF Duxford. by the outbreak of World war two, there were twelve squadrons with a total of 187 spitfires, with another 83 in store. Between 1939 and 1945, a large variety of modifications and developments produced a variety of MK,s from I to XVI. The mark II came into service in late 1940, and in March 1941, the Mk,V came into service. To counter the Improvements in fighters of the Luftwaffe especially the FW190, the MK,XII was introduced with its Griffin engine. The Fleet Air Arm used the Mk,I and II and were named Seafires. By the end of production in 1948 a total of 20,351 spitfires had been made and 2408 Seafires. The most produced variant was the Spitfire Mark V, with a total of 6479 spitfires produced. The Royal Air Force kept Spitfires in front line use until April 1954. |
No.601 Sqn RAF Artwork |
Clipped Signature - John Bisdee. | Clipped Signature - Tony Pickering. | Tangmere Hurricanes by Nicolas Trudgian. |
Battle Over Bembridge by Ivan Berryman. (PC) | Stung by the Wasp by Stan Stokes. |
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