Mosquito - Aircraft Details - Aviation Directory

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Mosquito - Aircraft Details - Aviation Directory

Mosquito

Name : Mosquito
Manufacturer : De Havilland
Production Began : 1940
Retired : 1955
Number Built : 7781

Used as a night fighter, fighter bomber, bomber and Photo-reconnaissance, with a crew of two, Maximum speed was 425 mph, at 30,300 feet, 380mph at 17,000ft. and a ceiling of 36,000feet, maximum range 3,500 miles. the Mosquito was armed with four 20mm Hospano cannon in belly and four .303 inch browning machine guns in nose. Coastal strike aircraft had eight 3-inch Rockets under the wings, and one 57mm shell gun in belly. The Mossie at it was known made its first flight on 25th November 1940, and the mosquito made its first operational flight for the Royal Air Force as a reconnaissance unit based at Benson. In early 1942, a modified version (mark II) operated as a night fighter with 157 and 23 squadron's. In April 1943 the first De Haviland Mosquito saw service in the Far east and in 1944 The Mosquito was used at Coastal Command in its strike wings. Bomber Commands offensive against Germany saw many Mosquitos, used as photo Reconnaissance aircraft, Fighter Escorts, and Path Finders. The Mosquito stayed in service with the Royal Air Force until 1955. and a total of 7781 mosquito's were built.

Pilots and Aircrew for : Mosquito

A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this aircraft. A profile page is available by clicking their name.

Name

Info

Alington, William James [Marmaduke]
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Died : 4 / 1 / 1969

Alington, William James [Marmaduke]

Officer, Merchant Navy. Gained aviator's licence (No. 10571), taken on 24.06.1932 on a D.H. 60X Cirrus II 30/80 h.p. at Hampshire Aeroplane Club. Joined the staff of Aberdeen Airways as a pilot, 1935. 04.04.1936 commissioned, Reserve of Air Force Officers (General Duties Branch) William Alington was born on 26th March 1926 in Hythe, Kent and was the son of Lt.Col. A C M Alington. His brothers Paym Lt.Cdr Rupert Hildebrand Alington and W/Co Patrick Hamilton Alington RAF also served in WW2 with distinction. He was flying as far back as 1932 as a civilian pilot and gained his aviator's licence (No.10571) in June 1932 at the Hampshire Aeroplane Club. He later joined the staff of Aberdeen Airways and Alan Clark's Peak District aircraft crash research reveals that he was the pilot of Moth G-EBWA which crashed on Burbage Edge near Buxton on 11th October 1934. On 28th April 1936 he was granted a commission as P/O on probation in the Reserve. In the years before the War he rose in rank and on 13th November 1940 in the RAF, Reserve of Air Force Officers, he was made F/Lt. He was awarded the AFC, Gazetted on 30th September 1941, this was gained for service with 2 CFS. Hugh Halliday's research discovered a recommendation for his award which states.."This officer has completed 2,700 hours of instructional flying of which 595 hours have been flown since December 1939. His great enthusiasm for the work is reflected in the high standard attained by his pupils." Later, on 16th December 1941, he rose to S/Ldr. On 2nd February 1943 he was awarded the DFC for service and commanding 25 Squadron, the citation reads.."This officer has completed a large number of sorties and has destroyed two enemy aircraft at night. He is an extremely able flight commander, whose efforts to achieve success in night fighting have been most praiseworthy." He was also awarded the Bar to the DFC, Gazetted on 23rd July 1943 for service with 264 Squadron. This citation reads.."This officer has displayed exceptional keenness and determination to inflict loss on the enemy. On one sortie, he damaged seven locomotives. More recently, in June 1943, he led a formation of light bombers on an operation which resulted in the destruction of four enemy aircraft on the ground, while much damage was caused to a hangar. In addition, a minesweeper was attacked and damaged. By his fearless and skilful leadership, Wing Commander Alington played a large part in the success of the sortie." Post-War he stayed with the RAF Reserve of Officers and relinquished his commission of S/Ldr but retaining his rank of W/C with effect from 10th February 1954. On 18th May 1941 He was the pilot of Master T8550 which was flying at night and had just taken off from Church Fenton when the aircraft's engine cut out, the aircraft struck a tree at 23.30hrs near Ulleskelf and crashed seriously injuring both the airmen on board. Pilot - F/Lt William James "Marmaduke" Alington . Injured. Passenger - Sgt D W Poole (926724). Injured. (05.1941) 54 Operational Training Unit RAF (09.1941) No. 2 Central Flying School RAF (AFC) (1943) 25 Squadron RAF (DFC) 24.06.1943 -24.04.1944 264 Squadron RAF (Bar to DFC) P/O 04.04.1936 P/O 04.10.1936 F/O 04.10.1937 F/Lt. 03.09.1940 (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1941 (WS) Sq.Ldr. 24.06.1943 (Emgcy List) (reld 10.02.1954; retaining rank of W/Cdr.) (A) W/Cdr. (1943)

Allen, Mike
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Died : 6 / 6 / 2001

Allen, Mike

Michael Seamer Allen was born in Croydon, Surrey on March 15th 1925, and educated at Hurstpierpoint College, Sussex. He then studied mechanical engineering at night school before being apprenticed to Fairey Aviation. Mike Allen managed with the help of his father to get Fairey Aviaiton to release him, so that he could join the RAF. Allen joined the RAF as a navigator in June 1941 and two months later was paired with Harry White at No 54 Training Unit, at Church Fenton, Yorkshire. They remained together throughout the war. They both joined No 29, a Beaufighter night squadron at West Malling, in Kent before going to No.534 at Tangmere, Sussex, from where they flew Havoc night fighters (converted Douglas Bostons), each equipped with a Turbinlite searchlight in the nose. The notion was that the Havocs would use their radar to search out enemy aircraft, which would then be picked out with the searchlight and shot down by an accompanying Hurricane. In practice, the scheme was none too successful, but Allen regarded the 15 months that he and White spent in Havocs as invaluable training in the art of night fighting. Allen along with Harry White spent a few months ferrying Beaufighters to the Middle East before Mike Allen and Harry White moved to No.141 Squadron having won two Bars to his DFC 1944. Sadlly around this time his parents were killed when a V2 rocket destroyed their house in July 1944. In January 1945 Allen and White had a close shave while taking off on their 91st operational sortie on a bleak evening in January 1945. The engine of their Mosquito failed as the aircraft left the ground, and the fighter nose-dived into a field. White and Alien found themselves in a heap in the cabin, with Allens foot jammed in the fuselage, White pinned underneath him, and the aircraft on fire, Fortunately, a farmer and two labourers who had seen the crash managed to pull them to safety just as the Mosquito went up in flames. Over the course of their partnerhsip they successfully destroyed at least 12 enemy aircraft. Flt Lt Mike Allen left the Royal Air Force in 1946, and began his civilian career working for Avro, the Manchester-based aircraft company, Pye Telecommunications, BTR and Rank Hovis McDougall. In 1966 he moved to South Africa, where he became chairman of the Pretoria branch of the South African Air Force Association. He returned to Britain in 1982 and worked for the Officers Association. In 1999 Mike Allen published the book Pursuit through Darkened Skies. Flight Lieutenant Mike Allen sadly died at the age of 78 on the 6th of June 2001. Mike Allen had won three DFCs as a navigator and radar operator in night fighters.

Atkins, Eric
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Atkins, Eric

Flew Mosquito aircraft with No.305 Polish Squadron

Atkins, G W
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Atkins, G W

On 18th February 1944, he was navigator of Mosquito MM403 SB-V of No.464 Sqn for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft completed the mission and returned to base safely.

Ball, Alfred Freddy
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Ball, Alfred Freddy

Air Marshall Sir Alfred (Freddy) Ball, KCB DSO DFC attended RAF College, Cranwell in 1939 and joined 13 Squadron in France in March 1940 on Lysanders (Army Co-operation). He joined No 1 PRU Benson early in 1941 on Spitfires. He commanded 4 PRU (later 682 Sqdn) as Squadron Leader in October 1942 and flew out to North Africa for Operation Torch, the Allied landings, flying Spitfires. He was posted to the UK as CF1, 8PR, OTU Dyce, Aberdeen in September 1943 and took over 542 Sqdn Benson in March 1944 (PR Spitfire Mk XIs and Mk XIXs). In September he was promoted to Wing Commander and given command of No 540 Squadron flying Mosquito 16s and 32s. The Squadron moved to France early in 1945 to support the Allied armies. In December, Freddy was posted to Egypt to take command of No 680 PR Sqdn (later to become 13 Sqdn), flying Mosquitoes and Spitfires. He was posted to Staff AHQ East Africa in 1946 and retired from the RAF in April 1979.

Alfred Ball at a print signing session

Bannock, Russ
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Bannock, Russ

Russ Bannock joined the RCAF in 1939 and was posted to 112 Squadron. He transferred to 418 (City of Edmonton) Squadron RCAF in May 1944, equipped with the excellent Mosquito MkVI fighter-bomber and carried out many Intruder missions, mostly against enemy airfields, especially in the period prior to D-Day. With the squadron he helped to defend London against the V1 blitz, all night. With 19 flying bombs to his credit, he was given command of 406 (City of Saskatoon) Squadron based at Manston with the Mk30 Mosquito. From late 1944 until the war's end he carried out operations mainly against enemy airfields.

Barnes,
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Barnes,

On 18th February 1944, he was navigator of Mosquito LR333 EG-R of No.487 Sqn RNZAF for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft returned to base safely.

Barrett, Harry
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Barrett, Harry

Warrant Officer Harry Barrett flew as a PR Mosquito Navigator for 17 months from October 1945 to April 1947. He volunteered for aircrew duties as a navigator in mid-1941, and was selected and put on deferred service until August 1942. He trained as a Navigator/Wireless Op. at Cranwell and in Canada, qualifying in November 1943. He was on the night-flying staff at 3(P) AFU at South Cerney for nine months. He qualified as an air-gunner in May 1945 on the Isle of Man. On joining 540 Squadron at Benson, he and his pilot ferried three Mosquitoes to the Middle East and was then posted to 680 in Palestine, where it was more dangerous on the ground than in the air. 680 then became 13 Squadron. Harry carried out aerial surveys in Egypt the Greek Islands, and then went on the Nairobi. Nine of the 15 Mosquitoes Harry flew in came to grief.

Barwell, Eric
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Died : 12 / 12 / 2007

Barwell, Eric

Born in Suffolk in August 1913, Eric Barwell joined the RAFVR in 1938 to train as a pilot. He was commissioned into No.264 Sqn in February 1940, flying the Boulton-Paul Defiant. His squadron flew in support of the evacuation of Dunkirk, and he claimed two Me109s, two Ju87 Stukas and a Heinkel during this evacuation. However, in the combat with the Heinkel, his aircraft was damaged and he was forced to ditch, managing to put it down in the water between two British destroyers. He and his gunner were rescued by HMS Malcolm. On 24th August, while scrambling to intercept bombers, he and his wingman were attacked by five fighters, his wingman being immediately shot down. His gunner managed to shoot down one of the enemy fighters before the Defiant managed to escape, but it was clear that the aircraft was no match for the German fighters. They were withdrawn from combat and used in a night-time training role. Barwell was awarded the DFC for the six victories scored. In April 1941, he scored a night-time victory over a Heinkel, with a second also probable. He transferred to No.125 Sqn flying Beaufighters, claiming a Dornier damaged on 1st July 1942. By March 1943, No.125 Sqn were equipped with Mosquitoes. He shot down two Ju-88s in this aircraft, and also recorded his final victory, over a V-1 rocket. He was awarded the bar to his DFC and transferred to various experimental squadrons before leaving the RAF in September 1945. Sadly, Eric Barwell died on 12th December 2007.

Bayon, Mike
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Bayon, Mike

Having completed training as a Navigator he joined the Path Finder Force flying on Mosquitos with 128 Sqn and later 139 Sqn as part of the Light Night Strike Force. During the final two years of the war he completed a total of 52 Operations over Europe.

Beattie, Brian
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Beattie, Brian

Having served at 489 Coastal Command flying torpedo carrying Hampdens, he later joined Des Curtis at 248 Sqn where he also flew the Tse-Tse firing Mosquito.

Bell, Colin
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Bell, Colin

Upon qualifying as a Pilot on Mosquitos he joined the Path Finder Force where he served with 608 and 162 Squadrons as part of part of the Light Night Strike Force. By the end of the war he had completed a total of 50 Operations including 13 trips to Berlin.

Benn,
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Benn,

On 18th February 1944, he was pilot of Mosquito MM398 YH-J of No.21 Sqn for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft was instructed not to attack.

Bennett, Tom
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Died : 9 / 1 / 2013

Bennett, Tom

Born in 1919, Tom Bennett was a specialist navigator with 30 ops with 49 Sqn Lancasters followed by selection for Leonard Cheshires elite Mosquito Marker Force within the legendary 617 Sqn. Following the D-Day landings on 5 - 6th June, there was a very great danger that the Germans would reinforce their troops with their reserves Panzer tank corp. These had been stationed at Calais due to the Germans belief that the invasion would come at that point. The only way to get the Panzer through to the Beachhead at Normandy was via the French Saumur tunnel. 617 squadron were assigned to destroy this and were led by the famous Leonard Cheshire VC OM DSO DFC. He used 3 Mosquitoes as a marker force for the main 617 Bomber Force and the dropping of flares was so accurate that one of the Lancasters put a 12000 tall boy straight through the roof of the tunnel and the tunnel was not reopened until 1946. Thomas Ben Bennett was born in 1919 in Poplar. After a civilian career as a clerk he volunteered for military service in 1939. Called up in the spring of 1940, he was told that he did not qualify for pilot training as his maths was not sufficiently strong to enable him to cope with aerial navigation. Instead he would train as a wireless operator/air gunner. Tom's Morse skills were insufficient, with the result that he only qualified as an Air Gunner. Service life being what it is, he was then offered, and took, an opportunity to re-muster a navigator. (There were later to be a number of times over Germany when he wished he had taken the advice of the Wing Commander at Uxbridge). After an initial course on Ansons and Blenheims at Jurby, Isle of Man, in April 1942 he was transferred to No. 19 OTU, Kinloss, where he would team up with his pilot Gerry Fawke. His first operational posting was to No. 49 Sqn at Scampton in June 1942. He considered himself fortunate in that they had just declared Manchesters non-operational as he arrived and that the Squadron was converting to Lancasters. On an early operation to Duisburg, their aircraft was coned and only violent evasive action by Fawke saved the day. During a low level operation against Wismar in September 1942, he received a slight flesh wound from shrapnel and was admitted to RAF Hospital Rauceby Fawke and Bennett took part participated in the daylight Le Creusot attack of 24 October 1942 During that month Tom was recommended for the DFM and subsequently awarded a commission. Further trips followed, to include Berlin and targets in Italy. The crew were just about to depart on their 30th operation, against Bremen, when they were prevented from taxying out by Charles Whitworth, Scampton's Station Commander, who told them that they would not be going, and that their tour was over. Tom was then screened and posted for duties at No. 1661 CU, thence to HQ No. 5 Group at St Vincents, Grantham, before being sent to No. 1654 CU, Wigsley as an instructor. Promoted to Flying Officer in April 1944, he had just arrived on No. 83 Sqn at Wyton, a Pathfinder Squadron, when he received a phone call informing him that he was to team up with his former captain at the Mosquito Training Unit at Warboys, prior to transfer to 617 Sqn. As one of the Mosquito Marker crews Tom and Gerry Fawke were to help perfect the low level marking technique against increasingly defended targets, starting with the French rail yards of Juvisy and La Chapelle, then targeting targets in Germany, including Munich. Returning to their forward operating base at Manston after the latter trip on 24/25 April, the crew discovered to their chagrin that their markers had hung up and were still there suspended in the bomb bay.Transferring to the Lancaster for Operation Taxable, Tom was one of the key navigators responsible for perfecting the pattern of overlapping orbits and perfect timing that were vital to the operation's success. Such was Tom's desire to see recognition for ALL the Squadron's navigators that he was later to lobby Leonard Cheshire to campaign for a retrospective award, but without success. Reverting to the Mosquito and their marking role, the crew participated in the attack on the Saumur tunnel, and Le Havre. The Squadron then switched to daylight attacks on the large V-weapon sites at Watten, Wizernes, Mimoyecques and Siracourt, before again targeting U-boat pens and port facilities. During one of the latter operations, an attack on the Gueydon at Brest, after diving to low level Fawke opened fire on a vessel with the Mosquitos cannon and machine guns, prompting Tom to comment You've just killed four German sailors in LA PALLICE. Later operations also saw the crew armed with cameras to photograph proceedings, and he made the only known image of one of the Squadron s Mustangs as he used up footage filming Wg Cdr Cheshire formating on his Mosquito. With the Squadron's marker role now firmly established with No. 627 Sqn, Gerry Fawke and Tom returned to the Lancaster. Tom became Squadron Navigation Officer during August 1944, and was responsible for overseeing navigation for the first two Tirpitz operations and the attacks on West Kapelle and the Kembs dam. The latter would be Tom's final operation on the strength of 617 Sqn. Posted as Station Navigation Officer, Woodhall Spa at the end of October 1944, he was still able to keep an eye on his successor and in February 1945 flew with the Squadron on two further operations. He would later recall: I flew 62 trips, that's why I tell people I'm lucky to be alive. But I lost a lot of friends and you always remember them as they were â€” young men.Post war Tom remained in the RAF, serving with the RAF Delegation in Greece in 1949 and later with No. 38 Squadron, flying Lancasters on Maritime Reconnaissance in the Mediterranean. His final posting saw him as Wing Adjutant of the RAF's Initial Training School before he left the Service, as a Squadron Leader, in March 1955.

Bent, Benjamin
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Bent, Benjamin

Having joined the RAF in 1937, he flew with 25 Sqn as a Radar /Wireless Operator on Blenheims on night fighter duties throughout the Battle of Britain, assisting in five successful interceptions on his first tour. After a spell as an instructor, he reclassified a Navigator rejoining 25 Sqn on Beaufighters and then Mosquitoes, assisting in a total of eight victories including the first enemy aircraft shot down on D-Day.

Bergemann, R. D
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Bergemann, R. D

Shot down ME410A-1 on the 3rd January 1944 flown by Friedrich Hess and Max Von Poblotski over Dover while flying Mosquito HK461 of No 488 Sqd

Berry, Joseph
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Died : 1 / 10 / 1944

Berry, Joseph

Joseph Berry was born 28th February 1920. Father was Arthur Joseph and mother Mary Rebecca Charlton. He had a brother and sister, Jack and Ivy. He lived at 55 Ramsey St, Cassop cum Quarrington, Teesdale (12 miles east of Crook, Co Durham). Later he moved to Stampeth Nr Alnwick (Northumberland) where from 1931 to 1936 he attended the Duke Grammar School. Leaving school in 1936 as a 16 year old Joe moved into lodgings in Carlton, Nottingham for his work in the Inland Revenue, two years later he met Joyce who was working at the same branch. Joe enlisted in the RAFVR in August 1940, and in March 1942 Joe and Joyce were married. Little is known of Joseph Berry's early service. On completion of training as a Fighter Pilot he was posted to 256 Squadron at Squires Gate Nr Blackpool, this was a Night Fighter Squadron flying Defiants, on one occasion having to bail out of his stricken aircraft (letter code JT). He was commissioned in March 1942 at Squires Gate, this Squadron was then transferred to Woodvale, South Port flying Beaufighters. Joseph was initially posted to Lyneham in Kent where he and fellow pilot Bryan Wild caught a train to Filton, Bristol to collect their brand new Beaufighters, later flying them to Setif, in the Atlas Mountains. This area in North Africa was a pilot pool, where air crew from the U.K. awaited posting to their various squadrons in the region; Casablanca to Tunisia costal area. After 3 weeks they were called to join 153 Squadron at Maison-Blanche Algiers. 153 Squadron was formed at Ballyhalbert on the 14th October 1941, from A flight of 256 Squadron with Boulton Paul Defiants 1s. It had previously been disbanded following the first world war. It became operational in December 1941 as a night fighter squadron, but it was not until January 1942 that they converted to Beaufighter Mk 1s. Throughout the summer of 1942 the squadron carried out night patrols, and in September their role extended to convoy patrols, in December 1942, 153 Squadron moved to Algiers to become operational on Christmas Day. It retained its role through to July 1943 with the night defence of the Algiers and Bone areas. Gradually, throughout this period, the squadron's role extended to convoy escort work. As the Sicilian campaign got under way, 153 Squadron remained in North Africa carrying out convoy escort work (letter code TB). The main duty of this Night-fighter unit was to repel German aircraft from attacking convoys in the Mediterranean, on the Gibraltar to Suez route. By Jan 1943 he and his observer, a Newcastle man called Ian Watson, were flying Beaufighters as a night fighter pilot with 255 Squadron in the Mediterranean. On the 15th of November the aircraft were flown to Maison Blanche in Algeria. Detachments flew from Bone, Setif, Souk el Arba, Souk el Khemis, and Tingley. August brought a move to Western Sicily, where sorties were flown over the Salerno invasion fleet and beachhead in September. This is where Joseph opened his account; shooting down three enemy aircraft, on the 9th September a Messerschmitt Me210, the 10th September another Me210 over the Salerno area, and on 24th October a Junkers Ju88 over the Naples area, and the second occasion in which he had to bail out of his aircraft (letter code YD). On the 3rd of October 1943 while serving with 255 Squadron in the Mediterranean, Joe was involved in the Great E-Boat Raid at Cos (Greece). 60 aircraft were involved; several Beaufighter and 1 Beafort Squadron attacked the German Invasion Force North of the Allied occupied Island. The German invasion force consisted of several large vessels used as Troop Ships, Destroyers, E-Boats and Landing Barges. The attack had mixed results, due to heavy enemy fire and bad weather with head winds on the return journey; the Squadrons took overall losses of 27%. The Beaufighter had a range of 370 miles, and due to heavy fuel consumption 25 got back, most of the others ditched or were shot down. He was awarded a DFC in March 1944. In June of that year, promoted Flt.Lt., he was posted to the FIU and flying Mosquitos. FIU formed a special flight of Tempests to intercept the V1s which had begun falling on south-east England, this flight operating mainly by night. Over the next two months Joseph was to establish himself as the top-scorer against these robots in Tempest, shooting down 52 and one shared by early August. On 23 July he set the record, claiming seven in one night. Four nights later he pursued one at low level over West Malling airfield, closing to 100 feet in order to ensure he destroyed it before it fell on the base. His own aircraft was damaged in the resultant explosion. To his obvious chagrin on this occasion it was decided that he had to share this success with the crew of a Mosquito who had opened fire from 1,000 yards, and in the opinion of FIU had missed hopelessly. On 16 August 1944 the Tempest flight moved to Manston to reform 501 Squadron, of which Berry became commanding officer. The unit continued to hunt V1s, and he personally accounted for seven more, receiving a Bar to his DFC during September. During the night of 27/28 September, with the V1 threat mainly negated by the Allied advance in France, he led two Tempests on a Ranger sortie over Holland, strafing trains. From Bradwell Bay before dawn at 05-35 on the 1st of October flying his Tempest SD-F he led a Ranger sortie with F/Lt E.L. Willy Williams SD-L and F/Lt C.A. Horry Hansen SD-H to attack ground targets of opportunity between Bad Zwischenhan in Northern Germany, a He111 airfield; and a nearby rail yard where trains transporting V1s to these airfields and launch sites could be found, and any other He111 airfields or enemy targets of opportunity from there to the Rhine. But while flying fast and low to their target; bursts of small arms fire from a German soldier, stationed at the German Radar Site Gazzelle just East of Veendam unluckily struck Joseph's Tempest rupturing his glycol tank, struggling to control his stricken aircraft, eye witness reports say; that he increased his height to 500ft presumably in an attempt to bail out, leaving a glycol vapour trail in his wake; he radioed to his fellow pilots I've had it chaps; you go on. Just over 2 miles to the East of Gazelle Joseph's plane crashed in flames in Kibbelgaarn, a small hamlet 4 Â½ miles South of Sheemda. The two other pilots circled the crash site a couple of times to see if their commanding officer had survived the impact, and then carried on their mission. Two inhabitants of Kibblegarrn; Mr A.Jager who was the head teacher of the village junior school that Joseph's airplane had just narrowly missed, and Mr S. de Lange were the first to reach the crash site, they pulled the dead pilot from the blazing wreckage, desperately trying to extinguish the flames from his uniform, the name of the pilot at that time was unknown as his identity tags were destroyed in the blaze. The only clue to his identity was a small metal medicine box and a cigarette case with the initials JB engraved on it. Two hours later the Germans arrived. Joseph was buried in a quiet plot in nearby Scheemda, on the simple wooden cross were written the words, Unknown RAF Pilot. The remaining two pilots returned home safely at 09-25 reporting attacks on four trains, leaving them smoking and steaming. Three trains were reported attacked between the River Gruis and Dummer Lake, and the fourth train attacked 12 miles east of Zwolle. His total of V1s has been put at 60, but recorded claims appear to indicate 59 Â½. He was awarded a second Bar to his DFC on the 20th January 1946, back dated to October 1944.

Bishop, K.R
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Bishop, K.R

FlLying with F/O Bergemann in Mosquito HK461 of 488 Squadron shot down ME410A-1 from by Friedrich Hess and Max von Poblotzki both were killed when aircraft exploded over dover

Blair, K. H.
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Blair, K. H.

Flight Lieutenant K.H.Blair served with No 85 Squadron in France . Blair destroyed two He 111's on the 10th of May 1940 and was awarded the D.F.C. on the 31st of May 1940. During the Battle of Britain Blair scored five more victories with No 151 Squadron. In 1943 he took command of No 613 Squadron wich had become a Mosquito unit and specialized in precision daylight attacks. At the end of his tour K.H.Blair received the Bar to his D.F.C.

Blomely, D. H.
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Blomely, D. H.

Pilot Officer D.H.Blomeley was part of No 151 Squadron, he shot down a Bf 110 over Dunkirk in May. Later in the war he flew night-intruder Mosquitos and was awarded the D.F.C. on 26 of October 1943, being credited with four enemy aircraft destroyed at that time. After the war received the A.F.C. on the 10th of June 1954.

Boulter, Bertie
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Boulter, Bertie

Joining the RAF in July 1941, Bertie completed pilot training in the USA before returning to the UK in 1942, joining Coastal Command flying Ansons and Blackburn Bothas, and instructing on the use of radar. Converting to Blenheims he joined 1655 Squadron at Warboys, and began training on Mosquitos. In early 1944 he was selected for the Pathfinders, joining 128 Squadron flying Mosquitos from Wyton, then becoming part of the Light Night Strike Force with 163 Squadron, completing almost 50 operations. In early 1945 he was posted to Canada to ferry back Mosquitos but the war ended.

Braham, Bob
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Died : 7 / 2 / 1974

Braham, Bob

Born in 1920, Bob Braham joined the RAF in 1937 aged 17. Bob was posted to No.29 Sqn, where he flew Demons, Hurricanes and Blenheims. Flying a Blenheim nightfighter in August 1940, Bob claimed his first victory over a Dornier Do17. Soon after, 29 Squadron switched to operating Beaufighters. After scoring 12 victories, Braham was given command of No.141 Sqn in 1942, again flying Beaufighters. With No.141 Sqn, his victory tally rose to 20, after which he was rested from operations in 1943. Unattached to any squadron, Bob Braham was allowed to use a Mosquito borrowed from a squadron to carry out missions. He increased his total to 29 before he was shot down and captured, remaining in captivity until the end of the war. Sadly, Bob Braham died on 7th February 1974.

Bray, Robert
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Bray, Robert

Robert flew his first tour of 32 ops in 75 (NZ) Squadron on Wellingtonâ€™s. After a period instructing he joined 105 Squadron PFF on Mosquitos, flying Oboe operations, completing 87 ops by June 1944. In March 1945 he was posted to command 571 Squadron PFF, then commanded 128 Squadron PFF until Feb 1946.

Brearley, Peter G
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Brearley, Peter G

Flt. Lt. Peter G Brearley DFC joined the RAF in 1941 from Cambridge University Air Sqn. He obtained his Wings in 1942, and then completed a navigation course at 3 School of General Reconnaissance and after OTU in Novembe 1942 Peter G Brearley was posted to 140 Squadron, Army Co-op Command, later Fighter Command, then Tactical Air Force. At first equipped with P.R Spitfires then P.R Mosquitoes. A Photographic Reconnaissance unit dedicated to the Army Intelligence, making a revising maps for the coming invasion, beach gradients for troop landings and photo targets relevant to that operation. Also coverage of flying bomb sites to enable No. 2 Group (Boston & Mitchell medium bombers), stationed on the same airfield to carry out bombing raids to minimise the V1 threat. V2s were launched from mobile lorries so we attacked when seen by fighter-bombers. At first Peter flew Spitfires and later Mosquitoes with F/O Leslie W Preston GM as navigator Flt. Lt Peter G Brearley was awarded the D.F.C in August 1944, presented by H.M. George VI at Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh: - Citation - This Officer has shown great keenness and ability and can always be relied upon to complete his allocated task. He has made a great number of high level photographic sorties, often through most adverse weather, but his results have always been of the highest order. His Squadron started at Mount Farm, near Benson, Oxon, then moved to Hartford Bridge, Hants, re-named Blackbushe, and finally to Northolt after which he left in May 1944. Flt. Lt. Peter G Brearley DFC finished his RAF service as a flying instructor on Mosquitoes when he was sent as a flying instructor to 132 O.T.U, RAF East Fortune, East Lothian. They were the vanguard in converting the Beaufighter squadrons operating from RAF Banff on the Mosquito. As Beaufighters were phased out the O.T.U used Mosquitos entirely. The unit moved to RAF Brawdy for three months in 1945 during which time VE-Day came. Flt. Lt. Peter G Brearley DFC unit then moved back to RAF East Fortune awaiting demob. He had a short spell March to April 1946 at RAF Tain with Coastal Command Instructors School until it closed, after which he was sent back to East Fortune. Flt. Lt. Peter G Brearley DFC was demobbed in August 1946.

Bridger, A N
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Bridger, A N

On 18th February 1944, he was navigator of Mosquito MM402 SB-A of No.464 Sqn for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft completed the mission and returned to base safely.

Broadley, John Alan
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Died : 18 / 2 / 1944

Broadley, John Alan

Flight Lieutenant J. A. Bill Broadley, DSO, DFC, DFM: John Alan Broadley was born in Richmond, Yorkshire in 1921. Joining the RAF on leaving school, he trained as a Sergeant Observer, and flew many operations over Germany during the first two years of war. He joined No.9 Squadron May 1941, and became Pick Pickards regular navigator. During June-August he flew with Pickard against major German targets such as Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Cologne and was awarded the DFM for outstanding ability and courage. In August 1941 he was posted to No.138 Squadron, a special duties unit, supplying the resistance and dropping / recovering agents. November 18th 1941 he was commissioned as Pilot Officer and moved to No.51 squadron. During the night of February 27th/28th 1942, he flew with Pickard on Operation Biting, which involved dropping paratroops to recover parts of the German Wurzburg radar from Bruneral, near Le Havre. July 1942 he was posted to No.296 Squadron a glider towing unit. During November, Broadley moved to No.161 Squadron, another special duties unit and whilst here was awarded the DFC, DSO and also gained promotion to Flight Lieutenant. On 1st December 1943 he made his final move to No.21 Squadron part of 140 Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force. Appointed Wing Navigational Officer during January 1944. Flew many low level raids with Pickard, culminating with Operation Jericho. He was killed in action on 18th February 1944 when his Mosquito Mk.FB.VI EG-F of No.464 Sqn RAAF was shot down by Fw190s during the Amiens raid. He is buried in St Pierre cemetery, Amiens. Son of Thomas Pearson Broadley and Irene Broadley.

Broom, Ivor
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Died : 24 / 1 / 2003

Broom, Ivor

Entering the RAF in 1940 he joined No 114 Squadron as a sergeant pilot flying Blenheims. After 12 operations he and his crew were allocated to No 105 Squadron and then No 107 Squadron, the last remaining Blenheim Squadron in Malta. The Squadron remained there without relief for five months carrying out low level attacks on the shipping. Very few of the original crews survived the detachment, in fact he was commissioned during this period, when 107 Squadron had lost all their officers and for a short time was the only officer, other than the CO, in the Squadron. At the end of this tour he was awarded the DFC. In early 1943 he became one of the first Mosquito instructors in the Pathfinder Force and later moved to No 571 Squadron with the Light Night Strike Force. He then formed No 163 Squadron as acting Wing Commander. He was awarded a bar to his DFC for a low level moonlight mining attack on the Dormund - Ems Canal from 50ft and then a second bar for getting a 4000lb bomb into the mouth of a railway tunnel during the final German Ardennes offensive. During his time on Mosquitoes his navigator was Tommy Broom, together they formed an inseparable combination. Remaining with the RAF after WWII and in accordance with peacetime rules for a much smaller Air Force he was reduced in rank first to Squadron Leader and then to Flight Lieutenant in 1948. Promoted to Air Marshal in 1974 he became the Head of the UK National Air Traffic Services and was the first serving officer to be appointed to the Board of the Civil Aviation Authority. Retiring from the RAF in 1979 he has been actively engaged in civil aviation since then. He died 24th January 2003.

Broom, Tommy
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Died : 18 / 5 / 2010

Broom, Tommy

Thomas John Broom was born on January 22 1914 at Portishead, Bristol, and educated at Slade Road School, leaving when he was 14 to work as a garage hand. As soon as he reached his 18th birthday he enlisted in the RAF and trained as an armourer. He served in the Middle East, initially in Sudan, and in 1937 was sent to Palestine to join No 6 Squadron. With the threat of war in Europe, however, there was an urgent need for more air observers; Broom volunteered and returned to Britain for training. In February 1939 he joined No 105 Squadron at Harwell, which was equipped with the Fairey Battle. On the day the Second World War broke out No 105 flew to Reims in northern France to support the British Expeditionary Force, and within three weeks Broom had flown his first reconnaissance over Germany. During a raid on Cologne in November 1940 his aircraft was severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire, but the crew managed to struggle back to England where they were forced to bail out as they ran out of fuel. For the next 12 months Broom served as an instructor. He returned to his squadron in January 1942, just as the Mosquito entered service, and on August 25 was sent to attack a power station near Cologne. As the aircraft flew at treetop height across Belgium, the crew spotted an electricity pylon. The pilot tried to avoid it but the starboard engine struck the top of the pylon and the aircraft ploughed into pine trees. Both men survived the crash, and were picked up by members of the Belgian Resistance. They were escorted to St Jean de Luz by the Belgian-run "Comet" escape line, and Broom crossed the mountains under the aegis of a Spanish Basque guide on September 8; his pilot followed him two weeks later. Twenty-five years after the event Broom returned to St Jean de Luz to meet the woman who had sheltered him from the Germans. After the German advance into the Low Countries on May 10 1940, the Battle squadrons were thrown against Panzers and attacked the crucial bridges across the main rivers, suffering terrible losses. After the fall of France, Broom and some of his comrades managed to reach Cherbourg to board a ship for England. No 105 Squadron was re-equipped with the Blenheim, and during the Battle of Britain Broom attacked the German barges assembling at the Channel ports in preparation for an invasion of England. After spending a period as an instructor at 13 OTU he rejoined 105 Squadron on Mosquitoes, they were in fact the first squadron in the RAF to receive them. Through early 1942 he was navigator on many of the daylight raids carried out by 105 Squadron. In August 1943 Tommy Broom was the chief ground instructor at the Mosquito Training Unit when he first met his namesake Flight Lieutenant Ivor Broom (later Air Marshal Sir Ivor Broom), an experienced low-level bomber pilot. They immediately teamed up and flew together for the remainder of the war, in 163 Squadron as part of the Light Night Strike Force forming a formidable on Mosquitoes including the low level attack on the Dortmund - Ems Canal and completing 58 operations together, including 22 to Berlin. Known as The Flying Brooms Initially they joined No 571 Squadron as part of Air Vice-Marshal Don Bennetts Pathfinder Force, and on May 26 1944 they flew their first operation, an attack on Ludswigshafen. On August 9 they took part in a spectacular night-time mission to drop mines in the Dortmund-Ems Canal. They descended rapidly from 25,000ft to fly along the canal at 150ft, releasing their mines under heavy anti-aircraft fire. The force of eight Mosquitos closed the canal for a number of weeks. Tommy Brooms brilliant navigation had helped ensure the success of the raid, and he was awarded a DFC. The Brooms took part in another daring attack on New Years Day 1945. In order to stem the flow of German reinforcements to the Ardennes, the RAF mounted operations to sever the rail links leading to the area, and the Brooms were sent to block the tunnel at Kaiserslauten. They were approaching the tunnel at low level just as a train was entering it. They dropped their 4,000lb bomb, with a time delay fuse, in the entrance and 11 seconds later it exploded, completely blocking the tunnel â€“ the train did not emerge. Tommy Broom received a Bar to his DFC and his pilot was awarded a DSO. When Ivor Broom was given command of No 163 Squadron, Tommy went with him as the squadrons navigation leader and they flew together until the end of the war. Their last five operations were to Berlin, where searchlights posed a perpetual problem. On one occasion they were coned for as long as a quarter of an hour. After twisting, turning and diving to escape the glare, Ivor Broom asked his disoriented navigator for a course to base. Tommy replied: "Fly north with a dash of west, while I sort myself out." A few weeks later Tommy Broom was awarded a second Bar to his DFC â€“ an extremely rare honour for a bomber navigator. Tommy Broom left the RAF in September 1945, but he and his pilot remained close friends until Sir Ivors death in 2003. Sadly Tommy Broom passed away on 18th May 2010

Brown, Eric
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Brown, Eric

In the autumn of 1943 a decision was made which was to result in the Mosquito becoming the first twin-engined aircraft to land on an aircraft carrier. To test the idea a Mosquito FBVI was semi navalised and an experienced naval test pilot, Captain Eric Brown, invited to take charge of the tests. After a programme of simulated carrier landings at an airfield, it was decided to carry out the first actual landing on HMS Indefatigable on March 25th 1944. Brown crossed the stern of the carrier with 69 knots indicated airspeed, received the cut signal from the batsman and touched down, picking the number two arrester wire. The touchdown speed was well below what had been expected. While the Sea Mosquito, the eventual, fully navalised version of the aircraft, was too late to see combat it proved, once again, the almost limitless flexibility of the basic Mosquito airframe.

Brown, John
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Brown, John

As a pilot he flew with 23 Sqn which was posted to Malta in 1942 where he flew Mosquitos on night time attacks across the Mediterranean.

Brown, Les
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Brown, Les

First joined the war as soldier in 1939. He soon realised that he would much prefer to be fighting in the air rather than on the ground and soon joined the RAF and No. 4 Squadron. He amassed a total of 1500 hours flying Mosquitoes. In his flying career he flew 31 different types of aircraft.

Bruce, Robert
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Bruce, Robert

Accepted for aircrew training in February 1942, but only entered Navigation School at Mount Hope, Ontario in March 1943. From there he went to Greenwood, Nova Scotia and was again delayed so that it was already almost Christmas 1943 when he met Sq/Ldr Russ Bannock RCAF, DSO, DFC and Bar, and was accepted by him as navigator. They reached No 418 Squadron RCAF who were Intruders in No 11 Group at D-Day and they destroyed a ME 110 landing at Bourges/Avord on 13/14 June. The Squadron was heavily engaged with VI Flying Bombs through July and August and they destroyed 19. Their other work was on Night Rangers over France and Germany and occasionally on Day Rangers mostly in the Baltic, usually paired with another Mosquito VI.Robert Bruce and Sq/Ldr D A MacFadyin DSO, DFC went to 406 Squadron to train them in Intruder techniques until the war ended and after that he went as Navigation Officer to No 29 Squadron.

Burbridge, Branse
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Died : 1 / 11 / 2016

Burbridge, Branse

Posted to 85 Squadron on night-fighters in October 1941, Branse Burbridge flew Havocs on his first tour, scoring just a single claim, but when he returned to 85 Squadron for a second tour - this time on Mosquitos, he was far more successful. His first enemy kill was in Febraury 1944 when he shot down a Messerschmitt 410 fighter plane off the Sussex coast. On the night of March 24, 1944 he became embroiled in a life-or-death dogfight with a Dornier 217 bomber over the Channel. His Mosquito chased the aircraft from 19,000ft to just 3,000ft before it crashed into the sea, with Wg Cmdr Burbridge pulling up with just 1,000ft to spare. During the period of the build up to the invasion of Normandy, and after, together with his radar navigator, Bill Skelton, They flew 30 sorties over Germany to provide escort cover to RAF bombers. His greatest achievement came on November 4, 1944 during a bombing raid over Bonn. He shot down three Junkers 88 bombers and a Me 110, firing just 200 rounds in the process. In total they claimed 21 victories in a ten month spell. In the days after D-Day, he shot down a Junkers 88 bomber on the France/Belgium border that was piloted by Major Herget, who was credited with 72 aerial victories. In June 1944 he also shot down three V-1s. With his final air victory, in January 1945, he passed the total set by John Cats Eyes Cunningham to become the highest scoring RAF night fighter Ace of the war. Following the war Wg Cmdr Burbridge studied theology at Oxford before becoming a lay preacher for the Scripture Union. He now lives in care in Chorleywood, Herts.

Cairns, John Jock
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Cairns, John Jock

Joined the RAFVR in May 1939 and was called up at the outbreak of war as a navigator. He completed his flying training by the early spring of 1941 and spent a brief period with 224 Squadron, Coastal Command before volunteering for Special Duties as a Navigator/Radio Leader. During training â€˜Jockâ€™ Cairns was crewed with an experienced pilot and posted to the prestigious 85 Squadron, Fighter Command and together with his pilot Sq/Ldr Simon Maude, DFC, achieved the destruction of a Dornier 217 during the Canterbury blitz. After six months rest from operations, John took over as the Navigator/Radio Leader of the Squadron â€“ a short and lively tour intruding against Luftwaffe night-fighter airfields and interdiction of rail traffic during which five locomotives were destroyed. After another six months, Fl/Lt Cairns re-crewed with Fl/Lt John Hall and they enjoyed a very successful tour with 488 Squadron, RNZAF in 2nd TAF and were both credited with eight victories and each awarded the DFC with Bar.

Capper, Chris
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Capper, Chris

Chris Capper served in the Royal Air Force from 1941 until 1952. During this time he became a flying instructor and later flew the Mosquito in squadron service. He joined the Empire Test Pilots School in 1948 then served three years at Aero Flight Farnborough where he made 51 flights with the DH108 Swallow. He joined de Havilland in 1953 and was involved in development testing of the 2nd prototype D11110 from Hatfield. Moving to Christchurch/Hum he then flew over 500 sorties on development and testing of the DH 11 0/Sea Vixen and personally flew 88 of the 150 odd aircraft produced. He subsequently took charge of development and testing of the DH125 making the first flight in 1962, finally retiring in 1982

Cash, George
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Cash, George

As Navigator in Joe Patientâ€™s Mosquito he flew with 139 Sqn over North West Europe. Whilst on his second tour with another pilot he was shot down and finished the war as a PoW.

Cassels, J R
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Died : 19 / 12 / 2008

Cassels, J R

No's 14, 29, 98, 106, 125, 139 (Jamaica), and 162 Squadrons. "April, 1941 - Enlisted in Edinburgh and accepted for pilot training. April 1941 to April 1942 - No 4 I.TW. Paignton, No 9 E.F.T.S. Ansty, Coventry, No 12 S.F.T.S. Spittlegate, Grantham, (22/01/1941 Received wings as Sgt. Pilot) No 14 O.T.U. Cottesmore flying Hampdens. April 1942 - No 106 Squadron, RAF Coningsby commanded by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, DSO, DFC. I was second pilot on Manchesters and did 4 operational sorties. Converted to Lancasters as first pilot and did 26 operational sorties, including Le Creusot raid on 17 October '42, between June and December 1942. Final sortie on 8 December 1942. December 1942 to March 1943 - Survived several attempts to turn me into a flying instructor. March 1943 - No 1485 Conversion Unit ie. No 5 Group Gunnery Flight training air gunners. October- November 1943 - No 1655 Mosquito Training Unit. November 1943 to June 1944 - No 8 Group, Pathfinder Force - No 139 (Jamaica) Squadron. H2S Mosquito Marking Squadron, RAF Wyton and Upwood. Completed 44 operational sorties before ending up interned in Sweden. 12 June 1944 to 20th September 1944 interned at Falun, Sweden. October 1944 to June 1945 - rejoined No 139 (Jamaica) Squadron at RAF Upwood after an air crew medical where a Group Captain M.0. told me that, as I was warm and my goolies didn't drop oftwhen I coughed, I was back to war. Completed 46 operational sorties before V.E. day. Total sorties on 139 squadron 90. June 1945 to July 1946 - Transport Command, No 162 Squadron flying Mosquitos (ALDS ic, Air Delivery Letter Service) RAF Blackbush. August 1946 to February 1950 - No's 14 and 98 Squadrons, No 139 Wing, RAFO, at RAF Wahn and Celle. February 1950 to August 1950 - abortive EIPS Course. August 1950 to October 1951 - Air Traffic Controllers Course and ATC Officer at RAFWest Raynham. November 1951 to October 1952 - No 29 Night Fighter Squadron, RAF Tangmere. Meteor NFXI. October 1952 to April 1953 - Air Ministry and All Weather Wing, RAF West Raynliam. April 1953 to November 1955 - No 12 Group Headquarters, Group Accidents Officer. November 1955 to April 1957 - No 125 Night Fighter squadron, RAF Stradishall, Meteor NFM and Venom NF. April 1957 to August 1959 - Eastern Sector Operations Centre, Recovery Executive. RAF Neatishead. October 1959 to July 1962 - Hg FEAF, Joint Intelligence Staff. Commissioner Generals Office and RAF Changi. July 1962 to March 1965 - No 3 Group Hg, OC HQ Unit and RAF Liaison Officer to USAF Mildenhall. Retired from RAF as Squadron Leader March 1965. Employed by Airwork Services Ltd, as pilot. March 1965. March 1965 to August 1970 - No 3 (Civilian Anti Aircraft Unit) Exeter Airport. Vampire TX1 and Meteor T=. September 1970 to April 1977 - FRADU ( Fleet Requirements Air Defence Unit) RNAS Yeovilton. Hunter GAII and Mk 8. September 1977. Aged 55. RN age limit for fast jet flying. September 1970. Commissioned in RA17VR M. September 1970 to May 1982 - No 4 AEF, Exeter Airport, Chipmunk. Retired from RAFVRM aged 60, May 1982. Total Flying Hours - 11,300 Ins. Sadly passed away 19th December 2008.

Castagnola, James
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Castagnola, James

Joining the RAF in 1941 he graduated as a pilot after completing his training in America. Returning to England he joined 51 Squadron in early 1943 flying from RAF Snaith. Joining 617 Squadron in early 1944 he took part in many of the squadrons successes including attacks on U-boat pens and all three raids against the Tirpitz. Born in 1922 in Islington, Cass as he was known to all, enlisted in 1941 and trained in North America. Returning to England he crewed up at OTU and after completing their HCU course the crew, captained by a newly commissioned Cass, joined 57 Squadron in December 1943 for their first tour of operations. They were to be blooded with a series of attacks against Berlin, completing three operations against this target in four nights during January 1944. In all Cass was to visit the Big City eight times during his tour. During the Nuremberg operation of 30/31 March 1944 his Lancaster's rear turret guns froze up but a burst from the mid-upper caused an approaching Me 210 to break away. On return his gunners also claimed one Ju 88 destroyed and another damaged. On 5 April 1944 the crew were one of six attached along with their aircraft to the Squadron at Woodhall Spa, to provide an H2S capability. After an initial trip as passenger with Fg Off Fearn for the attack against the Luftwaffe Depot at St Cyr on 10 April to observe the Squadron's methods, Cass found himself non-operational for a month as the Squadron trained intensively for Operation Taxable. Teamed up with Nick Knilans he completed the D-Day deception operation and three nights later he was operating against the Saumur railway tunnel. Unable to carry Tallboy, his H2S equipped aircraft was loaded with thousand pounders to be aimed at the adjacent railway bridge across the Loire. His next three trips were as an additional member of Knilans'crew. By July Cass had been posted back to 57 Sqn at East Kirkby and would complete his first tour with them.He was not away from Woodhall for long, arriving back on the Squadron on 15 August to start his second tour. This was to be much more satisfying. With his trademark 'operationally battered' cap, Cass and his crew soon proved themselves a popular and valuable asset to the Squadron. Starting with a trip to Brest on 27 August and now carrying Tallboy they were part of the high level force for the attack on the Kembs Dam, and took part in all three operations against Tirpitz, claiming a direct hit in the middle of the superstructure during the final attack. During the attack on Bergen on 12 January 1945 his aircraft came under fighter attack and Cass dived to within the range of the flak batteries; the fighter deigned to follow. Heading out to sea he spotted Ian Ross' aircraft at low level, on fire and under fighter attack. With his bomb aimer manning the front turret and without thinking of his own safety Cass dived to offer whatever assistance he could. He was successful in driving the fighter away, but Ross was forced to ditch, while Cass circled overhead dropping an emergency radio wrapped in Mae Wests when it was seen that Ross' dinghy had not deployed. Climbing to 500 feet they signalled the ditched Lancaster's position and remained in the area, seeking cloud cover when a German fighter came too close. With fuel running low he was eventually forced to leave the stricken crew to their fate. The remaining months saw a new routine develop, railway viaducts replacing U-boat pens as targets during February and March, before returning to April's target list, along with other naval targets during the last month of hostilities. After a total of 62 operations Cass' war came to an end on 19 April 1945 with an attack on the island fortress of Heligoland. The latter part of 1945 saw him as the Squadron's Inspector Pilot as they worked up for 'Tiger Force' â€“ the RAF's projected contribution to the Pacific War but, with the squadron prepared to go overseas to India, in January 1946 he was posted to RAF Snaith, to conduct aircrew training. Having been awarded the DFC for his time on 57 Sqn, Cass was to receive a bar in March 1945 for his service with 617 and a further award of the DSO in October 1945.Awarded a permanent commission in 1947, he was posted to the Central Flying Establishment, RAF West Raynham, flying Mosquitos, Vampires and Meteors, before transferring to the Empire Test Pilots School, RAE Farnborough, in March 1950. After qualifying as a test pilot his experience was put to good use for four years at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down. Cass transferred to fighters in April 1954 and served in the Middle East and Germany before becoming Officer Commanding No. 41 Sqn, Biggin Hill, flying the Hunter F 5. In keeping with a number of pilots following their fighter tour, at the beginning of 1958 he was sent on a radar control course prior to being posted to Neatishead radar station, Norfolk, as Control Executive. After a final tour as a Staff Officer with HQ No. 13 Group, at Ouston, he left the RAF in November 1961 as a Squadron Leader, joining British Airways as a captain on Comets and Tridents until his retirement in 1980.

Cheshire, Leonard
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Died : 31 / 7 / 1992

Cheshire, Leonard

One of the most courageous and determined bomber leaders of World War II, Leonard Cheshire flew four operational tours, starting in June 1940 with 102 Squadron on Whitley bombers at RAF Driffield. In November 1940, he was awarded the DSO for getting his badly damaged aircraft back to base. He completed his first tour in January 1941, but immediately volunteered for a second tour, this time flying Halifaxes with 35 Squadron. He became Squadron Leader in 1942, and was appointed commanding officer of 76 Squadron later that year. Leonard Cheshire ordered that non-essential weight be removed from the Halifax bombers in a bid to increase speed and altitude, hoping to reduce the high casualty rates for this squadron. Mid-upper and nose turrets were removed, and exhaust covers taken off, successfully reducing the loss rate. In July 1943 he took command of 617 Squadron. During this time he led the squadron personally on every occasion. In September he was awarded the Victoria Cross for four and a half years of sustained bravery during a total of 102 operations, leading his crews with careful planning, brilliant execution and contempt for danger, which gained him a reputation second to none in Bomber Command. Sadly, Leonard Cheshire died of motor neuron disease on 31st July 1992, aged 74.

Excerpt from VC citation :

In four years of fighting against the bitterest opposition he maintained a standard of outstanding personal achievement, his successful operations being the result of careful planning, brilliant execution and supreme contempt for danger â€“ for example, on one occasion he flew his P-51 Mustang in slow figures of eight above a target obscured by low cloud, to act as a bomb-aiming mark for his squadron. Cheshire displayed the courage and determination of an exceptional leader." It also noted a raid in which he had marked a target, flying a Mosquito at low level against "withering fire".

Corbin, Harold
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Corbin, Harold

Harold Corbin joined the RAF in November 1940 and was sent to the United States to train as a pilot. On completion he returned to England as a Sergeant and after several positions was posted to 235 Squadron at RAF Portreath flying operations on Beaufighters. He completed many missions attacking various ports and enemy shipping on the French coast and in the Bay of Biscay. In 1944 he converted onto Mosquitos and joined 248 Squadron at RAF Banff, part of the Banff Strike Wing. The Banff Wing was to become immortalised for undertaking some of the most dangerous and concentrated attacks on German surface vessels and U-boats in the North Sea and on the Norwegian coastline. He was awarded the CGM in August 1944, and was given a full commission in December 1944. He had flown as co-pilot / observer with Maurice Webb from 1943 until the end of the war.

Harold Corbin signing the print A De Havilland Beauty
Harold Corbin signing the print Knockout Blow

Harold Corbin with Mosquito co-pilot Maurice Webb in DragÃ¸r, Denmark, September 1944.

Harold Corbin with Mosquito co-pilot Maurice Webb in Aarhus, Denmark, August 1944.

Harold Corbin with Mosquito co-pilot Maurice Webb in Aarhus, Denmark, August 1944.

Harold Corbin with Mosquito co-pilot Maurice Webb with their Mosquito.

Harold Corbin's Mosquito co-pilot Maurice Webb in front of their crashed machine.

Crawley, Fred
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Crawley, Fred

As a Navigator Fred completed a full Tour with 158 Sqn during 1943 on Halifaxes. He was then posted to 139 Sqn on Mosquitos, and completed 45 further Operations. Of Fred's 75 Operations, over 20 were to Berlin.

Crew, Edward Dixon
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Died : 18 / 8 / 2002

Crew, Edward Dixon

Joining No 604 (County of Middlesex), an Auxiliary Air Force Squadron, in July 1940, Crew began to learn his trade as a night fighter pilot; among those with whom he flew at this time was John Cats' Eyes Cunningham, who himself became one of the most famous night fighter pilots of the war. It was a hard apprenticeship because Crew's Bristol Blenheim was equipped with early, and rudimentary, airborne radar, and much depended on the ability of his air gunner, Sgt Gus Guthrie, to adapt to his new calling as a radar operator. It was not until the following spring, when the squadron converted to two-engine Bristol Beaufighters, that the pair acquired a more suitable aircraft and sufficient expertise to dispatch five enemy bombers within a period of 10 weeks. This early run of success was speedily recognised with the award of the first of Crew's two DFCs. The citation stated: This officer is a pilot of outstanding ability who has shown tenacity of purpose to engage the enemy, which culminated in the destruction of two enemy aircraft in one night. Citations, by their very nature, are matter-of-fact, and do not capture the essence of their subjects. Others in the same squadron remembered Crew as a small, compact man who gave the impression of being larger than he was. He was seen as a patrician who hunted down his victims with a ferocity which was in marked contrast to his quietly spoken and always imperturbable manner. From the end of July 1941, Guthrie - Crew's eyes in combat - was posted away, and Crew was joined by Sgt Basil Duckett, with whom, in the spring of 1942, he achieved three further kills. Crew and Duckett made a brilliant team in which the radar operator's quiet persistence matched the pilot's natural hunting instincts. In early May 1942 Duckett enabled Crew to shoot down two Dornier 17 bombers on successive nights. Returning from the first of these encounters, over Portland in Dorset, Crew arrived back at base with the Dornier's trailing aerial wrapped around his Beaufighter's starboard propeller. Crew's second encounter developed into a long, drawn-out chase as he stalked the Dornier well out to sea off the Isle of Wight. As the enemy pilot twisted and turned to evade his pursuer, Crew refused to be shaken off, despite the fact that his guns were out of ammunition and Duckett was struggling to reload. Eventually, however, Crew's plane was able to deliver a burst which set the enemy bomber on fire and slowed it down as its gunner continued to return fire. At this point, the Beaufighter overshot the enemy aircraft, but Crew managed to keep it in view while Duckett again reloaded. Hunter and hunted continued to lose height until, at 2,000 ft, Crew saw the enemy crash into the sea, raising a plume of smoke and steam. Shortly afterwards Crew received a Bar to his DFC, the citation singling out his readiness to fly in all weather, his skill and ability in dealing with the enemy at night and his great example to the squadron. Edward Dixon Crew was born on December 24th 1917 at Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire. He was brought up by his step-father, Sir Kenneth Murchison, a Tory MP, and educated at Felsted School and Downing College, Cambridge, where, in 1939, he joined the University Air Squadron. Following a sustained period of night operations with 604 Squadron, he was rested from October 1942 while commander of the Radio Development Flight; in March the following year he returned to operations in No 85, a Mosquito night fighter squadron. In June 1943 Wing Commander Crew received command of No 96 Squadron, leading its Mosquitoes against night raiders until the summer of 1944; this was when Hitler launched his so-called 'revenge weapons' against London and the South of England. Chasing pilotless V-1s - or 'chuff bombs', as Crew liked to call them - was by no means tame target practice. On June 25th he was on the tail of a V-1, travelling at high speed, when the force of the explosion as he shot it down split open his own aircraft's nose. Crew held the Mosquito steady long enough for his radar navigator, Warrant Officer W R Croysdill, to bail out over land. Then, as the Mosquito became uncontrollable, Crew himself jumped, landing safely near Worthing, in Sussex. Completing his Second World War operational career when 96 Squadron was disbanded in 1945, Crew was awarded the DSO. The citation emphasised his great skill in devising tactics to meet the menace of the flying bombs. That year he received a permanent commission and attended the RAF Staff College, before being posted in 1948 to command No 45 Beaufighter Squadron in the Far East. Operational once again, Crew led his squadron effectively against Communist insurgents aiming to destabilise Malaya. Harassing the jungle-based enemy in 100 night attacks, he consistently drove the terrorists into the hands of the security forces, for which he received a Bar to his DSO. The Air Ministry stated that Crew had displayed an almost uncanny knack in locating the target and attacking it on the first run in. From 1952 Crew served in Canada, where he commanded an operational training unit and introduced the Avro Canada CF100 all-weather fighter. After two years there he returned to command the all-weather development squadron at the Central Flying Establishment, with particular emphasis on trials of the Javelin. Later he commanded RAF Bruggen in Germany, before returning to the Far East in charge of the air task force in Borneo from 1965; his role here was dealing with the Indonesian Confrontation of the mid-1960s. Subsequently Crew commanded the Central Reconnaissance Establishment; he also served at the Ministry of Defence as Director of Operations (air defence and overseas), and was Deputy Air Controller of National Air Traffic Services. He retired as an air vice-marshal in 1973, when he joined the planning inspectorate of the Department of the Environment. Serving there until 1987, Crew was appointed CB in 1973 and elected a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 1972. Air Vice Marshal Edward Crew CB DSO DFC died on the 18th August 2002 at the age of 84.

Citation for the Distinguished Flying Cross

This officer is a pilot of outstanding ability who has shown tenacity of purpose to engage the enemy which culminated in the destruction of two enemy aircraft in one night He has now destroyed four and damaged at least a further four enemy aircraft, at night.â€

(London Gazette â€“ 29 July 1941)

Citation for Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross

Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross in July, 1941, this officer has carried out a large number of operational patrols by night and has destroyed 4 enemy aircraft. He has now destroyed a total of 8 enemy aircraft at night and damaged a number of others. By his readiness to fly in any weather and his skill and ability in dealing with the enemy at night, he sets a splendid example to the squadron.â€

(London Gazette â€“ 16 June 1942)

Citation for the Distinguished Service Order

Wing Commander Crew continues to display the highest standard of skill, courage and leadership. In air fighting he has destroyed 13 enemy aircraft and damaged several more. With the advent of the flying bomb attacks on this country, Wing Commander Crew displayed great skill and perseverance in devising tactics to meet the menace. As a result, he shot down numerous flying bombs, whilst other members of his squadron took a heavy toll of them. This officer has commanded the squadron with outstanding success.â€

(London Gazette â€“ 26 September 1944)

Crowfoot,
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Crowfoot,

On 18th February 1944, he was navigator of Mosquito LR348 YH-P of No.21 Sqn for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft turned back.

Cunningham, John
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Died : 21 / 7 / 2002

Cunningham, John

John Cunningham joined the RAF in 1935 with 604 Squadron. At the outbreak of World War Two he was based at North Weald flying Blenheims on day escort and night fighter operations. In September 1940 he converted onto Beaufighters equipped with radar, the first aircraft that made night fighting really possible. In November he had the Squadron's first successful night combat. He took command of 604 Squadron in August 1941. After a period at HQ81 Group, he was posted on his second tour to command 85 Squadron equipped with Mosquitoes. In March 1944 with 19 night and 1 day victory he was posted to HQ11 Group to look after night operations. The most famous Allied night fighter Ace of WWII - 20 victories. He died 21st July 2002. Born in 1917, Group Captain John Cunningham was the top-scoring night fighter ace of the Royal Air Force. Cunningham joined the RAF in 1935 as a Pilot Officer. He learned to fly in the Avro 504N and was awarded his wings in 1936. While assigned to the Middlesex Squadron Auxiliary based at Hendon, Cunningham received instruction in the Hawker Hart prior to moving on the Hawker Demon. The Demon was a two-seat day and night fighter. Cunningharn's squadron was mobilized in 1938 following the Czechoslovak crisis. His No. 604 unit was moved to North Weald. Later in 1938 his unit returned to Hendon and was reequipped with the more modern Blenheim 1 fighter. In August of 1939 the unit was again mobilized and returned to North Weald. The Squadron was primarily utilized to provide daylight air cover for convoys. Lacking radar the Blenheim was relatively useless as a night fighter. In September of 1940 the unit was moved to Middle Wallop and the first Bristol Beaufighters arrived. The Beatifighter had a modestly effective, although often unreliable radar. It was an excellent aircraft with reliable air-cooled engines and four 20mm cannons. Cunningham attained the units first night victory in the Beaufighter, and his tally rose steadily. He was promoted to Wing Commander of 604 Squadron in August of 1941. Cunningham completed his first combat tour of duty in mid-1942 with a total of 15 victories. He was then posted to H.Q. 81 Group, which was an operational training group under the Fighter Command. In January of 1943 Cunningham was transferred to command of No. 85 Squadron which was equipped with the Mosquito. With the higher speed of the Mosquito, Cunningham was successful at downing Fw-190s, something impossible in the slower Beaufighter. Cunningham completed his second tour in 1944 with a total of nineteen victories at night and one by day. He was promoted to Group Captain at that time, and was assigned to H.Q. 11 Group. Cunningham's radar operator Sqd. Ldr. Jimmy Rawnsley participated in most of Cunningham's victories. The 604 Squadron was disbanded in 1945, but in 1946 Cunningham was given the honor of reforming the Squadron at Hendon - flying the Spitfire. Cunningham left the RAF in 1946 and joined the De Havilland Aircraft Co. at Hatfield as its Chief Test Pilot. Cunningham had a long and distinguished career in the British aviation industry, retiring from British Aerospace in 1980.

Curtis, Des
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Curtis, Des

Originally a Wireless Operator / Gunner with No.235 Sqn on Beaufighters before converting to Mosquitos as a Navigator. He helped form 618 Sqn for ops against the Tirpitz, and then had success against U-boat pens om the French coast. In September 1944 he joined 248 Sqn Banff Strike Wing in Scotland.

Curtis, Ron
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Curtis, Ron

Qualifying as an Observer in 1941, Ron joined 144 Squadron on Hamdenâ€™s before transferring to 44 Squadron at Waddington as a Navigator on Lancasterâ€™s. At the end of the 1942 he moved to Marham, converting to Mosquitos, and in 1943 was posted to 109 Squadron equipped with Oboe as part of the Pathfinder Force. He flew 104 Oboe operations and 139 ops in total, and was widely credited with helping advance development of the Oboe system.

Cussons, Arnold
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Cussons, Arnold

Flt. Lt. Arnold Cussons joined the RAF in July 1940, but pilot training did not start until early 1941. After EFTS (DH82) and SFTS (Oxford) he was told he must be an Instructor. FIS at Cranwell, instructing at 14 SFTS Lyneham (then grass field!) then secondment to RNZAF at Christchurch until got back to UK September 1943. 8OTU (Dyce) then 540 Sqn, A flight, January 1944. Flew 62 operational flights including Damage Assessment of the Tirpitz just 3 hours after it was sunk by Lancasterâ€™s. He returned to instructing in July 1945, first as Flt Cdr Mosquitoes at PRU's 8OTU then as CFI when Frank Dodd left. Arnold then went to the Empire Central Flying School as a Tutor. He left the RAF at end of 1949 after a time flying Hornets with 65 Sqn., Linton-on-Ouse near York.

Dale,
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Dale,

On 18th February 1944, he was pilot of Mosquito LR403 YH-U of No.21 Sqn for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft was instructed not to attack.

Dale, Ivor Gordon Easton
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Died : 2 / 2 / 1945

Dale, Ivor Gordon Easton

Commissioned Mar 1925; transferred to RAFO, Nov 1934; mobilised 1939; killed as Wg Cdr in 21 Sqn The Mosquito Departure RAF Thorney Island, Hampshire on a night intruder mission aircraft crashed furthee details requried W/Cdr Ivor Gordon Easton DALE DFC(pilot) RAF - killed F/O (143.102) Kenneth Arthur HACKETT (nav.) RAFVR - killed and are ; buried Stittard War Cemetery, Netherlands Ophoven,23:45 2 Feb 1945; buried Stittard War Cemetery, Netherlands

Dale, Robert
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Dale, Robert

Highly respected Canadian Wellington pilot, and Mosquito master-bomber.

Darrell,
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Darrell,

On 18th February 1944, he was pilot of Mosquito HX909 EG-C of No.487 Sqn RNZAF for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft returned to base safely.

Davey, Reg
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Davey, Reg

Reg remembered a night where his plane was caught in searchlights and hit by ground fire. 'We got blasted to pieces. The windscreen bashed in. I lent the pilot my goggles from my navigation bag but all my maps and charts were blown away. I never got the goggles back.' The stricken plane was headed west. 'We landed with a burst tyre and crashed it in a heap.' He adopted a protective mindset regarding those who did not return from missions. 'You thought: 'That's OK, they're prisoners of war.' They weren't. They were blown to pieces.'

Davies, Allan
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Davies, Allan

Joined RAAF in October 1940, served in Iraq and Egypt on Blenheims, then Baltimores, before being posted back to Australia in June 1944. He flew Beauforts and Mosquitoes at 5 OTU. then posted to 97 Sqn at Coomalie Creek NT completing 17 PRU missions over Borneo. His aircraft PR Mosquito Mk XVI A52-600 is being restored to flying condition by the RAAF at Richmond Airbase outside Sydney.

Dean, A W
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Dean, A W

On 18th February 1944, he was navigator of Mosquito MM410 SB-0 of No.464 Sqn for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft completed the mission and returned to base safely.

Diamond, Frank
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Died : 9 / 2007

Diamond, Frank

At the outbreak of war Frank was serving with the Territorial Army, transferring to the RAF in May 1941 and training as a navigator on flying Boats. In 1943 he completed a full tour on Stirlings, and in 1944 joined the Pathfinder Force as a navigator on Mosquitos with 571 Squadron, Light Night Strike Force. At the end of the war he joined Transport Command returning the wounded from Europe. Frank Diamond passed away in September 2007.

Doughty, Les
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Doughty, Les

Joining the RAF in 1939 as a driver, Les Doughty was posted overseas to serve in Iraq. In 1941 he applied for, and was accepted, to be a pilot and went on to train in Rhodesia. In 1943 his first operational posting was to 248 Squadron flying Beaufighters from RAF Predannack, providing fighter escorts and coastal patrols, with combat strikes mostly against enemy shipping. He moved with 248 Squadron to RAF Portreath and converted to Mosquitos. In early 1944 whilst out on a strike mission, he attacked submarine U-155 whilst under heavy fire as it was entering the French harbour of Lorient. The submarine was put out of action for the duration of the war, and Les was awarded an immediate DFM.

Duffy, Jack
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Duffy, Jack

On 17th March 1945 he was navigator of Mosquito NT531 WM-O of No.68 Sqn when it intercepted a Ju88.

Dunford, Ted
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Dunford, Ted

Joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve in January 1939 at the age of 19. He was mobilised September 1, 1939. Ted spent the next year training in the UK culminating in receiving his wings in September 1940. he was sent to Southern Rhodesia as a flying instructor, then returned to the UK to join the Mosquitoes of 608 Sqdn. in the Light Night Striking Force (based at Downham Market, Norfolk) , flying fast high level raids, navigated by Flt/Sgt. Bill Read (RCAF) and carrying 4 500lb bombs, and later re-equipped to deliver the 4000lb â€œcookieâ€. On one raid, flak over Berlin caused serious damage, including total loss of aileron control. The subsequent return flight and successful landing (at the third attempt) was recognised by the award of a DFC. On completion of the tour of 55 raids (including 27 to Berlin), navigator Flt/Sgt. Bill Read was awarded the DFM. After the war Ted flew for another 28 years as an airline captain.

Dunlop, Arthur C
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Dunlop, Arthur C

Flight Lieutenant A.C. Dunlop R.A.F.V.R (Navigator) joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in November 1940 and trained in Canada. On return to the UK he crewed up with Max Sparks in July 1942 with whom he undertook 35 operations. Posted to 487 R.N.Z A.F Squadron, they first flew Lockheed Venturas (modified airliners) against targets such as dockyards (e.g. Rotterdam), airfields and marshalling yards in occupied Europe. Fortunately, after escalating losses, the Squadron was re-equipped with De Havilland Mosquito Mk VIs in August 1943 and low-level operations against pinpoint targets such as VI and V2 rocket sites were undertaken, together with night intruder sorties. It was in February 1944 that 487 Squadron was selected to lead the low level raid on Amiens Prison whereby breaching the walls enabled 285 French patriots to escape execution by the Germans, where his Mosquito HX982 EG-T was damaged by flak and suffered an undercarriage failure on its return to base. He and his pilot were ok. In July 1944 Flt.Lt. A.C Dunlop left '487' when he was posted to India as an instructor. On his return to the U.K. he was posted to Bomber Command 105 and 139 (Jamaica) Squadrons and demobilised in April 1946.

Ellecombe, John
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Died : 11 / 5 / 2014

Ellecombe, John

John Ellecombe joined the RAF in 1939 and was posted to 151 Squadron in July 1940, immediately converting to Hurricanes. On 24th August he shot down a He111, but a week later his Hurricane was blown up in combat and he baled out, with burns. Rejoining his squadron a few months later, in February 1941 was posted to 253 Squadron where he took part in the Dieppe operations. On 28th July, flying a Turbinlite Havoc, he probably destroyed a Do217. Converting to Mosquitos, John was posted to 487 Squadron RNZAF, and during the build up to the Normandy Invasion and after, was involved in many ground attacks on enemy held airfields, railways, and other targets of opportunity. He completed a total of 37 sorties on Mosquitos. Flying a de Havilland Mosquito XIII with a devastating set of four 20mm cannon in the nose, John Ellacombe flew deep into occupied France on the night before D-Day searching out and destroying German convoys and railway targets. As the Normandy campaign raged on, 151 Squadron intensified its interdiction sorties - including night attacks on Falaise and the Seine bridges. On August 1st Ellacombe took part in the famous attack by 23 Mosquitoes on the German bar-racks in Poitiers, led by Group Captain Wykeham Barnes. Ellacombe had first joined 151 Squadron during the Battle of Britain, direct from Flying Training School. Within weeks he had scored his first victory but also force landed in a field, having shot down a He 111, and baled out of a blazing Hurricane. He baled out a second time during the Dieppe Raid in 1942 but was picked up safely. Postwar he had a long and successful career in the RAE.

Elliott, Cecil S
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Elliott, Cecil S

Cecil S. Elliott, Navigator. volunteered for aircrew duties in 1940 and received his call up papers in early 1942. He was first posted to Newquay for ITW and billeted in two hotels, the Coniston and the Kilbourne, just north of Newquay town. He drilled in the large car park area adjacent to the Coniston. The ITW course lasted three months, but with a fortnight to go, two senior officers arrived to advise the trainees that there would be a new category of aircrew â€“ Navigator / W/T and six of the intake were interested. They were posted to Trafford Park where they stayed in a Nissen hut with no heating. In June 1943 they were sent to Cranwell on a 12-week course, where they learnt the fundamentals of radio, and MORSE transmitting and receiving. Unfortunately, Cecil failed the morse receiving test so had to stay on for another week, before being sent back to Trafford Park. They then went by rail to Glasgow where they boarded the Queen Mary and crossed the Atlantic in three to four days. On arriving in New York they were each given a small hand of bananas. What joy! They traveled by train on a roundabout route to Quebec airport and started on No 8 AOS Ancienne Lorette course. During the three-month course, from December 1943 to February 1944, a Navigator/W/T was never mentioned again. Elliott was very pleased with the exam marks and won the Navigator Pennant for the course work. The passing out parade was on 5 May 1944 and he was only a sergeant for a few hours as he and five others were offered commissions. The official RAF tailor was in Montreal so they all went together to be fitted and were then posted to Debert, Nova Scotia where they met the pilots with whom they would crew-up at the RCAF No1 OTU. They were confined to the Officersâ€™ Mess for 48 hours during which time they had to agree the crews. He was fortunate as he crewed up with Dusty Rhoades, who was a professional pilot in civvy street with Bowater Paper. They flew daytime cross-countries and regular circuits and bumps. All those on this OTU returned to the UK in a liner and landed in Glasgow, immediately traveling to Thorney Island to join 21 Squadron. His service with 21 covered three stations â€“ Thorney Island; Rosieres near Amiens and Brussels Maelsbrook where they celebrated VE Day. His duties in 21 were classified as â€˜Intruders Night operationsâ€™. They were given an area to patrol in which they shot up and bombed road and rail transport. If they had not released the bombs, they were given a target to bomb on the way out of the area. By June 1945 they had completed over 25 operations. â€˜Dustyâ€™ was repatriated within 10 days of the end of hostilities (one of the terms available to RCAF personnel who volunteered for operations). Most of the crews were Canadian pilots and British Navigators, so the number of guys in the Mess almost halved by the end of June 1945. A serious thought to mention here was the â€˜esprit de corpsâ€™ and loyalty of the ground crews. The air crews would not have been able to produce the good record without their superb backing. Cecil does not remember a Mosquito ever being classed as u/s during his service with â€˜21â€™. They normally operated from 10p.m. to midnight and returned 3a.m. to 4a.m. The ground crew were always there enquiring whether everything was OK.

Eyton-Jones, Arthur Paget
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Died : 16 / 3 / 2013

Eyton-Jones, Arthur Paget

Arthur Eyton-Jones joined the RAF in 1940 and flew over 1,000 hours operationally as a navigator on Bostons, Mitchells and Mosquitoes. He flew on the notoriously dangerous day time bombing offensive conducted by the RAF during the Second World War, during which he survived a ditching in the North Sea. On July 30 1943, Eyton-Jones was the navigator of a Mitchell bomber of No 226 Squadron searching for the crew of an American bomber off the northern Dutch coast. After locating the Americans' dinghy, with three men aboard, they were attacked by German fighters. The Mitchell was set on fire, a gunner was killed and Eyton-Jones was wounded in the leg. The pilot, Flying Officer Dick Christie, ditched the aircraft. The Mitchell immediately started to sink, and Eyton-Jones had difficulty getting out. When he surfaced there was no sign of the aircraft or his pilot â€” but he spotted an inflated dinghy with his other two crew members nearby. Just as it was getting dark a Beaufighter located them, but it was not until the following afternoon that they saw another aircraft. An RAF Hudson aircraft appeared with a fighter escort and dropped a lifeboat by parachute â€” one of the first successful such drops in the war. The lifeboat landed close to the dinghy, and the three survivors boarded the small craft, started the engine and headed west. As the seas increased, the engine was swamped and they spent all night bailing out the water. The craft was fitted with a drogue, which prevented it speeding down the big waves generated by the storm and smashing into the next swell. But the drogue failed, leaving the small boat almost certain to founder in the heavy seas, and the crew was forced to fashion a replacement from the mast and sail. The following morning, with the wind abating, they were able to don survival suits and use the survival aids, including tins of water and Horlicks tablets. Finally, on the afternoon of August 2nd, aircraft spotted their emergency flares, and for the next 24 hours a patrol was established over their position 200 miles east of Newcastle. The following night a Royal Navy Fairmile rescue launch headed for them, and 15 hours later a circling Hudson aircraft directed it to the dinghy. Late in the afternoon, a German Junkers 88 spotted the rescue launch, but â€” seeing the yellow decks (the international colour of the rescue services) â€” the pilot did not attack; instead he flew low and waved before departing. The three exhausted men finally arrived at Grimsby late on the evening of the sixth day of their ordeal. The son of a surgeon, Arthur Paget Eyton-Jones was born in Liverpool on July 6th 1920 and educated at Birkenhead Institute School. He enlisted in the RAF in January 1940 and, having trained as a navigator, was posted to No 226, then equipped with the American-built Boston medium bomber. He flew on daylight raids over northern France and Holland before the squadron converted to the Mitchell. After recovering from his ditching, Eyton-Jones transferred to the Mosquitos of No 21 Squadron, part of the Second Tactical Air Force. During a low-level attack in February 1944 against V-1 construction sites, his Mosquito was badly damaged by flak. A few weeks later he was rested after 18 months of continuous operations, almost all at low level during daylight, when losses were heavy. In May 1944 he was awarded a DFC. During his rest tour, Eyton-Jones trained Mosquito navigators and was responsible for survival training, including ditching and sea survival drills on the Norfolk Broads. After a series of asthma attacks, he was grounded in March 1945 and invalided out of the RAF as a flight lieutenant. In 1946 he moved to the Wirral and worked for Littlewoods Pools, rising to a senior position in the Welsh division. He established the Heswall squadron of the Air Training Corps, which he commanded for 15 years. He wrote a book about his wartime experiences, Day Bomber (1998).

Fairhurst, Edward Tim
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Died : 25 / 4 / 2009

Fairhurst, Edward Tim

Wing Commander Edward (Tim) Fairhurst DFC was born on April 14th 1918 at Mirfield in Yorkshire and educated at Shrewsbury School. He joined the Territorial Army in 1936 and was commissioned into the 7th West Yorkshire Regiment. With little activity after the outbreak of war, he responded to a request for Army officers to transfer to the RAF to train as pilots. He completed his flying training in November 1940 when he was posted to No 4 Squadron, flying the Lysander. In October 1941 he was posted to D Flight No1 PRU (Spitfires), which later became No 541 Squadron. In September 1942 he flew to Russia as OC PRU detachment and operated there with red star markings in place of RAF roundels. He was promoted to Sqd Ldr, converted to Mosquitoes and posted across the airfield as OC A Flight 544 Sqdn. Fairhurst went to America to brief the USAAF on photographic operations before returning to the UK. In September 1944 he was posted back to 541 Sqn (Spitfires) as CO and remained there until the end of the war. By the end of the war he had flown 88 long-range photographic sorties. He was twice mentioned in despatches, was awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre avec Palme and received the Territorial Decoration. After two years as a civilian, Wing Commander Edward (Tim) Fairhurst rejoined the RAF in May 1947 and flew Spitfires in Malaya before going to Hong Kong. Following a period selecting men for officer and aircrew training, he spent the final two years of his service as the permanent president of a court martial standing board. He retired in 1965, when he became a civil servant and worked for the MoD as a positive vetting officer. In old age he was invited to the Russian embassy to be presented with the Arctic Star. Tim Fairhurst died on April 25th 2009 aged 91.

Fillingham, Pat
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Died : 17 / 7 / 2003

Fillingham, Pat

A test pilot with de Havilland from the late 1930s, Pat Fillingham is the sole survivor of the elite group of wartime Mosquito test pilots that once included both John de Havilland and Geoffrey de Havilland, sons of the founder of de Havilland Aircraft. In a test career that took him through virtually every mark of Mosquito produced, Pat Fillingham flew over 2000 different aircraft and was involved in the development of manufacturing facilities in Canada and Australia. Candian Mosquitos presented a special delivery problem and one of Pat Fillinghams tasks was to investigate a spate of Mosquito losses on the Atlantic run. After one trip himself that nearly proved disastrous, and then one that was successful, he concluded that the major reason for the losses was a bravado amongst the crews, born of inexperience. For once, the Mosquito had inspired too much confidence. Pat Fillingham died 17th July 2003.

Flatman, M B
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Flatman, M B

Joining the RAF in 1942, with pilot training in the USA, Mark Flatman is unusual in that his first operational posting was direct to 617 Squadron in September 1944. The final Tirpitz operation was his first as Captain of Aircraft, having done three operations as second pilot, including the previous Tirpitz attempt with Tony Iveson. He was to stay with 617 Squadron until November 1946. Granted an extended service commission he went on to the Bomb Ballistic Unit at Martlesham Heath flying Lancasters, Lincolns and Mosquitoes on experimental work. He left the RAF in 1949 to return to farming, for which he was originally trained.

Fletcher, Les
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Fletcher, Les

Initially trained as a pilot in America and was posted to 100 Squadron in the spring of 1943 on Lancasters. Completing a full tour and after a spell training he was posted to 571 Squadron Light Night Strike Force, where he completed two tours on Mosquitos. He finally ended the war flying Yorks for the Diplomatic Service.

Fowler,
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Fowler,

On 18th February 1944, he was pilot of Mosquito HX974 EG-H of No.487 Sqn RNZAF for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft returned to base safely.

Foxley-Norris, Christopher
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Died : 28 / 9 / 2003

Foxley-Norris, Christopher

Christopher Neil Foxley-Norris, (DSO 1945; OBE 1956; CB 1966, KCB 1969, GCB 1973 ) was born in Birkenhead, Cheshire 16 March 1917. Initially wanting to become a barrister, Foxley-Norris read Law at Trinity College, Oxford, but after he had learned to fly with the University Air Squadron his academic career was cut short by the outbreak of the Second World War, and in early 1940 he was piloting Lysanders with 13 Squadron in France. Then, having participated in the Battle of Britian, Christopher Neil Foxley-Norris trained as a flying instructor and applied his newly acquired skills in Canada under the Empire Air Training Scheme. Christopher Foxley-Norris was posted to the Middle East where he first teamed up with Pat Tuhill, initially on Beaufighters. Returning to Europe in 1943, he flew Beaufighters on anti-shipping operations over the North Sea and the Mediterranean. Foxley-Norris took command of 143 Squadron flying Mosquito IIs and VIs as part of the Banff Strike Wing, led by Max Aitken, for attacks on enemy shipping off Norway. Hazardous operations against heavily defended ships, using rockets and cannon, were made even more dangerous by the weather and fjords which the Mosquitos often had to negotiate below cliff height. Christopher Foxley-Norris went on to a distinguished career in the post-war RAF. His experience was now broadened with a variety of staff and command appointments, including a spell on the Directing Staff at Bracknell and command of the Oxford University Air Squadron and in 1953 his staff skills were recognised when he took over the air planning in Singapore at the height of the Malayan Emergency. Back home in 1956, Foxley- Norris found himself commanding a fighter station, Stradishall, at the time of the Sandys cuts in Fighter Command and in 1963 he served in the recently formed Defence Staff under Earl Mountbatten of Burma, where he gained invaluable experience of Nato and Commonwealth affairs. He was thus an excellent choice to return to Singapore to command 224 Group during the confrontation with Indonesia in 1964. There he commanded a miniature air force of some 300 aircraft in a joint-service campaign where air mobility was the key; this highly cost-effective exercise, as he called it, contributed much to the subsequent stability of South East Asia. Director-General, RAF Organisation, Ministry of Defence 1967-68, Chief of Personnel and Logistics 1971-74; Commander-in-Chief, RAF Germany and Commander, Nato 2nd Tactical Air Force 1968-70; Chairman, Cheshire Foundation (later Leonard Cheshire) 1974-82 (Emeritus), President 2001-03; Chairman, Battle of Britain Fighter Association 1978-2003. Sadly Air Chief Marshal Christopher Foxley-Norris passed away on 28th September 2003.

Fumerton, Robert
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Died : 10 / 7 / 2006

Fumerton, Robert

One of the finest Canadian Beaufighter and Mosquito Aces, 14 victories. Moose Fumerton flew in the Battle of Britain with 32 Sqn before joining 1 RCAF Sqn. Converting to night fighting, he flew successfully in Egypt with 89 Sqn. In June 1942 he and his radar operator Sgt L.P.S. Bing flew with the squadron detachment to Malta. Here they were rapidly to become the island's top scoring night fighter team with 9 victories, Fumerton receiving the DFC and bar, and Bing the DFC and bar and a commission. On his second tour Fumerton commanded 406 Sqn on Mosquitoes, where he claimed the last of his 14 victories. He died 10th July 2006.

Gabites,
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Gabites,

On 18th February 1944, he was navigator of Mosquito LR403 YH-U of No.21 Sqn for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft was instructed not to attack.

Gibson, Guy Penrose
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Died : 19 / 9 / 1944

Gibson, Guy Penrose

Leader of the Dambusters Raid for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He had served with No.83 Sqn on Hinds and Hampdens, then No.29 Sqn on Blenheims and Beaufighters. Later he joined No.106 Sqn on Manchesters and Lancasters before flying with No.617 Sqn for the Dambusters raid. He was killed when his Mosquito crashed on 19th September 1944.

Gillis, N C
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Gillis, N C

Volunteered for training as a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm in 1940. After training he was posted to join HMS Indomitable and sent to the Far East. The posting did not materialise and after some months in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) and Nairobi, Kenya, joined 810 Squadron in HMS Illustrious. 810 was a Swordfish squadron and remained so until HMS Illustrious returned to UK. The squadron then reformed with Barracuda aircraft and rejoined the Illustrious. After a short spell with the Home Fleet the Illustrious was despatched to serve with the Mediterranean Fleet, subsequently returning to the Home Fleet. 810 Squadron served in the ship during this time and was retained in the ship when she retuned to the Eastern Fleet and was actively engaged in the Burma campaign. During joint operations with the US carrier Saratoga, Lt Gillis was mentioned in Despatches during the operation at Sabang in Malaysia. Having overspent his time in an operational squadron he was returned to UK where he served as Dive-Bombing Instructor at RNAS Crail, then converted onto twin-engine aircraft and flew in a Mosquito squadron until demobilised in 1946.

Glenn, George
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Glenn, George

During 1941 he flew as a Pilot on Hampden Bombers with 144 Sqn before joining the Path Finder Force on Mosquitos and serving with 139 Sqn as part of part of the Light Night Strike Force and completing a total of 83 Operations by the end of the war in Europe

Goodman, Geoffrey
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Goodman, Geoffrey

Initially serving with 89 Sqn, he completed a full tour of Operations as a Pilot on Wellingtons. Having converted to Mosquitos he then completed another one-and-a-half tours, amassing over 500 hours of flying over enemy territory, with 544 and 541 Squadrons of the Photo Reconnaissance Unit.

Graham, Herbert Bert
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Graham, Herbert Bert

Bert Graham joined the RAF in 1941 and was immediately posted to a pilot training station in Torquay, Devon. After passing his final exams he then went on to fly Tiger Moths, before being posted to RAF Brize Norton flying Oxfords. In 1942 Bert transferred to start flying with 143 Squadron on Blenheims, but quickly moved on to Beaufighters with the North Coates Strike Wing. For his second tour Bert was posted to Scotland flying Mosquitos, where, before the end of hostilities, he completed many port and shipping strikes over Norway and occupied Europe.

Gregory, William
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Died : 6 / 10 / 2001

Gregory, William

Radar Operator to Ace Bob Braham, flying Defiants, Beaufighters and Mosquitos, and contributing to 29 victories. Wing Commander Bill Sticks Gregory was Air Interception (AI) radar operator to the Second World War night fighter ace Wing Commander Bob Braham. William James Gregory, was born on November 23rd 1913 at Hartlepool, where he attended the Lister Sealy School. Before the war, he worked for his father as a plasterer, and was drummer in the Debroy Somers Band - earning the nickname Sticks. William James Gregory enlisted in the RAF soon after the outbreak of war, and in May 1940 was posted to No 29.Squadron as a wireless operator/air gunner. Subsequently, he was redesignated observer/radio operator and then radar operator. Before teaming up with Braham, Gregory had a nasty experience when he and his pilot were, as he noted in his logbook, scrambled to intercept Huns raiding Liverpool. They were about to shoot down a Do17 when their Beaufighter was hit in the starboard wing by friendly anti-aircraft fire. Having baled out at 16,000 feet, Gregory landed on the roof of Lime Street station - and as he climbed down to the ground rail passengers mistook him for a German airman and roughed him up. Flight Sergeant William Gregory joined Wing Commander Bob Braham when he stood in temporarily for Brahams usual radar operator, Gregorys superb radar skills helped Braham to destroy 29 German aircraft in the night skies over Britain and occupied Europe - a tally which was among the highest of any wartime RAF fighter pilot, flying by day or night. Their first combat took place in early July 1941. Flying in a twin-engine Bristol Beaufighter of No.29 Squadron over a moonlit Thames Estuary, Gregory called to Braham: Contact dead ahead and at 2,000 yards.As Braham went into a gentle dive to close the range and to get below a Ju 88 bomber, the enemy opened fire. When Gregory urged Braham to open up, Braham said calmly: No, not yet. We must get closer to make sure of him. Despite heavy fire from the Ju88, Braham continued to delay firing, until with three short bursts he sent the bomber blazing down into the Thames. Later that year, after a brief detachment in Scotland to assist No.141 Squadron convert from obsolescent Boulton Paul single-engine Defiants to Beaufighters, Braham and Gregory returned to No.29 at West Malling in Kent. Early in 1942, Gregory was commissioned a pilot officer - a promotion for which Braham had been pressing - and he and Braham were posted as instructors to No.51, a night fighter Operational Training Unit at Cranfield. Keen to return to operations, in early June the two men slipped away for an unofficial weekend visit to their old squadron, No.29, in Kent. During a night sortie, Gregory positioned Braham to attack a Do217 bomber. Braham soon set it alight, and it dived into the sea off Sandwich. Bad weather then caused them to divert to Manston, on the Kent coast. With fog rolling in from the sea, Braham overshot and crash-landed in a ploughed field. After the mishap at Manston, Gregory and Braham returned to No.29 Squadron where Braham became a flight commander. In December 1942 Braham, aged only 22, received command of No.141 Squadron at Ford on the south coast; Gregory, at 29 the old man of the team, stayed with him. One moonlit night, Gregory and most of the squadron aircrew were having a party at Worthing, on the Sussex coast, when they heard enemy aeroplanes overhead. Racing back to their airfield they took off in their waiting Beaufighter. Gregory brought the aircraft to within visual range of a Do 217 bomber, flying at 15,000 feet. There was an exchange of fire in which Braham, having rather enjoyed himself at the party, opened up at too long a range. Gregorys caustic comments quickly sobered Braham up, and in four long bursts he sent the Dornier diving ablaze into the sea. Early in 1943 the squadron moved west to Predannack, near the Lizard Point in Cornwall, mainly for night training. Visiting Fighter Command, Braham urged the use of AI night fighters in support of the bomber offensive over occupied Europe, in which heavy losses were being incurred. Although his proposal was not accepted at this stage, he won approval for moonlight attacks on rail and road traffic on the Brest peninsula. At the end of April 1943 Braham and Gregory led No.141 Squadron to Wittering, near Stamford, Lincolnshire. Their aircraft were now fitted with Serrate, a radar device which enabled Gregory and his fellow operators to home in on enemy fighter transmissions from a distance of up to 100 miles. This was an ideal aid in Gregorys new night-intruding role, and after he and Braham had exchanged their Beaufighter for a de Havilland Mosquito equipped with Serrate, the two men went into action in support of Sir Arthur Harriss bomber formations. One night, flying over Cologne, they were attacked by two enemy night fighters, one of which shot out their port engine, obliging them to make a perilous return back to base. Another night, supporting a raid over Mannheim, Gregory logged a hell of a dogfight. In a 25-minute battle, they destroyed one German aircraft - an Me 110 fighter - and drove off another. In March 1944, Gregory, by now highly experienced, joined the night operations staff at No 2 Group, 2nd Tactical Air Force (2nd TAF) headquarters, where Braham had preceded him. Such was his and Brahams hunger for action that from time to time they would slip away from their desks to freelance on sorties over Europe with various Mosquito squadrons. On one daylight sortie, they destroyed an He 177 heavy bomber which was circling Chateaudun airfield in France at 1,000 feet. Caught in a stream of fire from their Mosquitos nose guns, the bomber, Gregory recalled, reared up like a wounded animal, winged over on its back and dived vertically into the ground. On May 12 1944, Gregory and Braham - truanting again from the operations room - had just taken part in the destruction of a Fw190 fighter off the Danish coast when an Me 109 fighter struck. Short of fuel, and further damaged by anti-aircraft fire, Braham coaxed the stricken aircraft towards home until he had to ditch 70 miles off the Norfolk coast, where they were rescued by two minesweepers. Shortly after that, the team broke up. Braham was shot down and ended the war as a prisoner; Gregory continued staff duties. While Braham accumulated three DSOs, three DFCs and an AFC in the course of his wartime service, Gregory was awarded a DSO, two DFCs, an AFC and a DFM. At the end of the war, Gregory accepted a permanent commission, specialising in navigation and fighter control. He received the Air Efficiency Award in 1946, and after commanding RAF Wartling, in East Sussex, retired in 1964. Thereafter, until final retirement, he worked as an estate agent at Eastbourne. He was a member of Cooden Beach golf club and, having retained his drumming skills, played with a local band. Later in life, so as to be near his daughter, he moved to Camberley, Surrey, where golf, bowls and darts - he was known as The Demon - brought him much enjoyment. Sadly Wing Commander Gregory passed away at the age of 87, on the 6th October 2001.

Hadland, Douglas
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Hadland, Douglas

Joining the RAF in 1941, Douglas completed his training in Canada and qualified as a navigator, returning to the UK to spend a brief time with the Navigation Research Flight before being posted to 162 Squadron in No.8 Pathfinder Group at Bourn, near Cambridge, flying Mosquitos. At the end of the war he went briefly to Black Bush Airport flying operations, dropping diplomatic mail in Oslo, Visbarden and Brussels before being posted back to 8 group with 692 Squadron Light Night Strike Force to prepare for the then proposed invasion of Japan.

Hadley, Les
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Hadley, Les

As a Navigator Les did a full Tour with 40 Squadron on Wellingtons. His second tour was completed on Mosquitos with 139 PFF, from where he later transferred back to heavy Bombers with 156 PFF, completing his war-time service.

Haine, Richard
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Died : 30 / 9 / 2008

Haine, Richard

Richard Dickie Haine was born in St Stephens in October 1916. In 1936, he qualified as an RAF pilot, and flew the Hawker Fury with No.25 Sqn, which re-equipped with Bristol Blenheims prior to the outbreak of war. In February 1940, he transferred to No.600 Sqn. Shortly afterwards, he piloted one of six Blenheims tasked with attacking an airfield where Ju52 transport aircraft and their cargo of paratroops were reported to be landing during the Blitzkrieg on Holland. During this action he was shot down and crash landed, escaping back to Britain on the destroyer HMS Hereward, the destroyer which evacuated Queen Wilhelmina and her government. He was awarded the DFC for his actions over Holland that day. On his return to England, he flew night patrols on Blenheims, Defiants and Beaufighters, but rarely intercepted any aircraft due to poor radar. In January 1944 he took the post of Commanding Officer of No.488 Sqn flying Mosquitoes. With this squadron he flew beachhead patrols on D-Day, and had victories over two Ju88s. He was appointed to No.302 Sqn in the Pacific but had yet to arrive when the Japanese surrendered. He continued his career in the RAF until his retirement. Sadly, Richard Haine died on 30th September 2008

Hall, John Anthony Sanderson
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Died : 24 / 9 / 2015

Hall, John Anthony Sanderson

John Anthony Sanderson Hall was born in Oxford on Christmas Day 1921. His father was William Glenvil Hall, MP for Colne Valley and Financial Secretary to the Treasury in Attlee's government. From his father, a life-long Quaker, John inherited a belief in practical action rather than ideology, along with a sense of decency and respect for the rights of individuals. He attended the Quaker co-educational Leighton Park School, Reading, then worked briefly as a publisher's reader and studied at the Sorbonne before returning to this country and joining the RAF at the height of the Battle of Britain. After training as a night-fighter pilot, Hall joined No 85 Squadron, At that time, 85 Squadron flew twin engine Havocs, a night fighter version of the American light bomber, the Boston, with the radar operator where the Boston's gun turret would have been and 12 machine guns in the nose, in place of the Boston's navigator. The radar then was the Mark 4, not very reliable, and with a very limited range. During 1942, the Squadron re-equipped with the much faster and more maneuverable Mosquito, with a scanner in the nose for the infinitely more effective Mark 8 radar and 4 cannon. After excelling on an air gunnery course at the Central Gunnery School, Hall became an instructor at No 51 Operational Training Unit. He became an ardent believer in the need for fighter pilots to understand fully the basics of air-to-air shooting, something that he felt most of them lacked. He likened the problem to shooting game birds when an estimate of range, line and deflection held the key to success. Hall joined the New Zealanders of No 488 in November 1943, and was crewed up with Cairns, an experienced radar operator. Two months after their initial success, Hall and Cairns were on a routine patrol over Essex when they were directed to a contact flying at 18,000ft. They identified a Junkers 88, which they shot down and saw crash with a tremendous explosion. The enemy aircraft had landed on a group of dispersed bombers on the USAAF airfield at Earls Colne, severely damaging a number of them. Hall was doubtful about claiming this as a kill. He shot down another bomber off the Essex coast on April 19 1944. As he approached to land, he was told to wait until another Mosquito had landed ahead of him. In the event, the other Mosquito turned out to be a Junkers 88; the crew claimed they thought they were landing in Holland. After shooting down their fifth German bomber, as it attacked Bristol on May 22, both Hall and Cairns were awarded the DFC. Hall's citation described him as a highly efficient and courageous fighter. On the night before D-Day, Hall flew one of the many night fighters that patrolled over the beachhead keeping German bombers away from the invasion fleet. By mid-August, the crews of No 488 had destroyed 49 enemy aircraft. The sum of Â£50 had been accrued at various fund-raising events, and it was agreed that this should go to the ground crew of the aircraft achieving the squadron's 50th success. During the night of August 14/15, Hall attacked a German bomber, but it escaped. Shortly afterwards a second bomber was attacked and Hall succeeded in shooting it down 20 miles south of Caen, much to the delight of his ground crew. After moving to an advanced airfield in France, further success came on the night of December 23/24. Two days later, however, Hall had a narrow escape. Flying in atrocious weather in an attempt to support Allied troops under attack during the German's lightning Ardennes offensive, he was prevented by blizzards from returning to his base at Amiens. With virtually no fuel, he saw a light and crash-landed on a US forward grass airstrip and the Mosquito was wrecked. Hall scored his last kill on March 27 1945. He pressed home his attack from such close range that his Mosquito was hit by debris from the enemy bomber. The port engine was damaged and subsequently caught fire, but Hall managed to crash land on an airfield in Holland; his aircraft was almost completely burnt out. A few days later, he and Cairns each received a Bar to their DFCs. After leaving the RAF at the end of 1946, Hall went up to Trinity College, Cambridge, to read Law. He was called to the Bar by Inner Temple in November 1948, and joined chambers at Lamb Building.

Hanafin, Brian
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Hanafin, Brian

Joining 105 Squadron flying Blenheims, in July 1941 Titch Hanafin was posted to Malta, under the command of Hughie Edwards VC. They carried out many low level shipping strikes in an attempt to halt supplies to Rommel in North Africa. In November 1942 he joined 487 sqn RNZAF, carrying out attacks on V-1 sites. On 18th February 1944 he led the second flight of 487 Sqn assigned to attack the Amiens Prison when his aircraft, Mosquito HX855 EG-Q turned back, and in October piloted the F.P.U. Mosquito on the Aarhus Gestapo raid in Denmark.

Harington, Ray
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Harington, Ray

Ray joined the RAF in 1941, completing his training in South Africa. In January 1944 he was posted to 603 Squadron flying Beaufighters in North Africa. Here he teamed up with navigator, Warrant Officer A.E. â€˜Bertâ€™ Winwood, and from where they launched attacks across the Mediterranean into Crete, Greece and the Aegean Islands against shipping, harbour installations and enemy aircraft with much success. In December 1944 they were posted to 235 Squadron Coastal Command, part of the Banff Strike Wing, converting to Mosquitos. In April 1945 they were shot down following a strike in the Kattegat, but avoided capture and with the help of the Danish resistance made it home, where they continued to fly again from Banff.

Ray Harington signing Shell House Raiders

Ray Harrington during a signing session in March 2010.

Report from the Squadron Operational Record Book from the day his Mosquito was forced to belly-land in Denmark :

5th April 1945 : The Banff Strike Wing led by W/Cdr A H Simmonds DFC was airborne between 1410-1421 hrs. It comprised 13 RP aircraft of 235 Sqdn, 11 RP of 143 Sqdn, 10 RP of 248 Sqdn also 2 fighter aircraft of 333 (Capr Wenger leading) 2 of 143 Sqdn and 1 of 235 Sqdn. The Wing made R/V over Peterhead with 12 Mustangs and S/C on a Rover patrol into the KATTEGAT. T/235 returned early with failure engineer and V/235 also returned early escorting a Mustang in distress. The Danish coast was crossed in good weather 6/10 cloud at 2,500ft with vis. 15-20mls. Near ANHOLT 3 convoys were sighted. The first consisted of 1 E/V plus 5 small M/Vs on a southerly course. The second convoy of 1 M/V of approx. 1500 tons and 2 E/Vs was on a northerly course and the third of 4 small coasters in line astern was on an easterly course. An attack was made on the first of these convoys. This comprised :
(A) 1 M/V of 1200-1500 tons 3 island type.
(B) 1 Small escort vessel.
(C) 1 Coaster of 1000 tons.
(D) 1 M/V of 1500-2000 tons, 3 island type.
(E) 1 M/V of 800-1000 tons.
(F) 1 M/V of 1000-1500 tons.
M/V (A) was seen to be attacked by U/235. M/V (B) was attacked by 6 aircraft with RP and cannon, (C) was attacked by 4 aircraft with RP and cannon, (D) was attacked by 6 aircraft with RP and cannon, (E) was attacked by 3 aircraft with RP and cannon, and (F) by 7 aircraft with RP and cannon and wet and dry hits were observed on all ships. M/V (E) was seen to blow up and M/V (D) was burning furiously and seemed to be listing. (C) and (F) were both smoking heavily and down by the stern. (A) and (B) were both left smoking. 2 aircraft of 235 Sqn attacked the third vessel in line of the third convoy with RP and cannon. A large explosion was seen followed by flares and a column of smoke. U/235 (P/O Arthars and F/S Richardson) was seen to collide with the mast of a ship during the attack and broke up and dived into the sea. E/333 (Capt Wenger and Sgt Hansen) failed to return but the crew have since repatriated from Sweden. 1 aircraft believed F/235 (Harrington and Winwood) with a glycol leak was seen to make a belly landing in a field position 56 48N 08 21E.

The last aircraft mentioned in the report is that of Bert Winwood and Ray Harrington. During signatures sessions, Bert Winwood also provided us with the photgraphs of the two men lost when their aircraft collided with the mast of a ship during the raid. Below are the photos of P/O Laurie Arthars and F/S Geg Richardson.

P/O Laurie Arthars

F/S Geg Richardson

Hawthorne, Frank
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Hawthorne, Frank

Joining the RAF in 1940, Frank Hawthorne trained on Mosquitos as a Navigator and Observer. Between 1942 and 1944 he completed a tour on Beaufighters, and was then posted to fly a tour with 333 Squadron, Royal Norwegian Air Force, at Banff. Owing to their knowledge of the Norwegian coast, 333 Squadron flew in advance of the rest of the Wing, seeking targets for the main Banff Strike Wing force. Frank retired from the RAF in 1946.

Herrick, Michael James
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Died : 6 / 6 / 1944

Herrick, Michael James

Herrick was born in Hastings on 5 May 1921. Educated at Wanganui Collegiate School, he gained his pilotâ€™s licence with the Hawkes Bay Aero Club while still at school. In March 1939 he left New Zealand to take up a two-year cadetship at the Royal Air Force (RAF) College in Cranwell. The course was shortened due to the outbreak of the war and Herrick graduated on 7 March 1940. Posted to No. 25 Squadron at the age of 18, Herrick flew Bristol Blenheim light bombers on night patrols during the Battle of Britain. In September 1940 he scored the squadronâ€™s first victories of the war â€“ shooting down two Heinkel He 111 bombers within minutes of each other. Herrick destroyed another bomber nine days later, meaning he personally accounted for three of the four victories achieved by Fighter Command during night operations that month. Herrickâ€™s achievements were recognised with the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). By the end of 1941 Herrick was back in New Zealand on attachment with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). After spells as an instructor at Woodbourne and Ohakea he was posted to the newly formed No. 15 Squadron RNZAF at Whenuapai in June 1942. Four months later No. 15 Squadron sailed from Wellington to Tonga, where they took over the Curtis P-40 Warhawk fighters of the United States Army Air Force's No. 68 Pursuit Squadron. By the time the squadron moved to Guadalcanal in April 1943, Herrick had assumed command, the previous CO having been killed in a flying accident. On 6 May he and another pilot shot down a Japanese floatplane â€“ credited as the first enemy aircraft destroyed by New Zealand fighters in the Pacific. After leading No. 15 Squadron through two operational tours and earning a Bar to his DFC, Herrick returned to the United Kingdom. He joined No. 305 Squadron â€“ a Polish fighter-bomber unit flying night operations against airfields and V-1 Flying Bomb launch sites in occupied Europe. On 16 June 1944, Herrick embarked on his first daylight raid and headed toward Denmark with another de Havilland Mosquito fighter-bomber piloted by Wing Commander J.D.R. â€˜Bobâ€™ Braham. Herrick was en route to attack the German airfield at Aalborg when his plane was intercepted and shot down by a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 flown by Lieutenant Robert Spreckels. Although Herrick and his Polish navigator managed to bail out they were too low to survive the landing. In a twist of fate, Braham was shot down by Spreckels 11 days later. When the two airmen met during Brahamâ€™s interrogation Spreckels informed him that Herrick had put up a brave fight

Hill, Eric
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Hill, Eric

Flight Officer Eric Hill DFC DFM joined the RAF in 1941 and crewed up with F/Lt F L Dodd AFC in January 1944. He joined 544 Mosquito PRU Squadron (detached from RAF Benson to Leuchars) in March 1944. They did all their 53 operational flights together, including flying diplomatic mail to Churchill at the Big Three Conferences in Moscow, Athens and Yalta. They photographed the battleship Tirpitz at anchor in Alten Fjord (north Norway) in July 1944 having lost their cockpit hood cover moments before. In other sorties, they survived a half-hour chase by two ME262 jets over Magdeburg and a ME109 attack while on one engine over the same city. Frank Dodd stayed in the service as a pilot after the war, finally retiring as Air Vice Marshal, CBE DSO DFC AFC*** AE LRPS.

Hilliard, Aubrey Hilli
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Hilliard, Aubrey Hilli

'Hilly' Hilliard trained as a pilot on Blenheims and Beaufighters, and in April 1943 was posted to 618 Squadron on Mosquitos, specially formed to carry Barnes Wallis's famous bouncing bomb. In August he transferred to the Mosquitos of the Banff Strike Wing. Whilst attacking and damaging a number of U-boats, one of which returned fire, damaging his aircraft. Forty years later 'Hilli' met the U-boat's capitan, Gunther Heinfich, and became good friends.

Hogan,
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Hogan,

On 18th February 1944, he was pilot of Mosquito LR348 YH-P of No.21 Sqn for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft turned back.

Hogan, B E Dick
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Hogan, B E Dick

Pilot, transferred from the Army to the Royal Air Force in May 1941 and was trained as a pilot on Tiger Moths at Brough on Humberside and on Air Speed Oxfords at Grantham, Lincs. After qualifying in December 1941, he served at several flying stations in the UK, before being posted to Army Cooperation at Old Sarum, Salisbury, as a Flying Instructor. It was here in the Officersâ€™ Mess one night after dinner, that he first met the legendary Group Captain Charles Pickard DSO, DFC. who had recently assumed command of 140 Mosquito Wing in 2 Group. Group Captain Pickard was on the lookout for suitable pilots to join his wing, and was personally recruiting likely chaps in his travels around the flying stations and at the RAF Club in Piccadilly, London, as casualties had been high and replacements too slow coming from the Mosquito Operational Training Unit. After a late night drink Group Captain Pickard asked Dick Hogan two questions, Have you flown 1000 hours and also twin-engined aircraft? After receiving an affirmative reply, he wrote Hoganâ€™s name on the back of an envelope and left the Mess. At the time it was every pilotâ€™s ambition to fly the Mosquito, particularly the Mark V1 Fighter Bomber on low-level operations. The competition was fierce and Hoganâ€™s expectations were none too high after this informal late-night encounter with Pickard. However a few days later he was posted direct to 140 Wing at Sculthorpe, Norfolk where, on arrival, he found great activity on the Wing as they were preparing for the first low-level- raid on the V1 Flying Bomb sites in France. The first attack was to be led by Air Vice Marshal Basil Embry, DSO, DFC, AFC. the Air Officer Commanding 2 Group. His navigator was to be Francis Chichester the famous navigator and yachtsman. Soon after this raid the Wing moved to a new airfield at Hunsdon just north of London. Here Hogan was able to complete a couple of conversion flights and was teamed up with navigator Alan Crowfoot, a splendid, imperturbable Australian. After 10 training flights they were launched into Operation No Ball the code name for the systematic low-level bombing of all the known flying bomb sites, located mainly in the Pas De Calais area. It was tree and wave top flying to keep under the German radar. On approach to the target the boxes of 4 Mosquitoes would climb to about 400 feet, then a shallow dive followed at approximately 50 feet with the bomb release by the pilot of 4 x 500 lb. 11 second delay bombs. (The pilotâ€™s stick head had four separate controls for the operation of; (1) 4 x 20MM Canon (2) 4 x .303 Machine Guns (3) V.H.F. Transmit Button 4) Bomb Release Button.) In the heat of the moment errors could occur! Following 140 Wingâ€™s raid on the prison at Amiens on 18th February 1944, low-level raids were phased out and the Wing tried high-level bombing with a lead aircraft from the Pathfinder Force, followed thereafter by night interdiction. The Germans had re-calibrated their gunsights and the low-level daylight strategy was now too expensive. In the spring of 1944 Hogan spent some months in RAF Hospital, Ely before being returned to duty with a limited medical category. Then followed ground appointments at the Central Fighter Establishment, Tangmere and Air Ministry, London, before being posted overseas to the British Military Mission in Budapest in 1946. This was the beginning of a series of Special Duty assignments, which were followed by attachÃ© posts at the British Embassies in Baghdad, Bonn, Berne and Rome. Hogan also flew Wellingtons, Lancasters and the earlier post-war jets and qualified from the Central Flying School in November 1955 as a jet instructor. From there he took over the University of Birmingham Air Squadron and then as C.O. RAF Staging Post at Hickham A.F.B. Hawaii, the support unit for the atomic test base on Christmas Island. In August 1973 he was recruited by the International Red Cross to coordinate the medical and relief aid in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Wing Commander Hogan retired from the RAF after 33 years of service.

Hope, Stanley F Paddy
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Hope, Stanley F Paddy

W/O S. F. (Paddy) Hope joined the RAFVR in July 1940 and trained as a WOP/Nav at Blackpool, Yatesbury, Torquay and Staverton, joining 236 Squadron, Coastal Command at Carew Cheriton, S. Wales in October 1941 on Blenheims. After 3 operations, he converted to Beaufighters before moving to Wattisham, where he did 3 operations on Beaufighters over the German Bight. Paddy then transferred to PRU Benson on Mosquitoes in May 1942. He completed 20 more ops with F/O F McKay (N.Z.) before baling out over Belgium in December 1942 after engine failure. After evading for one month, he was captured at the Spanish frontier with Comete Line leader (A deJongh) and held by the Gestapo for questioning, for four months. He was made a P.o.W. in Germany until returning home on 11 May 1945.

Howard,
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Howard,

On 18th February 1944, he was navigator of Mosquito DZ414 O of the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft returned to base safely.

Hoy, William
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Died : 20 / 11 / 2012

Hoy, William

William Hoy was born in Edinburgh on December 23 1918 and educated at George Watsonâ€™s College, where he won a scholarship to the RAF College, Cranwell. He graduated as a pilot in October 1939. He flew Anson and Hudson aircraft on shipping sweeps over the North Sea, taking part in the operations over the Norwegian coast after the German invasion in April 1940. He then joined No 420 Flight, flying the antiquated Harrow bomber on operations to drop aerial mines by night. The mines were attached to 2,000ft of piano wire in the hope that enemy bombers would fly into the wire, causing the mines to strike them and explode. There are no recorded successes. Converting to the Beaufighter night fighter in late 1941, Hoy joined No 604 Squadron and was soon appointed a flight commander. On the night of July 29 1942 he shot down a Heinkel bomber off Landâ€™s End and, in spring 1943, he accounted for two more off the coast of Yorkshire and damaged a third. On another occasion he led another Beaufighter on a well-planned attack on an enemy reconnaissance aircraft, which was destroyed as a direct result of Hoyâ€™s initiative. In July 1943 he was awarded a DFC. After a rest period, Hoy returned to the front line as flight commander of 25 Squadron, flying the Mosquito. On July 9 1944 he shot down a V-1 flying bomb over the Channel. After the war Hoy commanded two night fighter squadrons before being appointed wing commander, flying at Church Fenton in Yorkshire â€“ the home of four fighter squadrons. He attended No 1 Course at the new RAF Flying College at Manby, Lincolnshire, before taking up an appointment in the Middle East. After his flight in Aries V, Hoy served with Nato and at the Air Ministry. His last appointment before retiring in 1966 was as station commander at RAF Manston in Kent. William Hoy died on 20th November 2012.

Hughes, Harry
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Hughes, Harry

After joining the RAF in March 1941, Harry Hughes trained as a Navigator. On completion of training he was posted to join 102 (Ceylon) Squadron at RAF Pocklington flying Halifaxes. Harry completed his first tour with 102 Sqn. For his second tour Harry was posted to join 692 Squadron at Graveley, as Navigator (B). Equipped with Mosquito light bombers, 692 Squadron was part of the Light Night Striking Force of N0.8 (PFF) Group, Bomber Command; famous for its fast striking raids on Berlin using 4000lb cookie bombs.

Iredale, Robert Wilson
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Iredale, Robert Wilson

On 18th February 1944, he was pilot of Mosquito LR334 SB-F of No.464 Sqn RAAF during Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. His aircraft completed the mission and returned to base safely.

Jacobe, Leonard C
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Jacobe, Leonard C

Joined the RAAF in February 1941 and after training and instructing, was posted to fly Mosquitos with 109 Sqn PFF in June 1943. During his time with 109, Len completed 96 sorties, flew LR503 on two occasions, and attacked every main target with the squadron, including ground marking of German coastal batteries on the eve of the Normandy landings on June 6th 1944.

Jameson, George E
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Jameson, George E

Flew with No.488 Sqn RNZAF immediately after D-Day, and claimed 8 victories in Mosquito Mk.NF.XIII MM466 ME-?. He scored a total of 11 victories before returning to New Zealand.

Jennings,
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Jennings,

On 18th February 1944, he was pilot of Mosquito HX856 EG-H of No.487 Sqn RNZAF for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft returned to base safely.

Kavin, Kev
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Kavin, Kev

Navigator on Mosquitos on the Amiens Raid.

Kearns, T
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Kearns, T

New Zealander Terry Kearns joined the RNZAF in December 1940, transferring to England in 1941 to join 75 (NZ) Squadron, flying Wellingtons. In 1942 he took part in the first 1000 bomber raids before joining 156 Squadron Pathfinders. After a period as an instructor, he joined 617 Squadron at Warboys on operations. He flew the Mosquito FBVI on precision low-level target marking throughout 1944. He took part in most of 617's major operations, including raids on the Samur rail tunnel, and the V1 rocket sites.

Kingsford-Smith, Rollo
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Kingsford-Smith, Rollo

Rollo Kingsford Smith flew in the Pacific escorting the 1st AIF convoys to leave Australia. Posted to Europe he commanded 467 and 463 Lancaster Sqns RAAF, Bomber Command, also 627 Pathfinder Mosquito Sqn becoming Chief Instructor. Commanded RAAF contingent to victory celebration in 1946.

Krause, Charles A
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Krause, Charles A

Charlie Krause flew Mosquitos with No.418 Sqn RCAF.

Leatherdale, Frank
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Leatherdale, Frank

Originally flew as a Navigator with 115 Squadron on Lancasters and after a period of instructing was sent to 7 Squadron PFF as a Master Navigator. Frank finished the War on Mosquitoes and completed 59 Operations with Bomber Command.

Linney, Ian
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Linney, Ian

Flew the Mosquito with No.107 Squadron.

Little, J. H.
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Died : 12 / 6 / 1943

Little, J. H.

joined 601 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force in 1934. He transferred to 611 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force on 25th September 1936. Little was called to full-time service with 611 squadron at the outbreak of war. He was given command of 219 Squadron at Catterick in May 1940 and led it until February 1941, He was awarded the DFC being then credited with a Do17 destroyed in the evening of 17th February 1941, with Sgt.S Austin as his radar operator. In December 1942 Little took command of 418 (RCAF) Squadron, operating in Bostons from Bradwell Bay. He was killed on 12th June 1943 as a Wing Commander aged 31. Mosquito FB VI HJ733 had one engine cut fail on take-off from Ford. Little and his navigator, W/O DH Styles DFM, were both killed.

Livry,
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Livry,

On 18th February 1944, he was navigator of Mosquito HX855 EG-Q of No.487 Sqn RNZAF for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft turned back.

Loveland, Eric
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Loveland, Eric

Flew the Mosquito with No.68 Squadron. On 17th March 1945 he was pilot of Mosquito NT531 WM-O when it intercepted a Ju88.

Lucas, Bill
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Lucas, Bill

Born in 1917, Bill Lucas volunteered for aircrew early in 1940 and after training as a fighter pilot he became, due to the high demand, a bomber pilot and joined 9 Squadron (Wellingtons) in August 1941. After 14 missions over Germany Bill converted to Stirlings and completed a further 26 operations, this time with 15 Squadron at Wyton. After two years instructing at 19 OTU Kinloss he was selected to join Pathfinder Force in October 1944 to fly Mosquitoes with 162 Squadron at Bourn, Cambridgeshire, where he remained until war end to complete 41 more missions making 81 in total. Bill attained the rank of Squadron Leader and was awarded the DFC and a Mention in Despatches. The most memorable of his missions must be the first 1000 bomber raid on Cologne on May 30 1942, as this seems to have struck a lasting memory in the minds of the general public. After the war Bill pursued a career in the insurance industry and also began to pick up the pieces of a serious athletic activity with the Belgrave Harriers which resulted in selection for the 5000 metres at the Olympic Games at Wembley in 1948, but at the age of 32 he was not in his own words â€œvery successfulâ€. Bill says his greatest regret was missing the games in Helsinki in 1940 and the cancelled games in 1944. â€œThese should have been the best athletic years of my life.â€

Lucas, Laddie
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Died : 0 / 0 / 1998

Lucas, Laddie

Laddie Lucas rose in two years from Aircraftman 2nd class to Command no. 249, the top scoring fighter squadron in the Battle of Malta in 1942. He was then 26. Lucas led two Spitfire squadrons and in 1943 a wing on the Western Front. 1944 switching to Mosquitoes of the 2nd tactical air force. After the war he was a conservative MP for ten years. He was also one of Britains best amateur golfers, captaining Cambridge University, England in the Walker Cup, Great Britain and Ireland against the United States, to date he has written eleven books. Sadly Laddie Lucas passed away in 1998.

MacFadyen, Don
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MacFadyen, Don

Born in Montreal on 18th December 1920, Don MacFadyen flew Mosquito night intruder missions with 418 & 406 (RCAF) Squadrons deep into the heart of the Third Reich. He finished the war with 7 air-to-air kills, 1 probable & 5 V-1 rocket bombs destroyed in the air. He flew with No.418 Sqn RCAF from 7th December 1943 to 25th July 1944, then with No.406 Sqn RCAF from 20th November 1944 to 10th September 1945.

Citation for DFC :

This officer has participated in many sorties and has destroyed four enemy aircraft and damaged several more. He has displayed great skill and courage throughout his tour and his example of keenness and determination has been most commendable.

Citation for Bar to DFC :

Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross this officer has taken part in many operational sorties. Throughout, his skill and initiative have been of the highest order. He has destroyed at least a further five enemy aircraft bringing his total victories to at least nine hostile aircraft destroyed and many others damaged. In addition he has shot down five flying bombs apart from these successes. Flight Lieutenant MacFadyen has given great assistance to new crews in planning their missions and by his untiring efforts and fine example has materially contributed to the operational efficiency of his squadron.

Citation for DSO :
Since the award of a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross this officer has continued to operate against the enemy with conspicuous success, destroying three enemy aircraft and damaging five. During a patrol over Czechoslovakia in March 1945, an enemy landing ground was sighted and one enemy aircraft was destroyed on the ground and four were damaged. On another occasion in April 1945, he successfully destroyed two hostile aircraft in the air. Squadron Leader MacFadyen's total victories are at least thirteen enemy aircraft destroyed and seventeen damaged. Throughout his two tours he has displayed outstanding keenness, efficiency, courage and determination and has at all times set a fine example of loyal and devoted service.

Mackie, Norman
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Died : 1 / 1 / 2003

Mackie, Norman

Joining the RAF in 1940 he was posted in April 1941 to 83 Sqn at Scampton flying Hampdens and Manchesters, joining OTU as an instructor on Wellingtons in March 1942. He then rejoined 83 Sqn now at Wyton as a Pathfinder flying Lancasters until he was shot down by German Night Fighters in March 1943. Having been captured he escaped to Switzerland and after a period there managed to return to Britain through France and Spain. In May 1944 he joined 571 Sqn flying Mosquitoes with the Light Night Strike Force taking part in many of the units operations over Western Germany. He left the RAF in December 1967.Â Â He died 1st January 2003.

May, Walter Le
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May, Walter Le

Flight Lieutenant Walter Le May DFC joined the R.A.F. in 1941,and trained as an Observer in Canada, joining 140 Squadron, Army Co-operation Command, at Hartford Bridge (now Blackbushe). The squadron, engaged on photo- reconnaissance, was unique in that one flight was equipped with Spitfires while a second flight, converting from Blenheims to Lockheed Venturas, was used for night operations. In June 1943 the squadron became part of the 34 Wing 2nd Tactical Air Force, and later converted to Mosquito 1X & XV1. Mainly involved in night operations, he, with his pilot, F/Lt Ray Batenburg DFC, R.N.Z.A.F., crossed the French coast a few minutes after midnight on D-Day, and took photographs of key points, followed by nearly 2 hours of low-level visual reconnaissance, at heights down to 200 feet. After operational flying he was appointed Night Ops. Controller 34 Wing, and, afterwards Ops. Controller at H.Q. 2 Group, Gutersloh.

McCarthy, Joseph Charles
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Died : 6 / 9 / 1998

McCarthy, Joseph Charles

In March 1943, a special Royal Air Force (RAF) unit, 617 Squadron, was created to try a new tactic--low altitude bombing using deep penetration bombs that weighed from 9,500 to 22,000 pounds. Their first targets were three dams in the Ruhr industrial area of western Germany: the Mohne, the Eder, and the Sorpe. These dams supplied water for Ruhr steel mills and hydroelectric power. Twenty Avro Lancaster bombers were specially modified for this mission to carry a new, rotating skip bomb that would bounce across the lake, sink, and then explode at the base of the dam. So secret was the dambusting mission, that the pilots and navigators were briefed only the day before as to the actual targets. The three dams were struck, and two were breached, on the night of 16 May 1943. "Joe " McCarthy, from Long Island, New York, was an original member of 617 Squadron. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1941 and soon transferred with his crew to RAF Bomber Command. From 1941 until late 1944, he flew the Hampden, Manchester, Lancaster, and Mosquito bombers and compiled a total of 80 combat missions. As Officer Commanding, German Aircraft Flight, he tested and flew over 20 different German aircraft, which had been taken from captured German airfields back to Farnborough for extensive engineering evaluation. During this period, McCarthy flew the first British operational jet, the Meteor, and the experimental Windsor bomber. Upon returning to Edmonton, Canada, he continued flight testing a variety of aircraft for cold weather operations as well as the experimental Canadian flying wing. During 28 years in the RCAF, he flew 64 different British, American, German, and Canadian aircraft. Later assignments included base executive officer for an F-86 NATO installation in France; Commander, Flying Training School, RCAF Station Penhold, Canada; and Commanding Officer of the 407 Maritime Squadron, flying the P2V Neptune. From 1961 to 1962, he was Chief of Air Operations for the United Nations' forces in the Congo, and from 1963 to 1966, worked in plans and policy for CINCLANT/CINCLANTFLT. Wing Commander McCarthy's final assignment was as base operations officer for two maritime squadrons flying the Argus antisubmarine warfare aircraft in Nova Scotia. He retired from the RCAF in 1969 and, after a second career in real estate, fully retired in 1986. Passed away 6th September 1998.

McCaul, J L
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McCaul, J L

On 18th February 1944, he was navigator of Mosquito LR334 SB-F of No.464 Sqn RAAF for Operation Jericho, the attack on the Amiens prison. His aircraft returned safely to base after carrying out the mission.

McPhee, Tom
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Died : 22 / 2 / 2009

McPhee, Tom

Born in Greenock in November 1917, Tom McPhee joined the RAFVR in 1938, and at the outbreak of war Tom was called up and posted to 139 Squadron as a Sergeant Pilot flying Blenheims on low level bombing raids. He was commissioned in 1941. In August 1943 he joined 464 Squadron flying Mosquitos, and in February 1944 took part in Operation Jericho when 18 Mosquitos of 140 Wing , nd TAF, attacked the Gestapo held prison at Amiens, liberating over 100 French Resistance fighters, many of whom had been condemned to execution the following morning. Flying number two on the raid in Mosquito MM403 SB-V, he was promoted to Squadron Leader as a result. From June 1944 he was posted to a Forward Control Unit until the end of the war. Sadly passed away 22nd February 2009.

McRitchie, A Ian
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McRitchie, A Ian

Taken prisoner on 18th February 1944 when his Mosquito MM404 SB-T of No.464 Sqn failed to return from Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. He was the pilot. His navigator, Flight Lieutenant Richard Webb Sampson was killed.

Milne, Bob
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Milne, Bob

Flt Lt Bob Milne DFM joined the RAF and on 13th March 1942 sailed for Canada escorted by two Canadian Corvettes. Off Iceland the escort changed to American warships including a battleship, cruisers and destroyers. After thirteen days he landed in New York having been diverted from New Brunswick, due to U-boat activity. Flying Training School was on an RCAF camp at Hagersville, Ontario, and there he gained his Wings. Coming second on the reconnaissance course, Milne was recommended for Sunderland flying boats. On return to Britain on the Queen Elizabeth I, this was changed to Beaufighters due to heavy losses of torpedo carrying Beaufighters meant that replacement crews were a constant requirement. On 23rd August 43 he joined 47 Squadron at Tunis at the end of the Sicily Campaign and just prior to the invasion of Italy. His duties were attacking shipping in the area between Sardinia and the Italian mainland. Milne and the other crews would fly at fifty feet to avoid radar detection, no lower because this would leave slipstream trails on the water which would be visible to enemy aircraft. If a target ship was located the four aircraft without torpedoes would fire on the ship while the Torpedo carrying Beaufighters positioned themselves to deliver the torpedoes. Having assessed the type of ship and its speed they would climb up to 150 feet, aimed ahead of the ship according to the speed estimated, and then at 1000 yards range with wings level, level fore and aft, and speed 180 knots drop the torpedo. Shortly afterwards the squadron were moved from Tunis to El Adem in Libya where they were there to locate a German invasion fleet which was leaving Athens to cross the Aegean sailing from island to island until it could invade Leros where Allied troops were held up. During the next three weeks they lost thirteen of the eighteen crews ending up with no usable planes and only three available crews. Leros fell on the 16th November 1943. The squadron had to reform with new planes and crews to get up to strength, and then moved to nearby Gambut III in the Western Desert. There 47 Squadron would continue operations in the Aegean for another three months before going to the Far East to stand by for the Japanese Fleet. One operation carried on 22nd February 44 was written up in a magazine called Parade. They were to attack the last ship of any size left in the Mediterranean. It was approaching Heraklion in Northern Crete with an escort of two destroyers and the usual Me109s. No.47 Squadron Torbeaus were escorted by fighter Beaus of Nos.47 and 603 Squadrons and approached from the east. A flight of American Mitchells then turned back drawing off the German fighters so that the ship could be attacked without their interference. This worked perfectly and the ship was hit with torpedoes and sank before the 109s realised what was happening. Three Beaufighters were then shot down. The strike was thus very successful. In March 1944 a Torpedo squadron was needed in the Far East and 47 Squadron was ordered to go. Milne was now tour expired along with two of his colleagues, but it was realised that if they left there would be no one apart from the CO who had actually dropped torpedoes. They were therefore booked for a second tour with the same squadron. They flew out from near Cairo to Baghdad, Bahrain, Sherja, Karachi, Hyderabad and finally Madras to await the Japanese Fleet. After six months the Japanese were suffering reverses so the Fleet finally went to the Pacific instead of into the Indian Ocean. They then changed to bombs and rockets on the Beaufighters and then later onto Mosquitoes in order to fight in Burma. He completed a second tour but had difficulty getting a transport plane out of Burma so two months later, when the war ended, he was still there. Then on the first day of peace a Japanese raiding party raided the camp and Milne was wounded, ending up in hospital. He was on an airfield north of Rangoon and returned there on discharge from hospital. The first prisoners of war to be freed were brought here by Dakotas. Late in August 1945, two years after joining 47 Squadron Milne left in a Dakota bound for Calcutta and then on to Bombay where he boarded a ship, destination England.

Monaghan, K L
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Monaghan, K L

On 18th February 1944, he was pilot of Mosquito MM410 SB-0 of No.464 Sqn for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft completed the mission and returned to base safely.

Nichols,
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Nichols,

On 18th February 1944, he was navigator of Mosquito HX856 EG-H of No.487 Sqn RNZAF for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft returned to base safely.

Oatley, Ken
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Oatley, Ken

As a Navigator, Ken was due to fly four-engined Bombers, but was transferred to 627 Squadron on Mosquitoes for the Pathfinder Force of 8 Group. Ken was the lead marker in the bombing of Dresden February 1945.

Oxby, Douglas
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Died : 10 / 4 / 2009

Oxby, Douglas

Wing Commander Douglas Oxby, DSO, DFC, DFM and Bar, wartime night fighter navigator, was born on July 10, 1920. Douglas Alfred Oxby was born in Cardiff in 1920 and educated at Canton High School there. He worked as a barristerâ€™s clerk before enlisting in the RAF in 1940. Wing Commander Douglas Oxbys combat career lasted, with one rest from operations, from the autumn of 1941 until the spring of 1945. Douglas Oxby was responsible for 22 successful interceptions, making him the RAFâ€™s top-scoring radar operator of the Second World War. These combat victories were achieved first in Beaufighters with the Australian pilot Flight Lieutenant Mervyn Shipard,with 68 squadron there first air victory was a Heinkel HE 111 bomber which they shot down over llangefri in North Wales. They were next posted to 89 Squadron, operating first out of Egypt and then, as a detachment of the squadron, sent to join in the desperate air defence of Malta, where they were in the thick of the action. From July 1942, a particularly intense month, they often took off to intercept the enemy with bombs falling on their airfield all around them. In this month and during the resumption of the enemyâ€™s air offensive in October that year they accounted for about eight Axis aircraft, mainly Ju88s and He111s. Oxby took part in the defenc eof Tobruk and in June 1943 Oxby was posted back to the UK where he was commissioned. In August 1944 Oxby was posted to 219 Squadron (Mosquitoes) commanded by Peter Green, fresh himself from a busy summer intercepting V1 â€œbuzz bombsâ€. Green and Oxby now embarked on a period of remarkable success as the RAFâ€™s night fighters grappled with the enemyâ€™s tactical bombers and fighters over the battlefields of northwest Europe. Their most spectacular achievement was the destruction of three Ju87s in a single sortie over Nijmegen in the Netherlands, and they continued to take a toll both of this type and the Ju88. Once feared as the â€œStukaâ€ by the Polish, French and British armies to which its presence had been the bane in the early battles of the war, the Ju87 had by this time been exposed as a lumbering anachronism. For his service and achievement he was awarded two Distinguished Flying Medals (he had begun flying as a sergeant) a Distinguished Flying Cross and a Distinguished Service Order. His combat Service saw him in North Wales, and the Mediterranean and North Africa and operations supporting the North West Europe campaign over the Netherlands and Germany. After the war Oxby was granted a permanent commission and rose to the rank of wing commander. After appointments that included directing staff of the Joint Services Staff College and assistant air adviser, British High Commission, Ottawa, he retired from the RAF in 1969. Thereafter he made his home in Canada where he was a civil servant in the Ministry of Health in Ontario until 1984. Sadly he died on April 10, 2009, aged 88.

Parker, Charles
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Parker, Charles

Joining the RAF in 1943 he qualified as a Navigator and was posted to fly Mosquitoes with 128 Sqn in late 1944. He then moved to 163 Sqn flying over 50 missions to Germany, including 20 on Berlin, as part of the Light Night Strike Force.

Parry, D A G
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Died : 8 / 1999

Parry, D A G

Born in 1915 in England, George Parry was interested in aviation from an early age, and the daring exploits of the WW1 aces inspired the youngster with the ambition to become a flyer. Parry joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and flew on weekends and in his spare time. When War was declared against Germany, Parry was activated and was sent to 10 F.T.S. and 13 O.T.U. for training. Parry was posted to 110 Squadron at Wattisham, which was equipped with the Mk IV Bristol Blenheim. Parry flew daylight missions attacking Axis airfields and shipping. When cloud cover permitted, deeper penetration was possible. These attacks were carried out against Channel ports, and waterways on the continent. As the Luftwaffe shifted to night bombing emphasis, 110 Squadron shifted its emphasis to enemy airfields and industrial targets. Parry completed his combat tour in October of 1940, and was reassigned to 13 O.T.U. in Bicester in April. In October of 1941 Parry was posted to 105 Squadron in Swanton Morley. This Squadron was equipped with Mosquitoes shortly after Parry arrived. The Squadron was utilized for the first daylight bombing raid on Berlin. Many mission were flown against power stations, locomotive repair works, and other important industrial targets. These missions were typically low altitude, high speed raids, where the Mosquito's fast speed could be used to advantage. In September of 1942 Parry was selected to lead a daring daylight low altitude raid on the Gestapo Headquarters in Oslo, Norway. This mission was requested by Norwegian resistance officials to boost morale. One of the four aircraft which participated in the raid was forced to make a crash landing, while the other three aircraft returned unharmed. Parry also made many flights to Stockholm carrying diplomatic mail. On these missions Parry flew a Mosquito with civilian markings while carrying a civilian passport. In 1943 Parry completed his combat tour with 105 Squadron, and was thereafter posted to Headquarters Bomber Command. After a short assignment with O.T.U. at Silverstone, Parry was transferred to the 2nd Tactical Air Force. Parry assisted No 2. Group Squadrons in their conversion to the Mosquito, and then ran the O.T.U. at Bicester which provided aircrew training for the 2nd Tactical Air Force. His final assignments with the RAF were at H.Q. 12 Group and RAF Church Fenton. Following the war in 1947, Parry left the RAF, but remained in the Reserves. In civilian life Parry took up the occupation of structural engineer. Following thirty-two years in civilian life, Parry retired in 1979. While in the RAF Reserve, Parry commanded the Norfolk Air Training Corps from 1949 to 1956. He also commanded No. 3620 Fighter Control Unit of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, and was involved with the Norfolk Emergency Commission as its Scientific Adviser. Parry's decorations include the D.S.O., M.B.E., D.F.C., and A.E. Sadly he died in August 1999.

Parry, Gwyn
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Parry, Gwyn

Flight Lieutenant Gwyn Parry DFC was called up from Oxford University Air Squadron in August 1941 and was commissioned after completion of training in Canada in June 1942. After a navigation course at Squires Gate and PR, OTU he joined 140 Squadron based at Hartfordbridge and later Northolt. The operations he undertook on Spitfires were mostly at high level (up to 34,000 feet) over France and the Low Countries, but also some in Mosquitoes at 12,000 feet over French pre-invasion beaches.

Patient, Joe
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Patient, Joe

As a pilot on 139 Sqn he flew with George Cash as his Navigator as part of the Pathfinder Force completing 59 Operations in Mosquitos over North West Europe.

Patterson, Charles
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Patterson, Charles

Charles Patterson joined the RAF on the outbreak of WWII and flew Whitleys. He switched to Blenheims in 1940 with 114 Squadron on anti-shipping operations over Norway. After a period instructing he briefly flew Bostons before converting to Mosquitoes with 105 Squadron flying mostly Daylight raids, but also the first night raid to Berlin. In January 1943 he was selected as pilot for the Mosquito Film Unit and flew Mosquito DZ414 (now restored) on over 20,000 operational hours both day and night. In September 1943 he converted 3 Ventura Squadrons to Mosquitoes under Group Captain Pickard. In total he completed an unprecedented 3 tours on Mosquitoes, his final tour being with 487 Squadron (New Zealand) mainly on strikes against V1 sites. On D-Day he flew the film unit Mosquito over the beach head during the invasion.

Pemberton, John
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Pemberton, John

Also known as Zbysek Necas, Czechoslovakian 'Nicky' joined 68 Squadron as a Navigator and flew Mosquitos as night time defence over the British mainland, accounting for 3 German aircraft. Post War he flew Lightnings and Phantoms in the Cold War against the Russians.

Perks, Geoffrey
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Perks, Geoffrey

Joining the RAF in July 1941 he trained as a pilot in the USA and was posted to 420 Sqn as part of no 6 Group (RCAF) initially flying Wellingtons. The unit then converted to Halifaxes and he moved firstly to 427 Squadron and then 434 Sqn still flying this aircraft. In November 1944 he joined OTU as an instructor on Halifaxes, converting to Mosquitoes in January 1945. He then joined 571 Sqn as part of the Light Night Strike Force, flying the B Mk XVI and dropping 4000lb cookie bombs over Germany. He left the RAF in 1946 but rejoined, finally leaving in 1958

Phillips, Derek
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Phillips, Derek

Originally a Navigator with the Fleet Air Arm on Fairy Fulmars with 784 Squadron, but during 1943 he was with 456 Squadron flying Mosquito Ranger Missions over North West Europe.

Pickard, Percy Charles
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Died : 18 / 2 / 1944

Pickard, Percy Charles

Group Captain P.C. Pick Pickard, DSO, DFC, CzMC: Born 16th May 1915, at Handsworth Sheffield, Percy Charles Pick Pickard stands out as one of the truly great characters of the 1939-45 Air War. His long operational career, covering many aspects of aerial conflict, included some of the most daring episodes in the RAFs history. In Air Force circles he was admired for his consistent leadership, determination and courage. Outside the RAF he was well known as Sqd Ldr Dickson, the skipper of Wellington, F for Freddie, in the popular Crown Film Unit 1941 production Target for Tonight. Back on operations he played a key role in the successful airborne Commando raid against the German Wurzburg Radar Installation near Bruneval, and flying numerous cloak and dagger sorties, carrying supplies and agents for the S.O.E. into Nazi occupied Europe. He was the leader of the legendary Amiens Prison Raid (Operation Jericho) which saved the lives of Resistance fighters. Operation Jericho was an immediate success as a positive direct result of the two leading squadrons (No.s 464 and 487) accurate bombing. On seeing the outcome, Pickard told the third wave (21 Squadron) to return to base. As Pickard and Broadley flew their Mosquito Mk.FBVI HX922 EG-F of No.464 Sqn away from the target, at 500ft, their aircraft was attacked from astern by Fw190s and their first burst of fire severed the Mosquitos tail section. The aircraft flicked onto its back and dived into the ground, exploding in flames on impact. Pick Pickard and Bill Broadley, aged 28 and 22 respectively had made their last flight together. He is buried in St Pierre cemetery, Amiens. Son of Percy and Jenny Pickard, husband of Dorothy Pickard, of Highlands, Southern Rhodesia.

Pratt, Tom
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Pratt, Tom

Flight Lieutenant Tom Pratt DFC joined the RAF in 1940 and after initial training in Paignton, Duxford and Hidlington he was posted to West Freugh. He left there in 1943 and went to Squires Gate for navigational training, and then to Dyce for conversion to Mosquitoes. He was posted to 544 Sqdn. at Benson and stayed until the war was over. Tom says, â€œ I flew 68 sorties and was fortunate to be chosen to fly to Moscow, when Churchill attended the Yalta Conference, and had an extremely pleasant few days being entertained by the Russians!â€ Tom finally left the RAF in 1946.

Prichard, George
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Prichard, George

Having joined the RAF in 1943 on a direct entry commssion, George Prichard was posted from Tech Signals Radar (Air) Branch to 151 Night Fighter Squadron on Mosquitos. He supported action on D-Day and across Europe throughout the Normandy campaign, also maintaining and diagnosing crucial radar equipment. He later moved to Tiger Force to fly against the Japanese from bases in Okinawa.

Redington,
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Redington,

On 18th February 1944, he was navigator of Mosquito HX950 YH-C of No.21 Sqn for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft was instructed not to attack.

Reynolds,
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Reynolds,

On 18th February 1944, he was navigator of Mosquito LR388 YH-F of No.21 Sqn for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft turned back.

Rodley, Ernest
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Rodley, Ernest

Ernest Rodley initially joined the RAFVR in 1937 and was commissioned and posted to Bomber Command in 1941. Joining 97 Sqn flying Manchesters he was involved in the attack on the Scharnhorst, Prinz Eugen and Gneisenau whilst in Brest harbour and in the famous Augsberg daylight raid for which he received a DFC. At the end of 1942 he joined RAF Scampton helping to convert to Lancaster Bombers before rejoining 97 Sqn at Bourn as a Pathfinder. After a spell at Warboys as an instructor he took command of 128 Sqn at Wyton, flying Mosquitoes as part of the Light Night Strike Force and involvede in doing 7 trips to Berlin. Staying with this unit he finished the war having completed 87 operations. In 1946 Ernest Rodley joined British South American Airways flying Lancastrians across the Atlantic from a tented Heathrow. On 13th April 1950 he was checked out on the new Comet jet airliner by John Cunningham and became the worlds first jet endorsed Airline Transport Pilots Licence holder. Ernest Rodley retired from BOAC in 1968 as a Boeing 707 Captain, joining Olympic Airways a few days later. He amassed an amazing 28000 flying hours.

Citation for the DFC :

Squadron Leader Rodley has displayed great courage, skill and resource throughout his tour of operations. He has completed a very large number of sorties, involving attacks on industrial centres in the Ruhr and many other important targets. He has displayed outstanding devotion to duty and his example has inspired all.

Roe,
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Roe,

On 18th February 1944, he was navigator of Mosquito MM398 YH-J of No.21 Sqn for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft was instructed not to attack.

Rogers, Tony
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Rogers, Tony

Originally from Poland he joined the RAF in 1942 and was first assigned to 303 Sqn with whom he completed over 50 fighter sweeps. He then transferred to 300 Polish Sqn as a pilot on Wellingtons and Lancasters before time with 315 Sqn on Mosquitos. For his distinguished service he was awarded the Polish equivalent to the VC, the Virtute Militare.

Rosser, Leslie
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Rosser, Leslie

Joined the RAF in April 1941, having transferred from the Army. After two months, he was on his way to the USA via Iceland and Canada. He entered the USA at Detroit, in July 1941, on a student visa and wearing civilian clothes. His pilot training started in Florida at a civilian flying school with most of the instructors being old barnstormers from flying circuses etc. Discipline was maintained by a few US Army officers. Most of the pupils were ex-British Army, so the change of food, climate etc was much appreciated. The final course, before receiving the US Army wings was carried out flying Harvards. The course was completed mid-February and the return to Canada followed. On return to the UK and after some delays the conversion to twin-engined planes was completed at RAF Assington. The OTU course started at Wellesbourne in September 1942, flying Wellingtons, and a full crew formed of pilot, navigator, bomb-aimer, wireless operator and rear-gunner. The crew were posted to 420 Squadron of RCAF at Middleton St George in January 1942. Operations were carried out on targets from Hamburg to St Nazaire - Bomber Command was under pressure to assist the war against U-boats. The last operation over Germany for the crew was on March 5th 1943 and was an historic one for Bomber Command, as the target at Essen was marked by a system called Oboe. This involved a high flying Mosquito and various radio and radar equipment. The crew were posted in April 1943 to 142 Squadron - one of the two RAF Squadrons attached to the US North West African Airforce under General Doolittle. The RAF Squadrons did the night bombing on targets in Tunisia, Italy, Sicily and Sardinia. Twenty-one operations by the crew involved dropping 4,000lb block-busters. After returning to the UK in August 1943, FISgt Rosser instructed at Bruntingthorpe OTU and later after being commissioned, at Edgehill. After VE day he converted to flying Mosquitos at Barford St John and was posted to 128 Squadron at Warboys the day the first atomic bomb was dropped on Japan. Since the Squadron was destined for Okinawa it meant there would be no second tours of operations and the Squadron was posted to Melsbroek, now Brussels Airport, to join the 2nd Tactical Airforce. Flying consisted mostly of exercises and formations flying over parts of Germany. He was discharged in February 1946.

Sampson, Richard Webb
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Died : 18 / 2 / 1944

Sampson, Richard Webb

Killed aged 35 on 18th February 1944 when his Mosquito MM404 SB-T of No.464 Sqn RAAF failed to return from Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. He is buried in Poix-de-Picardie churchyard, France. Son of Percy Wallace Sampson and Jeannie Palmer Sampson, of Waipukurau, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.

Sawyer, Martin
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Sawyer, Martin

Originally a Pilot with 153 Squadron flying Beaufighters in North Africa during 1943, Martin returned to England in 1944 and was posted to Number 1 PRU Benson flying Mosquitoes in photo reconnaissance missions over NW Europe.

Scott, Malcolm
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Scott, Malcolm

Flew with 180 Squadron on Mitchells 1944 - 1945. Bomber Navigator/ B with 34, 180 ( Bomber Command) and 29 Squadron. He did two tours of operations â€“ 1st M.E.T.O. & F.E.T.O. on Blenheims 36 ops and 2nd E.T.O. on Mitchells and Mosquitos 38 ops. He volunteered in July 1940 ( RAFVR).

Shanahan, D W
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Shanahan, D W

Mosquito pilot with No.107 Sqn

Shannon, David John
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Died : 0 / 0 / 1993

Shannon, David John

Born 27th May 1922 in Australia, Dave Shannon joined the RAAF in 1941, and trained as a pilot. He flew an extended tour of 36 operations with 106 Squadron RAF before being chosen for 617 Squadron. Pilot of Lancaster AJ-L in Gibsons group, he was called off as he began his run on the Mohne Dam after the breach became apparent; but flew on and was the first pilot to attack the Eder Dam. Awarded a DSO for the Dams operation, he later served as Deputy to Leonard Cheshire, flying Mosquitos on what was by then his third tour. He later served with 511 and 246 Squadrons, and returned to Australia after the war. David Shannon died in 1993.

Singleton, Joe
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Singleton, Joe

Wing Commander Singleton flew the Mosquito in both the offensive and defensive role. During the latter, his more notable engagements included the interception of three JU 88s in a matter of minutes. The three aircraft were the lead pathfinders of a much larger bomber force heading for the city of Hull. The downing of these three aircraft effectively put an end to the success of the enemy raid.

Sismore, Ted
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Sismore, Ted

Air Commodore Edward Barnes Sismore DSO, DFC, and two bars, AFC was born on the 23rd June 1921 at Kettering, Northamptonshire. Sismore joined the RAF in 1939 as aircrew but became a Flight Sergeant on the 29th of August 1942. He was also later given an emergency commission as a general Duties Branch Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, being given a permanent commission on the 1st of February 1945. On 31st January 1943, Mosquitos bombed Berlin for the first time. Timed to coincide with a speech by Hermann Goering, three Mosquitos from 105 Squadron, led by Squadron Leader R W Reynolds and Ted Sismore, attacked at exactly 11.00 hrs to disrupt the Reichmarshalls speech for over an hour. Ted later navigated the final large daylight raid by 105 Squadron in May 1943, when both men led the attack on the Zeiss Optical factory and the glassworks in Jena. Ted Sismore planned the route for the famous Amiens prison raid, and master-navigated all three Gestapo raids in Denmark - Aarhaus, Shelhaus and Odensa. Sismore was awarded a bar to his DFC and was also honoured with the Order of Dannebrog, Degree of Knight. After the war Sismore remained in the Royal Air Force and with Squadron leader Mick martin (former dambuster) broke the Flying record for the London to Cape Town, 6,727 mile journey, completing it in 21 hours and 31 minutes. He was later awarded the Royal Aero Clubs Britannia Trophy for 1947. In 1962 Sismore was promoted to Group Captain and later became Station Commander of RAF Bruggen in Germany and in the late 1960s became commanding Officer of the Royal Air Forces Central Reconnaissance Establishment at RAF Brampton.

Skinner, Ernest
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Skinner, Ernest

Speedy, as he was known, was originally with 69 Squadron in the Middle East on Baltimores. Moving onto 226 Squadron as a navigator on B25 Mitchell bombers, he completed a full tour during the summer of 1944, and then was transferred to 128 Squadron based in Brussels on Mosquitos.

Skinner, Malcolm Mac B.
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Skinner, Malcolm Mac B.

Joined the RAAF in June 1943 and after training was posted to 105 Sqn PFF at Bourne, where he joined pilot David Young (NZ). On 13th April 1945 attacked Reisa in GBF. At 02.26 on 21st April 1945, in Mosquito â€˜Aâ€™, he released 4 times 500 MC bombs on Berlin using OBOE â€“ the last bombs dropped on Berlin in world War II, then took past in the last RAF raid of the European war on 2/3 May.

Smith,
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Smith,

On 18th February 1944, he was pilot of Mosquito LR333 EG-R of No.487 Sqn RNZAF for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft returned to base safely.

Snell, Vivian
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Died : 21 / 2 / 2010

Snell, Vivian

Battle of Britain Hurricane pilot with No.501 Sqn. Shot down over Cranbrook on 25th October 1940 while flying Hurricane P2903, bailing out uninjured. During his service life Vivian flew the Fairy Battle with 103 Squadron, later flying the Hawker Hurricane with 151 and 501(F) Squadrons during the Battle of Britain in 1940. Vivian shot down a Bf109E on the 25th October 1940 and was then shot down himself while piloting Hurricane Mk.I serial N2438. After having minor wounds attended to he returned to his squadron and flew through the rest of the Battle of Britain. In 1941 he was flying the American built Douglas DB7 Havoc night fighter with number 85(F) Squadron. He commanded his own Mosquito Squadron towards the end of the War. Vivian was released from the RAF in 1946 with the rank of Wing Commander.

Sparks, Maxwell N
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Sparks, Maxwell N

Flight Lieutenant M.N. Sparks A.F.C., R.A.F., gained his pilots wings with the R.N.Z.A.F. in December 1941. Posted to the United Kingdom he joined the newly formed 487(N.Z.) Squadron in September 1942. Equipped with the Lockheed Ventura (a bomber version of the Hudson) the squadron was meant for medium-level daylight â€œcircusâ€ operations, but after losing 10 out of 11 aircraft and crews over Holland in March 1943 it was wisely decided to re-equip the depleted squadron with a different type of aircraft. In September 1943 the Squadron was again operational with the new Mosquito Mk.V1 aircraft, attacking daylight pinpoint targets such as V1 and V2 rocket sites and night intruder sorties against enemy airfields. From D-Day on, 487 sqn. in company with 464 (R.A.A.F.) and 21 (R.A.F.) was part of the 2nd T.A.F., operating behind enemy lines day and night, searching out enemy road convoys, railway troop trains, enemy airfields, etc. â€“ all designed to cause maximum disruption to the enemy forces. He took part in Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid, piloting Mosquito HX982 EG-T which was damaged by flak and suffered an undercarriage failure on its return, but he and his navigator were ok. Flt. Lt. Max Sparks completed 42 operational sorties with 487 squadron and returned to New Zealand in March 1945.

Steadman,
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Steadman,

On 18th February 1944, he was pilot of Mosquito LR388 YH-F of No.21 Sqn for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft turned back.

Stevens, F S Fred
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Stevens, F S Fred

After training in Australia and Canada, Fred Stevens found himself in October 1941 flying Bolton Paul Defiants, converting shortly after to Beaufighters, which he throughout 1942. In early 1943 he converted to the Mosquito Mk2 Night Fighter with A1 radar. This was with 456 Squadron (RAAF), they later re-equipped with the Mosquito Night Fighter Mk17. Before D-Day they transferred to Ford in West Sussex for the build up to the invasion, carrying out numerous operations. Later Fred and 456 were involved with attacking V1s at night.

Stevenson,
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Stevenson,

On 18th February 1944, he was navigator of Mosquito HX909 EG-C of No.487 Sqn RNZAF for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft returned to base safely.

Sugden, W R C
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Sugden, W R C

On 18th February 1944, he was pilot of Mosquito MM402 SB-A of No.464 Sqn for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft completed the mission and returned to base safely.

Tappin, H E
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Died : 8 / 1 / 2007

Tappin, H E

Started flying, as an N.C.O. pilot, with the R.A.F.V.R. at No.3 E.& R.F.T.S. run by Air Service Training, at Hamble near Southampton.in April 1937. Awarded Pilot's Flying Badge (wings) in May 1938. Moved to 26 E.& R.F.T.S. run by Marshalls Flying School at Kidlington, near Oxford in September 1938. Flying Instructor's Course, November/December 1938 Started instructing 30th December 1938. School at-Kidlington closed on outbreak of hostilities, staff moved to 22 E.F.T.S. at Carpbridge. Instructed at Cambridge until April 1941, when posted to 52 O.T.U. (Hurricane) at Debden. Commissioned December 1940. 52 O.T.U. April/May 1941. Posted to 3 Squadron (Hurricane) at Martlesham Heath 2nd June 1941, became Flight Commander in March 1942. Posted to 534 Squadron (Turbinlite) as Hurricane Flight Commander September 1942. Tutbinlite Project abandoned February 1943,,posted to 157 Squadron (Mosquito) at Castle Camps. Became Flight Commander July 1943. Posted from 157 at Predannack, March 1944 to 51 O.T.U. at Cranfield and Twinwood Farm, near Bedford, as W/Cdr Flying. January 1945 posted to Mediterranean to command 108 Squadron (Beaufighter), to learn on arrival that the Squadron was to be disbanded. I spent a short period with 334 (Special Duties) Wing at Brindisi, in Southern Italy, and in March 1945 was posted to Command 256 Squaron (Mosquito) with the Desert Air Force at Forli, iii-Northern Italy. In September 1945 the Squadron moved to Egypt,, from where I returned home in December of that year. In February 1946 1 returned to Cambridge to continue my work with Marshalls as a civilian pilot, where the work was varied and interesting, covering flying-instruction, charter work and testflying on a variety of aircraft, including the Vampire, Venom, Canberra, Valiant, Viscount and Ambassador. I left Cambridge in January 1961 to instruct at The College of Air Training at Hamble, which had been set up by B.E.A. and B.O.A.C., (taking over the Air Service Training facilities) to train new pilots ?,rom scratch, as the supply of ex-service pilots was running short. It proved to be very successful. Retired from Hamble January 1972. Service Numbers: N.C.O. 740167. Commissioned Officer 89304. D.F.C. September 1942 Bar to D.F.C. April 1944. Died 8th January 2007.

Taylor,
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Taylor,

On 18th February 1944, he was pilot of Mosquito LR385 YH-D of No.21 Sqn for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft was instructed not to attack.

Tempest, Ken
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Died : 2 / 6 / 2015

Tempest, Ken

Pilot, No.139 Squadron. Kenneth Tempest, who has died aged 93, flew with the RAFs Pathfinder Force as a navigator and later became a pilot with BOAC; during his flying career he completed 788 crossings of the Atlantic. Tempest joined the RAFs Light Night Striking Force (LNSF) â€“ part of the Pathfinders - in the summer of 1944 as part of No 139 Squadron, operating the Mosquito. His first operation was to bomb Berlin on October 30, the first of numerous sorties to the Big City. In addition to dropping markers as aiming points for the main bomber force, the Mosquitos of the LNSF carried out nuisance raids, dropping a single bomb on a number of industrial cities during one sortie. The aim was to deny sleep to the German work force and keep the emergency services busy every night. These raids had the additional benefit of acting as a diversion for the main force and confusing the enemys air defence organisation. On March 3rd 1945 Tempest and his pilot were returning from Berlin when there was a loud explosion in the rear of the aircraft. Unaware of the cause, they crossed the Dutch coast with no navigation or radio aids before discovering that the hydraulic system had also failed, disabling the brakes. They headed for the emergency airstrip at Woodbridge, one of three 9,000ft strips built near the coast to receive damaged aircraft returning from Europe. Before landing, one of the two engines failed but the crew managed to crash-land and survive unhurt, although the Mosquito was wrecked. Three nights later Tempest returned to Berlin, which, by this stage of the war, was almost a nightly event for the Mosquitos of the LNSF. On the night of May 2/3, Tempest headed for Kiel on his 43rd operation. It was also Bomber Commands final operation of the war. Shortly after, Tempest was awarded the DFC. Kenneth Tempest was born in Cawnpore, India, on April 9 1922 and educated at Keighley Grammar School. After a brief period with Lloyds Bank he joined the RAF and trained as a navigator in Florida under a US/UK bilateral training programme. On completion of his training and return to Britain, he and two colleagues were given an unusual posting when they joined BOAC at Poole and changed from their RAF uniforms to that of the commercial airline. He entered the flying boat division and after specialist training started to fly routes to West Africa on BOACâ€™s Boeing 314 A Clipper aircraft. On January 3 1943 he completed the first of many hundreds of transatlantic flights, when he flew to Belem in Brazil. In February he was sent to BOACs post at Baltimore in the US. The following September he was the navigator on flights to support the Quebec Conference, when Anthony Eden, the foreign secretary, Lord Mountbatten and the three service chiefs were his passengers. He returned to the RAF in the summer of 1944 and trained for the RAFs Pathfinder Force. Tempest left the Air Force as a flight lieutenant after the war and rejoined BOAC, initially as a navigator before training as a pilot. He returned to Baltimore and also operated from the airlines base in Canada, initially on converted wartime bombers and then the Lockheed Constellation. By the end of 1951 he had completed 237 transatlantic flights as a navigator and started his pilot training. After a period operating in the Caribbean, he started flying the Bristol Britannia. In 1964 he converted to the VC 10 and a year later carried the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on a return flight to Addis Ababa. He made his final flight on June 25 1975 having amassed more than 14,000 hours flying time. Kenneth Tempest, born April 9 1922, died June 2 2015.

Topp, Roger
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Topp, Roger

Commanded Royal Air Force Coltishall. Commandant of the Aircraft & Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscome Down. Commanding Officer and acrobatic team leader of No. 111 Squadron joined the R.A.F. in 1943 and learned to fly in Canada. When he returned, to England in 1944 there was a surplus of powered aircraft pilots so he transferred to the Glider Pilot Regiment. On March 2, 1945, he flew a Horsa glider carrying jeep, guns and troops in the airborne crossing of the Rhine. In 1947 he joined No.98 Squadron, flying Mosquitos in Germany, becoming a flight commander and instrument flying examiner for his Wing. He was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1950. In that year he took the course at the Empire Test Pilots School, and remained at Farnborough on the staff of the Royal Aircraft Establishment. He undertook flying tests of various experimental armament installations, including guided weapons and the new 30 mm. Aden gun, four of which formed the Hunters armament. He was a leading acrobatic demonstration pilot on the Canberra twin-jet bomber, flying before the Emperor of Ethiopia and the Shah of Persia during their visits to Britain. In 1954, with another pilot, Squadron Leader Topp shared the 100 hours intensive flight testing of the Comet jet air liner undertaken from Farnborough. He was awarded a Bar to the A.F.C. in 1955 and a second Bar in January 1958 for work with the acrobatic team.

Toswnhend, Joe
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Toswnhend, Joe

Flying Officer Joe Townshend DFM joined the RAF in February 1942 and after a wireless course at Cranwell went to Canada for Navigation, GR and an OTU on Torpedo Hampdens on Vancouver Island. He returned to England for an OTU on Mosquitoes at Dyce where he teamed up with F/Lt H C S (Sandy) Powell DFC. After four ferry trips to Rabat in Morocco, he joined 540 Squadron in May 1944 and completed 50 Photo Reconnaissance operations over Europe, including finding the Tirpitz at Tromso for the Lancasterâ€™s to sink in November 1944.

Trotman, John
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Trotman, John

John Trotman was still completing pilot training when his crew participated in the raids on Cologne and Essen, after which he joined 150 Squadron flying Wellingtons where he completed a full tour of 30 operations. After a spell instructing he volunteered for a second tour and joined the Pathfinder Force, serving with 692 Squadron equipped with Mosquitos. He completed a total of 70 missions mostly against targets in Germany, which included 19 trips to Berlin.

Tuhil, Pat
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Tuhil, Pat

Pat Tuhill was navigator to Christopher Foxley Norris on Moquitos. After taking part in the Battle of Britain as a fighter pilot, Christopher Foxley-Norris was posted to the Middle East where he first teamed up with Pat Tuhill, initially on Beaufighters. A return to Britain brought Foxley-Norris command of 143 Squadron flying Mosquito IIs and VIs as part of the Banff Strike Wing, led by Max Aitken, for attacks on enemy shipping off Norway. Hazardous operations against heavily defended ships, using rockets and cannon, were made even more dangerous by the weather and fjords which the Mosquitos often had to negotiate below cliff height. Christopher Foxley-Norris went on to a distinguished career in the post-war RAF. Pat Tuhill was Vice-Chairman of the Aircrew Association.

Unwin, George
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Died : 28 / 6 / 2006

Unwin, George

George Unwin joined the RAF in 1929, and in 1936 was posted to Duxford with 19 Squadron as a Sergeant Pilot. He was one of the first pilots in the RAF to fly the Spitfire. With the outbreak of war 19 Squadron moved to Hornchurch and George, now one of the Squadron's most experienced pilots, took part in the great air battles over France and Dunkirk, scoring 3 and a half victories. He flew with 19 Squadron continuously during the whole of the Battle of Britain. He was commissioned in 1941. After a period instructing, he resumed operations, flying Mosquitoes with 16 Squadron. George finished the war with 13 victories, 2 shared, 2 unconfirmed, and 2 probables. He died 28th June 2006.

Waite, Doug
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Waite, Doug

Volunteered at the age of 18 and went solo at Brough in Yorkshire, from where he went to Canada for further training at EFTS and SFTS with a final period at Spitalgate near Grantham flying Blenheims, Beauforts and Beaufighters. Doug then joined 169 Squadron Mosquito night-fighter unit attached to 100 group, conducting various deployments. The last one being 48 hours before the war ended, flying to Sylt at low-level dropping Napalm jelly 100 gallon drop tanks as bombs.

Walker, Brian Black Jack
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Died : 21 / 4 / 1997

Walker, Brian Black Jack

Brian Walker joined the RAAF in 1935. The outbreak of World War Two found him with 25 Squadron RAAF flying Wirraways. After a period of instructing he went to 12 Squadron before joining 30 Squadron RAAF as Command Officer. This was the first RAAF Beaufighter Squadron. He then went north to New Guinea where his exploits on Beaufighters are legendary. In 1944 he was seconded to de Havilland as test pilot on Mosquitoes. At the end of the year, until the conclusion of the war, he commanded No. 1 Fighter Wing in Darwin flying Spitfires and Mustangs. Brian Walker passed away on 21st April 1997, aged 84.

Webb, Maurice
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Webb, Maurice

Maurice joined the RAF in 1942, and trained as an observer/ wireless operator/ gunner. In October 1943 he was posted to 235 Squadron based at RAF Portreath, flying Beaufighters attacking shipping and harbour installations. In 1944 he converted to Mosquitos, and joined 248 Squadron, moving on to serve with the Banff Strike Wing until March 1945. He was awarded the DFM in August 1944, and then spent time flying in a RAF Walrus on Air Sea Rescue operations. He had flown with Harold Corbin as his co-pilot / observer from 1943 until the end of the war.

Maurice Webb signing the print A De Havilland Beauty
Maurice Webb signing the print The Mosquito's Sting

Maurice Webb with Mosquito pilot Harold Corbin in DragÃ¸r, Denmark, September 1944.

Maurice Webb with Mosquito pilot Harold Corbin in Aarhus, Denmark, August 1944.

Maurice Webb with Mosquito pilot Harold Corbin in Aarhus, Denmark, August 1944.

Maurice Webb and pilot Harold Corbin with their Mosquito.

Maurice Webb in front of their crashed Mosquito.

Wheeler,
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Wheeler,

On 18th February 1944, he was pilot of Mosquito HX950 YH-C of No.21 Sqn for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft was instructed not to attack.

Wickam,
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Wickam,

On 18th February 1944, he was pilot of Mosquito DZ414 O of the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft returned to base safely.

Wilkins,
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Wilkins,

On 18th February 1944, he was navigator of Mosquito HX974 EG-H of No.487 Sqn RNZAF for Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft returned to base safely.

Williams, S J Stan
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Williams, S J Stan

Joining the RAAF in May 1941, Stan Williams left for the U.K. via the U.S., arriving in England after a five month trip. Initially flying Blenheims and Beaufighters, he eventually joined 456 Squadron (RAAF) in 1943 on Mosquitoes, flying out of RAF Ford. The role of 456 at this time was to include Ranger and Intruder missions, as well as night defense, especially prior to D-Day. They also defended against V1s at night. Their last mission of the war was against He177s towing glider bombs en-route to Scapa Flow, they destroyed the lot.

Winwood, Bert
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Died : 0 / 0 / 2012

Winwood, Bert

WO A.E. 'Bert' Winwood was a Navigator on Mosquitoes and Beaufighters, flew only with pilot Ray Harrington attached to 603 sqn in the Greek Campaign. Bert did his Navigator training in Canada and in January 1944 was posted to 603 Squadron on Beaufighters, based at Gambut, near Tobruk. From here they launched attacks right across the Mediterranean into Crete, Greece and the Aegean Islands against shipping, harbour installations and enemy aircraft with much success. In December 1944 he was posted to 235 Squadron at RAF Banff flying as navigator on Mosquito's flying in the Banff Strike Wing. In April 1945 he was shot down when returning from a strike in the Kattegat, he and his pilot Ray Harrington avoided capture, and with the help of the Danish resistance made it home to England. After a short rest he continued to fly again from RAF Banff, he left the RAF in 1946.

Bert Winwood signing Return From Leipzig

Bert Winwood during a signing session in March 2010.

Report from the Squadron Operational Record Book from the day his Mosquito was forced to belly-land in Denmark :

5th April 1945 : The Banff Strike Wing led by W/Cdr A H Simmonds DFC was airborne between 1410-1421 hrs. It comprised 13 RP aircraft of 235 Sqdn, 11 RP of 143 Sqdn, 10 RP of 248 Sqdn also 2 fighter aircraft of 333 (Capr Wenger leading) 2 of 143 Sqdn and 1 of 235 Sqdn. The Wing made R/V over Peterhead with 12 Mustangs and S/C on a Rover patrol into the KATTEGAT. T/235 returned early with failure engineer and V/235 also returned early escorting a Mustang in distress. The Danish coast was crossed in good weather 6/10 cloud at 2,500ft with vis. 15-20mls. Near ANHOLT 3 convoys were sighted. The first consisted of 1 E/V plus 5 small M/Vs on a southerly course. The second convoy of 1 M/V of approx. 1500 tons and 2 E/Vs was on a northerly course and the third of 4 small coasters in line astern was on an easterly course. An attack was made on the first of these convoys. This comprised :
(A) 1 M/V of 1200-1500 tons 3 island type.
(B) 1 Small escort vessel.
(C) 1 Coaster of 1000 tons.
(D) 1 M/V of 1500-2000 tons, 3 island type.
(E) 1 M/V of 800-1000 tons.
(F) 1 M/V of 1000-1500 tons.
M/V (A) was seen to be attacked by U/235. M/V (B) was attacked by 6 aircraft with RP and cannon, (C) was attacked by 4 aircraft with RP and cannon, (D) was attacked by 6 aircraft with RP and cannon, (E) was attacked by 3 aircraft with RP and cannon, and (F) by 7 aircraft with RP and cannon and wet and dry hits were observed on all ships. M/V (E) was seen to blow up and M/V (D) was burning furiously and seemed to be listing. (C) and (F) were both smoking heavily and down by the stern. (A) and (B) were both left smoking. 2 aircraft of 235 Sqn attacked the third vessel in line of the third convoy with RP and cannon. A large explosion was seen followed by flares and a column of smoke. U/235 (P/O Arthars and F/S Richardson) was seen to collide with the mast of a ship during the attack and broke up and dived into the sea. E/333 (Capt Wenger and Sgt Hansen) failed to return but the crew have since repatriated from Sweden. 1 aircraft believed F/235 (Harrington and Winwood) with a glycol leak was seen to make a belly landing in a field position 56 48N 08 21E.

The last aircraft mentioned in the report is that of Bert Winwood and Ray Harrington. During signatures sessions, Bert Winwood also provided us with the photgraphs of the two men lost when their aircraft collided with the mast of a ship during the raid. Below are the photos of P/O Laurie Arthars and F/S Geg Richardson.

P/O Laurie Arthars

F/S Geg Richardson

Wolstenholme, Kenneth
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Died : 26 / 3 / 2002

Wolstenholme, Kenneth

Ken Wolstenholme was a pilot first with 107 Sqn flying Blenheims before joining 8 Group Pathfinders flying Mosquitos. He completed 100 ops. After the war he became a famous sports broadcaster with the BBC. He died 26th March 2002.

York, Jim
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York, Jim

Joined the RAFVR in 1941 when he was just 19 and early in 1942 he was sent to America for pilot training as a cadet in the US Army Air Corps in Alabama and Georgia. After operational training in 1943 he spent some time ferrying Beaufighters around the Middle East. Early in 1944 he joined 85 Night Fighter Squadron, 11 Group Fighter Command, at West Malling in Kent, where he flew Mosquitoes on defensive night fighter patrols. In May 1944, 85 Squadron was transferred to 100 Group Bomber Command at Swannington in Norfolk where the Squadron initiated Bomber Support. This meant changing from defensive night fighting to offensive night fighting, attacking Luftwaffe night fighters over Germany. Each aircraft was a predator on its own without the benefit of any Ground Control. They patrolled Luftwaffe airfields, radar beacons and accompanied bomber streams, generally creating havoc amongst the German night fighters. Jim York stayed with the Squadron until the end of the war and completed 39 Operations over the continent destroying two enemy aircraft. Shortly after moving to Swannington, the Squadron was switched back to West Malling for a short spell to help deal with the VI flying bomb menace and Jim went on to destroy four of the V1 bombs over the English Channel. After the war he resumed his career as a Chartered Surveyor.

Pilots or Aircrew :
Wickam
Howard

Historical Notes :
18-02-1944 - Took part in the Amiens prison raid, Operation Jericho, as part of the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit, and returned safely. The aircraft was crewed by Flight Lieutenant Wickam (pilot) and Pilot Officer Howard (navigator).

Squadrons :
No.418 Sqn RCAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
J. H. Little

Historical Notes :
12-06-1943 - Mosquito FB VI HJ733 had one engine cut fail on take-off from Ford. Little and his navigator, W/O DH Styles DFM, were both killed. Little is buried in Grange Cemetery, Hoylake, Cheshire.

Squadrons :
No.487 Sqn RNZAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
Brian Hanafin
Livry

Historical Notes :
18-02-1944 - Took part in the Amiens prison raid, Operation Jericho, but turned back. The aircraft was crewed by Flight Lieutenant Hanafin (pilot) and Squadron Leader Livry (navigator)

Squadrons :
No.487 Sqn RNZAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
Jennings
Nichols

Historical Notes :
18-02-1944 - Took part in the Amiens prison raid, Operation Jericho, and returned safely. The aircraft was crewed by Flight Sergeant Jennings (pilot) and Warrant Officer Nichols (navigator).

Squadrons :
No.487 Sqn RNZAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
Darrell
Stevenson

Historical Notes :
18-02-1944 - Took part in the Amiens prison raid, Operation Jericho, and returned safely. The aircraft was crewed by Pilot Officer Darrell (pilot) and Pilot Officer Stevenson (navigator).

Squadrons :
No.464 Sqn RAAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
Percy Charles Pickard
John Alan Broadley

Historical Notes :
18-02-1944 - Shot down by Fw190s during the attack on Amiens prison. Group Captain Percy Charles Pickard (pilot) killed, Flight Lieutenant John Alan Broadley (navigator) killed.

Squadrons :
No.21 Sqn RAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
Wheeler
Redington

Historical Notes :
18-02-1944 - Took part in the Amiens prison raid, Operation Jericho, but was instructed not to attack. The aircraft was crewed by Flight Lieutenant Wheeler (pilot) and Flying Officer Redington (navigator).

Squadrons :
No.487 Sqn RNZAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
Fowler
Wilkins

Historical Notes :
18-02-1944 - Took part in the Amiens prison raid, Operation Jericho, and returned safely. The aircraft was crewed by Pilot Officer Fowler and Warrant Officer Wilkins

Squadrons :
No.487 Sqn RNZAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
Maxwell N Sparks
Arthur C Dunlop

Historical Notes :
18-02-1944 - Flown by Pilot Officer Maxwell Sparks (pilot) and Pilot Officer A C Dunlop (navigator) on Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. The aircraft was damaged by flak and suffered a collapsed undercarriage on landing. The crew were uninjured.

Squadrons :
No.487 Sqn RNZAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
Smith
Barnes

Historical Notes :
18-02-1944 - Took part in the Amiens prison raid, Operation Jericho, and returned safely. The aircraft was crewed by Wing Commander Smith DFC (pilot) and Flight Lieutenant Barnes DFC (navigator).

Squadrons :
No.464 Sqn RAAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
Robert Wilson Iredale
J L McCaul

Historical Notes :
18-02-1945 - Took part in Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid. Crewed by Wing Commander Robert Wilson Iredale (pilot) and Flight Lieutenant J L McCaul, the aircraft returned to base safely after the mission.

Squadrons :
No.21 Sqn RAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
Hogan
Crowfoot

Historical Notes :
18-02-1944 - Took part in the Amiens prison raid, Operation Jericho, but turned back. The aircraft was crewed by Flight Lieutenant Hogan (pilot) and Flying Officer Crowfoot (navigator).

Squadrons :
No.21 Sqn RAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
Taylor

Historical Notes :
18-02-1944 - Took part in the Amiens prison raid, Operation Jericho, but was instructed not to attack. The aircraft was crewed by Flight Lieutenant Taylor (pilot).

Squadrons :
No.21 Sqn RAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
Steadman
Reynolds

Historical Notes :
18-02-1944 - Took part in the Amiens prison raid, Operation Jericho, but turned back. The aircraft was crewed by Flight Sergeant Steadman (pilot) and Pilot Officer Reynolds (navigator).

Squadrons :
No.21 Sqn RAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
Dale
Gabites

Historical Notes :
18-02-1944 - Took part in the Amiens prison raid, Operation Jericho, but was instructed not to attack. The aircraft was crewed by Wing Commander Dale and Flying Officer Gabites.

Squadrons :
No.109 Sqn RAF
No.105 Sqn RAF

Squadrons :
No.21 Sqn RAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
Benn
Roe

Historical Notes :
18-02-1944 - Took part in the Amiens prison raid, Operation Jericho, but was instructed not to attack. The aircraft was crewed by Flight Lieutenant Benn (pilot) and Flying Officer Roe (navigator).

Squadrons :
No.464 Sqn RAAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
W R C Sugden
A N Bridger

Historical Notes :
18-02-1944 - Successfully took part in the Amiens raid, Operation Jericho, crewed by Squadron Leader W R C Sugden (pilot) and Flying Officer A N Bridger (navigator), returning to base safely.

Squadrons :
No.464 Sqn RAAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
Tom McPhee
G W Atkins

Historical Notes :
18-02-1944 - Took part in the Amiens prison raid, Operation Jericho, crewed by Flight Lieutenant T McPhee (pilot) and Flight Lieutenant G W Atkins (navigator), returning safely to base after the mission.

Squadrons :
No.464 Sqn RAAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
Richard Webb Sampson
A Ian McRitchie

Historical Notes :
18-02-1944 - Failed to return from the Operation Jericho raid on Amiens. Squadron Leader A Ian McRitchie (pilot) taken prisoner, Flight Lieutenant Richard Webb Sampson (navigator) killed.

Squadrons :
No.464 Sqn RAAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
K L Monaghan
A W Dean

Historical Notes :
18-02-1944 - Took part in Operation Jericho, the Amiens prison raid, crewed by Flying Officer K L Monaghan (pilot) and Flying Officer A W Dean (navigator), and returned to base safely.

Squadrons :
No.488 Sqn RNZAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
George E Jameson

Squadrons :
No.305 Sqn RAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
Michael James Herrick

Historical Notes :
16-06-1940 - Shot down over the sea by Fw190 of German Ace Robert Spreckels of JG11. Squadron Leader Michael James Herrick baled out, but his body washed ashore later.

Squadrons :
No.68 Sqn RAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
Eric Loveland
Jack Duffy

Historical Notes :
17-03-1945 - Intercepted a Ju88. Flown by Flying Officer Eric Loveland (pilot) and Sergeant Jack Duffy (navigator).

Squadrons :

Squadrons :
No.21 Sqn RAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
Ivor Gordon Easton Dale

Historical Notes :
02-02-1045 - The Mosquito Departure RAF Thorney Island, Hampshire on a night intruder mission aircraft crashed furthee details requried W/Cdr (19182) Ivor Gordon Easton DALE DFC(pilot) RAF - killed F/O (143.102) Kenneth Arthur HACKETT (nav.) RAFVR - killed and are ; buried Stittard War Cemetery, Netherlands

Squadrons :
No.235 Sqn RAF

Pilots or Aircrew :
Ray Harington
Bert Winwood

Historical Notes :
05-04-1945 - Crash landed in Denmark. The crew, Ray Harrington and Bert Winwood evaded capture and returned to the UK with help from the Danish resistance.

Squadrons :
No.487 Sqn RNZAF

Known Individual Aircraft : Mosquito :
Type	Serial	Codes	First Flew	Squadron History	Aircrew History	History Notes	Engine	Factory
Mosquito	DZ414	O	-	*no information*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito VI	HJ733		-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito	HX855	EG-Q	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito	HX856	EG-H	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito	HX909	EG-C	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito FBVI	HX922	EG-F	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito	HX950	YH-C	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito	HX974	EG-J	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito	HX982	EG-T	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito	LR333	EG-R	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito	LR334	SB-F	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito	LR348	YH-P	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito	LR385	YH-D	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito	LR388	YH-F	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito	LR403	YH-U	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito B.IX	LR503		-	*details*	*no information*	*no information*
Mosquito	MM398	YH-J	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito	MM402	SB-A	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito	MM403	SB-V	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito	MM404	SB-T	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito	MM410	SB-O	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito NF.XIII	MM466	ME-?	-	*details*	*details*	*no information*
Mosquito VI	NS913	T	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito	NT531	WM-O	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito MK VI	PZ177		-	*details*	*no information*	*no information*	FB.VI, Merlin 25 engines	Hatfield
Mosquito VI	PZ314		-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito FBVI	RS619	LA-F	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
Mosquito B35	RS712	EG-F	-	*details*	*no information*	*no information*

Squadrons for : Mosquito
A list of all squadrons known to have flown the Mosquito. A profile page is available by clicking the squadron name.
Squadron	Info
No.105 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 23rd September 1917 Fate : On 20 January 1968 the squadron disbanded for the last timein Bahrain Fortis in proeliis - Valiant in battles Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.105 Sqn RAF	No.105 Sqn RAF No 105 Squadron, RFC, was formed at Andover, Hampshire, in September 1917, and was originally intended as a bomber unit for service in France. In April 1918, however, plans were changed: it was ordered to mobilize as a corps reconnaissance squadron for service in Ireland and in May it proceeded to Omagh, Co. Tyrone, equipped with RE8 aircraft. In December 1918, it was re-equipped with Bristol Fighters. and 105 Squadron continued on duties in Ireland until 1 February 1920, when the squadron was disbanded by being re-numbered to 2 Squadron at Oranmore The squadron was formed again on 12 April 1937 at RAF Harwell from B Flight of 18 Squadron as a day bomber squadron. Its first equipment was the biplane Hawker Audax while it awaited delivery of the more modern monoplane Fairey Battle. The Battles arrived in August 1937 and 105 Squadron was one of the first to be operational on the type. At the start of the Second World War in September 1939, as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force, the squadron moved to France, initially on reconnaissance missions along the France-German border. The Germans invaded France in May 1940 and the squadron was soon busy attacking the advancing German troops. One of the most important targets was the bombing of the bridges over the River Meuse in attempt to slow down the German advance. It suffered heavily from the attention of German fighters and the squadron had to retire back to England in June 1940. At RAF Honington the squadron was re-equipped with the Bristol Blenheim to join 2 Group's offensive against the invasion ports and German shipping. The squadron had many losses particularly from the German Flak ships. In October 1940 part of the squadron was detached to Malta to carry out attacks on Axis shipping in the Mediterranean Sea. It moved to RAF Swanton Morley in Norfolk. After losing its commanding officer in a raid near Stavanger in 1941, it gained a new CO, Wing Commander H.I. Edwards. For his part in planning and leading a low level daylight attack on the port of Bremen he was awarded the Victoria Cross. In October 1941 the Malta detachment returned to England and the squadron began to operate at a reduced level. The reason for the reduction in sorties was the squadron had been chosen to be the first to use the Mosquito Mk.IV and was concentrating on training. In December the squadron moved to RAF Horsham St Faith near Norwich. The first Mosquito operation was a high-level attack on Cologne as a follow-on to the "thousand-bomber" raid on the city. It was not the best use of the new aircraft and the squadron soon moved to low-level precision attacks where the aircraft had an outstanding performance. The first precision attack was against the Gestapo Headquarters in Oslo on 25 September 1942. The squadron was the first to do a daylight raid on Berlin on 30 January 1943. By June 1943 the squadron joined No. 8 (Pathfinder) Group and upgraded to Oboe-equipped Mosquito Mk.IXs. It performed precision target-marking for Bomber Command until the end of the war. The squadron was disbanded at RAF Upwood on 1 February 1946. Between 1949 and 1957 the squadron was linked with 109 Squadron as 109/105 Squadron, but on 21 February 1962 the squadron re-formed in its own right at RAF Benson with the Armstrong Whitworth Argosy, a medium-range tactical transport. By June it had moved to RAF Khormaksar, Aden, to provide support to ground forces in the area. It also carried out transport runs through the middle-east and parts of Africa. It was involved in paradropping supplies to the British Army during operations in the Radfan and was also involved in supporting the operations in Borneo. In 1966 it was supporting troops in Aden again. When the terrorist activity worsened, it was also tasked with providing search-and-rescue searches over the Indian Ocean and Red Sea. As the British withdrawal from Aden got nearer the squadron moved out the Muharraq, Bahrain, in 1967. On 20 January 1968 the squadron disbanded for the last time there.
No.107 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 8th October 1917 Fate : No. 107 Squadron at the Thor intermediate range ballistic base at Tuddenham. On 10 July 1963 the Squadron was disbanded. Nous y serons - We shall be there Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.107 Sqn RAF	No.107 Sqn RAF Though already formed at Catterick, as a day bomber unit on 8 October 1917, No. 107 Squadron was not equipped with aircraft until 15 May 1918 at RFC Lake Down, Salisbury, when it received Airco DH.9s, which it took to the Western Front on 3 June of that year. The squadron became at first part of the 13th wing of the 3rd brigade, working up to operational status. Thereafter it was transferred to the 51st wing of the 9th brigade and it began operations from Drionville. Its main targets were enemy airfields, base areas and communication lines, which it continued to attack until the Armistice. The squadron's most successful raid was made on Saponay on 21 July 1918, where a large ammunition dump was hit. From the squadron's airfield, 20 miles away at Chailly, the reflection of the explosions and fire could be seen going on all the evening and throughout the night. Another notable raid was that made on the Aulnoye railway station and junction on 1 October 1918. Returning to Hounslow Heath Aerodrome in March 1919, it disbanded there on 30 June 1919, No. 107 Squadron was reformed at RAF Andover on 10 August 1936 as a light bomber squadron, equipped with Hawker Hinds. These were replaced by Blenheim Mk.Is from August 1938 and on 4th September 1939, the squadron contributed four of these aircraft to the RAF's first air attack of World War 2 - the raid on the German warships near Wilhelmshaven. Only one of No 107's aircraft returned from this operation - and with its bomb load intact.1 No 107 Squadron, flying Blenheims, then Bostons and, finally, Mosquitos, subsequently took part in scores of raids, including such other notable ones as the mass low-level daylight raid on the Knapsack and Quadrath power stations near Cologne, on 12th August 1941; the great combined raid on Dieppe on 19th August 1942 (its task on this occasion was to bomb hostile shore batteries and thus reduce enemy opposition to the landing force); and the low-level daylight raid on the Philips radio and valve factory at Eindhoven on 6th December 1942. For a brief spell in 1941/42 the squadron operated from Malta, whilst in the closing stages of the European war (from November 1944, onwards) it operated from the Continent. In November 1945 No. 107 moved to Germany and formed part of the occupation forces until renumbered 11 Squadron on 4 October 1948. On 22 July 1959, C Flight of No. 77 Squadron was redesignated No. 107 Squadron at the Thor intermediate range ballistic base at Tuddenham. On 10 July 1963 the Squadron was disbanded.
No.109 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st November 1917 Fate : Disbanded 1st February 1957 Primi hastati - The first of the legion Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.109 Sqn RAF	No.109 Sqn RAF The squadron first formed on 1 November 1917 as 109 Squadron Royal Flying Corps at South Carlton and began training on the de Havilland DH.9 bomber but was disbanded on 19 August 1918 without becoming operational On 10th December 1940, the squadron was re-born from the Wireless Intelligence Development Unit (WIDU) whose headquarters were at Boscombe Down, Wilts. Using Anson and Wellington aircraft it was engaged during the next two years in development of radio counter-measures and also new radar aids, notably the blind bombing system known as Oboe. In August, 1942, No. 109 moved to Wyton to become one of the original units of the Pathfinder Force.1 In December it converted to Oboe Mosquitoes and on 2Oth/21st made World War 2 history by flying the first Oboe sorties over enemy territory - on a calibration raid against a power station at Lutterade in Holland. Eight nights later, on 31st December/1st January 1943, it made history again when it pioneered Oboe target marking for a following force of heavy bombers; the target was DÃ¼sseldorf. The squadron remained an Oboe Mosquito marker unit for the rest of the war and from mid-1943 had a friendly PFF rival in No. 105 Squadron. One of No. 109's most outstanding successes was on 5/6th March, 1943, when eight of its Mosquitoes led Bomber Command's devastating assault on Essen which laid waste more than 160 acres of that city and heralded the Battle of the Ruhr. Included among the squadron's many other wartime claims to fame is the claim that the last bombs to be dropped on Berlin were dropped by one of its Mosquitos at 2.14am on 21st April, 1945. On 30 September 1945 the Squadron was disbanded. Among the scores of decorations won by No. 109 Squadron personnel was a Victoria Cross. It was awarded posthumously to Squadron Leader BAM Palmer, "in recognition of most conspicuous bravery" while flying a Lancaster of No. 582 Squadron (mainly with a 582 Squadron crew) and acting as Oboe leader of a Lancaster force against Cologne on 23rd December 1944. On 1 October 1945, No. 627 Squadron at Woodhall Spa was renumbered 109 Squadron and flew Mosquitoes as a target marking unit until conversion to Canberras began in July 1952. It eventually re-equipped with Canberras and saw action in the Suez campaign. With the increase of the V bomber force the squadron was no longer needed and was finally disbanded on 1 February 1957 at RAF Binbrook.
No.11 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 14th December 1915 Fate : On 29th March 2007, XI(F) Squadron reformed at RAF Coningsby flying the Typhoon F.2 as the lead multi-role Typhoon squadron. Ociores acrierosque aquilis - Swifter and keener than eagles Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.11 Sqn RAF	No.11 Sqn RAF Formed at Netheravon on 14 February 1915 from a nucleus provided by No. 7 Squadron, No. 11 Squadron claims to be the first RFC unit specifically equipped as a scout unit. By the time the squadron moved to St Omer, France in July, it was equipped with the Vickers 'Gunbus' and was quickly pressed into action. Second Lieutenant G. S. M. Insall of the squadron being awarded a Victoria Cross for an action on 7 November 1915 in which he forced down and destroyed a German Aviatik observation aircraft.and destroying it with a well-aimed incendiary bomb, his aircraft was then damaged by ground fire. After force landing the aircraft, Insall and his observer/gunner repaired a fuel leak and flew back to base the following morning. In May 1917, the squadron became involved in offensive patrols, and joined the Army of Occupation after the Armistice, returning to the UK in late 1919 prior to disbanding shortly after. No. 11 Squadron numbered 19 flying aces in its ranks during the war. Among them were Victoria Cross winner Lionel Rees, as well as Andrew Edward McKeever, future Air Commodore John Stanley Chick, Eugene Coler, Albert Ball VC, Frederick Libby, Ronald Maudit, John Quested, Herbert Sellars, Donald Beard, Stephen Price, Hugh Hay, and Thomas Frederick Stephenson Reformed at Andover in January 1923, the Squadron spent short periods on communications and day bombing duties before moving to Risalpur, India and equipping with Wapitis and the a modified version of the Hart bomber. By the time war broke out in 1939, the Squadron had received Blenheims, and was transferred to Aden at the outset of the East Africa campaign. Following action in variety of operations, No. 11 Squadron moved to Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), in early 1942 and was involved in a number of unsuccessful attacks on Japanese ships. During 1943, the Squadron moved to Burma (now Myanmar) and used its newly arrived Hurricane ground-attack aircraft in support of the XIVth Army. With the surrender of Japan in August 1945, the Squadron moved to Japan as part of the Commonwealth occupation forces, remaining there until disbanded in February 1948. Reformed in Germany during October 1949, the Squadron spent several short periods with fighters of the period, Mosquitos, Vampires and Venoms until again disbanding during 1957, only to reform yet again in January 1959 with Meteor night fighters. Three years later, Javelins replaced the Meteors and these remained on strength until once again No. 11 Squadron was disbanded in 1966. Reforming in early 1967 with Lightnings, the Squadron spent the next 17 years flying this aircraft, until disbanding in May 1988, prior to reforming at Leeming three months later with the Tornado F3. In Oct 2005, after another period of 17 years, the Squadron once again disbanded. XI Squadron reformed at RAF Coningsby on 29 Mar 07 as the second frontline Typhoon squadron to form. As multi-role lead squadron, it spearheads the development of Typhoonâ€™s air-to-surface capability. The Squadrons Battle honours are Western Front 1915â€“1918, Loos, Somme 1916, Arras, Cambrai 1917, Somme 1918, Amiens, Hindenburg Line, North-West Frontier 1930â€“1931, North-West Frontier 1935â€“1939, East Africa 1940, Egypt and Libya 1940â€“1942, Greece 1941, Syria 1941, Ceylon April 1942, Arakan 1943â€“1944, North Burma 1943â€“1944, Manipur 1944, Burma 1944â€“1945.
No.110 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st November 1917 Fate : e Squadron remained in Borneo until November 1967 and then returned to Singapore staying there until No. 110 was disbanded on 15 February 1971 Hyderabad Nec timio nec sperno - I neither fear nor despise Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.110 Sqn RAF	No.110 Sqn RAF o. 110 Squadron, RFC, was formed at Rendcombe, Gloucestershire, on 1st November 1917, crossed to France in late August/early September 1918, for duty with the Independent Force, and during the remainder of World War I was employed on long-distance day bombing with DH9A aircraft - the first squadron to employ this aircraft. Its original complement of DH9As were the gift of His Serene Highness the Nizam of Hyderabad. Each aircraft bore an inscription to that effect, and the unit became known as the Hyderabad Squadron and disbanded on 27 August 1919 The squadron reformed in 1 June 1938 at Abingdon from a nucleus provided by No 15 Squadron. Initially equipped with Hinds, it began to receive Battles the following month but these actually left the squadron before the Hinds, in June 1939. This was due to the fact the it was to be a No 5 Group unit and this group was to be equipped with Hampdens, which began to arrive in May 1939 together with Ansons to assist in the conversion process. The squadron reformed on 18 May 1937 at Waddington, equipped first with Hawker Hinds and then Bristol Blenheims. In 1937 No. 88 Squadron was reformed with personnel drawn from 110 Squadron. In 1939, 110 Squadron was posted to Wattisham along with No. 107 Squadron. On 4 September 1939 Nos. 110 and 107 Squadron led the first RAF raid of the war against Wilhelmshaven. The squadron was mainly involved in anti-shipping strikes during the early part of the war, before being posted to India in March 1942. Later that year the squadron converted to the Vultee Vengeance which it operated until November 1944 when it re-equipped with the de Havilland Mosquito. The squadron disbanded at Labuan on 15 April 1946 On the 15 June 1946 No. 96 Squadron at Kai Tak was renumbered No. 110, its Dakotas flying transport duties in the area until July 1947, when it became temporarily non-operational until September. During the emergency in Malaya the Squadron was engaged in supply dropping to the Army and police forces in the jungle until the Communist guerillas had been driven back. In October 1951 the Squadron started to convert to Valettas, the last Dakota leaving in April 1952, which were flown until the Squadron disbanded on 31 December 1957. On 3 June 1959, Nos. 155 and 194 Squadrons were combined and renumbered No. 110 at Kuala Lumpur initially flying Whirlwinds until April 1960 when Sycamores were added. It flew both types on transport and supply duties in Malaya, until a detachment was sent to Brunei in April 1963 and the whole Squadron became involved in operations in Borneo. The Squadron remained in Borneo until November 1967 and then returned to Singapore staying there until No. 110 was disbanded on 15 February 1971
No.114 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 22nd September 1917 Fate : Disbanded 31st October 1971 Hong Kong With speed I strike Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.114 Sqn RAF	No.114 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.125 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st February 1918 Fate : Disbanded 10th May 1957 Newfoundland Nunquam domandi - Never to be tamed Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.125 Sqn RAF	No.125 Sqn RAF No. 125 Squadron was formed on 1 February 1918 as a light bomber unit at Old Sarum but did not become operational before it was disbanded on 1 August 1918. was reformed on 16 June 1941 at RAF Colerne equipped with Bolton-Paul Defiant night fighters. The squadron became operational at the end of September covering western England and South Wales. The squadron was raised as a result of a War Loan raised by the Newfoundland Commission on Government. The Commission presented the British Government with $500,000 to establish the squadron with the hope that it would be manned by Newfoundlanders. In September 1941 the squadron moved to RAF Fairwood Common and became fully operational, with the Defiant proving to be a more than effective night fighter. By March 1942, 125 Squadron started converting to the twin-engined Beaufighter. Defiants and Hawker Hurricanes were also used to supplement the Beaufighters. November 1943 saw the squadron move to RAF Valley in Wales to enable patrols to take place over the Irish Sea. With a conversion to Mosquitos in February 1944, No. 125 moved to RAF Hurn in preparation to cover the Operation Overlord landings in Normandy. With the commencement of V-1 attacks on London the squadron moved to RAF Middle Wallop to assist in the defence and to fly patrols from RAF Bradwell Bay over the Low Countries. A move to RAF Coltishall saw the squadron defend against enemy intruders and flying bomb carriers. whilst undertaking reconnaissance to locate the remainder of German shipping. No. 125 transferred to Yorkshire, where it was disbanded on 20 November 1945. On 31 March 1955, No. 125 reformed at Stradishall with Meteor night-fighters, beginning to replace these with Venoms in November 1955. This latter type was flown until the Squadron was disbanded on 10 May 1957.
No.128 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st February 1918 Fate : Disbanded 31st March 1946 Fulminis instar - Like a thunderbolt Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.128 Sqn RAF	No.128 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.13 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 10th January 1915 Adjuvamus tuendo - We assist by watching Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.13 Sqn RAF	No.13 Sqn RAF 13 Squadron formed at Gosport on 10 January 1915 and moved to France in October. Initially it provided army co-operation duties but subsequently it included bombing raids, pioneering formation bombing on 25 November 1916 in a raid on Achiet-le-Grand.. Aircraft types operated during the war included the Martinsyde G.100, the Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2, the Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8, both the SPAD VII and SPAD XIII, and the Sopwith Dolphin. The squadron disbanded on 31 December 1919 The unit reformed at RAF Kenley on 1 April 1924 and inter-war years saw the squadron operate from various UK bases equipped with a variety of aircraft types including the Bristol F.2, Atlas, Audax and Hector. By January 1939 the squadron was equipped with Lysanders and moved to France on 2 October until late May 1940 when it withdrew to UK bases. In May 1941 No. XIII Squadron changed role and theatre, flying a variety of bomber aircraft including the Bristol Blenheim and Douglas Boston in the Mediterranean until the end of the War. On 1 September 1946 No 680 Squadron at Ein Shemer, Palestine was renumbered No 13 Squadron. The unit operated as a photographic reconnaissance squadron. Still operating in this capacity it moved to Egypt, Cyprus and Malta. It returned to the UK in October 1978 and disbanded on 1 January 1982. No 13 Squadron reformed at RAF Honington on 1 January 1990 equipped with reconnaissance Tornado aircraft. As the Allied Coalition began to deploy forces to the Gulf in the latter part of 1990, in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, it quickly became apparent that the unique night reconnaissance capability of the Tornado could provide vital intelligence to the Allied commanders. As a result, on 15/16 January 1991, immediately before hostilities commenced, 6 aircraft were deployed to Dharhan in Saudi Arabia. During the first nights of the War, the Reconnaissance Wing successfully discovered several of the elusive Scud sites, giving rise to the now famous 'Scudhunters' nickname. By the end of the War, some 128 reconnaissance sorties had been flown by the detachment. However, this was not the Squadronâ€™s only contribution to the coalition victory, for the Squadron was also fundamental to the success of the Tornado/TIALD (Thermal imaging And Laser Designation) combination. 72 successful TIALD missions were flown. No 13 Squadron and its Tornado GR4s have since taken part in Operation Telic, in which Coalition forces, led by the United States overthrew the Iraqi regime, led by Saddam Hussein. The Squadronâ€™s latest deployment has taken them from their RAF Marham home to Al Udeid Air Base during late 2005, supporting continuing Coalition operations in Iraq.
No.139 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 3rd July 1918 Fate : reformed again at RAF Wittering on 1 January 1962 with the Handley Page Victor B2, before it was finally disbanded on 31 December 1968. Jamaica Si placet necamus - We destroy at will Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.139 Sqn RAF	No.139 Sqn RAF No. 139 Squadron was formed at Villaverla, Italy, on 3rd July 1918, as a fighter-reconnaissance squadron equipped with Bristol Fighters, and between that date and the Armistice it claimed the destruction of 27 enemy aircraft (a further seven were classified as "probably destroyed"). Disbanded in 1919, The squadron reformed on 3 September 1936 at Wyton, equipped first with Hawker Hinds and then Bristol Blenheims. On 3 September 1939 a Blenheim IV of the squadron piloted by Andrew McPherson was the first British aircraft to cross the German coast after Britain had declared war on Germany. On 4 September 1939, Nos. 110, 107 and 139 Squadrons led the first RAF air raid of the war against German shipping near Wilhelmshaven. In December 1939, the squadron was moved to Betheniville, France and in May 1940 when based at Plivot it was overrun by the German advance and lost most of its aircraft. In December 1941, the squadron converted to the Lockheed Hudson aircraft, which it operated in Burma until April 1942. In June 1942, the squadron returned to England and re-equipped with the Blenheim V before quickly switching to the de Havilland Mosquito at Horsham St. Faith. On 3 March, it carried out a daring air raid on the molybdenum processing plant at Knaben in Norway. It is believed that this was one of the raids on which the fictional work 633 Squadron was based. As a result of this raid a number of flight crew received decorations. On 20 March, the squadron lost a number of aircraft a week before the official announcement of the decorations. In the summer of 1943 No. 139 Squadron changed over to night raiding and joined the Pathfinder Force, its early work with the PFF consisting mainly of preceding waves of heavy bombers to drop Window (thin strips of metal foil) and so confuse the enemy's early warning radar, and making "spoof" raids on other targets to divert enemy night fighters from the primary target attacked by the "heavies". In 1944 it became an H2S-equipped Mosquito marker squadron and during the year visited a long list of the most famous targets in Germany - Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Mannheim, Hanover, Duisburg, LÃ¼beck, and many others. Very many 4,000-lb. "cookies" were dropped on these targets in addition to TIs (target indicators) to guide the main force heavies. Amongst other duties the squadron inaugurated the "Ploughman" raids in which each aircraft dropped a single bomb on each of four different diversionary targets; and it lit the way for minelaying operations in the Kiel Canal. .
No.14 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 3rd February 1915 I spread my wings and keep my promise Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.14 Sqn RAF	No.14 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.140 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st May 1918 Fate : Disbanded 10th November 1945 Photo Reconnaissance Foresight Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.140 Sqn RAF	No.140 Sqn RAF Initially planned in November 1917 to be a O/400 or DH9 unit, eventually formed on 1 April 1918 at Biggin Hill as a home defence squadron with Bristol F.2B aircraft. The squadron reformed on 17th September 1941 at RAF Benson as a Spitfire and Blenheim equipped photo-reconnaissance unit, when no 1417 Flight was raised to Squadron status. In 1942 the squadron operated a detachment at RAF St Evall in Cornwall to photograph the French ports on the Atlantic coast. The Spitfires were used for daylight operations over Northern France and later the Low Countries and Belgium, whilst the Blenheims were used for night reconnaissance using flares but in this role they were not very successful. The Blenheims were supplemented by Venturas in February 1943 and by August the Blenheims were all replaced. In July 1943 the squadron was allocated to No 34 Wing of 2nd Tactical Air Force and its main operations now centred on the preparations for the forthcoming invasion. To support the forthcoming invasion of France the squadron was involved in detailed photography of coastal installations as well as photographing other targets and general mapping. In November 1943, it began to receive Mosquitoes and with the Venturas leaving in January 1944 and the last Spitfire in April, it became wholly equipped with Mosquitoes. The Mosquito had a larger range and was able to work deeper over France. Later with the radar equipped Mosquito PR.XVIs they were able to carry out blind night photography. These continued to be used in both day and night roles for the remainder of the war, having moved to Belgium in September 1944. The squadron's final operational tasks were to carry out shipping reconnaissance along the Dutch and German coasts and with the war in Europe finished the Squadron returned to England in September 1945 and disbanded at Fersfield on 10 November 1945.
No.141 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st January 1918 Fate : Disbanded 31st March 1964 Caedimus noctu - We slay by night Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.141 Sqn RAF	No.141 Sqn RAF No. 141 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed on 1 January 1918 at Rochford, for home defence in the London Area. The Squadron moved to RAF Biggin Hill in February and giving up its mixed collection of types in favour of Bristol F.2 Fighters during March. In March 1919, it moved to Ireland, and was disbanded the following year, on 1 February 1920. On 4 October 1939, No 141 reformed at Turnhouse and by the end of the month had received some Gladiators followed shortly afterwards by Blenheims and these two types formed the training equipment of the until the arrival of Defiants in April 1940. Becoming operational on this type on 3 June 1940, the first operational patrol was flown by No 141 on 29 June and in July it moved to West Malling. The maintenance flight was based at Biggin Hill while the Defiants used Hawkinge as an advanced airfield and it was from the latter that the Squadron had its first and last daylight encounter with the enemy. Six out of nine aircraft were lost over the Channel to Me 109s and the squadron was withdrawn to Prestwick two days later as the ineffectiveness of the Defiant against single-seat fighters became evident. In September, a detachment was sent back to southern England but this time for night patrols and the whole squadron moved there in October. In April 1941, No. 141 returned to Scotland where it converted to Beaufighters for the defence of central Scotland and north-east England. In June 1942 it moved to Tangmere for local defence and in February 1943 to south-west England where it began flying intruder missions over north-west France. At the end of April 1943, it was transferred to Wittering and began flying intruder sorties over German airfields in support of Bomber Command in June. Mosquitoes began to replace the Beaufighters in October and in December the Squadron joined No. 100 Group, sending aircraft with Bomber Command's main force to attack enemy night-fighters and their bases. This type of operation continued until the German surrender and on 7 September 1945 the Squadron was disbanded. On 17 June 1946, No. 141 reformed at Wittering, again as a Mosquito night-fighter Squadron. In September 1951, it began to convert to Meteors and replaced these with Venoms in 1955. Javelins began to arrive in February 1957 and were flown until the Squadron was renumbered 41 Squadron on 1 February 1958. On 1 April 1959, No. 141 was reformed as a Bloodhound anti-aircraft missile unit at Dunholme Lodge, disbanding on 31 March 1964.
No.142 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 2nd February 1918 Fate : Disbanded 24th May 1963 Determination Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.142 Sqn RAF	No.142 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.143 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st February 1918 Fate : Disbanded 25th May 1945 Vincere est vivere - To conquer is to live Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.143 Sqn RAF	No.143 Sqn RAF No. 143 Squadron Royal Flying Corps was formed on 1 March 1918 and became a unit of the Royal Air Force a month later, but it disbanded on 31 October 1919 having operated the Sopwith Camel and Sopwith Snipe. On 15 June 1941, No. 143 reformed at Aldergrove as a long-range fighter unit in Coastal Command equipped with Beaufighters and became operational almost immediately. Early in June the Squadron moved first to north-east England and then to Scotland for convoy patrols along the east coast. In December 1941, No. 143 returned to Ireland and became non-operational, giving up its Beaufighters for Blenheims and becoming a training unit. In August 1942, the Squadron moved to East Anglia for convoy patrols and air-sea rescue missions and in September once more began to re-equip with Beaufighters, becoming operational on anti-shipping raids in November. On the 18 April 1943, by which time the wing was better prepared. This time all three squadrons were involved in the attack, while cover was provided by Fighter Command. The attack on a heavily armed convoy near the Dutch coast was a success, and no British aircraft were lost. The squadron remained with the Coates Wing until the late summer. In August 1943 No. 143 moved to Cornwall to provide fighter support for anti-submarine aircraft operating over the Bay of Biscay. In February 1944, it returned to North Coates to resume attacks on enemy shipping and in May moved to Manston to fly anti-E-boat patrols. In October 1944, No. 143 moved to northern Scotland where it converted to Mosquitoes as part of the Banff strike wing for attacks on enemy shipping off Norway for the rest of the war. On 25 May 1945, the Squadron was disbanded and its personnel transferred to No. 14 Squadron.
No.144 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 20th March 1918 Fate : Disbanded 23rd August 1963 Who shall stop us Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.144 Sqn RAF	No.144 Sqn RAF No 144 Squadron, RFC, was formed at Port Said, Egypt, on 2Oth March 1918. On 14th August it came under the orders of the Palestine Brigade, Royal Air Force, and by the end of the month it had been fully equipped as a bombing squadron with DH9s at Junction Station. On the opening of the final offensive in Palestine, No 144 Squadron was with the 4Oth (Army) Wing and had 13 DH9s on charge. There was no special air activity before the offensive so that the enemy should not be warned of our intentions, but No. 144 Squadron made two important bombing raids on Der'a station in conjunction with the operations of the Arab Northern Army under Sherif Feisal and Colonel TE Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) in the eastern area on the 16th and 17th September. When the offensive began on the coastal sector on 19th September an initial bombing offensive was directed against the main Turkish telegraphic and telephonic centres whose positions were known from intelligence sources and from air photographs. No 144 Squadron bombed the central telephone exchange at El 'Affule and the headquarters and telephone exchange of the Turkish Seventh Army at Nablus, and (it seems) effectively cut the enemy's telephone communications at a vital time. By 20th September the enemy was in headlong retreat. In the west the Turkish Eighth Army had been shattered and its remnants, together with the Seventh Army in the centre, were retiring to their doom. On the following day they were trapped in the Wadi el Far'a and completely wiped out by air attack with all RAF squadrons being concentrated in the attack. No 144 Squadron then co-operated in the advance east of the Jordan, which resulted in the capture of the Turkish Fourth Army. At the end of September a flight of No 144 Squadron was stationed at Haifa to co-operate with the XXI Corps during its advance on Beirut, but elsewhere, with the rapid pursuit of the enemy, the opportunities and facilities for bombing had diminished. In October the squadron moved to Mudros, Greece, but by the end of the year it had returned to England. It was disbanded at Ford Junction on 4th February 1919. The squadron was still equipped with Hampdens on the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, flying its first mission on 26 September, when it dispatched 12 aircraft to search for, and attack if found, German naval forces in the North Sea. On this occasion, however, it encountered no allowable targets. Three days later, the squadron sent out 11 aircraft over the Heligoland Bight in another search for German warships. The strike force split into two groups; while one formation spotted but failed to hit two German destroyers, the second formation was intercepted by Luftwaffe Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters, which shot down all five Hampdens. The first occasion on which No 144 Squadron flew over the German mainland was the night of 24/25th February 1940, when propaganda leaflets or Nickels were dropped on Hamburg. On 6th March, by which time it had Nickelled several other German towns and by which time also it had flown a number of security patrols, the squadron took part in Bomber Command's first attack on a German land objective - the minelaying-seaplane base at Hornum. Just over two months later (by which time minelaying had been added to its duties) No 144 shared in another notable "first" - the first big bombing attack on the German mainland (the exits of MÃ¼nchen-Gladbach). As a result of the Channel Dash in February 1942, when the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen managed to break the British blockade and sail from France through the English Channel to Germany, indicated to the RAF that their anti-shipping strike strength was inadequate, and it was decided to convert two Hampden squadrons to the torpedo bomber role, with 144 Squadron being one of the two chosen for conversion.[10] The squadron transferred from Bomber Command to 18 Group Coastal Command on 21 April 1942, moving to RAF Leuchars on the East coast of Scotland. It flew its first torpedo bomber mission on 27 July 1942. ] In September 1942, 32 Hampdens of 144 Squadron and 455 Squadron RAAF were sent to Murmansk in Northern Russia in order to support the Arctic convoy PQ 18, and to attack any German warships that might sortie from bases in Norway against the convoy. The squadron lost 5 Hampdens on the flight to Russia, with a further four of 455 Squadron's also lost. The German surface warships did not attack PQ 18, and the squadron's personnel returned to Britain aboard a cruiser in October, leaving its aircraft behind to be handed over to the Soviets. In January 1943 the Squadron converted to the more capable Bristol Beaufighter, staying in the torpedo bomber role. After working up, it transferred to Algeria in June 1943, flying anti-shipping strikes over the Mediterranean until it returned to the United Kingdom in August. It continued anti-shipping operations over the North Sea from RAF Wick in Scotland, moving to RAF Davidstow Moor in Cornwall in May 1944 in preparation for Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy, where it was tasked with protecting the invasion forces from German E-boats. It moved to RAF Strubby in Lincolnshire in July for operations against E-boats and German convoys off the Dutch coast. In September it moved to Banff, Aberdeenshireas part of the Banff Strike Wing, for operations off Norway. In January 1945, the squadron abandoned the torpedo role, concentrating in anti-flak suppression for the Strike Wing. It disbanded on 25 May 1945 at RAF Dallach
No.151 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 12th June 1918 Fate : Disbanded September 1992 Foy pour devoir - Fidelity unto duty Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.151 Sqn RAF	No.151 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.157 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 14th July 1918 Fate : Disbanded 16th August 1945 Our cannon speak our thoughts Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.157 Sqn RAF	No.157 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.16 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 10th February 1915 Operta aperta - Hidden things are revealed Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.16 Sqn RAF	No.16 Sqn RAF No. 16 Squadron was formed from elements of Nos. 2, 5 and 6 Squadrons at St Omer, France, on 10 February 1915. The unit flew more than its fair share of types including Voisins, BE2As, Bs, and Shorthorns, using them to pioneer the use of wireless to report enemy troop movements during the Battle of Abuers Ridge in May 1915. During 1916, the Squadron standardised on the BE2C. During the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the Squadron formed an association with the Canadian Corps that lasted until the Armistice. Along with so many other RAF Squadrons, No. 16 was disbanded in 1919. On 1 April 1924, No. 16 Squadron reformed at Old Sarum, spending the next ten years attached to the School of Army Co-operation flying Bristol Fighters, Atlas' and Audaxes. In May 1938, the Squadron became the first to receive Lysanders, taking them to France at the outbreak of World War II. After returning to the UK in May 1940, the Squadron was tasked with anti-invasion coastal patrols until Mustangs arrived in April 1942. These were used in 'Rhubarb' patrols over France and also intercepting enemy fighter-bombers mounting 'hit and run' raids along the South Coast. During the preparations for D-Day, reconnaissance Spitfires replaced the Mustangs, flying both high- and low-level reconnaissance sorties as 2TAF advanced towards Germany. In March 1946, after a period of confusion as to whether the Squadron had been disbanded or not, the Squadron inherited No. 56 Squadron's Tempests and moved to Gutersloh. No. 16 Squadron re-equipped with ground-attack Vampires in late 1948 and Venoms in 1954 before disbanding in June 1957. A year later, the Squadron was reformed at Laarbruch and began a 14-year association with Canberras before finally receiving Buccaneers in June 1972. The Buccaneers were replaced by Tornado GR1s in 1984, and, like its sister Squadron, No. XV, found itself disbanded in Germany in October 1991 under 'Options for Change' and its numberplate being assigned to an operational conversion unit, in this case No. 226 OCU at Lossiemouth. With the decision taken to run the Jaguar fleet down in ant
No.162 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st June 1918 Fate : Disbanded 14th July 1946 One time, one purpose Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.162 Sqn RAF	No.162 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.163 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st June 1918 Fate : Disbanded 14th July 1946 One time, one purpose Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.163 Sqn RAF	No.163 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.169 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 15th June 1942 Fate : Disbanded 10th August 1945 Hunt and destroy Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.169 Sqn RAF	No.169 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.18 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 11th May 1915 Fate : 18 Squadron took part in the UK's deployment to the Gulf following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait Burma Animo et fide - With courage and faith Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.18 Sqn RAF	No.18 Sqn RAF The squadron was formed on 11 May 1915 at Northolt as part of the Royal Flying Corps. It arrived in France on 19 November 1915, principally equipped with the Vickers FB5 'Gunbus', supplemented by a few Airco DH.2s and Bristol Scouts, and operating in the Army cooperation role. By April 1916 the squadron had re-equipped with FE2bs. Victor Huston became a flying ace piloting one of these. The squadron was heavily deployed during the Battle of the Somme, where it was attached to the Cavalry Corps and trained to assist it in the event on any breakthrough, but towards the end of the year and into early 1917, was increasingly deployed on night operations as its F.E.2bs became more vulnerable during daylight operations. The squadron re-equipped with Airco DH.4s from June 1917, although operations continued with F.E.2 until at least August 1917 as its DH.4s were equipped with the unreliable RAF 3 engine. Once these reliability problems were solved, the squadron, began to specialise in long-range attacks, but this changed in March 1918 when the Germans launched Operation Michael, the opening move of their Spring Offensive. 18 Squadron was among many units deployed to stop the German attacks, resorting to low level attacks as well as more conventional medium level operations. As the Germans switched the focus of their operations northwards in the Battle of the Lys, the squadron was again heavily involved, and on 12 April, the squadron carried out six separate attacks in the vicinity of Merville, with 13 pilots flying between them 44 flying hours that day George Darvill became an ace on DH.4s, scoring nine victories. In September 1918, the squadron began to re-equip with Airco DH.9As, this process continuing until November that year. By the end of the war, the squadron had claimed 200 air-to-air victories. Following the Armistice of 11 November 1918 that ended the fighting on the Western Front, 18 Squadron moved into Germany in support of the Occupation of the Rhineland in early 1919, carrying mail between the British Army of the Rhine and the United Kingdom. The squadron returned to Britain in September 1919 and disbanded at Weston-on-the-Green on 31 December 1919 reformed in October 1931 at Upper Heyford with Harts and then Hinds. As part of the Air Component of the BEF and equipped with Blenheims, No. 18 Squadron suffered heavy losses in their attempts to stem the German advance the Europe before being withdrawn to the UK in May 1940. The Squadron was then assigned to anti-shipping duties, but during one raid over France in August 1941, one aircraft dropped a box over St Omer airfield containing an artificial leg. It was a spare for Wing Commander Douglas Bader. The Squadron then moved to North Africa with the Blenheim V and took up day bombing duties. During an unescorted raid on Chouigui airfield in December 1942 led by Wing Commander HG Malcolm, his aircraft was shot down and he was posthumously awarded the VC. During 1943-45, No. 18 Squadron supported the allied advance through Italy before moving to Greece in September 1945, disbanding there a year later. Between 1946 and 1950 No 18 squadron was disbanded and re-formed several times. In 1953 the squadron reformed at RAF Scampton with Canberras. In May 1955 the squadron moved to RAF Upwood. Whilst at Upwood the squadron had Detachments to Cyprus (Nicosia) October 1955 to December 1955 and dispanded in January 1957. The squadron reformed again in December 1958 at RAF Finningley, equipped with Vickers Valiant. The Squadron was next operational in 1964, equipped with the Westland Wessex HC.2 at RAF Odiham, formed when the Wessex Trials unit was divided to form 18 and 72 Sqn. It then moved to RAF GÃ¼tersloh, Westphalia in support of the BAOR in Germany from 1965 to 1980.[citation needed] During this time a detachment was operated at RAF Nicosia, Cyprus, in support of the United Nations force. The squadron received its Chinooks HC.1s in 1981 During the Falklands War in 1982, four Chinooks were dispatched on the cargo ship Atlantic Conveyor, but three were lost when the vessel was sunk. The sole surviving aircraft gave sterling service on the islands in the months that followed and today operates 18 of the helicopters. The Chinook HC.2, equivalent to the US Army CH-47D standard, began to enter RAF service in 1993. 18 Squadron was the only Chinook squadron that took part in Operation Corporate during the Falklands War in 1982. All the Chinooks were lost, except one, when the Atlantic Conveyor was sunk. The remaining aircraft (Bravo November, ZA718) flew almost continuously until the end of the conflict. The pilot of the aircraft Squadron Leader Richard "Dick" Langworthy AFC RAF was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his part in the air operations. 18 Squadron took part in the UK's deployment to the Gulf following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. 15 HC.2s were sent from No. 7, No. 18, and No. 27 squadrons during Operation Telic. .
No.180 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 11th September 1942 Fate : Disbanded 31st March 1946 Suaviter in modo fortiter in re - Agreeable in manner, forcible in act Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.180 Sqn RAF	No.180 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.192 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 5th September 1917 Fate : Disbanded 21st August 1958 Dare to discover Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.192 Sqn RAF	No.192 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.21 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 23rd July 1915 Fate : Disbanded 31st January 1976 Viribus vincimus - By strength we conquer Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.21 Sqn RAF	No.21 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.219 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 22nd July 1918 Fate : Disbanded 31st July 1957 From dusk till dawn Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.219 Sqn RAF	No.219 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.224 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st April 1918 Fate : Disbanded 31st October 1966 Fedele all amico - Faithful to a freind Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.224 Sqn RAF	No.224 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.23 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st September 1915 Fate : The squadron disbanded on 2 October 2009, when it amalgamated with No 8 Squadron. Semper aggessus - Always having attacked Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.23 Sqn RAF	No.23 Sqn RAF o. 23 Squadron formed at Fort Grange, Gosport on 1 Sep 1915 under the command of one of the RAF's most experienced operational pilots - Captain Louis Strange. After a brief period attempting to counter German airship flights over London, the Squadron moved to France with its FE2Bs initially employed on escort duties. By early 1917, Spad single-seaters had arrived, and were being used on offensive patrols over the front and low-level strafing attacks against German troops By the end of the War, the Squadron had converted to Dolphins, and flew these until disbanded at the end of 1919. On 1 July 1925, No. 23 Squadron reformed at Henlow with Snipes, but these were replaced shortly after with Gloster Gamecocks. In 1931, the Squadron was tasked with carrying out trials on the new Hawker Hart two-seaters, taking the production version, known as Demons, on strength in 1933 n 1938 it became a night-fighter squadron using the Bristol Blenheim. Following the outbreak of the Second World War, these were replaced by the Douglas Havoc and later the de Havilland Mosquito. Between 1942 and 1944 the squadron was based on Malta. It then returned to England and served as an intruder squadron, targeting German night fighters, over western Europe. 23 Sqn was disbanded, following the war's end, in September 1945 The squadron was reformed on 1 September 1946 as a night fighter squadron operating the de Havilland Mosquito.[8] It received jet aircraft in the form of de Havilland Vampire NF.10s in 1953, replacing them with de Havilland Venom NF.2s in June 1954. The squadron acquired Venom NF.3 in 1957.but was soon replaced with Gloster Javelin all-weather fighter, beginning a long period operating in the air defence role. The squadron has a strong heritage in the air defence role, operating Gloster Javelins, Lightnings, Phantoms and Tornado F3s. The squadron first acquired Phantoms on 1 November 1975 at RAF Coningsby before moving to RAF Wattisham for just under 10 years. Then in October 1983 the squadron deployed to Stanley airfield, Falkland Islands after their recapture from Argentina, arriving there on 1 November. They remained here until 31 October 1988 when its duty was assumed by 1435 Flight. The squadron then reformed on 1 November 1988 at RAF Leeming with the Panavia Tornado which it operated until 26 February 1994, when the unit was disbanded. The squadron assumed the Airborne Early Warning role upon reformation in April 1996, sharing the RAF's Sentry AEW1 fleet with No. 8 Squadron. The squadron disbanded on 2 October 2009, when it amalgamated with No 8 Squadron.
No.235 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : August 1918 Fate : Disbanded 10th July 1945 Jaculamur humi - We strike them to the ground Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.235 Sqn RAF	No.235 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.239 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : August 1918 Fate : Disbanded 1st July 1945 Exploramus - We seek out Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.239 Sqn RAF	No.239 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.248 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : August 1918 Fate : Disbanded 30th September 1946 Il faut en finir - It is necessary to make an end of it Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.248 Sqn RAF	No.248 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.249 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 18th August 1918 Fate : Disbanded 24th February 1969 Gold Coast Pugnis et cacibus - With fist and heels Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.249 Sqn RAF	No.249 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.25 Sqn RAAF Country : Australia Founded : 3rd May 1937 City of Perth Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.25 Sqn RAAF	No.25 Sqn RAAF Full profile not yet available.
No.25 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 25th September 1915 Feriens Tego - Striking I defend Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.25 Sqn RAF	No.25 Sqn RAF No. 25 Squadron was formed at Montrose in Scotland on 25 September 1915 from the personnel of No. 6 Reserve Squadron. Moving to France in February 1916, the Squadron took up fighter/reconnaissance patrols over the Western Front with two-seat FE2Bs. During 1917, the Squadron transferred to long-range reconnaissance and high-altitude bombing with newly received DH4s. After moving to Germany as part of the occupation forces, No. 25 Squadron returned to the UK and disbanded in January 1920. The squadron reformed the next day at RAF Hawkinge, flying Snipes, and went to Turkey in 1922/23 during the Chanak Crisis. After returning to the UK the unit stayed for a number of years at Hawkinge. The Snipes gave way to Grebes and later Siskins, while in December 1936 the squadron became the first unit to receive the Hawker Fury Mk II, having already flown the Fury Mk I since 1932. The Fury was replaced by the Hawker Demon when the squadron was given a night-fighter role. For night-flying training purposes the squadron also received Gloster Gladiators. No. 25(F) Squadron moved to RAF Northolt on 12 September 1938. During World War II it flew Blenheims on night patrols, which were replaced by Beaufighters and later Mosquitos. By the closing stages of the war, the squadron was almost entirely committed to bomber escort missions. After the war, the night-fighter Mosquitos remained on strength until 1951 when they were finally replaced by Vampires. A mix of two Meteor night-fighter variants replaced the Vampires in 1954 and remained with the Squadron until it was disbanded in June 1958. Barely a week later, on 1 July 1958, No. 153 Squadron at Waterbeach was renumbered No. 25 and the same mix of Meteors (NF12s and NF14s) was flown until all-weather Javelin fighters arrived in early 1959. In November 1962, the Squadron again disbanded, this time until October 1963, when the Squadron was reformed at North Coates as the first operational Bloodhound surface-to-air guided missile unit. In 1970, the Squadron moved to Bruggen with detached Flights based at Laarbruch and Wildenrath, remaining in Germany until 1983 when the unit returned to the UK with bases at Wyton, Barkston Heath and Wattisham. The Bloodhounds were withdrawn from service on 1 August 1989 and the Squadron reformed the same day at Leeming as a Tornado F3 squadron. During its time at Leeming, the squadron has had operational tours in the Gulf, providing air and groundcrews for the detachment of Tornado F3 based in Saudi Arabia on a rotational basis with other air defence squadrons. This ceased following the Operation Telic in 2003.
No.254 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : May 1918 Fate : Disbanded 23rd June 1963 Fljua vakta ok ljosta - To fly, to watch and to strike Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.254 Sqn RAF	No.254 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.255 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 25th July 1918 Fate : Disbanded 30th April 1946 Ad auroram - To the break of dawn Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.255 Sqn RAF	No.255 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.256 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : June 1918 Fate : Disbanded 21st January 1959 Addimus vim viribus - Strength to strength Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.256 Sqn RAF	No.256 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.264 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 27th September 1918 Fate : Disbanded 30th November 1962 Madras Presidency We defy Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.264 Sqn RAF	No.264 Sqn RAF 264 Squadron was formed from two former Royal Naval Air Service flights, No.439 and No.440, on 27th September 1918 at Souda bay in Crete with the role of anti-submarine patrols, and equipped with the Short 184 floatplanes. The Squadron was disbanded on 1 March 1919. On 8th December 1939 at Martlesham Heath, 264 Squadron was reformed and equipped with the new Boulton Paul Defiant fighter. In March 1940 the squadron started operations doing convoy patrols. After initial successes the Luftwaffe soon realised that the Defiant was vulnerable to frontal attack, and 264 Squadron along with the other Boulton Paul Defiant squadrons started to suffer heavy losses of aircraft and crew. At the end of May 1940, 264 Squadron was withdrawn from operations as a day-fighter squadron and began to train in the night-fighter role. During the Battle of Britain 264 Squadron was used again for day fighting but again suffered losses and returned to the night-fighter role. In May 1942 the squadron was re-equipped with Mosquito II and moved to RAF Colerne, and later receieved the new Mark VI. The squadron operated as night-fighters in the west of England and also in the role of day patrols in the Bay of Biscay and western approaches. 264 Squadron later became part of the 2nd Tactical Air Force providing night patrols over Europe and near the end of the war it was based at Twente in Holland patrolling over Berlin. 264 squadron was disbanded at Twente on 25th August 1945.
No.288 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 18th November 1941 Fate : Disbanded 30th September 1957 Honour through deeds Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.288 Sqn RAF	No.288 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.29 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 7th November 1915 Impiger et acer - Energetic and keen Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.29 Sqn RAF	No.29 Sqn RAF No 29 Squadron was formed at Gosport on 7 November 1915 from a nucleus supplied by No 23 Squadron, and after training moved to France in March 1916 as the third squadron to be fully equipped with fighters. Its DH2s were engaged in escort duties to protect the slow and vulnerable reconnaissance aircraft over the Western Front ,By late 1916 the DH.2 was outclassed by new German fighters, but No. 29 kept its pushers until March 1917, when it was re-equipped with Nieuport 17s. These were replaced with later Nieuport types, such as the Nieuport 24bis, as these became available. Due to a shortage of the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a the squadron retained its Nieuports until April 1918, being replaced by SE5As, which were used for the rest of the war on fighter and ground -attack missions. After a short period in Germany, the squadron Squadron was reduced to a cadre and in August 1919 returned to Spittlegate in the UK, in August 1919 where it was disbanded on 31 December 1919. The squadron was reformed on 1 April 1923, initially equipped with Sopwith Snipes. These were replaced by Gloster Grebes in January 1925, In turn, these were replaced by the Armstrong Whitworth Siskin IIIA in March 1928 and Bristol Bulldogs in June 1932. In March 1935, the squadron received two-seater Hawker Demons, which it operated until 1938. This included service in Egypt from October 1935 to 1936, during the Abyssinian crisis. The squadron also operated a few old Fairey Gordons for night patrols in Egypt. No 29 began the Second World War with its Blenheims, which at the period operated as day fighters â€“ especially on convoy protection patrols. From June 1940 it became a night fighter squadron, receiving some of the first Beaufighters in November, though it was February 1941 before the squadron was fully equipped with the new fighter. Various marks of the de Havilland Mosquito were flown by the squadron from May 1943 culminating in the Mosquito NF30. From the middle of 1944 most of the squadronâ€™s missions took it over the continent. The Mosquitoes continued to serve until replaced by Meteors in August 1951 at Tangmere. In January 1957 the squadron Squadron moved north, first to Northumberland and then in July 1958 to Scotland, conversion to Javelins taking having taken place in November 1957. In February 1963, No 29 was moved to Cyprus and in December 1965 went detached to Zambia for nine months on detachmentduring the Rhodesian crisis. In May 1967 the squadron Squadron returned to the UK to become are-equip with Lightnings squadron, disbanding on 31 December 1974. No 29 reformed at Coningsby as a Phantom squadron on 1 January 1975. A detachment was provided for the defence of the Falklands as soon as the airfield at Stanley was capable of operating Phantoms at the endin August of 1982. This became No 23 Squadron in March 1983 The Squadron swapped its Phantoms for Tornado F3 fighters in 1987 remaining at Coningsby until disbanded in October 1998. Five years later, the squadron was reformed, this time as the Typhoon operational conversion unit (OCU) based at BAE Systems' Warton airfield. In April 1987, No 29 Squadron became the first operational squadron to be equipped with the Tornado F3, deploying to Saudi Arabia after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 and flying throughout Operation DESERT STORM in the air-defence role. The Squadron was again disbanded in October 1998.
No.305 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 29th August 1940 Fate : Disbanded 6th January 1947 Polish Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.305 Sqn RAF	No.305 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.307 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 5th September 1940 Fate : Disbanded 2nd January 1947 Polish Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.307 Sqn RAF	No.307 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.313 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 10th May 1941 Fate : Disbanded 15th February 1946 Czech Jeden jestrab mnoho vran rozhan - One hawk scatters many crows Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.313 Sqn RAF	No.313 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.315 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 8th January 1941 Fate : Disbanded 14th January 1947 Polish - City of Deblin Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.315 Sqn RAF	No.315 Sqn RAF Flew Mustangs from March 1944.
No.333 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 5th May 1943 Fate : Disbanded 21st November 1945 Norwegian For Konge, Fedreland og flaggets heder - For King, country and the honour of the flag Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.333 Sqn RAF	No.333 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.334 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 26th May 1943 Fate : Disbanded 21st November 1945 Norwegian Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.334 Sqn RAF	No.334 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.4 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 16th September 1912 In futurum videre - To see into the future Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.4 Sqn RAF	No.4 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.404 Sqn RCAF Country : Canada Founded : 15th April 1941 Fate : Disbanded 25th May 1945 Ready to fight Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.404 Sqn RCAF	No.404 Sqn RCAF Full profile not yet available.
No.406 Sqn RCAF Country : Canada Founded : 5th May 1941 Fate : Disbanded 31st August 1945 City of Saskatoon We kill by night Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.406 Sqn RCAF	No.406 Sqn RCAF Full profile not yet available.
No.409 Sqn RCAF Country : Canada Founded : 17th June 1941 Fate : Disbanded 1st July 1945 Media nox meridies noster - Midnight is our noon Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.409 Sqn RCAF	No.409 Sqn RCAF Full profile not yet available.
No.410 Sqn RCAF Country : Canada Founded : 30th June 1941 Fate : Disbanded 9th June 1945 Cougar Noctivaga - Wandering by night Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.410 Sqn RCAF	No.410 Sqn RCAF Full profile not yet available.
No.418 Sqn RCAF Country : Canada Founded : 15th November 1941 Fate : Disbanded 7th September 1945 City of Edmonton Piyautailili - Defend even unto death Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.418 Sqn RCAF	No.418 Sqn RCAF Full profile not yet available.
No.456 Sqn RAAF Country : Australia Founded : 30th June 1941 Fate : Disbanded 15th June 1945 City of Edmonton Piyautailili - Defend even unto death Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.456 Sqn RAAF	No.456 Sqn RAAF Full profile not yet available.
No.46 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 19th April 1916 Fate : Disbanded 31st August 1975. Uganda We rise to conquer Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.46 Sqn RAF	No.46 Sqn RAF No. 46 Squadron was formed on the 19th April 1916 and based at RAF Wyton base. In October 1916, 46 Squadron moved to France and was equipped with the two seater Nieuport. 46 Squadrons role was artillery spotting and reconnaissance until May 1917 when 46 squadron were re equipped with the fighter the Sopwith Pup. 46 Squadron operated as part of the 11th Army Wing, and saw many engagements with the enemy. Returning to England and based at Sutton's Farm, Essex, the squadron took part in the defence of London, in July 1917. London had been bombed several times by German Gotha Bombers but after 46 Squadrons patrols no enemy aircraft managed to bomb London in their area. Later 46 squadorn returned to France at the end of August 1917 and in November the squadorn was re equipped with the Sopwith Camel and participated in the Battle of Cambrai protecting the ground troops. In November 1917, Lieutenant (later Major) Donald Maclaren joined 46 Squadron. His first dogfight was not until February 1918, but in the last 9 months of the war Donald Maclaren was credited with shooting down 48 aeroplanes and six balloons, making him one of the top aces of World War I. By November 1918, 46 Squadron had claimed 184 air victories, creating 16 aces. After the First World War had ended the squadorn returned to England and was disbanded on the 31st of December 1919. The outbreak of war found 46 Squadron at RAF Digby, equipped with Hawker Hurricanes. Action with the enemy came quickly when, at the end of October 1939, Squadron Leader Barwell and Pilot Officer Plummer attacked a formation of 12 Heinkel 115s, destroying one each, and scattering the remainder. The next six months were uneventful, consisting in the main of providing air cover for the shipping convoys steaming along the East Coast - a few enemy aircraft were sighted but no contacts were made. In May 1940, the squadron was selected to form part of the Expeditionary Force in Norway, which had been invaded by the Germans on 9th April. The Hurricanes were embarked on HMS Glorious and, despite doubts that a Hurricane could take off from a carrier flight deck in a flat calm, they all took to the air without difficulty, thanks to the efforts of the ship's engineers, who managed to get the Glorious up to a speed of 30 knots. No.46 Squadron assembled at Bardufoss and began operation on 26 May. Patrols were maintained over the land and naval forces at Narvik without respite, some of the pilots going without sleep for more than 48 hours. Conditions on the ground were very basic with poor runways and primitive servicing and repair facilities. Many air combats took place, and in its brief campaign in Norway the squadron accounted for at least 14 enemy aircraft, besides probably destroying many others. On 7th June the squadron was ordered to evacuate Norway immediately and, on the night of 7th through 8th June, the Hurricanes were successfully flown back to Glorious â€” a dangerous procedure as none of the aircraft were fitted with deck arrester hooks. The ground parties embarked on HMS Vindictive and SS Monarch of Bermuda and reached the UK safely, but the squadron's aircraft and eight of its pilots were lost when Glorious was sunk by German warships on 9th June 1940. The two pilots who survived were the Squadron Commander, Squadron Leader (later Air Chief Marshal) Bing Cross, and the Flight Commander, Flight Lieutenant (later Air Commodore) Jamie Jameson.
No.464 Sqn RAAF Country : UK Founded : 15th August 1942 Fate : Disbanded 25th September 1945 Aequo anumo - Equanimity Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.464 Sqn RAAF	No.464 Sqn RAAF Full profile not yet available.
No.47 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st March 1916 Nili nomen roboris omen - The name of the Nile is an omen of strength Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.47 Sqn RAF	No.47 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.48 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 15th April 1916 Fate : Disbanded 7th January 1976 Forte et fidele Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.48 Sqn RAF	No.48 Sqn RAF No. 48 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed at Netheravon, Wiltshire, on 15 April 1916. The squadron was posted to France in March 1917 and became the first fighter squadron to be equipped with the Bristol Fighter. One of the squadron's commanders was Keith Park, then a Major, who later led No. 11 Group of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain as an Air Vice Marshal. The squadron became part of the Royal Air Force when the Royal Flying Corps merged with the Royal Naval Air Service in 1918. It moved by sea to India during May/June 1919, being based at Quetta. On 1 April 1920 the squadron was disbanded by renumbering it to No. 5 Squadron. The squadron had 32 aces serve in it. Besides Park, they included: Fred Holliday, John Letts, Brian Edmund Baker, Harold Anthony Oaks, Leonard A. Payne, Robert Dodds, John Theobald Milne, Charles Napier, Frank Ransley, Alan Wilkinson, Thomas Percy Middleton, William Price, future Air Marshal Charles Steele, Norman Craig Millman, Thomas G. Rae, Owen Scholte, Roger Hay, Norman Roberts, Joseph Michael John Moore, Arthur Noss and Maurice Benjamin The squadron reformed on 25 November 1935 at RAF Bicester, and became a General Reconnaissance unit operating Avro Anson aircraft. The Squadron was based at RAF Thorney Island between 28 September 1938 and 10 October 1938 before returning on 25 August 1939 and leaving for the last time on 16 July 1940 With the outbreak of war in 1939 the squadron was engaged in coastal patrols along the south coast of England. In 1941 the squadron re-equipped with Lockheed Hudson aircraft and took on the role of an anti-submarine squadron, patrolling first the North Sea; in December 1942 the squadron moved to RAF Gibraltar to patrol the Mediterranean. In 1944 the squadron returned to the UK and was re-equipped with Douglas Dakota aircraft. It remained a transport squadron until being disbanded on 16 January 1946. During this period it operated from Chittagong, Bengal, India on supply operations in the Irrawaddy valley of Burma. .
No.487 Sqn RNZAF Country : New Zealand Founded : 15th August 1942 Fate : Disbanded 19th September 1945 Ki te mutunga - Through to the end Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.487 Sqn RNZAF	No.487 Sqn RNZAF 487 squadron was formed at Feltwell, Norfolk, 15th August 1942, equipped with Lockheed Ventura aircraft, commencing operations on 6th December. 487 contributed 16 aircraft to the famous low-level raid on the Phillips radio and valve factory at Eindhoven, and continued in the daylight role with Venturas until June 1943. On one operation during this period, the squadron suffered heavy losses. On May 3rd during a raid on Amsterdam, ten out of 11 aircraft were shot down. After the war when the full account of the raid became known, the B Flight Commander Sqd Ldr L.H. Trent, a New Zealander in the RAF, who had been a prisoner of war since being shot down on the raid was awarded the Victoria Cross for his outstanding leadership during the Amsterdam raid. On 1st June 1943, 487 was transferred from Bomber Command to the newly formed 2nd Tactical Air Force (TAF). During September 1943, 487 re-equipped with the De Havilland Mosquito F.B VI and was mainly used on night bombing, although the squadron took part in several daylight precision operations. These included the Amiens prison raid 18th February 1944, Gestapo Headquarters, Aarhus in Denmark on 31st October 1944 and Gestapo Headquarters in Copenhagen on 21st March 1945. The squadron operated from the continent from February until September 1945 where at Cambrai/Epinoy, France it was renumbered 16 Squadron RAF (later amended to 268 Squadron). In addition to Sqd Ldr Trent's Victoria Cross, the New Zealand personnel of 487 squadron were awarded 1 DSO, 7 DFC's, one bar to DFC and 1 DFM.
No.488 Sqn RNZAF Country : New Zealand Founded : 1st September 1941 Fate : Disbanded 26th April 1945 Ka ngarue ratau - We shake them Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.488 Sqn RNZAF	No.488 Sqn RNZAF Full profile not yet available.
No.489 Sqn RNZAF Country : New Zealand Founded : 12th August 1941 Fate : Disbanded 1st August 1945 Coastal Command Whakatanagata kia kaha - Quit ye like me, be strong Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.489 Sqn RNZAF	No.489 Sqn RNZAF Full profile not yet available.
No.500 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 16th March 1931 Fate : Disbanded 10th March 1957 County of Kent (Auxiliary) Qua fata vocent - Whither the fates may call Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.500 Sqn RAF	No.500 Sqn RAF The squadron was originally formed in March 1931, with a mix of regular and part time personnel. It was equipped with the Vickers Virginia, and was to serve as a reserve for twin engined bomber squadrons. In January 1936 the twin engine aircraft were replaced with single engined Hawker Harts, which were believed to be more suitable for part-time personnel, before in May the squadron became part of the Auxiliary Air Force. On 7 November 1938 the squadron saw another role change as it was transferred to RAF Coastal Command and became a general reconnaissance squadron flying on Anson Mk.Is. In April 1941 these were replaced with Blenheim Mk.IVs which the squadron used till November 1941, when Lockheed Hudsons took their place. Some of 500 squadron ground crew, went in with the first wave of Operation Torch on 7 November, to secure beachheads and airfields around Arzeu, North Africa. Later, from December 1943, the squadron's Hudsons began to be replaced with Lockheed Ventura Mk.Vs. This process continued until the squadron was completely equipped with them in April 1944. In September 1943, a Special Detachment of RAF 500 squadron was flown into Ghisonaccia, Corsica over several days while the Nazis were still on the island with the orders "to establish squatters rights". The squadron later operated up through Italy. It was briefly disbanded on 11 July 1944, but reformed soon after, handing over their Venturas to No. 27 Squadron SAAF The Squadron was reformed on 1 August 1944 at La SÃ©nia as a bomber squadron, receiving Martin Baltimores. In September 1945, No. 500 squadron left Italy and headed for Kenya, being renumbered on arrival 23 October 1945 at RAF Eastleigh to No. 249 Squadron RAF. During World War II the squadron members had been awarded with 1 GC, 2 DSOs, 21 DFCs, 1 bar the DFC, 9 DFMs and one CGM. Beside these, the squadron was mentioned in dispatches 25 times
No.516 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 28th April 1943 Fate : Disbanded 2nd December 1944 County of Kent (Auxiliary) Qua fata vocent - Whither the fates may call Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.516 Sqn RAF	No.516 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.521 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st August 1941 Fate : Disbanded 1st April 1946 County of Kent (Auxiliary) Qua fata vocent - Whither the fates may call Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.521 Sqn RAF	No.521 Sqn RAF 521 Squadron was formed on the 1st August 1941 from No 1401 Flight at Bircham Newton, it continued to conduct meteorological reconnaissance duties. 521 Squadron flew Hudsons and Blenheims for North Sea patrol duties, Spitfires and Mosquitoes over Europe. It was disbanded when it was divided into Flights again, No's 1401 and 1409. But on the 1st September 1943 it was reformed in its previous role at Docking. 521 Squadron was re equipped with Hampdens, Hudsons and Gladiators, with Venturas arriving in December 1943. In August 1944 Hurricanes joined the Gladiators and Hudsons returned to replace the Venturas in September 1944. In December 1944 Flying Fortress IIs arrived for long range sorties and these were operated together with Mk IIIs from May 1945 until February 1946. Halifax Mk.III bombers replaced the Flying Fortresses in December 1945 and following the withdrawal of the Fortresses, 521 Squadorn was disbanded on 1st April 1946 at Chivenor.
No.540 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 19th October 1942 Fate : Disbanded 31st March 1956 Sine qua non - Indispensable Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.540 Sqn RAF	No.540 Sqn RAF formed on 19 October 1942 from 'H' and 'L' flights of No. 1 PRU at RAF Leuchars as a photoreconnaissance unit with the de Havilland Mosquito. It operated from Leuchars to carry out missions over Norway and Germany, while a detachment based at RAF Benson carried out similar missions over France and Italy. Another detachment, based at RAF Gibraltar covered the south of France and Algeria, but from 1944 on the unit was wholly based at RAF Benson, the range of the later Mosquito permitting missions deep in Austria or to the Canary Islands. In March 1945 the squadron went overseas, to France, coming back to the UK in November, again at RAF Benson where the unit was disbanded on 30 September 1946, when it was renumbered to 58 Squadron On 1 December 1947, No.540 Squadron reformed at Benson, and used its Mosquitoes for photographic reconnaissance and survey duties,In March 1953 the squadron moved to Wyton, where it was disbanded on 31 March 1956.
No.541 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 19th October 1942 Fate : Disbanded 6th September 1957 Alone above all Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.541 Sqn RAF	No.541 Sqn RAF Flew Mustangs from June 1944.
No.544 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 19th October 1942 Fate : Disbanded 13th October 1945 Quaero - I seek Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.544 Sqn RAF	No.544 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.571 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 7th April 1944 Fate : Disbanded 20th September 1945 Quaero - I seek Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.571 Sqn RAF	No.571 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.578 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 14th January 1944 Fate : Disbanded 14th April 1945 Accuracy Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.578 Sqn RAF	No.578 Sqn RAF 578 Squadron was formed from C flight of No.51 Squadron as a heavy bomber squadron at Snaith, Yorkshire on 14th January 1944. Equipped with the Handley Page Halifax B.III, 578 was part of No.4 Group, Bomber Command and began operations on 20th/21st January 1944. During its short operational career, the squadron completed 2,271 operational sorties, lost 77 aircraft and among the awards given to squadron personnel were 1 VC, 3 DSO's, 143 DFC's and 82 DFM's. 578 Squadron, Royal Air Force was disbanded on 15th April 1945 whilst based at Burn.
No.58 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 8th June 1916 Fate : Disbanded 4th June 1976 Alis nocturnis - On the wings of the night Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.58 Sqn RAF	No.58 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.604 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 17th March 1930 Fate : Disbanded 10th March1957 County of Middlesex (Auxiliary) Si vis pacem, para bellum - If you want peace, prepare for war Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.604 Sqn RAF	No.604 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.608 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 17th March 1930 Fate : Disbanded 10th March 1957 North Riding (Auxiliary) Omnibus ungulis - With all talons Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.608 Sqn RAF	No.608 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.613 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st March 1939 Fate : Disbanded 10th March 1957 City of Manchester (Auxiliary) Semper parati - Always ready Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.613 Sqn RAF	No.613 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.616 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st November 1938 Fate : Disbanded 10th March 1957 South Yorkshire (Auxiliary) Nulla rosa sine spina - No rose without thorns Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.616 Sqn RAF	No.616 Sqn RAF 616 squadron was formed at Doncaster on 1st November 1938 as the last of the Auxiliary Squadrons. Formed initially as a bomber squadron equipped with Hawker Hinds, it was re-equipped with Gloster Gauntlets in June 1939 and transferred to Fighter Command. The squadrons first Spitfires arrived in late October. 616 first saw action and claimed its first victories whilst covering the evacuation from Dunkirk in May 1940. Returning to Yorkshire, the squadron claimed further enemy victims with 15th August standing out as a memorable day. 616 intercepted a large force of unescorted German bombers off the Yorkshire coast and claimed eight enemy aircraft destroyed. They moved to Kenley to join 11 Group at the height of the Battle of Britain, and destroyed 15 aircraft and claimed a further 15 as probables or damaged. During February 1941, 616 joined the Tangmere Wing led by Wg Cdr Douglas Bader. Flying Spitfire II fighters, they flew circus and ramrod sweeps over Northern France, and re-equipped with Spitfires Vb during July 1941. For the next two years 616 continued as a front line fighter squadron and was heavily engaged during the Dieppe expedition and later flying beach-head patrols on D-Day. In July 1944, 616 re-equipped with Gloster Meteor jet fighter thus becoming the first and only Allied squadron to operate jet aircraft in World War II. The squadron destroyed a number of V1 flying bombs whilst operating from Manston before joining the 2nd Tactical Air Force. In January 1945, 616 moved to the continent and operated in the ground attack role before being disbanded at Lubeck on 29th August. The squadron was re-formed at Finningley on 31st July 1946 equipped with Mosquito NF XXX night fighters which were replaced with Meteor F 3 day fighters a few months later. 616 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force was finally disbanded at RAF Worksop on 10th March 1957 whilst equipped with Meteor F8 aircraft.
No.617 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 23rd March 1943 Apres mois, le deluge - After me, the flood Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.617 Sqn RAF	No.617 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.618 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 26th March 1943 Fate : Disbanded 21st July 1945 Apres mois, le deluge - After me, the flood Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.618 Sqn RAF	No.618 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.627 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 12th November 1943 Fate : Disbanded 30th September 1945 At first sight Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.627 Sqn RAF	No.627 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.68 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 30th January 1917 Fate : Disbanded 20th January 1959 Vzdy pripraven - Always ready Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.68 Sqn RAF	No.68 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.680 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st February 1943 Fate : Disbanded 1st September 1946 Vzdy pripraven - Always ready Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.680 Sqn RAF	No.680 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.69 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 28th December 1916 Fate : Disbanded 1st July 1958 With vigilance we serve Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.69 Sqn RAF	No.69 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.692 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st January 1944 Fate : Disbanded 20th September 1945 Fellowship of the Bellows Polus dum sidera pascet - So long as the sky shall feed the stars Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.692 Sqn RAF	No.692 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.7 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st May 1914 Per diem per noctem - By day and by night Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.7 Sqn RAF	No.7 Sqn RAF No.7 Squadron was formed 1st May 1914 at Farnborough as a Scout squadron, and went to France April 1915, equipped with the Vickers Gunbus. No.7 squadron saw service through the war with BE2c, RE5 and RE8 aircraft. The squadron pioneered the use of R/T (instead of normal W/T), using it operationally for the first time in October 1918. Disbanded at Farnborough on 31st December 1919 it reformed at Bircham Newton on 1st June 1923 equipped with Vickers Vimy bombers. These were replaced by the Vickers Virginia after moving to Worthy Down in April 1927. Between the wars No.7 squadron was equipped with various aircraft including the Handley Page Heyfords, Vickers Wellesleys and Armstrong Whitworth Whitleys and became the leading bomber squadron, winning the Laurence Minot Memorial Bombing Trophy more than any other squadron. At the outbreak of World War II, the squadron was equipped with Handley Page Hampdens, until August 1940, when it equipped with the RAF's first four engined bomber, the Short Stirling Mk I - becoming the first RAF squadron to be equipped with four engined bombers. The first raid by No.7 was 10th February 1941 on Rotterdam. The squadron settled down to a night bombing role, adding mine laying to its duties in 1942. Later with four other squadrons, it formed the nucleus of the new Pathfinder Force, its task to find and accurately mark targets with flares. In May 1943, the Stirling (which was handicapped by a low operational ceiling - it had to fly through flak rather than over it) was gradually replaced by the Avro Lancaster, which No.7 used in Peenemunde in August. From June1944 and until the end of the war, the squadron also undertook a daylight operational role in support of land forces in France and the low countries, and against V-1 and V-2 sites. No.7 squadron flew to Singapore in January 1947, and converted to Avro Lincolns, seeing action against Communist terrorists in Malay, during 'Operation Firedog'. Returning to UK, having won the Laurence Minot Memorial Bombing Trophy outright for the eighth time it was disbanded 1st January 1956. Reforming in November of the same year with the Vickers Valiant 'V' bomber. Disbanded on 30th September 1962, it was reformed in May 1970 at RAF St. Mawgan on target provision duties. Equipped with the English Electric Canberra, the squadron provided targets for the Army and Navy anti aircraft guns. They also provided silent targets for radar station practice. On 12th December 1981 the squadron was again disbanded, reforming soon after as the second operational Boeing Vertol Chinook helicopter Squadron on 2nd September 1982.
No.8 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st January 1915 Uspiam et passim - Everywhere unbounded Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.8 Sqn RAF	No.8 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.82 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 7th January 1917 Fate : Disbanded 10th July 1963 United Provinces Super omnia ubique - Over all things everywhere Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.82 Sqn RAF	No.82 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.84 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 7th January 1917 Scorpiones pungunt - Scorpions sting Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.84 Sqn RAF	No.84 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.85 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st August 1917 Fate : Disbanded 19th December 1975 Noctu diuque venamur - We hunt by day and night Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.85 Sqn RAF	No.85 Sqn RAF No. 85 Squadron was formed on the 1st of August 1917 at Uphaven. Shortly afterwards the squadron moved to Mousehold Heath nea Norwich under the command of Major R A Archer. The squadron transferred to Hounslow in November 1917 and in March 1918 received its new commander Major William Avery Bishop VC, DSO, MC. On 1st April 1918 No.85 Squadron was transferred into the new Royal Air Force and went to France in May1918 flying the Sopwith Dolphin and later SE5A's. 85 Squadron duties were fighter patrols and ground attack sorties over the western front until the end of the war. On 21st June 1918 Major Edward Mannock DSO MC became commanding officer. On the 26th July 1918 during a patrol with Lt DC Inglis over the front line Major Mannock failed to return and on the 18th of July 1919 Major Mannock was awarded a posthumous VC. No. 85 Squadron had 99 victories during their stint on the western front, returning to the UK in February 1919, and being disbanded on the 3rd of July 1919. 85 Squadron was reformed on June 1st, 1938, as part of A Flight of 87 Squadron based at RAF Debden commanded by Flight Lieutenant D E Turner. The squadron started training on the Gloster Gladiator until the 4th of September when Hawker Hurricanes were supplied. On the outbreak of World War Two the squadron moved to Boos as part of the Air Component of the BEF 60th Fighter Wing, and their Hurricanes were given the role to support the squadrons of Bristol Blenheims and Fairey Battles. By 1st November 85 Squadron's Hurricanes were moved to Lille Seclin. 85 Squadron scored its first victory of World War Two when Flight Lieutenant R.H.A. Lee attacked an He111 which crashed into the Channel, exploding on impact while on patrol over the Boulogne area. In May 1940, during the German advance, 85 Squadron were in combat constantly and over an 11 day period the squadron confirmed 90 enemy kills. When their operating airfields were overun the squadron's last remaining three Hurricanes returned to England. The squadron lost 17 pilots (two killed, six wounded and nine missing). During the Battle of Britian the squadron took part in the conflict over southern England and in October the Squadron moved to Yorkshire and were given the new role of night fighter patrols. 85 Squadron continued in the night fighter role for most of the war, with only a brief period as bomber support as part of 100 group.
No.96 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 8th October 1917 Fate : Disbanded 21st January 1959 Nocturni obambulamus - We prowl by night Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.96 Sqn RAF	No.96 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.97 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st December 1917 Fate : Disbanded 2nd January 1967 Straits Settlement Achieve your aim Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.97 Sqn RAF	No.97 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.98 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 15th August 1917 Fate : Disbanded 27th February 1976 Never failing Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.98 Sqn RAF	No.98 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.

Last edited : 16:15, June 2, 2017
Last editor : kc

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