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Richard John Bennett

Name : Richard John Bennett Service Number : 40982 Air Victories : 4.00

Bennett received a short service commission in August 1938. On 16 May 1939 R. J. Bennett was posted to 112 Squadron when this unit was formed aboard HMS Argus in Portsmouth, Hampshire.112 Squadron was sent to Egypt and arrived on 25 May 1939. His rank of Pilot Officer was confirmed in June. When Italy declared war on 10 June 1940 he served in ‘C’ Flight. On 3 July 1940 Flying Officer R. H. Smith and Flying Officer Bennett of 112 Squadron was sent to 33 Squadrons 'A' Flight at Sidi Barrani to gain battle experience. Later Bennett accompanied 112 Squadron to Greece and took part in that campaign, he later took part in the defense of Crete. On the 2 June, a day after the British forces on Crete had surrendered, three of 112 squadron airmen, ACI McLennan (539503 ACI McLennan, G R, Fitter IIE), LAC Harrington and AC Malloy, together with Flying Officer Bennett and Pilot Officer Len Bartley and men of various other units, found two abandoned German invasion barges on the rocks of the south coast of Crete in the Tymbaki area. One was holed and the other had an unserviceable engine so the airmen transferred the good engine to the seaworthy barge. They managed to launch it and, having collected water and rations (during the day a Blenheim swooped low over the party and dropped a quantity of most welcome rations) and fuel, set off for Egypt. Aboard were six officers and 66 men. Other known officers were Lieutenant E. G. Ford of 24 SAAF Squadron, and his observer, Second Lieutenant G. L. W. Gill (both from a Maryland that was shot down on 25 May) and a wounded Australian officer. In the early morning of the second day when the barge was about 30 miles out a submarine commander in perfect English hailed them. Believing this to be a Royal Naval vessel they answered cheerfully and received a burst of machine-gun fire in return. The Italian submarine commander probably then realized the British were unarmed and the officers were then ordered to swim to the submarine, but whilst attempting to do so, Gill was tragically drowned. The wounded Australian officer who had been left aboard was now ordered to return the craft to Crete, but Sergeant D. D. McWilliam, one of the Maryland crew, assumed command, decided to ignore the order and continued towards the North African coast. After four days, traveling at about 4 knots, 'McLennan's barge' reached the Egyptian coast. After a while they recognized the sand dunes of Mersa Matruh and, seeing British troops, came ashore. On board the submarine, the prisoners, who had not been able to wash for many days, were not only rather unwholesome but were also infested with fleas so the Italians took immediate steps to have them landed at Taranto, their first port of call. Bennett remained a PoW for the rest of the war. He was promoted Flight Lieutenant whilst in captivity.

Known Service Details :
Squadron	Rank	Start of Service	End of Service	Known Dates	Aircraft	Airframes	Notes
No.112 Sqn RAF		16th May 1939	unknown	14th March 1941	Gladiator		2 20/11/40 14:40-16:30 1 CR.42 (b) Destroyed Gladiator Sidi Barrani 112 Squadron 09/03/41 1 G.50 (c) Probable Gladiator Kelcyre-Tepelene area 112 Squadron 3 14/03/41 1 G.50 (d) Destroyed Gladiator Tepelene-Kelcyre area 112 Squadron

Known Individual Aircraft :
Type	Serial	Codes	First Flew	Squadron History	Aircrew History	History Notes	Engine	Factory
Gladiator II	N5779		-	details	details	details

Aircraft for : Richard John Bennett
A list of all aircraft associated with Richard John Bennett. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name.
Aircraft	Info
Gladiator Click the name above to see prints featuring Gladiator aircraft. Manufacturer : Gloster Production Began : 1935 Retired : 1945 Number Built : 746	Gladiator GLOSTER GLADIATOR: A continuation form the Gloster Gauntlet aircraft the Gloster Gladiator (SS37) becoming designated the F.7/30 was named Gladiator on the 1st July 1935. The first 70 Gladiators had Under wing machine guns (Vickers or Lewis) before the browning became standard The first aircraft arrived at Tangmere airfield on in February 1937 to no. 72 squadron. at the outbreak of world war two a total of 218 Gladiators had been received by the Royal air force with a total of 76 on active service. They served also in the Middle eats and in 1940 when Italy joined the war was nearly the only front line fighter in the middle east. Between 1939 and 1941. the Gloster Gladiator flew in many war zones. flying in France, Greece, Norway, Crete Egypt Malta and Aden. The Aircraft claimed nearly 250 air victories. It stayed in front line duties until 1942, then becoming fighter trainer, and other sundry roles. It continued in these roles until the end of world war two. The Naval equivalent the Sea Gladiator a short service in the Middle east and European waters. A Total of 746 aircraft were built of these 98 were Sea Gladiators.. Performance. speed: 250mph at 17,500 feet, 257 mph at 14,600 Range 430 miles. Armament: Two fixed .3-03 browning machine guns

Squadrons for : Richard John Bennett
A list of all squadrons known to have been served with by Richard John Bennett. A profile page is available by clicking the squadron name.
Squadron	Info
No.112 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 25th July 1917 Fate : Disbanded 1st July 1957 Swift in destruction Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.112 Sqn RAF	No.112 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.33 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 12th January 1916 Loyalty Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.33 Sqn RAF	No.33 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.

Last edited : 19:49, December 31, 2016
Last editor : HMS

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