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Messages - msimp

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1
World War Two / Re: Flight Sergeant Donald Fletcher Campbell RCAF
« on: Tuesday 20 June 17 16:40 BST (UK)  »
Hi there,
I don't know whether anyone has got back to you with details on your man and his crew from the 103 Squadron Operational Record Books,but this is what I have found.I have recently made a nominal index of all aircrew who served with 103 Squadron and are mentioned in the O.R.B.s,so hopefully this will be a fairly full account.
Posting details are not very full in the O.R.B.s-only officers are mentioned and then not all and with no service numbers-so it is hard to be definitive about when N.C.O.s were posted in and whether they were originally posted in with the crews that they flew with operationally.
Bearing that in mind,it seems likely that the McArthur crew,with whom your man flew,was posted in 10/11/44,the posting-in date given for the only officer member of the crew F/O.Lougheed-W/O.McArthur was commissioned 16/12/44.W/O.McArthur flew his second pilot sortie on 11-12/1/44 and then took his own crew on their first sortie 18-19/11/44 on Wanne Eickel.The crew were lost on their twelfth sortie.
Your man,who appears at times with the initials D.P.,flew on only eight of these sorties.No reason is given for his absences.
If you would like a full list of his sorties,please let me know.
Hope this is of interest,
Regards,Mark Simpson.

2
World War Two / Re: W Beet RAF WW2- Navigator posted to 100 squadron
« on: Wednesday 17 February 16 04:49 GMT (UK)  »
Hello Caroline,
Sgt.William Beet,service number 1455973,was posted in to 100 Squadron 19/4/44 from No.11 Base as the navigator  in the crew of P/O. J.Orr,R.N.Z.A.F.He flew a tour of 31 sorties,one of which was abortive, between 3-4/5/44 and 18-19/8/44.He was promoted to T/F/Sgt.29/5/44 and at the end of his tour was posted to1656 C.U. 11/9/44.All the above information is taken from 100 Sqn.O.R.B. for 1944.
Regards,Mark Simpson.

3
World War Two / Re: Distinguished Flying Medal Lookups
« on: Sunday 18 January 15 10:01 GMT (UK)  »
Hi Alastair,
Only one J.Currie in the D.F.M.Register,John Richard Currie,service number 630347,Wireless Operator/Air Gunner,44 Squadron,award gazetted 17/1/41.
Regards,Mark.

4
World War Two / Re: Distinguished Flying Medal Lookups
« on: Wednesday 25 June 14 10:30 BST (UK)  »
Hello there,
Without wishing to hijack someone's thread,I have a copy of Tavender's DFM Register and would be willing to carry on posting information.
Regarding the last few requests,I can offer;
Wilkinson,Bertram Lennon. 935709  Flight Sergeant,No.103 Squadron.
L.G.24/10/1941.Sorties 30,Flying hours 175.10 W.Op/Air Gnr Air2/8904.
Flight Sergeant Wilkinson joined the squadron in August 1940.He has now completed 15 operational sorties as 2nd W/T/Operator and a further 15 sorties as 1st W/T Operator.During these latter sorties, he has not once had to report a wireless failure and has on numerous occasions worked his wireless under extreme conditions of cold and static. His coolness when under fire and his quiet and and determined manner,both prior and during operational sorties,has an extremely beneficial effect on the remainder of the crews of the squadron.I consider his operational record one most deserving the award for which he is recommended. 17th August 1941.

Barber,Martin Charles John. 1384607 Flight Sergeant,No.463 (R.A.A.F) Sqn.
L.G.15/8/44.Sorties 26, Flying hours 182.15.Air Bomber.  Air2/9632.
Flight Sergeant Barber has operated seven times on Berlin and on many other heavily defended German and other special targets.His coolness and determination to drop his bombs accurately,even in the face of intense opposition,have been responsible for the success of many hazardous and tiring sorties.He is a most capable Air Bomber and a fearless member of his crew.He has always maintained a high degree of specialist efficiency and his skill and devotion to duty has resulted in a fine record for accurate bombing. 16th May 1944.

Elliott,Frank William. 1181829 Sergeant,No.207 Sqn.
L.G.20/4/43.Sorties 39,Flying hours 210.55. W.Op/Air Gnr. Air2/8944.
This N.C.O.has completed 210.55 hours operational flying during which time he has carried out 39 sorties,of these 12 have been as front gunner and the remainder as Wireless Operator.During the period in which he has flown as Wireless Operator,Sergeant Elliott has never had a W/T failure,even though it has been necessary for him to carry out repairs to his W/T equipment during the course of operational flights.Whilst acting in the capacity of front gunner,he has always shown an aggressive spirit and keenness to get to grips with the enemy and on one occasion during the course of a low-level attack on Rostock,he used his guns with great effect.Sergeant Elliott has always shown the utmost keenness to undertake any job assigned to him and has displayed great coolness,determination and courage in the face of the enemy. 23rd February 1943.

Nothing for Cpls Thorne and Green.
Regards,Mark Simpson.

5
World War Two / Re: Air Force Lookups - if you need help
« on: Saturday 10 November 12 13:31 GMT (UK)  »
Lancman,
From Ian Tavender's 'The Distinguished Flying Medal Register For The Second World War',Volume 1,page 429;
Cox,William Edwin John.1607195 Flight Sergeant.No.630 Squadron.
L.G.13/10/1944.Sorties 30 and two thirds.Flying hours 203.25.Flight Engineer.
Flight Sergeant Cox,a Flight Engineer,has successfully completed 32 sorties against heavily defended and difficult targets in Germany and occupied territory.These include 7 attacks on Berlin,3 on Frankfurt and 2 on Leipzig and others on Augsburg,Schweinfurt,Nuremburg and Annecy. Throughout his tour,Flight Sergeant Cox has been a member of an outstandingly efficient crew the excellence of whose performance has been due in part,at least,to his enthusiasm and skill.On one occasion while he was taking off in a fully laden Lancaster on a dark night,one engine caught fire as soon as the aircraft was airborne.By his coolness and promptitude in carrying out his Captain's instructions,Flight Sergeant Cox prevented any serious consequences to the accident.He has shown himself to be an enthusiastic and efficient Flight Engineer whose courage,determination and devotion to duty have been amply demonstrated during a very successful tour.He is strongly recommended for the non-immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.
                                                         1st July 1944.
Afraid I can't help with Roger's D.F.C.citation-maybe someone has access to Nick and Carol Carter's book on the subject.
How much information are you looking for ?I have the 630 Squadron Operational Record Book if you are after sortie details.
Hope this is of interest,
Regards,Mark Simpson.

6
World War Two / Re: RAF DFM records WW2
« on: Sunday 19 August 12 10:29 BST (UK)  »
Hi there,
From 'The Distinguished Flying Medal Register:Second World War' by Ian Tavender,volume two page 226;
Marshall,Sidney Joseph.1808098 Flight Sergeant,No.9 Sqn.
L.G.6/11/1945.Sorties 28,Flying hours 188.21.Air Gunner.Air2/9131.
'This N.C.O. has completed 28 sorties as mid-upper gunner.These sorties have included in addition to heavily defended targets in Germany,a number of targets involving long flights through areas defended by enemy fighters.On one occasion (daylight attack on Bergen on 12th January 1945) on recrossing the Norwegian coast after the target had been attacked,his aircraft was engaged by five F.W.190s.Following an attack in formation,the enemy aircraft broke away and then commenced a series of attacks,singly and in pairs.Flight Sergeant Marshall,in conjunction with the rear gunner,Flight Sergeant Riches,opened up accurate fire on the enemy aircraft and gave his captain such good advice on his combat manoeuvres that the fighters were prevented from pressing home their attacks.After the combat had been in progress some time,the starboard outer engine was hit and began smoking.At first,the engine was not feathered,so that Flight Sergeant Marshall's turret would remain operative for as long as possible,but it subsequently caught fire and had to be feathered.Although this N.C.O.'s turret was now out of action,he was able to continue to advise his captain in his manoeuvres.Altogether,the combat lasted 32 minutes and there is no doubt that Flight Sergeant Marshall's coolness and skill greatly contributed to the saving of the aircraft.On another occasion when detailed for a target near Creil on the night of 4th July 1944,his aircraft was attacked just after leaving the target area by an Me.110.In co-operation with the rear gunner,such accurate fire was brought to bear on the enemy aircraft that it was destroyed on its second attack.Flight Sergeant Marshall has at all times shown the greatest keenness to operate and has proved himself to be a skilful member of a sound operational crew.'
For their actions on the sortie to Bergen,the pilot Flight Lieutenant Marsh was awarded an immediate D.F.C. and the rear gunner Flight Sergeant Riches an immediate D.F.M.
Regards,Mark Simpson.

7
World War Two / Re: Looking for war hero
« on: Tuesday 15 May 12 12:36 BST (UK)  »
Hi there,
I believe that G.A.J.Morrison's N.C.O.service number,1345719,shows that he enlisted in Edinburgh,sometime after February 1941,although I am no expert in this area.I do have some more information about the operational career of F/O.Pope and crew before joining 156 Squadron-a period with 300 Squadron from July 1944 to September 1944 and a brief period,six days,on 100 Squadron.
Hope this is of help,
Regards,Mark Simpson.

8
World War Two / Re: Air Force Lookups - if you need help
« on: Thursday 16 February 12 12:23 GMT (UK)  »
Hi Bruce,
From W.R.Chorley 'Bomber Command Losses' volume 7,covering losses in Operational Training Units,page 204,comes the following;
28/2-1/3/43, 29 O.T.U.,Wellington III Z1666,operation 'Nickel' (leaflet dropping).
Sgt.J.E.Ford,
Sgt.A.W.Gillespie,
Sgt.W.A.Champion,
Sgt.V.P.Thompson,
Sgt.J.McD.McKinnie,
(probably listed in the order, from top to bottom;pilot,navigator,bomb aimer,wireless operator and air gunner.)
Took off 1652 North Luffenham and is assumed to have carried out a successful duty.However,while returning to base it is strongly believed that an electrical fault occurred,leaving the crew without communications.Flying above cloud,the captain was left with two options;abandon the Wellington,or descend through cloud cover in an attempt to establish their position.Sgt.Ford chose the latter and at around 0200 the Wellington smashed into the side of a hill at Widdington Farm,Rushall,near Upavon airfield in Wiltshire and disintegrated.All rest in various cemeteries within the U.K..
Regards,Mark Simpson.

9
World War Two / Re: Arnold George Smith D.F.M R.A.F
« on: Tuesday 27 September 11 17:53 BST (UK)  »
Hi there,
Although F/S Smith's position in the crew matrix referring to the loss of Lancaster R5604 in W.R.Chorley's book 'Bomber Command Losses' for 1942 is that usually occupied by the Air Bomber,the citation for his D.F.M. lists him as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner.From Ian Tavender's The Distinguished Flying Medal Register:Second World War, Volume Two,page 669;
SMITH,Arnold George.651289 Sergeant,No.49 Sqn.
L.G.12/11/1941.Sorties31,Flying hours 202.W.Op/Air Gnr.AIR2/9334.
'Sergeant Smith has completed 202 hours operational flying,involving 31 flights over enemy or enemy occupied territory.During these flights,a variety of targets was attacked including Berlin,Bremen,Mannheim etc.Sergeant  Smith has flown with a number of Captains and it is significant that his work in the air has been frequently mentioned in the Captains'personal experience reports.The following are instances:-
28/3/41. Dusseldorf 'Wireless excellent throughout the whole trip.Loop           
                                 bearings and homing beacons were found
                                 particularly useful.'
30/3/41. Mining.      'Wireless excellent'
13/5/41. Mannheim. 'Wireless aids used to rectify error in navigation due to
                                 wind.'
26/5/41. Brest
              Mining.       'Wireless Operator deserves all praise for a magnificent
                                 piece of work.We obtained bearings,fixes and many
                                Q.D.M.'s without which the trip would probably have
                                 ended in disaster.'
11/6/41. Brest          'The 21 loop bearings obtained were extremely
                                 useful.'
On the night of 23 June 1941,when on a sortie against Bremen,the aircraft in which Sergeant Smith was flying was caught in searchlights over the Frisian Islands.Sergeant Smith observed an enemy fighter closing in to attack.Having held his fire until it was well within range,he fired 200 rounds into the enemy aircraft which was observed by all members of the crew to break up and fall in flames.Throughout his tour of duty with the squadron,Sergeant Smith has shown exceptional keenness for operational flying and great skill and determination in the execution of his duties.His excellent example has had a most beneficial effect on the other N.C.O.s in the squadron.'
Incidentally,his pilot on the night of 31/7-1/8/42 was W/O Peter Ernest Merralls,who had also received a D.F.M. for a first tour with 49 Sqn. in 1941 and was to receive a D.F.C.with effect from 20/7/42,gazetted 27/7/43.
Hope this is of interest,
Regards,Mark Simpson,
                             

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