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Messages - cravens

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1
World War Two / Re: 50 Squadron crew, June '41
« on: Sunday 15 July 12 22:55 BST (UK)  »
My father F/S David Craven was flying that night to Hamburg with 50 Sqd as W/Op AG in Hampden X2991 pilot Sgt Quinton.I would be delighted to see your photo's when posted.

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World War Two / Re: 50 Squadron crew, June '41
« on: Thursday 30 July 09 17:31 BST (UK)  »
David,regarding the fine picture of Atkinson's Crew you posted, do you think it is probable that Sgt Tytherleigh
shown 1st from right,is the same F/O W J Tytherleigh DFC who was ex 50 Sqd and was lost flying as a gunner with
S/L Maudslay crew in Lancaster ED937 on 16/17 May 1943 on the "Dams Raid Operation Chastise"? There cannot
have been many crew from 50 Sqd with that surname.

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World War Two / Re: 50 Squadron crew, June '41
« on: Tuesday 28 July 09 11:59 BST (UK)  »
Regarding P/O Ivatts previous operational history I am afraid I do not have any further information,the data I have given is of course held,along with all his data at the Public Records Office at Kew(which is a long way from Canada!). Best wishes in your research.

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World War Two / Re: 50 Squadron crew, June '41
« on: Monday 20 July 09 08:51 BST (UK)  »
Sgt H M Ivatt J17654 RCAF was lost on operations to Duisburg in thr Rhur Valley with 50 Sqd on the night of12/13 May 1943. He was flying with P/O Huntley as pilot in Lancaster W4762 when they where shot down by a night fighter at  0332.They had taken off at 2358 from Skellingthorpe, so were most likely on the return journey to base.The aircraft crashed in the Ijsselmeer 6km NW of Nijkerk,Netherlands,there were no survivors'though only Sgt Ivatt has no known grave.He is listed on the Runneymede Memorial 176. He is shown as being the W/OP on this operation,but further research would be needed to be certain of his role.His gallant crew lie buried in Amsterdam and Amesrsfoot War Graves in Holland.My father flew with 50 Sqd in 1941,then flew a second Tour of oprations with a mostly RCAF crew with 15 Sqd in 1943.They were flying in Stirling BK656(Sgt Smaile pilot) on this same night.

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World War Two / Re: Squadron Identification
« on: Wednesday 17 June 09 19:04 BST (UK)  »
The loss information of S/L Mulfords Wellington I quoted is from"Bomber Command Losses 1943",sorry It was not fully accurate. Whether it applied to your father's aircraft I do not know,but many aircraft shot down over Holland crashed in The Zieder Zee, an area of Holland allowed to be flooded by the sea during the occupation,many were subsequently recovered after the War.My own father survived his first tour with 50 Sqd and then, even more fortunatly a second tour on Stirlings with 15 Sqd in 1943.Wishing you well in the search for information,amazing that the sons of two men who flew together 68 years a go find themselves able to contact each other!

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World War Two / Re: Squadron Identification
« on: Wednesday 17 June 09 13:02 BST (UK)  »
My father F/S Craven flew once with S/L Mulford on 25/26 August 1941 attacking an aiming point in Mannheim. The crew consisted of S/L Mulford(Pilot),P/O Watts(Nav)F/S Craven(W/op) SGT Moore(Gunner). Flying in Hampden AD928. from Swinderby(50 Sqd).Sadly S/L Mulford was lost,I assume then on his Second Tour of Operations with 431 Sqd in WellingtonX HE392 SE-L taking off from Burn at 2325 to attack Dusseldorf,crashing in the Sea off the Dutch Coast.

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World War Two / Re: 50 Squadron crew, June '41
« on: Thursday 05 February 09 15:13 GMT (UK)  »
Simon,so good to read of your Dad's exploits with 50 Sqd and along with David's research keep their memories alive through their Sons today! My father used to speak of your dad,referring to him as "one of the lads" as in someone who was good at his job but also enjoyed a good night out.!He was flying on the night your dad crashed in AD977 to Frankfurt and was friendly with his pilot F/S Mapp who was also injured.he also flew with a Sgt Hobson on one occasion[Dusseldorf in X3133] who I assume was the same chap you were discussing with David.
Anyway lovely to hear from you and remember these fine men without whose bravery we would not be enjoying the life today. Bryan Craven.

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World War Two / Re: 50 Squadron crew, June '41
« on: Thursday 15 January 09 13:51 GMT (UK)  »
David,that's a fine photo of 50 Sqd you have posted. I have had a good look and do not think i can see my father,which would point to it being taken at Skellingthorpe as he left the 50 a few weeks before the move.Regards Bryan.

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World War Two / Re: 50 Squadron crew, June '41
« on: Wednesday 07 January 09 15:47 GMT (UK)  »
David, thank you so much for the info,I must ask how do I get copies of 50 Sqd Orbs? I would dearly like to research it?Who was your father's pilot?,Dave flew with Sgt Quinton,S/L Mulford,P/O King,and P/O Christophers during July and August 41. The photo of AE116 I have seen in The "Hampden File"by Harry Moyle 1989 Air Britain in which it is attributed to Ray Leach/Eric McCabe.The raid on Cologne 21st July must have been one of the first flown from Swinderby as the Sqd had only arrived from Lindholme on the 19 July.Dave had clear recollection of this day when the Sqd flew down to Swinderby in formation.One of the aircraft alongside them suddenly turned into an inverted position and then dived into the ground and expoded[AD897].Dave had a great loyalty to 50 Sqd and it CO Wing Commander Walker.

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