Stirling Photo - Any thoughts?

Paul Reed · 21-02-2008, 03:15 PM

Hi all - a visit to my mother turned up this photo of my grandfather, Alex Marketis. He was a ex-regular (RAMC) who served 1918-1941, and was discharged after the 1940 campaign. He latterly worked in an unknown capacity as a civilian attached to the RAF. The caption on this photo is 'Rivenhall, 1945'.

Any thoughts on the aircraft, location etc?

Alex is front row, second from left, with the glasses.

Bodston · 21-02-2008, 03:23 PM

A quick Google for RAF Rivenhall found this..

Quote:

10/44 to 01/46, RAF 295 Sqn Stirlings, flew night operations to Holland and Denmark in support of resistance units and 04/45 ,took part in Operation Varsity, the Rhine crossing. 04/45 to 01/46, 570 Sqn Stirlings.
Post-war the airfield was used to house ex-PoW Polish soldiers and by Marconi.

As it says, by this late stage in the war the Short Stirling had been withdrawn from bomber activities. They were used as parachute dropping aircraft in support of resistance fighters and SOE. Also they acted as heavy glider tugs.

Peter Clare · 21-02-2008, 03:31 PM

The Airfields Of Essex Rivenhall

RAF Rivenhall north of Witham, Essex.

RAF Sqadrons operating from Rivenhall -

No.295.
Arrived Rivenhall 11 October 1944 - Disbanded Rivenhall 21 January 1946 - Stirling IV.

No.570.
Arrived Rivenhall July 1944 - Disbanded Rivenhall 28 December 1945 -Stirling IV.

Looking at the photograph the letter Z can be seen on the fuselage, No.295 Squadron's code was 8Z.

Paul Reed · 21-02-2008, 03:59 PM

Thanks for that - most interesting. In 1945 were these still being used as bombers or just glider tugs, or both?

Peter Clare · 21-02-2008, 04:15 PM

No.570 Squadron

In July 1944 the squadron re-equipped with Short Stirlings, and in September 1944 participated in Operation Market Garden, the ill-fated attempt by the allies to capture the Arnhem bridge, during which time the squadron was engaged in glider towing and supply drops. The squadron also took part in Operation Varsity in March 1945, a major allied airborne offensive across the Rhine.
When the war finished, the squadron transported troops to Norway, and was then assigned to various overseas mail routes.

Gotthard Heinrici · 21-02-2008, 04:17 PM

I know I'm quoting Wiki so you can take this whatever way but it states that by Dec 1943 the Stirling was being withdrawn as a bomber and used as a tug and also to drop Radar Jamming "window" during D-Day.

Here is a link to a website devoted to this beautiful plane:

The Stirling Bomber Pages

Sorry if this is going off-topic Paul.

Paul Reed · 21-02-2008, 04:23 PM

No, great stuff. Many thanks to you all.

von Poop · 21-02-2008, 05:30 PM

Lovely photograph, something very '1940's' about the blokes, and that plane looks like it's had a rough old life.
Trying to make out the numbers,

Seems to be a Z to the left of the roundel which (and planes are not my thing so I'm rather unclear on this). Whether that's a B, D, C or even an 8 suffixing the roundel I'm not sure.

Peter Clare · 21-02-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Von Poop

Lovely photograph, something very '1940's' about the blokes, and that plane looks like it's had a rough old life.
Trying to make out the numbers,

Seems to be a Z to the left of the roundel which (and planes are not my thing so I'm rather unclear on this). Whether that's a B, D, C or even an 8 suffixing the roundel I'm not sure.

Posted this earlier Adam, I believe you are right.

Looking at the photograph the letter Z can be seen on the fuselage, No.295 Squadron's code was 8Z.

von Poop · 21-02-2008, 05:40 PM

Sorry peter, missed that bit...
The second someone says 'squadron' my confusion kicks in.

21-02-2008, 03:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
Paul Reed Ubique Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kent/France Posts: 3,590	Stirling Photo - Any thoughts? Hi all - a visit to my mother turned up this photo of my grandfather, Alex Marketis. He was a ex-regular (RAMC) who served 1918-1941, and was discharged after the 1940 campaign. He latterly worked in an unknown capacity as a civilian attached to the RAF. The caption on this photo is 'Rivenhall, 1945'. Any thoughts on the aircraft, location etc? Alex is front row, second from left, with the glasses. __________________ The WW2 Society: Remembering those from Britain & The Commonwealth who served 1939-45 - http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/ww2_society.htm

21-02-2008, 03:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
Peter Clare Legendary Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Neverland Posts: 5,648	The Airfields Of Essex Rivenhall RAF Rivenhall north of Witham, Essex. RAF Sqadrons operating from Rivenhall - No.295. Arrived Rivenhall 11 October 1944 - Disbanded Rivenhall 21 January 1946 - Stirling IV. No.570. Arrived Rivenhall July 1944 - Disbanded Rivenhall 28 December 1945 -Stirling IV. Looking at the photograph the letter Z can be seen on the fuselage, No.295 Squadron's code was 8Z. __________________ On weald of Kent I watched once more Again I heard that grumbling roar Of fighter planes; yet none were near And all around the sky was clear Borne on the wind a whisper came 'Though men grow old, they stay the same' And then I knew, unseen to eye The ageless Few were sweeping by Last edited by Peter Clare; 21-02-2008 at 03:47 PM.

21-02-2008, 03:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
Paul Reed Ubique Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kent/France Posts: 3,590	Thanks for that - most interesting. In 1945 were these still being used as bombers or just glider tugs, or both? __________________ The WW2 Society: Remembering those from Britain & The Commonwealth who served 1939-45 - http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/ww2_society.htm

21-02-2008, 04:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
Peter Clare Legendary Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Neverland Posts: 5,648	No.570 Squadron In July 1944 the squadron re-equipped with Short Stirlings, and in September 1944 participated in Operation Market Garden, the ill-fated attempt by the allies to capture the Arnhem bridge, during which time the squadron was engaged in glider towing and supply drops. The squadron also took part in Operation Varsity in March 1945, a major allied airborne offensive across the Rhine. When the war finished, the squadron transported troops to Norway, and was then assigned to various overseas mail routes. __________________ On weald of Kent I watched once more Again I heard that grumbling roar Of fighter planes; yet none were near And all around the sky was clear Borne on the wind a whisper came 'Though men grow old, they stay the same' And then I knew, unseen to eye The ageless Few were sweeping by

21-02-2008, 04:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
Gotthard Heinrici Pog mo thon Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 3,928	I know I'm quoting Wiki so you can take this whatever way but it states that by Dec 1943 the Stirling was being withdrawn as a bomber and used as a tug and also to drop Radar Jamming "window" during D-Day. Here is a link to a website devoted to this beautiful plane: The Stirling Bomber Pages Sorry if this is going off-topic Paul. __________________ *"The Eastern front is like a house of cards. If the front is broken through at one point all the rest will collapse."* - General Heinz Guderian

21-02-2008, 04:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
Paul Reed Ubique Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kent/France Posts: 3,590	No, great stuff. Many thanks to you all. __________________ The WW2 Society: Remembering those from Britain & The Commonwealth who served 1939-45 - http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/ww2_society.htm

21-02-2008, 05:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
von Poop I Like Tanks Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Perfidious Albion. Posts: 8,471	Lovely photograph, something very '1940's' about the blokes, and that plane looks like it's had a rough old life. Trying to make out the numbers, Seems to be a Z to the left of the roundel which (and planes are not my thing so I'm rather unclear on this). Whether that's a B, D, C or even an 8 suffixing the roundel I'm not sure. __________________ It's only the Internet.

21-02-2008, 05:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
von Poop I Like Tanks Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Perfidious Albion. Posts: 8,471	Sorry peter, missed that bit... The second someone says 'squadron' my confusion kicks in. __________________ It's only the Internet.

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