292 Sqn RAF 'Sea Otter' aircraft - any photos?

Hi there. Regarding requests for photos, the only one I really have to add to what is already here is attached. John (Jock) Low is standing 6th from right. Only other identified is F/Sgt Pontius flagged as being centre back. Photo is from "E" flight Detachment HQ at Cox's Bazzar sometime in 1945. Feel free to chip in with any other ID's

 

Jim,

Welcome to the forum and it is amazing the information coming to light from posters.

Regards
Tom

 

Hi, My wife's Grandad is fella on far right standing with hat on - Frank Harris. I printed the photo off and when I showed it to him he got an original copy out of his 'box of bits'. Remembered a few names of others in the picture. He reckoned this for this picture being taken was the only time he called remember F/Sgt Pontius came out of his office (behind where they were standing).

 

Hello rach99n33

Please post any further photos/info you have forum members will be very interested.

regards
Clive

 

Thanks for the warm welcome. THere's a bit more information available about the film unit escapade. Have a look at AMPHIBIOUS AIRCRAFT OF THE RAF AIR SEA RESCUE SERVICE IN BURMA (9/1/1945) | colonialfilm. It would be interesting to have a view of this footage

Thanks for the link Jim. I will contact the IWM to see how to get a copy of the film.
WG

At long last managed to obtain a DVD of the film from the IWM. They were very good once I worked out the order procedure. The IWM link is
[AMPHIBIOUS AIRCRAFT OF THE RAF AIR SEA RESCUE SERVICE IN BURMA] [Allocated] | Imperial War Museums
and cost £25 incl airmail post to Australia. You need to sign a statement that you will not make copies etc due copyright restrictions.

The film runs for just over 4 mins with scenes of Sea Otters over the coast around Mayu Peninsular and Akyab. Also some good footage of the Sea Otters taxiing on the water and landing plus air to air of the aircraft in flight. The scene of the crashed Sea Otter is from the air (taken from Barney's aircraft) and is very brief and with little detail. There's no footage of any crew.

Barney is thrilled to have the film come to light after almost 68 years. Anything on 292 Sqn Sea Otters is so hard to come by, this really is a 'gem'.

Actually it's been a busy week for Barney. Not only receiving the film but today was the annual meeting and luncheon of the local branch of the Royal Air Forces Escaping Society. As Barney no longer drives I took him and his wife along. Wonderful day with a great bunch of guys although sadly the numbers are less as the years pass. Couple of the guys had attended the Bomber Command Memorial dedication in England recently.

regards Ash/airlana

 

Hi Ash, that's great you were able to get a copy of the footage. I have contacted the IWM but still awaiting a response. Best regards to Barney.
Cheers
Wendy

 

Came across these pictures when searching for something else and wonder if this album is connected to someone who has already posted here.
The album's owner's father also served in E flight 292 Squadron:
RAF in Burma & India are often called the "Forgotten War". Turns out Dad's squadron (292) very hard to find out about and only one reference to
"E" flight
sea otter3 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
caption under picture:
EXTRACT From: Officer Commanding,. No. 292 Squadron. R.A.F.
To: Area Air Sea Rescue Officer, Headquarters E.A.C.
O.C. “E” Flight Cox’s Bazaar No. 292 Squadron
Date: 3/2/45
Monthly Progress Report
No. 292 Squadron
January, 1944.
The Sea Otters of “E” Flight have been operating right up forward and were one of the first aircraft to be in {???} Rantes?? Isle. “C” Flight Ceylon appear to have had a very quiet month from the scanty information we have received. No. 292 Squadron Catalina Flight, although a myth has caused us more trouble than all the rest of the flights put together. A directive stated that No. 212 Squadron was absorbing this non-existent Flight. The M{?} D.s immediately redirected everything meant for us to No. 212 Squadron. As 212 Squadron are spread between Karachi and Calcutta, it has been a major operation getting our spares back.
This one has already been posted I realize by Jim
sea otter1 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
the company of "E" flight 292 squadron RAF
Cheers
Mark

Found the below in Mr. Quirk's transcriptions on 292 reports dated 3/2/45
I wonder if anything came of it, Spitfire wise.

http://www.rquirk.com/292trans/1630c078.pdf

Another difficulty is the fact that three Sea Otters are operating from the battle area, their
armament is poor, they have absolutely no armour, and the petrol tanks are not self-sealing. As a result
two gunners were killed in a week, with one aircraft lost and one damaged. With the help of H.Q. No.231
Group, flak-jackets have been obtained from the Americans, and arrangements are now being made for
the Flight to have three Spitfires so that it can escort itself without having to call on already overworked
outside fighters -- a practice that has been used for years in U.K.

 

Hi Mark
Not an account I've come across, but the two photos are both in Tony Day's unpublished book The Air War over the Arakan 1942 to 1945.
Cheers
Wendy

 

Hi Mark
Not an account I've come across, but the two photos are both in Tony Day's unpublished book The Air War over the Arakan 1942 to 1945.
Cheers
Wendy

One of those books I wish had been published!
Thanks for the update Wendy. This whole thread has been fascinating.
Mark

 

Forties Navy - Flying Machines A Royal Navy Videos DVD - YouTube


Sea Otter K8854 at 3mins 20 -above film



Sea Otter K8854 - prototype

 

Hi Ash, that's great you were able to get a copy of the footage. I have contacted the IWM but still awaiting a response. Best regards to Barney.
Cheers
Wendy

Hi Wendy,
Glad you've caught up with the film details. Email if any problems
ordering a copy and I'll give you the contact at IWM.
regards Ash

 

One of those books I wish had been published!
Mark

Agreed. Would love to have a copy. Quite often see references to it.

Thanks also for the photo links 292 sqn

regards Ash

 

I did find a link on these here, which has some plan drawings of it. The Flying Boat Forum from www.seawings.co.uk • View topic - sea otter

 

Thanks for the link Bob, there's some great photos on there also.
Cheers

 

My Dad was in 292 in India, this is the only Sea Otter photo I can find from his India photos. Quite a few crew photos if you would like a copy as well