59 Squadron honour roll update

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by aussie_59, Oct 19, 2008.

  1. aussie_59

    aussie_59 Senior Member

    In his memoirs, EE Allen talks about one of his crew becoming involved in some testing of a "hush-hush low-level bomb sight designed specially for our low level U-boat attacks". This is about the time that the Sqn reverted back to the Liberator in late March and returned to Thorney Island from Chivenor...

    Now I would assume that this was testing of the RAF Stabilizing Automatic Bomb Sight, which correct me if I am wrong was introduced for testing in March of 1943 (to coincide with the formation of 617 Sqn) who used the bombsight for the first time operationally on the May 16th Dambusters raid..

    In my grandfathers logbook he has noted "1st April 1943 - Experimental Periscope Bombing - Calshot"... although this was with a Fortress (FK198 - 59/S)... which was maybe an experimental method of bombing with the Norden Sight? Also on the 17th of April, he has noted "Periscope Bombing" but this time with a Liberator...

    Do you think that 59 Sqn would have been doing some tests with the SABS to determine the bombsights usefullness in attacks on u-boats, and do you think my grandfathers logbook refers to the SABS or another excercise using the Norden?

    Also, I have read that typically the B24 Libs had the Sperry Bombsight, was this also commonly referred to as a "periscope bombsight"?

    Thoughts anyone? Peter, I would think that 120 Sqn would certainly have been at the forefront of any experimental bombing, have you come across anything in your research? thanks in advance,


    Lorenzo.

    EDIT: ok so I just read up on 'Calshot'... (mentioned in my grandfathers logbook) I didnt think this was Important at first, but I googled it. RAF Calshot... was a base used mainly for the maintenance of flying boats etc... so had alot of water about... does anyone have any thoughts about what type of experimental bombing they may have been doing at RAF Calshot?

    thanks again
     
  2. aussie_59

    aussie_59 Senior Member

    Found this on F/O Penning (attack on U716)

    From the Imperial War Memorial

    S/L RC Penning (MID):

    4 flying log books kept during his service with the RAF while stationed at Nos 24 and 17 EFTS flying Magisters (January - July 1941); at Nos 22 EFTS, 4 SFIS, 21 and 29 EFTS flying DH82a's (August 1941 - March 1942); in Canada at No 33 SFTS Carberry, Manitoba and No 1 General Reconnaissance School flying Ansons (May - November 1942); at Nos 3 and 1 OTU flying Wellingtons and Liberators (January - March 19443); with No 59 Squadron RAF flying LIberators on convoy escort duty, Thorney Island (April - October 1943); at No 111 OTU Nassau, Bahamas (November - December 1943); with No 59 Squadron RAF again including convoy escort duties and anti-submarine patrols (April 1944 - May 1946); in India with No 232 Squadron RFA, Poona, and No 298 Squadron RAF, Mauripur (May 1946 - January 1947); at the TICU Bircham Newton and TCHCU Dishforth (February - June 1947); with No 242 Squadron RFA at Wunstorf, Germany and RAF Lyneham (July 1947 - May 1950); with No 149 Squadron RAF flying B29s at RAF Marham and RAF Coningsby (August 1950 - July 1952); at the Washington Conversion Unit, RAF Marham (July 1952 - April 1953); at the OATS RAF Debden (October - November 1953); in Jordan at RAF Amman and RAF Mafraq (January 1954 - July 1956); and (flying helicopters) at Air Service Training, Hamble (September - October 1956); with the Westland Aircraft Company (October - November 1956) and with No 705 (Helicopter) Squadron, HMS DAEDALUS (November - December 1956); also his Mention in Dispatches certificate awarded for valuable service in the air, January 1942, and various other certificates and assessments as well as a photograph of U293 (surrendered 10 May 1945) and 2 other photographs.

    In between postings with 59 sqn, he was posted to No.111 OTU in Nassau. Many airmen from 59 served with 111, There are a few pictures of 111 with the 59 Squadron Insignia (The Broken Wheel).

    Not sure whether he had been promoted to S/L whilst still serving with 59 Sqn, but I have found mention of him Serving with 155 Sqn (March 1957) and he is S/L.

    Also a "Flight" archive dated March 1958:
    "Air Marshal the Earl of Bandon recently
    presented silver replicas of Whirlwind and
    Sycamore helicopters to the C.O.s of Nos.
    155 and 194 Sqns., S/L.s R. C. Penning
    and F. Barnes, in recognition of their support
    in Malayan anti-terrorist operations."
     
  3. Passchendaele_Baby

    Passchendaele_Baby Grandads Little Girl

    it looks like he's a Kiwi
    Aayyeh!
    :D
     
  4. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    Thoughts anyone? Peter, I would think that 120 Sqn would certainly have been at the forefront of any experimental bombing, have you come across anything in your research? thanks in advance,



    thanks again


    Lorenzo,

    I've put together the following if its of any use. Looking through the 120 Squadron ORB there is no mention of experimental bomb-sights but lots of entries relating to 'local flying' anyone's guess what they were up to.

    Up until about the summer of 1943 the main method of delivering a depth-charge was by ‘eye’. In late 1942 a variety of experimental sights were in existence for trials in different squadrons, the Mark I Low Level Hand held Sight, the Low Level Mark II O sight, the Standard Mark XIV Sight adapted to Coastal Command use, F/O Cave’s bomb sight, F/O Secord’s (ex 120 Squadron pilot) Hand held Sight and G/C Williamson’s Swirl Sight for attacking U-boats just after disappearance, but the Angular Velocity Low Level sight was the most promising, but this was yet to be perfected. Meanwhile, the ‘airman’s eye’ and intensive practice remained the current method.

    There was controversy between the poor weapon (250lb Torpex filled depth-charge) and poor aiming schools of thought, which produced a mass of evidence which tended to uphold the weapons efficiency and cast serious doubts on the standard of aiming in the majority of anti-u-boat squadrons. This had the effect of putting a premium on the production of a reliable low level bomb sight. None of the experimental sights under trial during 1942 had given satisfaction and it was clear from further trials that the answer lay in the Mark III Angular Velocity Sight but production to squadrons was unlikely before mid-1943. Therefore, it was to practice and yet more practice that hopes had to turn. That the solution lay here was supported by the successes scored by certain squadrons and individuals in those squadrons.
    During the past year, three squadrons were outstanding in the numbers of U-boats killed and damaged…….

    No.120 Squadron – 6 kills plus 10 damaged.
    No.202 Squadron – 4 kills plus 5 damaged.
    No.500 Squadron – 4 kills plus 9 damaged.

    All these squadrons had good records in practice bombing and all had been heavily engaged with the enemy, thereby getting still more practice. The individual pilots with an ‘airman’s eye’ had a natural eye for bombing, comparable to that of a good shotgun performer and, aided by painstaking practice had resulted in a very high standard of attack.
    These results showed that the existing weapon was perfectly adequate to sink U-boats provided the pilot put it the right place.


    Hope this is of use and makes sense.

    Regards
    Peter.
     
  5. aussie_59

    aussie_59 Senior Member

    ALL, find here that which I have on 59 Sqdn attacks / sinkings U-boats ;

    Flt Kerrigan Ballykelly U 470
    FOff Loney BK U 470
    FLt Knowles BK U 540
    FOff Moran Aldergrove U 552
    FOff Loney BK U 621
    FOff Penning BK U 716
    FOff Thomas BK U 844
    SdLdr Sisson NK U 990

    Not by any means definative, but `s'wat I have' ! May be of help to `someone'.
    Have dates etc. if required.

    Sadsac

    Hiya, the only date i cannot confirm is the one for U-716, F/O Penning, on Uboat.ent there is only one record of attack on this boat and that was in April of 1945, do you have a date for this attack? Also what was your source? F/L Kerrigan was from 120 Sqn, Liberator 'E', there were 3 planes involved in this attack, 2 from 120 Sqn (E and Z) and 1 from 59 Sqn (59/C). thanks again

    Lorenzo
     
  6. aussie_59

    aussie_59 Senior Member

    Oh and also thanks for the above post Peter, some helpful info there, cheers.
     
  7. aussie_59

    aussie_59 Senior Member

    Thought I would throw this one out there as I have been able to find naught! I need details on the loss of these airmen (below). Have found nothing that states they were crewed together, but for so many airmen to die on the same day, it would appear they were. Most likely a Liberator loss, though nothing has turned up about it, any help appreciated...

    Date: 24/02/1944

    Airmen: Sgt RF Smith, Sgt AC Neville. Sgt DG Strachan, F/Lt FN Jenkin, F/L AM Rhodes, F/O IE Bolton, F/O NR Gamble, F/O JG Moxham

    The Sqn would have been stationed at Ballykelly at this time. There are no detachments recorded at this time on RAF Commands.

    Thanks in advance.

    Lorenzo
     
  8. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    Thought I would throw this one out there as I have been able to find naught! I need details on the loss of these airmen (below). Have found nothing that states they were crewed together, but for so many airmen to die on the same day, it would appear they were. Most likely a Liberator loss, though nothing has turned up about it, any help appreciated...

    Date: 24/02/1944

    Airmen: Sgt RF Smith, Sgt AC Neville. Sgt DG Strachan, F/Lt FN Jenkin, F/L AM Rhodes, F/O IE Bolton, F/O NR Gamble, F/O JG Moxham

    The Sqn would have been stationed at Ballykelly at this time. There are no detachments recorded at this time on RAF Commands.

    Thanks in advance.

    Lorenzo

    The above airmen were lost when Liberator V FL980/T 59 Sqn. Ballykelly, failed to return from an anti-submarine escort west of Ireland. The following day Liberator V FL956 /K searched for this aircraft. An Anson from 275 Sqn Ballykelly carried out three sorties that day also, operating down the Irish west coast.
    Thanks to Henk, Tony and Ross.

    Liberator FL980 GR.V
    ex 42-40159. delivered Dorval 22 February 1943: Departed Dorval 5 March 1943: Arrived Prestwick 6 March 1943: Delivered 59 Squadron 26 March 1943; Failed to return from convoy escort 24 February 1944.

    Regards

    Peter
     
  9. aussie_59

    aussie_59 Senior Member

    The above airmen were lost when Liberator V FL980/T 59 Sqn. Ballykelly, failed to return from an anti-submarine escort west of Ireland. The following day Liberator V FL956 /K searched for this aircraft. An Anson from 275 Sqn Ballykelly carried out three sorties that day also, operating down the Irish west coast.
    Thanks to Henk, Tony and Ross.

    Liberator FL980 GR.V
    ex 42-40159. delivered Dorval 22 February 1943: Departed Dorval 5 March 1943: Arrived Prestwick 6 March 1943: Delivered 59 Squadron 26 March 1943; Failed to return from convoy escort 24 February 1944.

    Regards

    Peter

    Thanks Peter, you are a wealth of information! Appreciated.

    Lorenzo
     
  10. aussie_59

    aussie_59 Senior Member

    Hello, here is another list of men that were most likely crewed together, that I am looking for the information on. All died on the 3rd Dec 1945. I believe that 59 Sqn (Liberator) were attached to Transport Command at the time and flying troops to India. Any information will be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

    Lorenzo

    Airmen lost 3rd Dec 1945:

    W/C JG Halliday, F/Lt AJ Balsom, F/Lt EW Beech, F/Lt WG Gibson, F/Lt LJ Slack, F/O H Rowe, W/O SJ Gillingham, Sgt H Bolton, Lead/A CC Baker, Lead/A WR Birkett
     
  11. aussie_59

    aussie_59 Senior Member

    Hello again, here is a list of Blenheim aircraft and crew losses I have yet to find information for, once again any help is appreciated. These are taken from a list of 54 lost Blenheim aircraft.



    26/11/1940
    P/O Jerwood, Sgt EF Battle, Sgt FJ Newman


    03/06/1941
    P/O TD Kerr - pilot, Sgt KPT Fletcher, Sgt J Hine


    01/12/1940 (possibly 30/11/1940)
    P/O LB Hinman - pilot, Sgt GE Crout - w.op/AG, Sgt DA Walden

    26/03/1941
    P/O P McMillan, Sgt WJ Butler

    14/05/1940
    P/O Murdoch, Sgt CA Morgan

    26/03/1941 (possibly two planes)
    Sgt GS Gates, Sgt EK Robinson, P/O LD Sandes DFC

    P/O P McMillan, Sgt WJ Butler

    26/05/1940
    Pilot Officer (Pilot) Richard E. Shaw, RAF 42575, Sergeant (Obs.) Gordon L. Schwind, RAF 581353, Aircraftman 2nd Class (W. Op.[Air]) Albert C. Brogan, RAF 552071

    28/04/1941
    Found mention of TR-J V6147 being lost on this day. I only have one death accounted for, Sgt WH Johnson?

    23-2-1941
    any further info on these ones...
    Cpl William Y. ODGERS - 549825 - 59 Sqn (Manston, Kent) - killed on active service (Crashed in UK WW2 has the loss of Blenheim IV 23-2-1941: abandoned near Lamerton, near Tavistock, Devon)

    T2040 abandoned nr Lamerton,V5394 crashed on landing at St Eval,R5631 overshot the landing at St Eval.
     
  12. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    26/11/1940
    P/O Jerwood, Sgt EF Battle, Sgt FJ Newman



    59 Squadron.
    Blenheim R3889.
    Failed to return from a sortie to Lorient.
    Crew.
    P/O. K Jerwood. +
    Sgt. F Newman RNZAF. +
    Sgt. E Battle. +

    All are commemorated on the Air Forces Memorial, Runnymede.


    Warner
     
  13. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    03/06/1941
    P/O TD Kerr - pilot, Sgt KPT Fletcher, Sgt J Hine



    59 Squadron.
    Blenheim T2220.
    Failed to return. Shot down attacking shipping off Normandy.
    Crew.
    P/O. T Kerr. +
    Sgt. Sgt. K Fletcher. +
    Sgt. J Hine. +

    P/O. Kerr is buried at Plurien Cemetery, his comrades are commemorated on the Air Forces Memorial, Runnymede.



    Warner
     
  14. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    01/12/1940 (possibly 30/11/1940)
    P/O LB Hinman - pilot, Sgt GE Crout - w.op/AG, Sgt DA Walden



    1 December 1940

    59 Squadron.
    Blenheim N3537.
    Received severe battle damage and hit trees and house on overshoot at Thorney Island .
    Crew.
    P/O. Hinman (Pilot) +
    Sgt. Walden (Obs) +
    Sgt. Jones (Wop/Ag) inj


    Warner
     
  15. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    26/03/1941
    P/O P McMillan, Sgt WJ Butler



    59 Squadron.
    Blenheim V5648
    Shot down on shipping sortie to French coast.
    Crew.
    P/O. P McMillan +
    Sgt. W Butler +
    Sgt. D Vane +


    59 Squadron
    Blenheim V6065
    Sortie to Brest, crashed in fog at Winterbourne Abbas on return, destroyed by fire.
    Crew.
    P/O. L Sandes DFC +
    Sgt. E Robinson +
    Sgt. G Gates +


    Warner
     
  16. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    26/05/1940
    Pilot Officer (Pilot) Richard E. Shaw, RAF 42575, Sergeant (Obs.) Gordon L. Schwind, RAF 581353, Aircraftman 2nd Class (W. Op.[Air]) Albert C. Brogan, RAF 552071

    .

    59 Squadron
    Blenheim 3613.
    Reconnaissance sortie, shot down near Dussen, Belgium.
    Crew.
    P/O. R Shaw +
    Sgt. G Schwind +
    AC2. A Brogan (18) +


    Warner
     
  17. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    28/04/1941
    Found mention of TR-J V6147 being lost on this day. I only have one death accounted for, Sgt WH Johnson?

    .

    59 Squadron
    Blenheim V6097
    Shot down by flak ship while attacking convoy off Hook of Holland.
    Crew.
    P/O. H Badland +
    Sgt. A Hazell +
    Sgt. R Henderson +


    Blenheim V5520
    Shot down by flak ship while attacking convoy off Hook of Holland
    Crew
    P/O. S Collier +
    Sgt. J Mingham +
    F/S. W Powel +


    Blenheim 3615
    Shot down while attacking convoy off Hook of Holland
    Crew
    F/L. A Fry DFC +
    F/S. E Freeman +
    Sgt. J Taylor +


    Blenheim V5687
    Shot down while attacking convoy off Hook of Holland
    Crew
    Sgt. J Hulme Wop/Ag +
    P/O. H Norton (Pilot) and Sgt. W Flury (Obs) rescued and became pow, the only survivors from a section of four 59 Squadron aircraft shot down in this action.


    Warner
     
  18. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    23-2-1941
    any further info on these ones...
    Cpl William Y. ODGERS - 549825 - 59 Sqn (Manston, Kent) - killed on active service (Crashed in UK WW2 has the loss of Blenheim IV 23-2-1941: abandoned near Lamerton, near Tavistock, Devon)

    T2040 abandoned nr Lamerton,V5394 crashed on landing at St Eval,R5631 overshot the landing at St Eval.


    59 Squadron
    Blemheim T2040
    Abandoned over Lamerton Devon when lost in mist on return from raid on Brest. P/O. W Scarfe, P/O. Bendry, Sgt. Taylor safe.

    Blenheim V5394
    Crashed on landing St. Eval in mist on return from raid on Brest.
    P/O. Wightmen, Sgt. Crosher, Sgt. Paterson safe.


    Warner
     
  19. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    Hello, here is another list of men that were most likely crewed together, that I am looking for the information on. All died on the 3rd Dec 1945. I believe that 59 Sqn (Liberator) were attached to Transport Command at the time and flying troops to India. Any information will be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

    Lorenzo

    Airmen lost 3rd Dec 1945:

    W/C JG Halliday, F/Lt AJ Balsom, F/Lt EW Beech, F/Lt WG Gibson, F/Lt LJ Slack, F/O H Rowe, W/O SJ Gillingham, Sgt H Bolton, Lead/A CC Baker, Lead/A WR Birkett



    Liberator GR.VIII KH125 - (The source I have for the aircraft's details gives 220 Sqn but I see from CWGC the crew were all 59Sqn) was hit by lightning in severe turbulence, a wing broke off and the aircraft crashed near Rochefort, France with the loss of all on board on the 3rd December 1945. Both crew and passengers are buried at Rochefort Naval Cemetery.

    The list of casualties is as follows

    Crew
    125827 L J SLACK FL/Lt
    153958 E W BEECH Fl/Lt
    153832 A J BALSOM Fl/Lt
    1338852 S J GILLINGHAM W/O
    190277 H ROWE F/O

    Passengers
    1219314 C C BAKER LAC RAF
    1081474 W R BIRKETT LAC RAF
    1439342 B F BLACKBOURN LAC RAF
    1188678 H BOLTON SGT RAF
    1634687 T G BURCH BSM R A
    3607836 C DONALDSON SGT 2nd Bn BORDER RGT
    105294 W G GIBSON Fl/Lt RAF
    4622830 L HAINSWORTH SGT RAOC
    78912 J G HALLIDAY W CDR RAF
    1710457 H D HENDERSON Bombardier RA
    14645018 C J JOHN PTE 2nd Bn BORDER RGT
    1451624 A MITCHELL PTE R. WARWICKS 1st Bn
    1103953 R W NORTON GNR R A
    11423258 F J PARKIN PTE 2Bn BORDER RGT
    889208 S W PEARSON GNR R A
    1494315 I G RICHARDS PTE R.WARWICKS 1ST Bn
    1826728 D ROSS GNR RA
    14427984 CC THOMPSON GNR R A
    1584000 W E TURNER Bombardier RA
    14533035 W VINCENT Crafstman REME
    1494432 D WEST PTE R.WARWICKS 1st Bn
    935591 G WHITEHEAD GNR R A
    5390489 E S WINSLADE CPL WEST YORKS

    Thanks to Amrit.
     
  20. aussie_59

    aussie_59 Senior Member

    Thank you heaps for all the extra info Peter, very much appreciated. I still have some Hudson losses to sort out as well, but I will give you a rest for now :D and post them another time, thanks again,

    Lorenzo
     

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