Anyone point me in the right direction on how Sgt 918580 Arthur Maslen RAFVR died 26/1/42. Would he have been Aircrew or Ground Crew? How can I find out? All help gratefully recieved.
1942 January 23rd All our a/c (aircraft) are lost in Jap raids. 12 new Hudsons arrive from England. Japs also arrive leaving only 2 Hudsons repairable. I leave in one and Doug leaves in the other for Palenbang in Sumatra early next morning Found this on another website.http://www.belton.me.uk/Pages/Places_Pages...quadron_raf.htm __________________
On the 26th, the six Hudsons of 62 Squadron took part in an attck on a Japanese invasion convoy just off Endau, with 21 Vildebeests (mainly of 100 Squadron), 15 Buffaloes, 9 Hurricanes, three other Hudsons and 3 Albacores (36 Squadron). The bombers had been ordered to use bombs instead of torpedoes, as it was felt that the water was too shallow! The attack cost 12 Vildebeests, 2 Albacores, 2 Hudsons, and a Hurricane. Damaged five ships but didn't stop the Japanese from landing on the island. This was the only attack on that date, and as there weren't any attacks by Japanese aircraft, it may be safe to say that Maslan was either killed on this attack, or died of wounds from an earlier attack. (sorry, still don't know for sure what his role was). From: "The Forgotten Air Force: The Royal Air Force in the war against Japan" pg 58/59
From: "The Forgotten Air Force: The Royal Air Force in the war against Japan" pg 58/59 It is a sad name for these fliers. Burma, "The Forgotten Army" is also a sad remembrance.
Cheers chaps. He is one of my local lads. Name:MASLEN, ARTHUR LEONARD Initials:A L Nationality:United Kingdom Rank:Sergeant Regiment/Service:Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text:62 Sqdn. Age:21 Date of Death:26/01/1942 Service No:918580 Additional information:Son of Charles Fred and Kathleen Maslen, of Upper Stratton, Wiltshire. Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference:Column 415. Memorial:SINGAPORE MEMORIAL Found more 62 Sqn info here. Opposing the Japanese Landings — No. 62 (Bomber) Squadron | NZETC
It is a sad name for these fliers. Burma, "The Forgotten Army" is also a sad remembrance. It certainly is. One of the saddest descriptions in the book refer to the way that the few ground crew who had managed to escape the debacle at Singapore and the surrounding islands, and make it back to Ceylon and India. On their return to safety, bedraggled, half crazed by their experiences, they were sent to RAF camps (mainly in the North West Frontier where most of the RAF was based before the war). The treatment they received was terrible, being accussed of cowardice, and forced to do the most demeaning duties as "punishment". The only reason the above writer can "excuse" this treatment is by pointing out that most people in India hadn't realised just how bad the situation had been in Singapore etc. Pathetic. As for book titles, the set that I've just ordered is even more "inspired" is the three-volume "Bloody Shambles - Air War over Burma) etc.
Cheers chaps. He is one of my local lads. Name:MASLEN, ARTHUR LEONARD Initials:A L Nationality:United Kingdom Rank:Sergeant Regiment/Service:Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text:62 Sqdn. Age:21 Date of Death:26/01/1942 Service No:918580 Additional information:Son of Charles Fred and Kathleen Maslen, of Upper Stratton, Wiltshire. Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference:Column 415. Memorial:SINGAPORE MEMORIAL Found more 62 Sqn info here. Opposing the Japanese Landings — No. 62 (Bomber) Squadron | NZETC From : REPORT ON THE AIR OPERATIONS DURING THE CAMPAIGNS IN MALAYA AND NETHERLAND EAST INDIES FROM STH ' DECEMBER, 1941 TO I2TH .MARCH, 1942. The following report was submitted to the Secretary of State for Air on July 26th, 1947, by Air Vice-Marshal Sir PAUL MALTBY, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., A.F.C., Assistant Air Officer Commanding Far East Command Royal, Air Force, from January izth to' February loth, 1942, and Air. 0fficer Commanding Royal Air Force in Java from February 11th to March 12th, 1942. http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/LondonGazette/38216.pdf On the 26th January, at 0930 hours, Hudson reconnaissance sighted 2 cruisers, 11 destroyers and two 10,000 ton vessels accompanied by barges, 10 miles off the coast approaching Endau. (para 321). They were being protected by Japanese .fighters based on Kuantan. The forces available for opposing them were: — “ 9- Hudsons of Nos. i and 8- (GR) Squadrons, R.A.A.F. 21 Vildebeestes, 3 Albacores of Nos. 36 and 100 (TB Squadrons) The attack was organised in two waves. The” first wave comprised 9, Hudsons and 12 Vildebeestes and was escorted by 15 Buffaloes and 8 Hurricanes; the second, 3 Albacores and 9 Vildebeestes, escorted by 4 Buffaloes and 8 Hurricanes. Unfortunately, as the Vildebeestes and Albacores of Nos. 36 and 100 (TB Squadrons had been operating throughout the whole of the previous night (para. 330), the first wave of attack could not be launched until the early afternoon. By this time most of the Japanese troops were probably clear of their transports. However, the first wave, consisting of 9 Hudsons and the Vildebeestes of No. 100 (TB Squadron) was able to press its attack home, being helped by rather cloudy conditions. 5 Vildebeestes were lost. It was claimed that one cruiser and two destroyers were sunk, both transports were hit (one set on fire), and casualties were caused to troops in barges and on the beaches. With the arrival of the second wave, theVildebeestes of No. 36 (TB Squadron), the weather in the area suddenly cleared and enemy fighters intercepted the squadron before it could attack. 6 Vildebeestes and 2 Albacores were shot down and other aircraft damaged and aircrews wounded. Later, 5 Hudsons of No. 62 (B) Squadron from Sumatra arrived in the area and attacked barges. The fighter escort problem had not been easy owing to the slow speed of the T.B. aircraft and the distance of the target from their aerodrome. During these two attacks, 12 Japanese Navy “ 0 “ fighters were shot down and 4 damaged for the loss of 2 Hurricanes and 1 Buffalo, one Hurricane pilot personally accounting for 4 Japanese fighters. No. 36 & 100 (TB Squadrons) suffered very heavily. More than half their aircraft were shot down, includirig those of both Commanding Officers. The remainder were badly shot about, and a number of aircrews in them were wounded. Both were withdrawn to Java on 29th/30th January for reorganisation after their very gallant effort.
Just came across this old thread and thought I would put the Australian RAAF lads down here who were killed on the 26/1/1942. (Australia Day). DaveB may have some info on deaths and operations: HOWISS, GORDON STEWART Sergeant 400202 36sq 26/01/1942 21 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Coll. grave 30. D. 13-15. KRANJI WAR CEMETERY Singapore LOCKHART, JOSEPH Sergeant 401041 36sq 26/01/1942 23 Royal Australian Air Force Australian 3. C. 2. KRANJI WAR CEMETERY Singapore GILL, NEIL STEWART Sergeant 408123 36sq RAF 26/01/1942 25 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Column 422. SINGAPORE MEMORIAL Singapore HAY, PHILIP CARLISLE Sergeant 408105 36sq RAF 26/01/1942 32 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Column 422. SINGAPORE MEMORIAL Singapore HENDERSON, JOHN HARTLEY Sergeant 400860 36sq RAF 26/01/1942 24 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Column 422. SINGAPORE MEMORIAL Singapore NODRUM, ERIC CHARLES Sergeant 400864 36sq RAF 26/01/1942 32 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Column 422. SINGAPORE MEMORIAL Singapore TURNER, ARTHUR EDWIN Pilot Officer 406191 36sq RAF 26/01/1942 21 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Coll. grave 30. D. 13-15. KRANJI WAR CEMETERY Singapore
By the looks of it all of these RAAF blokes were on attachment to the RAF: Vickers Vildebeest K6392 / Place - Endau, Malaya 36SQN RAF – all crew killed: HOWISS, Gordon Stewart (Sergeant) 400202 RAAF / TURNER, Arthur Edwin (Pilot Officer) 406191 RAAF / TANNER, Thomas Steele (Sergeant) 41503 RNZAF ************************************ Vickers Vildebeest K4168 / Place - Singapore 36SQN RAF - LOCKHART, Joseph - (Sergeant) 401041 RAAF / RICHARDSON, George Sydney MiD (Flight Lieutenant) (Captain - Pilot) 40017 RAF / HARRIS, Bernard Vernon (Sergeant) (Observer) 755290 RAF ************************************ Vickers Vildebeest K4108 / Place - Endau, Malaya 36SQN RAF – HAY, Philip Carlisle - (Sergeant) 408105 RAAF / EWEN, George (Flight Sergeant) R/65737 RCAF // survived (died 26/08/1944 with 143SQN) WILLMOTT, Bernard Bruce (Squadron Leader / Wing Commander) 37927 RAF ************************************ Vickers Vildebeest K4509 / Place - Endau, Malaya NODRUM, Eric Charles - (Sergeant)400864 RAAF - 36SQN RAF – other crew not known ************************************ Fairey Albacore T0135 / Place - Telok Sari, Malaya 36SQN RAF - FLEMING, ANDREW MARTIN HEARN (Sergeant) 40965 RNZAF / GILL, Neil Stewart - (Sergeant) 408123 RAAF / HENDERSON, John Hartley - (Sergeant) 400860 RAAF
