"Look-ups" for 166 Squadron RAF Bomber Command

Following on Alan's info on the Brennan crew, I see one more member was also awarded the DFC:

O'BEIRN, F/L Bernard Theodore (C20520) - Mention in Despatches - No

O'DRISCOLL, F/O James Wilson (J35128) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.166 Squadron - Award effective 5 February 1945 as per London Gazette dated 20 February 1945 and AFRO 563/45 dated 29 March 1945. Born 1922 at Cape Race, Newfoundland; home in Prince Edward County, Ontario (office clerk); enlisted in Sarnia, 14 May 1942. Trained at No.6 ITS (graduated 18 December 1942), No.12 EFTS (ceased training 5 March 1943), No.7 BGS (graduated 23 July 1943) and No.5 AOS (graduated 3 September 1943). Commissioned 1943. Medal sent by registered mail 5 July 1945. No citation other than "completed... numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which [he has] invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty." Public Records Office Air 2/8831 has recommendation dated 12 November 1944 when he had flown 30 sorties (145 hours).

23 Jul 44 Kiel 3 Sept 44 Gilze Rijen
1 Aug 44 La Belle Croix 5 Sept 44 Le Havre
les Bruyeres 6 Sept 44 Le Havre
2 Aug 44 Le Havre 7 Sept 44 Le Havre
3 Aug 44 Trossy St.Maximim 10 Sep 44 Le Havre
4 Aug 44 Pauillac 20 Sep 44 Sangatte
7 Aug 44 Fontenoy le Marmion 26 Sep 44 Calais
10 Aug 44 Paris 27 Sep 44 Calais
11 Aug 44 Douai 2 Oct 44 Westkapelle
14 Aug 44 Fontaine le Pin 5 Oct 44 Saarbrucken
15 Aug 44 Leculot 12 Oct 44 Fort Frederik Hendrik
16 Aug 44 Stettin 13 Oct 44 Duisburg
25 Aug 44 Russelsheim 14 Oct 44 Duisburg
26 Aug 44 Kiel 19 Oct 44 Stuttgart
29 Aug 44 Stettin 25 Oct 44 Essen
31 Aug 44 Agenville

As an Air Bomber this Canadian officer has now completed 30 sorties over heavily defended targets in enemy occupied territory and Germany itself. Throughout these sorties he has proved himself to be an Air Bomber of exceptional skill and an outstanding member of a very gallant crew. He has consistently given good results in his attacks, which have been characterized by a determination to press home the blow on the enemy's vitals and inflict the maximum possible damage.


On one occasion, when his aircraft was not developing full power, he nevertheless asked for a second run over the target to make sure that a successful attack was delivered. This attack is typical of this officer's keen sense of devotion to duty and high discipline. For his fine record, skill and determination, he is recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Regards,

Dave

 

Hi,

RON

Thank You Ron for taking the time to look through your book for me.

ALAN W

Thanks very much for tracing the names of FO Brennan's crew. I presume the source document is the 166 Squadron ORB?

DAVE.

Thanks for the DFC info. Opening the link to the source material and scrolling down the list gives a great insight into the bravery and distinguished service of those members of the RCAF who were in England during WW2.

Regards to you all.

Steve

 

Steve,
23/7, Kiel.
1/8, Le Belle Croix.
2/8, Le Havre.
3/8, Trossy St Maxim.
4/8, Pauillac.
7/8, Fontanay ls Marmion.
10/8, Dugny.
11/8, Duval.
14/8, Fontaine le Pin.
15/8, Le Culot.
16/8, Stettin.
25/8, Russelheim.
26/8, Kiel.
29/8, Stettin.
31/8, Agenville.
3/9, Gilze Rijen.
5/9, Le Havre.
6/9, Le Havre.
8/9, Le Havre.
10/9, Le Havre.
20/9, Sangatte.
25/9, Calais.
26/9, Calais.
27/9, Calais.
3/10, Westkapple.
5/10, Saarbrucken.
12/10, Fort Fredirick Hendrik.
14/10, Duisburg.
20/10, Stuttgart.
24/10, Essen.

 

Thanks Alan. I am in touch with family of Bill Brennan in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I will share all information with them.

Steve Y

 

Steve,
Do you want the pages from the ORB, that relate to the above dates. If so, then "pm" your email address to me.
Alan

 

Alan,

Thanks for the very kind offer. PM sent.

Steve

 

Alan,

Firstly a public thanks for letting me have sight of your scanned copies of the 166 Squadron ORB pages referring to Bill Brennan and his crew.

I have had a look on the internet today and found his crew photograph which may be of interest to forum members. I have copied it to a word document but at 394kb it is too big to upload. I don't have the IT skills to make it fit!

Steve Y

 

Here it is Steve.

 

Thanks Alan.

Steve Y

 

Hi

I am the great grand-daughter of Sergeant Len (Leonard) Clutterbuck and am trying to find more information about him on behalf of my grandad Brian Clutterbuck. (He's not very good on the internet!)

My grandad has recently found the book 'Then and Now' on the internet that he is going to purchase.

If anyone has any further links or information my family would be very grateful to receive it.


Thanks again

Lisa

 

Hello Sgt Leonard Charles Clutterbuck 1319227 RAF was the Navigator in the 166 squadron crew of P/O J.W.F.Reilly RAF.His aircraft was shot down (alledgedly) by Hptm Martin Drewes of Stab III/NJG 1 and crashed into the North sea SW of the Hook of Holland at about 02.04 hrs.Reilly and Pochailo (author of then and now) survived.Reilly as a POW and Pochailo evaded capture.Email me direct on mjc41uk at yahoo dot co dot uk for more info.B

 

thankyou soo much! t gibson in this post is my grandmas brother!! this site is awesome! thank you again!

 

Sarah,
Have sent a pm concerning information on Sgt Gibson

 

Hi,

I am researching all ww2 personal (have completed all WW1) from my home village of Brotherton, Yorkshire who were killed. One was Sgt Joseph Roy Eaton, service number 1670569 of 166 Squadron. He was killed on7/7/44. He is buried at Banneville-La-Campagne.
Anyfurther information would be most welcome.

 

The-Edwin

Attached pic shows the only reference i have been able to find in my copy of "On Wings of War"

Hope this helps

Ron

ps
Had a quick look at Amazon and noted that if I wished to replace my tattered copy of this wonderful book it would cost me £476.28 !

 

The following from ' RAF Bomber Command losses' Vol.5 - W R Chorley

7 July 1944
166 Squadron
Lancaster III ND678 AS-Q
Op. Caen

Took off from Kirmington at 1910 hours to bomb strong points. Believed to have crashed in the sea. Six are buried in Banneville War Cemetery, Sgt. Markland rests in Bayeux War Cemetery.

Crew.

S/L. R H. Weston +
Sgt. J R. Markland +
F/O. E W. MacIntosh RCAF +
F/O. H J. McEachern RCAF +
Sgt. J R. Eaton +
Sgt. N D. Little +
Sgt. R W. Boss +


The following from ' The Bomber Command War Diaries' - Middlebrook / Everitt

7 July 1944

NORMANDY BATTLE AREA


467 aircraft — 283 Lancasters, 164 Halifaxes, 20 Mosquitoes — of 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups in a major effort to assist in the Normany land battle.

The Canadian 1st and British znd Armies were held up by a series of fortified village strongpoints north of Caen. The first plan was for Bomber Command to bomb these villages but, because of the proximity of friendly troops and the possibility of bombing error, the bombing area was moved back nearer to Caen, covering a stretch of open ground and the northern edge of the city. The weather was clear for the raid, which took place in the evening, and two aiming points were well marked by Oboe Mosquitoes and other Pathfinder aircraft. The Master Bomber, Wing Com­mander S. P. (Pat) Daniels of 35 Squadron, then controlled a very accurate raid. Dust and smoke soon obscured the markers but the bombing always remained concentrated. 2,276 tons of bombs were dropped.

It was afterwards judged that the bombing should have been aimed at the original targets. Few Germans were killed in the area actually bombed, although units near by were considerably shaken. The northern suburbs of Caen were ruined. No German fighters appeared and only 1 Lancaster, of 166 Squadron, was shot down by Flak. 2 further Lancasters and I Mosquito crashed behind the Allied lines in France. (For statistical purposes, Bomber Command aircraft which were recorded as having crashed in France, and later in other reoccupied countries in Europe, will be considered as lost', as it was unlikely that the aircraft would be salvaged for later use, although the crews often returned safely to England.)

 

...........

 

I am most grateful to the contributors who responded to my query. The information submitted was far more detailed than I had expected. Although too young to have known Sgt Eaton (b.1948) my mother went to school with him and had nothing but good to say, I knew his father and also his 2 daughters who still attend every local Remembrance day service.

Could I just ask Ron for a few details about 'Wings of War' as I would like to include a reference in my write up.

Thanks again.

edwin

 

Edwin

Some info about the book here: http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/03918.php

As already stated, I have always found the book invaluable for looking up data concerning 166 Sqn.

I seriously believe that the same data should be digitally recorded by some benevelent millionaire so that it can be searched for info rather than the present laborious practice.

I had the pleasure of meeting the author on the only occasion on which I attended a Squadron Re-union during the time I was researching my brother Jack's death in action.

Best regards

Ron

 

Once again I am most grateful.

thanks

Edwin