I am trying to research the RAF Servicing Commandos as part of a project at work and then later in the year travel out to France to visit some of the places found during our research. The problem I am having is that there seems very little information on the internet and at my local library about the Servicing Commandos. I have found little bits, like what the size of a unit, roughly where they were during the war. I would like to find some information on what they did for training, techinical and soldering. The particlar area of interest is of the Servicing Commandos activities around the B2 and B3 airfields near Bazenville in France. If anyone can point me in the right direction for any information, I would be very grateful. Cheers Dave
Dave There is a useful article in the most recent issue of the Journal of the RAF Historical Society and deals witht the operations. Ross
Have you read this: Amazon.co.uk: Spectacles, Testicles, Fags and Matches: The Untold Story of RAF Servicing Commandos in World War Two: Books: Tom Atkinson Cheaper copies can be found on the net. There's another book on it's history, but I can remember it at the moment. and had a look at this site? http://www.combinedops.com/ROYAL_AIR_SERVICING_COMMANDO.htm
How are you getting on withthe research? I could probably help. Was a member of 3209 on B2 June /July 1944. Am new to this web site Ed
How are you getting on withthe research? I could probably help. Was a member of 3209 on B2 June /July 1944. Am new to this web site Ed Research is going well, I have a couple of books - History of the RAF Servicing Commandos and Spectacles, Testicles, fags and matches, which have been a great help. I am trying to collate some stories to give my research a more personal touch rather than all facts and figures. If you have any stories about living and working conditions and any humourous stories about your time at the B2, I would be most grateful. Cheers Dave
Unit was on B2 camping near Villiers le Sec. B2 would have been first operational strip but Liberator crash landed early on wrecking most of the tracking which had to be relayed. 3209 went over to Normandy in two landing craft . Most personnel were on American LST whereas the Corporal cook and his equipment were on a smaller LCT which was sunk. 09 men had to feed themselves until into July using ten man compo ration packs heating food with earth filled cans more or less individually. Slit trenches were dug intially but after a month or so tents arrived which were usually pitched over the top of extended trenches. We were showered with butterfly bombs on one occasion and I swear that one German Squadron leader had a sense of humour when a flight of aircraft dropped its load on top of us. They turned out to be jetison fuel tanks which hit the ground all round us. As an armourer most of my time was spent in loading rockets on Typhoon. In the early days they took off headed out towards the sea to gain height. We would see them turn back and dive to fire at the targets in land. Unit was withdrawn at beginning of August . We sailed for Far East in December 44 but that is another story.
Hi My father in law Patrick Porter was in 3209 Id love to hear from anyone who remembers him or would like to share some memories Regards Chocky
I'm trying to help my father find which number unit his brother was in - he joined the RAF in 1941 and the RAF Servicing Commandos in 1943. We know that he went from France to Belgium in 1945 but thats about it. Can anyone help?
Hi, my father was in 3209 servicing commandos, he was Flt Sgt Bill 'Jock' Stuart and was an armourer, unfortunately he died in 1970, his health apparently was never the same when he came back from the Far East so I was never old enough to ask what he or the unit did, have researched as best as I could via, The history of the RAF Servicing Commandos and Spectacles Testicles book which used a letter I sent in about the 'Oudeney? magazine, however there is not much info on 3209, would be gratefull if there is anyone left to get in contact. I do have a picture of the 3209 football team which I believe was taken in Singerbill which I believe is modern day Bangladesh and some leaflets dropped on the Japanese Prisoner of war camps but over the years his commando knife and raf pistol holster and Normandy translation book have disappeared. Many Thanks Vincent Stuart
Hi ed, was trying to find out more info on my grandfather unit 3209 ?capt not sure. Jack Sibbit (now deceased) as i was interested in finding out more about him as i have also served 13 years in HM Forces but my mother couldnt tell me much about him. I do have a dday bible and a few photos of him on a pony nr saigon and a rather tattered flag that had a skull emblem on it. Perhaps you can shed a little more light on his unit or himself. Regards Gary
Hi ed, was trying to find out more info on my grandfather unit 3209 ?capt not sure. Jack Sibbit (now deceased) as i was interested in finding out more about him as i have also served 13 years in HM Forces but my mother couldnt tell me much about him. I do have a dday bible and a few photos of him on a pony nr saigon and a rather tattered flag that had a skull emblem on it. Perhaps you can shed a little more light on his unit or himself. Regards Gary
Hi ed, was trying to find out more info on my grandfather unit 3209 ?capt not sure. Jack Sibbit (now deceased) as i was interested in finding out more about him as i have also served 13 years in HM Forces but my mother couldnt tell me much about him. I do have a dday bible and a few photos of him on a pony nr saigon and a rather tattered flag that had a skull emblem on it. Perhaps you can shed a little more light on his unit or himself. He was a keen footballer. Regards Gary
Hi ed, was trying to find out more info on my grandfather unit 3209 ?capt not sure. Jack Sibbit (now deceased) as i was interested in finding out more about him as i have also served 13 years in HM Forces but my mother couldnt tell me much about him. I do have a dday bible and a few photos of him on a pony nr saigon and a rather tattered flag that had a skull emblem on it. Perhaps you can shed a little more light on his unit or himself. Regards Gary
The most important thing to remember is that they were not commandos, they never attended the commando training centre and their "extensive military training" was a short two week course at a combined operations camp in Scotland. They were the only people to use the hard earned title Commando who never undertook any form of commando training or selection.
If I recall correctly there is a BD jacket - army BD with RAF badges - and some other memorabilia in Calderdale Museums, Halifax. I don't know how much background was given with the items (donated c.1988) or has been researched since.
