144 Squadron July 1941 - April 1942

My reason for joining the forum is to develop my understanding of events involving 144 Squadron between these dates. I have the full ORB record for this period plus a pilots log between these dates recording 38 operations, out of the 120 plus recorded by the squadron. What I do not have are damage reports on individual Hampdens returning that were repaired and returned to operations with the squadron. Repairs required due to enemy action and mechanical failure, or heavy/forced landings. A spread sheet I have produced to help me understand the activities of the Hampdens operating over this period shows gaps in operations, indicating repair or maintenance periods. Debriefs give the crew accounts with references to over heating engines that can be traced across a number of operations until something dramatic happens, such as prop dropping off. It would broaden the picture of life on the station at North Luffenham, if the activities of ground crews could be found.

My knowledge on the operational side of the squadron is quite comprehensive any first hand knowledge would enhance the book and document research I have done. My only contact has been with a Canadian pilot from the end of my period of interest who was moor involved with the squadron after its move to Coastal Command and the transfer of Hampdens to Russia which is well documented. It will be the 70th anniversary of the squadron moving to North Luffenham this year, July 2011.

Thanks, JW

 

Hi John,

As you may recall, my Dad was on the Sqn April 1-Sept 7/41.

He crash-landed a very badly-damaged Hampden (AE122) at Coningsby on Aug 7, having survived a nasty, near-fatal encounter with a JU-88 somewhere over Belgium. You have probably seen the incredible account in the ORB, so I won't bore you with it. Apprently the airplane was eventually repaired, because I've not found any evidence that it was struck off charge as a result of this action. There is no mention of it in the Hampden Crash Log.

But this is to let you know that one of the AG's on that op, John Matthews, is still alive and lives in Kent. I'm reasonably sure he'd be happy to talk with you.

All the best,

Marc

 

JW,

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Good luck with your enquiries.

Regards
Tom

 

Hi John,

As you may recall, my Dad was on the Sqn April 1-Sept 7/41.

He crash-landed a very badly-damaged Hampden (AE122) at Coningsby on Aug 7, having survived a nasty, near-fatal encounter with a JU-88 somewhere over Belgium. You have probably seen the incredible account in the ORB, so I won't bore you with it. Apprently the airplane was eventually repaired, because I've not found any evidence that it was struck off charge as a result of this action. There is no mention of it in the Hampden Crash Log.

But this is to let you know that one of the AG's on that op, John Matthews, is still alive and lives in Kent. I'm reasonably sure he'd be happy to talk with you.

All the best,

Marc

Hello Marc,

Regarding the history of Hampden I AE122 - 144 Squadron / Converted to Torpedo Bomber / 455 Squadron / S.O.C 11 February 1944

Air Britain. RAF Serials AA100 - AZ999.

 

Hello John, welcome to the forum and good luck with your research

Regards
Peter

 

Thanks for the info Peter!

Much appreciated,

Marc

 

Marc
Good to be in touch again. It was four years ago, as I set out on my research we exchanged emails. Yes I have read your fathers full account regarding the Karlsruhe operation. Your book gave me something more, detail of his last operation and sequence of forced landing, detail missing from the ORB which simply records he FTR.

It would be useful to get in touch with John Matthews, crew movements have him signed off on the 8 August after Karlsruhe. I would like to ask him about the operation to Cologne on the 30 July. A crew flew their dog leg course to Cologne on reciprocal bearings, putting them still over land but 180 degrees in the wrong direction. Could have been an embarrassment had they not discovered their error just in time. Neither your father, John Matthews nor my father were part of the embarrassed crew.

John

 

My reason for joining the forum is to develop my understanding of events involving 144 Squadron between these dates. I have the full ORB record for this period plus a pilots log between these dates recording 38 operations, out of the 120 plus recorded by the squadron. What I do not have are damage reports on individual Hampdens returning that were repaired and returned to operations with the squadron. Repairs required due to enemy action and mechanical failure, or heavy/forced landings. A spread sheet I have produced to help me understand the activities of the Hampdens operating over this period shows gaps in operations, indicating repair or maintenance periods. Debriefs give the crew accounts with references to over heating engines that can be traced across a number of operations until something dramatic happens, such as prop dropping off. It would broaden the picture of life on the station at North Luffenham, if the activities of ground crews could be found.

My knowledge on the operational side of the squadron is quite comprehensive any first hand knowledge would enhance the book and document research I have done. My only contact has been with a Canadian pilot from the end of my period of interest who was moor involved with the squadron after its move to Coastal Command and the transfer of Hampdens to Russia which is well documented. It will be the 70th anniversary of the squadron moving to North Luffenham this year, July 2011.

Thanks, JW

Hi there, I have been trying to find the ORB of 144 Squadron since starting to research the following crash:
In the book "Bomber Command Losses of World War Two" it is outlined as:

Op: Frankfurt
T/o 1920 North Luffenham. Ran out of petrol and abandoned 0420, except for the pilot, near the airfield at Swanton Morley. Moments later, the Hampden crashed at Foulsham, 16 miles NW of Norwich.
The date was 21 September, 1941.

My father was friends with the pilot of this aircraft (he was groundcrew) and I have a copy of the letter sent by the crew to the pilot's (Sgt Eric C W Turner) parents, and also a picture of Eric with my Father.

I am very new to this research, and wonder if anybody could advise as to how I could obtain information from the ORB, which I did not realise existed, or where there is anywhere that I could find out more.

Hope to hear from somebody,
Thank you,
Joy Reynard

 

Hello Joy, welcome to the forum.

The ORB for 144 Squadron will be held at the National Archives, Kew. The records can be obtained online (there is a charge) or you could make contact with fellow member 'Drew5233' (Andy) via the following link.....

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/sale-trade/33777-anyone-require-files-national-archives.html

Andy should be able to help or at the least point you in the right direction.

Good luck with you research.

Regards
Peter

 

Hampden operations were such that it was not infrequent that Hampdens ran out of fuel on the homebound legs.Further complications arising from foul weather and poor navigation capability on the homebound leg, along with inadequate fuel capacity took its toll of Hampden aircrews.

 

Hi Joy

I have extracted paragraphs from my research relevant to Sgt Turner (921756) and the Frankfurt operation with a little background as to the other operations involving 144 Squadron that night.

Out of interest Sgt Turner and his crew had an introductory instruction on cross country flying by my father when they were both in 16OTU on the 5 July 41 in Anson 5085. My father moved to 144 Squadron on the 16 July. The crew Sgt Turner trained with were the crew he was flying with on the 20/21 September and they had all transferred together into 144 Squadron on the 5 September. Their introduction to operations was mining off the Frisians on the 7 September, which was completed successfully. The Frankfurt operation would appear to have been only their third operation, their second on the 12 September aboard AD762 was quickly aborted due to engine problems.

20/21 September 1941 -

144 Squadron had 20 aircraft prepared for 3 operations over night. Two primary targets Frankfurt and Berlin and an introductory operation to Ostend docks for four new pilots who had all joined the squadron two days earlier. My father along with all those destined for Berlin had flown the one hour flight to Horsham St Faith, just north of Norwich, and been topped up with fuel for the longer flight. His log book records his bomb load as 2x500 and 2x250 lb bombs with 2SBC’s (small bomb containers). The operations were shared with other squadrons the Hampden commitment for Berlin was 26 aircraft, Frankfurt 12 aircraft, the four for Ostend were on their own.

The worsening weather with dense fog closing in over the east of England and East Anglia, meant the final five aircraft from ‘C’ Flight preparing to leave for Berlin which included my father did not take off. A recall on the Berlin operation was sent out at 22.30 hours. Three of those airborne picked up the recall, two did not, but all returned safely.

Frankfurt from North Luffenham
Hampden Up Down Pilot
AE142* 19.20 00.05 Sgt McDermott
AD832 19.24 02.20 P/O Raw
AD922 FTR Sgt Turner
AD872, FTR F/O Carroll
AD923 FTR F/O Kingston
X3030. FTR Sgt Parker

X3030, had a problem almost immediately and was forced to make an early return, facing the fog already round the base at North Luffenham. Three miles out, approaching North Luffenham from the south, the aircraft hit and was brought down by High Tension cables between Morcott and Uppingham at 22.05hrs. The crew were all killed. They had all recently transferred from 16 OTU. Three members of the crew including the pilot were on their second operation. The fourth member Sgt Joseph Tankard WO/Air Gnr was on his first operation, flying as rear gunner.

The course to Frankfurt was south east crossing the East Anglian coast in the area of Orford Ness, giving the Thames Estuary a wide birth to avoid friendly fire. Crossing the enemy coast between the flak positions at Ostend and Dunkirk or Dunkirk and Calais, travelling down over Belgium to Namur and the Luxembourg border with a course change for Frankfurt. Aircraft returning had a choice, either to return on a reciprocal course or a dash for home across Holland crossing the heavily defended flak positions along the Dutch German border. On arriving back over England the weather proved to be their worst enemy with appalling flying conditions. Those planning to land at North Luffenham were all diverted to alternative fields due to the dense fog over the field.

F/O Kingston followed diversion instructions, initially to Scampton. The searchlights pointer system assisted without instruction, but with too many flashing at once the aircraft ended up going round in circles. Following the correct procedure in calling up for searchlight pointer assistance they reached Dishforth in Yorkshire. With permission to land they ran out of fuel with a forced landing on their approach at Hutton Moor, only a few miles west of the airfield, at 04.40 hours, the aircraft was destroyed, fortunately with no crew injuries.

AD872 was diverted north to Coningsby. Circling Coningsby from the north, hit trees 4 miles out on their approach, crashing at 02.50 hrs on the edge of Kirkby on Bain, all the crew were killed.

AD922 ran out of fuel, the pilot Sgt Eric Turner instructed his crew to abandon the aircraft while he remained on board, he was killed attempting a forced landing at Foulsham 16 miles north west of Norwich. His crew Sgts Pulham, Atkinson and Pearce, successfully parachuted to safety near the airfield at Swanton Morley. Sadly all three were later killed when AD921 came down in the sea on a mining operation off Brest on 13 December 41. This was a rare daylight use of Hampdens at this time, and carried a crew of five, the fifth member was a beam gunner. The two other crew members were the pilot P/O McLaren and Sgt Taylor.

Detail on the operation over Frankfurt could only be provided by F/O Kingston and crew of AD923 who reached and bombed Frankfurt. Describing fires on their arrival, level bombing from 9,000 feet on a bearing of 250degrees M, with bombs falling short. Recording fires still visible 60 miles from the target. Both McDermott and Raw had engine problems, flames from McDermotts starboard engine meant he chose to bomb the docks at Ostend. Sgt Raw had an under performing port engine, had been delayed avoiding flak and calculations meant they could not make Frankfurt and return safely. On crossing the German border he bombed an airfield at Trier.
Neither crew were able to visually pinpoint their positions coming home, neither coast was seen due to fog but both safely landed with the aid of station beacons and radio communications.

Apart from the losses, the following morning 144 Squadron Hampdens were spread out from Horsham St Faith, Norfolk to Middleton St George in the North East of England.

Hope this adds to your understanding of events that night.

Through this site it is possible to exchange private messages. Your father as ground crew is of interest to me. Ground crew get hardly a mention in the records, it would be good to include your photograph. Can you let me know his name and I will include him in my list of squadron personnel.

John

 

Am looking for information on Pilot Officer Herbert Leslie Cousins, 88405, RAFVR, 144 Squadron, killed in action July 1941. He is buried at Illogan in Cornwall, UK. Flight on 16 Jan 1941 reported his "commission as pilot officer on probation." I understand 144 Squadron flying Handley Page Hampden I were based at Hemswell until 17 July 1941 then at North Luffenham. Any information to the circumstances of PO Cousins death would be gratefully received.

 

Hi Phil,

Oddly, there is no mention of the loss of Cousins or his aircraft on that date in Chorley's 'Bomber Command Losses 1941'.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission does have a listing, however, showing his date of death as July 24/41:

CWGC :: Casualty Details

You might try the Squadron ORB at Kew.

Incidentally, my late father was a 144 pilot during this period (April-Sept/41).

Best of luck,

Marc

 

Phil

P/O Cousins, his background / family I have no details, your interest would seem to relate to his burial in Cornwall. He was killed on Operation ‘Sunrise’ 24 July 1941 a daylight operation to the Port of Brest the refuge of some large German Battle Cruisers. As tough a target as any German industrial town. He died aboard Hampden AE238 while over the target. 144 Squadron had six Hampdens involved in an operation that involved 149 aircraft from Bomber Command. Having lost one of their squadron aircraft over the target five returned with a couple very badly damaged and AE238 although not badly damaged had P/O Cousins on board. Circumstances dictated that they all land at Predannack, Cornwall, the first airfield available to them. If P/O Cousins had been Commonwealth aircrew he would have been buried locally. As a RAFVR his body would normally have gone to his home town. Possibly with no family he was buried locally or he was a Cornish man.

I have the full details on the operation, but your note simply seemed to enquire, why was P/O Cousins buried in Cornwall.

If you have a family interest and wish to know more about 144 Squadrons involvement in the operation and P/O Cousins let me know.

Including this contemporary extract published in Flight Magazine August 7th 1941 is interesting and adds a slight propaganda flavour to actual events.
. . . . . below the Fortresses a fierce battle raged and further south there was a fierce battle over La Pallice. Even while the anti-aircraft barrage from Brest was at its height a great many Messerschmitt 109s attacked the Hampdens which came in, in tight formation, while the Fortresses were still overhead. The Hampdens shot down at least three of the enemy and probably one more. One Hampden and one Messerschmitt opened fire at the same moment. The Messerschmitt turned over on its back, but went on firing and hit the Hampden’s wireless and its inner port tank. But the Messerschmitt went down in a steep dive and the Hampden’s bullets pursued it. It tried to pull out at about 1,000ft. but never came up and hit the ground on the coast. The crew of one aircraft saw a Hampden falling towards the sea and at the very same moment a Messerschmitt falling north of Brest and bursting into flames.

The five squadron debriefs are more reserved, but it was a tough one. I need to add there were eighteen Hampdens involved.

John

 

Am looking for information on Pilot Officer Herbert Leslie Cousins, 88405, RAFVR, 144 Squadron, killed in action July 1941. He is buried at Illogan in Cornwall, UK. Flight on 16 Jan 1941 reported his "commission as pilot officer on probation." I understand 144 Squadron flying Handley Page Hampden I were based at Hemswell until 17 July 1941 then at North Luffenham. Any information to the circumstances of PO Cousins death would be gratefully received.

24 July 1941 was a key date in Bomber Command insofar that on this date it was planned and anticipated that the Kreigsmarine capital ships would be caught in Brest harbour.It did not work out that way for the Scharnhorst had already left for La Pallice (La Rochelle ).

Fighter defence transpired to be greater than anticipated and ten Wellingtons and two Hampdens were lost.No 144 Squadron lost one Hampden and it could be that P/O Cousins was lost in another squadron Hampden.

Bill Chorley shows one Hampden (AE225) lost from 144 but the Bomber Command War Diaries (Middlebrook and Everitt) records that two Hampdens were lost.The 144 Hampden recorded as being lost was lost in the Brest area but P/O Cousins burial location could suggest an aircraft lost over the sea, unless the St Illogan burial location was chosen by his NOK.

 

Many thanks to Mark, John & Harry for your posts. The information gives me what I'm after. He is buried at Illogan, Cornwall, amongst the CWG but with a granite cross not the usual CWGC headstone, which would indicate family were local. I'm simply researching all 52 WW2 graves at Illogan - no family connection.

 

Originally posted by Woodhead "He died aboard Hampden AE238 while over the target."

I assume he was hit by flak. Can you confirm that?

 

Phil
Debrief reference from S/Ldr Bennett flying AD801
P/O Cousins, of my second formation section, was unfortunate enough to receive a piece of shrapnel through the side of the Perspex in his machine and was killed . . . .

John

 

I am trying to find information on my mother's cousin who was in 144 Squadron during WW2 and was killed in November 1941 (4/5).

He was Flying Officer Llewellyn Newton Evans 655345 Royal Air Force Reserve. His body was never found and he is rembered at Runnymeade Memorial.

Any information would be greatly appreciated - his mother died never knowing what happened to him.

Thank you
john barnes

 

I am trying to find information on my mother's cousin who was in 144 Squadron during WW2 and was killed in November 1941 (4/5).

He was Flying Officer Llewellyn Newton Evans 655345 Royal Air Force Reserve. His body was never found and he is rembered at Runnymeade Memorial.

Any information would be greatly appreciated - his mother died never knowing what happened to him.

Thank you
john barnes

Hi John,

Chorley's 'Bomber Command Losses 1941' reports only:

144 Squadron
Hampden I
AE424
PL-?
P/O L N Evans +
P/O H Walter +
Sgt T G Miskin +
Sgt G H S Bennett +

Takeoff North Luffenham. Lost without trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Op: Anti-shipping

BTW, my Dad was a 144 pilot who was shot down and taken POW on Sept 7/8, 1941.

Best of luck in your search.

Marc