Hello everyone! Need your help please! My husband was given this photo some years ago by one of his patient's, he's a Paramedic. The guy in the photo is the pilot of the Spitfire, he is called George, and Elsie was his sister. He said the photo was taken on the 8th of May 1945 at Campoformido in North Italy. George also said he was in 185 (Malta) Squadron but as far as I can see 185 did not use the letters "RE", though they were at Campoformido at the time the photo was taken. Unfortunately we have no further details about George, so are hoping that the collective genius here can shed some light.
List of RAF squadron codes - Wikipedia RE No. 118 Squadron RCAF 118 Sqn RCAF* (1940–42) RE No. 229 Squadron RAF 229 Sqn RE Central Fighter Establishment CFE No. 229 Squadron RAF - Wikipedia 229 Squadron RE (Oct 1939 – May 1941) From that information I would guess the photo was taken when part of 229 Squadron coded RE between Oct 30 and May 41 either in UK or in North Africa possibly Malta All guess work on my part, I am sure more experienced RAF members will be along to correct TD
Hmmmm, strange, the Summary of Events for 229 Squadron show it in England in Jan 1945, and it was disbanded or renumbered (not sure which) as 603 Squadron......you say photo is Italy 8 May 1945, so not sure which squadron this aircraft is from or if the info on the Squadron/Aircraft location is incorrect
On the 28 May 1945 they had a large fly past of aircraft from the Desert Air Force at Campoformido, I’m wondering could they have “renumbered” an aircraft from another squadron to represent 229 Squadron at the fly past??? Just a thought DESERT AIR FORCE FLY PAST AT CAMPOFORMIO AIRFIELD, UDINE, NORTHERN ITALY, 28 MAY 1945
Found a record from 185 Squadron.......I believe it was one of their aircraft BUT I’m not sure if they were using that CODE on their aircraft at that time
You wouldn’t have the gentleman’s last name would you. I have the Ops Records Books for that time period with the names of the Pilots, but I would need a last name to confirm?
Just throwing my hat in the ring, could it be personalised aircraft initials? Bader or Johnny Johnson style?
Another thought after going thru the Op Record Books........229 Squadron became 603 Squadron in Jan 1945........in 229 Squadron at that time was a F/L McAndrew AND he seems to be in 603 Squadron in May 1945..... And reviewing the Op Record Books for that time period, EVERY DAY in May of that year, he was flying Spitfire XVI, CODED “B”.......so he flew the same aircraft every day (which is unusual.....normally pilots flew whichever aircraft was available and they were assigned to for that day or operation) BUT, its Squadron code was XT......so the above premise doesn’t work (and they were NOT in Italy at that time)....sorry, just thinking out loud so others can check their resources My best guess was it was a 185 Squadron aircraft?........
Looking at "George", his shirt does not appear to carry a pilot "Wings" brevet. However as I see it of the squadrons mentioned, only one served at Campoformido and that was No 185 Squadron which arrived from Villafranca on 16 May 1945 after being based at the latter from 1 May 1945 which agrees with the ORB information posted relating to the squadron The squadron remained at Campoformido until 13 August 1945 when it was disbanded.
No. 185 Squadron RAF Squadron Codes ZM (Apr 1939 - Sep 1939) GL (Sep 1939 - Apr 1940, May 1942 - Aug 1945) TD
All I noticed was his right foot looked at an awkward angle as if the shoe was off foot or foot was badly broken and I tried to replicate whilst prone on the floor until my son pointed out I have to lounge as if on the wing of a Spitfire leaning on the fuselage and then you could get the angle correct to get the foot placement correct as per photograph.
I’m still looking to see if I can find any link to the aircraft in the photo and the Desert Air Force Fly past on the 28 May 1945 I did find this information on the “make up” of the fly past On 28 May 1945 the Desert Air Force held a fly past over Campoformido. It was a roll call of honour as the great fighter wings roared overhead. Apart from the SAAF formations there were many seconded SAAF pilots in the RAF formations, some as Squadron and Flight Commanders. 239 Wing which was in the lead, included 5 Squadron SAAF (Major Odendaal), 250 Squadron RAF (Major Weingartz), 285 TacR Wing, followed by 40 Squadron SAAF (Lieutenant Colonel Rodgers). This was followed by 244 Wing with 92 Squadron (Major Gasson). The SAAF’s 7 Wing formation came next led by Colonel Moodie, with 1 Squadron SAAF (Major Lipawky), 2 Squadron SAAF (Major Finney), 4 Squadron SAAF (Major Brunton), and 7 Squadron SAAF (Major Brebner). Next was 324 Wing including 92 Squadron RAF (Major Taylor), next came the American FG79 with their P-47s forming a giant 79 formation. Colonel du Toit followed with 8 Wing SAAF, comprising 3 Squadron SAAF (Major Golding), 11 Squadron SAAF (Major Laubscher), and the wings two RAF Squadrons 87 (S/L McKay) and 185 (S/L Christopherson). The bombers of 3 SAAF Bomber Wing brought up the rear. Source: Warriors of the sky Still searching....
Is it not possible he was ground crew and as stated his sister was called Elsie as per planes tag so he posed for the photo as a keepsake just a thought
I agree.....but they said the photo was taken on 8 May 1945.....so I’ve been trying to find a Squadron, with Squadron Code RE.....located at Campoformido........and that’s where I can’t find ANY Squadron, with that Code, located at or near Campoformido If I could find the right squadron, then “possibly” I could look thru the Pilots on their roster (thru the Op Record Books) and see if I can find one with a “G” for George name.....and then look for a sister........YES, a long shot AND. You may be right, he may NOT be a pilot, but possibly a ground crew member that worked in the Squadron in the past. So, just trying various “senario’s” to see if something will fall out the tree.....if you know what I mean. All our members give thoughts, or clue’s, to see if we can help Sharon....at the end of the day. MAYBE, the info about WHEN and WHERE the photo is wrong also......and we’re getting no where fast Cheers, and thanks for your thoughts on this
Thanks for all these excellent replies! Unfortunately we have no further information about George. My husband says he was definitely the pilot of the Spitfire. We are relying on the memories of a rather frail & elderly gentleman here I'm afraid, so things will be vague. It was just a post on the off chance that someone here may have some more information. Thanks again for all your comments.
Unfortunately No 185 Squadron does not have a squadron association but this research group can possibly help although its website states which it states to have many tags to the squadron is subscription based.(£25) The Wartime Memories Project
This may need verification No. 185 Squadron Royal Air Force in the Second World War 1939-1945 - The Wartime Memories Project - Airfields No 185 Squadron flew from: Campoformido from 16th May 1945 TD
