RAF 78 Squadron

Hi,

A new one photo of McLAREN's N1361:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Orig-Foto-abgesturzt-englisch-Flugzeug-Airplane-Wallonien-Belgien-/251276665652

Victor

 

In reference to the post by member giniharper. My uncle was G I Whitehouse, one of two who survived the crash. From the correspondence we hold he was initially believed as KIA and it was several months before he was confirmed as POW. My uncle eventually ended up in Stalag L3(Sagan)and was there at the time of "The Great Escape".You can imagine the tensions in the camp following this event. Towards the end of The war my uncle was one of the thousands of POWs that were marched all over Germany etc in the harshest of winters wearing only normal clothes. Many died. My uncle survived but never spoke of what happened during his time as a POW and refused to watch the 'Great Escape' film. Looking at the letters it seems that my uncle and the other survivor were captured separately and both told they were sole survivors. They never saw each other again. We have volumes of correspondence between my Aunt and the relatives of The other crew members all seeking info and updates, it makes for heartbreaking reading.

We are grateful my uncle survived but our thoughts and prayers are always with the families of the crew who did not.

This is my first post and I apologise if it ends up on the wrong part of this thread. I'm still learning to navigate my way around the forums.

Regards. Steven Round

 

In reference to the post by member giniharper. My uncle was G I Whitehouse, one of two who survived the crash. From the correspondence we hold he was initially believed as KIA and it was several months before he was confirmed as POW. My uncle eventually ended up in Stalag L3(Sagan)and was there at the time of "The Great Escape".You can imagine the tensions in the camp following this event. Towards the end of The war my uncle was one of the thousands of POWs that were marched all over Germany etc in the harshest of winters wearing only normal clothes. Many died. My uncle survived but never spoke of what happened during his time as a POW and refused to watch the 'Great Escape' film. Looking at the letters it seems that my uncle and the other survivor were captured separately and both told they were sole survivors. They never saw each other again. We have volumes of correspondence between my Aunt and the relatives of The other crew members all seeking info and updates, it makes for heartbreaking reading.

We are grateful my uncle survived but our thoughts and prayers are always with the families of the crew who did not.

This is my first post and I apologise if it ends up on the wrong part of this thread. I'm still learning to navigate my way around the forums.

Regards. Steven Round

 

Hello Steven,

Welcome to the forum and many thanks for your update on this thread.

Regards

Peter

 

Name: G I Whitehouse
Rank: Flight Lieutenant
Army Number: 133710
Regiment: Royal Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks
POW Number: 2032
Camp Type: Stalag Luft 3
Camp Number: L3
Camp Location: Sagan and Belaria, Poland
Section: Royal Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks

TD

 

Hello there. I am looking for a photograph of Philip Hyden, a crew member of 78 Squadron Halifax DT775 lost on an operation to Frankfurt, shot down by ME110 night fighter piloted by Feldwebel Karl Gross of 8/NJG4, 10/11 April 1943. This was Gross’s only shoot down.

Hyden and my father were POW's together.

 

Name: P Hyden
Rank: Flight Lieutenant
Army Number: 127316
Regiment: Royal Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks
POW Number: 1346
Camp Type: Stalag Luft 3
Camp Number: L3
Camp Location: Sagan and Belaria, Poland
Section: Royal Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks

I have looked for a family tree for him hoping to find a photo, but alas no family tree for him, if you have more details - date of birth etc I can try again.

TD

 

Thanks TD. I'm afraid that's all I have.

 

David,

He did also make an escape attempt. On train at Vierzon Apr 43 with Adams (832)

WO208/3330/333

Regards,

Nick

 

Flight Lieutenant Bernard Sydney Downs, DFC a Halifax pilot, passed away 1st May 2015 in Bexhill.
No other details regarding funeral etc yet available and trying to trace family for info.
He is listed in the Acknowledgements pages of
Men Of Air: The Doomed Youth Of Bomber Command by Kevin Wilson
Bomber Boys: The RAF Offensive of 1943 by Kevin Wilson
Flt Lt Bernard Downs DFC, 78 Squadron

As Flight Lieutenants, short service (six years on the active list and four years on the reserve):
Bernard Sydney DOWNS, D.F.C. (169114). 5th Oct. 1948 (seniority 10th Dec. 1947).

Transfer to a direct commission. As Flight Lieutenants (twelve years on the active list and four years on the reserve):—
Bernard Sydney DOWNS, D.F.C. (169114). 8th Oct. 1954 (period of service to count from 5th Oct.1948).

Appointment to Commission. As Pit. Off. on prob. (emergency): —
Wt. Offs. 28th Nov. 1943. 1332110 Bernard Sydney DOWNS (169114).

FOURTH SUPPLEMENT to The London Gazette of Friday, the 26th of May, 1944. TUESDAY, 30 MAY, 1944.
DFC Award: Acting Flt. Lt. B. S. DOWNS R.A.F.V.R., No. 78 Sqn. Flight Global 20 July 1944
Acting Flight Lieutenant Bernard Sydney DOWNS (169114), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 78 Squadron.
Flight Lieutenant Downs is a highly efficient and devoted captain of aircraft. He has completed a large number of sorties and throughout has displayed the greatest determination to bomb his targets successfully. His example has greatly inspired his crews.

Fig. Off. to Fit. Lt. (war subs.): — 28th Nov. 1945.B. S. DOWNS, D.F.C. (169114).

Name: Bernard S Downs. Mother's Maiden Surname: Linnit
Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1923. Registration district: Lambeth, London. .Volume 1d. Page: 632

Another Bomber Command veteran now happily quaffing pints with his old comrades in some sunny garden. RIP

 

Owing to renewed interest from another relation of Robert Heugh I'm quoting and correcting my previous posting. Kees is Dutch artist and researcher who is in process of producing a book containing details of over 600 air incidents. His artist impression of Halifax 111 tragic accident and contact details can be found here. http://ww2research.nl/paintings/6%20oktober%201944.html

 

Qui a des informations sur le bombardier Halifax LW517 EY Y du 78 squadron de la RAF?
UNEbattu dans la nuit du 13/14 mars 1944 au Mans.
Piloté par l'australien P/O Kenneth Fred WITHERS. 5 des 7 membres d'équipage furent tués et reposent au Mans. Qui serait en contact avec les aviateurs suivants:
Kenneth Fred WITHERS
Andrew CURRIE
A. A. JEFFRIES - POW
G TIPPING - POW
Ernest BUCKLAND
Allen CANTLE-JONES
Douglas W McMILLAN

 

Recherche de France-Crashes 39-45


UK, British Prisoners of War, 1939-1945
Name: G Tipping
Rank: Warrant Officer
Army Number: 580815
Regiment: Royal Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks
POW Number: 724
Camp Type: Stalag
Camp Number: 357
Camp Location: Kopernikus, Poland
Section: Royal Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks

Name: A A Jeffries
Rank: T/F/Sgt.
Army Number: 1557416
Regiment: Royal Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks
POW Number: 3782
Camp Type: Stalag
Camp Number: 357
Camp Location: Kopernikus, Poland
Section: Royal Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks

TD

 

580815 W/O Gerald Tipping was born in the December 1920 Qtr in Fylde, Lancs. Deceased aged 29 in Surrey in 1950.

1557416 F/Sgt Arthur Alec Jeffries was born 21 (or 27) June 1921 in Darlington, Co. Durham. Deceased Darlington October 1982.

Regards,

Dave

 

[QUOTE = "Tricky Dicky, poste: 867438, membre: 42933"] Recherche de France-Crashes 39-45


Royaume-Uni, prisonniers de guerre britanniques, 1939-1945
Nom: G Tipping
Rang: adjudant
Numéro d'armée: 580815
Régiment: Royal Air Force: officiers et autres grades
Numéro POW: 724
Type de camp: Stalag
Numéro du camp: 357
Emplacement du camp: Kopernikus, Pologne
Section: Royal Air Force: Officiers et autres grades

Nom: AA Jeffries
Rang: T / F / Sgt.
Numéro d'armée: 1557416
Régiment: Royal Air Force: officiers et autres grades
Numéro POW: 3782
Type de camp: Stalag
Numéro du camp: 357
Emplacement du camp: Kopernikus, Pologne
Section: Royal Air Force: Officiers et autres grades

TD [/ DEVIS]
[QUOTE = "Tricky Dicky, poste: 867438, membre: 42933"] Recherche de France-Crashes 39-45


Royaume-Uni, prisonniers de guerre britanniques, 1939-1945
Nom: G Tipping
Rang: adjudant
Numéro d'armée: 580815
Régiment: Royal Air Force: officiers et autres grades
Numéro POW: 724
Type de camp: Stalag
Numéro du camp: 357
Emplacement du camp: Kopernikus, Pologne
Section: Royal Air Force: Officiers et autres grades

Nom: AA Jeffries
Rang: T / F / Sgt.
Numéro d'armée: 1557416
Régiment: Royal Air Force: officiers et autres grades
Numéro POW: 3782
Type de camp: Stalag
Numéro du camp: 357
Emplacement du camp: Kopernikus, Pologne
Section: Royal Air Force: Officiers et autres grades

TD [/ DEVIS]
Bonjour, merci pour les informations sur Jeffries et Tipping. Mais je ne comprends pas ce que vous avez écrit à la fin de votre message ... Bonne journée.

 

Bonjour Tricky Dicky, merci pour les informations sur Jeffries et Tipping. Mais je ne comprends pas ce que vous avez écrit à la fin de votre message ... Bonne journée.

 

[QUOTE = "Jacky EMERY, poste: 867588, membre: 78274"] [QUOTE = "Tricky Dicky, poste: 867438, membre: 42933"] Recherche de France-Crashes 39-45


Royaume-Uni, prisonniers de guerre britanniques, 1939-1945
Nom: G Tipping
Rang: adjudant
Numéro d'armée: 580815
Régiment: Royal Air Force: officiers et autres grades
Numéro POW: 724
Type de camp: Stalag
Numéro du camp: 357
Emplacement du camp: Kopernikus, Pologne
Section: Royal Air Force: Grades Officiers et autres

Nom: AA Jeffries
Rang: T / F / Sgt.
Numéro d'armée: 1557416
Régiment: Royal Air Force: officiers et autres grades
Numéro POW: 3782
Type de camp: Stalag
Numéro du camp: 357
Emplacement du camp: Kopernikus, Pologne
Section: Royal Air Force: Grades Officiers et autres

TD [/ DEVIS]
[QUOTE = "Tricky Dicky, poste: 867438, membre: 42933"] Recherche de France-Crashes 39-45


Royaume-Uni, prisonniers de guerre britanniques, 1939-1945
Nom: G Tipping
Rang: adjudant
Numéro d'armée: 580815
Régiment: Royal Air Force: officiers et autres grades
Numéro POW: 724
Type de camp: Stalag
Numéro du camp: 357
Emplacement du camp: Kopernikus, Pologne
Section: Royal Air Force: Grades Officiers et autres

Nom: AA Jeffries
Rang: T / F / Sgt.
Numéro d'armée: 1557416
Régiment: Royal Air Force: officiers et autres grades
Numéro POW: 3782
Type de camp: Stalag
Numéro du camp: 357
Emplacement du camp: Kopernikus, Pologne
Section: Royal Air Force: Grades Officiers et autres

TD [/ DEVIS]
Bonjour, merci pour les informations sur Jeffries et Tipping. Mais je ne comprends pas ce que vous avez écrit à la fin de votre message ... Bonne journée.[/QUOTE]

 

Pouvez-vous copier et coller la section que vous ne comprenez pas?

TD

 

Tricky Dicky... I think that there is a mistake... Your Tipping... Is not "my" Tipping!
Rang: no adjudant but F/Sgt
Numéro d'armée: no 580815 but 1437929
Numéro POW: not 724 but 3461
"Your" Tipping was POW in 30 September 1940.

 

[QUOTE = "Tricky Dicky, post: 867600, membre: 42933"] Pouvez-vous copier et coller la section que vous ne comprenez pas?

TD [/ DEVIS]
Oui ... je ne comprends pas ce que tu veux me dire: "
"Je souhaite qu'ils ne fassent pas ça", a déclaré l'officier avec un sang-froid impressionnant. J'ai essayé de copier son ton nonchalant et j'ai dit: "Je suppose que vous vous habituez assez à ce genre de chose." "Pas du tout, vieil homme," répondit-il, baissant la voix. "Ce à quoi vous vous habituez, c'est de prétendre que vous n'êtes pas aussi effrayé que vos hommes."

Au cas où vous auriez besoin de savoir - TD est l'abréviation de Tatiana Desparado "
Pardon