Hi Can anyone tell me which, RAF or Army (on the assumption some RAF may have stayed on in this capacity) bases were in Lydda still active in 1946? I have this photo (attached) of a guy, who we think was in the RAF, that dated my Nan for some time and is believed to be my Uncle's father. It is signed as "Lydda, January 27th 1946". If we knew where he was stationed, we can then perhaps work out his surname. (Jack.B.) He was a sergeant. Thanks so much x
RAF squadrons stationed at Lydda, No's. 14, 33, 55, 134, 162, 203, 211, 213, 294, 458, 459. not sure of the time scale but can't seem to match any to 1946 apart from No.213 Squadron who were at Ramat David, near Haifa, September 1945 to September 1946......at the time 213 were operating with the Mustang IV There were many airfield's around Lydda. for example.. Tel Aviv, Petah Tiqva, Sarafand, Khirbet Deiran, Amleh and many more, your man could have been at any one of these stations and have been visiting Lydda at the time the photo was taken. Best of luck. Peter
Might be worth contacting 213 Squadron Association Frank Leeson, 2 High Hilden Close, London Road, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3DB: tel 01732 355687 as one of their veterans may recognise this young man with the cheeky grin if hes one of theirs! Dee
Hi Dee/Peter Many thanks for your information. My Mother rang and spoke to Frank for some time. He does not remember a Jack B of any sorts and also confirmed that at no point did they visit Lydda - so that rules 213 out He said that a number of the RAF stayed on as ground crew after the war and he could be stationed in one of the many bases in the area at the time. So I don't really know where to go from here...
Hi Dee/Peter Many thanks for your information. My Mother rang and spoke to Frank for some time. He does not remember a Jack B of any sorts and also confirmed that at no point did they visit Lydda - so that rules 213 out He said that a number of the RAF stayed on as ground crew after the war and he could be stationed in one of the many bases in the area at the time. So I don't really know where to go from here... Could he have been serving with the Glider Pilot Regiment? The regiment was reinforced by RAF Fliers post Arnhem, and there was a contingent of GPR in Palestine in 1946, as a friends father served their with the GPR. P
A Red Cross newsletter says that some FEPOWs were repatriated by air staging through RAF Lydda. The first arrived UK 18/9/45. It goes on to say that since the beginning of October sometimes 5 or 6 planes were arriving daily. Does anyone know where these flights landed in the UK? Tim
The PRC at Cosford with the co-location of Cosford RAF Hospital was the main route of PoW initially from Europe then Far East. This has a good guide to the first local aerodromes used for arrivals then as volume increased the additional aerodromes in England. RAF Hospital Cosford - Wikipedia Ross
