BBC Sound Archives (and throbbing engines)
Rob Davis
A couple of years ago I was compiling an operational history of
Guy Gibson. (I will post it, if anyone's interested.) During
this research, I was trawling the 106 Sqdn Operations Record Book
(a detailed diary of raids) and found the interesting fact that
Richard Dimbleby and a BBS sound engineer flew with Gibson on a
Berlin operation. The resulting recording was broadcast a few
days later and I discovered that it still exists in the BBC sound
archives. This recording is also mentioned in Richard Morris's
outstanding book on GG.
I enquired if I might listen to it.
The BBC refused.
I wrote again saying I din't want to copy or transcribe it, but
just listen to it.
They refused again.
I wrote back, "Then what bloody use is it?"
Yet, the arguably less interesting recording made by Wilfred
Vaughn Thomas, whilst flying to Berlin with F/Lt Ken Letford of
207 Sqdn, does occasionally turn up on the radio.
Oh yes, has ANYONE PLEASE got a .WAV file of that beautiful
noise, the throbbing of hundreds of synchronised heavy bomber
engines.... it makes my hair stand on end.
Rob Davis MSc MIAP
Anstey, Leicester UK. 0976 379489
abuse@localhost, postmaster@localhost
KWeiler854
Rob,
I enjoyed reading your correspondance with the BBC and their refusal to let you
listen to the sound recording. I, too, ask the same question, if not you then
who, if not now, when? Etc. etc.
I'm prompted to write you on this subject due to your comment on the sound of
the synchronised engines of a Avro Lancaster or Short Sterling.
I had an uncle who was a pilot of a Consolidated B-24J in the 8th USAF. I
recall him mentioning that after mission altitude had been reached and the
defensive formation formed and the French coast appeared, he would press the
flight engineer to make sure that all the engines were synchronised to minimize
vibration and thus make the bombadiers job easier while using the Norden bomb
sight.
He said he could tell by the "feeling" in his seat when all four of the Pratt
and Whitney R-1830's were "in sync" as they then "generated" a certain sound
that was just wonderful to listen to (his quote).
Thought you would find this of interest.
Ken Weiler
Sterling, Virginia
Tony Knight
In article <690t5l$f...@gazette.bcm.tmc.edu>, <r...@MAPSON.elsham.foobar.co.uk>
writes:
> Oh yes, has ANYONE PLEASE got a .WAV file of that beautiful
> noise, the throbbing of hundreds of synchronised heavy bomber
> engines.... it makes my hair stand on end.
>
You should contact the Imperial War Museum at Lambeth and ask
to talk to the Sound Archives department. They are VERY helpful,
and have a wonderful collection of sounds on tapes (most of which
were loose in a box when I last went there). They will almost
certainly have copies of the BBC recordings. IWM will make copies
for you at a modest cost. I retrieved a BBC correspondent's
recording of a Typhoon attack in Normandy. My pilot relative
had tears in his eyes as he remembered the whoosh of the rockets
over the sound of the Sabre engines.
Of course, you will not hear " the throbbing of hundreds of
synchronised heavy bomber engines" you will only hear the four
in Dimblebey's Lancaster, but again, IWM will probably have
other recordings that would suit.
TonyK
> engines
Brian Allardice
In article <695itc$119g$1...@nntp6.u.washington.edu>, Tony Knight <to...@tonyk.henleymc.ac.uk> says:
>
>
>In article <690t5l$f...@gazette.bcm.tmc.edu>, <r...@MAPSON.elsham.foobar.co.uk>
>writes:
>
>> Oh yes, has ANYONE PLEASE got a .WAV file of that beautiful
>> noise, the throbbing of hundreds of synchronised heavy bomber
>> engines.... it makes my hair stand on end.
>>
>You should contact the Imperial War Museum at Lambeth and ask
>to talk to the Sound Archives department. They are VERY helpful,
>and have a wonderful collection of sounds on tapes (most of which
>were loose in a box when I last went there). They will almost
>certainly have copies of the BBC recordings.
There is, IIRC, a recording made by the BBC of bird songs (in this case
a nightingale ???) which includes the sound of a good bit of bomber
command inopportunely flying overhead...
Cheers,
dba
Jim Coulter
Rob Davis wrote:
>
> A couple of years ago I was compiling an operational history of
> Guy Gibson. (I will post it, if anyone's interested.)
Yes, thank you. I am interested. I hoped this was the sort of thing I
might find quite a bit of in this group.
[NOTE: If this is not the appropriate place for posting scholarly
research, I'd appreciate someone pointing me to a group where that sort
of thing may be found.]
Rob Davis
> > A couple of years ago I was compiling an operational history of
> > Guy Gibson. (I will post it, if anyone's interested.)
>
> Yes, thank you. I am interested. I hoped this was the sort of thing I
> might find quite a bit of in this group.
Herewith. Sorry the nice tabled layout did not translate. I'll
gladly email it in Word 7 format, to interested parties.
FAR ABOVE THE SALT
Guy Penrose Gibson (39438) Operational Flying Log, 83 (Bomber),
29 (Fighter), 106 (Bomber), 617 (Bomber) and 627 (Light Bomber)
Squadrons Royal Air Force
Date
Aircraft
Duty Takeoff & landing
Crew
Remarks
Gibson had joined the RAF simply because he wanted to fly. Given
an introduction to the celebrated test pilot "Mutt" Summers at
Vickers, he presented himself and said that he wanted to be a
test pilot. "Join the RAF and learn to fly first," said Summers
- and that is exactly what Gibson did. As the last few days of
peace ran out in August 1939, Gibson was on leave in Cornwall and
was abruptly ordered back on duty to 83 Squadron, Scampton, whose
Hampdens were being daubed with camouflage paint and prepared for
bombing operations against the enemy. In the first months of the
war there was not very much bombing going on, but as the war
progressed, operational flying became a very great deal more
active.
3-9-39 (Pilot Officer) Hampden
L4070 Attack enemy fleet 1815 - 2230 P/O Worner (2nd pilot),
Sgt Houghton (observer), AC Hewitt (gunner) All six aircraft
returned to base having jettisoned their bombs due to bad weather
and darkness. This was one of the very first operational sorties
of the War
27-2-40, (Flying Officer) Hampden L4070 Sweep North Sea area
1130-1440 P/O Withers, Sgt Houghton, AC McCormack Searching
for enemy submarine
29-2-40 Hampden L4070 Sweep North Sea area 1115-1215 P/O
Withers, Sgt Houghton, AC McCormack Searching for enemy
submarine; squadron bombed British submarine in error, without
causing damage to it
11-4-40 Hampden L4070 Minelaying and reconnaissance;
Frederick, Middlefart, Kattegat 2306 - 0655 P/O Withers, P/O
Watson, AC McCormack
14-4-40 Hampden L4055 Minelaying, Middlefart 1845 - 0200 P/O
Withers, P/O Watson, AC McCormack Gibson's crew dropped the
only successfully laid mine
20-4-40 Hampden L4049 Bombing Aalborg aerodrome P/O
Withers, P/O Watson, AC McCormack Failed to find target due to
compass u/s, discovered aircraft was over Copenhagen. Turned for
home and landed at Lossiemouth
23-4-40 Hampden L4070 Minelaying 1850 - 0315 P/O Withers, P/O
Watson, AC McCormack
13-5-40 Hampden L4070 Minelaying 2050 - 0305 P/O Withers, P/O
Watson, AC McCormack Could not locate target due to bad weather
14-5-40 Hampden L4070 Minelaying 2040 - 0220 P/O Withers, P/O
Watson, AC McCormack Successfully laid mines
17-5-40 Hampden L4070 Bombing target "A8" at Hamburg 2215 -
0525 P/O Withers, P/O Watson, AC McCormack During dive bomb
attack, aircraft hit balloon cable, damaging the starboard wing
slat. Landed at Abingdon due to fog at base
22-5-40 Hampden L4070 Bombing railway bridge over River Schelde
/ Maas canal 2130 - 0330 P/O Withers, P/O Watson, AC McCormack
Target destroyed. Landed at Mildenhall
26-5-40 Hampden L4070 Bombing railway tunnel entrances 2130 -
0235 P/O Withers, P/O Watson, AC McCormack Successfully dropped
bombs in two tunnel entrances
30-5-40 Hampden L4070 Bombing target "A7" 2110 - 0315 P/O
Withers, P/O Watson, AC McCormack Target not identified, bombs
brought back
9-6-40 Hampden L4070 Minelaying 2155 - 0500 P/O Watson, Sgt
McCormack, Sgt Howard Mines laid successfully
11-6-40 Hampden L4070 Bombing Givet 2155 - 0310 P/O Watson,
Sgt McCormack, Sgt Howard Target not located, Flushing aerodrome
bombed as alternative
13-6-40 Hampden L4106 Bombing Hirson 2200 - 0515 P/O Watson,
Sgt McCormack, Sgt Howard Target not located, road junction 30
miles east of target attacked as alternative. Got lost on return
trip and almost bombed Harwell thinking it was an enemy aerodrome
17-6-40 Hampden L4070 Bombing target "A3" 2120 - 0410 P/O
Watson, Sgt McCormack, Sgt Howard Attack successful
19-6-40 Hampden L4070 Bombing railway junction "M405" 2155 -
0315 P/O Watson, Sgt McCormack, Sgt Howard Attack successful
21-6-40 Hampden L4070 Bombing target "F19" 2140 - 0350 P/O
Watson, Sgt McCormack, Sgt Howard Attack successful
23-6-40 Hampden L4070 Bombing target "F74" 2110 - 0410 P/O
Watson, Sgt McCormack, Sgt Howard Attack successful despite
very adverse weather conditions
25-6-40 Hampden L4066 Bombing target "A2" 2140 - 0400 P/O
Watson, Sgt McCormack, Sgt Howard Attack successful
27-6-40 Hampden L4070 Bombing target "F74" 2110 - 0410 P/O
Watson, Sgt McCormack, Sgt Howard Attack successful
29-6-40 Hampden L4057 Bombing target "M116" 2150 - 0350 P/O
Watson, Sgt McCormack, Sgt Howard Attack successful, but
aircraft damaged by flak shell
1-7-40 Hampden L4070 Bombing "Scharnhorst" at Kiel 2200 - 0400
P/O Watson, Sgt McCormack, Sgt Howard Bomb not seen to burst
although accurate dive attack reported
4-7-40 Hampden L4070 Bombing "Scharnhorst" at Kiel 2100 - 0430
P/O Watson, Sgt McCormack, Sgt Turner Bomb overshot and burst
among buildings in Kiel
9-7-40
D.F.C. Hampden L4070 Wilhelmshaven basins 2215 - 0350 P/O
Watson, Sgt McCormack, Sgt Turner Accurate run up but results
not observed
15-7-40 Hampden L4070 Simor, 4 miles NE of Dortmund 2125 - 0440
P/O Watson, Sgt McCormack, Sgt Turner Landed at Abingdon on
return
26-7-40 Hampden P4402 Bombing target "Z160" 2135 - 0350 Sgt
Houghton, Sgt McCormack, Sgt Turner Hits observed on railway
lines in target area
29-7-40 Hampden L4070 Bombing target "A161" 2153 - 0434 F/O
Barber, Sgt McCormack, Sgt Houghton Target bombed but results not
observed
24-8-40 Hampden L4070 Minelaying, St Nazaire 2306 - 0508 Sgt
Houghton, Sgt McCormack, LAC Middleton Attack successful
27-8-40 Hampden L4070 Minelaying 2300 - 0525 Sgt Houghton, Sgt
McCormack, LAC Middleton Successful; E boat attacked, bomb seen
to burst within 25 yards, one E Boat machine-gunned, searchlight
machine-gunned and extinguished
28-8-40 Hampden X2899 Bombing special target "D4" 2300 - 0415
Sgt Houghton, Sgt McCormack, LAC Hedges Attack unsuccessful,
bomb brought back
31-8-40 Hampden P4402 Bombing target "M482" 2006 - 0206 Sgt
Houghton, Sgt McCormack, LAC Stocks The target was identified and
attacked. Bombs seen to burst on marshalling yards. One fire
started.
5-9-40 Hampden P4402 Bombing special target "D197" 0045 - 0700
P/O Worner, Sgt McCormack, LAC Hedges Target not identified;
high dive attack made on ship in Elbe, near Brunsbuttel
7-9-40 Hampden X2097 Bombing target "D2" 2000 - 0130 Sgt
Houghton, Sgt McCormack, LAC Ingram Target identified and
attacked. Three bombs seen to burst in dockyard area. One small
fire seen.
9-9-40 Hampden L4070 Minelaying Sgt Houghton, Sgt
McCormack, LAC Bale
15-9-40 Hampden L4070 Bombing target "Z11" 2135 - 0130 Sgt
Houghton, Sgt McCormack, LAC Bale Target identified and
attacked from 800 feet, causing two terrific explosions and
several smaller ones. One bomb dropped on barge up river.
20-9-40 Hampden P4402 Bombing target "M250" 2320 - 0525 Sgt
Houghton, Sgt McCormack, LAC Bale On first attack, a heavy
shell passed through cockpit by rudder bar, knocking out the bomb
aimer and rendered intercom u/s. Bombs dropped by pilot.
23-9-40 Hampden X2901 Bombing target "B59" 1930 - 0400 Sgt
Houghton, Sgt McCormack, LAC Bale Attacked Potsdamer railway
station
At the end of this, his first Operational Tour, Gibson was posted
to No 16 Operational Training Unit, Upper Heyford, as an
instructor, arriving there on October 10th, 1940. On November
26th, 1940, he was posted to Grangemouth, No 58 Operational
Training Unit, for flying duties. This unit had been formed in
early November 1940 and was just starting to operate as a
specialised OTU for night fighter crews. It was such a freshly
formed unit that the parachutes delivered to the station had been
packed for transit and could not be issued to aircrew. An appeal
was made over the Tannoy, and fortunately two qualified parachute
packers were found on the unit's strength. Working flat out from
13-11-40 to 27-11-40, all the parachutes were repacked.
Following this posting, Gibson was promoted to Flight Lieutenant
and sent via RAF Hexford to No 29 (Night Fighter) Squadron as "A"
Flight Commander. This unit was then operating Blenheims from
Digby, Lincolnshire. The Squadron was at that time converting to
Beaufighters and pioneering the use of airborne radar
interception, attempting to shoot down enemy bombers.
In March 1941, Gibson married Eve Mary Moore at Cardiff. She was
an artiste with a travelling musical show. He had met her in
December 1939 at a party, whilst staying in Coventry with his
brother who was an officer in the Warwickshire Regiment.
14 OTU, Cottesmore Blenheim Patrol P/O Watson
No 29 (Fighter) Squadron, Digby.
11-12-40 (Flight Lieut.) Beau-
fighter R2350 Patrol 0750 - 0855 Sgt Taylor Bandit chased out
over the sea, eventually shot at, 2 short bursts at 800 yards
range about 60 miles east of Mablethorpe. Enemy aircraft
identified at Ju88. No return fire from and no damage observed.
Lost target in cloud. Height of combat about 1500 feet.
12-12-40 Beau R2144 Patrol 1900 - 2155 P/O Watson No enemy
aircraft sighted
12-12-40 Beau R2144 Patrol 2255 - 0125 P/O Francombe One
enemy aircraft seen by pilot but lost sight of it before any
action could be taken
21-12-40 Beau R2150 Patrol 0810 - 0830 P/O Francombe Pilot
saw a Ju88 shot down by Manby light AA guns at about 0815 hours.
Height of enemy aircraft about 150-200 feet.
21-12-40 Beau R2150 Patrol 1955 - 2210 P/O Francombe In the
Horncastle-Waddington area, one enemy aircraft seen illuminated
in searchlights at about 2150 hours but for too short a period
for any action to be taken
22-1-41 Beau R2196 Patrol 1140 - 1330 Sgt Parr No enemy
aircraft sighted
31-1-41 Beau R2144 Patrol 1128 - 1209 Sgt Ashworth No enemy
aircraft sighted
31-1-41 Beau R2196 Patrol 1510 - 1535 Sgt Isherwood Recalled
due to radio trouble
4-2-41 Beau R2150 Patrol 1835 - 2125 Sgt James Enemy
aircraft sighted 1955 hours between Grimsby and Spurn Head.
Beaufighter pilot opened fire at 50 yards range firing one burst
of 3 secs, At 2005 hours another enemy aircraft sighted. Opened
fire this time at 200 yards range giving one burst of 3 secs. No
return fire and no results noticed. Height of Beaufighter 7000
and 8000 feet.
5-2-41 Beau R2150 Patrol 0725 - 0845 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
5-2-41 Beau R2196 Patrol 1730 - 1840 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
9-2-41 Beau R2144 Patrol 1840 - 2030 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
10-2-41 Beau R2144 Patrol 0700 - 0930 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
14-2-41 Beau R2150 Patrol 1810 - 2040 Sgt Austin At 1233 a/c
sighted, but identified as friendly, a long nosed Blenheim
2-3-41 Beau R2094 Patrol 1850 - 2235 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted, so the patrol developed into practice airborne
interception (AI) with R2144 flown by F/O Humphreys and Sgt
Waller
3-3-41 Beau R2240 Patrol 1115 - 1245 P/O Watson
8-3-41 Beau R2248 Patrol 1030 - 1340 Sgt Pearce No enemy
aircraft sighted
13-3-41 Beau R2250 Patrol Skegness 0007 - 0200 Sgt Pearce No
enemy aircraft sighted
13-3-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2300 - 0105 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted but one blip obtained about 4 miles SW of Sutton
Bridge, height about 12000 ft then lost
14-3-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 1946 - 2221 Sgt James Heinkel III
shot down 2 miles off Skegness at 2200 hours
4-4-41 Beau R2250 Patrol Wells 2051 - 2215 Sgt James No
enemy aircraft sighted
8-4-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2157 - 2348 Sgt Bell No enemy
aircraft sighted. When landing at base, an enemy intruder
aircraft opened fire on the Beaufighter and injured Sgt Bell in
the leg.
10-4-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2110 - 2125 Sgt Taylor Aircraft's
electrical system developed trouble and became unserviceable, so
the sortie was abandoned
17-4-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 0210 - 0335 Sgt James Blip
obtained on AI and held for 15 minutes at 0225 hours at 8000 ft,
5 miles SE of Digby, but no attack could be made
23-4-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2050 - 0130 Sgt James Several
blips obtained. An enemy aircraft (Dornier 17) sighted east of
Boston, at 1016 hours. G.G. gave two short bursts then broke off
engagement as enemy aircraft's return fire was very accurate.
Enemy aircraft believed damaged
2-5-41
(West Malling) Beau R2250 Patrol 2140 - 2350 Sgt James 1
unidentified enemy aircraft destroyed by visual contact and
Observer Corps plot control from Biggin Hill
9-5-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2225 - 0110 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
10-5-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2350 - 0015 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
10-5-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 0110 - 0420 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
1-6-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2225 - 2245 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
7-6-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 0150 - 0415 P/O Willis No enemy
aircraft sighted
13-6-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2300 - 0220 P/O Willis No enemy
aircraft sighted
17-6-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2315 - 0125 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
23-6-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2320 - 0150 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
25-6-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2340 - 0210 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
28-6-41
(Squadron Leader) Beau Patrol 2320 - 0245 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
2-7-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2315 - 0200 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
4-7-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2340 - 0305 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
5-7-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2340 - 0250 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
6-7-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2330 - 0240 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
10-7-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 0130 - 0310 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
12-7-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 0025 - 0140 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
17-7-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2345 - 0215 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
22-7-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2305 - 0145 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
27-7-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2345 - 0015 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
27-7-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 0310 - 0435 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
29-7-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2305 - 0045 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
25-8-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2055 - 2250 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
26-8-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2240 - 0125 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
28-8-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2205 - 0035 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
29-8-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2050 - 2330 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
29-8-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 0020 - 0200 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
1-9-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2045 - 2145 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
2-9-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2030 - 2220 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
11-9-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2330 - 0125 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
12-9-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2035 - 0005 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
13-9-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2210 - 0035 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
16-9-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 1950 - 0001 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
29-9-41 Beau 7573 Patrol 1905 - 2230 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
1-10-41 Beau 7627 Patrol 1955 - 2005 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
3-10-41 Beau 7646 Patrol 1850 - 2210 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
21-10-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 1800 - 2130 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
25-10-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 2010 - 2305 Sgt Ellis No enemy
aircraft sighted
26-10-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 1740 - 2035 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
31-10-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 1800 - 2020 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
2-11-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 1815 - 2000 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
3-11-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 1735 - 1745 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
6-11-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 1800 - 2000 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
17-11-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 1730 - 2100 Sgt Miller No enemy
aircraft sighted
21-11-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 1900 - 2150 Sgt Wilson No enemy
aircraft sighted
27-11-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 1700 - 2100 F/O Willis No enemy
aircraft sighted
8-12-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 1650 - 1955 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
11-12-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 1815 - 2005 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
15-12-41 Beau R2250 Patrol 1655 - 1925 Sgt James No enemy
aircraft sighted
15-12-41 Beau R2250 Searchlights co-operation 2210 - 2345 Sgt
James
6-1-42 DH Dragon To Cranfield (Sgt James continued
flying with 29 Sqdn, but with P/O Davison, and survived the war.)
Following the end of his tour of duty with No 29 Squadron, Gibson
was posted to No 14 Fighter Training School, Cranfield for chief
flying instructor duties. As with most operational aircrew, this
task became increasingly irksome and having repeatedly requested
a return to Bomber Command, he was promoted to Wing Commander and
on March 23rd, 1942, posted to command No 106 Squadron, then
stationed at the grass aerodrome at Coningsby. 106 were flying
the twin-engined Avro Manchester, swiftly replaced by the
Lancaster. He took over from W/C Bob Allen, posted both
Flight-Commanders as tour-expired and promoted existing pilots to
replace them. It was whilst at 106 that he met many of the men
such as John Hopgood, David Shannon and Lewis Burpee, who were, a
year later, to form the backbone of the Dam Busters aircrew.
22/23-4-42 (Wing Commander)
106 Sqdn, Coningsby Manchester 7418 Minelaying 2020 - 0330
W/O Bryce, Sgt Greenwood, P/O Wickins, Sgt Carter, Sgt Jordan,
Sgt Young Clear, good visibility, garden [mine laying zone]
was located by means of pinpoint on island Felmarn and four mines
were successfully dropped in required position
24/5-4-42 Manchester Bombing Rostock Aircraft did not
take off, due to technical trouble.
25/6-4-42 Manchester R5770 Bombing Rostock 2215 - 0505 Sgt
McNair, Sgt Hostler, P/O Wickins, P/O Churcher, Sgt Jordan, Sgt
Garbett Bombs certainly fell on target but not seen owing to
smoke
4/5-5-42 Manchester L7378 Minelaying 2115 - 0215 P/O Grain, P/O
Vivian, Sgt Morgan, F/S Smith, P/O Combie, Sgt Herbert 7/10th
cloud, visibility 6 miles. 4 mines in required position dropped
at 5 second intervals. Slight opposition from Sylt
9/9-5-42 Manchester R5770 Bombing Heinkel works at Warnemunde
2200 - 0520 P/O Grain, P/O Vivian, Sgt Jordan, P/O Hutchison, Sgt
Cartwight, P/O Wickins Very clear but dark. Target located and
bombed on straight and level run from 3500 ft. Bombs believed to
have fallen on target. Fierce opposition
8/9-7-42 Lancaster R5681 "B" Bombing Wilhelmshaven P/O D J
Shannon (2nd pilot), P/O F Ruskell (Air bomber), F/O J Vivian
(Navigator), Sgt D A Jordan (Wireless-operator), F/L Combie
(Mid-upper gunner), P/O J F Wickins (Rear gunner)
Gibson's aircrew hereafter retain rank and crew position unless
specified otherwise. Visibility good but dark. Bombed from 21000
ft. Bombs fell in dock area but not sure whether submarine yards
were hit. Opposition fairly accurate.
11/12-7-42 Lancaster R5681 "O" Bombing Danzig 1700 - 0315
Shannon, Vivian, Sgt G Flowerday (Wireless-operator), Sgt J
Gaffney (Air bomber), Combie, Wickins. Very low cloud and heavy
rain storms. Arrived over target too late and did not attack.
Bombed a ship about 800 tons in Gydnia but nearest bomb was 20
yards away. Machine-gunned flak ship. Returned same route as
outward journey. Weather was exceptionally bad throughout.
18-7-42 Lancaster R5670 "B" Bombing Essen 1325 - 1605 Shannon,
P/O A Maxwell (Navigator), Gaffney, P/O R E Hutchison
(Wireless-operator), Combie, Wickins. Reached Flushing when the
order to return was received. Bombs jettisoned safe into the
sea.
26/7-7-42 Lancaster L7570 Bombing Hamburg 2320 - 0530
Shannon, Ruskell, Gaffney, Hutchison, Combie, Wickins Little or
no cloud, excellent visibility, moonlight. Target easily located
and bombed visually from 14000 ft. Bombs fell in burning area
south west of aiming point, causing more fires in the shipyards.
Flak was very heavy and accurate. A very successful trip.
31-7/1-8-42 Lancaster L7529 Bombing Dusseldorf 0035 - 0425
Shannon, Sgt J J Sleo (Air bomber), Ruskell, Hutchison, Combie,
Wickins No cloud, visibility good, target found to be well
alight on arrival and bombs were dropped into centre of town from
12000 ft. Opposition not heavy. Average speed over enemy
territory 230 mph.
8/9-8-42 Lancaster L7434 Minelaying, Baltic 2300 - 0605 Sgt J
Russell (Flight engineer), Ruskell, P/O F E Drew (Air bomber),
Sgt R D McPherson (Wireless-operator), Sgt G G Chalmers (Mid
upper), Sgt A P Jamieson (Rear gunner) 10/10ths cloud at 500 ft
with very poor visibility. After a long search, pin pointed on
Skaw and made timed run from there. Five mines were dropped in
the SILVERTHORN garden at intervals of 20 seconds. Operation
successfully completed.
10-8-42 Lancaster R5901 Minelaying 2115 - 0445 Sgt A F Adams
(Flight engineer), Sgt B R McNair (Air bomber), Ruskell, Sgt J J
Wakerley (Wireless-operator), Sgt G N Feltham (Mid upper), Sgt D
Garbett (Rear gunner) Visibility fair but some sea mist.
Identified Helskov point, made dead reckoning run from there and
dropped five mines in the required position. There was no
opposition.
12-8-42 Lancaster R5899 Bombing Mainz 2300 - 0405 Sgt F E
Burton-Burgess (Flight engineer), F/Sgt D Crozier (Air bomber),
Ruskell, Sgt R S Thomas (Wireless-operator), F/Sgt E R Clarke
(Mid upper), F/Sgt E M Banks (Rear gunner) 10/10ths cloud with
base at 6000 ft. Pinpointed on Iwland in Rhine and made attack
at 6000 ft, below cloud. Target was definitely in sights at
moment of release of bombs but results were not seen owing to
evasive action. Considerable opposition from light flak but this
was avoided by diving to ground level, no interference on
homeward journey.
27-8-42 Lancaster W4118 Bombing warships at Gydnia 2000 - 0550
Sgt R F Crossley (Flight engineer), Ruskell, S/L Richardson (Air
Bomber) , Hutchison, F/L W B Oliver (Mid upper), Wickins 9/10ths
cloud over target with some haze. Impossible to locate any
warships despite making 12 separate runs over area. Managed to
locate docks and finally bombed these from 8000 feet in the
estimated position of the Gneisneau. Bursts were seen across the
docks. Disappointing trip.
1-9-42 Lancaster R5551 Bombing Saarbrucken 0010 - 0620 Sgt D
A Jordan (Flight engineer), Ruskell, P/O F W Walley (Air bomber),
Hutchison, Oliver, Wickins Weather fine, no cloud, good
visibility. Located target area but misled by Pathfinders flares
and bombed town, afterwards plotted as Saarlouis. 8000lb bomb
was seen to burst in centre of town causing terrific explosion
and starting large fire. No opposition.
13-9-42 Lancaster W4127 Bombing Bremen 2340 - 0355 Sgt P
Howard (Flight engineer), Ruskell, P/O D S Murgatch, Hutchison,
Oliver, Wickins Little cloud, thick ground haze. Target
located by river and part of town. Bombed from 11000 feet and
although bursts were seen, not certain where they fell, believed
in town. Opposition heavy. Photograph revealed semi-built up
area.
23-9-42 Lancaster W4102 Bombing factory at Wismar 2230 - 0605
Sgt H J Lowe (Flight engineer), Ruskell, P/O A L Dickinson (Air
bomber), F/S T H Anderson (Wireless-operator), Oliver, Wickins
7/10ths cloud, visibility good, aiming point seen and target in
bombsight when bombs dropped from 2000 feet. Bombs not seen to
burst. Opposition very intense and it was necessary to come down
to 300 feet to get away from town.
On September 28th 1942, 106 Squadron moved to Syerston whilst
Coningsby was equipped with concrete runways. Sharing Syerston
with 106 was 61 Squadron. One of the author's greatest thrills
out of scores of aerodrome visit trips was making a
reconstruction of a photograph taken of Gibson during his time at
Syerston, where he is shown in typical Gibson pose, hands on
hips, chin thrust out, surveying a throng of his aircrew as they
wait outside the flight offices just off the perimeter track (See
"Lancaster At War II" by Garbett and Goulding). Only a few days
after this visit, the flight huts were destroyed in a fire
fighting exercise.
15-10-42
Syerston Lancaster W4118 Bombing Cologne 1905 - 2330 Sgt A L
McDonald (Flight engineer), Ruskell, Sgt R N Lindsay (Air
bomber), Sgt L J Hartley (Wireless-operator), Oliver, Wickins
Cloud over the target at 6000 feet. Visibility was good.
Identified bridges over the river and dropped bombs from 10000
feet - they were believed to have burst on the east side of the
river. Flak was very heavy and the aircraft was hit.
17-10-42 Lancaster W4118 Bombing Le Creusot ("Operation
Robinson") 1200 - 2225 McDonald, Ruskell, Lindsay, Hutchison,
Oliver, Wickins No cloud, visibility good. Flew out in
formation and broke away near Le Creusot to make a special
attack, the objective being Montchanin Power House. Bombed from
500 feet and scored direct hits. Afterwards machine-gunned
transformer plants. Very little opposition. Successful raid.
22/3-10-42 Lancaster W4118 Bombing Genoa 1730 - 0300
McDonald, Ruskell, Lindsay, Hutchison, Oliver, Wickins Bright
moonlight, some smoke haze. Target located visually and bombed
from 10000 ft. Target was in bomb sight and the bombs were seen
to burst in a built up area about 1/2 mile north of aiming point.
Photograph showed area 1˝ miles distant. Opposition slight,
successful trip.
24-10-42 Lancaster R5492 Bombing Milan 1220 - 2345 Sgt Peglar
(Flight engineer), Ruskell, McNair, Hutchison, Oliver, Wickins
Cloud unexpectedly high over France and had to fly at 6000 ft.
Flew on and reached target only to find it covered by 10/10ths
cloud. Came down to 4000 ft and saw railway station in Milan,
finally bombing through break in cloud at 6000 ft. Bombs seen to
burst in built-up area. Saw a Fiat CR42 fighter but no attack
developed. Took photograph of town.
7-11-42 (awarded DSO on 10-11-42) Lancaster W4118 "Y" Bombing
Genoa 1730 - 0145 Sgt J L Irvine (Flight engineer), Ruskell,
F/Sgt T W Lewis (Air bomber), Hutchison, Oliver, Wickins No
cloud, visibility good, town and harbour clearly seen and bombs
were aimed from 9500 feet slightly east of aiming point and own
bomb bursts were seen. Attack appeared to be concentrated and
devastating.
18-11-42 Lancaster W4118 Bombing Turin 1800 - 0125 Sgt G R
Price (Flight engineer), Ruskell, Lewis, Hutchison, Oliver,
Wickins Clear, no cloud, visibility good. Bombed from 10000
feet and incendiaries seen to fall across factory buildings.
Photograph plotted 1 mile from aiming point. Good trip.
28-11-42 Lancaster R5551 Bombing Turin 1900 - 0300 Sgt P J
Page (Flight engineer), Ruskell, Lewis, Hutchison, Sgt T H
Cartwright (Mid upper), Wickins, Maj J B Bullock, No 5 Group FLO
(Passenger) Bombing conditions very good. Target in bomb sights
when bombing from 8000 feet and bombs seen to burst in centre of
town. Flew around over target for 30 minutes taking a movie-film
of the bombing - this turned out to be very successful.
Passenger taken on this trip - Major Bullock, No 5 Group Flak
Liaison Officer.
11-1-43 Lancaster LM303 Bombing Essen 1630 - 2210 F/Sgt L W
Cronk (2nd Pilot), Ruskell, Sub-Lt Muttrie (Air bomber),
Hutchison, Oliver, Wickins 10/10ths cloud. Target located by
skymarker technique. Bombed at 1935 from 2000 feet when the red
and green warning flares were seen, the bombing being carried out
the white flare (sic). Trip did not seem to be too successful.
Flak heavy.
10-1-43 From the Squadron Operations Book, the
following note : "The Squadron extended a welcome today to Major
Richard Dimbleby the war correspondent of the British
Broadcasting Corporation. He us to stay for several days,
awaiting a "special job" to which he has been assigned.
16/17-1-43 Lancaster R5611 Bombing Berlin 1635 - 0150 Sgt G O
McGregor (2nd pilot), Ruskell, Muttrie, Hutchison, Oliver,
Wickins, Maj R Dimbleby (Passenger) Thick haze made pin point
bombing difficult. Three runs made over target before dropping
8000lb bomb from 18000 feet near the red marker flare. Results
not seen. Believed that bomb fell in Berlin but trip was
disappointing to the weather. Major Dimbleby flew as a passenger
in Wing Commander G P Gibson's aircraft and his account of the
raid was subsequently broadcast.
Author's Note : According to the Syerston Station Record Book, Mr
Stanley P Richardson flew with Gibson on this operation; but
there is no mention of this man's name on the Battle Order.
14/15-2-43 Lancaster W4282 Bombing Milan 1820 - 0300 F/L T
Morrison (2nd pilot), F/L W M Burnside (Navigator), Sgt J
Cuninghame (Air bomber), Hutchison, Sgt H Rigby (Mid upper),
Wickins, Sgt Cartwright (Movie operator) No cloud, very little
haze. Target easily identified in the moonlight and a straight
run was made across target at 11000 feet, bombs being released at
2241 hours and seen to burst near the aiming point. Took
excellent photograph 1˝ miles from aiming point. Flew around for
20 minutes taking movies. Enjoyable and successful trip.
25/6-2-43 Lancaster ED649 Bombing Nuremburg 1920 - 0230 Sgt D
N Britton (2nd pilot), Burnside, Sgt K Newby (Air bomber), F/L R
Lodge (Air bomber), Hutchison, Oliver, Wickins Conditions very
good for bombing, no cloud, excellent visibility. Target located
visually and bombed from 12000 feet. A very concentrated attack
which caused huge fires and explosions. A good but frightening
trip - 350 aircraft circling around waiting for the PFF, rather
dangerous.
26/7-2-43 Lancaster ED649 Bombing Cologne 1835 - 2359
Britton, Burnside, Lodge, Hutchison, Oliver, Wickins Weather
good, slight ground haze but river and ground detail seen. Red
and green TI bombs seen, these were in sights, bombing in a
straight, fast (220 indicated air speed) run from 16000 feet at
2120 hours. Bombs seen to burst near aiming point.
Concentration was achieved and it seemed that the target had been
successfully bombed. Heavy flak encountered in barrage form.
This was pilot's 70th bombing raid. (sic)
11/12-3-43 Lancaster ED649 Bombing Stuttgart 2020 - 0240 P/O W
R Thompson (Flight engineer) , F/L N H Scrivenor (Navigator),
Muttrie, F/Sgt D H Marshall (Wireless-operator), Oliver , Sgt J R
Stone (Rear gunner) Patches of stratus cloud at 15000 feet,
heavy. Most of trip was made on 3 engines at 4000 feet, climbing
to 12000 feet to make bombing run. Bombs dropped at 2320 hours
and seen to burst near a concentration of fires. Photograph
plotted 4 miles from aiming point.
At this, the end of his third tour of operational duty, 617
Squadron was formed and Gibson was especially picked by Harris,
the Commander-in-Chief of Bomber Command, to take on the task of
breaching the Ruhr Dams. Gibson was awarded a bar to his DSO and
after a brief posting to 5 Group Headquarters where he was given
carte blanche to hand pick his aircrews, was sent back to
Scampton to take command of the new 617 Squadron. I will quote
verbatim from the 106 Squadron Operations Record Book: "14-3-43.
W/Cdr G P Gibson DSO DFC was posted from the squadron today
exactly a year after arriving. He commanded No 106 Squadron
during a very successful year and he himself took part in all of
the more important raids. He temporarily retires from active
operational flying with a very remarkable record - 72 bombing
sorties and 199 flying hours as a night fighter pilot. The new
C.O. is W/C J H Searby."
It is apparent that as Squadron Commander, Gibson was not flying
operations with anything like the frequency of the regular
aircrews. Yet he is on every "sticky" or vital raid, unlike some
other commanding officers who only put themselves on a raid when
it was considered an easy trip. Gibson's operation record with
106 Squadron shows that he took many different new pilots as his
"Second Dickey" (officially 2nd Pilot or Flight Engineer) showing
them "the form" as their operational blooding with an experienced
crew. Whilst studying the records, it is clear that at this
time, 106 enjoyed a very low loss rate compared to other units,
and whilst no doubt some of this was due to the re-equipping with
the Lancaster, no small credit must be given to Gibson's powers
of leadership. It must have been a powerful boost to the
Squadron members on both the ground and in the air.
29-4-43
DSO & bar 617 Sqdn, Scampton Away on special duty.
30-4-43 Air Vice Marshal the Hon R Cochrane
inspected No 617 Squadron.
At the end of April 1943, the Squadron strength was 58 officers
and 481 men.
1-5-43 Away on special duty.
16-5-43 Lancaster ED932/G Bombing Ruhr Dams Sgt J Pulford
(Flight engineer), F/O H T Taerum (Navigator), F/Lt R E G
Hutchison (Wireless-operator), F/O F L Spafford (Bomb aimer),
F/Sgt G A Deering (Front gunner), F/Lt R D Trevor-Roper (Rear
gunner) Attacked the Mohne dam with 1 mine at 60 feet, 0028
hours.
Identified the target and carried out first attack on the Mohne
Dam. Came under light flak from guns around the target, but
dropped mine accurately and then directed the remainder of the
attack by radio telephone. Also flew alongside one aircraft
[F/Lt Micky Martin's - Author] as it attacked, machine gunning
the defences to allow it to attack undisturbed. Then carried on
to the Eder Dam and indicated the target to searching aircraft
and stayed to assess the results.
Author's note: at the end of May 1943, 617's strength is recorded
as 41 officers and 451 men.
The details of the Dams Raid and 617 Squadron have been
extensively covered by other authors and therefore do not bear
repetition here. The courage and determination of the 617
aircrew is without doubt of the highest order and the many
decorations and promotions, including Gibson's Victoria Cross,
have never been better earned. Correspondence exchanged between
Harris, Saundby (his subordinate at Bomber Command) and the 5
Group Commander, Cochrane, shows quite clearly that right from
the outset it was intended that 617 Squadron be formed as a
precision bombing unit. The only crews eligible to volunteer had
to be double tour expired, willing to continue on operational
flying, and must volunteer as a complete crew. Whilst it was
made clear that they would only be expected to operate
occasionally - perhaps not even as often as once a month - and
that their targets would not necessarily be particularly
hazardous, the number of crews meeting such criteria was
extremely low. So much so that after the Dams Raid, by which
time it had acquired an unfair reputation as a suicide unit, 617
was severely starved for aircrew, and was almost reduced to an
ordinary line squadron.
Gibson was whisked away after the Investiture was over and went
to America with Churchill, on a show-the-flag tour. On return to
England he badgered his superiors about a return to flying
operations and eventually they relented, allowing him to return
as a Station Commander at Coningsby, where despite a ban on his
flying operations, he made several illicit undocumented trips.
Thereafter his persistence brought him to the attention of
Harris, who granted permission for Gibson to complete one more
trip, as Master Bomber on a raid to Munchen-Gladbach. This raid
was a complete success and Gibson was heard to congratulate the
bomber crews via his radio-telephone. On the way back, his
Mosquito crashed into the Dutch fields near Bergen-op-Zoom,
Holland, and he and his navigator, Squadron Leader John B
Warwick, were buried in a communal grave in a corner of the local
civilian cemetery. Not until many months later did the identity
of these two men come to light.
Gibson's failure to take the Mosquito Pathfinding Course at
Warboys, and his lack of familiarity with the Mosquito (a mere 11
hours) certainly contributed greatly to his death; S/L Warwick
had never flown in a Mosquito at all before the operation.
(It is worth mentioning that "Enemy Coast Ahead" was ghost
written by a Fleet Street journalist, and notwithstanding its
excellence as an insight into Bomber Operations, contains many
inaccuracies. However, as the book itself says, "A memory is a
short thing, and flak never does it much good.")
Gibson set an example of courage and determination which I
personally have always regarded as a model. No man is without
flaws and Gibson's personal life is no exception. For myself, I
can turn a blind eye to indiscretions in a man of Gibson's
calibre, and can do no more than quote, and completely agree
with, the words of Harris, who in the foreword to "Enemy Coast
Ahead" says : "...a great story, simply told by as great a
warrior as these Islands ever bred. If there is a Valhalla, Guy
Gibson and his band of brothers will be found there at all the
parties, seated far above the salt."
19-9-44
Attached to 54 Base, Coningsby
VC Mosquito KB267 "E" Master Bomber, Munchen-Gladbach This
aircraft failed to return from this operation. S/L J B Warwick
(Navigator) From 54 Base Operations Record Book (Appendix),
Coningsby: "At 2142 Controller heard to remark that he could see
everything and flares were very good. Controller made a run but
his TIs hung up."
Gibson successfully directed the bombers attacking the target and
congratulated them on their work. On the return trip over
Holland, his aircraft was seen to be flying very low and
apparently on fire, and subsequently crashed at Bergen-Op-Zoom,
killing both the pilot and navigator. Locals recovered the
remains of the two airmen, which were and still are buried at
Steenbergen, Holland, in a joint grave.
Although S/L Warwick was identified as one of the airman at the
time of the crash, it was not until after the war that the
Imperial War Graves Commission identified the second airman as
Guy Gibson, and erected a proper headstone.
Appendix 1 : Aircraft flown operationally by Gibson
Aircraft Type Serial Squadron Period
Beaufighter 7573 29 Sept 41
Beaufighter 7627 29 Oct 41
Beaufighter 7646 29 Oct 41
Beaufighter R2094 29 Mar 41
Beaufighter R2144 29 Dec 40
Beaufighter R2150 29 Dec 40
Beaufighter R2196 29 Jan 41
Beaufighter R2240 29 Mar 41
Beaufighter R2248 29 Mar 41
Beaufighter R2250 29 Mar 41
Beaufighter R2350 29 Dec 40
Hampden L4049 83 April 40
Hampden L4055 83 April 40
Hampden L4057 83 June 40
Hampden L4070 83 Sept 39
Hampden P4402 83 July 40
Hampden X2097 83 Sept 40
Hampden X2899 83 August 40
Hampden X2901 83 Sept 40
Lancaster ED649 106 Feb 43
Lancaster ED932/G 617 May 43
Lancaster L7434 106 August 42
Lancaster L7529 106 July 42
Lancaster L7570 106 July 42
Lancaster LM303 106 Jan 43
Lancaster R5492 106 Oct 42
Lancaster R5551 106 Sept 42
Lancaster R5611 106 Jan 43
Lancaster R5670 106 July 42
Lancaster R5681 106 July 42
Lancaster R5899 106 August 42
Lancaster R5901 106 August 42
Lancaster W4102 106 Sept 42
Lancaster W4118 106 August 42
Lancaster W4127 106 Sept 42
Lancaster W4282 106 Feb 43
Manchester L7378 106 May 42
Manchester L7418 106 Apr 42
Manchester R5770 106 Apr 42
Mosquito KB267 627 Sept 44
Appendix 2 : Aircrew who flew operationally with Gibson
Name Crew position Sqdn Notes
Adams, A F Sgt Flight engineer 106
Anderson, T H F/Sgt Air bomber 106
Ashworth, Sgt Radar operator 29
Austin, Sgt Radar operator 29
Bale, LAC Gunner 83
Banks, E M Sgt Rear gunner 106
Barber, F/O Navigator 83
Bell, Sgt Radar operator 29 Wounded in the leg by a cannon hell
fired by enemy intruder aircraft Britton, D N Sgt 2nd pilot
106
Bryce, W/O crew 106
Bullock, J B Major Passenger 106 Flak Liason Officer for 5
Group
Burnside, W M F/L Navigator 106
Burton-Burgess, F E Sgt Flight engineer 106
Carter, Sgt crew 106
Cartwright, Sgt Movie operator 106
Cartwright, T H Sgt Mid upper gunner 106
Cartwright, Sgt crew 106
Chalmers, G G Sgt Mid upper gunner 106
Churcher, P/O crew 106
Clarke, E R Sgt Mid-upper gunner 106
Combie, P/O Mid upper gunner 106
Cronk, L W F/Sgt 2nd pilot 106
Crossley, R F Sgt Flight engineer 106
Crozier, D F/Sgt Air bomber 106
Cuninghame, J Sgt Air bomber 106
Deering, A F/Sgt, P/O Front gunner 617
Dickinson, A L P/O Air bomber 106
Dimbleby, R Major Passenger 106 BBC War Correspondent, later
famous as the television broadcaster.
Drew, F E P/O Air bomber 106
Ellis, Sgt Radar operator 29
Feltham, G N Sgt Mid upper gunner 106
Flowerday, G Sgt Wireless-operator 106
Francombe, P/O Radar operator 29
Gaffney, J Sgt Air bomber 106
Garbett, D Sgt Rear gunner 106
Grain, P/O crew 106
Greenwood, Sgt crew 106
Hartley, L J Sgt Air bomber 106
Hedges, LAC Gunner 83
Herbert, Sgt crew 106
Hewitt, AC Gunner 83
Hostler, Sgt crew 106
Houghton, Sgt Observer 83
Howard, Sgt Gunner 83
Howard, P Sgt Flight engineer 106
Hutchison, R E P/O Wireless-operator 106 Killed flying with
617 C.O. pilot W/C George Holden on abortive Dortmund-Ems raid,
September 15th 1943
Ingram, LAC Gunner 83
Irvine, J L Sgt Flight engineer 106
Isherwood, Sgt Radar operator 29
James, Sgt Radar operator 29
Jamieson, A P Sgt Rear gunner 106
Jordan, D A Sgt Flight engineer 106
Lewis, T W F/Sgt Air bomber 106
Lindsay, R N Sgt Air bomber 106 Shot down with 106 and
incarcerated at Stalag Luft III. Now in Mitcham, Victoria,
Australia.
Lodge, R F/L Air bomber 106
Lowe, H J Sgt Flight engineer 106
Marshall, D H F/Sgt Wireless-operator 106
Maxwell, A P/O Navigator 106
McCormack, AC Gunner 83
McDonald, A L Sgt Flight engineer 106
McGregor, G O Sgt 2nd pilot 106
McNair, B R Sgt Air bomber 106
McPherson, R D Sgt Wireless-operator 106
Middleton, LAC Gunner 83
Miller, F/O Radar operator 29
Morgan, Sgt crew 106
Morrison, T F/L 2nd pilot 106
Murgatch, D S P/O crew 106
Muttrie, Sub-Lt (RN) Air bomber 106
Newby, K Sgt Air bomber 106
Oliver, W B F/L Mid-upper gunner 106 Gunnery leader
Page, P J Sgt Flight engineer 106
Parr, Sgt Radar operator 29
Pearce, Sgt Radar operator 29
Peglar, Sgt Flight engineer 106
Price, G R Sgt Flight engineer 106
Pulford, John Sgt Flight engineer 617 Killed flying with 617
Sqdn pilot Bill Suggitt on a crash near Chichester, October 43.
This crash also killed Johnny Gordon, an Australian navigator,
friend and course-mate of Don Charlwood, author of "No Moon
Tonight" and "Journeys into Night."
Richardson, S/L Air bomber 106 Known as "Talking Bomb," the
bombing expert who designed the Stabilised Automatic Bomb Sight
(SABS) and trained 617 Sqdn in its use
Rigby, H Sgt Mid upper gunner 106
Ruskell, "Junior" P/O Air bomber 106 In his 30s at the time
Russell, J Sgt Flight engineer 106
Scrivenor, Norman H F/L crew 106 Survived the war
Shannon, David P/O 2nd Pilot 106 617 Selected for 617 Sqdn
for Dams Raid; served with 617 thereafter, and survived the war.
Died April 1993.
Sleo, J J Sgt Air bomber 106
Smith, F/Sgt crew 106
Spafford, F L F/O DFM Bomb aimer 617 Killed flying with 617
C.O. pilot W/C George Holden on abortive Dortmund-Ems raid,
September 15th 1943
Stocks, LAC Gunner 83
Stone, J R Sgt Rear gunner 106
Taerum, H T F/O Navigator 617 Killed flying with 617 C.O.
pilot W/C George Holden on abortive Dortmund-Ems raid, September
15th 1943. An aggressive Canadian, Terry Taerum had a fearsome
reputation when drunk.
Taylor, Sgt Radar operator 29
Thomas, R S Sgt Wireless-operator 106
Thompson, Walter R P/O Flight engineer (Pilot on 2nd Dickey
trip) 106 Went on to do a tour as Pilot with 106 and another
with 83 on P.F.F.
Trevor-Roper, R D F/L DFM Rear gunner 617 617 Gunnery Leader.
Killed on the infamous Nuremburg Raid, 30/31-3-44, then with 97
Sqdn.
Turner, Sgt Gunner 83
Vivian, J P/O Navigator 106
Wakerley, J J Sgt Wireless-operator 106
Walley, F W P/O Air bomber 106
Warwick, J B S/L DFC Navigator 627 Killed with Gibson,
19-9-44
Watson, P/O Radar operator 29
Watson, P/O Observer 83 Recrewed with S/L Oscar Bridgeman of 83
Sqdn. Missing flying with S/L Oscar Bridgeman (who was taken
prisoner), Berlin, 23-9-40, Hampden L4049.
Wickins, Johnnie F P/O Rear gunner 106 Survived the war
Willis, P/O Radar operator 29
Withers, Jackie P/O Navigator 83
Worner, Jack P/O Navigator 83
Young, Sgt crew 106
see also
http://www.foobar.co.uk/~elsham/rafbc.html
http://www.foobar.co.uk/~elsham/raf_book.html
http://www.foobar.co.uk/~elsham/damsraid.html
Charles K. Scott
In article <696bh3$7...@gazette.bcm.tmc.edu>
kweil...@aol.com (KWeiler854) writes:
> I had an uncle who was a pilot of a Consolidated B-24J in the 8th USAF. I
> recall him mentioning that after mission altitude had been reached and the
> defensive formation formed and the French coast appeared, he would press the
> flight engineer to make sure that all the engines were synchronised to minimize
> vibration and thus make the bombadiers job easier while using the Norden bomb
> sight.
Unless your uncle flew lead, synchronizing the engines was going to be
an ongoing task for the flight engineer as the pilot had to "row" the
throttles back and forth to maintain proper position. Every time he
changed throttle settings the props would have to be re-synchronised.
I recall seeing a patch of film shot on the inside of a B-17 during a
mission and I was hugely impressed at the constant attention the pilot
was making with the throttles.
Other biographers have mentioned the necessity for gross manipulation
of the throttles to hold formation because tight formation was life.
It didn't do any good to minutely tweak the throttles as the big
airplanes did not respond quickly enough. Massive power surges were
required if you lost your place.
One the other hand, my father once mentioned a conversation he had with
a navy fighter pilot who told him that on long flights, he would edge
his fighter over so that he could sight his lead's prop through his and
then adjust the sterioscopic beat he could see through the two discs
until it was stopped. That gave him a very close aproximation to the
lead's cruise speed. Then, and this is the really interesting part,
he'd minutely adjust his speed by opening or closing his cowl flaps to
create or lessen drag to hold position.
This of course was only possible when formation flights of many hours
were being conducted. Just one of those interesting trivial facts from
WWII.
Corky Scott
Charles K. Scott
In article <69lf3n$a...@gazette.bcm.tmc.edu>
Charles.K.Scott@**nospam**.dartmouth.edu (Charles K. Scott) writes:
> then adjust the sterioscopic beat
Sorry, that word should be stroboscopic.
Corky Scott
markth...@gmail.com
My grandfather was the last pilot to fly ED649 and so I have some interest in her.
Did you ever manage to hear the recording?
Regards
Mark Thomas
Michael Emrys
Michael