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Hampden |
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Name : Hampden Manufacturer : Handley Page Retired : 1942 Number Built : 1500 |
The Handley Page HP.52 Hampden was a twin-engine medium bomber built for the Royal Air Force and was used by Bomber Command in the early years of world war two. Along with the other medium bombers the Whitley and Wellington, the Hampden bore the brunt of the early bombing war over Europe, taking part in the first night raid on Berlin and the first 1,000-plane raid on Cologne. The newest of the three medium bombers, the Hampden was known as the Flying Suitcase because of its cramped crew conditions. A total of 226 Hampdens were in service with eight Royal Air Force squadrons by the start of the Second World War. Despite its speed and agility, in operational use the Hampden was no match for the fighters of the Luftwaffe (ME109 and FW 190) and the Hampdens role as a day bomber was brief, but Hampdens continued to operate at night on bombing raids over Germany and in mine laying (code-named gardening) in the North Sea. Almost half of the Hampdens built – 714, were lost on operations, witht he loss of 1,077 crew killed and another 739 missing. German flak accounted for 108; with one Hampden being lost due to German Barrage balloons; 263 Hampdens crashed due to a variety of causes, and 214 others were classed as missing. Luftwaffe pilots claimed 128 Hampdens, shooting down 92 at night. The Hampden soon became obsolete for its roll as a medium modern bomber, after operating mainly at night, it was retired from Bomber Command service in late 1942. but continued with Coastal Command throughout 1943 as a long-range Torpedo Bomber (the Hampden TB Mk I which carried the Mk XII torpedo in an open bomb-bay and a single 500 lb (230 kg) bomb under each wing) The Hampden was also used by the Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force. |
| Pilots and Aircrew for : Hampden | ||||
| A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this aircraft. A profile page is available by clicking their name. | ||||
| Name | Info | |||
| Aldridge, Horace Click the name above to see a profile of Aldridge, Horace
| Aldridge, Horace | |||
| Allanson, G. Click the name above to see a profile of Allanson, G.
| Allanson, G. | |||
| Anderson, R Click the name above to see a profile of Anderson, R | Anderson, R | |||
| Asbrey, G. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Asbrey, G. F.
| Asbrey, G. F. | |||
| Ashurst, F. Click the name above to see a profile of Ashurst, F.
| Ashurst, F. | |||
| Badcock, J. Click the name above to see a profile of Badcock, J. | Badcock, J. | |||
| Bailey, F. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Bailey, F. C. | Bailey, F. C. | |||
| Bain, James Click the name above to see a profile of Bain, James
| Bain, James WOP/AG 44 & 49 Squadrons. 54 ops. Born 28th May 1919 Hamilton Ontario. Died 2nd April 2007 Lincoln, UK. Married Helen Bettie Patricia Wright on 19th September 42 in Doncaster. Initially WOP/AG from 1940 to 1942. Retrained in Sth Africa as Pilot, returned to Transport Cmd Dakotas in 1944, and left service in 1946. Started out as Sgt aircrew, won DFC as Mid Upper turret gunner in Lancaster over Brest harbour by shooting down an ME109 Early 1941. Commissioned mid 1941, ended war as Flt Lt. Tours on 49 Sqn Hampdens - 5 Grp Bomber Command as Grp Gunnery Officer - 44 Sqn Lancasters, then pilot training and 2 different Dakota Sqns of Transport Command. | |||
| Baird, W. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Baird, W. J. | Baird, W. J. Sergeant W.J.Baird of No.49 Squadron was taken prisoner on February 4th 1941. | |||
| Ball, Click the name above to see a profile of Ball, | Ball, | |||
| Barclay, J. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Barclay, J. B.
| Barclay, J. B. | |||
| Barker, D. W. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Barker, D. W. F.
| Barker, D. W. F. | |||
| Batchelor, Click the name above to see a profile of Batchelor, | Batchelor, | |||
| Bates, G. M. Click the name above to see a profile of Bates, G. M. | Bates, G. M. | |||
| Beattie, Brian Click the name above to see a profile of Beattie, Brian | Beattie, Brian Having served at 489 Coastal Command flying torpedo carrying Hampdens, he later joined Des Curtis at 248 Sqn where he also flew the Tse-Tse firing Mosquito. | |||
| Bentley, J. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Bentley, J. H. | Bentley, J. H. | |||
| Blower, Click the name above to see a profile of Blower, | Blower, | |||
| Bond, E. G. M. Click the name above to see a profile of Bond, E. G. M. | Bond, E. G. M. | |||
| Bottomley, G. Click the name above to see a profile of Bottomley, G. | Bottomley, G. | |||
| Brames, R. Click the name above to see a profile of Brames, R.
| Brames, R. | |||
| Brand, D. Click the name above to see a profile of Brand, D.
| Brand, D. Sergeant D.Brand of No.83 Squadron was killed on January 17th 1941. His Hampden (AD731) was shot down into the sea off Norfolk. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. | |||
| Breene, P. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Breene, P. J. | Breene, P. J. | |||
| Brooks, A. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Brooks, A. B. | Brooks, A. B. | |||
| Brown, W. Click the name above to see a profile of Brown, W.
| Brown, W. | |||
| Brown, W. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Brown, W. A. | Brown, W. A. | |||
| Bryceson, A. L. Click the name above to see a profile of Bryceson, A. L. | Bryceson, A. L. | |||
| Burnett, Wilf Click the name above to see a profile of Burnett, Wilf
| Burnett, Wilf Canadian Wilf Burnett joined the RAF before the war and at the outbreak of hostilities was flying Hampdens. He completed his first tour of 30 operations in September 1940, flying with 49 Sqn at Scampton. His crew had bombed invasion barges in the Channel ports, mined enemy waters, operated against the Ruhr, and taken part in the first raids against Berlin. In July 1941 he was posted to 408 (Goose) Sqn RCAF, at Syerston, where one night in January 1942, returning from Hamburg, their Hampden crashed in extreme weather. Wilf was the sole survivor, and he was hospitalised. Recovering he was accepted to command 138 (Special Duties) Sqn at Tempsford who were engaged in dropping agents and supplies to the Resistance in occupied countries flying Halifaxes, later Stirlings. He died 26th November 2006.
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| Burrough, T. N. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Burrough, T. N. C. | Burrough, T. N. C. | |||
| Butterworth, J. Click the name above to see a profile of Butterworth, J.
| Butterworth, J. Sergeant J.Butterworth of No.49 Squadron was killed on February 11th 1941. His Hampden (AD719) was shot down by an intruder and crashed near Grange Farm in Sudbrooke, Lincoln. | |||
| Byrne, T. P. Click the name above to see a profile of Byrne, T. P. | Byrne, T. P. | |||
| Caldwell, D. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Caldwell, D. A.
| Caldwell, D. A. Sergeant D.A.Caldwell was killed on February 11th 1941.His Hampden (AD719) was shot down by an intruder and crashed near Grange Farm in Sudbrooke, Lincoln. | |||
| Calvert, Click the name above to see a profile of Calvert, | Calvert, | |||
| Cameron, J. Click the name above to see a profile of Cameron, J.
| Cameron, J. | |||
| Campbell, K. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Campbell, K. S.
| Campbell, K. S. | |||
| Carter, C. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Carter, C. W. | Carter, C. W. | |||
| Cassels, J R Click the name above to see a profile of Cassels, J R
| Cassels, J R No's 14, 29, 98, 106, 125, 139 (Jamaica), and 162 Squadrons. "April, 1941 - Enlisted in Edinburgh and accepted for pilot training. April 1941 to April 1942 - No 4 I.TW. Paignton, No 9 E.F.T.S. Ansty, Coventry, No 12 S.F.T.S. Spittlegate, Grantham, (22/01/1941 Received wings as Sgt. Pilot) No 14 O.T.U. Cottesmore flying Hampdens. April 1942 - No 106 Squadron, RAF Coningsby commanded by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, DSO, DFC. I was second pilot on Manchesters and did 4 operational sorties. Converted to Lancasters as first pilot and did 26 operational sorties, including Le Creusot raid on 17 October '42, between June and December 1942. Final sortie on 8 December 1942. December 1942 to March 1943 - Survived several attempts to turn me into a flying instructor. March 1943 - No 1485 Conversion Unit ie. No 5 Group Gunnery Flight training air gunners. October- November 1943 - No 1655 Mosquito Training Unit. November 1943 to June 1944 - No 8 Group, Pathfinder Force - No 139 (Jamaica) Squadron. H2S Mosquito Marking Squadron, RAF Wyton and Upwood. Completed 44 operational sorties before ending up interned in Sweden. 12 June 1944 to 20th September 1944 interned at Falun, Sweden. October 1944 to June 1945 - rejoined No 139 (Jamaica) Squadron at RAF Upwood after an air crew medical where a Group Captain M.0. told me that, as I was warm and my goolies didn't drop oftwhen I coughed, I was back to war. Completed 46 operational sorties before V.E. day. Total sorties on 139 squadron 90. June 1945 to July 1946 - Transport Command, No 162 Squadron flying Mosquitos (ALDS ic, Air Delivery Letter Service) RAF Blackbush. August 1946 to February 1950 - No's 14 and 98 Squadrons, No 139 Wing, RAFO, at RAF Wahn and Celle. February 1950 to August 1950 - abortive EIPS Course. August 1950 to October 1951 - Air Traffic Controllers Course and ATC Officer at RAFWest Raynham. November 1951 to October 1952 - No 29 Night Fighter Squadron, RAF Tangmere. Meteor NFXI. October 1952 to April 1953 - Air Ministry and All Weather Wing, RAF West Raynliam. April 1953 to November 1955 - No 12 Group Headquarters, Group Accidents Officer. November 1955 to April 1957 - No 125 Night Fighter squadron, RAF Stradishall, Meteor NFM and Venom NF. April 1957 to August 1959 - Eastern Sector Operations Centre, Recovery Executive. RAF Neatishead. October 1959 to July 1962 - Hg FEAF, Joint Intelligence Staff. Commissioner Generals Office and RAF Changi. July 1962 to March 1965 - No 3 Group Hg, OC HQ Unit and RAF Liaison Officer to USAF Mildenhall. Retired from RAF as Squadron Leader March 1965. Employed by Airwork Services Ltd, as pilot. March 1965. March 1965 to August 1970 - No 3 (Civilian Anti Aircraft Unit) Exeter Airport. Vampire TX1 and Meteor T=. September 1970 to April 1977 - FRADU ( Fleet Requirements Air Defence Unit) RNAS Yeovilton. Hunter GAII and Mk 8. September 1977. Aged 55. RN age limit for fast jet flying. September 1970. Commissioned in RA17VR M. September 1970 to May 1982 - No 4 AEF, Exeter Airport, Chipmunk. Retired from RAFVRM aged 60, May 1982. Total Flying Hours - 11,300 Ins. Sadly passed away 19th December 2008. | |||
| Caunter-Jackson, F. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Caunter-Jackson, F. A. | Caunter-Jackson, F. A. | |||
| Chanin, R. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Chanin, R. A.
| Chanin, R. A. Sergeant R.A.Chanin was killed on February 10th 1941. He was flying in Hampden (P4405) when it crashed into Bluestone plantation in Norfolk after calling for assistance. | |||
| Cheesman, R. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Cheesman, R. F.
| Cheesman, R. F. | |||
| Chipperfield, G. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Chipperfield, G. F.
| Chipperfield, G. F. | |||
| Clarke, R. W. T. Click the name above to see a profile of Clarke, R. W. T.
| Clarke, R. W. T. | |||
| Colson, F. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Colson, F. A.
| Colson, F. A. Sergeant F.A.Colson of No.106 Squadron was killed on February 4th 1941. His Hampden (AD750) crashed near Nantes, and he was buried at the Pont-du-Cens communal cemetery. | |||
| Cook, George Click the name above to see a profile of Cook, George | Cook, George A WOP/AG on Hampdens with 49 Sqn, where he completed 33 Ops. He completed the 2 thousand bomber raids to Cologne and Essen. He then went out to SEAC with 205 Sqn where he completed a full tour of 1000 hours on Operations in a Catalina hunting Japanese submarines. | |||
| Cooper, K. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Cooper, K. G.
| Cooper, K. G. | |||
| Cox, A. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Cox, A. D.
| Cox, A. D. | |||
| Crouch, D. A. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Crouch, D. A. D.
| Crouch, D. A. D. | |||
| Cruickshank, D. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Cruickshank, D. A.
| Cruickshank, D. A. Sergeant D.A.Cruickshank of No.49 Squadron was killed on February 11th 1941. His Hampden (X3001) was shot down by a night fighter, north of Alkmaar in Holland, where Cruickshank was then buried. | |||
| Curley, J. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Curley, J. G.
| Curley, J. G. | |||
| Curtis, Ron Click the name above to see a profile of Curtis, Ron | Curtis, Ron Qualifying as an Observer in 1941, Ron joined 144 Squadron on Hamden’s before transferring to 44 Squadron at Waddington as a Navigator on Lancaster’s. At the end of the 1942 he moved to Marham, converting to Mosquitos, and in 1943 was posted to 109 Squadron equipped with Oboe as part of the Pathfinder Force. He flew 104 Oboe operations and 139 ops in total, and was widely credited with helping advance development of the Oboe system. | |||
| Dainty, E. Click the name above to see a profile of Dainty, E. | Dainty, E. | |||
| Darnell, F. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Darnell, F. E. | Darnell, F. E. | |||
| Dixon, B. Click the name above to see a profile of Dixon, B. | Dixon, B. | |||
| Donnelly, J. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Donnelly, J. G.
| Donnelly, J. G. | |||
| Dunkling, E. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Dunkling, E. W. | Dunkling, E. W. | |||
| Dyke, Click the name above to see a profile of Dyke, | Dyke, | |||
| Eastwood, R. I. Click the name above to see a profile of Eastwood, R. I. | Eastwood, R. I. Sergeant R.I.Eastwood of No.49 Squadron was taken prisoner on February 4th 1941. | |||
| Eden, L. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Eden, L. R.
| Eden, L. R. | |||
| Ellis, R. Click the name above to see a profile of Ellis, R.
| Ellis, R. | |||
| Emmerson, L. Click the name above to see a profile of Emmerson, L.
| Emmerson, L. | |||
| Essex, V. T. Click the name above to see a profile of Essex, V. T.
| Essex, V. T. | |||
| Evans, L. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Evans, L. R.
| Evans, L. R. | |||
| Fisher, H. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Fisher, H. E. | Fisher, H. E. | |||
| Fletcher, A. Click the name above to see a profile of Fletcher, A. | Fletcher, A. | |||
| Foster, W. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Foster, W. A.
| Foster, W. A. | |||
| Franco, J. L. Click the name above to see a profile of Franco, J. L.
| Franco, J. L. Sergeant J.L.Franco of No.106 Squadron was killed on February 4th 1941. His Hampden (AD750) crashed near Nantes, and he was buried at the Pont-du-Cens communal cemetery. | |||
| Frutiger, W. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Frutiger, W. E.
| Frutiger, W. E. Flight Lieutenant W.E.Frutiger was killed on February 10th 1941. He was flying in Hampden (P4405) when it crashed into Bluestone plantation in Norfolk after calling for assistance. | |||
| Gapp, R. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Gapp, R. A. | Gapp, R. A. Flight Sergeant R.A.Gapp was killed on February 10th 1941. He was flying in Hampden (P4405) when it crashed into Bluestone plantation in Norfolk after calling for assistance. | |||
| Gibson, Guy Penrose Click the name above to see a profile of Gibson, Guy Penrose
| Gibson, Guy Penrose Leader of the Dambusters Raid for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He had served with No.83 Sqn on Hinds and Hampdens, then No.29 Sqn on Blenheims and Beaufighters. Later he joined No.106 Sqn on Manchesters and Lancasters before flying with No.617 Sqn for the Dambusters raid. He was killed when his Mosquito crashed on 19th September 1944. | |||
| Glenn, George Click the name above to see a profile of Glenn, George | Glenn, George During 1941 he flew as a Pilot on Hampden Bombers with 144 Sqn before joining the Path Finder Force on Mosquitos and serving with 139 Sqn as part of part of the Light Night Strike Force and completing a total of 83 Operations by the end of the war in Europe | |||
| Glennie, D. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Glennie, D. G.
| Glennie, D. G. | |||
| Good, K. Click the name above to see a profile of Good, K.
| Good, K. | |||
| Gough, M. Click the name above to see a profile of Gough, M.
| Gough, M. | |||
| Grainger, R. L. Click the name above to see a profile of Grainger, R. L.
| Grainger, R. L. | |||
| Green, John H. Click the name above to see a profile of Green, John H.
| Green, John H. John Green was born in Vancouver on 30th May 1918 and was educated at Alberni District High School. Hugh Halliday reports that his father worked at Allison Logging Company, Queen Charlotte Islands. He was granted a short service commission as Acting Pilot Officers on probation on 9th October 1939 in the RAF, he was later graded as Pilot Officer on probation on 4th May 1940 and confirmed as P/O on 4th August 1940. He joined 49 Squadron on 12th October 1940 and flew his first operational flight on the night of 16th/17th October 1940. After a remarkably short period he was recommended for the DFC on 28th November 1940 which stated that.. "This Canadian officer joined his squadron on 12th October 1940, and carried out his first operation, as a First Pilot, on 16th October. On this occasion he flew through extremely difficult weather conditions and was one of four out of twelve aircraft to locate and attack enemy submarines at Bordeaux. On 20th November this officer was captain of an aircraft detailed to bomb the Skoda works in Czechoslovakia which he attacked successfully from 1,500 feet causing fires and explosions. Pilot Officer Green's work as an operational pilot has been outstanding and his enthusiasm, skill and courage have been a source of inspiration to the newly joined flying personnel in his squadron. He has completed a total of ten operational flights against the enemy during the course of which he has completed 77 hours flying as a first pilot." For service with 49 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 17th January 1941. He was the pilot of Hampden X3001 when it was shot down over Holland on 11th February 1941 and became a PoW but received a promotion to F/O (war subs) on 4th May 1941 and later to F/Lt. Post-War he remained in the RAF and continued to fly. On 17th September 1947 he was flying Spitfire TP454 as part of the Battle of Britain air display over Bournemouth when the aircraft crashed into the sea. He was sadly killed and is buried at Brookwood Cemetery, and was twenty nine years old. At the time of his death he was married to Irene who lived in South Kensington, London. | |||
| Grosvenor, T. Click the name above to see a profile of Grosvenor, T. | Grosvenor, T. | |||
| Guest, R. Click the name above to see a profile of Guest, R.
| Guest, R. | |||
| Hall, G. Click the name above to see a profile of Hall, G.
| Hall, G. | |||
| Hanslip, R. J. N. Click the name above to see a profile of Hanslip, R. J. N. | Hanslip, R. J. N. | |||
| Harrison, C. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Harrison, C. B.
| Harrison, C. B. | |||
| Harrison, R. N. Click the name above to see a profile of Harrison, R. N.
| Harrison, R. N. | |||
| Harrsion, R. N. Click the name above to see a profile of Harrsion, R. N. | Harrsion, R. N. | |||
| Hartop, W. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Hartop, W. C. | Hartop, W. C. | |||
| Hawkes, T. R. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Hawkes, T. R. H. | Hawkes, T. R. H. Sergeant T.R.H.Hawkes of No.49 Squadron was taken prisoner on February 4th 1941. | |||
| Hawthorne, J. T. Click the name above to see a profile of Hawthorne, J. T.
| Hawthorne, J. T. Sergeant J.T.Hawthorne of No.61 Squadron was killed on February 1st 1941. His Hampden (P1328) was caught in a snow storm and crashed at Willingham. | |||
| Hazelden, Hedley Click the name above to see a profile of Hazelden, Hedley
| Hazelden, Hedley Hedley was born in 1915 at Sevenoaks, Kent. Leaving school in 1933 he joined Standard Life. In November 1938 he joined the RAFVR and in June 1939 he reported to 6 E and RFTS at Sywell where he began his flying career on the Tiger Moth later moving to Redhill flying Hinds, Harts and Audax. Called to full time service on the day before war was declared in September 1939 and after brief training at Cambridge University he was posted to 12 SFTS at RAF Spittlegate flying Ansons. Moving to 14 OTU at RAF Cottesmore he converted to the Hampden before being posted to 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron at RAF Waddington early in 1940. He was commissioned in December 1940. April 1940 saw the end of his tour with 43 operations to his credit and a Distinguished Flying Cross. Back to RAF Cottesmore for 6 months as an instructor on 14 OTU then to RAF Finingley with 25 OTU for conversion to the Manchester and crewing. Christmas 1941 saw him posted to RAF Scampton with 83 Squadron flying the Manchester before converting to the Lancaster. His first Lancaster operation was the thousand bomber raid on Cologne. After 22 operations and a bar to his DFC he was posted to RAF Bassingborn 11 OTU as an instructor. He moved to RAF Oakley as Station Commander with 39 Wellington 1cs of 11 OTU. His rank by this time was Squadron Leader. In June 1943 he joined the newly formed Test Pilots School at RAF Boscombe Down. Of the 18 who started the No.1 Course Hedley was one of the 13 who passed in January 1944. After spending a month at Avro at Woodford production testing Lancasters he joined the Heavy Test Squadron A and AEE as its commanding officer in which time he flew every heavy bomber type before it entered RAF service. Following the end of the war he commanded the newly formed large civil aircraft squadron. He move to Handley Page in April 1947 as Cheif Test Pilot working on the Hastings and Hermes. He was a development consultant on the Victor, eventually taking it on its maiden flight on Christmas Eve 1952. Many Victor flights followed and he flew the maiden flight of the Herald on the 15th of August 1955. Headley left Handley Page in 1966, and having gained his civil licence he flew Heralds for Autair International and BAC-111s for Court Line. He finally retired in January 1981. He died in August 2001. | |||
| Healing, F. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Healing, F. D. | Healing, F. D. | |||
| Hill, ERIC ARTHUR CHARLES Click the name above to see a profile of Hill, ERIC ARTHUR CHARLES
| Hill, ERIC ARTHUR CHARLES Hill was the sole occupant of Hampden L4205 when it overshot Cottesmore aerodrome on a training flight and crashed | |||
| Hill, J. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Hill, J. E. | Hill, J. E. Sergeant J.E.Hill was killed on February 10th 1941. He was flying in Hampden (P4405) when it crashed into Bluestone plantation in Norfolk after calling for assistance. | |||
| Hodgson, P. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Hodgson, P. B. | Hodgson, P. B. | |||
| Hollingshead, M. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Hollingshead, M. A.
| Hollingshead, M. A. | |||
| Holman, E. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Holman, E. J.
| Holman, E. J. | |||
| Homard, L. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Homard, L. W. | Homard, L. W. Sergeant L.W.Homard of No.49 Squadron was taken prisoner on February 4th 1941. | |||
| House, D.V. Click the name above to see a profile of House, D.V.
| House, D.V. Sergeant D.V.House of No.83 Squadron was killed on January 17th 1941. His Hampden (AD731) was shot down into the sea off Norfolk. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. | |||
| Inniss, G. H. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Inniss, G. H. F.
| Inniss, G. H. F. Pilot Officer G.H.F.Inniss of No.106 Squadron was killed on February 4th 1941. His Hampden (AD750) crashed near Nantes, and he was buried at the Pont-du-Cens communal cemetery. | |||
| Irving, H. Click the name above to see a profile of Irving, H. | Irving, H. | |||
| Jackson, A. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Jackson, A. E.
| Jackson, A. E. | |||
| Jackson, L. Click the name above to see a profile of Jackson, L. | Jackson, L. | |||
| James, C. B. Click the name above to see a profile of James, C. B. | James, C. B. | |||
| Johnston, D. T. Click the name above to see a profile of Johnston, D. T.
| Johnston, D. T. | |||
| Jones, R. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Jones, R. J. | Jones, R. J. | |||
| Lambourne, R. G. L. Click the name above to see a profile of Lambourne, R. G. L.
| Lambourne, R. G. L. | |||
| Lane, D. Click the name above to see a profile of Lane, D.
| Lane, D. | |||
| Laverack, E. T. Click the name above to see a profile of Laverack, E. T.
| Laverack, E. T. | |||
| Learoyd, Roderick Click the name above to see a profile of Learoyd, Roderick
| Learoyd, Roderick On the day that war was declared Rod Learoyd was on patrol flying Hampdens with 49 Sqn. Continually involved with low level bombing, on the night of 12th August 1940, he and four other aircraft attempted to breach the heavily defended Dortmund - Ems canal. Of the four other aircraft on the mission, two were destroyed and the other two were badly hit. Learoyd took his plane into the heavily defended target at only 150 feet, in full view of the searchlights, and with flak barrage all around. He managed to get his very badly damaged aircraft back to England, where he circled until daybreak when he finally landed the aircraft without inflicting more damage to it, or injuring any of his crew. For his supreme courage that night he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He later joined 44 Sqn with the first Lancasters, and then commanded 83 Sqn. He died 24th January 1996.
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| Leitch, T. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Leitch, T. D.
| Leitch, T. D. | |||
| Lerwill, Click the name above to see a profile of Lerwill, | Lerwill, | |||
| Little, T. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Little, T. W.
| Little, T. W. | |||
| Lloyd, N. M. Click the name above to see a profile of Lloyd, N. M. | Lloyd, N. M. | |||
| Loates, H. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Loates, H. G.
| Loates, H. G. | |||
| Lowe, Drane Click the name above to see a profile of Lowe, Drane | Lowe, Drane Joining the RAF in August 1935 he completed pilot training and was posted to 49 Sqn flying Hawker Hinds as a light bomber. At the outbreak of war he took part in the early bombing raids over France, flying Hampdens and then Wellingtons on missions over occupied Europe. Fully operational until mid 1941, he was then posted to OTU at Cottesmore and Finningley as an instructor. After a long and distinguished career, including a spell flying Canberras, he retired from the RAF in 1965. | |||
| Lowe, F Click the name above to see a profile of Lowe, F | Lowe, F Joined the RAFVR in 1938 and started flying training at Kidlington. He was posted to 16 OTU, Upper Heyford in July 1940 where he completed a course on Ansons and Hampdens. Later he retrained as a staff pilot until he was posted to CTS Finningsley in November 1940, before transferring to 49 Sqdn. Scampton in December 1940. He flew a tour of 30 bombing and minelaying operations on Hampdens before returning to 16 OTU, Upper Heyford in July 1941 as instructor on Ansons and Hampdens and then as staff pilot on Air Firing Training Flights, using Hampdens, Lysanders and Wellington aircraft. On 28 July 1942, he was detailed to captain a Wellington on a thousand bomber raid on Hamburg, with a pupil crew. Although recalled due to bad weather, the trainee WOP failed to receive the signal and the aircraft was shot down by an Me110. Three crew were killed and three bailed out including the second pilot who was later one of the 50 shot after the Great Escape from Stalag Luft 3. Chatting to his twin brother (a Spitfire PRU Pilot) after the end of the war they discovered that he had taken a photograph of a Prisoner of War camp near Bremen, where he was held near to the end of the war. At that time, of course, he had no idea that he was a prisoner in the very same camp! Frank returned to the UK in May 1945 and subsequently was demobbed in January 1946. | |||
| Lowson, W. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Lowson, W. H.
| Lowson, W. H. | |||
| Lyon, C. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Lyon, C. J.
| Lyon, C. J. | |||
| Lyster, Dennis Click the name above to see a profile of Lyster, Dennis
| Lyster, Dennis joined the RAF in January 1935 and completed his pilot training at the RAF’s flying school in Egypt before joining 83 Squadron to fly the Hind biplane bomber. In 1938 the Squadron was Re-equipped with Hampden's, Lyster had always had a deep interest in navigation and at the end of 1940 attended a specialist navigation course before returning to No 83 as a flight commander. The navigators on Hampdens were usually inexperienced pilots, so Lyster keenly monitored their efforts. Isolated in his pilot’s cockpit, he had a map strapped to his knee and carried his own sextant on his long-range operations. He was thus sometimes able to correct the efforts of his “navigator”. Over the next few months he attacked numerous German cities, flying inadequate and unheated bombers in all weathers on sorties that were often in excess of seven and eight hours. After completing another 22 operations, Lyster was rested and became an instructor at a bomber training unit. He was assessed as exceptional and was awarded the DSO. For the remainder of the war, Lyster remained a bombing instructor but, on the night of June 1/2 1942, he was co-opted to take part in the second of the Thousand Bomber Raids when Essen was the target. For his services as a chief flying instructor he was awarded the AFC. After the war, he completed the RAF Staff College course at Haifa before joining the staff HQ Middle East Air Force in Egypt. Whenever Lyster was given a ground appointment he made strenuous efforts to fly as often as possible. In February 1948, he took a Spitfire from Fayid in Egypt to the South African Air Force base at Waterkloof near Johannesburg, a flight which involved 10 refuelling stops. He then demonstrated the aircraft at airfields in South Africa and in Northern and Southern Rhodesia. Lyster converted to jets in 1951 and in January 1953 was appointed to command the Examination Wing of the Central Flying School. It was the responsibility of Exam Wing, or the “trappers” as they were irreverently known, to test and standardise the flying instructors of the RAF. They were also in great demand by overseas air forces and the wing made annual tours worldwide. In October 1954 Lyster, flying his own transport aircraft, led a team to Ceylon, Australia and New Zealand to test the instructors of those air forces. At the end of his period in command, Lyster was classed as an A1 instructor of exceptional ability and was awarded a Bar to his AFC. He commanded the fighter airfield at Stradishall in Suffolk, where he flew the latest jets, and his final appointment was at Headquarters Fighter Command. He retired in January 1961 having flown 64 different types of aircraft. | |||
| MacCallum, D. Click the name above to see a profile of MacCallum, D. | MacCallum, D. | |||
| Mackie, Norman Click the name above to see a profile of Mackie, Norman
| Mackie, Norman Joining the RAF in 1940 he was posted in April 1941 to 83 Sqn at Scampton flying Hampdens and Manchesters, joining OTU as an instructor on Wellingtons in March 1942. He then rejoined 83 Sqn now at Wyton as a Pathfinder flying Lancasters until he was shot down by German Night Fighters in March 1943. Having been captured he escaped to Switzerland and after a period there managed to return to Britain through France and Spain. In May 1944 he joined 571 Sqn flying Mosquitoes with the Light Night Strike Force taking part in many of the units operations over Western Germany. He left the RAF in December 1967. He died 1st January 2003. | |||
| MacKinnon, R. Click the name above to see a profile of MacKinnon, R.
| MacKinnon, R. | |||
| Macrossan, H. M. Click the name above to see a profile of Macrossan, H. M.
| Macrossan, H. M. | |||
| Masters, H. Click the name above to see a profile of Masters, H. | Masters, H. Sergeant H.Masters of No.144 Squadron was flying in Hampden (P4359) on February 9th 1941 when it crashed and burst into flames and was abandoned at Taverham Park in the early morning. His position was unknown due to an unserviceable wireless. | |||
| Matthews, J. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Matthews, J. H.
| Matthews, J. H. | |||
| McCarthy, Joseph Charles Click the name above to see a profile of McCarthy, Joseph Charles
| McCarthy, Joseph Charles In March 1943, a special Royal Air Force (RAF) unit, 617 Squadron, was created to try a new tactic--low altitude bombing using deep penetration bombs that weighed from 9,500 to 22,000 pounds. Their first targets were three dams in the Ruhr industrial area of western Germany: the Mohne, the Eder, and the Sorpe. These dams supplied water for Ruhr steel mills and hydroelectric power. Twenty Avro Lancaster bombers were specially modified for this mission to carry a new, rotating skip bomb that would bounce across the lake, sink, and then explode at the base of the dam. So secret was the dambusting mission, that the pilots and navigators were briefed only the day before as to the actual targets. The three dams were struck, and two were breached, on the night of 16 May 1943. "Joe " McCarthy, from Long Island, New York, was an original member of 617 Squadron. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1941 and soon transferred with his crew to RAF Bomber Command. From 1941 until late 1944, he flew the Hampden, Manchester, Lancaster, and Mosquito bombers and compiled a total of 80 combat missions. As Officer Commanding, German Aircraft Flight, he tested and flew over 20 different German aircraft, which had been taken from captured German airfields back to Farnborough for extensive engineering evaluation. During this period, McCarthy flew the first British operational jet, the Meteor, and the experimental Windsor bomber. Upon returning to Edmonton, Canada, he continued flight testing a variety of aircraft for cold weather operations as well as the experimental Canadian flying wing. During 28 years in the RCAF, he flew 64 different British, American, German, and Canadian aircraft. Later assignments included base executive officer for an F-86 NATO installation in France; Commander, Flying Training School, RCAF Station Penhold, Canada; and Commanding Officer of the 407 Maritime Squadron, flying the P2V Neptune. From 1961 to 1962, he was Chief of Air Operations for the United Nations' forces in the Congo, and from 1963 to 1966, worked in plans and policy for CINCLANT/CINCLANTFLT. Wing Commander McCarthy's final assignment was as base operations officer for two maritime squadrons flying the Argus antisubmarine warfare aircraft in Nova Scotia. He retired from the RCAF in 1969 and, after a second career in real estate, fully retired in 1986. Passed away 6th September 1998. | |||
| McVie, W. A. Click the name above to see a profile of McVie, W. A. | McVie, W. A. | |||
| Melville, A. M. Click the name above to see a profile of Melville, A. M.
| Melville, A. M. | |||
| Miller, W. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Miller, W. E.
| Miller, W. E. | |||
| Murray, A. M. Click the name above to see a profile of Murray, A. M.
| Murray, A. M. | |||
| Newhouse, H. Click the name above to see a profile of Newhouse, H. | Newhouse, H. | |||
| Nicoll, Alan Click the name above to see a profile of Nicoll, Alan | Nicoll, Alan Joined the RAF in February 1939 and trained as an Observer (Navigator). His first posting was to 44 Squadron newly equipped with the Hampden bomber at RAF Waddington. When war was declared on 3rd September 1939 he was immediately involved in operations flying that night on the very first sortie of WW2. By the end of 1940 he had completed a full tour of 37 raids before being commissioned and selected for advanced navigation training in Canada. He was subsequently posted to Rhodesia as a navigational instructor and examiner. He completed Pilot training before returning to the UK where he qualified as a Sunderland flying boat Captain serving at Calshot and Pembroke Dock. In 1956 he took the last RAF aircraft to moor up in the Pool of London for "Battle of Britain" celebrations. A posting to RAF Seletar (Singapore) followed where Sunderlands were finally retired from service in 1959. He then served on Shackletons and in Transport Command before retiring in 1975. | |||
| Noble, J. T. Click the name above to see a profile of Noble, J. T. | Noble, J. T. | |||
| Northwood, H. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Northwood, H. R.
| Northwood, H. R. | |||
| Owen, J. T. Click the name above to see a profile of Owen, J. T.
| Owen, J. T. | |||
| Pearce, O. W. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Pearce, O. W. J. | Pearce, O. W. J. | |||
| Pearman, R. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Pearman, R. H. | Pearman, R. H. Sergeant R.H.Pearman of No.144 Squadron was flying in Hampden (P4359) on February 9th 1941 when it crashed and burst into flames and was abandoned at Taverham Park in the early morning. His position was unknown due to an unserviceable wireless. | |||
| Pexton, H. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Pexton, H. C. | Pexton, H. C. | |||
| Phillips, A. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Phillips, A. F.
| Phillips, A. F. | |||
| Playfair, Anthony Richard Click the name above to see a profile of Playfair, Anthony Richard
| Playfair, Anthony Richard Anthony Playfair was born in India and was the son of Col. and Mrs Playfair. His family arrived in Vancouver Island when he child, he attended school at Shawnigan Lake. He left his home town in British Columbia three years before his death to take up a Commission in the RAF in England in May 1937 as Acting P/O on probation. He left a brother Geoffrey and he was the first British Columbian casualty of the War. P/O Anthony Richard Playfair RAF (39679), aged 25, British Columbia, Canada. Buried Finningley Churchyard, Yorkshire. | |||
| Polglase, P. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Polglase, P. J.
| Polglase, P. J. | |||
| Pritchard, P. H. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Pritchard, P. H. H. | Pritchard, P. H. H. | |||
| Prosser, P. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Prosser, P. C. | Prosser, P. C. | |||
| Ratcliffe, J. Click the name above to see a profile of Ratcliffe, J. | Ratcliffe, J. | |||
| Reynolds, E. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Reynolds, E. W.
| Reynolds, E. W. | |||
| Richards, L. T. Click the name above to see a profile of Richards, L. T.
| Richards, L. T. | |||
| Riley, J. Click the name above to see a profile of Riley, J.
| Riley, J. | |||
| Russell, Click the name above to see a profile of Russell, | Russell, | |||
| Scouller, J. K. Click the name above to see a profile of Scouller, J. K. | Scouller, J. K. | |||
| Seward, H. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Seward, H. S.
| Seward, H. S. | |||
| Shutt, J. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Shutt, J. F. | Shutt, J. F. | |||
| Simmons, A. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Simmons, A. R. | Simmons, A. R. Sergeant A.R.Simmons of No.144 Squadron was flying in Hampden (P4359) on February 9th 1941 when it crashed and burst into flames and was abandoned at Taverham Park in the early morning. His position was unknown due to an unserviceable wireless. | |||
| Skinner, D. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Skinner, D. H. | Skinner, D. H. | |||
| Smith, E. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Smith, E. W. | Smith, E. W. | |||
| Stainthorpe, W. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Stainthorpe, W. W.
| Stainthorpe, W. W. | |||
| Stannard, L. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Stannard, L. E.
| Stannard, L. E. | |||
| Stevens, Click the name above to see a profile of Stevens, | Stevens, | |||
| Stockings, H. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Stockings, H. R. | Stockings, H. R. | |||
| Stone, Frank Click the name above to see a profile of Stone, Frank | Stone, Frank Rear Gunner on Hampdens with 83 sqn, he was shot down in August 1940 aged 17 over Ludwigshafen and sent to Stalag Luft III. In Hut 104 he was in charge of the hidden radio that aided the ‘Great Escape’ and had it been a success he would have been part of the second escape attempt two weeks later. We have learned that Frank Stone has now sadly passed away. | |||
| Strong, P. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Strong, P. J.
| Strong, P. J. Pilot Officer P.J.Strong of No.83 Squadron was killed on January 17th 1941. His Hampden (AD731) was shot down into the sea off Norfolk. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. | |||
| Sykes, F. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Sykes, F. H.
| Sykes, F. H. | |||
| Targett, G. Click the name above to see a profile of Targett, G.
| Targett, G. | |||
| Taylor, Larry Click the name above to see a profile of Taylor, Larry | Taylor, Larry Joined the RAF in 1937 as a Flight Engineer took part in the very first raid of the war dropping leaflets with 166 Squadron. He went on to fly Whitleys, Hampdens and Halifaxes, completing 51 Operations for 405/102/78 Squadrons. | |||
| Thomas, C. P. Click the name above to see a profile of Thomas, C. P.
| Thomas, C. P. | |||
| Thomas, P. Click the name above to see a profile of Thomas, P.
| Thomas, P. | |||
| Thomas, W. K. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Thomas, W. K. B. | Thomas, W. K. B. Flight Officer W.K.B.Thomas of No.106 Squadron was killed on February 4th 1941. His Hampden (AD750) crashed near Nantes, and he was buried at the Pont-du-Cens communal cemetery. | |||
| Thompson, E. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Thompson, E. D.
| Thompson, E. D. | |||
| Thurlbeck, J. K. Click the name above to see a profile of Thurlbeck, J. K.
| Thurlbeck, J. K. Sergeant J.K.Thurlbeck of No.61 Squadron was killed on February 1st 1941. His Hampden (P1328) was caught in a snow storm and crashed at Willingham. | |||
| Tittley, J. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Tittley, J. H. | Tittley, J. H. | |||
| Toswnhend, Joe Click the name above to see a profile of Toswnhend, Joe | Toswnhend, Joe Flying Officer Joe Townshend DFM joined the RAF in February 1942 and after a wireless course at Cranwell went to Canada for Navigation, GR and an OTU on Torpedo Hampdens on Vancouver Island. He returned to England for an OTU on Mosquitoes at Dyce where he teamed up with F/Lt H C S (Sandy) Powell DFC. After four ferry trips to Rabat in Morocco, he joined 540 Squadron in May 1944 and completed 50 Photo Reconnaissance operations over Europe, including finding the Tirpitz at Tromso for the Lancaster’s to sink in November 1944. | |||
| Turner, H. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Turner, H. E. | Turner, H. E. Sergeant H.E.Turner of No.144 Squadron was flying in Hampden (P4359) on February 9th 1941 when it crashed and burst into flames and was abandoned at Taverham Park in the early morning. His position was unknown due to an unserviceable wireless. | |||
| Ward, A. J. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Ward, A. J. W.
| Ward, A. J. W. | |||
| Ward-Hunt, Peter Click the name above to see a profile of Ward-Hunt, Peter
| Ward-Hunt, Peter Born 6th December 1916. Joined the RAF in July 1937, with No 106 Sqn flying Hampdens, moving to No.49 Sqn at the end of that year. After a period as an instructor, joined No.207 Sqn flying the Manchester. He was selected to convert others to Lancasters in May 1942, and became a flight commander of No 106 Sqn in February 1943. He died 7th December 2005. | |||
| Watson, R. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Watson, R. D.
| Watson, R. D. | |||
| Weaving, D. V. Click the name above to see a profile of Weaving, D. V. | Weaving, D. V. | |||
| Weaving, D. V. Click the name above to see a profile of Weaving, D. V.
| Weaving, D. V. | |||
| Weir, N. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Weir, N. S.
| Weir, N. S. | |||
| Wheeler, Click the name above to see a profile of Wheeler, | Wheeler, | |||
| White, A. G. S. Click the name above to see a profile of White, A. G. S.
| White, A. G. S. Sergeant A.G.S.White of No.83 Squadron was killed on January 17th 1941. His Hampden (AD731) was shot down into the sea off Norfolk. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. | |||
| Williams, W. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Williams, W. G.
| Williams, W. G. | |||
| Wilmot, L. A. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Wilmot, L. A. F. | Wilmot, L. A. F. | |||
| Wilson, F. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Wilson, F. S.
| Wilson, F. S. | |||
| Wilson, R. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Wilson, R. D.
| Wilson, R. D. | |||
| Windle, H. Click the name above to see a profile of Windle, H.
| Windle, H. | |||
| Worthington, F. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Worthington, F. R.
| Worthington, F. R. | |||
| Wunderlich, R. E. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Wunderlich, R. E. F.
| Wunderlich, R. E. F. | |||
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| Squadrons for : Hampden | ||
| A list of all squadrons known to have flown the Hampden. A profile page is available by clicking the squadron name. | ||
| Squadron | Info | |
No.106 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 30th September 1917 Fate : Disbanded 24th May 1963 Pro libertate - For freedom | No.106 Sqn RAF 106 Squadron was formed 30th September 1917 at Andover, and served in Ireland on Army co-operation duties from May 1918 until disbandment in 1919. Re-formed in June 1938, the squadron was equipped with Hawker Hinds, and later Fairey Battles and from May 1939 until March 1942 was equipped with the Handley Page Hampden. The first operational WWII sortie, on the night of 9/10th September 1940 was mine laying in the Bordeaux area and the first bombing sortie was on the night of 1st/2nd March 1941 against Cologne. From February 1942 until June the same year 106 was equipped with the Avro Manchester. Following this short spell, the squadron was re-equipped with the Avro Lancaster. Although they used both Lancasters and Manchesters on all three 1,000 bomber raids (Cologne 30th/31st May 1942, Essen 1st/2nd June 1942, and Bremen 25/26th June 1942) - the third one against Bremen was the last one when the Manchesters were used. In October 1942, 106 contributed 10 Lancasters to 5 Group's epic low level daylight raid against the Schneider Works at Le Creusot, and 2 Lancasters (one of which was piloted by Wing Commander Guy Gibson CO of 106) to the subsidiary raid on the transformer and switching station at Montchanin. In 1943, they took part in the first shuttle-bombing raids (target Friedrichshafen), and the famous Peenemunde raid. During what was to become known as the Battle of Berlin (November 1943- March 1944) 106 dispatched 281 Lancasters on 20 raids, with the loss of eight aircraft. In 1944, 106 helped prepare the way for the invasion of Europe by hitting targets such as a Coastal Gun Battery at St Pierre du Mont and V-1 storage sites. In December 1944, 106 made a round trip of over 1,900 miles to attack the German Baltic Fleet at Gdynia. In March 1945, the squadron provided air support (against the defences of Wesel) for Commandos crossing the Rhine. Their last bombing sortie was on 25/26th April 1945 against the oil refinery at Vallo, Norway and 106 Squadron finally disbanded February 1946. | |
No.144 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 20th March 1918 Fate : Disbanded 23rd August 1963 Who shall stop us | No.144 Sqn RAF No 144 Squadron, RFC, was formed at Port Said, Egypt, on 2Oth March 1918. On 14th August it came under the orders of the Palestine Brigade, Royal Air Force, and by the end of the month it had been fully equipped as a bombing squadron with DH9s at Junction Station. On the opening of the final offensive in Palestine, No 144 Squadron was with the 4Oth (Army) Wing and had 13 DH9s on charge. There was no special air activity before the offensive so that the enemy should not be warned of our intentions, but No. 144 Squadron made two important bombing raids on Der'a station in conjunction with the operations of the Arab Northern Army under Sherif Feisal and Colonel TE Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) in the eastern area on the 16th and 17th September. When the offensive began on the coastal sector on 19th September an initial bombing offensive was directed against the main Turkish telegraphic and telephonic centres whose positions were known from intelligence sources and from air photographs. No 144 Squadron bombed the central telephone exchange at El 'Affule and the headquarters and telephone exchange of the Turkish Seventh Army at Nablus, and (it seems) effectively cut the enemy's telephone communications at a vital time. By 20th September the enemy was in headlong retreat. In the west the Turkish Eighth Army had been shattered and its remnants, together with the Seventh Army in the centre, were retiring to their doom. On the following day they were trapped in the Wadi el Far'a and completely wiped out by air attack with all RAF squadrons being concentrated in the attack. No 144 Squadron then co-operated in the advance east of the Jordan, which resulted in the capture of the Turkish Fourth Army. At the end of September a flight of No 144 Squadron was stationed at Haifa to co-operate with the XXI Corps during its advance on Beirut, but elsewhere, with the rapid pursuit of the enemy, the opportunities and facilities for bombing had diminished. In October the squadron moved to Mudros, Greece, but by the end of the year it had returned to England. It was disbanded at Ford Junction on 4th February 1919. The squadron was still equipped with Hampdens on the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, flying its first mission on 26 September, when it dispatched 12 aircraft to search for, and attack if found, German naval forces in the North Sea. On this occasion, however, it encountered no allowable targets. Three days later, the squadron sent out 11 aircraft over the Heligoland Bight in another search for German warships. The strike force split into two groups; while one formation spotted but failed to hit two German destroyers, the second formation was intercepted by Luftwaffe Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters, which shot down all five Hampdens. The first occasion on which No 144 Squadron flew over the German mainland was the night of 24/25th February 1940, when propaganda leaflets or Nickels were dropped on Hamburg. On 6th March, by which time it had Nickelled several other German towns and by which time also it had flown a number of security patrols, the squadron took part in Bomber Command's first attack on a German land objective - the minelaying-seaplane base at Hornum. Just over two months later (by which time minelaying had been added to its duties) No 144 shared in another notable "first" - the first big bombing attack on the German mainland (the exits of München-Gladbach). As a result of the Channel Dash in February 1942, when the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen managed to break the British blockade and sail from France through the English Channel to Germany, indicated to the RAF that their anti-shipping strike strength was inadequate, and it was decided to convert two Hampden squadrons to the torpedo bomber role, with 144 Squadron being one of the two chosen for conversion.[10] The squadron transferred from Bomber Command to 18 Group Coastal Command on 21 April 1942, moving to RAF Leuchars on the East coast of Scotland. It flew its first torpedo bomber mission on 27 July 1942. ] In September 1942, 32 Hampdens of 144 Squadron and 455 Squadron RAAF were sent to Murmansk in Northern Russia in order to support the Arctic convoy PQ 18, and to attack any German warships that might sortie from bases in Norway against the convoy. The squadron lost 5 Hampdens on the flight to Russia, with a further four of 455 Squadron's also lost. The German surface warships did not attack PQ 18, and the squadron's personnel returned to Britain aboard a cruiser in October, leaving its aircraft behind to be handed over to the Soviets. In January 1943 the Squadron converted to the more capable Bristol Beaufighter, staying in the torpedo bomber role. After working up, it transferred to Algeria in June 1943, flying anti-shipping strikes over the Mediterranean until it returned to the United Kingdom in August. It continued anti-shipping operations over the North Sea from RAF Wick in Scotland, moving to RAF Davidstow Moor in Cornwall in May 1944 in preparation for Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy, where it was tasked with protecting the invasion forces from German E-boats. It moved to RAF Strubby in Lincolnshire in July for operations against E-boats and German convoys off the Dutch coast. In September it moved to Banff, Aberdeenshireas part of the Banff Strike Wing, for operations off Norway. In January 1945, the squadron abandoned the torpedo role, concentrating in anti-flak suppression for the Strike Wing. It disbanded on 25 May 1945 at RAF Dallach | |
No.185 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 21st October 1918 Fate : Disbanded 1st May 1943 Ara fejn hu - Look where it is | No.185 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available. | |
No.207 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st April 1918 Fate : Disbanded 30th June 1984 Semper paratus - Always prepared | No.207 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available. | |
No.21 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 23rd July 1915 Fate : Disbanded 31st January 1976 Viribus vincimus - By strength we conquer | No.21 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available. | |
No.408 Sqn RCAF Country : Canada Founded : 15th June 1941 Fate : Disbanded 5th September 1945 Goose. For freedom 2nd RCAF Squadron to be formed overseas. | No.408 Sqn RCAF Full profile not yet available. | |
No.415 Sqn RCAF Country : Canada Founded : 20th August 1941 Fate : Disbanded 15th May 1945 Swordfish Ad metam - To the mark | No.415 Sqn RCAF Full profile not yet available. | |
No.420 Sqn RCAF Country : Canada Founded : 19th December 1941 Fate : Disbanded 5th September 1945 Snowy Owl Pugnamus finitum - We fight to the finish | No.420 Sqn RCAF Full profile not yet available. | |
No.44 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 15th April 1916 Fate : Disbanded 21st December 1982 Rhodesia Fulmina regis justa - The Kings thunderbolts are righteous | No.44 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available. | |
No.455 Sqn RAAF Country : Australia Founded : 6th June 1941 Fate : Disbanded 25th May 1945 Strike and strike again | No.455 Sqn RAAF Full profile not yet available. | |
No.489 Sqn RNZAF Country : New Zealand Founded : 12th August 1941 Fate : Disbanded 1st August 1945 Coastal Command Whakatanagata kia kaha - Quit ye like me, be strong | No.489 Sqn RNZAF Full profile not yet available. | |
No.49 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 15th April 1916 Fate : Disbanded 1st May 1965 Cave canem - Beware of the dog | No.49 Sqn RAF 49 Squadron was formed on 15th April 1916, during the First World War. In the course of the war, it flew DH4 and DH9 aircraft before disbanding in July 1919. Reformed in 1936, they flew Hind and Hampdens before war broke out in 1939. It was in a Hampden of 49 Sqn that Roderick Learoyd won the first Victoria Cross awarded to Bomber Command, when on the night of 12th August 1940, he and four other aircraft attempted to breach the heavily defended Dortmund-Ems canal. The squadron transferred to Manchesters and Lancasters, and after the war to Lincolns, before being disbanded once again on 1st August 1955. Less than a year later, on 1st May 1956, the squadron were reformed, equipped with Valiant V-Bombers of Britain's nuclear deterrent programme, but exactly nine years later, with the aircraft grounded, the squadron disbanded for the last time. | |
No.50 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 15th May 1916 Fate : Disbanded 31st March 1984 From defence to attack | No.50 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available. | |
No.519 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 7th August 1943 Fate : Disbanded 31st May 1946 Undaunted by weather | No.519 Sqn RAF No. 519 Squadron was formed on 15 August 1943 at RAF Wick from 1406 Flight, equipped with Handley Page Hampdens and Supermarine Spitfires. Its purpose was collecting meteorological data from the northern waters of the North Sea all the way to Norway. It soon replaced the Hampdens with Lockheed Hudsons and Lockheed Venturas. The squadron base moved on a number of times along the east coast of Scotland but the squadron's role remained the same. In November 1944 the squadron started using the Boeing Fortress,(These aircraft went when the Lend-Lease arrangements expired after the war ) With the war over the squadron standardised on the Halifax Mk.III, until it was disbanded at RAF Leuchars on 31 May 1946 | |
No.521 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st August 1941 Fate : Disbanded 1st April 1946 Undaunted by weather | No.521 Sqn RAF 521 Squadron was formed on the 1st August 1941 from No 1401 Flight at Bircham Newton, it continued to conduct meteorological reconnaissance duties. 521 Squadron flew Hudsons and Blenheims for North Sea patrol duties, Spitfires and Mosquitoes over Europe. It was disbanded when it was divided into Flights again, No's 1401 and 1409. But on the 1st September 1943 it was reformed in its previous role at Docking. 521 Squadron was re equipped with Hampdens, Hudsons and Gladiators, with Venturas arriving in December 1943. In August 1944 Hurricanes joined the Gladiators and Hudsons returned to replace the Venturas in September 1944. In December 1944 Flying Fortress IIs arrived for long range sorties and these were operated together with Mk IIIs from May 1945 until February 1946. Halifax Mk.III bombers replaced the Flying Fortresses in December 1945 and following the withdrawal of the Fortresses, 521 Squadorn was disbanded on 1st April 1946 at Chivenor. | |
No.61 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 25th July 1917 Fate : Disbanded 31st March 1958 Per prurum tonantes - Thundering through the clear sky | No.61 Sqn RAF On July 1917 at RAF Rochford in Essex No.61 Squadron was formed and along with two other squadrons formed the London Air Defence Area intended to counter the daylight air raids. 61 squadron was equipped with the Sopwith Pup. The squadron first went into action on 12 thAugust, when a formation of 10 German Gotha bombers were seen over the Thames. Sixteen Sopwith Pups of No.61 Squadron took off to intercept them and succeeded in turning the enemy back, but not before two bombs had been dropped near No.61s hangars on Rochford Aerodrome. In 1918, 61 squadron was re-equipped with SE5s. When the armistice had been signed and the war was over 61 squadron was disbanded on 13th June 1919. No. 61 Squadron was re-formed on 8th March 1937 as a bomber squadron, and initially flying Hawker Audax, then the Avro Anson, followed by the Bristol Blenheim and during World War II flew with No. 5 Group, Bomer Command flying the Handley Page Hampden. The squadrons first operational mission was on 25th December 1939. The squadron then was equipped with the Avro Manchester. The slow delivery of the Manchester meant that the squadron operated both aircraft from July 1941 when the first Manchesters arrived, through to October 1941 when the use of the last of the Hampdens stopped. The squadron struggled on with the Manchester before converting to the Avro Lancaster in 1942, which 61 squadron flew for the rest of the war. Four of its Lancasters; ED860 N-Nan, EE176, JB138, and LL483, each served on more than 100 operational sorties. Records show that in the case of the first three aircraft, the long road to their centuries included participation in the raid on 3/4 November 1943, when Flt Lt William Reid of No. 61 Squadron won the Victoria Cross. After the war No. 61 Squadron re-equipped with Avro Lincolns in May 1946 and saw action in Malaya during Operation Firedog and during the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya. In 1954 at RAF Wittering, 61 Squadron was equipped with the new English Electric Canberra. The Canberras of the squadron were used during the Suez Crisis in 1956. Finally on March 31st 1958, 61 squadron wasd disbanded. | |
No.7 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st May 1914 Per diem per noctem - By day and by night | No.7 Sqn RAF No.7 Squadron was formed 1st May 1914 at Farnborough as a Scout squadron, and went to France April 1915, equipped with the Vickers Gunbus. No.7 squadron saw service through the war with BE2c, RE5 and RE8 aircraft. The squadron pioneered the use of R/T (instead of normal W/T), using it operationally for the first time in October 1918. Disbanded at Farnborough on 31st December 1919 it reformed at Bircham Newton on 1st June 1923 equipped with Vickers Vimy bombers. These were replaced by the Vickers Virginia after moving to Worthy Down in April 1927. Between the wars No.7 squadron was equipped with various aircraft including the Handley Page Heyfords, Vickers Wellesleys and Armstrong Whitworth Whitleys and became the leading bomber squadron, winning the Laurence Minot Memorial Bombing Trophy more than any other squadron. At the outbreak of World War II, the squadron was equipped with Handley Page Hampdens, until August 1940, when it equipped with the RAF's first four engined bomber, the Short Stirling Mk I - becoming the first RAF squadron to be equipped with four engined bombers. The first raid by No.7 was 10th February 1941 on Rotterdam. The squadron settled down to a night bombing role, adding mine laying to its duties in 1942. Later with four other squadrons, it formed the nucleus of the new Pathfinder Force, its task to find and accurately mark targets with flares. In May 1943, the Stirling (which was handicapped by a low operational ceiling - it had to fly through flak rather than over it) was gradually replaced by the Avro Lancaster, which No.7 used in Peenemunde in August. From June1944 and until the end of the war, the squadron also undertook a daylight operational role in support of land forces in France and the low countries, and against V-1 and V-2 sites. No.7 squadron flew to Singapore in January 1947, and converted to Avro Lincolns, seeing action against Communist terrorists in Malay, during 'Operation Firedog'. Returning to UK, having won the Laurence Minot Memorial Bombing Trophy outright for the eighth time it was disbanded 1st January 1956. Reforming in November of the same year with the Vickers Valiant 'V' bomber. Disbanded on 30th September 1962, it was reformed in May 1970 at RAF St. Mawgan on target provision duties. Equipped with the English Electric Canberra, the squadron provided targets for the Army and Navy anti aircraft guns. They also provided silent targets for radar station practice. On 12th December 1981 the squadron was again disbanded, reforming soon after as the second operational Boeing Vertol Chinook helicopter Squadron on 2nd September 1982. | |
No.83 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 7th January 1917 Fate : Disbanded 31st August 1969 Strike to defend | No.83 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available. | |
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Died : 6 / 7 / 1941