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RAF Mildenhall
RAF Mildenhall situated in Suffolk was Headquarters No 3 Group, RAF Bomber Command.
Today the base is still in use, home to the USAAF.
Squadrons stationed at RAF Mildenhall
- 15 Squadron. April 1943 to 1945
- 75 Squadron Aug 1942 to Nov 1942
- 419 Squadron. 15 Dec 41 to 13 Aug 42.
- No: 622 Squadron. April 1943 to 1945
3rd September 1939 Sent to France At the outbreak of War, no.73 Squadron was immediately deployed to Vassincourt, east of Rheims in France, attached to the Advanced Air Striking Force.
historyofwar.org
3rd September 1939 Sent to France
3rd September 1939 On the move
3rd September 1939 On the move
6th Oct 1939 Recconaissance
7th Oct 1939 Recconaissance
8th Oct 1939 Recconaissance
3rd Dec 1939 Ops
18th December 1939 Aircraft Lost The British Air Ministry decided to launch an attack on German surface ships to prevent them supporting the U-boats in the North Atlantic. Wellington bomber squadrons had undertaken a number of sweeps over the North Sea during October and November against any enemy shipping. On 18th December 1939, a force of 24 Wellington bombers – nine from no.9 Squadron at Honington, six from 37 Squadron at Feltwell, and nine from 149 Squadron at Mildenhall – was sent to attack German ships in the Heligoland Bight and sink or damage as many as possible. The mission was a disaster.
The Wellingtons took off for the daylight raid around 0930, led by the C/O of 149 Squadron, Wing Commander Richard Kellet. Two of the aircraft turned back early, leaving 22 Wellingtons to fly on to the target area. No German ships were found at sea. Several German Navy warships were sighted in Wilhelmshaven Harbour, but orders had been given not to bomb the port area in case civilians were hit, so the Wellingtons turned for home.
The theory was that the well armed Wellington had the fire power to defend itself from attack by fighters, especially if they were flying in tight formation. However the 22 aircraft on this return flight were strung out in a straggle when they were intercepted by 44 Luftwaffe fighters – a mixture of Me Bf 110s and Bf 109s. In the battle that followed 10 were shot down, two ditched in the sea before reaching the English coast and three more crash landed in East Anglia - a total loss of 68% of the force. 56 RAF aircrew were killed and five were taken prisoner. 37 Squadron lost five of its six aircraft shot down and 9 Squadron also lost 5 aircraft. The aircraft and crews lost were:
9 Squadron:
- N2939 Crashed off Wilhelmshaven
- Pilot: F/O John Thomas Irvine Challes
- 2nd Pilot: P/O Alistair Hugh Richmond Bourne
- Observer: Sgt Frank Michael Mason
- Wop/AG: Sgt Thomas Henry English
- AG: LAC Gurth Ernest Cox
- AG: AC1 Alexander Telfer
- N2940 Crashed off Wilhelmshaven
- Pilot: P/o Eric Francis Lines
- 2nd Pilot: Flt Sgt Alfred Kitto Fearnside
- WOp/AG: AC1 Edward Malcolm George Polhill
- AG: LAC Alex Morrison Dickie
- AG: AC2 Clifford Walker
- N2941 Crashed off Wilhelmshaven
- Pilot: F/O Douglas Bellamy Allison
- 2nd Pilot: F/O Donald Charles Ephraim Bailey
- Observer: Sgt John Archibald Brister
- Air Bomber: Sgt Joseph Buglasi Adamson Turnbull
- Wop/AG: Sgt Reginal Thomas Black
- AG: LAC Albert George Goodenough
- N2872 Crashed off Wilhelmshaven
- Pilot: Squadron Ldr Archibald John Guthrie
- 2nd Pilot: P/O John Edgar Atkinson
- Observer: Sgt Harold Walter Tyrrell
- Wop/AG: LAC Thomas Leo Marlin
- Wop/AG: Sgt Bertie Joseph Pickess
- AG: LAC Josias Melville Fletcher Key
- N2983 Badly damaged by gunfire and Crashed off Cromer, Norfolk. Four survivors were picked up by a trawler.
- Pilot: Sgt Jack Richardson Ramshaw DFM – injured
- 2nd Pilot: Sgt Robert Hewitt – injured
- Wop/AG: LAC D.J.Connolly – injured
- AG: LAC Walter Lilley – killed
- AG: AC1 Charles Ronald Driver DFM - injured
- N2871 badly damaged and made forced landing at RAF North Coates Fitties
- N2873 badly damaged and made forced landing at RAF Sutton Bridge, two crew injured.
37 Squadron:
- N2904 LF-B Last reported with the Starboard wing burning furiously and heading out to sea off Wilhelmshaven.
- Pilot: Squadron Ldt Ian Victor Hue-Williams
- 2nd Pilot: Flt Lt Thomas Gaufrey Wearmouth Appleby
- Observer: F/O Arthur Richard Vaughan Williams
- Wop/AG: Sgt Alister Raymond Norris
- Wop/AG: LAC John Arundel Barstow
- AG: LAC Ernest Lowe
- N2888 LF-A crashed into the sea off Borkum Island
- Pilot: F/O Peter Arabin Wimberley - survived and taken PoW
- Observer: Sgt Leslie Alfred Sheppard - killed
- Navigator: P/O Michael Ratcliffe - killed
- Wop/AG: AC1 Alexander Maxwell Hill - killed
- AG: LAC Alfred William Walter Lane - killed
- N2889 LF-P Broke up in the air and crashed into the sea off Borkum following a sustained attack by Lt. Helmut Lent of 3./ZG-76.
- Pilot: F/O Oliver John Trevor Lewis RAAF
- Observer: Sgt Maurice William Barrington-Taylor
- Wop/AG: LAC Peter Thomas Jones
- Wop/AG: P/O Roderick Menzie Ross
- AG: AC1 George Warne Geddes
- N2935 LF-H Shot down out to sea off Wilhelmshaven: three of the crew are buried in the Sage War Cemetery but two were missing and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
- Pilot: F/O Arthur Telford Thompson
- Navigator: P/O Matthew Infield Drawwater
- Observer: Sgt Alfred John Tilley
- Wop/AG: Cpl Wilson Robinson
- AG: LAC Leonard Arthur Stock
- N2936 LF-J Crashed Borkum Islands.
- Pilot: Sgt Herbert Ruse – survived and taken PoW.
- Observer: Sgt Thomas William Holley – killed and buried on Sage War Cemetery
- Wop/AG: Sgt Thomas K.May – survived and taken PoW.
- Wop/AG: Cpl Frederick James Taylor - killed and buried on Sage War Cemetery
- AG: LAC Harry Jones – survived and taken PoW.
149 Squadron:
- N2961 Ditched off Cromer Norfolk. There were no survivors
- F/O Michael Franklin Briden
- P/O W.S.F.Brown
- Sgt Valentine Henry Garner Richardson
- AC2 A.G.Foster
- AC1 Isaac Davidson Leighton
- AC1 Peter John Warren
- N2962 OJ-B Shot down and crashed into the North Sea. All reported missing and commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial
- P/O Fred Norman Lines
- F/O James Heggie Cumming Speirs
- AC2 William James Ellis
- Sgt Richard Robin Hammond
- LAC John Humble Sinton
A direct outcome of this air battle was the decision to fit Wellingtons with armour plate and self-sealing fuel tanks to make them more robust. Another outcome was that this was the last unescorted daylight bombing raid undertaken by Bomber Command until the closing stages of the war.
Wellington N2980 which was flown by the 149 Squadron crew of Squadron Ldr P.I.Harris is an exhibit in the Brooklands Museum.
18th December 1939 Aircraft Lost
2nd January 1940 Two Wellingtons loston recce
18th January 1940 Ground accident
2nd March 1940 Crashed shortly after take-off
12th April 1940 Attack on Stavanger
21st April 1940 Crash Landing in Jutland
10th May 1940 War over Holland
23rd May 1940 Navigation error
11th June 1940 Raid on Soissons
12th July 1940 Wellington lost
10th February 1941 Operation Colossus
17th Mar 1941 Aircraft Lost
18th March 1941 Feature film made at operational base.
31st March 1941 Aircraft Lost
12th Aug 1941 Aircraft Lost
November 1941 Conversion to Stirlings
4th Jan 1942 Aircraft Arrive
11th Jan 1942 Operations
15th Jan 1942 Accident
21st January 1942 Training flight created
22nd Jan 1942 Haze
28th Jan 1942 Aircraft Arrive
29th Jan 1942 Poor Weather
30th Jan 1942 Poor Weather
31st Jan 1942 Poor Conditions
1st Feb 1942 Poor Weather
2nd Feb 1942 Poor Weather
3rd Feb 1942 Poor Weather
4th Feb 1942 Stand by
5th Feb 1942 Stand by
6th Feb 1942 Poor Conditions
7th Feb 1942 Stand by
8th Feb 1942 Aircraft Arrive
9th Feb 1942 Stand by
10th Feb 1942 Cloud
11th Feb 1942 Stand by
12th Feb 1942 Aircraft Missing
13th Feb 1942 Aircraft Arrives
14th Feb 1942 Aircraft Arrive
15th Feb 1942 Training
16th Feb 1942 Aircraft Arrives
18th Feb 1942 Leaflets
19th Feb 1942 Aircraft Arrives
20th Feb 1942 Aircraft Arrives
21st Feb 1942 Training
22nd Feb 1942 Training
23rd Feb 1942 Training
24th Feb 1942 Training
25th Feb 1942 Training
26th Feb 1942 Training
27th Feb 1942 Training
28th Feb 1942 Visit
1st Mar 1942 Poor Visibility
2nd Mar 1942 Poor Weather
3rd Mar 1942 Raid
4th Mar 1942 Stand Down
5th Mar 1942 Training
6th Mar 1942 Training
7th Mar 1942 Stand Down
8th Mar 1942 Raids
9th Mar 1942 Operations
10th Mar 1942 Raid
11th Mar 1942 Stand Down
12th Mar 1942 Training
13th Mar 1942 Training
14th Mar 1942 Training
15th Mar 1942 Training
16th Mar 1942 Training
17th Mar 1942 Training
18th Mar 1942 Training
6th April 1942 Squadron makes short move
9th Apr 1942 419 squadron Lancaster lost
15th August 1942 Relocation
24th September 1942 Relocated
28th September 1942 Daylight bombing
October 1942 Re-equipped
3rd October 1942 Wellington lost
7th October 1942 Fighter attack
8th November 1942 Moved again
16th October 1942 Two Wellingtons lost
22nd October 1942 Wireless Operator killed
25th October 1942 Lost in a storm
29th October 1942 Wellingtons lost on daylight raid
1st November 1942 Mine-laying
April 1943 On the Move
26th Jul 1943 15 Squadron Stirling lost
19th Nov 1943 622 Squadron Stirling lost
January 1944 Lancasters
21st January 1944 Wall of Flak
29th Jan 1944 15 Squadron Lancaster lost
25th Mar 1944 15 Squadron Lancaster lost
21st Apr 1944 15 Squadron Lancaster lost
30th Apr 1944 15 Squadron Lancaster lost
25th May 1944 15 Squadron Lancaster lost
June 1944 Specialist radar
1st Jun 1944 15 Squadron Lancaster lost
8th Jun 1944 Lancaster lost
8th Jun 1944 Lancaster lost
13th Jun 1944 15 Squadron Lancaster lost
13th Jun 1944 15 Squadron Lancaster lost
15th Jun 1944 15 Squadron Lancaster lost
6th Jul 1944 15 Squadron Lancaster lost
20th Jul 1944 582 Squadron Lancaster lost
13th Sep 1944 15 Squadron Lancaster lost
24th Sep 1944 15 Squadron Lancaster lost
4th Dec 1944 15 Squadron Lancaster lost
29 Jan 1945 15 Squadron Lancaster lost
10th May 1945 Transport role
If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
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Those known to have served at RAF Mildenhall during the Second World War 1939-1945. - Bate Howard Joseph. Flight Sergeant (d.16th Nov 1944)
- Booth Alfred Stanley. Sgt. (d.16th Nov 1944)
- Braithwaite James Edward. F/Lt.
- Brophey Burt Orval. Sgt. (d.27th March 1944)
- Burns Harold Edward. F/O.
- Cave John.
- Clayton Henry. Sgt. (d.16th Nov 1944)
- Culpan Johnny William Rae. Sgt
- Dowse .
- Earley DFM MID.. Bernard. F/Lt. (d.2nd Nov 1944)
- Franklin James Joseph. Sgt. (d.16th Nov 1944)
- Gordon-Watkins DSO DFC DFM. William David. Wing Cdr.
- Grainger Lawrence.
- Gray Leonard.
- Hayward Frederick Arthur. F/Sgt. (d.8th June 1944)
- Hearn Douglas Charles Norman. F/S (d.16th Nov 1944)
- Jones C. G.. Sgt.
- Lynn John Christian. P/O (d.18th Aug 1941)
- McArthur Neil Max. Sgt.
- Medoza Michael Isaac Archibald. P/O (d.18th Aug 1941)
- Pugh Thomas Noel. Sgt. (d.16th Jan 1942)
- R. R. Henderson. P/O
- Reynolds George Lionel. F/Lt. (d.25th July 1944)
- Sanders Frederick George. Flt Lt (d.16th Nov 1944)
- Smith Albert Edward. Cpl.
- Sterrett K. K.. Sgt.
- Stevenson Charles. F/O (d.16th Nov 1944)
- Wilding Don.
- Wilkinson Victoria Madeline. LACW.
The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed,
please
Add a Name to this List
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Want to know more about RAF Mildenhall? There are:116 items tagged RAF Mildenhall available in our Library
These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War. |
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Wing Cdr. William David Gordon-Watkins DSO DFC DFM 15 Sqd Wing Cmdr Gordon-Watkins was the Commanding Officer of 15 Sqd. He was shot down on the 16th of November 1944 whilst piloting the lead bomber on a mission to Heinsburg. He was the only member of the crew to survive the incident and was captured and held as a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft 1. He had completed over 50 operations and had previously served with 149 sqd.
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Flt Lt Frederick George Sanders 15 Sqd (d.16th Nov 1944) F/L Frederick George Sanders RNZAF was flying as the navigator when Lancaster LS-U of 15 sqd was shot down, although he usually flew as a pilot. He was 22 years old and was the son of Frederick Baldwin Sanders, and of Lillie Sanders (nee Eagle), of Timaru, Canterbury, New Zealand. He is buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery in grave 5c19, alongside his crew mates.
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F/S Douglas Charles Norman Hearn w/op 15 Sqd (d.16th Nov 1944) I am looking for any information or anyone who may remember my Wife’s Uncle, Flight Sergeant (W.op/Air.Gnr) Douglas C N Hearn (Dougie) who was reported killed in action on 16/11/1944 in Lancaster III serial PB137 code LS-U from 15 Squadron.
The other members of the crew who were also reported killed in action were
Flt Lt (Nav) F G Sanders RNZAF,
F/O (Nav) C Stevenson RNZAF,
Sgnt (Bmb. Aim) A S Booth,
Sgnt (Flt.Eng) H J Bate,
Sgnt (Air.Gnr) J J Franklin,
Sgnt H Clayton
One member of the crew did manage to survive
Wing Commander (Pilot) W D G Watkins DSO DFC DFM
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Flight Sergeant Howard Joseph Bate 15 Sqd. (d.16th Nov 1944) Mr. Bate's widow is a friend of mine and she has told me how she never knew what has happened to him. I find that really sad and in this day and age, surely someone knows. She thinks that he was shot down over Heinzburg in Germany on 16th November 1944 and has heard nothing since apart from a letter sent on 26th September 1945 by the Ministry of Defence to tell her he was presumed dead. I have tried the British Legion . The R.A.F. etc and would really like to tell her what happened to him. She is an elderly lady now and I think that before she herself dies, she would find comfort in tracing where he lies.
update:
Howard Bate flew with the crew of Lancaster LS-U of 15 Squadron, serial number PB137. They took off as lead bomber from RAF Mildenhall at 13:35 on the 16th of November 1944 on a mission to Heinsburg. The aircraft was shot down by a German fighter and was set on fire, the aircraft broke up in mid air, only the pilot survived.
The crew were:
Wing Commander William David Gordon-Watkins DSO DFC DFM was the pilot. He was the Commanding Officer of 15 Sqd. He had completed over 50 missions and had previously served with 149 sqd. He was captured and held as a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft 1. He passed away in 1965.
The rest of the crew are buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery:
- Sgt Howard Joseph Bate
- F/O C.Stevenson RNZAF
- F/Lt F.G.Sanders RNZAF
- Sgt A.S.Booth
- Sgt J.J.Franklin
- Sgt H.Clayton
- F/S Douglas C.N.Hearn
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Sgt Johnny William Rae "Woofer" Culpan 149 Squadron My Dad, Johnny Cuplan, flew in Wellington Bombers. He was posted to No. 20 O.T.U. Lossiemouth from 24/4/1941 to 22/5/1941. From there he was posted to 149 Squadron at RAF Mildenhall from 4/6/1941 until his Wellington IC serial X9704 code OJ-B took off from RAF Mildenhall at 2329 on 18/19.08.41 on Ops to Duisburg and was shot down by a night fighter which fatally wounded P/O Mendoza and crashed at Haelen (Limbourgh) 5km NW of Roermond Holland.
Sadly two of dad's crew did not survive : 82988 P.O. (Air Gnr) Michael Isaac Archibald Mendoza of Chailey, Sussex and 89386 P.O. John Christian Lynn of Haslemere, Surrey.
The rest of the crew were taken P.O.W. : J/3755 P/O R.R. Henderson RCAF, POW No. 3728 Stalag Luft L3 Sagan and Belaria; 922752 Sgt C.G. Jones POW No. 23612 Stalag 357; 1250142 Sgt K.K. Sterrett POW No. 23613
Just prior to leaving NZ, Johnny, like all young airmen training to go to War, was doing his best to get his flying hours up. Sent up solo by an instructor to do just so, he was seen by another instructor barnstorming a garden party in Christchurch. Hence Johnny had the somewhat dubious title of being the first pilot in NZ considered for a court marshall, but due to the dior need for as many pilots as possible he was put to work in the kitchens peeling potatoes, told that the best he could hope for was to be made a Sgt.
Johnny (P.O.W. 23615) was a POW in Stalag Luft 1 Barth, Stalag Luft L3 Sagan, Belaria Stalag Luft L6 Heyderkrug. A very keen and capable rugby player, he was the NZ Rugby Skipper at Heyderkrug. Many of days were taken up with kicking a rugby ball within the compound. Kicking it very carefully, as if it did happen to land outside the compound everyone was sent back to their huts and one person chosen to retrieve the ball under the eagle eye of an armed guard. Being mindful of this, Johnny developed a very effective chip kick which he used effectively time and time again against oponents. One such oponent, a South African P.O.W. took note of this chip kick and asked Johnny to teach him the art of the chip kick and spent much of his time with Johnny honing his kicking skills. On return to NZ, Johnny and a few of his POW mates were seated in Eden Park watching the BOKS play the All Blacks. It was a low scoring game and 80 minutes was just about up - the score was equal.....when a penalty was given to the BOKS. The kick was spot on and the BOKs won much to the chagrin of the NZ rugby mad crowd. Yes, the BOK who kicked the penalty was the South African POW Johnny had taught to kick in camp....and that day Johnny was never allowed to forget, thanks to his POW mates, that he was the reason The All Blacks had lost
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P/O John Christian Lynn pilot 149 Sqd. (d.18th Aug 1941) John Lynn lost his life on Ops to Duisburg when his Wellington was shot down by a night fighter and crashed at Haelen in Holland. He is in Jonkerbos War Cemetery near Nijmegen in Holland, he was 31 years old and was married.
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P/O Michael Isaac Archibald Medoza air gunner. 149 Sqd. (d.18th Aug 1941) Michael Mendoza was fatally wounded on Ops to Duisburg when his Wellington was shot down by a night fighter and crashed at Haelen in Holland. He is in Jonkerbos War Cemetery near Nijmegen in Holland, he was 36 years old and was married.
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P/O R. Henderson R. 149 Sqd. P/O Henderson was taken POW when his Wellington was shot down by a night fighter whilst on Ops to Duisburg, it crashed at Haelen in Holland.
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Sgt. C. G. Jones 149 Sqd. Sgt Jones was taken POW when his Wellington was shot down by a night fighter whilst on Ops to Duisburg, it crashed at Haelen in Holland.
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Sgt. K. K. Sterrett 149 Sqd. Sgt Sterrett was taken POW when his Wellington was shot down by a night fighter whilst on Ops to Duisburg, it crashed at Haelen in Holland.
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Sgt. Thomas Noel Pugh 419 Sqdn. (d.16th Jan 1942) I have only been able to find details of my Uncle Tom on the CWGC website, I would love to learn more if anyone can help. He had only been married a short time and had no children, his wife Olive died 6 months after learning of his death.
Editor's Note: Tom was flying in Wellington Z1145 VR-A which took off from RAF Mildenhall at 18:10 on the 15th of Januray 1942. The Aircraft was severely battle damaged during the raid on Hamburg and was returning to base when both engines failed due to lack of fuel. The Wellington ditched at 02:10 on the 16th of Jan 1942 in the sea off Spurn Head. Two survivors, Sgt Cox and Sgt Lucas were picked up two hours later and taken to Grimsby Naval Hospital suffering from minor cuts and abrasions. The rest of the crew were lost at sea and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
The crew were:
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P/O T.G.Cottier RCAF
- Sgt L.C.Powell RCAF
- Sgt A.E.Cox RAF
- Sgt T.N.Pugh RCAF
- P/O C.H.Lomas RCAF
- Sgt J.A.H.Lucas RAF
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Sgt. Burt Orval Brophey 15 Squadron (d.27th March 1944) My uncle was a rear gunner in a Lancaster MK1 Bomber with the 15 Sqaudron flying out of Mildenhall. He was believed to have been killed over Essen Germany on a night raid. He only needed 2 more sorties to finish tour and he would have come home. If anyone has any information on how I might find out where I could collect flight logs of his missions that would helpful.
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Leonard Gray My Grandad Leonard Gray was in the RAF. On the back of one picture it had written Mildenhall 1944.
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F/Lt. George Lionel Reynolds 15 Sdqn. (d.25th July 1944) F/Lt. George Reynolds was stationed at RAF Mildenhall and on the night of 24/25th July 1944 the aircraft he was piloting, a Lancaster, failed to return from a bombing mission. He and his crew all perished.
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Cpl. Albert Edward Smith 419 Squadron I joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1940 age 18. I first trained as a Fitter IIE and was promoted to Corporal in April 1941. In December 1941 I was posted to RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk to work with the Royal Canadian Air Force, Squadron 419. I took charge of Wellington “H Harry†and its ground crew early in January 1942.
The foundation of 419 was set up by British ground staff but all aircrew were RCAF. Over the first few months of 1942 the British members were gradually replaced by Canadian ground crew and so I was posted on in June 1942. During my 6 months of service in charge of “H Harry†the aircraft was never lost. The last ops in which I was involved, and in which 419 fully participated, were the first two “1000 bomber†mass attacks. These occurred between May and early June 1942 with the first target being Cologne.
I took every opportunity to fly with the aircraft on air tests, cross-country practice flights etc. I kept a logbook which recorded some 40 hours and was signed by Squadron Leader Turner (I/C “A†flight). Unfortunately the log book was lost in the East Coast Flood of January 1953, I can no longer at 91 years of age recall the names of ‘H Harry’ air crews. However I do recall and remember well Wing Commander “Moose “ Fulton and Squadron Leader Turner, both of whom I flew with.
Looking back on those days when I was quite prepared to join the aircraft on air tests etc (minus parachute!), I realise now that I must have convinced the ‘ops’ aircrew that their aircraft was well maintained and thoroughly reliable.
Because of snowfall in early ’42, air craft and ground crews were moved temporarily to the satellite airfield with concrete runway at Lakenheath. Our accommodation was primitive. Water supply to our huts was frozen, hence we collected snow and melted it for drinking and washing.
Some events recalled...
One night on return from an operation the rear gunner failed to come out of ‘H Harry’. His turret was facing sideways with the doors open. A search was made in case he had fallen out on landing but there was no sign. He turned up later in the morning. Apparently as they crossed the British coast the skipper had said something like ‘Thank God we are safe if we have to bale out’. All the gunner heard was ‘bale out’ and he did. Landing in East Anglia he eventually located a farmhouse, was given a good breakfast and returned to base. Unfortunately I no longer remember his name.
One morning at Lakenheath, ‘H Harry’ having just been serviced, I was sitting in the pilot’s seat when a Wellington came over low and landed. As it did something hit and smashed the cockpit Perspex close to my head. I realised the damage was caused by the lead weight on the end of the trailing aerial which was normally wound in before landing. It turned out that the Wellington crew had made an emergency landing because their tail gunner was badly wounded and unconscious. Under the circumstances the damage to ‘H Harry’ was not mentioned.
One of the ground crew was replaced by a Canadian rigger. One morning in the aircraft he had idly fiddled with the ‘Very’ signal-pistol. Unaware that it was loaded he discharged it and set fire to the front of ‘H Harry’. Fortunately the burning fabric was rapidly dealt with but the damage took several days to repair.
Photos of ‘Q Queenie’ appeared to the war time public and in many books, then and since, about wartime aircraft. The series of photos of ‘Q Queenie’ in flight were taken by Charles Brown, an official photographer, who was on board ‘H Harry’ at the time. I accompanied Mr Brown that day and helped steady him and the bulky camera as he took the shots. The skipper’s manoeuvres around ‘Q Queenie’ resulted in some excellent images.
Incidentally, in one of the books on wartime aircraft there is a photo of Squadron Leader Turner and the aircrew lined up in front of ‘H Harry’. One of my flight mechanics also appears on the port wing. The photo is referenced as courtesy of Public Archives of Canada.
The Mark 1c Wellingtons were replaced in early Spring ’42 by the Mark 3. The first replacement Mark 3 was collected from a maintenance Unit in SW Scotland by Squadron Leader Turner. Because I had completed a two week course at Bristol on the Hercules engine and the Rotol electric propeller, Squadron Leader Turner took me with him and we were dropped off at the M.U. by one of our aircraft. I was wearing a Canadian overall (which I still have) and he told me to pocket my forage cap and we will all have lunch together in the M.U. Officers’ Mess. We then flew the Mark 3 back to Mildenhall.
One night I was knocked down by ‘H Harry’. I was leading the aircraft to its parking place after it landed from an op. The method was to lead in front with a torch in each hand, pointing back to the aircraft. Both the pilot and I were blinded by a sudden brilliant light aimed at us. I stopped quicker than the aircraft hence was knocked down under the fuselage rather than decapitated by one of the propellers. The pilot was Wing Commander Fulton in charge of ‘H Harry’ to lead that night’s 419 operation. In the morning he dealt with the fire crew who had stupidly operated their search light from their vehicle.
Early in ’42 the second pilot was withdrawn from the aircrews with the result that many skippers made sure that at least one of his crew was capable of taking over if vital. Practice was carried out by the aircrew during air-tests. On several occasions I too was allowed to take over the controls and on another occasion I was instructed and allowed (unofficially) by the skipper to taxi the aircraft.
As it is now 2015 there are probably records already of some of the events I have mentioned but whatever is known about the early years of 419, it is a pleasure to share my memories with you.
Brief wartime career info:
in 1942 I was posted from Mildenhall to RAF Orfordness, working as a technician for Civil Servant Scientific Officers (Bomb Ballistics & Firing Trails) at Orfordness Research Station.
In 1944 commissioned and served in Italy and the Middle East. Commanding Officer of a unit in Palestine.
In 1946 I was released from RAF, joined Orfordness Research Station. Also joined RAFVR (T) as Flight Luitenant officer and glider pilot instructor for ATC cadets (Air Training Corp, Cadets).
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Don Wilding I served in the RAF from 1943 until 1947, first as an electrician, then as a radar/mechanic/air in Bomber Command, then Transport Command. My main stations were at Tuddenham, Mildenhall, Upwood and Wymeswold. I was, at one time, with a Canadian squadron.
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Lawrence "Larry" Grainger Does anyone know what happened to Larry/Lawrence Grainger? He was a bomb aimer in the Canadian Air Force in WWII, based for a time in either Lakenheath or Mildenhall. He had a beautiful girlfriend called Stella.
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Dowse Looking for Dowse from USAF Sculthorpe, Lakenheath or Mildenhall 1944/45 or anyone who remembers Elsie Moulton from King's Lynn, Norfolk.
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F/Lt. Bernard Earley DFM MID. 15 Squadron. (d.2nd Nov 1944) Bernard Earley was the pilot of a Lancaster which was brought down over Erp, Holland on 2nd November 1944.
Update:
He was made a flight sergeant on 19.10.1942 and that he was awarded the DFM on 2.11.1944 while serving in 101 Squadron. Flying Officer Bernard Earley DFM, MID, was with 15 Sqdn when the Lancaster he was piloting was in collision with another 15 Sqdn aircraft on 2/11/44 whilst on operations to Homberg.
Lancaster I HK612 (LS-L) took off from RAF Mildenhall at 11.30 hours on a daylight raid on Homberg oil plant. The aircraft collided with Lancaster III PB115 (LS-W). Those who died are buried in Erp Roman Catholic Cemetery. They are:
- F/Lt B. Earley, DFM, MID (pilot)
- F/O J.E. Campbell (navigator)
- F/O F.J. Frearson (wop/airgunner)
- Sgt W. Hunter (flight engineer)
- P/O G.W. Lilley (airbomber)
- P/O A.A. Markovitch (flight engineer)
- W/O G.W. Morris (airgunner)
- F/Sgt P. Woollard (airgunner)
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F/O. Harold Edward "Bobbie" Burns 15 Squadron Harold Burns joined the RAAF in 1942. He then trained with the RCAF. On arrival in England he was transferred to the RAF. He trained at the No 3 Lancaster Finishing School at Feltwell. Harold joined a Lancaster crew as bombardier lead by pilot Ron Hastings. They served at Mildenhall with 15 Squadron. They survived 31 missions from 2nd of July 1944 to 2nd of December 1944. Their navigator Bob Smith kept a flight record of all their missions.
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LACW. Victoria Madeline Wilkinson My mother Victoria Wilkinson volunteered for the WAAFs in 1941 just after her 18th birthday. Her basic training was at Bridgnorth, Shropshire from 20th Oct 1941 to 3rd Nov 1941 as Aircraftwoman 2nd Class.
She served at Mildenhall from 4th Nov 1941 to 14th Jan 1942 as ACW2.
She then served at Exeter from 15th Jan 1942 to 5th Nov 1942 as ACW1 as a Billeting Clerk.
(She was an ACWI from 22nd Mar 1942 to 30th Mar 1944).
Victoria then trained at Hednesford, Staffordshire No. 6 School of Technical Training from 6th Nov 1942 to 30th Mar 43 as ACW1 FM (Flight Mechanic).
She served at 74 Wing from 1st Apr 1943 to 21st Jul 1943 as ACW1 Flight Mechanic Engines.
From 22nd Jul 1943 to 8th Feb 1944 she served at 527 Squadron at Castle Camps, Cambridge as an ACW FME.
She then served at 57 Operational Training Unit at Eshott, Northumberland from 9th Feb 1944 to 29th Jun 1945 as Leading Aircraft Woman FME.
(She was a LACW from 1st Apr 1944).
She served at 4024 Servicing Echelon at Hendon, Middlesex from 30th Jun 1945 to 15th Sep 1946 as LACW FME.
Victoria attended 105 Personnel Dispersal Centre at Wythall, Worcester on 16th Sep 1946 and received Class A release on 17th Sep 1946 which confirmed last day of service as 12th Nov 1946.
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John Cave I saw the story about John Sparrow and the book written in a Stalag. Perhaps I've got some information about this John Sparrow who served in the Royal Air Force in WW2.
The grandfather and the mother of my brother-in-law were resistance fighters during WW2. The grandfather was arrested by the Gestapo for that and he died in a camp in Germany. I've got a testimony about some actions like hiding the Royal Air Force aviators and helping them to leave France. At the end of the testimony it says, "I know that the aviators were hosted some days by Madam Duboisin in her parent's house who lived in Vireux-Wallerand."
The first pilot was Sergeant John Cave NZ 42321 RAF Stn Mildenhall in Suffolk I suppose and the second one was Sergeant John Sparrow 1396137 RAF Station Mildenhall in Suffolk.
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F/Sgt. Frederick Arthur Hayward 15 Squadron (d.8th June 1944) Frederick Hayward was born 7th of May 1916. During WW2 he served with 15 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Frederick married Gwendoline Freda Daw who was serving in the WAAF in 1942 at St Pancras. The marriage banns were read 5th of July 1942 Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire. There was one son from this marriage, Leslie Hayward born in 1943, at Poole, Dorset.
Frederick died 8th of June 1944 aged 28 years and is buried with others from his flight in a collective grave at Gambais Cemetery, France
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F/Lt. James Edward Braithwaite 622 Squadron   James Braithwaite was an American WW2 veteran, and flew in a Lancaster heavy bomber as a pilot for the RAF flying with 622 Squadron.
On 24th of September 1941, he took a physical, and interviewed with the Clayton Knight committee in Pasadena, California. He was recommended for pilot training. On 21st of October 1941 he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force (in Vancouver Canada). On 9th of October 1942, he received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, upon graduating from flight school number 4, course 58, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada. Following graduation he went on 20 days leave back to America on 10th of October 1942. He then attended Flight Instructor's School 2, in Vulcan, Alberta Canada and graduated from there 3rd of January 1943.
James stayed on in Canada as a flight instructor, teaching other cadets how to fly. In early November 1943, he shipped out to England
He was discharged from the RAF on 3rd of December 1943, and at the same time received a commission as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S Army Air Force. On 4th of December 1943, he was transferred (on paper) to the 8th Air Force, and then attached to the Royal Air Force, London.
On 6th of December 1943 he was assigned to the 12th Replacement Depot, Station 591, Tidworth, England, then 15th of February 1944 he started multi engine bomber training in short Stirling bombers at school 1653 HCU (Heavy Conversion Unit) at RAF Burn. 24th of April 1944 he started Lancaster finishing school 3 at RAF Feltwell. After finishing Lancaster training, he was posted to 622 Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, and was assigned to Lancaster LL782 (GI-H) to replace a pilot that was killed in action. He and his crew flew 10 successful missions, participating in the allied transportation plan (the systematic destruction of German and French transportation infrastructure in preparation for the Normandy invasion).
On their 11th mission 1st of May 1944 to Trappes, France, they were shot down by a German night fighter. One of Lancaster's engines was hit, the propeller blown off, plane and engine caught fire, and went into a dive. After regaining control, the 5 surviving crew members bailed out. The two rear gunners were killed in the attack. A third crew member, the flight engineer. fell to his death after bailing out. He lost his parachute, when the plane was hit, and he decided to hang onto the radio man, and they jumped together. When the chute opened, he lost his grip, and fell to his death.
My father, being the last out, was burned on the face, neck, and arms. He was turned over to the German authorities for medical treatment.
He spent 22 days in a Paris hospital, and then was sent to Stalag Luft 3.
Two of his crew evaded capture until France was liberated, but the radio man was captured, and ended up a POW as well. In February 1945 Stalag Luft 3 was evacuated, and the prisoners were marched to other Stalags.
He marched for 12 days, ending up at Stalag 7a, in Bavaria, where he stayed until being liberated on 29th of April 1945 by the U.S. Army.
Then on 7th of May 1945 the war in Europe was officially over.
Dad received a purple heart for his injuries 21st of May 1945 and on the 3rdof June 1945 had a full physical, including a mental exam at the 7th General Hospital in England. (The report stated that he lost 30 lbs while in captivity). He had a second interview 6th of June 1945, and was then transported by troop ship back to the USA. Upon arrival, he was given 75 days leave and told to report to the Army Air Force Base (AAF re-distribution Station 3) in Santa Anna California on 1st of September 1945 for re-assignment. By then, the war in the Pacific was also over. He was put on reserve status, and was assigned to an Air Reserve Unit. He stayed in the Reserves until 1965, when he was discharged with the rank of Major at age 49.
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