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Post by flyboy on Feb 5, 2015 17:45:32 GMT
WARTIME MEMORIES. RAF HARTFORD BRIDGE / RAF BLACKBUSHE.
During my time as Manager at Blackbushe I was privileged to meet and be contacted by many veterans who were based at the airfield during the wartime years. The recollections of events that they were able to tell me I found fascinating and I kept records of their stories ,with their agreement, for future publication. I have therefore now put together a selection of these unique records which I hope you will find of interest. They are exactly word for word as they related them to me, mainly in the 1990's and are in no particular order. Ranks shown could well have changed by the time the subjects had left the forces. I have included any of my own comments in brackets and also included some of their log book entries. My respect for them and all they did for our country will always remain. Stuart Marshall 28.10.14. ...................................................................................................................................
BRANDRETH Tony , Pilot , 613 Sqn, Mosquito Mk 6. Letter 24th May 1994.
I joined 613 Squadron at Hartford Bridge in November 1944 with my Navigator F/O Leslie Day, but we were there only a few days before the squadron flew away to Epinoy, near Cambrai, France on 19th November. Abiding recollections of that short period are our memorably miserable quarters comprising cold and very damp nissen huts in and around Yateley, a lot of Liberators coming in to land one day and a malfunctioning undercarriage when I was up on a night flying test --- it finally locked for landing but the tail wheel didn't.
Trips from Epinoy to England were often to RAF Blackbushe ( nb RAF Hartford Bridge changed to RAF Blackbushe on 9th December 1944 ) The black market currency in France comprised mainly cigarettes, coffee, bicycle tyres and inner tubes from England and from France , Chanel No 5 - so it was an 'anything to declare' challenge to face. Legend had it that the big operators declared bottles of champagne - but the bubbly therein was Chanel No.5.
Squadrons 613 + 107 + 305 formed 138 Wing of 2nd TAF and had been at Lasham prior to Hartford Bridge. Our Mosquito's were Mk 6's and 613 letters were SY + a letter for the particular aircraft.
613 was 'City of Manchester' Squadron and we had a sprinkling of Canadians in it. 107 was a Polish Squadron with a sprinkling of British.
Our squadron badge was a fleur - de - lys, the emblem of the Manchester Regiment - so the squadron put wings on it! .................................................................................................................................
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Post by flyboy on Feb 6, 2015 9:46:44 GMT
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MARETT James, Photographer, 16 Sqn. Letter 5th April 1994 and conversation notes.
In June 1943 I was an RAF Photographer with 16 Squadron which came to Hartford Bridge to join 140 Squadron and form 34 Reconnaissance Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force. At that time 16 Squadron operated Mustang Mk1 aircraft with the Allison engine and we were dispersed to the NW of the airfield on sandy soil. We received Spitfire Mk X1 aircraft in July 1943. We had quite a lot of losses on the Mustang which was not very reliable but things improved when the Spitfires arrived. We were equipped with a Brownhall photographic trailer and there were 70 photographers based in huts alongside the A30. The Photographic Reconnaissance Unit photographed the whole of the French coast so that the enemy was not aware of which part of the coast would be invaded on D-Day. ................................................................................................................................
DUCHOSSOY, J, Air Gunner, 342 Free French Squadron, Boston Bomber. Log Book Entries.
22.10.43 Boston 111 (B) Pilot Cmd. Gorrie, Self Air Gunner, Operation Charleroi Low level, Fighters and Very heavy flak, 3 German gun posts destroyed by machine gun fire, 1 plane shot down. Flying time Day 3hrs 10.
18.6.44 Boston 111 (B) Pilot C1 Gorrie, Self Air Gunner, Night Operation, Gare de Bolligny, Low Altitude High Risk, Heavy Massacre of German infantry by anti personnel bombs and machine gun fire. run out of Ammo. Flying time night 2hrs. 35.
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Post by flyboy on Feb 6, 2015 9:55:52 GMT
ATTENBOROUGH G F/LT Pilot 107&88 Squadrons Boston Bomber + Other Types.
Logbook Entries:-
107 Squadron
4.9.43 Boston (P), Pilot- Self + 3 Crew. Operation Amiens- Railway Yards Etc. Flying Time, Day, 1hr 50.
5.11.43 Oxford T1347, Pilot- Self+ 1 passenger. 2 Group Mail Run. Flying Time, Day, 2hr 00.
Interesting List Of Aircraft Flown Over A Short Period Of Time:-
1.8.44 Spitfire (C), Pilot -Self, Local Flying, Flying Time, Day, 00hr 30 2.8.44 Beaufighter (Q), Pilot-Self, 2nd Pilot F/O Mill, Approaches to Lancaster(S). Flying Time,Day,1hr 30 4.8.44 Halifax LW 243, Pilot -Self+ 3 crew, 12 Point Bomb Release Test. Flying Time, Day, 00hr 40 5.8.44 Beaufighter(O), Pilot-Self, 2nd Pilot F/Lt Duff. Approaches on Lancaster(S). Flying Time,Day,1hr 20 6.8.44 Beaufighter (Q),Pilot-Self, 2nd Pilot F/O Hutt, Approaches on(S). Land Ipswich Flying Time,1hr 40 8.8.44 Lancaster (G), Pilot S/L Sutton +Self,2nd Pilots F/O Mills,F/S Simpson.To Hartford Bridge,00hr 40 10.8.44 Oxford (X) Pilot -Self, 2nd Pilot F/O Hathaway, Swanton Morley Rtn. Flying Time 2hr 00 11.8.44 Boston1V (T), Pilot- Self +2 crew, Local, Flying Time 00hr 30
88 Squadron
29.9.44 Boston IV(C),Pilot Self,+3 Crew. Operation Gleben (111Reich), Land Manston, Flying Time,Day,3hr 30
2.10.44 BostonIv(A), Pilot Self +3 Crew, Operation 3 miles N. Njimegen, Flying Time ,Day, 3hr 15
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Post by flyboy on Feb 6, 2015 9:59:42 GMT
McLATCHIE Gordon, Pilot, 418 RCAF (City of Edmonton) Squadron, Mosquito. Letter 12.11.94.
418 Squadron which was newly attached to the 2nd TAF arrived at Blackbushe on November 21st 1944 and moved onto Coxyd, Belgium on 15th March 1945. I had served as a flying instructor with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Canada for 22 months before getting my overseas posting ,and on arriving on the squadron found that most of the pilots were ex-instructors. The majority of the Navigators were English boys. The squadron was called to operational duties on Christmas morning 1944 to assist at the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes. Due to very heavy fog that day and for all the following week, none of the aircraft were able to get into the air. The first operational flights were made on New Years Eve. I made my first operational flight on Jan 3rd.
The squadron participated in 'Operation Clarion' on February 22nd 1945, when it was reported that some seven thousand allied aircraft would be ranging over the Continent that day to disrupt all manner of movement by the Germans on the roads, railways and canals. As it turned out this was to be the only daylight operation that we were involved in.
Thirteen Mossies took off at 11.15 hrs that morning , each with a particular target to seek out and destroy. Navigator F/O Anthony Timpson and I were sent off as a spare crew and we flew thirteenth in an echelon starboard formation very low over the North Sea, across the Frisian Islands and into Holland. We could watch all the wing tanks being jettisoned from the other 12 Mossies before making land. Our Mosquito TH-J had not been fitted with wing tanks. We were led on the operation by the Commanding Officer W/C Jack Wickett and his Navigator F/O w Jessop. Very shortly after crossing into Holland W/C Wickett broke radio silence and simply said 'we are going down'. They were taken prisoners of war by the Germans.
F/O Anthony Timpson and I had been briefed to take out a bridge at the town of Haren on the Ems river just inside Germany. At 13.07 we made a diving attack on the bridge with eleven second delay bombs and were able to watch the structure collapse as we made a climbing turn away from the location. Our remaining fuel was such that we were obliged to land at Bradwell Bay on the east coast of England to refuel before returning to Blackbushe.
Casualties that day were two crews killed and two crews taken prisoner. Several Mossies returned with damage due to hitting ducks from low flying over flooded Holland.
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Post by flyboy on Feb 6, 2015 10:03:11 GMT
WATT John 'Uncle', Pilot, 162 Squadron, Mosquitoes. Letters April - July 1994.
I was stationed at Blackbushe for a short period with 162 Squadron when it was transferred to Transport Command as a fast carrier unit in Europe. In the month of June 1945, before being transferred to 139 Squadron, I did ten mail trips, also the squadron (162) had its first casualty. The crew being killed.
The 162 Squadron 'detachment', as it was known then, was under the command of my flight commander S/Ldr RC McDermott, 'Mac' with F/Lt BHB Hopkins as his flight commander. The initial A.D.L.S flights were to Belgiun, Germany and Norway. Aerodromes using code numbers as B58,Y80 and B116. The Far East route was coming into being when I was posted to 139 Squadron though at the time we were operating to the Mediterranean. P/O Henley (NZ) took ill on one of these trips, and when flown back to the UKwas killed with others when a Dakota went in.
One special duty, I remember, was that the squadron had to take a letter to Berlin, to advise Mr Churchill that he lost his seat in the Election and was no longer the PM. This being during the Posdam Conference. The Duty Pilot was F/Lt J Richards and he had the honour of flying to Berlin. Yours truly hoping that he would have engine trouble or something - being No. 2 duty pilot- but the maintenance was too good, this unique opportunity going to Richards.
Logbook Entry:-
10.6.45 Mosquito KB477(A), Pilot -Self, Navigator -P/O Conford, Mail Run for SHAEF, Base-Brussels-Wiesbaden-Brussels-Base Flying Time,Day,3hr 55.
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Post by flyboy on Feb 6, 2015 10:06:34 GMT
CHINNEL Jack, Air Gunner 226 Squadron Mitchell Bomber
Logbook Entry:-
16.10.44 Time 15.15, Mitchell FV916 (L), Pilot F/O Harvey, Air Gunner- Self, Vitry- Hartford Bridge Flying Time,Day, 1hr 15.
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Post by flyboy on Feb 6, 2015 10:09:20 GMT
WATTS Kay, Aircraft Woman Second Class WAAF
I joined the Womens Auxiliary Air Force during the summer of 1942, and after several weeks of basic training , I went on the intensive driving course in the North of England, passing the theory and practical exams by the skin of my teeth, with the rank, after all this sweat and toil, precisely the same as the day I joined - that of Aircraft Woman Second Class.
After serving as a driver at various camps and RAF establishments, a posting came through for me to pack my kit bag and move on once more, this time to the South of England to RAF Station - Hartford Bridge.
My duties at the Transport Section from then onwards were mostly interesting and varied and ranged from conveying RAF and WAAF personnel of all ranks to and from their posts of duty or at other times, driving stores and an assortment of equipment to various places on and off the camp, and there was always the regular daily routine run of driving a lorry laden with rations from the food stores to the kitchens of the Officers, Sergeants and Airmens 'Messes' , the latter also providing for the WAAF personnel.
The WAAF billets constructed of corrugated metal which housed on average a dozen girls , were close to a little road which ran away from the airfield in the direction of the 'Communal Site' where the various dining huts were built. There also was the NAAFI canteen, a gymnasium, camp cinema, station sick quarters and an assortment of other huts and concrete buildings which served to help in making our off-duty hours as pleasant and comfortable during this often harsh and austere, though mainly happy way of life.
Here stood the WAAF hairdressers shop and barbers. The library, and a tailors shop, where alterations and repairs could be made to uniforms and next door a boot and shoe repair shop - all of these establishments being run by RAF and WAAF personnel who had worked on these particular trades in civilian life before being called up for war service.
One of the most necessary of these places was the Bicycle Store and repair depot - bicycle was issued and signed for on our arrival at the camp which we took on charge and which , shame on me having to report, we generally abused and misused....
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Post by flyboy on Feb 6, 2015 10:12:59 GMT
HINES 'Dal', F/O, Gunner, 226 Squadron, Mitchell Bomber.
Logbook Entries:-
13.6.44. Time 20.10, Mitchell FW160, P/O Wright- Pilot, Self- Gunner. Operation (No.2), Ramrod On 21st Panzers In SupportOf 51st Highlanders, Just Across Orne River (Piece Of Cake).
24.6.44. Mitchell FW127, P/O Wright, Self- Gunner. Operation (No.9) Ramrod On Chateau De Ansenne, Nr Bouillan Court - Noball Headquarters. Heavy Flak Very Close To Us ( Hot Spot. Shaky Do!) Flying Time , Day, 1hr 45.
6.8.44 Time 18.55, Mitchell FW196 (E), P/O Wright - Pilot, Self- Gunner, Operation (No.25)Half Way Mark, Hottest Trip Of My Career To Date. Ramrod On Tank Harbour 6 Miles SE Of Thury Harcourt. Encountered Old Enemies 21st Panzers. Flak Very Heavy, Accurate Intense- Perfect Hell. Fifteen Flak Holes. Forced Down In France(B6)Due To Starboard Engine Being Hit. 17 Out Of 18 A/c Hit By Flak. 6 Forced Down In France. Flying Time , Day, 1hr 35. (n.b Aircraft And Crew Returned Base Next Day -Ed).
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Post by flyboy on Feb 6, 2015 10:16:00 GMT
BEMONT R.P CBE, DSO*, DFC*, DL, FRAeS. W/Cdr, Pilot, 150 Wing, Newchurch , Tempest V
The occasion was a 'Field Investiture' (at Hartford Bridge ) on 5th July 44. Buck Fieldman (from Alberqueque, New Mexico) was a pilot of No.3 Squadron in 150 Wing, RAF Newchurch, Kent of which I was the W/Cdr ( Hawker Tempest V's).
I attended this investiture (for an 'immediate bar to the DSO')as well, and flew my Tempest to RAF Lasham. shooting down a V1 near Eastbourne on the way and damaging another, according to my log book.
The landing at Lasham was because all movements were banned at Blackbushe during the Royal visit.
After the Investiture I was presented to King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth together with other fighter and bomber leaders, in the Mess. The Queen was most gracious and approachable.
It was unusual , possibly unique, for a foreign serviceman to be decorated personally by the Monarch. It was normally done by a station or sector commander.
'Buck' shot down 13 V1flying bombs.
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JONES DW, P/O, Navigator, 418 Squadron, Mosquitoes.
Logbook Entries:-
9.2.45 Time 17.55 Mosquito (Z), Pilot F/Lt Walker, Self- Navigator, Operations (7th), Venlo- Cologne - Munchen Gladbach, Bombed Elsdorf. Flying Time, Night, 3hr 35.
24.2.45 Time 02.30 Mosquito (K), Pilot F/Lt Walker, Self- Navigator, Operations (10th) Dusseldorf - Gladbach - Venlo - Xanten, 1 Train Damaged. Flying Time, Night, 3hr 40.
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Post by flyboy on Feb 6, 2015 10:21:06 GMT
HADLAND 'Dougie', F/Lt, 162 & 692 Squadrons, Mosquitoes Letters July-August 1944
I was with 162 Squadron, 8 Group (Pathfinder Force) at Bourne, which was a Mosquito squadron. Very soon after VE Day a number of us were posted to Blackbushe, to fly diplomatic mail to Brussels, Wiesbaden and Oslo. Our CO W/Cdr Sewell told us we were to fly down in formation and generally 'put on a good show', but having operated mainly at night and as individuals, formation flying was not our strong point. Hence we approached Blackbushe well spread out and I recall arrived in the circuit at the same time as a number of American (manufactured) aircraft were trying to land. I am not too sure if they were Bostons or Mitchells but I do remember, we had trouble with them thereafter. Their procedure was to do the 'run up and checks' just prior to turning onto the runway for take-off, so if we were unfortunate enough to taxi out behind them , we would be stopped just short of the runway being showered with 'muck and derision' from the slip-stream and at times 'boiling over'.
On 16th September 1945, F/O Phillips and F/O 'Dick' Sergeant crashed into high ground near Dortmund, Germany, one of the dropping points for 'Operation Jane', and both were killed. Dick and I had been close friends for a long period of our RAF service and his death at this juncture , after surviving the war, was very hard to take. I was called upon to see his parents who I knew well and that was not easy either.
'Operation Jane' may need some explanation. 'Jane' was a famous strip cartoon character in the Daily Mirror newspaper, she was a beautiful girl whose daily cartoon activities nearly always ended in Jane being in a scantily clad predicament of some sort. She was an idol of the WWII troops and to maintain Army moral, 'newspaper drops' to various troop locations were added to the Diplomatic Mail deliveries being made by Mosquitos, from Blackbushe. These drops were made at low level and were called 'Operation Jane'.
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