1 Jan 1941
Operations: BOMBING ATTACKS AGAINST TARGETS N.35 AND D.1
Seven Wellington aircraft of this unit were detailed to carry out individual bombing attacks against the above targets. One of these aircraft, captained by P/O Hankins, returned to base owing to starboard engine trouble and bombs were jettisoned in North Sea about 50 miles due east of Yarmouth. Intense, inaccurate, light and heavy AA fire was experienced in parts of target areas. Searchlights were intense but inaccurate, and no enemy aircraft were encountered. Weather was fairly clear over target areas, but cloud was experienced at various parts of route.
1750 – 2250 R.1162 P/O Lockwood N.35 / N.35 CAR.161
1755 – 0005 T.2503 P/O Falconer N.35 / N.35 CAR.409
1750 – 2345 N.2854 Sgt. Wilson N.35 / N.35 CAR.581
1800 – 2300 T.2547 Sgt Drayton N.35 / N.35 CAR.658
1700 – 2215 T.2550 P/O McNamara D.1 / D.1 CAR.811
1715 – 2145 L.7848 Sgt. White D.1 / D.1 CAR.992
1710 – 1940 R.3166 P/O Hankins D.1 / —- CAR.581
Training: Nothing of importance occurred today.
Acting Ranks:
P/O D. McKay and P/O E. Roberts appointed to the Acting Rank of Flying Officer (unpaid) on 1/1/41 Auth 3 Gp. Postagram 3G/8937/5/1/P.2 dated 9.1.41
2 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training: Nil
Postings:
P/O G.W. Curry posted to this Unit from 15 OTU Harwell wef 2.1.41 Auth: 6 Gp.Gram 6G1706/26/P.4 dated 26.12.40
3 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training: Nothing of importance occurred today.
4 Jan 1941
Operations: BOMBING ATTACKS AGAINST TARGETS M.61, DUISBURG AND BREST.
Aircraft of this unit were detailed to carry out individual bombing attacks on the above targets. XMU.284 and XMU.989 failed to locate targets, the former bringing bombs back, whilst the latter dropped bombs safe in sea. Accurate heavy AA fire was experienced in Duisberg area, while in the Brest area there was intense light and moderate heavy flak. Searchlights were ineffective owing to heavy cloud, and no enemy aircraft were encountered. 10 tenths cloud was experienced over the whole route and there was severe icing.
1845 – 2110 T.2736 S/L Bain Duisburg / not attacked XMU.284
1850 – 2320 R.1177 P/O Macfarlane Duisberg / Duisberg XMU.310
1645 – 2300 T.2547 Sgt Drayton Duisberg / Duisberg XMU.382
1850 – 0120 L.7848 Sgt. Wilson Brest / Brest XMU.441
1900 – 2345 R.1038 Sgt. Neate Duisberg / Ruhr area XMU.476
1855 – 0125 L.7818 Sgt. White Brest / Brest XMU.483
1845 – 2300 T.2550 P/O McNamara M.61 / M.61 XMU.561
2015 – 0205 R.3297 P/O Lockwood Brest / Brest XMU.691
1945 – 0005 T.2805 P/O Saxelby Duisberg / Duisberg XMU.784
2025 – 0240 T.2503 P/O Falconer Brest / not attacked XMU.989
Training: Nil
Aircraft:
One Wellington Mk 1C R.1161 received from No. 9 M.U. Gosford, Staffs Auth: 41 Gp.A.539 dated 18.12.40
5 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training:
1400 – 1615 Cross country flight carried out by Sgt. Kilsby and crew in aircraft T.2550.
Postings:
P/O Humphreys, G.L. posted from this Unit to Station Flight, Stradishall, wef 5.1.41 Auth:3Gp.Sig.P.28 dated 3.1.41
P/O M.H. Hankins posted from this Unit to 11 OTU, Bassignbourne wef 5.1.41
Aircraft:
One Wellington Mk1C R.3224 despatched to No.12 OTU Benson Auth: 58MU/4039/72 dated 28.12.40
6 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training: Nothing of importance occurred today.
Attachments:
P/O C.R. Mathewson ceased to be attached to 11 OTU Bassingbourn wef 6.1.41
7 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training: Nil
Postings:
P/O G. Wright and P/O E.G. Dean posted from this Unit to 214 Reserve Squadron Stradishall, wef 10.12.40. Auth’y: 3Gp. Gram. 6601/4/P.4, dated 6.12.40
P/O G.V. Key attached to C.M.E. Halton wef 9.12.40 Auth’y: CME/Appts/40 dated 12.3.40
P/O G.V. Key ceased to be attached to CME Halton wef 11.12.40
P/O C.R. Mathewson attached to 15 OTU, Bassingbourn wef 28.12.40 Auth’y: 3 Gp. Sig. A/457 dated 27.12.40
Missing: P/O H.D. Newman and P/O R.G. Stark missing on 30.12.40
8 Jan 1941
Operations: BOMBING ATTACKS ON TARGETS DON.192, D.197 AND WILHELMSHAVEN.
2215 – 0335 R.1038 P/O Morton Wilhelmshaven / Wilhelmshaven YPN.121
2325 – 0445 T.2550 P/O McNamara Don.192 / Don.192 YPN.322
2205 – 0240 R.3297 S/L Kain Wilhelmshaven / Leeuwarden Aerodrome YPN.410
2200 – 0310 R.1177 P/O Macfarlane No detail YPN.460
2205 – 0325 T.2503 P/O Falconer Wilhelmshaven / Wilhelmshaven YPN.573
2205 – 0315 T.2805 P/O Saxelby Wilhelmshaven / Unknown YPN.741
2150 – 0300 T.2835 Sgt. Neate Wilhelmshaven / Wilhelmshaven YPN.952
Training: Nil
Acting Ranks:
F/Lt G.C. Kain appointed to the acting rank of Squadron Leader (paid) on 8.1.41 Auth’y: 3 Gp Pgram 3G/8937/5/1/P.2 dated 19.12.40
9 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training:
1115 – 1600 Sgt. Kilsby and crew carried out cross country flight in aircraft T.2547
1140 – 1415 P/O Matheson and crew carried out cross country flight in aircraft L.7818
Dual night landings carried out in aircraft R.3218 (Sgts. Neat, Kilsby, Faulkner)
10 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training: Nil
At 1000 hours on 10/1/41 P/O McNamara was detailed to carry out a night flying test on the aircraft T2550 letter L. After the NFT his instructions were to proceed to Bassingbourn, Drop P/O Ryan and bring back a new pilot who is taking Ryan’s place. At Feltwell was 1500 feet and P/O McNamara was warned that South and Westwards cloud-base would become lower and if he do not like it to return to base. Operations Room were notified of this proposed cross country flight and P/O McNamara ascertained from Operations Air Control that Bassingbourn was serviceable, and gave his approximate time takeoff as 11:30 hours. Station signals failed to contact the aircraft after it had taken off 88 bass was 13:00 hours. At 14:30 hours hours control commenced taking overdue action and round Bassingbourn on PDX but did not connect until 15:25 hours when they ascertained that the aircraft Hadnot arrived. At 16:40 hours hours number three group informed us that the aircraft has crashed at Heath Farm, Stapleford, near Duxford and the following personnel were killed or died from injuries.
P/O B.P. Mcnamara – Captain – unmarried
P/O A.J. Ryan – 2nd pilot – unmarried
Sgt. Elliott R.B. – Navigator – unmarried
Sgt. J. Olive – W/Operator – unmarried
Sgt. M.R. Ritchie – Front Gunner – unmarried
Sgt. R.E. Ashby-Peckham – Rear Gunner – unmarried – seriously injured and taken to Addenbrooks Hospital.
Postings:
P/O A.J. Ryan posted from this Unit to RAF Station, Bassingbourn wef 10.1.41 Auth’y: 3Gp Sig. A 482 dated 9.1.41
P/O H.A. Goodwin posted from this Unit to 99 Squadron, Mildenhall wef 10.1.41 Auth’y: 3 Gp.Sig.P.83 dated 9.1.41
Aircraft:
Two Wellington Mk.1C, T.2881, T.2747 received 9.1.41 from No.33 M.U. Rynham, Wilts. Auth’y: 41G/1487 dated 5.1.41
11 Jan 1941
Operations: BOMBING ATTACKS AGAINST TARGETS AT TURIN AND WILHELMSHAVEN.
Eight Wellington aircraft of this Unit were detailed to carry out individual bombing attacks against the above targets. One of the aircraft, XDS.521 did not reach target owing to engine trouble. Much heavy and light AA fire in target areas. No searchlights encountered in Italy; eight seen at Dunkirk, but were inaccurate. No enemy aircraft encountered. 10 tenths cloud was experienced over most of route and in target areas.
2000 – 0610 T.2835 Sgt. Neate Turin / Turin XDS.102
2100 – 0610 T.2805 P/O Saxelby S.19 / S.19 XDS.208
2030 – 0510 R.1038 P/O Morton Turin / Turin XDS.292
0120 – 0705 L.7818 Sgt. White Wilhelmshaven / Wilhelmshaven XDS.497
0150 – 0350 T.2547 Sgt Drayton Wilhelmshaven / ——- XS.521
0130 – 0720 T.2503 P/O Falconer Wilhelmshaven / Wilhelmshaven XDS.555
0215 – 0640 L.7848 S/L Kain Wilhelmshaven / Wilhelmshaven XDS.646
0200 – 0715 R.1162 P/O Pownall Wilhelmshaven / Wilhelmshaven XDS.713
Training: Nil
Attachments:
P/O G.R. Simich attached to 11 OTU, Bassingbourn wef 11.1.41 Auth’y: 3 Gp. Sig.P.92 dated 11.1.41
12 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training:
Two Cross country flights carried out in aircraft L.7818 and L.7848 (P/O Matheson, Sgt Faulkner)
Aircraft:
Two Wellington Mk.1C, L.7896 and L.7797 received from Vickers, Weybridge. A.M. Auth’y: Awaited.
13 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training: Nothing of importance occurred today.
14 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training: Nil
Aircraft:
One Wellington Mk.1C (L.7806) despatched to No.149 Squadron, Mildenhall. Auth’y: 3Gp.Sig.Q. 101 dated 13.1.41
15 Jan 1941
Operations: BOMBING ATTACKS AGAINST TARGETS AT WILHELMSHAVEN., ,,,
“Aircraft of this unit were detailed to carry out individual bombing attacks against the above target. One of these aircraft, JSK.150 failed to attack the target owing to wireless failure on outward journey and jettisoned bombs in North Sea. Intense light and heavy tracer, and some heavy flak, experienced in target areas and on route. Several searchlights in target area; hampered by moonlight. JSK.148 reports being attacked by enemy aircraft, presumed ME.109, South of Bremerhaven but the attack was not pressed home. One other enemy aircraft, presumed ME.109, seen at Bremerhaven, but no attack made. Weather was good, there being little or no cloud. Visibility good.”
1935 – 0025 L.7848 Sgt. Drayton Wilhemshaven / Wilhemshaven JSK.148
1900 – 2305 T.2835 Sgt. Neate Wilhemshaven / Nil JSK.150
1855 – 0100 T.2881 P/O Macfarlane Wilhemshaven / Wilhemshaven JSK.252
1911 – 2342 R.3297 S/L Kain Wilhelmshaven / Wilhemshaven JSK.325
1920 – 0010 N.2854 Sgt. Wilson Wilhemshaven / Wilhemshaven JSK.525
1900 -2340 R.1162 P/O Lockwood Wilhemshaven / Wilhemshaven JSK.600
1855 – 2345 T.2805 P/OSaxelby Wilhemshaven / Wilhemshaven JSK.696
Training: Nil
Aircraft:
One Wellington Mk1C L.7797 despatched to No.15 Squadron, Wyton Auth’y: 3Gp.Sig.R.102 dated 13.1.41
16 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training: Nil
Appointments and Promotions:
A/S/L. F.G.L. Bain appointed to the rank of Temporary Squadron Leader wef 1.12.40. Auth’y: Extract London Gazette Serial No. 35010 10th December 1940.
Deaths:
P/O B.P. McNamara and P/O A.J. Ryan died on 10.1.41.
17 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training: Nil
18 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training: Nil
Aircraft:
One Wellington Mk.1C (T.2550) despatched to Vickers, Weybridge, dated 15.1.41. Auth’y: 54MU/10001/21, dated 17.1.41.
19 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training: Nil
20 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training: Nothing of importance took place today.
21 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training: Nil
Attachments:
P/O G.R. Simich ceased to be attached to 11 OTU, Bassingbourn wef 21.1.41 Auth’y: 6 Gp. Sig.P.213 dated 2.1.41
Aircraft:
One Wellington Mk.1C (T.2881) despatched to Brooklands Aviation, Ltd., Weybridge, dated 21.1.41. Auth’y: 54MU/10001/23, dated 21.1.41.
22 Jan 1941
Operations: BOMBING ATTACKS AGAINST TARGETS AT DUSSELDORF.
Five Wellington aircraft of this unit with detail to carry out individual bombing attacks against the above targets. Intense light and heavy flak was experienced in target area, but searchlights were moderate. 10 tenths cloud was experienced over target.
1740 – 2200 T.2503 P/O Falconer Dusseldorf / Dusseldorf TKP.422
1740 -2150 T.2547 P/O Morton Dusseldorf / Dusseldorf TKP.564
1735 – 2150 R.1162 P/O Lockwood Dusseldorf / Dusseldorf TKP.608
1735 – 2145 T.2835 Sgt. Neate Dusseldorf / Dusseldorf TKP.716
1800 – 2240 T.2805 P/O Saxelby Dusseldorf / Dusseldorf TKP.917
Training: Nil
Postings:
F/O J.C. Hill posted to this Unit from R.A.F. Hospital, Ely wef 22.1.41 Auth’y: 3Gp.P’Gram 3G/8918/23/P.2. dated 18.1.41.
23 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training: Nothing of importance occurred today.
Postings:
S/L F.G.L. Bain posted from this Unit to 11 OTU, Bassingbourn wef 24.1.41 Auth’y: 3Gp.Sig.P.198 dated 23.1.41
P/O J.H. Walls posted from this Unit to 40 Squadron, Wyton wef 24.1.41 Auth’y: 3Gp.Sig.P. 195 dated 23.1.41
24 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training: Nothing of importance took place today.
Postings:
S/L F.G.L. Bain posted from this Unit to 11 OTU, Bassingbourn wef 24.1.41 Auth’y: 3Gp.Sig.P.198 dated 23.1.41
P/O J.H. Walls posted from this Unit to 40 Squadron, Wyton wef 24.1.41 Auth’y: 3Gp.Sig.P. 195 dated 23.1.41
25 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training:
Two crews carried out S.C.I. Training in aircraft R.1177 and R.3218 (Sgt. Neate and F/L Morton.
Postings:
P/O A. Ashworth posted to this Unit from 11 OTU Bassingbourn wef 25.1.41 Auth’y: 6 Gp.Sig.P. 103 dated 23.1.41.
P/O I.R. Gow ceased to be attached to 57 Sqdn, Feltwell on posting to 11 OTU, Bassingbourn wef 25.1.41. Auth’y: 6 Gp.Sig.P. 203 dated 20.1.41.
26 Jan 1941
Operations: BOMBING ATTACKS ON TARGETS AT HANNOVER.
Seven Wellington aircraft of this unit were detailed to carry out individual bombing attacks against the above targets. One of these aircraft, BNF.882, failed to reach target owing to engine trouble and jettisoned bombs “safe” in sea. Heavy and light AA fire, fairly accurate, was experienced in target areas. Very few searchlights were encountered over target area fourth and no enemy aircraft were seen. The weather was clear over Germany, but there was low cloud over England and elsewhere on route.
0140 – 0820 T.2505 Sgt. Drayton Hannover / Hannover BNF.253
0150 – 0845 R.1177 F/Lt. Macfarlane Hannover / Hannover BNF.268
0115 – 0830 T.2547 Sgt. White Hannover / Hannover BNF.432
0150 – 0815 T.2835 Sgt. Neate Hannover / Hannover BNF.550
0145 – 0745 N.2854 Sgt. Wilson Hannover / Hannover BNF.654
0140 – 0805 L.7818 P/O Falconer Hannover / Hannover BNF.817
0130 – 0500 R.1237 S/L Kain Hannover / ——- BNF.882
Training: Nil
Postings:
S/L E.U.G. Solbe posted to this Unit from 11 OTU Bassingbourn wef 28.1.41 Auth’y: 6 Gp.Sig.P. 214 dated 23.1.41.
29 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training:
Sgt. White and his crew carried out S.C.I. training in aircraft R.3218.
30 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training: Nil
Acting Ranks:
P/O J.E.S. Morton and P/O M.H. Macfarlane appointed to the acting rank of Flight Lieutenant (unpaid) wef 30.12.40 Auth’y: 3Gp. 8937/5/1/P.2 dated 20.1.41.
31 Jan 1941
Operations: Nil
Training: Nil
Continue these records – February 1941
75(nz)squadron 