July 1942

Feltwell
Summary of Events

11.7.42
OPERATIONS – NIL

12.7.42
3.00
TRAINING – Sgt. Parkes carried out “Bulls Eye” exercise in Well. X3558
OPERATIONS – nil

13.7.42
1.00
TRAINING – Sgt. Hutt carried out dual practice in Well. BJ625
OPERATIONS – ATTACK AGAINST TARGETS AT DUISBURG
Nine a/c were detailed to attack the above target and bomb load of 4000lbs, 500lbs and 4lb inc. was dropped in target area. Results were not observed. A.A. fire was moderate and inaccurate. Searchlights were not numerous but accurate. One JU 88 was sighted but did not attack. Weather was good and navigation excellent.

14.7.42
5.35
TRAINING – Sgt. Barclay carried out cross country in Well.III, XBJ661.
2.40
Sgt. Hutt carried out cross country in Well.III, BJ625.
1.15
P/O McLachlan carried out dual practice in Well. III, X363.
OPERATIONS – GARDENING NEAR TERSCHELLING
Three a/c were detailed to carry out the above sortie. Load consited of vegetables and 500lbs bombs. Vegetables were successfully planted. There was no A.A. fire, searchlights or enemy a/c. Weather was slightly cloudy but otherwise good. Navigation was good.

15.7.42
2.10
TRAINING – Sgt. Hutt carried out cross country and TR exercise in Well. III, X3558.
OPERATIONS – NIL

16.7.42
TRAINING – NIL
OPERATIONS – NIL

17.7.42
TRAINING – NIL
OPERATIONS – NIL

18.7.42
TRAINING – NIL
OPERATIONS – NIL

19.7.42
TRAINING – NIL
OPERATIONS – NIL

20.7.42
1.45
TRAINING – Sgt. Hutt carried out TR and cross country in Well. III, BJ599.
1.05
Sgt. Barclay air firing in Well. III, BJ625.
.45
Sgt. Osborne in Well. III, X3538 formation flying and Sgt. Hockaday in Well III, BJ837(.45)
OPERATIONS – SORTIE AGAINST BREMEN. (DAYLIGHT)
Six a/c were detailed to attack the above target but all were unsuccessful and returned to base with bombs owing to break in cloud cover. There was no A.A. fire but four enemy a/c unsuccessfully attacked Well.III, X3452, captained by Sgt. Creall. Navigation was good.

21.7.42
.50
TRAINING – Sgt. McPherson in Well. , X3540, Sgt. Sutherland in Well. III, X3558, Sgt. Parkes in Well. III, X3757 and Sgt.  Johns in Well. Z1570 carried out formation flying.
2.00
Sgt. Ross carried out dual flying in Well. III, X3636. Also Sgt. Glbertson. ()
OPERATIONS- ATTACK AGAINST TARGETS AT DUISBURG.
Thirteen a/c were detailed to attack the above and bomb load of 4000lbs, 1000lbs, 30lbs and 4lbs incendiaries was dropped in the target area. Results were not observed, but photographs were taken. A.A. fire was not very heavy but there were  many cones of searchlights. No enemy a/c were seen.  Weather was good, clear over target. Navigation was by T.R. and D.R.

22.7.42
.50
TRAINING – Sgt. Ross in Well. III, X3636.
OPERATIONS – NIL

23.7.42
TRAINING – The following carried out fighter affiliation.
1.30
Sgt. Parkes in Well. III, X3540. Sgt. Hutt in Well. III. BJ599 (1.00) Sgt. Gliberson Well. III, BJ661(.50)
1.30
Sgt. Jackson TR exercises in Well. III, X3714.
OPERATIONS – ATTACK AGAINST TARGETS AT DUISBURG.
Fourteen  A/C were detailed to attack the above target and bomb load of 4000lbs, 1000lbs. 500lbs 30lbs and 4lbs incendiaries was dropped in target area. Results unobserved. A.A fire was heavy and concentrated. Searchlights were few owing to cloud. One JU. 88 was seen. No attack made. Two other enemy a/c seen but did not attack. Weather was poor cloudy over target. Navigation was good.

24.7.42
2.05
TRAINING – Sgt. Barclay in Well. III, X3636 and Sgt. Jackson circuits and landings.
OPERATIONS – NIL

25.7.42
TRAINING – The following carried out C&L.:-
.30
P/O Shepherd in Well. III, X3636.   Sgt. Melbourne in Well. III, X3636. (.40)
1.45
S/L. Newton in Well. III, X3636.   Sgt. Jackson in Well. III, X3636. (.15)
OPERATIONS – ATTACK AGAINST TARGETS AT DUISBURG.
Thirteen a/c were detailed to attack the above targets. Bomb load 4000lbs, 1000lbs, 500lbs and incendiaries was dropped on target area but results were not observed. A.A. fire was accurate and in abundance. Searchlights were poor. Several enemy a/c were seen and one F.W.190 was seen near target and a JU.88 attacking a Wellington. Weather was fair with a 8/10 to 10/10 cloud. Navigation was very god.

26.7.42
TRAINING – NIL
OPERATIONS – ATTACK AGAINST HAMBURG.
Fifteen a/c/ were detailed to attack the above target. Bomb load of 4000lb, 1000lb, 500lb and incendiaries was dropped in target area. Numerous fires were seen in target area and bomb bursts were observed. Seven searchlights destroyed and others damaged and one machine gun post was silenced by Well. III, X3396, captain Sgt. Kearns. A.A. fire was accurate but searchlights were ineffective owing to moon. One JU.88 was seen 30 miles from enemy coast. No attack made. Weather was clear over target but cloudy on route. Navigation was very good by TR and DR.

27.7.42
TRAINING – NIL
OPERATIONS – ATTACK AGAINST TARGETS AT HAMBURG.
Fifteen a/c were detailed to attack the above targets. Bomb load of 4000lbs, 1000lbs, 500lbs and incendiaries was dropped. in target area. Numerous fires and bomb bursts were seen. A.A. fire was accurate. Seven searchlights destroyed, others damaged and one m/c post silenced by Well.III, X3396, captain Sgt. Kearns. Searchlights were ineffective owing to cloud and moon. One JU.88 was seen 30 miles from the enemy coast but did not attack. Weather was clear over target. Cloudy on route. Navigation by TR and DR was good.

27.7.42
TRAINING – NIL
OPERATIONS. – DAYLIGHT ATTACK ON BREMEN.
Two a/c were detailed to carry out the above attack. Bomb load of 500lbs was dropped in target area on town. Bombs were seen bursting in built  up area. There was no A.A. fire or fighters. There was 10/10 cloud. Navigation by DR was good.

28.7.42
TRAINING – NIL
OPERATIONS – ATTACK AGAINST HAMBURG.
Seventeen a/c were detailed to carry out an attack on the above target. Bomb load of 4000lbs, 30lb and 4lb incendiaries was droped in target area and bursts were seen in dock area. A.A. fire was very accurate, light heavy predicted. Searchlights in cones were numerous. One JU88 was seen near target. There was 10/10 cloud in parts but clear over target.. Navigation by TR and DR was good. Six a/c/ failed to return.

29.7.42
TRAINING – NIL
OPERATIONS – ATTACK AGAINST SAARBRUCKEN.
Ten a/c were detailed to attack the above target and bomb load of 4000lbs, 500lbs, 250lbs 30lb and 4lb incendiaries was dropped in target area. Hits were observed in target area. A.A. fire was weak and searchlights were scarce. A twin engined fighter was seen on return route. Well. III, X3396, captain. Sgt. Kearns, was attacked by a JU88 but evaded it. Weather was cloudy. Navigation by TR and DR.

30.7.42
TRAINING – NIL
OPERATIONS – NIL

31.7.42
TRAINING – NIL
OPERATIONS – ATTACK AGAINST TARGETS AT DUSSELDORF.
Eleven a/c were detailed to attack the above target and bomb load of 4000lbs, 30lb and 4 lb inc. was dropped in target area. Good results were observed. A.A. fire was moderate and searchlights although numerous were ineffective. Well. III, X3396 was attacked by a JU88 but evaded it successfully. F/S Lewis, rear gunner of Well. III, X3646, was struck and injured by 4lb incendiary bomb falling from another a/c. Weather was good and navigation by DR and TR.

ARRIVALS AND DESPATCHES OF AIRCRAFT.
3.7.42
Well.III, Z1596. Received from No. 48 M.U. Authy:41G/5292
7.7.42
Well.III, BJ625. Received from No. 48 M.U. Authy:41G/5372. Well.III, X3636 received from 43 Grp. Authy: N/A.
9.7.42
Well.III, X3541. Despatched to No.101 Sqdn.  Authy: (W)/s.372
11.7.42
Well.III, X3396. Despatched to 43 Group Deposit
12.7.42
Well.III, BJ661. Received from No. 48 M.U. Authy:41G/5449
13.7.42
Well.III, BJ599. Received from No. 57 Sqdn. Authy: 3G Form W.380 d/d 12/7/42.
21.7.42
Well.III, Z1590. Received from 43 Group Deposit Authy: 54MU Signal T.374.
27.7.42
Well.III, BJ599. Despatched to 43 Grp Deposit. Authy: A.P. 1921.
Well.III, X3540. Despatched to 43 Grp Deposit. Authy: A.P. 1921.
Well.III, X3452. Received from 43 Grp Deposit. Authy: 54 M.U. signal T439.
Well.III, X3396. Received from 43 Grp Deposit. Authy: 54 M.U. signal T457.
Well.III, BJ599. Received from 43 Grp Deposit. Authy: N/A.
Well.III, BJ765. Received from Vickers Armstrong, Chester. Authy: 41G/5837
Well.III, BJ767. Received from Vickers Armstrong, Chester. Authy: 41G/5837Well.III, BJ832. Received from 115 Sqdn. Auth: “W” S.392.

ACTING RANKS.
F/O. WILSON, P.J. NZ402475. GD. Appointed to the rank of Acting Flight Lieutenant (unpaid) w.e.f. 25.6.42. Authy: 3 group Pgrm 3G/8937/5/5/p.2. dated 29.6.42.
F/O. HEDGER, R.C. 74519 A & SD. Appointed to the rank of Acting Flight Lieutenant (unpaid) w.e.f. 15.6.42. Authy: 3 group Pgrm 3G/8937/5/5/p.2. dated 28.6.42. Appointed to the rank of Flight Lieut. (paid) w.e.f. 15.6.42.
F/L. (A/S/L) DENTON, F.H. 36238. GD. Relinquishes the rank of Acting Sqdn Leader (paid) w.e.f.  20.7.42.Auth. AM P1073 15/7
F/O. WILSON, P.J. NZ402475. GD. Appointed to the rank of Acting Flight Lieutenant (paid) w.e.f. 25.6.42. Authy: 3 Grp Pgm 3G/8937/5/5/p.2. dated 29.6.42.

“A” POSTINGS.
A/P/O. MORGAN, C.  – Tech. Posted to Officers School, RAF Cosford w.e.f. 1.7.42. SORS. 2.7.42.Authy: A.M. letter 342552/42/S.7.(f)2 dated 22.6.42
P/O. FISHER, J.F. 6707 GD. Posted to No. 23 O.T.U. W.e.f. 30.6.42. Authy: 3 Grp Pgm. 3G/6601/7A/P4 d/d 25.6.42.
P/O. SPITTAL, R.C. NZ404420. GD. Posted from No. 11 O.T.U. w.e.f. 6.7.42. Authy: 91 Grp Pgm 91G/1706/26/11/P4 29/6/42.
P/O. CAIRNCROSS, M.E. NZ411718. GD. Posted from No. 11 O.T.U. w.e.f. 7.7.42. Authy: 91 Grp Pgm 91G/1706/26/11/P4 29/6/42.
F/O. ASHWORTH, A. 43699. GD. Posted
F/L. DENTON, F.H. 36238 GD. Posted
P/O. SEMMENCE, D.H. 49002 GD. Posted
F/O. DOBBIN, L.S. NZ401375 GD. Posted
P/O. SPITTAL, R.C. NZ404420. GD.
P/O. SHEPHERD, I.J. NZ404414. GD.
P/O. LEES, R.S. NZ404907. GD.
P/O. ROBERTSON, N.B. NZ411101. GD.
Posted (missing) to No.1 RAF Depot (NE) Uxbridge w.e.f. 27.7.42. Authy: A.M. letter S.67142/1/D.P1 dated 18.8.42.
F/O(A/F/L) WILSON, P.J. NZ402475. GD.
P/O CARNCROSS, M.E. NZ411718. GD.
Posted (missing) to No.1 RAF Depot (NE) Uxbridge w.e.f. 29.7.42. Authy: A.M. letter S.67142/1/D.P1 dated 18.8.42.

 

Continue these records – August