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Gladiator - Aircraft Details - Aviation Directory

Gladiator


Name : Gladiator
Manufacturer : Gloster
Production Began : 1935
Retired : 1945
Number Built : 746

GLOSTER GLADIATOR: A continuation form the Gloster Gauntlet aircraft the Gloster Gladiator (SS37) becoming designated the F.7/30 was named Gladiator on the 1st July 1935. The first 70 Gladiators had Under wing machine guns (Vickers or Lewis) before the browning became standard The first aircraft arrived at Tangmere airfield on in February 1937 to no. 72 squadron. at the outbreak of world war two a total of 218 Gladiators had been received by the Royal air force with a total of 76 on active service. They served also in the Middle eats and in 1940 when Italy joined the war was nearly the only front line fighter in the middle east. Between 1939 and 1941. the Gloster Gladiator flew in many war zones. flying in France, Greece, Norway, Crete Egypt Malta and Aden. The Aircraft claimed nearly 250 air victories. It stayed in front line duties until 1942, then becoming fighter trainer, and other sundry roles. It continued in these roles until the end of world war two. The Naval equivalent the Sea Gladiator a short service in the Middle east and European waters. A Total of 746 aircraft were built of these 98 were Sea Gladiators.. Performance. speed: 250mph at 17,500 feet, 257 mph at 14,600 Range 430 miles. Armament: Two fixed .3-03 browning machine guns

Pilots and Aircrew for : Gladiator
A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this aircraft. A profile page is available by clicking their name.
NameInfo
Aaltonen, Lasse
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Aaltonen, Lasse

Lasse had a total of 12 2/3 victories, over 300 combat missions. 19.12.1939 FR-114 Isthmus 1 SB-2 23.12.1939 FR-105 Isthmus 1/6 SB-2 17.1.1940 FR-105 Isthmus 1 SB-2 29.2.1940 FA-4 Southern Finland 1 DB-3 2.3.1940 FA-4 Southern Finland 1 I-153 25.6.1941 FA-33 Central Finland 1 1 / 2 SB-2bis 8.5.1944 MT-423 Gulf of Finland 1 Yak-9 28.6.1944 MT-458 Isthmus 2 Yak-9 29.6.1944 " " 1 Yak-9 30.6.1944 " " 1 Yak-9 3.7.1944 " " 1 Yak-9 5.7.1944 " " 1 LaGG-3
Abrahams, Robert James (Dickie)
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Abrahams, Robert James (Dickie)

Abrahams received a short service commission on 27 January 1936, being confirmed in this rank a year later. He was posted to the staff of HQ, Middle East. On 27 July 1938 he was promoted to Flying Officer. Abrahams was posted to 112 Squadron on 29 August 1940. On the 20th November 1940 durinjg combat with the 9o Gruppo’s attention focused elsewhere, the 112 Squadron’s Gladiators intervened and managed to surprise the Italian formation over Sidi Barrani. They claimed eight of the Fiats without losses. All of the six pilots made claims and Flight Lieutenant Abrahams claimed one and one shared with Pilot Officer Richard Acworth, who also claimed one additional. Flying Officer R. J. Bennett claimed one, Pilot Officer Alfred Costello claimed one, Pilot Officer Leonard Bartley claimed two and Sergeant 'Paddy' Donaldson finally claimed one. 112 Squadron didn’t record any losses in this combat On 22 December 1940, 112 Squadron patrolled over Sollum and Bardia during the day. Participating pilots were Squadron Leader Harry Brown, Flight Lieutenant Lloyd Schwab, Flight Lieutenant Abrahams, Flight Lieutenant Joseph Fraser (Gladiator K7899), Flying Officer Richard Acworth, Flying Officer Oliver Green, Flying Officer R. B. Whittington, Second Lieutenant E. R. Smith and Sergeant E. N. Woodword. Flight Lieutenant Fraser reported in his logbook that his aircraft was hit in the tailplane by AA fire and that no enemy aircraft were encountered. Flight Lieutenant Abrahams force landed safely and later returned to base, reason unspecified. It is possible that he was involved with the interception of the two SM 79s from the 278a Squadriglia in the morning or the combat with the 91a Squadriglia at lunchtime. A third alternative is that he also was hit by AA fire. Abrahams accompanied 112 Squadron to Greece. Early in the afternoon on 20 February 1941 eight Gladiators of 80 Squadron and nine of 112 Squadron flew up to Paramythia from Yannina. At 14:45 15 of these Gladiators took off in five sections of three aircraft flying in vic formation, echeloned to starboard and led by Squadron Leader H. L. I. Brown, to escort two Wellingtons of 37 Squadron, flown by Flight Lieutenant M. J. Baird-Smith and Sergeant R. T. Spiller, each carrying about one and a halt tons of supplies. A Greek Ju 52/3m accompanied the Wellingtons and their mission was to drop the supplies to the troops near Kelcyre. Low cloud and rain made the flight difficult, and near Korouode five hostile aircraft were seen, but these did not approach. The supplies were dropped successfully, and the three aircraft were escorted back to Paramythia. The fighters then returned to the frontline to patrol. On 28th february Flight Lieutenant Abrahams sho tdown a G.50Bis after this victory, was attacked by another G.50bis - believed to have been flown by Tenente Mario Bellagambi - and was shot down near Sarande. He recalled: “The old Glad suddenly went all soft. Nothing would work. I sat there and then decided I had better get out. I couldn't, so I sat there with my hands on my lap, the aircraft spinning like mad. Then, eventually, I did manage to get out. It was so pleasant sitting there in the air than I damn nearly forgot to pull the ripcord. I reckon I did the record delayed drop for all Albania and Greece. I landed, and no sooner had I fallen sprawling on the ground than I was picked up by Greek soldiers who cheered and patted me on the back. I thought I was a hell of a hero until one soldier asked me. "Milano, Roma?" and I realized that they thought I was an Iti. They didn't realize it was possible for an Englishman to be shot down. So I said "Inglese", and then the party began. I was hoisted on their shoulders, and the "here the conquering hero comes" procession started. We wined and had fun. Jolly good chaps.” He rejoined his unit the next day, on 29 February.and was posted away from 112 Squadron on 4 March 1941. He returned to the UK, where he briefly served with 41 Squadron. He commanded 129 Squadron from September 1941 – January 1942, when he was posted to Air Ministry (Directorate of Plans). On 1 July 1943 he was promoted to Wing Commander. Abrahams ended the war with 2 biplane victories, these being claimed while flying Gloster Gladiators. He remained in the RAF after the war, He was promoted to Wing Commander on 1 November 1947 (gazette on 24 October 1947) with seniority from 1 October 1946. On 1 January 1949 (gazetted 31 December 1948), he was knighted when he received the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE). At the time, he was serving in the RAF General Survey Organisation. He was promoted to Group Captain on 1 January 1954 (gazetted on 29 December 1953). In 1955, he was sent to command No. 2 Flying Training School at Hullavington. This unit was selected to train two courses of pilots directly on the Hunting Percival Jet Provost without any previous training on propeller aircraft (i.e. primary trainers). Abrahams retired from the service on 27 July 1967.
Acworth, Richard Alvin
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   Died : 1 / 3 / 1971
Acworth, Richard Alvin

Squadron Leader Richard " Dickie or Acky"Alvin Acworth DFC, RAF no. 40486, 112, 80 & 118Sqn, Richard Acworth was commissioned in 1937. On 16 May 1939 he was posted to 112 Squadron when this unit was formed aboard HMS Argus in Portsmouth, Hampshire. 112 Squadron was sent to Egypt and arrived on 25 May 1939. When Italy declared war on 10 June 1940 he served as Pilot Officer in ‘A’ Flight.
Arthur, Charles Ian Rose
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   Died : 13 / 10 / 1998
Arthur, Charles Ian Rose

Born 4 June 1918 in Fort Garry, Manitoba; educated at Kelvin High School, Winnipeg. joined 141 Squadron. From Fort Garry, Manitoba. 01 Jun 1943 as a F/Lt he took command of 232 Squadron in Tunisia until 25 Dec and then commanded 72 Squadron at Lagos, Italy. He destroyed a Me 109 on 07 May and was awarded the DFC 9/6/44. He took the squadron to Sisteron, France to cover the landings and returned to Italy on 02 Oct. He was promoted to acting W/Com and awarded a bar to his DFC. He left the RAF as a W/Com on 03 Nov, 1954 and returned to Canada Appointed Acting Pilot Officer on Probation in the RAF, 29 October 1938. Reported to No.141 Squadron, 10 October 1939; posted to No.242 Squadron, 3 December 1940; posted to No.145 Squadron, 23 May 1941; posted to Central Flying School, Upavon, 18 October 1941. Instructor, No.5 (P) Advanced Flying Unit, Ternhill, December 1941; instructor, No.7 (P) Advanced Flying Unit, Peterborogh; to No.411 Squadron, November 1942; to No.122 Squadron, January 1943; to No.81 Squadron (North Africa), March 1943; to No.242 Squadron (Flight Commander), March 1943; to No.232 Squadron (to command), 1 June 1943; remained until December 1943; posted to Aleppo, December 1943; to No.72 Squadron (to command), April 1944; to No.5 Refresher Flying Unit, Perugia (as Wing Commander), November 1944; to No.239 Wing (Mustangs) as Wing Leader, July 1945. Returned to UK, 1946, reverting to Squadron Leader. No.19 Squadron (in command), April 1946 to August 1948. Retired from RAF, November 1954 and settled in Canada. Air Ministry Bulletin 14231/AL.829 refers. See Michel Lavigne, Canadian Wing Commanders. Known victories as follows: 25 June 1941, one Bf.109 destroyed, Le Touquet (Circus 23); 30 June 1941, one Bf.109 destroyed (shared with F/O St.Pierre, RAF), Le Touquet area, Circus; 29 June 1943, one Bf.109 destroyed (shared with another pilot), Comiso; 17 July 1943, one Bf.109 damaged, Sicily; 12 August 1943, one MC.202 damaged, northwest of Milazzo; 7 May 1944, one Bf.109 destroyed, Lake Bracciano area; 16 May 1944, one Bf.109 destroyed (shared with another pilot), Lake Bracciano area; 14 October 1944, one Me.410 destroyed (shared with five other pilots), Bergamo area.
BARTHOLOMEW, Rodney James
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   Died : 14 / 7 / 1039
BARTHOLOMEW, Rodney James

Commissioned Jul 1937;joined 41 sqd, later killed in flying accident in 80 Sqn Gladiator, hit ground during dive bombing practice, near Wadi Natrun, Egypt, 14 Jul 1939
Bennett, Richard John
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Bennett, Richard John

Bennett received a short service commission in August 1938. On 16 May 1939 R. J. Bennett was posted to 112 Squadron when this unit was formed aboard HMS Argus in Portsmouth, Hampshire.112 Squadron was sent to Egypt and arrived on 25 May 1939. His rank of Pilot Officer was confirmed in June. When Italy declared war on 10 June 1940 he served in ‘C’ Flight. On 3 July 1940 Flying Officer R. H. Smith and Flying Officer Bennett of 112 Squadron was sent to 33 Squadrons 'A' Flight at Sidi Barrani to gain battle experience. Later Bennett accompanied 112 Squadron to Greece and took part in that campaign, he later took part in the defense of Crete. On the 2 June, a day after the British forces on Crete had surrendered, three of 112 squadron airmen, ACI McLennan (539503 ACI McLennan, G R, Fitter IIE), LAC Harrington and AC Malloy, together with Flying Officer Bennett and Pilot Officer Len Bartley and men of various other units, found two abandoned German invasion barges on the rocks of the south coast of Crete in the Tymbaki area. One was holed and the other had an unserviceable engine so the airmen transferred the good engine to the seaworthy barge. They managed to launch it and, having collected water and rations (during the day a Blenheim swooped low over the party and dropped a quantity of most welcome rations) and fuel, set off for Egypt. Aboard were six officers and 66 men. Other known officers were Lieutenant E. G. Ford of 24 SAAF Squadron, and his observer, Second Lieutenant G. L. W. Gill (both from a Maryland that was shot down on 25 May) and a wounded Australian officer. In the early morning of the second day when the barge was about 30 miles out a submarine commander in perfect English hailed them. Believing this to be a Royal Naval vessel they answered cheerfully and received a burst of machine-gun fire in return. The Italian submarine commander probably then realized the British were unarmed and the officers were then ordered to swim to the submarine, but whilst attempting to do so, Gill was tragically drowned. The wounded Australian officer who had been left aboard was now ordered to return the craft to Crete, but Sergeant D. D. McWilliam, one of the Maryland crew, assumed command, decided to ignore the order and continued towards the North African coast. After four days, traveling at about 4 knots, 'McLennan's barge' reached the Egyptian coast. After a while they recognized the sand dunes of Mersa Matruh and, seeing British troops, came ashore. On board the submarine, the prisoners, who had not been able to wash for many days, were not only rather unwholesome but were also infested with fleas so the Italians took immediate steps to have them landed at Taranto, their first port of call. Bennett remained a PoW for the rest of the war. He was promoted Flight Lieutenant whilst in captivity.
Bowker, Neville
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   Died : 21 / 5 / 2005
Bowker, Neville

born in 1918 in the Orange Free State, South Africa, but was brought up in the Southern Rhodesia. He joined the SAAF, but transferred to the RAF in mid 1940, being commissioned in the RAFVR. He attended 70 OTU at Nakuru, joining 112 Squadron on 14 February 1941.He served as a Pilot Officer in 112 Squadron, when the unit moved to Greece in early 1941. During the evening on 11 May 1941 five Bf110s of II/ZG 76, which had arrived at Argos from North Germany four days earlier, swept in over Heraklion airfield to strafe. Insufficient warning allowed only a single 112 Squadron Gladiator to get into the air, but Bofors and Lewis gunners opened fire as the Bf110s swept round the airfield. As they completed their circuit, Pilot Officer Bowker attacked one and a low level dogfight commenced, during which the lone Gladiator pilot attempted to lead his opponents over the gun positions. After a few minutes the Bf110s made off to the north-west, Bowker landing to claim one probably shot down. This claim was definitely confirmed destroyed in the Command Intelligence Summaries. On 14 September, 1941, six Tomahawks from 112 Squadron received an R/T message that there was a ‘bandit’ over Mersa Matruh at 19,000 feet. The formation climbed to about 16,000 feet and spotted a S.79 bellow Flight Lieutenant Harrison engaged the S.79, which he hit. The Italian bomber was then engaged by Pilot Officer Neville Bowker firing his wing guns only as his .5” machine gun had jammed. He reset and returned to the attack and at 150 yards, he saw petrol streaming from the enemy aircraft. He pumped shots into the starboard engine and the fuselage and the S.79 blew up. This was 112 Squadrons 77th victory and the first with their new P-40 Tomahawk IIBs. On the 27 December 1941 he was shot down by small arms fire when strafing, flying a Tomahawk (AN283 ? or was it AN218). The Germans took him prison again, but this time for the rest of the war. The award of a DFC was announced in October 1943, but with effect from 6 January 1942, by which time he had been promoted to Flight Lieutenant. Bowker was credited with 2 biplane victories and a total of 10 victories at the time of his capture.
Carpenter, John Chips
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   Died : 11 / 2 / 2005
Carpenter, John Chips

Flt. Lt. John Chips Carpenter DFC was born on 9 April 1921. He began elementary flying instruction at Redhill and later on Harvards at Turnhill with the RAF in February 1939 and on completion of his training he joined 263 Squadron at Filton in November. On 21 April 1940 the squadron embarked on HMS ‘Glorious’ for Norway, flying off three days later to land on a frozen lake. By the 26th all the Gladiators were either destroyed or unserviceable, so 263 Squadron re-embarked for the UK. In May another attempt was made. From the 21st until it re-embarked on HMS ‘Glorious’ on 6 June the squadron gave a good account of itself, covering the evacuation of the Army and flying offensive patrols. The carrier was sunk by enemy action soon after sailing and nearly all 263’s pilots were lost. Carpenter had not flown on to the carrier and returned to the UK by another ship. He joined 222 Squadron on Spitfires at Hornchurch in late June 1940 in time for the evacuation of Dunkirk. On 31 August he claimed a probable Bf109, on 1 September he destroyed another Bf109, on the 3rd a Bf110 and on the 4th a further Bf109. Soon afterwards he was shot down and wounded and returned to the squadron in October. Carpenter stayed with 222 Sqn. until April 1941, when he was posted to 46 Squadron, just as it prepared to go to the Middle East. The squadron embarked on HMS ‘Argus’, before transferring to the ‘Ark Royal’, from which they flew off to Hal Far, Malta on 6 June. 46 Squadron was kept in Malta and re-numbered 126 Squadron. On 30 June Carpenter shot down a Mc200, on 4 September he claimed another, on 8 November a Mc202, on the 12th another Mc202 and on 27 December he shot a Ju88 down into the sea. Carpenter, who had been a Flight Commander since early October, was awarded the DFC (2.1.42) and posted to 92 Squadron in the Western Desert. In May 1942 he covered the invasion of Sicily and Italy and was given command of 72 Squadron at Anzio. After a rest Carpenter was given command of 72 Squadron at Lago, Italy in January 1944. On 11 April he was posted away, received a Bar to the DFC (7.7.44) and returned to the UK. He went to Hawker’s as a production test pilot. Carpenter was granted a Permanent Commission in September 1945 and he retired on 31 December 1959, as a Flight Lieutenant, retaining the rank of Squadron Leader. Post war he served as CO in Kai Tek, Hong Kong. He died 11th February 2005.
Chin Shui-Tin, Arthur
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   Died : 3 / 9 / 1997
Chin Shui-Tin, Arthur

Chin was born in Portland, Oregon to a Chinese father of Cantonese origin and a mother of Peruvian background. Motivated by the Japanese invasion of China, Chin enrolled in flight school in 1932. Along with 13 other Chinese Americans, he left for China and joined the Guangdong Provincial Air Force as the first and original group of American volunteer combat aviators, and ultimately integrated into the central government's air force under the KMT. After completion of additional aerial-gunnery training in Munich Germany, he returned to China for combat duty in which he was credited with destroying nine enemy aircraft between 1937-1939. He served as a flight instructor from February to June 1937, and joined the 28th Pursuit Squadron, 5th Pursuit Group on 10 June 1937, as Vice Commander. On 1 June 1938, he was promoted to Captain, and became Commander of the 28th Squadron. On the 9th February 1938 Chin Shui-Tin in Gladiator no. 2801 In bad weather flew low to see if he could find a landmark but ended up crashing into a hill, writing off the aircraft and suffering injuries to the orbit of his right eye. In 1939, while flying a Gloster Gladiator, the fighter in which he scored 6.5 of his 8.5 aerial victories, he was hit by enemy fire and forced to bail out of his burning aircraft, and although he parachuted to safety, he suffered serious burn injuries. Nevertheless, after several years of surgery and recovery, and an escape from the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, he returned to China in 1944 to fly supplies over the Himalayas, a route known as the "Hump". Chin is recognized as America's first ace in World War II. A half-century after the war ended, the U.S. government recognized Chin as an American veteran by awarding him the Distinguished Flying Cross. About a month after Chin died, on October 4, 1997, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the American Airpower Heritage Museum in Midland, Texas as the first American ace of World War II.
Cochrane, H P
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Cochrane, H P


Daines, Roy
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Daines, Roy

Roy Daines joined the RAF as soon as he was able, and after completing his hurried training as a pilot, was posted to join 247 Squadron in the autumn of 1940. Here he flew Gladiators and Hurricanes on coastal patrols, 247 being the only squadron to fly Gladiators during the Battle of Britain, before converting to nightfighting Hurricanes. Later, in 1943, he flew Typhoons with 247 before being posted to join 65 Squadron flying Spitfires and Mustangs.

Roy Daines signing the print Victory Above Dover

Roy Daines signing the original pencil drawing A Dunkirk Encounter


Deere, Alan
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   Died : 21 / 9 / 1995
Deere, Alan

Top scoring New Zealand Ace with 22 victories, Deere was born in Auckland on December 12th 1917. Alan Deere would become one of the RAF's finest pilots. Joining the RAF in 1937, in September 1938 Al Deere was posted to No.54 Sqn at the time flying Gloster Gladiators, then in early 1940 the Squadron converted to Spitfires. His first brush with death happened when his oxygen failed while at altitude and ke blacked out, coming to only in time to pull his aircraft out of a dive and certain death. At the beginning of May 1940 Deere took part in the intensive air war over Dunkirk and on 23rd May 1940 Deere took part in a daring rescue operation. He and Pilot Officer Allen escorted their flight commander, James Leathart, to France where he was to land a Miles Master trainer and pick up the CO of 74 Squadron who had made a forced landing on the airfield at Calais-Marck. While the pick up was made, Alan Deere was at low level with Pilot Officer Allen at 8000 feet. As Flight Commander James Leathart prepared for take off in the Master, Pilot Offcier Allen spotted a flight o Bf109's coming their way.

Deere scored his first victory, as a strafing Bf109 pulled out of its dive, presenting a perfect target. Deere fired a short burst and the aircraft stalled and then crashed into the sea. Deere, climbing to help Allen, crossed the path of two 109’s, one of which turned towards him. Deere also turned, firing at the second one, which rolled over and dived away. Pursuing the first one, he caught up at treetop height and pursued him, firing off his remaining ammunition before the German headed for home. During the whole event Deere and Allen accoutned for three Bf109's shot down and three damaged. All three aircraft returned to their base at RAF Hornchurch.

During four days - 23rd to 29th May - Deere shot down three Bf109’s and three Bf110’s but his luck ran out and he was shot down over Dunkirk while attacking a Dornier Do17 and luckily managed a forced landing in Belgium where he optained a bicycle and cycled to Dunkirk where he managed to get on a destroyer and returned to Hornchurch within 30 hours of taking off. In June he was decorated with the DFC by the King at a special ceremony at Hornchurch. Alan Deere destroyed seven more enemy fighters and one bomber during the Battle of Britian and was awarded a Bar to the DFC. In January 1941 became an Operations Room Controller. He returned to operations on 7th May 1941, joining 602 Squadron in Scotland as a Flight Commander.

On August 1st 1941 Alan Deere took command of 602 Squadron and on that day destroyed a Bf109. When his second operational tour ended in January 1942 Deere went to the USA to lecture on fighter tactics. In May 1942, he took command of 403 Squadron, commanding the squadron until August before being posted to staff duties. During a temporary attachment to 611 Squadron in February 1943 Deere destroyed an Fw190. Some days later he was appointed Wing Leader at Biggin Hill. He flew 121 sorties during his six months leadership and by this time his tally was twenty-two confirmed victories, ten probables and eighteen damaged.

He was also awarded the DSO and a bar to his DFC. Alan Deere was also awarded the Croix de Guerre and the DFC (USA) and in May 1945 He was awarded an OBE. In December 1977 Air Commodore Deere retired form the Royal Air Force. Iin 1959 Air Commodore Alan Deere wrote of his experiences in his book, ’Nine Lives’. Sadly, he passed away on 21st September 1995.
Devany, Alfred Alexander
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   Died : 7 / 2 / 1938
Devany, Alfred Alexander

Commissioned Jul 1936 Joined 41 sqd 21st Feb 1937 left 21st March 1937 27th March 1937 joined 72 sqd 07-02-1938 : Plt Off Alfred Alexander Devany (23) was killed while flying Gladiator I K7934, of 72 Sqn, at Church Fenton Hit high-tension wires in fog, Riplingham, near Brough, Yorks Aircraft destroyed by fire
Fraser,
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Fraser,


Fry, C. H.
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Fry, C. H.


Gray-Worcester, H
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Gray-Worcester, H


Green, Percy Oliver Valentine
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Green, Percy Oliver Valentine


Hamlyn, Jack
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Hamlyn, Jack


Hanbury, J C M
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   Died : 1 / 10 / 1939
Hanbury, J C M

Pilot Officer J C M Hanbury was killed when his Gladiator crashed into the ground while on a night patrol.
Harrison, Henry W
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Harrison, Henry W


Kayll, Joseph Robert
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   Died : 3 / 3 / 2000
Kayll, Joseph Robert

Joe Kayll joined the Auxiliary Air Force in 1934, serving with No. 607 (County of Durham) Squadron rising to become a flight lieutenant. Following the outbreak of the war he volunteered for full-time service and fought in France in early 1940 before taking part in the Battle of Britain, commanding No. 615 (County of Surrey) Squadron as an acting squadron leader. During the Battle of Britain Kayll was credited with shooting down seven German aircraft with one shared and six unconfirmed destroyed, along with six damaged. For these efforts he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and Distinguished Flying Cross personally by King George VI. In 1941, he was promoted to wing commander and given command of The Hornchurch wing of three Spitfire squadrons. In 1941 he was mentioned in despatches before being shot down over France in July. He was subsequently captured by the Germans and became a prisoner of war. He became Senior British officer at Oflag IX until moved to Oflag VI-B Warburg in October 1941. In September 1942 Wing Commander Kayll escaped in a mass break out and with a companion travelled by foot 90 Kilometres before being recaptured south of Fulda. He was transferred to Stalag Luft III at Sagan in May 1943, and was in charge of the Escape Committee for the East Compound. He remained in captivity for the remainder of the war, co-ordinating numerous escape attempts, for which he was later appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1946. After the war he continued to serve, rejoining the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, and commanding No. 607 (County of Durham) Squadron. Born in Sunderland and educated at Aysgarth and Stowe, he entered the family timber business but, inspired by flying, he joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force in 1934. Commissioned, he learned to fly with 607 County of Durham Squadron, using Wapiti and Hart biplanes. By early 1939, Kayll was a Flight-Commander in 607 Squadron, which now flew Gladiator biplane fighters. In November 1939, Kayll's squadron was posted to France. The following March, he became commander of 615 County of Surrey Squadron flying obsolete Gladiators. On May 10, the German offensive against the low countries and France began, and 615 Squadron, caught re-equipping with Hurricane 1 fighters, was involved in the intensive air fighting. Kayll nourished 615's fighting spirit by flying up to seven sorties a day from improvised airfields with a mixture of Hurricanes and Gladiators. The squadron inflicted heavy losses on the Luftwaffe while the German army continually overran the squadron's forward airfields. On May 15th, Kayll, flying a Hurricane, shot down two Messerschmitt Bf 110 twin-engined fighters, and on May 20th destroyed a Heinkel 111 bomber. The next day, 615's surviving pilots flew back to Kenley, south of London. By mid-June, 615 had regrouped, and it resumed operations against Luftwaffe-occupied airfields in France. Kayll was awarded the DSO and DFC, and during the Battle of Britain he shot down a Messerschmidt Bf 109E fighter and Do 17 and He 111 bombers. This was in a ferocious seven-day period, which started on August 18th. In late September, the exhausted 615 Squadron was moved to Prestwick to regroup. It was credited with 97 German aircraft destroyed. Kayll's score was seven and one shared destroyed, seven unconfirmed destroyed and six damaged. In October, 615 returned to defend London against German fighter-bomber attacks. In June 1941, after six months at Fighter Command HQ, Kayll returned to operations as a wing-commander flying with the famous Hornchurch Wing, operating three Spitfire squadrons. Fighter Command was mounting numerous sweeps over France and he flew in several Circus operations, which involved a small number of bombers, heavily escorted by fighters, to draw the Luftwaffe into battle. On June 25th, Kayll, while flying with his section near St Omer, was shot down, captured and sent first to Spangenberg Castle POW camp, and later to Wartburg, from which he escaped during the great breakout of September 1942. He was recaptured and sent to Stalag Luft III at Sargan, Silesia, location of the wooden horse escape. Other short-term escapes followed until the Great Escape of March 1944. But after the Gestapo shot 50 allied airmen, all escape plans ceased. Kayll was awarded an OBE for his escape activities, and was demobilised in 1946. He rejoined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, commanding 607 Squadron, and also re-entered the family business, which he later ran with his two sons. He died on 3rd March 2000.
Keighly-Peach, Charles L
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Keighly-Peach, Charles L


Keith,
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Keith,


Kingcome, Brian Fabris
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   Died : 0 / 0 / 1994
Kingcome, Brian Fabris

Brian Fabris Kingcome was born in Calcutta on May 31st 1917. Brian Kingcome was educated at Bedford and in 1936 entered the RAF College, Cranwell. Soon after he began his pilot course he was seriously injured in a car accident and was told by the RAF medical board that he would never fly again as he was expected to suffer permanent double vision. But after months in hospital and with Brians strength of character he proved the board wrong. In 1938 he was posted to No 65, a biplane Gladiator fighter squadron based at Hornchurch. Brian Kingcome took part in the Battles of France and Dunkirk but transferred to 92 Squadron as a flight commander and flying Spitfires in May 1940 scoring his first victories in June 1940. Brian Kingcome became acting commanding officer during the latter stages of the Battle of Britain. During this time he and his pilots achieved the highest success rate of any squadron in the entire Battle of Britain. After being shot down by Me109s and wounded, he returned to active operations. In February 1942 he was posted to command 72 Squadron, followed by promotion to Wing Leader at Kenley. In May 1943 he was posted to lead 244 Wing in the Mediterranean during the invasion of Sicily. An Ace, Brian Kingcome flew Spitfires in combat continually until the end of 1944, his tally finishing at 8 and 3 shared destroyed, plus a score of probables and damaged. One of the prewar Cranwell elite, Brian Kingcome was to become one ofthe Second World Wars great fighter leaders, alongside such immortals as Douglas Bader, Bob Stanford Tuck and Johnnie Johnson. At the outbreak of war he was serving in 65 Squadron, but in May 1940 was posted to 92 Squadron as flight commander. On 25 May he shared a Do 17 and on 2 June destroyed two He l l Is and damaged a third. He shared a Ju 88 with two others on I0 July, and again on the 24th. On 9 September he probably destroyed a Bf 110 and two days later shot down a He 111. On the 14th he damaged another. He shot down a Bf 109 on the 23rd and next day probably destroyed another and damaged a Ju 88. Three days later he shared a Ju 88 again, damaged two others, probably destroyed a Do 17, and damaged one of these also. Around this time he was awarded a DFC for six victories, and on 11 October got a Bf 109 He claimed another next day, and also damaged one. In 1941 he became commanding officer, having frequently led the squadron. It will be noted that he claimed many probables and damaged during the Battle of Britain, and this was due to his view that it was more important to hit as many as possible than to try and confirm victories. On 16 June 1941 lie probably destroyed a Bf 109, and on 24 July shot one down. He was then rested until late in the year, when he was posted to command 72 Squadron, and in February 1942 gave escort cover to the Fleet Air Arm pilot Eugene Esmonde, who won the VC trying to attack German capital ships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and and the cruiser ‘Prinz Eugen’ with Swordfish during the Channel Dash. In atrocious weather Kingcome caught a fleeting glimpse of tbe Scharnhorst - Oh what a beautiful battleboat! he exclaimed, just as a shell made a hole the size of a dustbin lid in his port wing. During 1941 he received a Bar to his DFC, having brought his score to 10. He was promoted to lead the Kenley wing, and on 15 April 1942 damaged a Fw 190. He probably destroyed a Bf 109 on 28 May, and during the year was awarded a DSO, having added another victory to his score. In 1943 he was posted to North Africa to lead 244 Wing, and lead this for 18 months, becoming a Gp. Capt. after the invasion of Italy. By the end of his stay with the wing he had brought his score to 18, and was then posted as SASO of a Liberator group, and flew an operation as a waist gunner over northern Yugoslavia after taking up this appointment. Sadly Group Captain Brian Kingcome passed away aged 76 in 1994.
Moffat, John William Jock
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Moffat, John William Jock

John Moffat was born in Kelso in 1919 and at the outbreak of WWII, was sent to Sydenham, Belfast where a training school, set up by Short Brothers, was based. John learnt to fly in a Miles Magister. During 1939, he was sent to No.1 Flying Training School at Netheravon and here he was taught to fly advanced open-cockpit aircraft such as Hawker Hinds and Audaxes. Commissioned into the RNVR as a sub-lieutenant he was moved to Eastlee (now Southampton Airport) to the Naval Fighter School, learning fighter techniques in Blackburn Skuas and Rocs and the well-known Gloster Gladiator. In 1940, John was moved to Sanderling, the Royal Naval air station at Abbotsinch (now known as Glasgow Airport). In 1941, on board HMS Ark Royal stationed at Gibraltar, they were ordered to assist in the hunt for Bismarck and Prinz Eugen. The aircraft headed first to HMS Sheffield who gave them signals by Aldis Lamp on the position of the Bismarck. John Moffat served on HMS Ark Royal, HMS Argus, HMS Furious and HMS Formidable, and served with 759 Sqn, 818 Sqn, 820 Sqn and 824 Sqn.
Morewood, Roger
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Morewood, Roger

An uncle suggested to Roger Morewood that he should join the RAF so Roger did at the age of 17. Roger said : I was going be a pilot, that was the only reason to join. Roger trained to fly in a Tiger Moth biplane before joining 56 Squadron - regarded within the RAF as an elite unit - flying open cockpit Gauntlet fighters. The squadron were then re-equipped with Gloster Gladiators - the last RAF biplane - then the Hawker Hurricanes that would join Spitfires in fighting off Hitlers Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain. While serving with 56 Squadron Roger Morewood was assigned the dangerous role of long-range fighter sweeps over the coast of occupied France and Holland but left to help form 248 Sqn at Hendon with whom he served throughout the Battle of Britain flying Blenheims. Roger said: We had a few panic station alerts when we were scrambled. We wouldd be leaping into our aircraft with flying suits over our pyjamas as we tried to get into the air in a minute and a half. In July 1942 Morewood went to 9 OTU and later HQ Transport Command. After a long post-war career in the RAF he retired in 1957. Roger Morewood once said of his squadron: It was damned dodgy. We had a high loss rate on operations. And on one sortie - then aged 21 - he nearly met his maker : I flew across to Den Helder (Northern Holland) in a long-nosed Blenheim to look after this battleship at the entrance to the Zuiderzee. We flew round this thing and sure enough I saw some aircraft coming up. They were twin-engine bombers naturally - Messerschmitt 110s. That was a bit hairy. My two blokes (other pilots) shoved off in a hurry into a cloud, and there was me popping away until I ran out of ammunition. There was just me left. I realised there was no point chasing - I was not going to knock his wings off. So I started flying home. After making hardly any noise all flight the chap (navigator) in the back said you haveve got somebody on your tail now - you had better move swiftly. So I moved to left and right. We got a pretty hefty clobbering. His turret disappeared at the back. My poor navigator wore a tin hat and I dont blame him. He got a bullet half way through his armour. He was alright. I had a dreadful wound. If I shook my hand really hard I could get blood out of one finger. I was hit all over the place. We took dozens of bullets. The aircraft was ruined. That is all there was to it. We were still going home - even with the North Sea to go across. So I trundled off back and ditched the damn thing. Thank God it didnt blow up. We literally got away with it. It was the hairiest trip I ever did. On another occasion, Roger intercepted a German weather forecasting flying boat called Weary Willy : I was in a Beaufighter at this time. I flew upwind and had a shot at him downwind. Then all the guns jammed. So I pulled alongside him - not too close - and waved him good luck lad. Anyway he sank when he got back to Norway. That was that one finished. Flying from Shetland, his squadron attacked German shipping off Norway. Roger was rested and spent two years training new Beaufighter pilots but still managed to go on some operations, mainly attacking convoys off the coast of Holland. Roger Morewood said: job was to attack the flak ships, floating anti-aircraft batteries, so other Beaufighters could attack the cargo ships. It could be pretty hairy as 12 Beaufighters lined up to have a crack at the target. You wouldd see tracer shells from your mates plane whizzing over your head or underneath you. They were a bigger danger than the Germans Wing Commander Roger Morwood was posted to the Mediterranean where he contracted TB. He recalled: "In hospital, they treated you with whisky in milk and a pint of Guinness for breakfast, very primitive stuff." When the war ended and the RAF were scaled down, Roger continued to serve in various postings around the UK until 1947. after leaving the RAF Roger was recalled again as an instructor at the Central Flying School, but with the rank of flight lieutenant. He was posted to Edinburgh and then Glasgow University squadrons. finnaly leaving service in 1957. Wing Commander Roger Morewood notched up more than 5000 flying hours in 32 different types of aircraft.

Roger Morewood signing the print A Day for Heroes

Roger Morewood signing the print Ground Force


Palliser, Charles
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   Died : 24 / 9 / 2011
Palliser, Charles

Born in West Hartlepool, Charles Palliser was educated at Brougham School and later attended a technical school. Joining the RAFVR at the outbreak of war in 1939, Charles Palliser was posted to No.3 ITW Hasting, moved to No.11 EFTS Perth on 5th December 1939 and in April 1940 went to No.6 FTS at RAF Little Rissington. Palliser converted to Hawker Hurricanes at No.6 OTU at RAF Sutton Bridge in July 1940 and joined No.17 Squadron at RAF Debden on 3rd August 1940 during the Battle of Britain. Palliser moved to RAF Tangmere with No.43 Squadron on 18th August 1940 and then to North Weald with 249 Squadron on 14th September 1940. On the 15th of September he claimed his first aerial victory. In April 1941 Palliser was commissioned and embarked with 249 Sqn on HMS Furious and on 10th May sailed for Gibraltar, and on arrival the squadron transferred to HMS Ark Royal. The squadron flew to Ta' Qali, Malta on 21stMay 1941 to take part in the Battle of Malta. During that battle he claimed a further five victories, and on 27th November Palliser flew Gladiator Faith on a met flight. In January 1942 he was posted to 605 Squadron as flight commander. Palliser was awarded the DFC, which was gazetted on 30th January 1942. He left the island in February 1942 as one of the islands longest serving pilots and joined No.25 Air School at Standerton as flight commander, arriving in South Africa to take up the appointment on the 28th March 1942. Palliser was posted to No.62 CFS, Bloemfontein on 17th July, to 2 EFTS Randfontein on 19th October and then to 4 EFTS Benoni on 2nd September 1943. He returned to the UK and in October 1947 Palliser retired from the RAF, at the rank of Flight Lieutenant.
Pattle, Marmaduke
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   Died : 20 / 4 / 1941
Pattle, Marmaduke

Born in South Africa on 3rd July 1914, Pattle joined the South African Air Force before transferring to the Royal Air Force in 1936. Flying Gladiators with No.80 Squadron, he achieved many victories in the aircraft, and also recorded victories flying Hurricanes with both 80 Squadron and 33 Squadron. Flying in North Africa and Greece, he was shot down and killed on 20th April 1941 by German Me110s. He had been awarded the DFC and Bar.
Pickering, James
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Pickering, James

Jim Pickering joined the RAFVR in 1937, and was attached to 769 Sqn FAA, then 804 Sqn FAA. In June 1940 he returned to the RAF and flew Spitfires with 64 Sqn during the Battle of Britain. With 418 Flight Jim flew Hurricanes to Malta from HMS Argus on 2nd August 1940. This flight was to reinforce Maltas handful of outdated Gladiators and few surviving Hurricanes, and on 16th August was amalgamated to become 261 Squadron. With this unit Jim flew Hurricanes and at least five operations in the legendary Gladiators, which have been immortalised as Faith, Hope, and Charity. In April 1941 Jim was posted, first to Egypt, then 80 Squadron in October 1942, and 145 Squadron in December. He returned to the UK in 1943. Born in 1915 in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England, James Pickering studied the printing business in Europe during the 1930s. Convinced that Hitler represented a threat which could lead to war, Pickering joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1937. As a "week-end" flyer he earned his wings as a Sergeant Pilot in April of 1939. In September of that year Pickerings unit was mobilized. He was sent to an attachment of the Fleet Air Arm, where he flew Gladiators, Skuas, and Rocs, following his carrier training. In June of 1940 Pickering returned to the RAF flying Spitfires with No. 64 Squadron based in Kenley during the Battle of Britain. Pickering was selected along with eleven other carrier-qualified pilots to fly Hurricanes to Malta off the deck of the HMS Argus. On arrival in Malta these new Hurricanes and their pilots were integrated with the 3 flyable Gladiators and 3 Hurricanes already there to form No. 261 Squadron. This unit carried on the defense of Malta against Italian and German bombing missions which were launched regularly from Sicily, only sixty miles distant. Because of his earlier experience with the Gladiator, Pickering flew both Gladiators and Hurricanes at Malta for eight months. It is believed that Pickering is the last living RAF pilot to fly the Gladiator at Malta. Following his assignment in Malta, Pickering joined No. 1 Aircraft Delivery Unit which ferried aircraft from the West African Gold Coast and Port Sudan to various points throughout the war theater of operations. Pickering delivered a P-40 Warhawk to the Flying Tigers which involved one of the first flights "over the hump." In October of 1942 Pickering returned to operational flying with No. 80 Squadron (Hurricanes) at EI Alamein, and later with No. 145 Squadron (Spitfires). Having completed three separate operational tours, Pickering returned to England when victory was achieved in North Africa. In England, Pickering was assigned as a test pilot with No. 3501 Servicing Unit. He tested modifications to the Spitfire, and also test flew a number of P-51 Mustangs. Later he was transferred to No. 151 Repair Unit as its Chief Test Pilot. This was the largest unit of this kind in the RAF. Because of these experiences, Pickering is unusual in having flown eighty different types of aircraft during the War. Awarded the Air Force Cross, Pickering was released from the RAF at Wars end. He returned to his family-owned printing business, and spent his working career with the company, from which he retired in 1965. He also served as an outside Director of the largest Building Society in Britain. Pickering joined the Volunteer Reserve once again following the War, and continued to fly with the RAF until reaching the mandatory age limit of sixty. Pickering has had a private pilots license since 1938. He has flown thousands of hours and he is an expert on geological and archaeological research from the air. A Fellow of both the Geological Society and the Society of Antiquaries, Jim Pickering epitomizes the English character of determination and persistence which was so vastly underestimated by Hitler during WW 11.
Schwab, Lloyd Gilbert 'Algy'
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   Died : 15 / 2 / 1960
Schwab, Lloyd Gilbert 'Algy'

Lloyd Schwab was born in Niagra Falls, Ontario, joining the RAF on a short service commission in March 1936. On completion of training he was posted to 17 Squadron late in the year, and when 'B' Flight became the nucleus of 80 Squadron in March 1937, he became a part of that unit, subsequently accompanying it to Egypt. During the morning on 17 August, the Mediterranean Fleet was out for a raid in support of the Army. The battleships HMS Warspite, HMS Ramilles and HMS Malaya, supported by the cruiser HMS Kent and three flotillas of destroyers bombarded Bardia harbour and Fort Capuzzo, starting at 06:45 and continuing for 22 minutes. As the vessels headed back towards Alexandria a series of bombing attacks were launched against them by the Regia Aeronautica. The RAF and the FAA provided escort for the fleet. HMS Eagle's Fighter Flight of three Sea Gladiators had been flown to Sidi Barrani airfield in Libya, and from here patrolled over the Fleet. 'B' and 'C' Flights of 80 Squadron provided air support with flights of four Gladiators over the ships from dawn to dusk. ‘A’ Flight of 112 Squadron was positioned at Z Landing Ground (Matruh West) while ‘C’ Flight of 112 Squadron was based at Y LG about 18 kilometres further west and they also took part in the covering missions. The attacks on the Royal Navy began when, at 10:40 five SM 79s were seen at 12,000 feet, heading in from the north-east. Over the fleet there were, on standing patrol, at least the Gladiators of ‘A’ Flight 112 Squadron (probably six of them), the three Sea Gladiators of HMS Eagle’s Fighter Flight and a single Hurricane from ‘A’ Flight 80 Squadron flown by Flying Officer John Lapsley (P2641). They intercepted the Italian bombers and altogether claimed six of them; one by Flight Lieutenant Schwab, one by Pilot Officer Peter Wickham, (both from 112 Squadron) and three by Lapsley. Two Sea Gladiators flown by Lieutenant (A) Kenneth Keith (N5513) and Lieutenant Anthony Young (N5567) attacked several formations. Young attacked one in company with a 112 Squadron Gladiator flown by an unknown pilot. Keith joined the attack and the port wing of the bomber burst into flames, two members of the crew bailing out before the Savoia crashed into the sea. Commander Charles Keighly-Peach (N5517) became separated, and realizing the futility of chasing the fleeing bombers alone, headed back over the Fleet in time to see to more formations attacking (totally 25 SM 79s were counted). He made three attacks on one bomber, seeing numerous pieces fall off and it went into a shallow dive. One man baled out, but as the aircraft lost height rapidly, it disappeared into cloud. He attacked another twice but without result. On the 31st October At 13:00, Pilot Officer Duff sighted a reported ten SM 79 and gave chase However, he failed to see the escorting fighters; six CR.42s, which was part of an 18 strong escort formation, dived on him and shot him down. Fortunately, he managed to escape by parachute, suffering only slight burns. The fighters were engaged by Flying Officer Schwab, Second Lieutenant Smith and Pilot Officer Richard Acworth Schwab claimed two CR.42s shot down after which he reported that his engine failed and he force-landed, On 3 April Flight Lieutenant Schwab took command over 112 Squadron after Squadron Leader H. L. I. Brown, when the later was posted away from the unit. In September 1943 he was promoted Wing Commander and came back to the UK to command an advanced flying training unit. Schwab ended the war with 6 victories and 1 probable; all of them scored while flying Gladiators. He remained in the RAF after the war, retiring in March 1958 as a Wing Commander.
Scoular, John Evelyn
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   Died : 0 / 0 / 1986
Scoular, John Evelyn

Born in 1911, John Evelyn Scoular joined No.73 Sqn in 1937. Flying Hurricanes from April to June 1940, he claimed 11 victories + 4 shared, 2 damaged and 1 unconfirmed before leaving the squadron. He then claimed another victory while flying Gladiators in the Middle East before commanding No.250 Sqn in the Western Desert equipped with Tomahawks, where he claimed a further 2 victories plus one damaged. By the end of the war he had claimed 14 + 4 shared victories, and had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Cross, and had been Mentioned in Despatches. He died in 1986.
Smith, R H
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Smith, R H


Smither, G B
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Smither, G B


Stanford-Tuck, Robert
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   Died : 5 / 5 / 1987
Stanford-Tuck, Robert

Bob Stanford Tuck was a flamboyant fighter pilot, Tuck was born in Catford, SE London. After a less-than-stellar school career he left St Dunstan's College, Catford in 1932 to join the Merchant Navy as a sea cadet (seaman's Discharge Number R112769) aboard the ss.Marconi from 19 May 1933 before joining the RAF on a short service commission as an acting pilot officer in 1935.[5] Following flying training, Tuck joined 65 Squadron in September 1935 as an acting probationary pilot officer. He became a pilot officer on probation in September 1936 and his pilot officer rank was confirmed in early 1937 (which was backdated to December 1936). On 17th January 1938 Tuck was involved in a Mid air collision flying Gladiator I K7940 he had to bail out of the aircraft over Ridgewood, near Uckfield, Sussex . The other Pilot was not so lucky, also of 65 Squadron in Gladiator K8014, Sgt Geoffrey Edwin Gaskell (24) was killed In September 1938 he was promoted to Flying Officer Tuck led his first combat patrol on 23 May 1940, over Dunkirk, claiming three German fighters shot down. The following day he shot down two German bombers and as aerial fighting intensified over the next two weeks his score rapidly mounted. Tuck was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 11 June and received it from King George VI at RAF Hornchurch on 28 June. His combat successes continued into July and August as the Battle of Britain gathered pace, although he himself was forced to bail out on 18 August. While attacking a formation of Junkers Ju 88s over Kent, he shot one down and damaged another. However, during the head on attack at Ju 88, when he overtook it, cannon shells hit his Spitfire and he was forced to bail out near Tunbridge Wells. He fell at Tucks Cottage, near Park Farm, Horsmonden. In another incident on 25 August Tuck's Spitfire was badly damaged during combat with a Dornier Do 17 bomber, which he destroyed 15 miles off the coast. His aircraft had a dead engine, but he glided it back to dry land and made a forced landing To the British public he was a hero in the mould of the knights of old, and today his name is legend. In the early stages of the Battle of Britain Bob fought with 92 Squadron flying Spitfires, quickly becoming one of the leading aces. Promoted to command 257 Squadron, now flying Hurricanes, Bob's dashing style of leadership inspired his pilots to great success. He went on to command the Duxford and Biggin Hill Wings, taking his personal score to 29 air victories before being shot down by ground fire over Northern France in 1942. Tuck then spent the next couple of years in Stalag Luft III at Żagań (Sagan), before making a number of unsuccessful escape attempts from several other prisoner of war camps across Germany and Poland. In company with the Polish pilot Zbigniew Kustrzyński, he finally escaped successfully on 1 February 1945 as his camp was being evacuated westwards from Russian forces advancing into Germany. Tuck's Russian, learned from his childhood nanny, was now crucial as he spent some time fighting alongside the Russian troops until he managed eventually to find his way to the British Embassy in Moscow. He eventually boarded a ship from Russia to Southampton, England. He died on 5th May 1987.
Suikkanen, Ylikersantti Sulo Aarne
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   Died : 7 / 8 / 1944
Suikkanen, Ylikersantti Sulo Aarne

He started flying training in 1936-37 at RAOK 3 and AOK 8. and was assigned to T-LentoR 1 and on 3 February 1940 transferred to T-LentoR 2. On 15 February, he was transferred to LLv 26 as an alikersantti. On 6th January 1943 Suikkanen started training for twin-engine aircraft at T-LeLv 17 He was transferred to LeLv 44 on 26 March 1943. On 7 August 1944, he was killed in an accident. Suikkanen had claimed 1 biplane victory and a total of 4. During his career, he was awarded the Vapauden Mitali 1st Class and 2nd Class and the Vapauden Risti 4th Class twice.
Vale, William
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   Died : 29 / 11 / 1981
Vale, William

Scored 10 victories in the Gloster Gladiator. Born 3rd June 1914, William Vale joined the RAF in 1931. As a gunner, he flew Hawker Harts with No.33 Squadron before training as a pilot. He flew the Hart with the squadron before it converted to the Gloster Gladiator, which he also flew. He began WW2 in Egypt, and was posted to No.80 Squadron, claiming his 10 victories in the Gloster Gladiator. He switched to the Hawker Hurricane aircraft, adding to his tally of victories. He was awarded the DFC, and Bar to the DFC, and the AFC, before retiring from the RAF in 1946. William Vale died on 29th November 1981.
Wells, Stanley
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Wells, Stanley


Wickham, Peter R W
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Wickham, Peter R W


Woodward, Vernon
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   Died : 26 / 5 / 2000
Woodward, Vernon

Born in Victoria, British Columbia, Woodward was unable to join the RCAF as he did not have a degree. He sailed for the UK in 1938 and resided in Gloucestershire farming. After attending the Civil Flying School in Perth, Scotland by August 1938 he was accepted on a short service commission in the RAF as an Acting Pilot Officer. In September 1938 he attended 6 FTS at Little Rissington. Woodward was posted to No. 33 Squadron RAF in Egypt in May 1939. He became a Flying Officer in September. Following Italy's entry into the war in June 1940, he was to gain early successes over Libya during June–July 1940. On 20 May 1939, he was posted to Egypt to join 33 Squadron, where he became a Flying Officer on 2 September. Following the Italian entry into the war in June 1940, he was to gain early success over the Libyan frontier area during June and July. In June 1940, 33 Squadron was based at Mersa Matruh, commanded by Squadron Leader D. V. Johnson and equipped with 21 Gladiators (mainly Mk.IIs) (on 11 June) and six Gloster Gauntlets Mk.IIs kept in reserve. It had 22 pilots in three flights: ‘A’ Flight included Flight Sergeant Leonard Cottingham, Sergeant Roy Leslie Green, Flying Officer Monk, Pilot Officer Eric Woods, Pilot Officer Brown, Pilot Officer Preston, Pilot Officer Perry St. Quintin and Flight Lieutenant G. E. Hawkins. ‘B’ Flight included Flying Officer Ernest Dean, Sergeant Shaw, Pilot Officer Woodward, Sergeant J. Craig, Flying Officer Couchman, Flying Officer John Littler and Pilot Officer Alfred Costello. ‘C’ Flight included Flight Lieutenant Bolingbrooke, Sergeant William Vale, Pilot Officier E. K. Leveille, Flight Sergeant Harry Goodchild, Flying Officier Henry Starrett and Pilot Officier Boulton. 14 June saw the first combats between opposing RAF and Regia Aeronautica fighters over North Africa. This was caused because the 11th Hussars (Prince Albert’s Own), joined by elements of 4th Armoured Brigade and 1st Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, assaulted Fort Capuzzo and Fort Maddalena (the two most important Italian frontier posts). The offensive was supported by attacks by Blenheims from 45, 55, 113 and 211 Squadrons. To protect both bombers and ground forces, 33 Squadron flew offensive sweeps as far as Bardia, meeting the Regia Aeronautica two times in the morning. At 07:35 Flying Officer Ernest Dean, Flying Officer R. A. Couchman, Pilot Officer Woodward and Pilot Officer A. R. Costello of the 33 Squadron took off from Sidi Barrani to provided in-direct escort to Blenheims from 45 Squadron. Two Blenheims were out to attack the nearby airstrip of Sidi Azeiz and three bombers were out for Fort Maddalena (that the Italians had already abandoned). One of the bombers (L8524) that attacked Sidi Azeiz was shot down by light AA fire, killing the crew (Flying Officer J. Davies, Sergeant G. Negus and Leading Aircraftman J. Copeland). The fighters of 33 Squadron returned at 09:25 and reported a successful low flying attack carried out on a Ghibli bomber on ground at Sidi Aziez. Advancing British troops later captured the disabled bomber. It seems that they had run into a Caproni Ca.309 Ghibli of the 2o Gruppo APC. That morning Tenente Adriano Visconti was based at Menastir M airstrip with a section of Ca.309s of the 2o Gruppo APC. The Section received the order to send a plane over Sidi Azeiz, which was attacked by many armoured cars, to report what was happening. Visconti took off immediately (crew: Sottotenente Osservatore Regio Esercito (an Army officer) Umberto Zolesi and 1o Aviere Montatore Luigi Moroso). Over Sidi Azeiz, reached in a few minutes, he was attacked by three Gloster Gladiators that hit one of the engines and wounded Moroso. Visconti didn’t loose control of the plane and force landed on Sidi Azeiz that was already surrounded by the enemy troops. There Visconti dismounted the front gun of the Caproni and with it defended the plane for more than one hour. In the meantime at Menastir, Sergente Maggiore Oreste Speranza, not seeing his commanding officer coming back, took off with the other Caproni of the section. He discovered Visconti on the ground, landed near him and saved him together with Moroso and Zolesi. Visconti’s aircraft was captured by the enemy. For this mission Visconti was awarded the Medaglia di bronzo al valor militare for bravery and left the APC to be assigned to 50o Assalto where he became a Breda pilot. The official citation of the award of Visconti stated that: “during a mission he was attacked by three enemy aircraft that damaged seriously his plane. With skilful manoeuvre he landed it and immediately organized the defence of his crew displaying courage and great determination.” Thirty-five minutes later, at 10:00, after refuelling the Gladiators, Dean (Gladiator L9046) and Woodward (Gladiator N5783) were off again, followed a few minutes later by Sergeant J. Craig (Gladiator N5768). Near Fort Capuzzo they intercepted two Caproni Ca.310Bs escorted by CR.32s. Dean shot down one of the CR.32s while Woodward and Craig jointly attacked one Caproni, setting one of the engines on fire. The Italian bomber crash-landed among British tanks near Fort Capuzzo. Woodward also attacked and claimed a second CR.32 (this claim is unconfirmed and no more Italian losses has been possible to verify) before retuning to base with a single bullet hole in one of the wing He gained more success during December, by which time the squadron had re-equipped with Hawker Hurricanes. Late in February 1941 the squadron moved to Greece. On 9 May he was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross. Late in April Woodward was ordered to Egypt to bring back a reinforcement Hurricane. He rejoined the Squadron, now in Crete, in May 1941 as a flight commander. The unit personnel retreated on foot across the island after the German invasion, and were evacuated on a Royal Navy destroyer later in the month. The squadron reformed in June and was back in action, supporting Operation Battleaxe, with a flight of experienced pilots from 33 Squadron led by Woodward attached to No. 274 Squadron. On 11 September his tour expired and he was sent to Rhodesia to become instructor at 20 SFTS, Cranbourne, Salisbury until June 1942, when he was posted to the Training Group HQ in Salisbury on Air Staff duties. On 2 July 1942 Woodward was promoted to Squadron Leader, and in January 1943 he returned to Egypt to command No. 213 Squadron until August 1943. A Bar to his DFC was awarded on 6 August 1943. After he went to AHQ, Levant, before attending the Middle East Staff College, Haifa in September. In December he was posted to HQ, Middle East on staff duties, and promoted to Wing Commander in June 1944. In February 1945 he took command of the Mediterranean Middle East Communications Squadron, flying various transport aircraft. In December 1946 he returned to the UK, going to the Visual Interservice Training and Research Establishment as Chief Ground Instructor. In 1947 he joined CFE as SASO, and in August commanded No. 19 Squadron until March 1950. He then was posted to HQ, Fighter Command, in September 1950. Various peace time posts followed, until following a difference of opinion with a superior, he was moved to command No. 69 (PR) Squadron on Canberras in 1958. He remained with this unit until October 1959, when he went to the Ministry of Aviation, Controller of Aircraft, as SAdO. He retired in January 1963 and settled in Australia, where he formed an air charter company. In August 1967 he returned to British Columbia in retirement as a member of the Corps of Commissionaires.
Young, Anthony
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Young, Anthony





Squadrons :
28th PS Pursuit Squadron
Pilots or Aircrew :
Arthur Chin Shui-Tin
Historical Notes :
09-02-1938 - the commander of the 5th PG, Wong Pan-Yang took off from Heng Yang in a Vought V-92C Corsair in order to guide 11 Gladiators from the 28th PS up from Nanchang. When the group ran into a snowstorm Wong’s engine started to play up and he was forced to turn back to Heng Yang. The Gladiators continued on to Nanchang but only eight aircraft made it. . Chin Shui-Tin in Gladiator no. 2801 flew low to see if he could find a landmark but ended up crashing into a hill, writing off the aircraft and suffering injuries to the orbit of his right eye.
Squadrons :
28th PS Pursuit Squadron
Historical Notes :
13-04-1938 - The 28th PS Gladiator Failed to return from combat,The Pilot Wu Baijuan missing presumed Killed
Historical Notes :
16-06-1938 - Chin Shui-Tin shot down a Japanese Ki-21 while flying Gladiator #2802 over Shaokuan, Canton while with 28th PS The Gloster Gladiator had its combat début on 24 February 1938. That day, in the Nanking area, Chinese-American Capt John Wong Sun-Shui (nicknamed 'Buffalo') shot down an A5M Claude navy fighter, a Gladiator's first victim. Wong is believed to have shot down a second A5M, for the wrecks of two Japanese fighters were found. During that clash, Chinese Gladiators lost two of their number. ] Chinese Gladiators scored several more victories over Japanese aircraft from 1938 to 1940 during the Second Sino-Japanese War. In China Gladiators were used extensively before the start of 1940 by the 28th, 29th and 32nd squadrons of the 3rd Group. Chinese aviators considered the Gladiator an excellent fighter in its class but pilots soon found it increasingly difficult to hold their own against the modern A5M and because of a lack of spare parts due to an arms embargo, the surviving Gladiators were mostly relegated to training the Gladiators were split between the 28th and 29th Fighter Squadrons, although the 17th FS operated four aircraft as well. Later in 1938 the remaining aircraft were allocated to the 32nd FS. From what I can gather the serial ranges could be as follows; 17th FS 1701-1704, 28th FS 2801-2814, 29th FS 2901-2917 and the 32nd FS 3201-3209.
Squadrons :
28th PS Pursuit Squadron
Historical Notes :
03-08-1938 - 18 Japanese G3Ms were seen flying over Guangde. Later at 09:00, more than 70 Japanese fighters were reported heading for Hankou. During the combat that followed Shen Mushiu in Gladiator no. 2804.and Chin in another Gladiator claimed a shared enemy aircraft destroyed in this combat. when they came to the aid of the Squadron vice-commander Louie Yim-Qun in Gladiator no. 5732 was flying in the tail end Charlie position and he was attacked simultaneously from different directions
Squadrons :
28th PS Pursuit Squadron
Historical Notes :
09-02-1938 - Flight Leader Chou Yung-Shu ( Chou Geng-Hsu ) in Gladiator no. 2805 got lost during a flight and he had to bail out when he was part of 11 Gladiators from the 28th PS up from Nanchang. When the group ran into a snowstorm The Gladiators continued on to Nanchang but only eight aircraft made it.
Squadrons :
28th PS Pursuit Squadron
Historical Notes :
16-06-1938 - nine enemy fighters were sighted near Nan Hsiung. John Wong in, commander of the 5th Air Group,in Gladiator 2909 and eight Gladiators were dispatched from Xiaoquan airbase to search for enemy planes. As they reached 13000 feet above Xixin, Teng Chung-Kai saw six JNAF Type 96 G3M's in two 'V' formations flying 2000 feet below him. Teng swirled his Gladiator #2809 slightly to notify Wong who then gave the signal to attack. Wong in Gladiator #2909, Art Chin in Gladiator #2802 and Teng took the lead to dive into the second enemy bomber 3-plane formation (Yoneda's flight). Wong attacked Yoneda in the lead bomber with his favorite approach of diving from above and pulling up to shoot at the belly of the bombers. He hit the bomber's externally slung bomb-load (8 x 60kg bombs) under the belly and detonated one of the bombs, destroying the Japanese aircraft. The explosion possibly also damaged the other two bombers in the formation. Chin shot down the aircraft flying to the left of the lead bomber and it went down in flames. Wong also claimed three additional shared destroyed in this combat. ROCAF records indicate that two wrecks were found in rice fields between Lok-Cheung (Le Chang) and Yun Fa (Ren Hua), almost certainly that of Yoneda and his No.2 wingman.
03-08-1938 - 18 Japanese G3Ms were seen flying over Guangde.and also more than 70 Japanese fighters were reported heading for Hankou. In response the Chinese Air Force scrambled 52 fighters consisting of 20 I-15bis, 13 I-16s, 11 Gladiators and 7 Hawk IIIs in four groups from Hankou to intercept the Japanese intruders. The 11 Gladiators were assigned to the 4th PG, which was divided into two subgroups. Subgroup A was led by Captain Wu Yu-Liu, Commander of the 3rd PG, who was flying an I-15bis and with four Gladiators under his leadership. Subgroup B was led by 28th PS leader Chin Shui-Tin, who was flying Gladiator no. 2809 and with six Gladiators under his leadership. In the following Combat Chin Shiu-Tin in Gldiator 2809 damaged a Japanese A5M over Hankou area
Squadrons :
28th PS Pursuit Squadron
Historical Notes :
13-04-1938 - Wu Bo-Jun who was killed when his Gladiator no. 2810 when it crashed near Tai-Ho Hsiang (village) in Pan-Yu County south east of Canton after being hit while in combat with Japanese aircraft from the Japanese carrier Kaga had launched a strike on Canton consisting of three Type 95 (A4N) fighters, three Type 96 (A5M) fighters and 18 Type 94 (Aichi D1A1) dive-bombers. and had been intercepted by the Chiness 28th and 29th PS squadrons
24-02-1938 - Lieutenant Fan Hsin-Min flying 2810 shared in the destruction of a Japanese E8N (a) over Nan Hsiung area
Squadrons :
28th PS Pursuit Squadron
Historical Notes :
16-06-1938 - nine enemy fighters were sighted near Nan Hsiung. John Wong in, commander of the 5th Air Group,in Gladiator 2909 and eight Gladiators were dispatched from Xiaoquan airbase to search for enemy planes. As they reached 13000 feet above Xixin, Teng Chung-Kai saw six JNAF Type 96 G3M's in two 'V' formations flying 2000 feet below him. Teng swirled his Gladiator #2809 slightly to notify Wong who then gave the signal to attack. Wong in Gladiator #2909, Art Chin in Gladiator #2802 and Teng took the lead to dive into the second enemy bomber 3-plane formation (Yoneda's flight). Wong attacked Yoneda in the lead bomber with his favorite approach of diving from above and pulling up to shoot at the belly of the bombers. He hit the bomber's externally slung bomb-load (8 x 60kg bombs) under the belly and detonated one of the bombs, destroying the Japanese aircraft. The explosion possibly also damaged the other two bombers in the formation. Chin shot down the aircraft flying to the left of the lead bomber and it went down in flames. Wong also claimed three additional shared destroyed in this combat. ROCAF records indicate that two wrecks were found in rice fields between Lok-Cheung (Le Chang) and Yun Fa (Ren Hua), almost certainly that of Yoneda and his No.2 wingman.
24-02-1938 - Landing after combat Deputy Squadron Leader Xieh Chuanwo's in Gladiator #2901 ran off the runway due to a brake failure Hit the Stationary Gladiator 2909 inflicting minor damage to its right wings. #2909,had been grounded due to a leaking wing tank after it had been hit by strafing Japanese aircraft.
Squadrons :
No.112 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
G B Smither
Historical Notes :
19-09-1940 - Flown by Pilot Officer G B Smither.
09-12-1940 - Flown by Pilot Officer G B Smither.
Squadrons :

Historical Notes :
03-04-1940 - Involved in a collision with K7907 while in formation and abandoned 20m East of Helwan.
Squadrons :

Historical Notes :
29-06-1939 - Left 3 Squadron on 29/03/38 arriving in Aboukir for 80 sqd on 28/04/38.On the 29th June 1939 K6148 While Landing, overshot the runway at Helwan. and was damaged , requiring repairs so sent to 103 MU but on 15th March 1940 while at 103 MU the Gladiator crashed Crashed while being tested
Squadrons :
No.112 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
Fraser
Historical Notes :
09-09-1940 - Flight Lieutenant Fraser claimed an SM79 probable.
Squadrons :
No.112 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
Fraser
Historical Notes :
12-11-1940 - Flight Lieutenant Fraser claimed an SM79 damaged
17-11-1940 - Flown by Flight Lieutenant Fraser.
Squadrons :

Historical Notes :
08-08-1940 - 08/08/40 Patrol and combat; F/Sgt Richens. claimed two Italian 2 CR.42s
Squadrons :
No.33 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
R H Smith
Historical Notes :
04-07-1940 - Flying Officer R H Smith claimed a CR42.
Squadrons :
No.112 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
C. H. Fry
Historical Notes :
28-02-1941 - Flight Lieutenant C H Fry claimed a G50 and a CR42.
Squadrons :

Historical Notes :
07-07-1037 - Delivered from the factory directly to 54 Sqd until 30/3 1939 when it joined 603 Sqd until 19th Sept 1939 when it joined 605 Sqd. Moving again on to 263 Sqd on 10th October 1939. Seemed top have spent the next 2 years in repair depots. from 29/10/39 To 5 MU and 22/08/41 To 27 MU. until eventually being transferred to the Royal navy on 5th July 1941
Squadrons :

Historical Notes :
30-04-1937 - Joined 54 Sqd on 30/04/37 directly from the Manufacturer. Joined 603 Sqd on 30/03/39 until 27/10/39 From 603 Sq.to 141 sqd until 11/11/43 To 8 MU. 04/12/43 To Glosters. 30/06/44 To 8 MU. 26/04/46 SOC.
Squadrons :

Historical Notes :
21-05-1939 - 27th April 1937 joined 54 Sqs from Factory. On 21/04/39 transferred to 603 Sq. Transferring again on 11/10/39 To 152 Sq. 24/11/39 To 5 MU.18/03/41 To Odiham. 06/41 To the Middle East.To Meteorological Flight, Ramleh.
Squadrons :
No.72 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
Alfred Alexander Devany
Historical Notes :
07-02-1938 - Gladiator I K7934, of 72 Sqn, at Church Fenton Hit high-tension wires in fog, Riplingham, near Brough, Yorks Aircraft destroyed by fire The Pilot Plt Off Alfred Alexander Devany (23) was killed and pilot killed. Total hours 107.20 hours
Squadrons :
No.112 Sqn RAF
Historical Notes :
18-09-1940 - Flight Lieutenant flew a patrol.
Squadrons :
No.65 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
Robert Stanford-Tuck
Historical Notes :
17-01-1938 - Plt Off Roland Robert Stanford Tuck had to bale out of Gladiator K7940, after Collision with Gladiator I K8014, both Gladiators were involved in squadron landing practice 65 Sqn, at Hornchurch Collision with K7940, Ridgewood, near Uckfield, Sussex Sgt Geoffrey Edwin Gaskell (24) killed
Squadrons :
No.112 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
G B Smither
Historical Notes :
21-11-1940 - Pilot Officer G B Smither claimed a half shared victory over an SM79.
Squadrons :
No.112 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
Fraser
Historical Notes :
31-10-1940 - Flight Lieutenant Fraser claimed an SM79.
Squadrons :
No.112 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
Percy Oliver Valentine Green
Historical Notes :
01-08-1940 - Pilot Officer Percy Oliver Valentine Green claimed a Ca133
Squadrons :
No.65 Sqn RAF
Historical Notes :
17-01-1938 - Gladiator I K8014, 65 Sqn, Hornchurch Collision with K7940, Ridgewood, near Uckfield, Sussex The Pilot Sgt Geoffrey Edwin Gaskell (24) was killed The Pilot of the other Gladiator Plt Off Roland Robert Stanford Tuck baled out of K7940, injured
Squadrons :
No.112 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
Fraser
Historical Notes :
15-09-1940 - Flight Lieutenant Fraser claimed an SM79 damaged.
Squadrons :
No.33 Sqn RAF
No.112 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
Henry W Harrison
Peter R W Wickham
Historical Notes :
29-06-1940 - Pilot Officer Peter R W Wickham claims an Ro37 and a CR42 destroyed.
17-09-1940 - Pilot Officer Henry W Harrison claimed a CR32.
Squadrons :
No.112 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
Jack Hamlyn
G B Smither
Historical Notes :
29-06-1940 - Pilot Officer Jack Hamlyn claimed an SM81 over Aden.
17-11-1940 - Flown by Pilot Officer G B Smither.
Squadrons :
No.615 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
J C M Hanbury
Pilots or Aircrew :
Keith
Historical Notes :
17-08-1940 - Lt Keith claimed an SM79 and one third shared SM79.
Pilots or Aircrew :
Charles L Keighly-Peach
Historical Notes :
17-08-1940 - Commander Charles Keighly-Peach claimed two SM79s damaged.
Pilots or Aircrew :
Anthony Young
Historical Notes :
17-08-1940 - Lieutenant Anthony Young claimed an SM79 and a third shared SM79.
Squadrons :
No.615 Sqn RAF
Historical Notes :
12-12-1939 - Purchased by The Finnish Air Force
Historical Notes :
11-06-1944 - 18/01/40 2/LLv 26, 19/06/40 LLv 16, 19/06/41 1/LLv 16, 11/06/44 Crashed at Vitska. The Pilot luutnantti A. Kurki survived unhurt Total flying hours for aircraft 252 hours 30 min
Squadrons :
No.33 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
Henry W Harrison
H Gray-Worcester
Historical Notes :
29-06-1940 - Pilot Officer Henry W Harrison claimed a CR32 damaged.
04-07-1940 - Flying Officer H Gray-Worcester claimed 4 CR42s.
19-09-1940 - Pilot Officer Henry W Harrison claimed a CR32.
Squadrons :
No.33 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
Richard John Bennett
Historical Notes :
04-07-1940 - Flying Officer R J Bennett claimed a CR42.
Squadrons :
No.112 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
H P Cochrane
Historical Notes :
28-02-1941 - Flying Officer H P Cochrane claimed a CR42.
Squadrons :
No.33 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
Peter R W Wickham
Vernon Woodward
Historical Notes :
30-06-1940 - Pilot Officer Peter R W Wickham claims a CR32 destroyed.
Squadrons :
No.112 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
Stanley Wells
Historical Notes :
26-02-1941 - Pilot Officer Stanley Wells claimed a CR32.
Squadrons :
No.112 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
John Evelyn Scoular
Historical Notes :
22-02-1941 - Flight Lieutenant J Scoular claimed an SM79.
24-02-1941 - Flight Lieutenant J Scoular claimed an SM79.
Squadrons :
No.112 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
Henry W Harrison
Historical Notes :
28-02-1941 - Flown by Flying Officer Henry W Harrison.
Squadrons :
No.112 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
Fraser
Historical Notes :
28-02-1941 - Flight Lieutenant Fraser claimed a G50 and a CR42,

Known Individual Aircraft : Gladiator :

Type

Serial

Codes

First Flew

Squadron History

Aircrew History

History Notes

Engine

Factory

Gladiator

2801

-

details

details

details

Gladiator I

2803

-

details

no information

details

Gladiator I

2804

-

no information

no information

details

645 hp(481kW) Mercury VIS engine

Gladiator I

2804

-

details

no information

details

Gladiator I

2805

-

details

no information

details

Gladiator I

2809

-

details

no information

details

Gladiator I

2810

-

details

no information

details

Gladiator I

2901

-

no information

no information

no information

Gladiator I

2909

-

details

no information

details

Gladiator I

K6135

RT-E

-

details

details

details

Gladiator MK 1

K6146

-

details

no information

details

Gladiator

K6148

25/03/1937

details

no information

details

Gladiator I

K7608

-

details

details

details

Gladiator I

K7621

-

details

details

details

Gladiator YK-K

K7892

05/04/1937

details

no information

details

Gladiator I

K7897

-

details

details

details

Gladiator I

K7914

-

details

details

details

Gladiator MK1

K7917

07/05/1937

details

no information

details

Gladiator MK1

K7918

30/04/1937

details

no information

details

Gladiator MK 1

K7919

-

no information

no information

no information

Gladiator

K7920

27/04/1937

details

no information

details

Gladiator I

K7934

26/05/1937

details

details

details

Gladiator I

K7939

-

details

no information

details

Gladiator I

K7940

-

details

details

details

Gladiator

K7948

-

details

details

details

Gladiator I

K7973

-

details

details

details

Gladiator I

K7974

RT-O

-

details

details

details

Gladiator I

K8014

-

details

no information

details

Gladiator I

K8019

-

details

details

details

Gladiator

K8031

-

details

details

details

Gladiator I

L7619

-

details

details

details

Gladiator II

N2314

-

details

details

no information

Gladiator (Sea)

N5513

-

no information

details

details

Gladiator (Sea)

N5517

-

no information

details

details

Gladiator (Sea)

N5567

-

no information

details

details

Gladiator I

N5582

-

details

no information

no information

Gladiator MK 2

N5584

GL-251

12/12/1939

no information

no information

details

Gladiator MK 2

N5683

GL252

12/12/1939

no information

no information

details

Gladiator

N5768

-

details

details

details

Gladiator II

N5779

-

details

details

details

Gladiator II

N5782

-

details

details

details

Gladiator

N5783

-

details

details

details

Gladiator II

N5815

-

details

details

details

Gladiator II

N5828

-

details

details

details

Gladiator

N5895

-

details

details

details

Gladiator II

N5910

-

details

details

details




Squadrons for : Gladiator
A list of all squadrons known to have flown the Gladiator. A profile page is available by clicking the squadron name.
SquadronInfo

28th PS Pursuit Squadron

Country : China

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28th PS Pursuit Squadron

The 28th PS was tasked with defending Nanking in August 1937 but with pressing demands for air defense in both Northern China and Southern China, the 28th PS was split into two. One group of four 28th PS Curtiss Hawk IIs, reinforced by three others from the Air Force Academy, went sent north to Tai Yuan under the command of Captain Chan Kee-Wong. The remaining four Hawk IIs, led by Captain Chin Shui-Tin, were sent south to protect the Shaokwan Aircraft Factory in Canton Province. On 15 September 1937 an Air Force headquarters was organized at Canton (Gunagzhou), the provincial capital of Guangdung, to which were subordinated the 28th PS and 29th PS, both with Hawk IIIs and the 18th BS with the Douglas O-2MC. 18 September 1937 In the morning, the 28th PS Hawk IIs were scrambled and forced an IJAAF reconnaissance plane to abort its mission to Tai Yuan. Later that afternoon at 16:00, two Japanese Army Type 94 observation aircraft (Nakajima Ki-4) from the 12th Hiko Rentai returned to Tai Yuan to investigate reports of increased Chinese Air Force activities there. Seven Hawk IIs were again scrambled to intercept. This time, the Chinese caught and shot up both of the hapless Japanese observation planes. Lieutenant Louie Yim-Qun chased one of the Type 94s flown by a Captain Henaga and shot it down over Chinhsien. Both of the IJAAF aircrew were killed. Louie Yim-Qun was slightly injured in the leg by return fire from the IJAAF plane but he managed to return to base On 27 September 1937, three IJNAF G3Ms from the Kanoya Kokutai attacked the Hankou-Canton Railway in the Kwangtung Province. Lieutenant Chen Shun-Nan led three Hawk IIIs of the 29th PS from Tien-Ho Airfield in Canton and Chin Shui-Tin led four Hawk IIs of the 28th PS from Shao-Kuan Airfield to intercept. Both groups attacked the G3M's over Lok Cheung (Le Chang in Pin-yin) and the 29th PS claimed to have downed one G3M and damaged another. Chin Shui-Tin only claimed to have shot up an IJNAF plane and "drove it away". In the beginning of October the 28th PS of the 5th PG began to replace their destroyed Hawk II and III with three dozen English Gloster Gladiators Mark I 7 October 1937 At 12:00, twelve Japanese planes attacked Shaoguan and eight Chinese Hawks from the 28th PS and 29th PS rose to meet the intruders. Hawk II no. 2807 piloted by Huang Yuan-Po was shot and the pilot killed, and Hawk III no. 2909 piloted by Chen Shun- Nan was shot down in flames and suffered the same fate. One pilot made a forced landing at Shaxing while a second pilot was wounded and returned to the aerodrome. The Chinese fighters claimed two Japanese fighters. 26 October 1937 Captain Liu Chui-Kang flew in his Curtiss Hawk III to Taiyuan in the Shansi Province to take over the command of the 28th PS (of which Louie Yim-Qun was vice-commander) as replacement for Captain Chan Kee-Wong, who had been injured in action on 21 September. Liu Chui-Kang was leading a flight of four Hawks to Taiyuan. At 07:00, the four fighters took off from Nanking, arriving at Hankou at 09:30. Leaving Hankou at 11:30, they arrived at 13:25 at Loyang. They departed Loyang at 16:15. By 18:00, they still had not reached Loyang but it was getting dark, and the planes were separated while getting through some clouds. Only one of the fighters were able to get back to Loyang safely at 20:45. Low on fuel and with the approaching darkness, Liu dropped a flare and tried to land, but hit a tower south of Taiyuan and was killed. The two other fighters also crashed – fortunately the two pilots, Tsou Keng-Hsu and Xu Bao-Yun were able to bail out safely. Liu Chui-Kang was posthumously promoted to Major. At the time of his death, he was credited with 7 biplane victories. On 1 October 1938, the 28th PS was re-assigned to the 3rd PG and sent to Lanchou to train on I-15bis. Chin, as Squadron Leader went with them. The remaining Gladiators from the 28th and 32nd PS were sent to Liu-Chow in Kwangsi for overhaul text by Håkan Gustavsson who has written some superb books on the gladiator.

No.112 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 25th July 1917
Fate : Disbanded 1st July 1957

Swift in destruction

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No.112 Sqn RAF

Full profile not yet available.

No.152 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 1st October 1918
Fate : Disbanded 15th November 1967
Hyderabad

Faithful ally

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No.152 Sqn RAF

Operated from Warmwell during the Battle of Britain.

No.16 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 10th February 1915

Operta aperta - Hidden things are revealed

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No.16 Sqn RAF

No. 16 Squadron was formed from elements of Nos. 2, 5 and 6 Squadrons at St Omer, France, on 10 February 1915. The unit flew more than its fair share of types including Voisins, BE2As, Bs, and Shorthorns, using them to pioneer the use of wireless to report enemy troop movements during the Battle of Abuers Ridge in May 1915. During 1916, the Squadron standardised on the BE2C. During the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the Squadron formed an association with the Canadian Corps that lasted until the Armistice. Along with so many other RAF Squadrons, No. 16 was disbanded in 1919. On 1 April 1924, No. 16 Squadron reformed at Old Sarum, spending the next ten years attached to the School of Army Co-operation flying Bristol Fighters, Atlas' and Audaxes. In May 1938, the Squadron became the first to receive Lysanders, taking them to France at the outbreak of World War II. After returning to the UK in May 1940, the Squadron was tasked with anti-invasion coastal patrols until Mustangs arrived in April 1942. These were used in 'Rhubarb' patrols over France and also intercepting enemy fighter-bombers mounting 'hit and run' raids along the South Coast. During the preparations for D-Day, reconnaissance Spitfires replaced the Mustangs, flying both high- and low-level reconnaissance sorties as 2TAF advanced towards Germany. In March 1946, after a period of confusion as to whether the Squadron had been disbanded or not, the Squadron inherited No. 56 Squadron's Tempests and moved to Gutersloh. No. 16 Squadron re-equipped with ground-attack Vampires in late 1948 and Venoms in 1954 before disbanding in June 1957. A year later, the Squadron was reformed at Laarbruch and began a 14-year association with Canberras before finally receiving Buccaneers in June 1972. The Buccaneers were replaced by Tornado GR1s in 1984, and, like its sister Squadron, No. XV, found itself disbanded in Germany in October 1991 under 'Options for Change' and its numberplate being assigned to an operational conversion unit, in this case No. 226 OCU at Lossiemouth. With the decision taken to run the Jaguar fleet down in ant

No.239 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : August 1918
Fate : Disbanded 1st July 1945

Exploramus - We seek out

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No.239 Sqn RAF

Full profile not yet available.

No.247 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 20th August 1918
Fate : Disbanded 31st December 1963
China-British

Rise from the east

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No.247 Sqn RAF

Full profile not yet available.

No.249 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 18th August 1918
Fate : Disbanded 24th February 1969
Gold Coast

Pugnis et cacibus - With fist and heels

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No.249 Sqn RAF

Full profile not yet available.

No.261 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 20th August 1918
Fate : Disbanded 25th September 1945

Semper contendo - I strive continually

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No.261 Sqn RAF

Full profile not yet available.

No.263 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 27th September 1918
Fate : Disbanded 30th June 1963

Ex ungue leonem - From his claws one knows the lion

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No.263 Sqn RAF

Full profile not yet available.

No.274 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : April 1918
Fate : Disbanded 7th September 1945

Supero - I oversome

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No.274 Sqn RAF

274 squadron was formed as a heavy bomber squadron at Bircham Newton in April 1918, and disbanded shortly after the Armistice. On 19th August 1940 it was reformed as a fighter squadron at Amriya with ten pilots from No.80 squadron and initially equipped with Hurricanes and Gladiators. The squadron was soon to become the first in the western desert to be fully equipped with Hurricanes. They became operational in September, destroying their first enemy aircraft (two SM79s) over Maaten Bagush on 10th September. Between December and February 1941, the squadron was employed on various duties including patrols, strafing Italian troops/transport and escort work. During February it was rested and some of its pilots ferried aircraft to Greece. In April they encountered German aircraft and were involved in the intense fighting over Tobruk. These operations continued until May, when they began strafing targets in Crete and providing cover for naval ships. Until March 1942 the squadron was involved in ground attack, protective patrols and bomber escorts. In May they began to receive the first Hurri-bombers, using them for the first time against enemy transport on 8th June 1942. There now began a period of intense activity including the battle of Alamein and more shipping patrols. This continued until the Autumn when the squadron was employed on coastal defence for the rest of 1942 and the majority of 1943. January 1944 saw a move to Italy and the beginning of a period of offensive sorties against enemy roads which continued until April. The squadron was then transferred to the UK and re-equipped with Mk IX Spitfires commencing fighter sweeps and bomber escorts until June, when it was transferred to anti V-1 patrols. In August, No.274 was re-equipped with the Hawker Tempest and commenced attacks against airfields on the continent, moving to Belgium in September. Throughout the winter it was involved on mainly armed reconnaissance patrols and had several combats with Me262 jet fighters - destroying one on the 11th February 1945. The squadron maintained its program of patrols and attacks against enemy airfields with great success, its last being on 4th May. Following VE Day (8th May 1945) No.274 Squadron moved into the Occupied Zone until September 1945 when they effectively disbanded by re-numbering as No.174 Squadron.

No.3 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 13th May 1912

Tertius primus erit - The Third shall be first

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No.3 Sqn RAF

Full profile not yet available.

No.33 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 12th January 1916

Loyalty

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No.33 Sqn RAF

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No.46 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 19th April 1916
Fate : Disbanded 31st August 1975.
Uganda

We rise to conquer

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No.46 Sqn RAF

No. 46 Squadron was formed on the 19th April 1916 and based at RAF Wyton base. In October 1916, 46 Squadron moved to France and was equipped with the two seater Nieuport. 46 Squadrons role was artillery spotting and reconnaissance until May 1917 when 46 squadron were re equipped with the fighter the Sopwith Pup. 46 Squadron operated as part of the 11th Army Wing, and saw many engagements with the enemy. Returning to England and based at Sutton's Farm, Essex, the squadron took part in the defence of London, in July 1917. London had been bombed several times by German Gotha Bombers but after 46 Squadrons patrols no enemy aircraft managed to bomb London in their area. Later 46 squadorn returned to France at the end of August 1917 and in November the squadorn was re equipped with the Sopwith Camel and participated in the Battle of Cambrai protecting the ground troops. In November 1917, Lieutenant (later Major) Donald Maclaren joined 46 Squadron. His first dogfight was not until February 1918, but in the last 9 months of the war Donald Maclaren was credited with shooting down 48 aeroplanes and six balloons, making him one of the top aces of World War I. By November 1918, 46 Squadron had claimed 184 air victories, creating 16 aces. After the First World War had ended the squadorn returned to England and was disbanded on the 31st of December 1919. The outbreak of war found 46 Squadron at RAF Digby, equipped with Hawker Hurricanes. Action with the enemy came quickly when, at the end of October 1939, Squadron Leader Barwell and Pilot Officer Plummer attacked a formation of 12 Heinkel 115s, destroying one each, and scattering the remainder. The next six months were uneventful, consisting in the main of providing air cover for the shipping convoys steaming along the East Coast - a few enemy aircraft were sighted but no contacts were made. In May 1940, the squadron was selected to form part of the Expeditionary Force in Norway, which had been invaded by the Germans on 9th April. The Hurricanes were embarked on HMS Glorious and, despite doubts that a Hurricane could take off from a carrier flight deck in a flat calm, they all took to the air without difficulty, thanks to the efforts of the ship's engineers, who managed to get the Glorious up to a speed of 30 knots. No.46 Squadron assembled at Bardufoss and began operation on 26 May. Patrols were maintained over the land and naval forces at Narvik without respite, some of the pilots going without sleep for more than 48 hours. Conditions on the ground were very basic with poor runways and primitive servicing and repair facilities. Many air combats took place, and in its brief campaign in Norway the squadron accounted for at least 14 enemy aircraft, besides probably destroying many others. On 7th June the squadron was ordered to evacuate Norway immediately and, on the night of 7th through 8th June, the Hurricanes were successfully flown back to Glorious — a dangerous procedure as none of the aircraft were fitted with deck arrester hooks. The ground parties embarked on HMS Vindictive and SS Monarch of Bermuda and reached the UK safely, but the squadron's aircraft and eight of its pilots were lost when Glorious was sunk by German warships on 9th June 1940. The two pilots who survived were the Squadron Commander, Squadron Leader (later Air Chief Marshal) Bing Cross, and the Flight Commander, Flight Lieutenant (later Air Commodore) Jamie Jameson.

No.521 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 1st August 1941
Fate : Disbanded 1st April 1946
Uganda

We rise to conquer

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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.54 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 15th May 1916

Audax omnia perpeti - Boldness to endure anything

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No.54 Sqn RAF

No. 54 Squadron was formed on the 5th of May 1916 at Castle Bromwich. The squadron was equipped with BE2C's and Avro 504's and was part of the home defence force. Shortly after 54 squadron changed to day fighter duties and moved to France then equipped with Sopwith Pups. Their role was to escort bombers and attack observation balloons. Near the end of the great war 54 squadron was re -quipped with Sopwith Camels and tasked with ground attack as well as fighter sorties. In February 1919, the squadron returned to RAF Yatesbury and on 2nd October 1919 54 squadron was disbanded. On the 15th of January 1930, 54 squadron was reformed at RAF Hornchurch as a fighter squadron equipped initially with Siskin aircraft. The Siskins were subsequently replaced with Bulldog fighters and in September 1936 54 squadron was re-equipped with Gloster Gauntlets and in April 1937, they recieved Gloster Gladiators. In March 1939 the squadron recieved the new Supermarine Spitfire. After the outbreak of world war two, 54 Squadron was given the duties of patrolling the Kent coast, until having to support and give air cover to the evacuation of Dunkirk in May and June 1940. The squadron was heavily involved during the Battle of Britain until November 1940 and after the Battle of Britain had ceased the squadron moved in November 1940 to RAF Castletown where its duties were coastal patrols. In June 1942 the squadron moved to RAF Wellingore to prepare for the squadron moving to Australia. In January 1943 54 squadron joined No.1 Wing of the Royal Australian Air Force. The Spitfires of the squadron were given the role of air defence duties against Japanese air attacks in the Darwin area. After the war had ended 54 squadron was disbanded in Melbourne on the 31st of October 1945, although the squadron name continued when on the 15th of November 1945 No.183 Squadron was renumbered 54 Squadron and flew initially Hawker Tempests. Taking up jet aircraft, the squadron subsequently used Vampires, Meteors, Hunters, Phantom and Jaguars before disbanding on 11th March 2005. 54 Squadron reformed on 5th September 2005 as an ISTAR (Intelligence Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance ) unit equipped with Sentry, Nimrod and Sentinel aircraft.

No.56 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 9th June 1916
Punjab

Quid si coelum ruat - What if heaven falls

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No.56 Sqn RAF

56 Squadron was formed on 8th June 1916 and in April 1917 was posted to France as part of the Royal Flying Corps. 56 squadron was equipped with the new SE5 fighter. One of the major aerial combats of the squadron was the shooting down of Lt Werner Voss. By the end of the first world war 56 Squadron had scored 402 victories, and many famous fighter aces flew with 56 Squadron including James McCudden, Reginald Hoidge, Gerald Maxwell, Arthur Rhys-Davies, Geoffrey Hilton Bowman, Richard Mayberry, Leonard Monteagle Barlow, Cyril Crowe, Maurice Mealing, Albert Ball, Harold Walkerdine, William Roy Irwin, Eric Broadberry, Kenneth William Junor, Cecil Leiws, Keith Muspratt, Duncan Grinnell-Milne, William Spurret Fielding-Johnson, William Otway Boger, Charles Jeffs, and Harold Molyneux. The squadron lost 40 pilots during the first world war with another twenty wounded and thirty one taken prisoner. When world war two broke out on the 6th of September 1939, 56 Squadron was based at North Weald. 56 Squadron flew Hurricanes during the Battle of France and during the Battle of Britain. 56 Squadron claimed just over 100 enenmy aircraft shot down during 1940. In 1941 as part of the Duxford Wing it was the first squadron to be equipped with the new Hawker Typhoon and during 1942 and 1943 was based ay RAF Matlaske as part of No.12 Group. No 56 Squadron was the frist squadron to confirm a victory while flying the Hawker Typhoon. In 1944 56 Squadron moved to RAF Newchurch and was re equipped with the new Hawker Tempest V, becoming part of the No.150 Wing under the command of the Ace Wing Commander Roland Beamont. 56 Squadron's new role was to defend Britian against the V1 flying bombs, and the squadron shot down around 75 V1s. The squadron moved to Europe on the 28th of September 1944 to Grimbergen in Belgium as part fo 122 Wing of the Second Tactical Air Force. During this period to the end of the war 56 Squadron became joint top scorers with a total of 149 aircraft cliamed. Over its history the squadron flew, SE5's Sopwith Snipes, Gloster Grebes, Armstrong Whitworth Siskins, Bristol Bulldogs, Gloster Gauntlets, Gloster Gladiators, Harker Hurricanes, Hawker Typhoon, and Hawker Tempests. Battle of Honours of the Squadron are : Western front 1917 - 1918 , Arras, Ypres 1917, Cambrai 1917, Soome 1918, Amiens, Hindenburg Line. During World war two : France and the Low Countries 1940, Battle of Britian, Fortress Europe 1942 - 1944, Dieppe, France, Germany 1944 - 1945, Home Defence 1942 - 1945 and Arnhem.

No.603 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 14th October 1925
Fate : Disbanded 10th March 1957
City of Edinburgh (Auxiliary)

Gin ye daur - If you dare

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No.603 Sqn RAF

No 603 Squadron was formed on 14 October 1925 at Turnhouse as a day bomber unit of the Auxiliary Air Force. Originally equipped with DH9As and using Avro 504Ks for flying training, the squadron re-equipped with Wapitis in March 1930, these being replaced by Harts in February 1934. On 24 October 1938, No 603 was redesignated a fighter unit and flew Hinds until the arrival of Gladiators at the end of March 1939. Within two weeks of the outbreak of war in September 1939, the squadron began to receive Spitfires and passed on its Gladiators to other squadrons during October. It was operational with Spitfires in time to intercept the first German air raid on the British Isles on 16 October, when it destroyed the first enemy aircraft to be shot down over Britain in the Second World War. It remained on defensive duties in Scotland until the end of August 1940, when it moved to southern England for the remaining months of the Battle of Britain, returning to Scotland at the end of December. In May 1941, the squadron moved south again to take part in sweeps over France until the end of the year. After a further spell in Scotland, No.603 left in April 1942 for the Middle East where its ground echelon arrived early in June. The squadron's aircraft were embarked on the US carrier 'Wasp' and flown off to Malta on 20 April to reinforce the fighter defences of the beleaguered island. After nearly four months defending Malta, the remaining pilots and aircraft were absorbed by No.229 Squadron on 3 August 1942.

No.605 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 5th October 1926
Fate : Disbanded 10th March 1957
County of Warwick (Auxiliary)

Nunquam dormio - I never sleep

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No.605 Sqn RAF

Formed on 5 October 1926 at RAF Castle Bromwich, 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron was originally a day bomber unit of the Auxiliary Air Force. recruiting in the Birmingham area. Initially equipped with DH.9As, it received Westland Wapitis in April 1930 and Hawker Harts in October 1934. The latter were replaced by Hawker Hinds in August 1936. On 1 January 1939 No. 605 squadron was redesignated as a fighter squadron and re-equipped with Gloster Gladiators., they moved to RAF Tangmere at the start of World War II with a mixture of 6 Hurricanes and 10 Gloster Gladiators. In 1940, the Squadron flew patrols over northern France and took part in the closing stages of the Battle of Britain. It then carried out escort duties and fighter sweeps until posted overseas. In November 1941, the Squadron flew off the carrier HMS Argus to Malta, where it was retained as part of the island's defences, prior to continuing its journey to the Far East. Arriving in Singapore too late to prevent its capture, it moved to Sumatra and then to Java, where they were caught up in the Japanese invasion. It operated any aircraft it could fly until it ceased to exist with its personnel either escaping in small groups or being captured. A new 605 Squadron was formed at RAF Ford on 7 June 1942. Initially equipped with Douglas Boston and Havocs in the intruder role, they were replaced with de Havilland Mosquitoes from February 1943. The Squadron continued to operate this type of aircraft until the end of the war and during this period they were tasked with destroying the German V1 Flying Bombs en route to England. The Squadron disbanded at Volkel Air Base on 31 August 1945; however, with the reactivation of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, 605 Squadron was reformed as a night fighter squadron at RAF Honiley on 10 May 1946. Becoming a day fighter Squadron in July 1948, it flew de Havilland Vampire F.1s and Vampire FB.5s before finally being disbanded, along with all the flying units of the RAuxAF, on 10 March 1957. The Squadron Standard was awarded on 15 October 1953, but it was presented by HRH Princess Margaret on 11 March 1954. It is now laid up in the Parish Church of St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, Castle Vale, which was built on the original site of RAF Castle Bromwich.

No.607 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 16th March 1930
Fate : Disbanded 10th March 1957
County of Durham (Auxiliary)

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No.607 Sqn RAF

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No.615 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 1st June 1937
Fate : Disbanded 10th March 1957
County of Surrey (Auxiliary)

Conjunctis viribus

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No.615 Sqn RAF

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No.72 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 28th June 1917
Fate : Disbanded 12th November 1981
Basutoland

Swift

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No.72 Sqn RAF

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No.80 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 1st August 1917
Fate : Disbanded 28th September 1960

Nil nobis obstare potest - Nothing can stop us

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No.80 Sqn RAF

80 Squadron was formed at Montrose on the 10th August 1917, and saw action in France, specialising in the ground attack role. Remaining in Belgium after the war, they moved to Egypt in May 1919 where it was renumbered 56 the following year. 80 squadron re-formed at Kenley on 8th March 1937, equipped with Gloster Gauntlets and Gladiators. Posted to Egypt in May 1938, the squadron joined No.33 to form a Gladiator Wing for defence of the Suez canal. When Italy entered the war, 80 squadron was stationed at Amriya equipped with Gladiators and one Hurricane. In November 1940, the squadron moved to Greece and in February 1941, the squadron equipped with a mixture of Gladiators and Hurricanes was used on bomber escort duties. In March the Germans came to the aid of their Italian Allies and on 24th March the squadron was evacuated to Crete and then to Palestine. In November 1941 they returned to the Western Desert to take part in the relief of Tobruk. During 1942-43, the squadron was on defence duties and convoy escort work over the Eastern Mediterranean. Posted to Italy in January 1944 and then onto the UK, they were re-equipped with Spitfires Mk IX. 80 Squadron then took part in bomber escorts, sweeps and armed reconnaissance. They began to re-equip with the Hawker Tempest, and were used for anti V1 operations. 80 Squadron was posted to the continent to support the Arnhem landings and roamed over Germany in the ground attack role. They remained in Germany as part of the occupation force until 1949. It was then sent to Hong Kong on air defence duties equipped with Spitfires and Hornets between 1949 and 1955. Disbanded in 1955, 80 Squadron reformed in Germany as a P R Squadron equipped with Canberras PR7. They finally disbanded in September 1969.

No.85 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 1st August 1917
Fate : Disbanded 19th December 1975

Noctu diuque venamur - We hunt by day and night

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No.85 Sqn RAF

No. 85 Squadron was formed on the 1st of August 1917 at Uphaven. Shortly afterwards the squadron moved to Mousehold Heath nea Norwich under the command of Major R A Archer. The squadron transferred to Hounslow in November 1917 and in March 1918 received its new commander Major William Avery Bishop VC, DSO, MC. On 1st April 1918 No.85 Squadron was transferred into the new Royal Air Force and went to France in May1918 flying the Sopwith Dolphin and later SE5A's. 85 Squadron duties were fighter patrols and ground attack sorties over the western front until the end of the war. On 21st June 1918 Major Edward Mannock DSO MC became commanding officer. On the 26th July 1918 during a patrol with Lt DC Inglis over the front line Major Mannock failed to return and on the 18th of July 1919 Major Mannock was awarded a posthumous VC. No. 85 Squadron had 99 victories during their stint on the western front, returning to the UK in February 1919, and being disbanded on the 3rd of July 1919. 85 Squadron was reformed on June 1st, 1938, as part of A Flight of 87 Squadron based at RAF Debden commanded by Flight Lieutenant D E Turner. The squadron started training on the Gloster Gladiator until the 4th of September when Hawker Hurricanes were supplied. On the outbreak of World War Two the squadron moved to Boos as part of the Air Component of the BEF 60th Fighter Wing, and their Hurricanes were given the role to support the squadrons of Bristol Blenheims and Fairey Battles. By 1st November 85 Squadron's Hurricanes were moved to Lille Seclin. 85 Squadron scored its first victory of World War Two when Flight Lieutenant R.H.A. Lee attacked an He111 which crashed into the Channel, exploding on impact while on patrol over the Boulogne area. In May 1940, during the German advance, 85 Squadron were in combat constantly and over an 11 day period the squadron confirmed 90 enemy kills. When their operating airfields were overun the squadron's last remaining three Hurricanes returned to England. The squadron lost 17 pilots (two killed, six wounded and nine missing). During the Battle of Britian the squadron took part in the conflict over southern England and in October the Squadron moved to Yorkshire and were given the new role of night fighter patrols. 85 Squadron continued in the night fighter role for most of the war, with only a brief period as bomber support as part of 100 group.

No.87 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 1st September 1917
Fate : Disbanded 3rd January 1961
United Provinces

Maximus me metuit - The most powerful fear me

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No.87 Sqn RAF

No. 87 Squadron was formed from a major part of D Squadron of the Central Flying School at Upavon on 1st September 1917. In April 1918, 87 Squadron was equipped with Dolphins when it was sent to France to fly in fighter and ground attack operations. This the squadron did to the end of the Great War, returning back to the UK in February 1919, and was disbanding on 24th June 1919.

87 Squadron was reformed on 15th March 1937 at Tangmere and was equipped with Hawker Furies until being re-equipped with the Gloster Gladiator in June when the squadron was based at Debden. In July 1938, 87 Squadron was again re-equipped with Hawker Hurricanes and with the outbreak of World War Two the squadron was moved to France as part of the Air Force supporting the British Expeditionary Force. 87 Squadron supplied air support to the troops on the Northern Front until their airfields were overrun by the German forces. The squadron was then moved to Yorkshire, moving again to south-west England in July for defence roles both day and night. The squadron was mainly used in a night fighter role during the Battle of Britain and remained mainly in that role until the end of 1942, while also beginning intruder missions in March 1941. The squadron was then moved to Gibraltar In November 1942 as part of the build up for the invasion of North Africa, remaining there until September 1943 when the squadron again moved to Sicily. In January 1944, the squadrons main role was to patrol over the Balkans form their base in Italy. In August 1944, the squadron returned to night duties performing fighter-bomber missions and in this role 87 squadron remained until the end of the war. On 30th December 1946, the squadron was disbanded.

No.87 reformed on 1st January 1952 at Wahn as a night-fighter squadron in Germany, initially operating the Meteor jet fighter but by the end of 1957 the Meteor was replaced with the Javelin until the squadron was finally disbanded in January 1961.


Pilots of 87 Sqn c.1941. Second from the right is P/O G. L. Roscoe.

Many thanks to Flight Lieutenant Alex Thom DFC who supplied this photo.

No.92 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 1st September 1917
Fate : Disbanded 1st October 1994
East India

Aut pugna aut morere - Either fight or die

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No.92 Sqn RAF

92 Squadron was formed in the First World War, as a squadron of the Royal Flying Corps, on 1st September 1917. It flew Pups, Spads and SE5s during the war, becoming an RAF squadron on the formation of the RAF on 1st April 1918, before being disbanded on 7th August 1919. On the outbreak of hostilities of World War Two, 92 Sqn reformed on 10th October 1939, flying Blenheims before converting to Spitfires. It transferred to North Africa, and for some time flew as part of 244 Wing RAF. After the war, the squadron was disbanded on 30th December 1946. On 31st January 1947, the former 91 Squadron was redesignated 92 Squadron, flying the Meteor before re-equipping with the Sabre and then the Hunter. While flying the Hunter in 1960, the squadron was designated as the RAF's aerobatic squadron, with the name Blue Diamonds, a name the squadron carried on after tranferring to the Lightning. The squadron then re-equipped with Phantoms, before being disbanded on 1st July 1991. It was reformed from a rserve squadron on 23rd September 1992, and became No.92 (Reserve) Squadron, flying the Hawk aircraft before being disbanded once more on 1st October 1994.

No.94 Sqn RAF

Country : UK
Founded : 30th July 1917
Fate : Disbanded 30th June 1963

Avenge

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No.94 Sqn RAF

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Last edited : 01:27, January 5, 2018
Last editor : HMS

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