Hi Anyone point me in the right direction for any information on 2826 Squadron, stationed at RAF Hawkinge in 1942-3. In particular where I might get info on any German air raids on this base in March 1943, the anti-aircraft defences there and any casualty lists from March air raids. I think I'm clutching at straws here!
The only CWGC entry:- Name: MAY, ALAN GRAHAM Initials: A G Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Corporal Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 2826 Sqdn. R.A.F. Regt. Date of Death: 21/06/1945 Service No: 1702567 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: 1A. C. 11. Cemetery: HAMBURG CEMETERY Let Google be your friend: From Rafweb:- 2826 Squadron Formed as No 826 Squadron at Cambridge on 19 December 1941, having been unnumbered from the previous April. On 1 February 1942 all RAF Regiment Squadrons had 2000 added to their numbers. Moving to Hawkinge in 1942, the squadron converted to the Light Anti Aircraft role in May 1943 and joined 2nd Tactical Air Force in April 1944. It converted to the Rifle role in December 1944 and back to the Light Anti Aircraft role in January 1945. It moved to the continent in February 1945, initially being deployed to Courtrai and later Lubeck and Flensburg, where it disbanded in December 1945. One member of the squadron was mentioned in despatches. Obviously indicates that the unit did exist and that by VE Day they had moved to Germany.... There should be some form of record or War Diary for the unit somewhere.......
Hi Anyone point me in the right direction for any information on 2826 Squadron, stationed at RAF Hawkinge in 1942-3. In particular where I might get info on any German air raids on this base in March 1943, the anti-aircraft defences there and any casualty lists from March air raids. I think I'm clutching at straws here! Hi BazHoward, there is a local book that I borrowed recently from the Dover library about the history of Hawkinge airfield and I,m sure that it had details of some of the air raids in it. I will look for it when I,m in there again, about 2 weeks time, and also for any others about Hawkinge, Derek.
Hi BazHoward Try the National Archives at Kew for the squadron's Operations Record Book - basically, its war diary. The reference is AIR 29/107 - covering December 1942 to October 1945. There may also be an appendix - it should be in AIR 29/108. What information is in the ORBs depends on who was writing it. The ORBs for 2742 squadron are very detailed and informative. The ORBs for 2777 squadron, on the other hand, are barely a few words per day. If you can't get to Kew, try ordering copies online. Depending on how many pages there are, however, it could cost a bit. Cheers
