2nd Tactical Air-force (84 G.C.C.) Pilots flying Auster Aircraft D Day Advance Help please.

Hello again can anyone help me out in respect of the Duties of the Pilots flying Auster type Aircraft during the advance in Europe during the D Day landings.The reason being is that i have a flying log book for a Pilot named B. Hamilton of the 2nd Tactical Air-force (84 G.C.C.). inside the Log it covers dates from June 44 flying internally from Airfields such as W.Hamphett, Turnhouse, Scorton, Dalton Newcastle, Ayr etc. Then from August 15 he was transfered into Europe at the makeshift Airfields B1 B2 B5 B31 B61 B67 Caen, Carpiquet,Lille, 484 strip Inc RAF Tangmere, etc. Then moving onto from March 21st Holland Antwerp, Nyimegen,B86 B91 B111,and various others i cant make out. then in turn moving onto Belgium in July 10th, During all these dates Pilot B. Hamilton was Flying the Auster Aircraft, majority of the time he had on board F/L, F/O, W/C, (one of which was a certain Alan Dere) Captains and Army Captains. I wondered if anyone would Know the Duty of the Auster Aircraft during the Advance on Europe, Possibly to Ferry Pilots to internal landing strips, also advanced troop spotting as he was also down in his Log as 15053 F.D.P. Can anyone tell me in more detail what the 84 G.C.C. (Group Control Center) would of needed the Auster aircraft for. The other question did the RAF squadrons ie 219 squadron join forces with others to make up the tactical Air-force, as he had previous been with 219 Squadron from June 42 to April 44 any small piece of help as always would be appreciated. Cheers.

 

Hello Hawker,

see Trux' page about 2nd TAF on this site:
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/2-taf/28531-2nd-tactical-air-force.html

Look out for "Air Observation Squadron". You can get additional information about the forward airfields, too.

Aixman

 

Hi Hawker.1966,

What was B Hamilton's christian name? There was a W Hamilton who trained as an AOP pilot. Just wondering if B is short for Bill.

His rank would also be useful as well.

Cheers - Rob

 

Thanks for reply Aixman (good reading)

Thanks for reply ramacal unfortunately i do not have his christian name just B. Hamilton.
A good possibility his name was Bill, have you any more info on W.Hamilton? he was also a Pilot Officer, his service number was 913508.

 

Sorry, I don't have any further inform on B Hamilton. W Hamilton was listed as being on an AOP course.

I did find a Malcolm Lennox Hamilton on a London Gazette search with a serial number of 913508 though. He was listed under RAFVR in 1942. A bit of a coincidence that the surname is the same for the same serial number.

 

Great i will try to research M Hamilton, it could possibly the same man as im sure no Airman had identical service numbers can anyone confirm this.

 

Just tried researching M L Hamiton definately not the same Airman as his service number was 130623. I would of found it strange to of had the same service number.( I should of known as i have a pilots notes for M L Hamilton with the service number 130623. he was in 617 Squadron.) thanks for your help, Where did you find the info on W. Hamilton being listed as being on a A.O.P course.

 

Hi Hawker.1966,

What was B Hamilton's christian name? There was a W Hamilton who trained as an AOP pilot. Just wondering if B is short for Bill.

His rank would also be useful as well.

Cheers - Rob

Hello Ramacal,
i have an accident report of the Tiger Moth R-5216 which names a Captain W. Hamilton.

In 1945, A Captain W. Hamilton bounced on his first solo landing and turned the airplane onto its nose. We tried to get more details via the RAF, but the report was the only information they had. We think he was canadian officer who trained for the Auster.

I will look up the original report and post more details. I think i have an exact date and location.

We restored this Tiger Moth a few years ago and researched its history. We were able to make contact and found photographys as far back as 1952 when it was with the 2nd TAF in Sylt.

 

I don't think any RAF pilot was entrusted with the AOP task. These pilots were artillery observers first and pilots second. Their key skill was control and observation of artillery fire, no doubt there was the occasional exceptions but pilots were essentially RA officers.

219 was not an AOP sqn, all AOP sqns were in the 65n, 66n series. AOP sqns were technically RAF units and belonged, at least for technical administration, in an RAF Group and hence TAF. However, they were assigned normally one sqn per corps (except in Burma where there was one sqn for 14 Army) and the sqn commander, an RA major, took his oders from corps HQ, particularly the Commander Corps RA. No doubt the RAF had some Austers for liaison and communications duties.

 

Just tried researching M L Hamiton definately not the same Airman as his service number was 130623. I would of found it strange to of had the same service number.( I should of known as i have a pilots notes for M L Hamilton with the service number 130623. he was in 617 Squadron.) thanks for your help, Where did you find the info on W. Hamilton being listed as being on a A.O.P course.

Apologies for the late reply to this post. I did not see this at the time.

Here is the course he was on. No 42. Also a link to the post by the Forum Member (JonS)who provided all the AOP details.

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-grave-photographs/33125-aop-air-observation-post-squadron-casualties-3.html#post373413

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=46524&d=1298761527

 

Just to add, not sure if it would help at all Pilot Hamilton flew in aircraft serial number Auster TJ367, During his time with 84 G.C.C

 

I suspect PW Mead, trained in India is Peter Mead, subsequently brigadier and an early Director, Army Air Corps once the army managed to breakfree of RAF shackles. Also a critic of significant areas of RAF effort in WW2, notably the bomber offensive and 84 Group.