Castle Archdale RCAF 201/422/423 Squadrons

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by U311reasearcher, Mar 4, 2009.

  1. With the help of my friend, James Stewart, I have set up a website to honour those who served at Castle Archdale during the Battle Of The Atlantic.

    It is located here:

    Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland Coastal Command

    It's not finished, still in the making, if anybody that reads this thread has ties to RCAF 201/422/423, please contact me, I would like to hear any stories you may have for possible inclusion to the website.

    Please sign the guestbook while there.

    :poppy:
     
  2. Sadsac

    Sadsac Senior Member

    U311 / John 423 Sqdn attacks ;

    U 456
    Type: VII.C, ocean-going.
    Constructor: Deutsche Werke, Kiel.
    Armament: 14 Torpedoes, 1 x 88mm, 1 x 20mm.
    Commissioned: 18.9.41. Operational: January, 1942.
    Service Life: 20. Operational Life: 16. Patrols: 3.
    Theatres: Northern, Atlantic. Sank 6 m/vs (34,731 grt). On 30.4.42,
    attacked HMS Edinburgh (CL Capt H.W. Faulkner), escorting c/v QP.11,
    with torpedoes, which blew off the stern and rudder; she was taken
    in tow, but was again damaged in a bombing attack by a force of 25
    Ju.88 aircraft of KG.30; HMS Edinburgh was again attacked with
    torpedoes by the German destroyer Z.25. Finally Admiral Bonham-Carter
    ordered HMS Foresight (DD Cdr J.S. Salter) to sink HMS Edinburgh.
    Departed: 24.4.43, Brest; for North Atlantic. On 7.5.43 twice attacked
    by a/c in the vicinity of c/v SL.128. Last Action: 13.5.43, 1.U-Flotille, first attacked by Liberator B/86 Sqd. RAF, Aldergrove, (Flt.Lt.J. Wright), with 2 DC's; leaving the craft severely damaged. On 13.5.43 located by Sunderland G/423 Sqd. RCAF, Lough Erne (Flt Lt J. Musgrave) which called
    HMS Lagan (FF) and HMCS Drumheller (CVT) to the scene, the craft was sunk,
    in the vicinity of c/v HX.237, in position 46.39N 26.54W, North Atlantic.
    The Commander and all the crew were lost.
    Commander: KL M-M. Teichert 09.41-05.43.
    M/V attacked/damaged/sunk : Mana(D),Honomu(S),Jeremiah van Rensselaer(S),
    Inverilen(S), Kyleclare(S), Fort Concord(S), (Teichert).


    U 489
    Type: XIV. ocean-going, tanker.
    Constructor: Deutsche Werke, Kiel.
    Armament: 2 x 37mm, 1 x 20mm.
    Commissioned: 8.3.43. Operational: July, 1943.
    Service Life: 5. Operational Life: 1. Patrols: 1.
    Theatre: Atlantic. Departed: 22.7.43, Kiel; for North Atlantic.
    Last Action: 4.8.43, 12.U-Flotille, sunk, after an attack with 6
    DC's, by Sunderland G/423 Sqd. RCAF, Pembroke Dock, (Fg Off A.A.
    Bishop), which was itself shot down. The crew of the U-boat and 6
    survivors from the attacking aircraft and the three German ditched
    aircrew (recovered by U 489 earlier) were rescued by HMS Castleton
    (DD) and HMS Orwell (FF), in position 61.11N 14.38W, S.E of Iceland,
    North Atlantic.
    1 crewman was lost, the Commander and 52 others being made POW.
    Commander: OL A. Schmandt 03.43-08.43.

    Sadsac
     
  3. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    U 456
    Type: VII.C, ocean-going.
    Constructor: Deutsche Werke, Kiel.
    Armament: 14 Torpedoes, 1 x 88mm, 1 x 20mm.
    Commissioned: 18.9.41. Operational: January, 1942.
    Service Life: 20. Operational Life: 16. Patrols: 3.
    Theatres: Northern, Atlantic. Sank 6 m/vs (34,731 grt). On 30.4.42,
    attacked HMS Edinburgh (CL Capt H.W. Faulkner), escorting c/v QP.11,
    with torpedoes, which blew off the stern and rudder; she was taken
    in tow, but was again damaged in a bombing attack by a force of 25
    Ju.88 aircraft of KG.30; HMS Edinburgh was again attacked with
    torpedoes by the German destroyer Z.25. Finally Admiral Bonham-Carter
    ordered HMS Foresight (DD Cdr J.S. Salter) to sink HMS Edinburgh.
    Departed: 24.4.43, Brest; for North Atlantic. On 7.5.43 twice attacked
    by a/c in the vicinity of c/v SL.128. Last Action: 13.5.43, 1.U-Flotille, first attacked by Liberator B/86 Sqd. RAF, Aldergrove, (Flt.Lt.J. Wright), with 2 DC's; leaving the craft severely damaged. On 13.5.43 located by Sunderland G/423 Sqd. RCAF, Lough Erne (Flt Lt J. Musgrave) which called
    HMS Lagan (FF) and HMCS Drumheller (CVT) to the scene, the craft was sunk,
    in the vicinity of c/v HX.237, in position 46.39N 26.54W, North Atlantic.
    The Commander and all the crew were lost.
    Commander: KL M-M. Teichert 09.41-05.43.
    M/V attacked/damaged/sunk : Mana(D),Honomu(S),Jeremiah van Rensselaer(S),
    Inverilen(S), Kyleclare(S), Fort Concord(S), (Teichert).



    The Naval Historical Branch assessment the loss of U 456.


    The initial post-war assessment credited the destruction of U 456 to Liberator B/86, but a later reassessment asserted that the damaged U-boat had been finished off on 13 May in position~48o 37'N, 22° 39'W by the Canadian corvette DRUMHELLER, the frigate LAGAN and Sunderland 'G' of 423 Squadron RCAF, escorting HX 237. This attack, which was carried out between 0906 and 0929 using both Hedgehog and depth-charges provided sufficient surface evidence to be assessed at the time as 'Known sunk'. The U-boat in question could not, however, have been U 456. Not only is it apparent from the foregoing evidence that U 456 had almost certainly been lost several hours earlier, but the position of the attack was over 80 miles to the north-east of U 456's last known position, at 1524/12, since when the distance would have increased considerably, as U 456 being on a south-westerly course was steering directly away from the convoy. It is intended to return to this attack.
    It has been alternatively suggested that the crippled U 456 was finally sunk on 12 May by the PATHFINDER and Swordfish A/811 from the BITER in an attack in position 47° 50'N, 25° 38'W. In reality the U-boat attacked by both these units was U,603 (Baltz), which was slightly damaged(the contemporary assessment had concluded there was 'Insufficient evidence of damage').
    U 456 was in fact ultimately lost while attempting to dive when manifestly unfit to do so. It has been mentioned that Liberator B/86, following its disabling attack on U 456, had called up the PATHFINDER and OPPORTUNE.' At 1640 the OPPORTUNE had the U-boat in sight at a distance of 10 miles, and at 1645 she observed it dive. PATHFINDER reached OPPORTUNE at about 1725, by which time the latter had commenced hunting but had failed to gain a contact. The PATHFINDER left shortly afterwards to return to the convoy, from which the two escorts were then 60 miles distant on its port quarter, leaving the OPPORTUNE to continue the search. No contact was obtained, indicating that U 456 had almost certainly sunk uncontrollably to the bottom after diving; the possibility otherwise of locating the crippled U-boat would have been reasonably good.
    British records do not give the precise position of U 456's last fateful dive,
    But by dead reckoning she would have been about 15 miles 22Q°from her last recorded position, which would place her in BD 6594, giving an approximate sinking position
    of 46° 39'N, 26° 54'W. There being no evidence, as demonstrated, to suggest that U 456 survived the dive to be sunk later the credit for her destruction should be restored to Liberator B/86.


    Naval Staff Duties
    (Foreign Documents Section)
    Ministry of Defence
    October 1989
     
  4. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    Sadsac
    The Commander and all the crew were lost.
    Commander: KL M-M. Teichert 09.41-05.43.
    M/V attacked/damaged/sunk : Mana(D),Honomu(S),Jeremiah van Rensselaer(S),
    Inverilen(S), Kyleclare(S), Fort Concord(S), (Teichert).

    Seeing Teichert mentioned brings this to mind.

    An account from the 1st Watch Officer of U-921 when they were attacked by George Holly of 422 RCAF , tey shot him down and then again were attacked by Nesbitt from 423 RCAF minutes later.
    Wolfgang Leu ordered his boat down and closed the hatch as it submerged beneath him, he was lost - U-921 survived , those wounded on the day lived on - 921 was later lost with all hands.

    See attachment from 422/423 ORB's. (below).

    Nesbit and his crew today can be found in Irvinestown they crashed between Irvinestown and Dromore in February 1945 when they had a engine fire just after take off, there were no survivors.

    Local legend has that there were women on board ....what people saw was the faces of a youthful crew still dressed in flying kit , some people still cling to this belief to this day and view it as a "secret" which was "covered up".

    When you reflect on this all it was a terrible waste of life all round , in another time in other circumstances I have no doubt that Herr Lang , Wolfgang Leu , George Holly and Nesbitts lads could all have shared a drink together - it was all such an awful waste of young lives.

    U-Boat Crew Lists=

    [​IMG]

    ( The Catalina was really Holly's 422 Sq. Sunderland).


    [​IMG]


    423 crest , unfortunately not in colour , the names almost speak to you when you read them.
     

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  5. Sadsac

    Sadsac Senior Member

    U311 / JOHN ???, re KINGS / QUEENS Crown see this site, `your' Badge ( TWO Curves ) - scroll down to Badge as depicted by JAMES S input - you will see KINGS Crown (ONE complete `Curve'). ?????

    Sadsac
     
  6. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Do you have any info on (FO) Frank Moss killed 5/12/1943?
    Frank Moss

    Service number: 421686
    Rank: Flying Officer [FO]
    Unit: 423 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force
    Service: RAAF
    Conflict: 1939-1945
    Date of death: 05/12/1943
    Place of death: United Kingdom
    Cause of death: Accidental

    Frank Moss History.jpg
     
  7. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    Spidge , 423 lost a Sunderland en route to Wig Bay Scotland on this date - he was on the aircraft which crashed on Knocklayd above Ballycastle.
    16 on board many probably "hitching a ride" most likelt to go on leave wanting to saving a days travel on the train.

    Pure bad luck...... the pilot was stopped coming from the mess and told he was taking her over , the crew to fly her , wrong place , wrong time.
    In terms of loss of life , the 422 aircraft which crashed a Oban was similar - a large number of passangers in transit from one base to another.

    Bert Russell had sunk U-610 in October 43 and had been awarded a DFC for this , Harry Forrest , Bromhead, Locke and Alexander were all from his crew.
    BR was subject to a CM over this - and the findings were critical of both he and the crew - there for the grace of God could go any of us.
    Poor man had really no notice of his taking the flight.
     

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  8. Oriel Benfro

    Oriel Benfro Junior Member

     
  9. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    It always makes for interesting reading when you see castle Archdale mentioned.

    This thread being no exception.

    It did send a chill down my spine when I saw the Crest with names in memorial around, one being both my initials and surname.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  10. faughaballagh

    faughaballagh Junior Member

    just joined up after curiosity got the better of myself and 8 year old son. I have observed the memorial stone to Syd Irvine of 422 squadron RCAF for years at Castle Archdale. I would like to know more about the man and how he died.
    The stone is still lopsided, hopefully I will get that fixed soon
     
  11. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    Syd was on Alan Tomlinson's crew - 422 RCAF.
    They crashed on a "Fighter Affiliation Exercise" near Trory - ( in the field behind the petrol station adjacent to the roundabout and lane way to the Devenish Island Ferry close to St Angelo airport. (February 1944) , there is a memorial stone set up in the lay by beside the petrol station.
    The exercise was judged by the Cof E to have taken out at too low an altitude .
    A wing tip struck telephone wires and the aircraft crashed into the field.

    This should explain what took place.
    Mr Syd Irving EX-422 RCAF - Sid survived the crash of a 422 RCAF aircraft near St. Angelo airfield Enniskillen in February 1944.
    the USnderland was on a A.F.E. with a 235 Squadron Beaufighter - a detachment from 235 had been moved over to Fermanagh to provide fighter esacort for convoys off the West Coast of Ireland which had recently been attacked by D0-217's and Ju-290's which had attacked them with "Glider bombs" Hs 293 / Fritz X.

    The aircraft were down on the deck and I mean really down , much lower than they should have been , the Sunderland attempted to climb over a small hill which was looming in front of them , the pilot dipped to try and gain some speed but the aircraft's wing struck a telegraph wire and she stalled crashedin into a small hill , cutting across a minor road and coming to rest in a field.
    Local people helped the crew out , one man being awarded a bravery award for his help in the rescue.
    Unfortunately two member sof the crew died .
    The court of enquiry and subsquenty diciplinary hearing was hard on the Sunderland's Captain but it is likely that of those judging few had not done similar and been lucky to get away with it.
    I don't feel it is my place to be critical.
    Both crew members are buried in Irvinestown Church of Ireland , one died at the scene the other the next day in the Militray hospital located at Necarne just outside Irvinestown .
    Although badly injured Syd recovered from his wounds - in the late 1980's and early 90's he returned here several times and became well known locally.
    A memorial tablet has since been errected at the scene of the crash.

    The memorial stone to Syd which was errected to him at CA by his friend Mr Gary Pentland of Gortin, Gary's home became a home from home for Syd whenever he wanted to visit Ireland, he died of natural causes approximately ten years ago.


    In the crew photograph third from the left , back row , - poor Hebenton , who is buried in Irvinestown Church of Ireland.
    Syd Irving is on the right of the back row.
    The other man who died as a result of his injuries - Sgt. Bodsworth he died in the US Field Hospital at Necarne just outside Irvinestown.

    CWGC :: Casualty Details

    The colour photo Syd at the crashsite of his Sunderland.
    Behind Syd is another 422 man , Bill parker- Bill settled in Kesh after the war , Bill has also passed away - a park bench with a memorial plate to him is located on the entrance to the marina at Castle Archdale looking out towards the landing area - always a welcome stop when walking round the site.

    The next photo "Straddle" his dog - a fine wee animal.

    Also see http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-air/15763-some-war-time-views-castle-archdale.html

    and

    County Fermanagh - Second World War in Northern Ireland
     

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