RAF- Sqdrn 295/298/633

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Christina, Apr 19, 2004.

  1. Christina

    Christina Junior Member

    My Father served with these squadrons under squadron leader Norman, Is anyone here related to this person. I am interested in obtaining any photos etc. My Father had a lot but Mum must have had a clean out after his death as she cant locate any now.
     
  2. perce620

    perce620 Member

    Will check through my RAF sources and see what I can find for you
    Perce
     
  3. Christina

    Christina Junior Member

    Thanks Perce would greatly appreciate anything you find.
    Regards
    Christina :D
     
  4. perce620

    perce620 Member

    These 2 might help
    Motto: " Silent we strike "
    Badge:A hand holding a dagger in bend sinister thrusting to the dexter

    No.298 Squadron was formed at Thruxton on 24 August 1942 as an airbourne forces unit but after receiving a few Whitleys it was disbanded on 19 October 1942. The squadron reformed at Tarrant Rushton from A Flight of No.295 Squadron with Halifaxes and in February 1944, began supply-dropping flights over France in addition to training for the invasion of Europe. On the eve of D-Day the squadron sent six aircraft with Horsa Gliders to capture the Orne bridges before the main landings and later towed fifteen gliders to the landing zones in Normandy. For the Arnhem landing, the squadron towed thirteen Horsas and seven Hamilcars on the first day and eight of each on the second. Ten Horsas on the third day took reinforcements to the 1st Airbourne Division. For the Rhine crossing, No.298 contributed tugs for twenty-five Horsas and six Hamilcars and after the end of the war took troops to Norway and Denmark. In July 1945 the squadron began flying out to India, arriving at Raipur over a period. After a period of general transport duties, it reverted to being an airbourne forces squadron in July 1946, and disbanded on 21 December 1946.

    633 Sqn is listed as a wartime Sqn the only 633 Sqn I can find is the film!

    Motto: " In caelo auxilium" (" Aid from the sky ")
    Badge:A hand manacled and couped at the wrist hloding a sword in its scabbard in bend sinister

    No.295 Squadron was formed at Netheravon on 3 August 1942 as an airbourne forces unit and was initially equipped with Whitleys. In November leaflet-dropping flights began over France and in February 1943, Halifaxes were received as additional aircraft. In June 1943, the Halifaxes were engaged in towing gliders to North Africa, a task which continued until September. In October, conversion to Albemaries began and these continued supply drops to resistance forces in France while the squadron trained for its part in the invasion of Europe. On the eve of D-Day a 295 Squadron aircraft shared with one of 570 Squadron the distinction of dropping the first troops of the invasion force into Normandy; this was followed by twenty-one aircraft of No.295 towing gilders to the landing zones. Nineteen more followed during the day with reinforcements. In September 1944, the squadron sent twenty-two Stirlings towing gliders to Arnhem, followed by seventy-five supply aircraft in the succeeding days, three being lost. The final assualt landing was in March 1945, when the lower Rhine was crossed and a few days after the German surrender twenty-two Stirlings took troops to Norway to disarm the German garrison. A period of trooping duties followed, mainly to the Continent, before the squadron was disbanded on 21 January 1946.

    On 21 January 1946, No.295 reformed at Tarrant Rushton from No.190 Squadron as a transport unit with Halifaxes but disbanded again on 31 March 1946. It reformed at Fairford again with Halifaxes on 10 September 1947 as an airbourne forces squadron and disbanded finally on 31 October 1948.
     
  5. Christina

    Christina Junior Member

    Thanks Perce I will cut and paste this for my family tree. My nephew gave me the squadron numbers from my father's old flight book which he has. It apparantly lists 295/298/633 squadrons. I have asked my nephew for a copy, if he sends it I will scan and send to you. Sorry for not replying to your post before, I have been offline for a few days. Regards Christina
     
  6. Sussex by the Sea

    Sussex by the Sea Senior Member

    Christina,
    I have attached a pic of a 295 Sqn crew they were shot down over the Bay of Biscay 14 Jun 1943.
    Regards
    Steve
     

    Attached Files:

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