One of my little areas of research is that of 115 Squadron Bomber Command, as the missus' uncle was a Flt. Engineer who died in 1944. Anyway, I was doing a Google and I found a link to the County record Office, Cambridgeshire..............So, exactly what information would the RAF Squadron Operations Record Books hold? Cheers Steve
They will include information on missions, aircraft and crews that took part, details of losses, transfers etc. Here some examples of ORBs: Juno Beach Centre - 439 Squadron Operations Record Book, 9th August 1944 ORB 57 OTU ORB Hawarden, January-June 1941
It will be worth me seeing a copy of these then, are these avavilable at Kew, I have just had a very quick look and nothing stands out!
What is it that you're looking for - anything specific? Yes, at the National Archives at Kew As per my signature.......... 115 Squadron, Bomber Command, the nights of 8th June and probably a few beforehand
RAF Operations Record Books are a mine of information and come in two Forms. Form 540. Summary Of Events. This covers the given squadrons activities for a given month. ie postings of officers (not other ranks) to and from the squadron. operations carried out by a given aircraft and crew. As the war progressed the ORB's became more detailed and the weather would be included. It would also include the number of aircraft serviceable for any given day and in some cases the type of equipment carried by an aircraft. Form 541. Details Of Work Carried Out. This covers the day to day workings of a squadron and gives details such as .. date of operation / aircraft type and serial number / crew list / duty / time up / time down / details of sortie or flight. Copies of these Forms can be obtained from The National Archives Kew. One needs to decide which dates of an ORB are required as there is a charge for each photo copy ordered, I believe the minimum charge is now £10.00
7 -8 June 1944. 115 Squadron. Lancaster I HK552 KO-J. Op. Chevreusse. Crew. F/S. J E. Todd RAAF + Sgt. A G E. Mount + F/O. A R. Tarlton pow. F/S. T. Bamford + Sgt. R. Stallwood + Sgt. V F. Scrivens + Sgt. F. Morgan + The aircraft took off at 0037 hrs from RAF Witchford to bomb communications. Shot down by a night-fighter, crashing at Montchauvet (Yvelines) 13 km SSW of the town Mantes-la-Jolie. Those who perished rest in Montchauvet Communal Cemetery. RAF Bomber Command Losses Vol 5. WR Chorley
8 Sqn 2-3 May 1944 (chase of U-852) http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~8sqnwad/2may44.html 12 Sqn 1 May – 13 july 1943 http://www.aujs06.dsl.pipex.com/12sq...ml/records.htm 29 Sqn October 1940 http://www.raf.mod.uk/bob1940/f5400291.html and next pages 51 Sqn 5 August 1941 http://www.clham.org/images11/T%20V-1-52.bmp 54 Sqn http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1129276 112 Sqn 26 October 1942 to 17 December 1942 http://www.mts.net/~robhd1a/ORB.html 141 Sqn July 1940 http://www.raf.mod.uk/bob1940/f5401411.html and next page 151 Sqn Not a full copy of the ORB, but enough details to be close, probably listing all actions recorded in Form 540 http://homepage.ntlworld.com/kelsey....20War%20II.htm 159 Sqn January 1944 http://www.rquirk.com/159opps.html ORB « C » Flight (« Special operations ») http://www.rquirk.com/splflt/draft.pdf 160 Sqn 1942 http://www.rquirk.com/160oper/160Sqn1944.pdf January 1943 to March 1944 http://www.rquirk.com/160opps.html 1944 http://www.rquirk.com/160oper/160Sqn1944.pdf 215 Sqn http://www.rquirk.com/215opps.html 257 Sqn 6 July 1944 http://perso.orange.fr/yves.brossero...b.html#rafbook 298 Sqn RAF Station Tarrant Rushton ORB http://www.tarrant-rushton.ndirect.c...ationDiary.htm 303 Sqn August-September 1940 http://www.raf.mod.uk/bob1940/f5403031.html and next pages 315 Sqn August 1942 http://www.geocities.com/capecanaver...ORB_aug42.html September 1942 http://www.geocities.com/capecanaver...ORB_sep42.html 330, 331, 332, 333 Sqn http://presentations.uib.no/pls/port...ONSDAGBOK.show 354 Sqn http://www.rquirk.com/354oper/354history.pdf 438 Sqn 4-7 June 1944 http://www.junobeach.org/e/4/can-tac-air-fig-438-e.htm 439 Sqn http://www.rcaf.com/439squadron/Thisday.htm 442 Sqn April-May 1945 http://www.rquirk.com/442.html 443 Sqn 1-6 October 1944 http://www.junobeach.org/e/4/can-tac-air-fig-443-e.htm 450 Sqn http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359188 451 Sqn http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359192 452 Sqn http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1119412 453 Sqn http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359195 454 Sqn http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359204 455 Sqn http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359207 456 Sqn http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359208 457 Sqn http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1160749 458 Sqn http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359209 459 Sqn http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1158170 460 Sqn October 1941-December 1943 http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359211 January 1944-October 1945 http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359212 461 Sqn http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359213 462 Sqn http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359214 463 Sqn http://www.467463raafsquadrons.com/L...bsTimeLine.htm 464 Sqn http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359184 467 Sqn http://www.467463raafsquadrons.com/L...bsTimeLine.htm 548 Sqn http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359512 549 Sqn http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359513 609 Sqn Some noticeable days http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/609photos...20Archives.htm 610 Sqn August 1940 http://www.raf.mod.uk/bob1940/f5406101.html 617 Sqn http://www.dambusters.org.uk/docs/recordbook.pdf 644 Sqn RAF Station Tarrant Rushton ORB http://www.tarrant-rushton.ndirect.c...ationDiary.htm 420 Flt October 1940 http://www.jeversteamlaundry.org/93fm540oct40.htm 57 OTU January-June 1941 http://www.rafcommands.com/57OTU/57%...une%201941.htm RAAF RAAF Unit History sheets (Form A50) Number xxx Squadron 1 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1158602 2 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1158597 3 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1339854 http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1158595 http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1339942 4 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1339926 6 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358865 7 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1339940 9 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1339943 http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1339945 10 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1158578 11 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358718 12 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358726 13 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358732 14 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358736 15 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358739 20 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358750 21 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1158584 22 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1158581 23 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358767 24 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358890 25 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358896 30 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358944 31 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358949 32 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358951 33 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358952 36 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358985 37 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358793 38 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358827 40 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358848 42 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358858 66 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358865 67 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358869 71 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358870 73 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358873 75 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1068620 76 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1119413 77 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358995 78 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1338124 79 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1158174 80 Sqn RAAF (concise ORB) http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1338125 82 Sqn RAAF (ORB scanned in inverse order...) http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1338126 85 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1160751 86 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1338129 87 Sqn (1 PRU) RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359014 94 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359017 99 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359018 100 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359020 102 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359028 107 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359023 120 Sqn RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359031 71 Wing RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1360007 76 Wing RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1360017 78 Wing RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1360020 79 Wing RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359977 82 Wing RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359988 18 (NEI) Sqn http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1158587 Air Sea Rescue Flights RAAF http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359910
Shot down by a night-fighter, crashing at Montchauvet (Yvelines) 13 km SSW of the town Mantes-la-Jolie. Possibly flown by Lt Gerhard Wagner 8./NJG5, one of the 4 he shot down that night. 3 in the Mantes area.
Thanks for everyone's replies, some useful info' posted. This had dropped off my radar (as they say in management talk). RAF Operations Record Books are a mine of information and come in two Forms. Form 540. Summary Of Events. This covers the given squadrons activities for a given month. ie postings of officers (not other ranks) to and from the squadron. operations carried out by a given aircraft and crew. As the war progressed the ORB's became more detailed and the weather would be included. It would also include the number of aircraft serviceable for any given day and in some cases the type of equipment carried by an aircraft. Form 541. Details Of Work Carried Out. This covers the day to day workings of a squadron and gives details such as .. date of operation / aircraft type and serial number / crew list / duty / time up / time down / details of sortie or flight. Copies of these Forms can be obtained from The National Archives Kew. One needs to decide which dates of an ORB are required as there is a charge for each photo copy ordered, I believe the minimum charge is now £10.00 7 -8 June 1944. 115 Squadron. Lancaster I HK552 KO-J. Op. Chevreusse. Crew. F/S. J E. Todd RAAF + Sgt. A G E. Mount + F/O. A R. Tarlton pow. F/S. T. Bamford + Sgt. R. Stallwood + Sgt. V F. Scrivens + Sgt. F. Morgan + The aircraft took off at 0037 hrs from RAF Witchford to bomb communications. Shot down by a night-fighter, crashing at Montchauvet (Yvelines) 13 km SSW of the town Mantes-la-Jolie. Those who perished rest in Montchauvet Communal Cemetery. RAF Bomber Command Losses Vol 5. WR Chorley Thanks for that Peter, form 541 would be the one that I really want. What I am trying to determine is how many ops my man, Sgt A Mount was involved in, his service record seems very sketchy, although the charge of a tenner seems a bit steep IMHO. Steve
Thanks for everyone's replies, some useful info' posted. This had dropped off my radar (as they say in management talk). RAF Operations Record Books are a mine of information and come in two Forms. Form 540. Summary Of Events. This covers the given squadrons activities for a given month. ie postings of officers (not other ranks) to and from the squadron. operations carried out by a given aircraft and crew. As the war progressed the ORB's became more detailed and the weather would be included. It would also include the number of aircraft serviceable for any given day and in some cases the type of equipment carried by an aircraft. Form 541. Details Of Work Carried Out. This covers the day to day workings of a squadron and gives details such as .. date of operation / aircraft type and serial number / crew list / duty / time up / time down / details of sortie or flight. Copies of these Forms can be obtained from The National Archives Kew. One needs to decide which dates of an ORB are required as there is a charge for each photo copy ordered, I believe the minimum charge is now £10.00 7 -8 June 1944. 115 Squadron. Lancaster I HK552 KO-J. Op. Chevreusse. Crew. F/S. J E. Todd RAAF + Sgt. A G E. Mount + F/O. A R. Tarlton pow. F/S. T. Bamford + Sgt. R. Stallwood + Sgt. V F. Scrivens + Sgt. F. Morgan + The aircraft took off at 0037 hrs from RAF Witchford to bomb communications. Shot down by a night-fighter, crashing at Montchauvet (Yvelines) 13 km SSW of the town Mantes-la-Jolie. Those who perished rest in Montchauvet Communal Cemetery. RAF Bomber Command Losses Vol 5. WR Chorley Thanks for that Peter, form 541 would be the one that I really want. What I am trying to determine is how many ops my man, Sgt A Mount was involved in, his service record seems very sketchy, although the charge of a tenner seems a bit steep IMHO. Steve
Thanks for everyone's replies, some useful info' posted. This had dropped off my radar (as they say in management talk). RAF Operations Record Books are a mine of information and come in two Forms. Form 540. Summary Of Events. This covers the given squadrons activities for a given month. ie postings of officers (not other ranks) to and from the squadron. operations carried out by a given aircraft and crew. As the war progressed the ORB's became more detailed and the weather would be included. It would also include the number of aircraft serviceable for any given day and in some cases the type of equipment carried by an aircraft. Form 541. Details Of Work Carried Out. This covers the day to day workings of a squadron and gives details such as .. date of operation / aircraft type and serial number / crew list / duty / time up / time down / details of sortie or flight. Copies of these Forms can be obtained from The National Archives Kew. One needs to decide which dates of an ORB are required as there is a charge for each photo copy ordered, I believe the minimum charge is now £10.00 7 -8 June 1944. 115 Squadron. Lancaster I HK552 KO-J. Op. Chevreusse. Crew. F/S. J E. Todd RAAF + Sgt. A G E. Mount + F/O. A R. Tarlton pow. F/S. T. Bamford + Sgt. R. Stallwood + Sgt. V F. Scrivens + Sgt. F. Morgan + The aircraft took off at 0037 hrs from RAF Witchford to bomb communications. Shot down by a night-fighter, crashing at Montchauvet (Yvelines) 13 km SSW of the town Mantes-la-Jolie. Those who perished rest in Montchauvet Communal Cemetery. RAF Bomber Command Losses Vol 5. WR Chorley Thanks Peter, Form 541 seems to be the one I would be interested in. What I am after is finding out how many Ops my man, Sgt Mount was involved in. His service records seems a bit sketchy. Steve
Thanks for all your replies. This sort dropped down my list of things to and I neglected it for a while, but it now seems to have found it's way to the top! RAF Operations Record Books are a mine of information and come in two Forms. Form 540. Summary Of Events. This covers the given squadrons activities for a given month. ie postings of officers (not other ranks) to and from the squadron. operations carried out by a given aircraft and crew. As the war progressed the ORB's became more detailed and the weather would be included. It would also include the number of aircraft serviceable for any given day and in some cases the type of equipment carried by an aircraft. Form 541. Details Of Work Carried Out. This covers the day to day workings of a squadron and gives details such as .. date of operation / aircraft type and serial number / crew list / duty / time up / time down / details of sortie or flight. Copies of these Forms can be obtained from The National Archives Kew. One needs to decide which dates of an ORB are required as there is a charge for each photo copy ordered, I believe the minimum charge is now £10.00 7 -8 June 1944. 115 Squadron. Lancaster I HK552 KO-J. Op. Chevreusse. Crew. F/S. J E. Todd RAAF + Sgt. A G E. Mount + F/O. A R. Tarlton pow. F/S. T. Bamford + Sgt. R. Stallwood + Sgt. V F. Scrivens + Sgt. F. Morgan + The aircraft took off at 0037 hrs from RAF Witchford to bomb communications. Shot down by a night-fighter, crashing at Montchauvet (Yvelines) 13 km SSW of the town Mantes-la-Jolie. Those who perished rest in Montchauvet Communal Cemetery. RAF Bomber Command Losses Vol 5. WR Chorley Peter, I think Form 541 is the one I will investigate further on my next visit to Kew. I am after finding out how many raids my man, Sgt A Mount went on. His service record seems very sketchy. I have actually visited Montchauvet and been to the spot where HK552 KO-J came down Steve
Hello Steve have you close your research about Montchauvet excuse me but i'm french and it is not easy to read and understand what is all written. Patrice