RAF Squadron Operations Record Books

Discussion in 'General' started by stevew, May 4, 2007.

  1. stevew

    stevew Senior Member

    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
     
  2. Kyt

    Kyt Very Senior Member

  3. stevew

    stevew Senior Member

    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!
     
  4. Kyt

    Kyt Very Senior Member

    What is it that you're looking for - anything specific?

    Yes, at the National Archives at Kew
     
  5. stevew

    stevew Senior Member

    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
     
  6. Kitty

    Kitty Very Senior Member

    The ORB's contain all information about the squadrons operations. At least worth a read through.
     
  7. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    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
     
  8. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    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
     
  9. David Layne

    David Layne Well-Known Member

    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
     
  10. 52nd Airborne

    52nd Airborne Green Jacket Brat

    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.
     
  11. stevew

    stevew Senior Member

    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
     
  12. stevew

    stevew Senior Member

    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
     
  13. stevew

    stevew Senior Member

    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
     
  14. stevew

    stevew Senior Member

    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
     
  15. Patricel

    Patricel Junior Member

    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
     

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