Father was a RAF photographer having joined up in Jan 1939 and having been trained at the RAF School of Photography. He went to India with 82 Squadron in early 1942. On arrival at Quetta they found out that their Blenheims were not coming with them and they were being equipped with dive bombers. Presumably they now had no use for a photographer and he was sent across India to a posting with 113 Squadron at Asansol arriving there 6.8.1942. 113 still had Blenheims and did photo recce but did not seem to know what do do with him as I have found him in the appendixes to the ORBs as being on guard duty and him being the duty electrician. Anyway I can see that at that time 113 would have had some use for a photographer. 113 were re-equipped with Hurri Bombers in September 1943, so my first question is what would he have been doing then as they would have had no apparent need for his trade? Using guesswork and the odd comment made by him I think he was effectively a soldier with the RAF Regiment including at Imphal. So second question is does this make sense? Last question (for now!) if he was fighting with the RAF Regiment who would have been responsible for him RAF Regiment or 113 Squadron? Or falling between two stools would, in practice, no one have been responsible? His service record has him joining 113 on 6.10.42 and then no entries until 31.3.45 back in the UK at 1 PHU. All I have pieced together about the period immediately before his return to UK is that he was in hospital in Bangalore and spent some time convalescing in South Africa. Views, opinions, anything to try and fill in what he was up to from Sept 1943 would be gratefully received, thank you. David
I did some looking into this and given that 113 Squadron was doing ground attack missions, a photographer may have been of use in processing strike footage. It's interesting to note that 607 Squadron flying Spitfires at around the same time had a squadron photographer on strength. The Unicorn :: View topic - The Air Battle of Imphal - Chapter 8 The army had located a troublesome gun position in the surrounding hills and I understand it was 607's Spitfires which strafed it and put it out of action. When the army investigated they found that one of the dead Japs had a camera loaded with exposed film. Our squadron photographer was instructed to process the film and one exposure turned out to be a photograph they had taken of themselves manning the gun. A few extra prints were made! Corporal E. Wilcox, 607 Squadron Not sure if you're familiar with this site: 113 Squadron website WELCOME but the photo reconnaissance section has a collection of pictures you might want to look to see if your Dad is in them Cheers Mark
Mark, Thank you for looking into this. I had thought of gun cameras etc but as far as I have been able to find out 113 was not involved with strafing only bombing. Yes I know the 113 website well thank you. It is a shame the website is unfinished and being retired I would offer to do whatever I could to help but have been unable to make contact with anyone. I am contemplating a visit to RAFA Batley to see if two of the main men are still members and make contact that way. I have also read the account of LAC Joe Hunter of 113 Squadron on the Burma Star website about his time at Imphal. "Contemplating" because I would like a much better idea of my father's relationship with 113 before I do, hence in large measure my reason for posing these questions here. I am also aware of the order by Air Vice-Marshal Stanley Vincent, AOC 221 Group, that every officer, NCO and airman be armed and defend the self-supporting ‘boxes’ at Imphal.
I can confirm that 113 were involved in ground attack around Imphal. In an attack in the Kanglatongbi area early April '44, 113 were tasked with attacking an area of Basha's (straw huts) with 60 Sqn following on bombing and straffing. Presumably 113 had the same orders though sadly 60 caused several blue on blue casualties. I'd be happy to hear from anyone with 60 Sqn knowledge. Lionboxer
Given your mention of the RAF regiment and Imphal, the text here may be of use RAF OPERATIONS AT AND AROUND IMPHAL, INDIA (4/7/1944) | colonialfilm And also this account, BBC - WW2 People's War - Siege of Imphal (Kipper Box) - Part 2
lionboxer,wtid45 thank you for your comments. lionboxer, I have had a look at the 113 ORB for the period but unfortunately the entries from 6/4/44 to 25/6/44 are missing from the archives. I know little about 60 squadron but did, in a small way, help a chap with research into George Butler DFC DSO who did a tour with 60 in Burma as a pilot before going onto to be Squadron Leader of 11 Squadron. There is an audio of an interview with George about his experiences in Burma at the IWM but as you may know they have been having technical problems with these for some time. There is also an excellent image at the IWM of him with his Hurricane but I think this was taken when he was with 11 Squadron; if you do look at the image you will see the unusual nose art which is Norwegian in origin and was in honour of his mother who was from Norway. David
