RAF fighters in Russia / USSR June-July 1941?

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by davidbfpo, Aug 4, 2021.

  1. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    The BBC (Midlands) has an odd, brief report on 'World War II pilot from Halesowen, 101, dies', and refers:
    From: World War II pilot from Halesowen, 101, dies

    WW2 RAF history is not my interest, this expedition to Western Russia in July 1941. This would be very shortly after Operation Barbarossa began and Wiki indicates the Soviets were defeated: Battle of Białystok–Minsk - Wikipedia

    Anyone aware of such a deployment?
     
  2. Markyboy

    Markyboy Member

    Hi,

    Eric Carter wrote an excellent book covering not just his involvement but the deployment as a whole. Ray Holmes wrote a book called 'Sky Spy' which includes a paragraph on his experiences. I also believe Vic Bashford (a ground crew member who is also a Dunkirk vet) is still with us. He's done several interviews you can find by googling.

    Definitely a one of a kind deployment and not one that's widely known.

    Cheers,
     
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  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Isn't that reference to Minsk a typo ?

    151 Wing went to Murmansk.
    We mentioned it in the forum many years ago.
     
  4. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Thamks both. No research was done and yes, I thought it was typo too.
     
  5. P-Squared

    P-Squared Well-Known Member

    ‘Hurricanes over Murmansk’ (John Golley) is also worth a read.
     
  6. Ewen Scott

    Ewen Scott Well-Known Member

    Info here on Wiki about 151 Wing.
    No. 151 Wing RAF - Wikipedia
    RAF Hurricanes in Russia

    There were further plans in 1941 to send an expedition to southern Russia to defend the Caucasian oilfields if necessary. As part of that further Hurricane squadrons were assembled and shipped out via the Cape. En route the war in the Far East broke out and they were diverted there instead.

    The following year, in Sept / Oct 1942, 144 and 455 Squadrons with Hampdens went to North Russia to support Convoy PQ18. On completion of the operation the surviving aircraft were handed over to the Soviets.
     
  7. Markyboy

    Markyboy Member

    Never knew about the Hampden squadrons! Any memoirs or accounts that you’re aware of?
     
  8. alieneyes

    alieneyes Senior Member

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  9. Waddell

    Waddell Well-Known Member

    Jack Davenport- Beaufighter Leader by Kristen Alexander has a chapter on Operation Orator. Davenport flew Hampdens with 455 Squadron. Pretty rough living conditions there for the RAF men from what I can remember in the book.

    Aircrew Book Review: Jack Davenport, Beaufighter Leader - Kristen Alexander

    Scott
     
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  10. hutt

    hutt Member

    There is also an obituary for Eric Carter in yesterday’s Times newspaper
     
  11. Osborne2

    Osborne2 Well-Known Member

    The Hampden under restoration at RAF Cosford museum was on its way to the Soviet Union when it was shot down by Norwegian based Me109's. Its worth looking at when the restoration hangar is open, once a year, usually November, but not sure about this year.
     
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  12. lostinspace

    lostinspace Junior Member

    I have a copy of Golley's book "Hurricanes over Murmansk" written in 1987, happy to dig it out if anyone is interested.
     
  13. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    From another paper:
     

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