Morning Researching Sgt. 614464 George Francis HANCOX. He and his crew were lost on a mission to Yugoslavia on Wednesday 31 May 1944. I have details of the crew etc but am really struggling to find out details of the aircraft, mission etc. Hoping someone can help, please. many thanks and regards, Graeme
Hi Sorry to be a pain in the proverbial Just this second found the info from this site http://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/Aircraft%20lost%20on%20Allied%20Forces%20Special%20Duty%20Operations.pdf many thanks, Regards, Graeme
Graeme, the following comes from the publication - Though Without Anger - C. Cummings.......... 31 May 1944 148 Squadron Halifax JD172 One of four crews detailed for a sortie to Poland, whilst ten other aircraft from the unit mounted operations to Yugoslavia. This crew failed to return but another crew reported seeing air to air firing in the vicinity of the DZ. It is presumed the aircraft was shot down by a night-fighter. Is this the loss you are researching? You beat me to it........
Hi Peter, Many thanks for your prompt reply. One thing bothers me. The link I have above says the crew took off from Brindisi. It seems a long way round to go from Brindisi to Poland. Anyway, many thanks for your interest, Regards, Graeme
Most SD flights to Poland were mounted from Italy during the latter days of WWII - the main reason for this was that flying the southern route the flak and night fighter defences were lighter.
Hi Both, Absolutely fantastic information, many thanks for taking the time and trouble to reply to the thread, appreciate it, Regards, Graeme
This is my first day with you chaps in the forum. I am requesting to be put in contact with anyone regarding 83 Pathfinder squadron based at Wyton. With regard to special duties squadrons, these were 138 and 161 squadrons based originally at Tempsford. They did fly missions from other bases but Tempsford was their main base. My Uncle flew the first mission from Tempsford (having moved from Newmarket with 1419). Fortunately I have his log book and have been a member of Tempsford Veterans and Relatives Association for many years. From 138 Squadron (where he was awarded a DFC and Croix de Guerre) under Ron Hockey, he was posted to 83 Squadron at Wyton (under John Searby). He flew many missions (including Peenemunde) as Searby's flight Commander. He was awarded an immediate DSO for a mission over Berlin on 3.9.1943. I have a few original photos taken by my Uncle..but I do not know how to post (as I am a new boy!!!). There was a chap on this site who was a relative of F/Sgt Menzies of 83 Squadron. Looking at my uncle's log book, Menzies was a regular member of his crew and he may be present in one of my uncle's photographs? I am very happy to talk about 138 squadron and in return I would love to contact chaps who can help me with 83 Squadron in 1943!! Best wishes, Hamish
Hi Hamish Welcome To add images etc, when you enter the 'Reply box' at the bottom of the screen, select 'More Reply Options' - scroll down a little way and you have another button that says 'Choose File' from there you can download from your computer - check that the image size fits the requirements, otherwise .................. well you know what happens TD
Thanks Peter & Tricky, I shall slowly learn what to do and how to contribute to chats regarding 138 & 83 Squadron. Attached (hopefully) is a photo of my Uncle (Squadron Leader AB Smith DSO, DFC, MID, Croix de Guerre) during his time with 83 Squadron at RAF Wyton in 1943. In the centre in John Searby (later Air Commodore DSO, DFC) and to the left is John Manton (killed over Leipzig in October 1943). If this attachment works, then I shall post more if anyone is interested. Please contact me if you had a relative who flew with 83 Squadron during 1942-3. Thank you, Hamish
Hi Graeme, little to add from squadron records alas: 148 SD Sqdn and their Polish counterparts in 1586 SD Flight (301 Squadron) flew the bulk of Special Duties ops to Poland from Brindisi using primarily Halifaxes and some Liberators; they suffered heavy casualties in supplying the Home Army and then the Warsaw uprising. RAF records are available to download from the National Archives (just Google "RAF ORB 1944") though the Polish ones don't seem to have survived as far as I know. The squadron ORB records the a/c lost on 30/31 May 1944 as a Halifax II, serial JD172, V-Victor. It took off on Operation 104 at 2017, and the ORB says laconically "No news of this aircraft and is presumed lost." In addition to 11 flights to Yugoslavia, the squadron sent 4 aircraft to Poland from Brindisi that night; two completed successfully, one could find no reception on the ground and returned without dropping, and the Makepeace crew appear to have been shot down by a night fighter (the squadron records seem to be where Cummings got his information as they more-or-less use the same form of words about air-to-air firing, stating it was cannon fire and seen near Poland). Other researchers of downed crews have had some joy from records of night fighter units, so you might consider that as a possible direction in future (I'm afraid it's outside my competence, though, so can't help you there). RAF Commands forum is a font of knowledge, and I'd recommend it if you aren't already a member. Cheers, Pat
I was searching for information about my uncle (T.J. Makepeace) and was pleasantly surprised to find the document you posted which lists him and his crew. May I ask where the document comes from?
A few years ago I photographed the service files of all RCAF personnel killed while No. 148 Sqn was on Special Duties out of Italy. Those two pages came from the service file of W/O Makepeace, which is held at the LAC in Ottawa. Let me know if there is anything specific you're looking for and I'll see what I can do for you. Dave
