Hi all, a 299 Squadron Stirling ( "F", W/O TOVELL) carrying 18 troops had a special mission on D Day night. 299 squadron flew from Keevil but "F" flew from Fairford. What was the special mission operated from Fairford? the Stirlng crew was: W/O E.J. TOVELL Sgt W CHILLIBECKI Sgt W.A. McALLAN W/O D.C. STRONG Sgt D.B. GAULFIELD-STOKER Sgt G. GIANNOTTI Thanks a lot, Ludo
Ludo, Possibly the SAS landing as part of diversionary operation 'Operation Titanic', to be dropped behind enemy lines to divert attention away from the front line in fron of the American beaches. Below is from Mark Hickman's Arnhem site about Tovell and his sortie on D-Day. brithm Normandy The first of twenty-three of 299 Squadron's Stirlings took to the air at 23:19 on the 5th June, each carrying nine supply canisters and between fifteen and twenty-one men of the 12th Parachute Battalion. Light flak was encountered over the drop zone and one Stirling was lost and a further eight damaged, resulting in the injury of a number of air crew. Nevertheless the squadron successfully deposited their troops over DZ-N, near Ranville, and returned to base. Whilst this drop had been taking place, a lone Stirling, piloted by Warrant Officer Tovell, carried out a successful Special Operation sortie to Brittany, delivering troops and supply containers.
Ludo, I'm not sure if this will help or hinder, but here's page 71 from the document "History of WW2 Infiltrations into France" for June 5th. Note there are two entries for advance parties of the 4th SAS. One comprising 17 men and the other 18. Both are out of RAF Fairford in Stirlings with no mention of squadron name. Both had destinations in Brittany. A possibility ...?
Hello CEE, thanks for this information. The 299 Sqdn ORB gives aprecise information: 18 troops. If I refer to you information it was probably Lt Botella stick for Operation SAMWEST. Ludo
Ludo, That looks about right. I couldn't find a time for their take-off, but I'll assume it was in advance of the main body of aircraft flying out of Fairford? Regards ...
I think this was for Operation Sunflower I RAF Fairford's Log says "23:15 Sunflower off. 1st Tonga off."
It's interesting that Sunflower I left from Fairford at the same time as the main body of Paras on Op Tonga. So tentatively we have Dingson and Samwest (both 4th SAS), as well as Sunflower I and your Houndsworth group which you show in a photo in this thread. http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/35231-report-operation-houndsworth/#entry684551 Regards ... Edit: Ok the date is wrong on the photo for the Major Fraser SAS Party and Phantom Group (Houndsworth) - they left on June 10th from Fairford. Did that throw me for a loop ... :P So I don't know who was on the Sunflower 1 operation. Regards ...
