Can any of you erudite individuals point me in the direction of any information regarding RAF support to the Arctic Convoys? I suspect that VLR aircraft based in Iceland would have been able to provide some cover, and Air Chief Marshal Sir Philip Joubert wrote a paper on High Latitude Flying by Coastal Command in Support of Convoys to North Russia. The internet has plenty of information regarding the convoys, but little (almost nothing that I can find!) relating to any Coastal Command support. Roxy
Early in 1942 Coastal Command undertook to maintain frequent photographic reconnaissance of the Trondheim fjords and the flying of special patrols off the Norwegian coast abreast of Trondheim. The former were intensified just before and up to five days after the departure of a Russian convoy and the latter from four days after in order to locate any move by the enemy major naval units to intercept it. In addition a detachment of Liberators from 120 Squadron in Northern Ireland were sent to Iceland in readiness for extended reconnaissance. These aircraft with long range Catalina's of 210 Squadron and the American Catalina Squadron in Iceland, carried out an increasing number of ice reconnaissances to Jan Mayen and Bear Islands during March and April 1942. Two were completed in March and five in April. Roxy, knowing of your interest in CXX Squadron thought I'd let you know I have a complete copy of the Squadrons ORB covering WW2, if you require any info from the document please feel free to ask. Regards Peter
Cheers, Peter. I knew that I'd get some info. I did suspect that CXX would have had an impact from Keflavik; I had also read on a bbc 'wartime memories' site about a ship that, inadvertently, shot down a Catalina - 210 Sqn would have been my guess. Roxy PS I'll mention to OC CXX (and his replacement) that I know where there is a copy of the ORB!
PS I'll mention to OC CXX (and his replacement) that I know where there is a copy of the ORB! Hi Roxy. CXX already have a copy of the ORB in their archives. I sent a full copy to them a few years ago in readiness for one of their reunions where I've seen it on display. Do you know if they still have the dinghy paddle from Liberator LV341 (my fathers aircraft) on display in the crew room? Regards Peter
Roxy, It was on one of these Artic patrols that 120 Squadron lost one of its aircraft, Liberator Mk.I AM924/D (S/L. Rae Walton and crew) on 28 May 1942, in support of the Russian convoys. The aircraft was shot down into the Norwegian Sea by three Me109's. The Libs surviving crew managed to get ashore and eventually reached Sweden after a very long walk, where they were interned for a while. But that's another story.
