Hi guys, thanks to many of you, I've been able to follow the progress of a local pilot through his flying log book. I was kindly shown the way to obtain the crew lists from the AIR 27 documents on the National Archives site, but cannot seem to find them for the two raids on January 1 (Berlin) and January 14 (Brunswick). The pilot on both occasions was Flight Officer BANFIELD. Any help on locating these would be greatly appreciated, that's if they exist. Thanks for reading, Mark.
Mark: As you probably have already discovered, the records at TNA for some reason do not include the "Record of Events" for January-March 1944, which is necessary for the individual sortie information. Asking TNA may take several months for a reply that basically says they don't have it. You may try contacting the "Air Historical Branch". For sure they have it. TNA should obtain digital records from the AHB if they don't have it. There are also "Gaps" in the 541's for 617 Squadron for some of the months in 1944 as well. Jim
Thank you Jim for your swift reply. I'm gutted that these 2 records are missing as I've really enjoyed piecing together this pilot's flying record. However I will follow your advice regarding the Air Historical Branch. Thanks again Jim!!
Mark, I just downloaded No. 106 Squadron's ORB for January 1944. AIR27/834/2. Squadron Number: 106 Records of Events: Y | The National Archives Banfield and crew took Lancaster JB601 to Berlin, up at 0010 hrs, down at 0830. Lancaster ND336 to Brunswick. 1700 up, 2225 down. Regards, Dave
Thanks Dave. As always you come through! I used the RAF Commands search engine and for some reason it doesn't show up there. Good it is available at TNA! Jim
Jim and Dave, thanks so much guys. I honestly don't know what I'd do without this forum and all the decent historians on here. With your help I've done the first 6 operations of 34. No doubt you'll be hearing from me again, but if not, thanks very much. Mark.
Did you make the guys aware of the missing links over on RAF Commands? They are always eager to correct items on the databases. The database there lists the files as shown: AIR 27/834/1 (7) No 106 Squadron Summary of Events Sqn:106. Summary of Events: Y. 1944-01-01 - 1944-01-31 AIR 27/834/3 (7) No 106 Squadron Summary of Events Sqn:106. Summary of Events: Y. 1944-02-01 - 1944-02-28 AIR 27/834/5 (7) No 106 Squadron Summary of Events Sqn:106. Summary of Events: Y. 1944-03-01 - 1944-03-31 AIR 27/834/8 (7) No 106 Squadron Record of Events Sqn: 106. Records of Events: Y. 1944-04-01 - 1944-04-30 AIR 27/834/7 (7) No 106 Squadron Summary of Events Sqn:106. Summary of Events: Y. 1944-04-01 - 1944-04-30 if you hover over the hyperlinks to see the links to the UK NA site, the links have a pattern, the number of the file before the hashtag http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8385816#imageViewerLink Summary of Events: Jan 44 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8385817#imageViewerLink <-- missing link to Record of events Jan 44 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8385818#imageViewerLink Summary Feb 44 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8385819#imageViewerLink <-- missing link to Record of events Feb 44 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8385820#imageViewerLink Summary Mar 44 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8385821#imageViewerLink <-- missing link to Record of events Mar 44