Please find attached a copy of my father’s Log Book from September 1941.
Could someone please explain the entries for 20/9/41. My questions pertain to the abbreviations, I understand that DNCO means “Duty Not Carried Out” can someone explain the remainder?
By: David Layne - 9th January 2007 at 21:59
A little more information and more questions, but isn’t that always the case?
From 50 Squadron Orbs.
“Target – aiming point – BERLIN. This aircraft left SWANTON MORLEY climbing to 5000ft and finally to 9000ft over the DUTCH coast. A recall was received when just inside enemy territory. A flare was dropped to ascertain exact position. The I.F.F. proved very successful against active searchlights. A bombing run was made South to North on the RHEINE with the wing bombs. No results seen.”
At this time of 1941 50 Squadron were operating out of Swinderby. However this aircraft left Swinderby earlier in the day for Swanton Morley with P/O Carter at the controls. For the trip to Berlin S/LD Mulford was the pilot.
No where else do I find any reference to S/LD Mulford. Not in the squadrons Orbs or in my fathers log book. Any suggestions as to who he would be and why such a high ranking officer would pick this trip to go on?
Where is Swantom Morley? I note that it was a 55 minute flight from Swinderby.
I think R.F.X would be in for the radio frequency they used to return to Finningley.
By: kev35 - 9th January 2007 at 11:58
David.
Not quite sure how much help this is going to be to you, but here goes anyway.
The target for the night of 20/21 September 1941 was Berlin. Middlebrook and Everitt in Bomber Command War Diaries relate that 74 aircraft were despatched to Berlin that night but were recalled due to worsening weather conditions. however, ten aircraft did not receive the recall signal and therefore pressed on to bomb secondary targets. None of those ten reached Berlin.
During some of my previous research I’m sure I came across references to S.E.M.O. and another similar abbreviation. I can’t find them now but I’m sure it refers to something like ‘sites of engineering, manufacturing and oil.’ These were all regularly attacked as targets of opportunity by bombers unable to find their primary targets. I have several references to 37 Squadron attacking the flames of furnaces etc. If I can find what it actually stands for I’ll post here as soon as I know.
Your other abbreviations, B&A and BFX? I can’t properly make out and have no idea as to their meaning.
Sorry I can’t be of more help to you.
Regards,
kev35
By: Hot_Charlie - 9th January 2007 at 11:26
It may be a little easier to make out if you could copy that section into text nto make it a little more legible.:)
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January 8, 2007 at 10:05 pm