World War 2 Halifax & Lancaster research

Thanks

I’ve bought the book this afternoon. It comes recommended from several sources.
If you come up with anything else please let me know?
Thanks for all your help
Sam

dear sam martin

my copy of ‘suicide but fun’ was also published in 1995

it contains CERTAIN name lists but not one devoted to just squadron members

a/c were usually identified by pilot’s name and/or squadron letters

plenty of unidentified sq crew members

the 102 (ceylon) sq web page is another line to follow

Thanks again

It’s the generic Halifax photographs I’m trying to avoid and finding photographs of aircraft directly linked by serial or nose art to either Squadron I’m looking at is proving very hard.

When was your Chris Goss book published. I’ve found a copy published in 1995 for a good price. I wondered which edition it may be if more than one was written. Is there abSquadron list or anything with my Grandfathers name in it, if you wouldn’t mind flicking through. If it’s worth it I’ll look to buy it.

I can’t get it in libraries unfortunately.
I wasn’t aware there were 7 versions of Halifax. The Halifax in a photograph that my Grandfather is in has been identified as a Halifax B.II series 1.

Thankyou

102 sq

‘IT’S SUICIDE BUT IT’S FUN’ The Story of 102 (Ceylon) Squadron – by Chris Goss

includes p 112/113 deals with the Dai Pugh ditching . Appendix D (p195) details the JD165 DY-J loss .

plenty on the Halifax – but remember there were at least SEVEN basic , different versions of Halifax a/c – don’t fall for the ‘generic’ illustrations !!!

Thanks Jettisoning
Handley Page Halifax, published 1990, is available at my library but is reference only. So I can only read it in house.
HPH from hell to victory and beyond isn’t available to loan. Apparently it’s ill so I’m guessing in bad condition.
Halifax, an illustrated history of a classic WW2 bomber, published 1980 is available to loan.
I think you said in an earlier post the first book is great for 102 squadron.
A few books I want to loan on Lancasters are reference only which is a shame.
Thanks

handley page halifax by ka merrick

ISBN 0 946627 60 8

Aston Publications Ltd

Thankyou BobKat

You hit the nail on the head. Halifax 102 produced 27 images and Lancaster 150 a few too.
I’ll try and match up some serials to my grandfathers flying logs and ORBs now.
If you gave any more ideas for photographs of the squadrons, aircrew or aircraft please drop me a line?

Sam

Try inputting “Halifax 102 Sqn” and “Avro Lancaster 150 Sqn” – hopefully you will find something useful.

Good luck!

Thanks BobKat.
I’ve searched that site before but I’ll expand my search options.
Thanks
Sam

You will find a few photos on www.ww2images.com where you will need to use the search index.

Thanks Jettisoning.

That’s a shame about the photograph but it does explain the TL serial.

Handley Page Halifax you refer to – is that a book and where may I get a copy?

Thank you
Sam

JD165
unfortunately the ‘back to normandy’ site was using a generic representative photograph of a HALIFAX – that a/c is NOT JD165 – it’s an early BII series a/c with a nose turret – which JD165 – a BII Series 1 (Special) – was not equipped .

it is in fact a well known photograph of W7676 – 35 Sq – which explains the TL squadron code letters .

there is a wealth of photographic material for a/c of 102 sq – eg THE HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX by KA Merrick .

i hope this is of use

Thanks BobKat

That confirms that 102 were using DY and 150 were using IQ.

I’m really trying to find any photographs of any aircraft used by these Squadrons during WW2 please?

Thank you
Sam

Here are a couple of links for squadron codes:

102 Sqn codes: TQ to Sep 1939, then DY to May 1945
http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/bombercommandno102squadron.cfm

150 Sqn codes: DG to Sep 1939, then JN to Oct 1944, then IQ to Nov 1945
http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn146-150.htm

Google will no doubt bring up a few more.

Here are a couple of links for squadron codes:

102 Sqn codes: TQ to Sep 1939, then DY to May 1945
http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/bombercommandno102squadron.cfm

150 Sqn codes: DG to Sep 1939, then JN to Oct 1944, then IQ to Nov 1945
http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn146-150.htm

Google will no doubt bring up a few more.

Halifax JD165 link to photograph

http://www.backtonormandy.org/the-history/air-force-operations/airplanes-allies-and-axis-lost/halifax/JD1651944-01-29.html

I’m not sure why the serial is TL though. I thought the serial for 102 Squadron was DY.

Can you point me in the right direction for a database or list of pictures of Nose Art and codes for 102 and 150 Squadrons?

Hope this is what you want to see.
Sam

jd165

i’ve never seen a photograph of jd165 and would be v interested in seeing one ! can you provide me with details or the internet photo ?

jd165

i’ve never seen a photograph of jd165 and would be v interested in seeing one ! can you provide me with details or the internet photo ?

Hi Jettisoning, BobKat and Pete.

Jettisoning – Yes I am aware of the history of Halifax JD165 and the crash in January 1944. My Grandfather had left the Squadron a few months before this accident. I’ve seen a photograph of this Halifax on the internet. Do you know anything about any other Halifax aircraft it 102 Squadron?

BobKat – Yes I had seen that link and photograph. It’s great to see. My Grandfather was with 150 Squadron at RAF Hemswell. I think they were only at Fiskerton for a short time.

Merlin Pete. I don’t have any details on the scrapping of that aircraft. Here are the details I know from another source on Lancaster NN742 – This one arrived in November 1944 on the squadron, 150, then was scrapped in May 1947. This was one of 100 aircraft ordered from Austin Motors at Longbridge and delivered from march 1944 to february 1945 with merlin 24 engines. It was a Lancaster MK1, one of serial range NN694 to NN816

If you guys or anyone else knows anything else or photographs of the aircraft listed or Squadrons please do contact me?
Thankyou
Sam

jd165

this ac participated in the berlin raid in jan 44 and was f/sgt dms pugh’s first operation . it was a BII Series 1 (Special) . Merlin engines . Faired over nose (tollerton nose)

JD165 102 Berlin 28-29.01.44 . t/o Pocklington 00.16 . Ditched 09.00 in the North Sea , the survivors being brought to Montrose , Angus , on 01.02.44 . Seven man crew aboard . F/Sgt DMS Pugh , pilot , survived to tell the tale and in the 1990s his son , Alun , and myself taught together . I attended Dai Pugh’s cremation funeral on Tuesday 18.06.2002 at Lawnswood Crematorium , Leeds .
F/O JC Graham RCAF had died from his injuries on 31.01.44 and he was buried at Montrose (Sleepyhillock) Cemetery . Three other fatalities have no known graves . Two additional survivors .
jd165 was delivered to 102 Sq during may 1943
102 Sq DY-S .

Have you seen the photo of NN742 IQ-U on the following link?
http://www.fiskertonairfield.org.uk/photo2_8.html

It says she was broken up for scrap in May 1974, could that be true? I assume it isn’t.

Pete

Have you seen the photo of NN742 IQ-U on the following link?
http://www.fiskertonairfield.org.uk/photo2_8.html

jd165

this ac participated in the berlin raid in jan 44 and was f/sgt dms pugh’s first operation . it was a BII Series 1 (Special) . Merlin engines . Faired over nose (tollerton nose)

JD165 102 Berlin 28-29.01.44 . t/o Pocklington 00.16 . Ditched 09.00 in the North Sea , the survivors being brought to Montrose , Angus , on 01.02.44 . Seven man crew aboard . F/Sgt DMS Pugh , pilot , survived to tell the tale and in the 1990s his son , Alun , and myself taught together . I attended Dai Pugh’s cremation funeral on Tuesday 18.06.2002 at Lawnswood Crematorium , Leeds .
F/O JC Graham RCAF had died from his injuries on 31.01.44 and he was buried at Montrose (Sleepyhillock) Cemetery . Three other fatalities have no known graves . Two additional survivors .
jd165 was delivered to 102 Sq during may 1943
102 Sq DY-S .