Anybody know if 214 sqn were involved in the kenya Mau mau conflict and when they were there with their lincoln bombers? I think they were there sometime between jan 1954 and Sep 1955 operating out of Eastleigh but don’t know for sure.
Any info anyone has to confirm or deny this i would be very grateful to receive.
steve
By: pagen01 - 17th September 2011 at 09:32
I think your recollections are probably correct, but that there was possibly a crew secondment, change of unit, or A/C swap (none of which would be that unusual).
Thanks for getting back.
By: l.garey - 17th September 2011 at 07:48
Pagan: you may be right. I am at the moment in the National Archives researching the crash of a Wellington in 1943, and took the opportunity of searching 7 sqd’s Operations Records Books. I admit that I can find no reference to them going to Kenya, although all their ops in Malaya are reported. So I guess that either my (and Jim’s) recollections are a bit wide of the mark, or maybe what you suggest could be true. I think it is clear that 7 did not play a major role against the Mau Mau.
By: pagen01 - 16th September 2011 at 21:54
As I said there, I recall Flt Lt JB Stephens telling us about his time with 7 Sqd in Kenya. I don’t think it was a figment of my imagination, but until I find proof, I have to wait and see.
I’m not disputing yours, or indeed Jims, recollections for one minute, but could it be that JB Stephens was seconded from one unit to another, or indeed a 7 sqn aircraft loaned (possibly with crew) to one of the other Lincoln sqns?
Just seems odd to dispatch one unit aircraft to a combat situation, when it was already heavily involved in another theatre (ie Malaya).
the Lincoln book goes into good squadron details with personal recollections, be surprised if that was left out?
By: stevechap50 - 16th September 2011 at 21:45
Mau Mau
thanks laurence, useful info
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September 8, 2011 at 8:54 pm