September 5, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I am trying to list the movements of the squadrons that operated out of RAF Rochford when they arrived, when they left and what they flew, quite a task! any how can anyone help with any more details please.
No Arrival Date Depature Date Squadron Aircraft Notes
1, 22/10/1939 29/10/1939 74 Spitfire Mk1
2, 28/10/1939 03/11/1939 54 Spitfire Mk1
3, 03/11/1939 14/11/1939 74 Spitfire Mk1
4, 17/11/1939 02/12/1939 54 Spitfire Mk1
5, 01/12/1939 16/12/1939 74 Spitfire Mk1
6, 16/12/1939 29/12/1939 54 Spitfire Mk1
7, 29/12/1939 16/01/1940 74 Spitfire Mk1
8, 16/01/1940 14/02/1940 54 Spitfire Mk1
9, 14/02/1940 23/03/1940 74 Spitfire Mk1
10, 23/03/1940 20/04/1940 54 Spitfire Mk1
11, 20/04/1940 27/05/1940 74 Spitfire Mk1
12, 27/05/1940 06/06/1940 616 Spitfire Mk1 South Yorkshire
13, 06/06/1940 26/06/1940 74 Spitfire Mk1
14, 25/06/1940 24/07/1940 54 Spitfire Mk1
15, 29/10/1940 27/11/1940 264 Defiant 1 Madras Presidency
16, 03/12/1940 13/12/1940 603 Spitfire Mk2a City of Edinburgh
17, 13/12/1940 27/01/1941 611 Spitfire Mk2a West Lancashire
18, 27/01/1941 31/03/1941 64 Spitfire Mk 2a
19, 31/03/1941 20/05/1941 54 Spitfire Mk2a
20, 20/05/1941 14/06/1941 611 Spitfire Mk5b West Lancashire
21, 16/06/1941 09/07/1941 603 Spitfire Mk5a City of Edinburgh
22, 19/08/1941 06/11/1941 402 RCAF Hurricane 2b Winnipeg Bear
23, 07/03/1942 30/03/1942 411 RCAF Spitfire 5b Grizzly Bear
24, 31/03/1942 01/05/1942 64 Spitfire Mk5b
25, 02/05/1942 03/06/1942 403 RCAF Spitfire Mk 5b Wolf Squadron
26, 03/06/1942 23/09/1942 121 Eagle Squadron
27, 16/08/1942 20/08/1942 19 Spitfire Mk5b
28, 23/09/1942 24/11/1942 350 Belgian Spitfire Mk5b
29, 02/10/1942 24/11/1942 453 RAAF Spitfire Mk5b
30, 07/12/1942 27/03/1943 453 RAAF Spitfire Mk5b
31, 27/03/1943 01/04/1943 222 Spitfire Mk5b Natal
32, 12/06/1943 08/08/1943 137 Hurricane 6
33, 06/09/1943 13/09/1943 611 Spitfire LF5b West Lancashire
34, 16/09/1943 15/10/1943 234 Spitfire Mk6 Madras Presidency
35, 12/10/1943 31/10/1943 350 Belgian Spitfire Mk5b
36, 02/12/1943 18/12/1943 317 Spitfire Mk9 Wilenski
37, 20/12/1943 27/12/1943 222 Spitfire Mk9 & LFIb Natal
38, 04/04/1944 09/04/1944 222 Natal
39, 19/05/1944 20/05/1944 19 Mustang 3
40, 12/07/1944 23/07/1944 127 Spitfire Mk9
41, 24/07/1944 08/08/1944 74 Spitfire Mk9 & LFIXe
By: northeagle - 28th September 2008 at 12:39
According to Cossey: ‘Tigers’, 74 Squadron frequently had detachments at Rochford between October 1939 and June 1940. However, my notes from Ernie Mayne’s logbook show that ‘B’ Flight were at Rochford on both 6 and 20th September, 1939, when they carried out flying for the film: ‘The Lion Has Wings’. My notes on Marmaduke Ridley, 616 Squadron, show that 616 were at Rochford from May 26 to June 6, covering the Dunkirk evacuation.
Hope this is of help.
Best Wishes.
Robert.
By: Old Fart - 27th September 2008 at 23:21
Cheers 🙂
By: AndyIngham - 26th September 2008 at 23:44
Here are the 17 aircraft that 127 squadron used at Southend.
Spitfire IX NH294 9N P
Spitfire IX NH316 9N Z
Spitfire IX NH427 9N F
Spitfire IX NH430 9N T
Spitfire IX NH436 9N R
Spitfire IX NH479 9N O
Spitfire IX NH495 9N K
Spitfire IX NH496 9N H
Spitfire IX NH526 9N G
Spitfire IX NH533 9N U
Spitfire IX NH538 9N J
Spitfire IX NH543 9N B
Spitfire IX NH554 9N S
Spitfire IX NH583 9N A (Arrived on 13.7.44)
Spitfire IX NH596 9N E
Spitfire IX NH600 9N Y
Spitfire IX PL136 9N C
The pilots on the course were:
S/L C.F. Bradley, F/Lt J.E. Schofield, F/L J.E. Jenkins, F/L D.J. McNally, F/L P. Hillwood, F/L D.C. Fyfe, F/Lt P. Langston, F/Lt E.O. Doyle, F/O A.G. Richardson,
F/O A.R. Moulden, F/O G.W. Davies, F/O M. de Kerdrel, F/O I.I.R. Campbell, F/O C.P. Taylor, F/O V.M. Jack, F/O J. Whittington,
F/O A.K. Asboe, P/O G. Gollins, P/O N. Roth, 2nd Lt A.R. Gotze, W/O C.D. Bell, W/O R.A. Eckert, F/Sgt R.F. Reeves,
F/S A.C.H. White, F/Sgt G. Butcher, F/Sgt A.J. Griffin, F/Sgt F. Crozier, Sgt M. Macey
By: Old Fart - 26th September 2008 at 22:50
Yes Please.
That would be a great help.
By: AndyIngham - 26th September 2008 at 22:24
I have been researching 127 Squadron for quite a while now.
As you state 127 Squadron spent some time at Southend at No 17 APC.
The squadron arrived at Southend on 12 July 1944.
They brought with them 16 aircraft (Spitfire IX) An extra aircraft joined then the following day.
I can give you the serials and codes if you are interested.
Twenty eight pilots attended the course. (Again if you want I can list them for you.)
The course ended on the 23rd July and 127 left Southend and returned to Tangmere.
I have a group photo taken at the end of the course.
Regards
Andy