137 Squadron Whirlwinds

Thanks Niall

Has anyone got any additional info on who the crew of the Walrus were and where 278 Squadron were based based at the time please?

Paul

I too have Bryan in P7121 and Des Roberts in P7046. A Walrus of 278 Sqn was sent out to look for survivors with an escort of two more Whirlwinds (Len Bartlett & Hugh O’Neill) but only Oblt. A Wolf of the German crew was found and picked up.

HTH

Niall

Hi Jerry, T-21

I’ve checked my records (digital) and barring a transcription error I think I have the correct machines for each pilot. Jerry could check this out with your original scans please. Also I believe that P7012 was coded SF-V, as published in the Warpaint book. However, do you have a more reliable source for this code?

Also, any idea on what happened to the Dornier’s crew? I vaguely remember reading that they were picked up by ASR and that when Des was introduced to them one of them offered him some Dutch currency for when he in turn was shot down!

Paul

Many thanks for the great info,aaahhh the power of this great forum ! 263 Squadron always seems to take the glory over lesser Whirlwind squadrons in the publications.

Hi T-21

On the 19th August Bryan shared in the shooting down of a Do-217 with a New Zealand pilot Desmond Roberts. The aircraft he flew was P7121. According to the ORB this appeared to Bryan’s regular machine for August and October whilst on ops. So it is possible he flew it whilst at Snailwell.

Paul

Hi paul,
I must be getting confused…..Thanks
I had roberts in P7121 and Bryan in P7046, and the dornier as Do217E-4 W.Nr5370 F8+BN of 5/KG40.
Cheers
jerry

Hi T-21

Thanks for the book title I’ll see if I can track down a copy.

137 Spent less than a month at Snailwell. They were there to have their Whirlwinds fitted with bomb racks. Bryan flew with five other Whirlwinds on a Rodeo on the 3rd Sep. The aircraft he flew on this occasion was P7021. The rest of their time at Snailwell was spent on bombing practice and various training flights.

On the 19th August Bryan shared in the shooting down of a Do-217 with a New Zealand pilot Desmond Roberts. The aircraft he flew was P7121. According to the ORB this appeared to Bryan’s regular machine for August and October whilst on ops. So it is possible he flew it whilst at Snailwell.

I’ve attached a picture of P7121 for you. The pilot is not Bryan but an Indian pilot D. Samant.

Paul

Thanks for your help, the best history of RAF Snailwell is ” The Royal Air Force at Newmarket” by John Hamlin 1985,MSB Publications. The history is hidden within the book.

Hi T-21

I’ll have a look for you in the Squadron’s ORB. It will only list the Whirlwinds he flew on ops, but that will be better than nothing. Do you have any other recollections/info about 137’s time at Snailwell?

I’ve attached a relatively recent picture of all that remains of RAF Snailwell that I found on the internet. I was there 18 months ago but none of the locals at the pub knew anything about an airfield being at Snailwell! so I went away empty handed.

Kind regards

Paul

No137 Sq Whirlwind

During the last war ,Flying Officer John Michael Bryan of 137 squadron was the younger son of the vicar at Milton Ernest,Beds. When the squadron was detached to Snailwell he used to buzz the vicarage in a Whirlwind. I would be most grateful if you have the identity ,serial/code of the Whirlwind. Many thanks. Incidentally he was sadly shot down 10.6.44 in a No 164 squadron T yphoon in Normandy.