23 squadron Blenheim accident at Tangmere 9th October 1940.

Gerry Thanks PM on way Paul

Hi Paul,
Sorry for the delay replying. I have been at work for a few days and haven’t had access to the log book.
He was with 23 squadron not 25.
His first flight with them according to the book was on October 10th 1939. He flew from Wittering to Digby with sergeant Dann in Blenheim MS-B.
cheers
gerry

Gerry when did Stevens join 25 Sqn and what period of time does the log book cover ? Thanks Paul

Indeed a great shame, though useful information for us. The codes for G-BPIV are still undecided at present. Any leads still most welcome though.

Hi Paul,
Unfortunately all of his entries are the same with no mention of serial numbers.
The log is also incomplete with some pages missing which is a shame.
gerry

Gerry

Very interesting has Stevens any Serials for Blenheims in the period Thanks Paul

Hi all,

Many thanks for all of this information which is greatly appreciated.
I have attached a scan of Stevens log book relating to October.
There is a discrepancy relating to the take off times but the flight duration of 90 minutes is correct.

Paul,
I don’t think that Ron Stevens ever received the DFM although he may have been recommended for it.
He isn’t listed in any records as having received it.

Moggy,
re names…..
I recall that Jack Toombs once told me that whilst serving as an air gunner with 236 squadron in 1940 he was crewed up with an wireless operator named Henry Deadman.

They were scrambled to intercept something over the coast and when they arrived at the aircraft the pilot asked them their names.
‘Sergeants Deadman and Toombs Sir’ came the answer followed by a short silence.
‘If you think I’m flying with a Deadman and a Toombs in the back you can both f**k off!!. Its dangerous enough up there without tempting fate!’.

Henry Deadman changed his name to Stewart after the war and I often wondered if that nights events had anything to do with it.

Thanks everyone, your help is much appreciated as always.

Regards
[ATTACH=CONFIG]224179[/ATTACH]Gerry

OK so if you match the Accident Card to ORB and Log Book you have

“YP-Y” -> L8722

Crew

P/O Stanley Sutherland Duff #42340
AC Stevens 19:15 20:45 = Later Sgt William Ronald Stevens DFM

The ORB has FORD as Location and time up 19:15 time down 20:45 which matches the Card.. The ORB only lists Sqn Code – And if compiler accurate “YP-Y” can be identified as L8722

I know that Arco are trying to match L6739 to a Sqn Code, perhaps this can scrub one unknown from list

You can’t help wondering what ribbing a pilot so unfortunately named as P/O Duff had to endure after a landing such as the one described.

Moggy

Hi Gerry,

Form 1180 Accident Card, Copyright RAF Museum, Hendon

[ATTACH=CONFIG]224177[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]224178[/ATTACH]

Regards
Ross

Cheers Ross,

That’s great additional information.
Could I ask what your source is please?
I have double checked Stevens log book and sure enough Stan Duff was the pilot on both of their flights that night.
The Blenheim involved is listed in the log book as YP-Y.
Cheers once again

Gerry

L8722 crashed at 20:45 hrs on 8th when the floodlight was extinguished while they were landing due to the presence of enemy aircraft.

Pilot was P/O Duff.

Regards
Ross

Cheers Andy and Don,

Many thanks for your replies.

Don, it could be the 23 squadron aircraft that you suggest. I have a copy of a note written by Ron Stevens where he mentions a crash on return to Tangmere on this night. It also mentions returning from a night patrol which ties in nicely with the info you have provided.

cheers once again and all the best for 2014.

Gerry

Nothing in the Tangmere ORB.