Hi all,
I hope that this is the right place to make an announcement that with the help of members of the 578 Squadron Association we have put together a web site dedicated to the memory of 578 squadron RAF Bomber Command.
http://www.578squadron.org.uk/
Although it was only operational for 14 months of WWII the squadron flew 2,722 sorties, suffering grievous losses of aircraft and 219 aircrew from its base at Burn in North Yorkshire.
Over 227 gallantry awards were made to the squadron including the Victoria Cross, awarded posthumously to Pilot Officer C J Barton, the only Halifax Bomber pilot to be so honoured. The President of the United States of America also ordered the posthumous award of the Silver Star for Gallantry in Action to the first Commanding Officer, Wing Commander DSS Wilkerson DSO, DFC
The squadron was equipped throughout its short existence with the mighty Halifax BIII. 578 squadron having three of the four known 100op Halifaxes on its squadron books.
It was set up and lead by an inspirational leader Wing Commander DSS Wilkerson whose leadership resulted in the squadron being ultimately christened ‘The Aiming Point Squadron’
There are plenty of websites to the Lancaster but few dedicated to Yorkshires bomber the Halifax so I hope this goes a little way to redress the imbalance.
It is just a starting point so any feedback from you the historical aviation enthusiasts is welcome.
I do hope that I am able to expand the site while we do still have some of the brave veterans still with us and willing to do some “silver surfing”.
Regards and Merry Christmas,
Paul Waites
[EMAIL=”webmaster@578squadron.org.uk“]
webmaster@578squadron.org.uk[/EMAIL]
By: Paul - 12th July 2015 at 15:32
You don’t need to be an association member to join the facebook group. If you search for the group on farcebook and go to its homepage there is an option to join the group. Click on this and Emily will get back to you.
By: Friar Tuck - 12th July 2015 at 06:16
I went to that page but could not figure out how to post there!
Apologies for the delay, I have been moving house. You need to email Emily Horton, she is the 578 Assc. website administrator. It is a closed group to members only I’m afraid. You may need to join the 578 Association, but it’s only a tenner. She will then admit you to the FB page.
By: David Layne - 11th May 2015 at 12:34
Excellent Paul. Thanks. I will PM you my e mail address and take you up on the offer of a higher resolution scan.
By: Paul - 11th May 2015 at 10:19
Hi David,
I am back from the 578 squadron reunion. Fewer veterans each year. An inspiring weekend all the same, remarkable heroes the lot of them.
20/21 July was 578 squadrons most disastrous night of the war loosing six Halifaxes and forty-two airmen. From MZ511 only the navigator P/O Jack Smith and the bomb-aimer P/O Ken Parsons got out. Jack Smith was captured but Ken Parsons became an evader and he writes of his experiences in “Based at Burn” the squadron book.
Here is the crew photograph that I have Jack is first left. It isn’t the best of photos but I have a higher resolution scan that I can send you if you like.
best, Paul.
By: David Layne - 10th May 2015 at 11:37
David, you could try the 578 Association Facebook page.
I went to that page but could not figure out how to post there!
By: Friar Tuck - 10th May 2015 at 04:31
David, you could try the 578 Association Facebook page.
By: David Layne - 7th May 2015 at 09:51
Thank you Paul.
By: Paul - 7th May 2015 at 09:42
Hi David,
It is the 578 squadron reunion (70 years since the squadron was disbanded). I will be seeing the Squadron historian there so will have a chat with him.
Paul.
By: David Layne - 6th May 2015 at 19:38
I am hopeful someone can provide me with a photograph of P/O Jack Smith crew member of 578 Squadron Halifax MZ511 that was shot down by a night fighter piloted by Major Martin Drewes 20/21 July 1944 on operations to Bottrop.
Jack Smith was a POW with my father and is one of 51 prisoners named in my father’s POW “Wartime Log.” https://wallyswar.wordpress.com/pow-log/
I am attempting to fine a photograph of each of the 51 prisoners in the log book. So far I have got 33 and am hopeful one of Jack Smith will turn up. My efforts so far can be seen here. https://wallyswar.wordpress.com/other-pows/
By: critter592 - 20th December 2007 at 19:28
Excellent work. Congratulations!
I shall place a link to the site on my links page; one of 578’s aircraft came down in ‘our’ area. (MZ519 LK-U.)
Regards,
Don
By: 1 Group - 20th December 2007 at 19:12
Paul
Great website, I endorse any project of this nature. Soon all the veterans and their airfields will alas no longer be with us, so sites like yours are important.
I’m sure you have some but you are welcome to use any from my website
http://oldairfields.fotopic.net/
Regards
NJR
By: Cees Broere - 20th December 2007 at 14:12
Hi Pau,
I looked at it and I think you have made a great start. I particularly like
the stories of both aircrew and groundcrew as well as the situation today
regarding the Halifax. Keep it up.
Cheers
Cees
By: Paul - 20th December 2007 at 11:50
Cheers for the endorsement, I am aware that it is still at an early stage and pretty dry and lacking in illustrations.
I basically want to make sure that I’ve got the layout and basic stuff sorted before I add more content.
I wish that I’d started this years ago, the number of veterans still with us is dwindling rapidly and with them all their stories and memories. As I started research I really became aware of what they all went through and how they had to pull together… No wonder they are still such a tight knit bunch.
My hunt is now for photos and stories, not just aircrew but from those who worked hard to keep the wheels turning, sadly there are not many folk left but I still hope to get some good tales together with the help of the association.
“So long as two or more veterans are standing at the bar 578 squadron association will continue to exist”
By: Steve Bond - 20th December 2007 at 08:43
Paul,
The website is excellent, very well done.
Steve
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December 19, 2007 at 5:39 pm