Appeal for Information – Tarrant Rushton / Pegasus Bridge

Hi Bigvern,

Please could you check my reply to your research (bottom of thread) re the Halifax planes and their gliders.
Thanks
Carolyn Wheatley

Hi Patrick

I work with Mike ‘Radar’ Hayes who told me about Project 65 and I’ve been doing some research on the operations of the night of the 5/6 June 44. This is what I’ve come up with.

The Halifax’s which towed the gliders and crew are as follows:-

Horsa 1 PF800 Chalk 91 (S/Sgt J.H.Wallwork – S/Sgt J.Ainsworth)

Tug

Halifax V LL355 ‘8T-G’ 298 Sqn

Pilot – Wg Cdr D.H. Duder DSO DFC
Navigator – P/O J.W. Mclaren
Air Bomber – Sgt E. Bappin
Wireless Op – Flt Lt G.D. Palmby
Rear Gunner – F/Sgt H.A. Newling
Flight Eng – Sgt A.B. McCullum

Horsa 1 LW943 Chalk 92 (S/Sgt O.F.Boland – Sgt P.Hobbs)

Tug

Halifax V LL335 ‘8T-K’ 298 Sqn

Pilot – W/O A.K. Berry
Navigator – F/Sgt J. Roberts
Air Bomber – P/O A.E. Letts
Wireless Op – F/Sgt E. White (RCAF)
Rear Gunner – Sgt J. Stewart
2nd Gunner – Flt Lt W.D. Reevelt
Flight Eng – Sgt K.W. Austin (RNZAF)

Horsa 1 LH469 Chalk 93 (S/Sgt G.Barkway – Sgt P.Boyle)

Tug

Halifax V LL218 ‘2P-N’ 644 Sqn

Pilot – W/O J.A. Herman
Navigator – F/Sgt W.L. Mills
Air Bomber – Sgt R.L. Duncan
Wireless Op – F/Sgt C.C.Narrison
Rear Gunner – F/Sgt J.P. Walsh
Flight Eng – Sgt F.L. Waterfall

Horsa 1 LJ326 Chalk 94 (S/Sgt A.Lawrence – S/Sgt H.Shorter)

Tug

Halifax V LL344 ‘2P-P’ 644 Sqn

Pilot – F/O G. Clapperton
Navigator – F/O D. Robertson
Air Bomber – Sgt G.J. Fensby
Wireless Op – F/Sgt W.B. Burness
Rear Gunner – F/Sgt J.S. Boreham
Flight Eng – Sgt F.E. Rolt

Horsa 1 LJ326 Chalk 95 (S/Sgt S.Pearson – S/Sgt L.Guthrie)

Tug

Halifax V LL406 ‘8A-T’ 298 Sqn

Pilot – W/O G.P. Bain
Navigator – Flt Lt L.J. Rowell
Air Bomber – Sgt A. Holder
Wireless Op – F/Sgt C. Mansell
Rear Gunner – Sgt I.A. Weeks
Flight Eng – Sgt R. Bensley

Horsa 1 PF791 Chalk 96 (S/Sgt R.A.Howard – S/Sgt F.Baacke)

Tug

Halifax V LL350 ‘9U-Z’ 644 Sqn

Pilot – F/O W.W. Archibald
Navigator – F/Sgt A.J. Shea
Air Bomber – Sgt C.O. Howes
Wireless Op – F/Sgt F.L. Chidley
Rear Gunner – F/Sgt F.G. Brown
Flight Eng – Sgt J.T. Orford

One problem I’ve found is that due to the number of aircraft on the two Halifax squadrons, they had a squadron code of each flight on the unit. Hence 298 Squadron’s ‘A’ Flight aircraft were coded ‘8A’ and ‘B’ Flt ‘8T’ while 644 Squadrons aircraft were coded ‘2P’ and ‘9U’. To add even more confusion on aircraft coding, before 298 Squadron got its Squadron codes (and its ‘C’ Flight became 644 Squadron), it’s Halifaxs just had an aircraft letter, and seeing that they had more aircraft than letter’s in the alphabet, when they ran out of single letter, they coded aircraft with two, hence aircraft were coded ‘AA’ ‘BB’ ‘CC’ etc. Some of these coded aircraft still had those codes on D-Day. the big problem I’ve had is the F541’s (Sqn operational flying logs) that I’ve looked at don’t have the Flight Code (8A/8T/2P/9U) against the aircraft log entry, or two letters of aircraft that were so marked. I do have a French contact is is trying to tie the aircraft seriels and squadron (flight) codes for me. (However thanks to the Project 65 site galley having what looks like a picture from the Tarrent Rushton tower log, I’ve been able to tie the Squadron codes and serials for the six tug aircraft)

The Tarrant Rushton photos at IWM show the Halifaxs and gliders lined up for Operation Mallard, the glider operation done on the evening of D-Day. On the airborne photo that has the two Horsa’s and Hamilcars on the runway with a Halifax on the runway and Hailfaxs either side, the 7th Halifax from the front of the line parked off the runway on the right hand side of the photo is LL355 8T-G, the tug that towed John Howards Horsa (91). The 9th Halifax on that line is 8T-K which towed Horsa (92).

Regards

Richard

Operation Coup de Mains – Pegasus Bridge

Just found your request for details and have found an inaccuracy in one of your contributers research. ‘Bigvern’ cites the crews of the Halifax pilots involved in Operation Coup de Mains. The fourth plane mentioned was not the ‘Clapperton’ crew as mentioned, but was piloted by Roy Ivan ‘Chippy’ Carpenter (Canadian Flying Officer) – Horsa PF723 Chalk 94. My grandfather Walter Russel Wright was the Navigator of the Halifax and we have his log books which confirm the names of the crews of the first 6 planes, ETDs, ETAs, ATDs, ATAs etc. It records Clapperton as going out at 01:40:10. We also, obviously, have Grandad’s testimony of the events of the 5th/6th June.
We do not however, have any details of the Horsa crew that Grandad was towing and would love to have some information so I can conduct some further research.
If I can be of any more help to clarify the events, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Carolyn Wheatley

Operation Coup de Mains – Pegasus Bridge

Just found your request for details and have found an inaccuracy in one of your contributers research. ‘Bigvern’ cites the crews of the Halifax pilots involved in Operation Coup de Mains. The fourth plane mentioned was not the ‘Clapperton’ crew as mentioned, but was piloted by Roy Ivan ‘Chippy’ Carpenter (Canadian Flying Officer) – Horsa PF723 Chalk 94. My grandfather Walter Russel Wright was the Navigator of the Halifax and we have his log books which confirm the names of the crews of the first 6 planes, ETDs, ETAs, ATDs, ATAs etc. It records Clapperton as going out at 01:40:10. We also, obviously, have Grandad’s testimony of the events of the 5th/6th June.
We do not however, have any details of the Horsa crew that Grandad was towing and would love to have some information so I can conduct some further research.
If I can be of any more help to clarify the events, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Carolyn Wheatley

The PROJECT 65 Philharmonia Orchestra Concert

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Evening All,

I’m after a massive favour again please.

I know it’s a daft question to ask if anyone is going to Duxford at the weekend……………..so here is my favour to ask!!!

Duxford have been good enough to offer Project 65 a stand at the show – It’ll be on the grass – just to the east of the American Air Museum!

Unfortunately I have a prior engagement so I wont be able to attend………………….however, I would really appreciate it if all those in attendance would mind dropping by to show your support.

Danny Greeno is the chairman and my name is Pat O’Brien………….tell him I sent you…….as I know he will really appreciate it too!!!

If anyone can e-mail over any decent pics then that would be appreciated also.

Kind Regards,

Pat.

Evening All,

I’m after a favour please……….

…Twinwood Festival 2008 incorporating the Glenn Miller Festival – Held annually at Twinwood Arena & Twinwood Airfield in Clapham, near Bedford…

Just wondered if anyone managed to attend?

Would anyone care to share any aircraft photos for the Project 65 website?

It would be most appreciated and of course the source of the photos would be recognised and thanked on the site.

Regards,

Pat.

*** Site Updates – Project65.net ***

Afternoon All,

Momentum continues to build well with many new runners signing up in April & May. However, we are still seeking a major sponsor of the running event in June 2009.

We have arranged to be on show at the upcoming Bedford River Festival on July 12th & 13th where we will be supported by the Bedfordshire Fire Service.

I guess the big news for you guys and gals on here is that the Royal Air Force Memorial Flight are supporting Project65.net

A Flypast will be performed on both days – 12th & 13th July 2008 – Come and meet the Project65 team who will be having guest appearances of 1944 Veteran Sgt “Tich” Rayner, Coup de Main, and today’s Veteran, Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, 7 Para.

We now have very high quality PROJECT65 dogtags available for just £4. All of the money raised from the sale of these goes to helping the men and women of the armed forces who need care and support after being wounded. These will shortly be available to purchase through the website.

If you can’t wait that long, you can either find us at the Mémorial Pégasus Museum in Ranville from 5th to 7th June and at the Bedford River Festival in July.

Alternatively, send a cheque made payable to Project65 to the registered address at the bottom of the main page and we will gladly send a PROJECT65 dogtag to you. Wear it with PRIDE. I would just like to say a BIG thank you to all those companies and individuals who have supported us so far.

PROJECT65 – SUPPORTING VETERANS
For further information, please contact [email]team@project65.net[/email]

Regards,

Pat.

Hi Patrick

I work with Mike ‘Radar’ Hayes who told me about Project 65 and I’ve been doing some research on the operations of the night of the 5/6 June 44. This is what I’ve come up with.

The Halifax’s which towed the gliders and crew are as follows:-

Horsa 1 PF800 Chalk 91 (S/Sgt J.H.Wallwork – S/Sgt J.Ainsworth)

Tug

Halifax V LL355 ‘8T-G’ 298 Sqn

Pilot – Wg Cdr D.H. Duder DSO DFC
Navigator – P/O J.W. Mclaren
Air Bomber – Sgt E. Bappin
Wireless Op – Flt Lt G.D. Palmby
Rear Gunner – F/Sgt H.A. Newling
Flight Eng – Sgt A.B. McCullum

Horsa 1 LW943 Chalk 92 (S/Sgt O.F.Boland – Sgt P.Hobbs)

Tug

Halifax V LL335 ‘8T-K’ 298 Sqn

Pilot – W/O A.K. Berry
Navigator – F/Sgt J. Roberts
Air Bomber – P/O A.E. Letts
Wireless Op – F/Sgt E. White (RCAF)
Rear Gunner – Sgt J. Stewart
2nd Gunner – Flt Lt W.D. Reevelt
Flight Eng – Sgt K.W. Austin (RNZAF)

Horsa 1 LH469 Chalk 93 (S/Sgt G.Barkway – Sgt P.Boyle)

Tug

Halifax V LL218 ‘2P-N’ 644 Sqn

Pilot – W/O J.A. Herman
Navigator – F/Sgt W.L. Mills
Air Bomber – Sgt R.L. Duncan
Wireless Op – F/Sgt C.C.Narrison
Rear Gunner – F/Sgt J.P. Walsh
Flight Eng – Sgt F.L. Waterfall

Horsa 1 LJ326 Chalk 94 (S/Sgt A.Lawrence – S/Sgt H.Shorter)

Tug

Halifax V LL344 ‘2P-P’ 644 Sqn

Pilot – F/O G. Clapperton
Navigator – F/O D. Robertson
Air Bomber – Sgt G.J. Fensby
Wireless Op – F/Sgt W.B. Burness
Rear Gunner – F/Sgt J.S. Boreham
Flight Eng – Sgt F.E. Rolt

Horsa 1 LJ326 Chalk 95 (S/Sgt S.Pearson – S/Sgt L.Guthrie)

Tug

Halifax V LL406 ‘8A-T’ 298 Sqn

Pilot – W/O G.P. Bain
Navigator – Flt Lt L.J. Rowell
Air Bomber – Sgt A. Holder
Wireless Op – F/Sgt C. Mansell
Rear Gunner – Sgt I.A. Weeks
Flight Eng – Sgt R. Bensley

Horsa 1 PF791 Chalk 96 (S/Sgt R.A.Howard – S/Sgt F.Baacke)

Tug

Halifax V LL350 ‘9U-Z’ 644 Sqn

Pilot – F/O W.W. Archibald
Navigator – F/Sgt A.J. Shea
Air Bomber – Sgt C.O. Howes
Wireless Op – F/Sgt F.L. Chidley
Rear Gunner – F/Sgt F.G. Brown
Flight Eng – Sgt J.T. Orford

One problem I’ve found is that due to the number of aircraft on the two Halifax squadrons, they had a squadron code of each flight on the unit. Hence 298 Squadron’s ‘A’ Flight aircraft were coded ‘8A’ and ‘B’ Flt ‘8T’ while 644 Squadrons aircraft were coded ‘2P’ and ‘9U’. To add even more confusion on aircraft coding, before 298 Squadron got its Squadron codes (and its ‘C’ Flight became 644 Squadron), it’s Halifaxs just had an aircraft letter, and seeing that they had more aircraft than letter’s in the alphabet, when they ran out of single letter, they coded aircraft with two, hence aircraft were coded ‘AA’ ‘BB’ ‘CC’ etc. Some of these coded aircraft still had those codes on D-Day. the big problem I’ve had is the F541’s (Sqn operational flying logs) that I’ve looked at don’t have the Flight Code (8A/8T/2P/9U) against the aircraft log entry, or two letters of aircraft that were so marked. I do have a French contact is is trying to tie the aircraft seriels and squadron (flight) codes for me. (However thanks to the Project 65 site galley having what looks like a picture from the Tarrent Rushton tower log, I’ve been able to tie the Squadron codes and serials for the six tug aircraft)

The Tarrant Rushton photos at IWM show the Halifaxs and gliders lined up for Operation Mallard, the glider operation done on the evening of D-Day. On the airborne photo that has the two Horsa’s and Hamilcars on the runway with a Halifax on the runway and Hailfaxs either side, the 7th Halifax from the front of the line parked off the runway on the right hand side of the photo is LL355 8T-G, the tug that towed John Howards Horsa (91). The 9th Halifax on that line is 8T-K which towed Horsa (92).

Regards

Richard

Heard this week that someone has recently been fishing bits of glider out of the river. Anyone know about this?

*** Site Updates – Project65.net ***

Evening All,

When you get five, I really would appreciate everyone dropping by and paying the site a visit please!!!

http://www.project65.net/

It’s coming on a treat and we have been really busy over the last few months or so raising awareness as well as funds.

However, we still need loads of support. If any of you are runners and fancy the 65 miles then please get in touch.

Plus any and all help to do with historical information on Tarrant Rushton, the aircraft/gliders used, the men, the Pegasus Bridge operation, absolutely anything that can be useful to promote this cause.

Thanks in advance,

Patrick.

Pat,

For anything on the assault on Pegasus Bridge i’d heartily reccomend Stephen E. Ambrose’s Pegasus Bridge – The Daring British Airborne Raid

Ambrose’s work is epic in scale, proportion, clarity and in general understanding of the topic. I’m doing my BSc in History at Oxford Brookes and any module on WW2 inevitably involves me re-reading one of Ambrose’s books. They’re literally brilliant in my opinion.

Hope this helps.

ANDY

Have to say I can’t stand Ambrose’s writing style nor his patronising attitude towards the British for their part in the conflict. The way he writes you’d think the American forces never made a mistake.

Evening All,

I’m after more help please! I know this maybe the wrong forum to ask this question……. but anyway!

I’m trying to get hold of a copy of Aeroplane Monthly from MAY 1994. It had a 50th Anniversary Supplement written by the pilot of glider number 1 – S/Sgt Jim Wallwork.

I was sent a copy by Mr. Wallwork all the way from Canada, but it is only a photocopy.

If anyone can help then it would be most appreciated.

Regards,

Pat.

Glider tugs.

Sandy Barr has a website www.644squadron.com.

I believe they were the towing squadron for the gliders. He may have some useful contacts.

There is also a Tarrant Rushton site www.tarrant-rushton.ndirect.co.uk that might provide some useful links.

An excellent project, and well worth supporting, Pat.

I take it you’ve been in touch with the Museum of Army Flying, and the Assault Glider Project?

You may want to have a look at this topic on the British Army Rumour Service website too. (Although I wouldn’t normally recommend ARRSE to those of a nervous disposition.) On page two is a complete list of those carried on each glider.

Pegasus Bridge discussion

Pat, I think you already have any information that I may be able to share. Barry Tappenden is my father-in-law and he is the guy that i would have suggested you speak to – I see that has already been done!

Ted and his colleagues were an ordinary bunch of blokes doing an extraordinary job, the significance of which will never be forgotten. Project 65 will give them memorial they all deserve.

I am extremely proud of my link (however tenuous) to the events of that day, and ensure that my boys (Ted’s great grand-children) know all about it.

Best of luck

Mark B

Afternoon All,

If no-one has any objection I’d like to give this topic a bit of a *bump*!!!

The Project 65 website is now up and running and I would really appreciate everyone taking the time to have a look and offering some support in any way appropriate.

As per my previous request, I’m still after as much info on Tarrant Rushton as possible.

I have been in touch with the publishers of Dorset airfields of WW2 and I’m hoping that Graham Smith will get in touch so I can use some of his work on the airfield to be included on the website.

If anyone has or know of someone who has copies of photos, documents, stories… anything that they think I could use on the site then it would be really appreciated. Please do not hesitate to get in touch.

As you can see from the website we have some wonderful names on board and hopefully the list will continue to grow.

http://www.project65.net/

Regards,

Pat.

Pat

My father was based at Tarrant Rushton as a Sergeant or Flight Sergeant Joe Cooper on the build up to June 5/6th 1944 he was detached from RAF North Luffenham. his role was to help organise the dispatch of dozens of HP Halifax tugging Horsa Gliders over to Normandy, there is a very famous photo from The IWM of all these aircraft on the runway.

Sadly I do not know whether this was Major Howards expedition or not, but it certainly was the big push that night. I took a trip to those beaches at Normandy which led to a visit to Pegasus Bridge where we were fortunate enough to meet up with mme. Arlotte Gondree whose family were the first to be liberated at 0017hrs on June 6th.

There are some photos here http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2827311840035970728dGtRWg?vhost=rides

I, like everyone else, wish you luck with your venture…….

Hi Pete,

Many thanks for your reply and for your Father’s service to his country – you must be really proud!!!

Regards,

Pat.

Pity my old man wasn’t still about, he wasn’t there on the day, but crossed it during Operation Goodwood, that could be an interesting tangent, I’ll dig out his war diaries and keep you informed. He was quite overcome during our visit in 94, we met Major Howard and Richard Todd, fantastic day.

Pat,
I’d say it would be worth your while registering and posting this over on the WW2 Living History forum in the Airborne Forces section. There is a very knowledgable group of people there with access to a huge amount of historical info and material.

http://www.wwiireenacting.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=11&sid=19d4fffe0f314bbaeef34987b7541820