102 sq

‘IT’S SUICIDE BUT IT’S FUN’ The Story of 102 (Ceylon) Squadron – by Chris Goss

includes p 112/113 deals with the Dai Pugh ditching . Appendix D (p195) details the JD165 DY-J loss .

plenty on the Halifax – but remember there were at least SEVEN basic , different versions of Halifax a/c – don’t fall for the ‘generic’ illustrations !!!

JD165
unfortunately the ‘back to normandy’ site was using a generic representative photograph of a HALIFAX – that a/c is NOT JD165 – it’s an early BII series a/c with a nose turret – which JD165 – a BII Series 1 (Special) – was not equipped .

it is in fact a well known photograph of W7676 – 35 Sq – which explains the TL squadron code letters .

there is a wealth of photographic material for a/c of 102 sq – eg THE HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX by KA Merrick .

i hope this is of use

jd165

this ac participated in the berlin raid in jan 44 and was f/sgt dms pugh’s first operation . it was a BII Series 1 (Special) . Merlin engines . Faired over nose (tollerton nose)

JD165 102 Berlin 28-29.01.44 . t/o Pocklington 00.16 . Ditched 09.00 in the North Sea , the survivors being brought to Montrose , Angus , on 01.02.44 . Seven man crew aboard . F/Sgt DMS Pugh , pilot , survived to tell the tale and in the 1990s his son , Alun , and myself taught together . I attended Dai Pugh’s cremation funeral on Tuesday 18.06.2002 at Lawnswood Crematorium , Leeds .
F/O JC Graham RCAF had died from his injuries on 31.01.44 and he was buried at Montrose (Sleepyhillock) Cemetery . Three other fatalities have no known graves . Two additional survivors .
jd165 was delivered to 102 Sq during may 1943
102 Sq DY-S .

i do recall the ‘biplane’ hurricane was featured in a war comic back in the late 1950s – characters were depicted gazing skywards comment on same and uttering ‘strewth’ etc

i wonder if anyone can add to this comic recollection

no spitfire or hurricane ……..

not to worry ! the BBC website IN PICTURES : TROOPING THE COLOUR claimed in a caption to the photograph of ‘Crowds – including friends and family of the soldiers taking part – lined the Mall’ went on to state “LATER THEY WATCHED THE TRADITIONAL RAF FLYPAST INVOLVING SPITFIRE , HURRICANE AND LANCASTER A/C AND A DISPLAY BY THE RED ARROWS” !!

ahem !!! someone at the bbc was watching a different programme to the one i saw !!! and since when did a flyover become a ‘display’ by the red arrows ?

mouchotte investigated by jan leemimg

jan leeming has a respectable record of involvement in aviation matters – her association with the YORKSHIRE AIR MUSEUM for example