602 squadron – Lion Rampant

Just a thought about the painted out Lion Rampant – 2TAF decided to replace the Spitfire IX’s of one of the Wings by higher-performance aircraft; the interceptor and air-fighting role had taken on a new importance with the heavy attacks by higher-performance Luftwaffe aircraft, and 125 Wing was selected for this change-over.It was decided that the three Squadrons of 125 Wing equipped with Spitfire IXE’s, 132, 453 and 602, should exchange these aircraft for 126 Wing’s older Mark IXB’s, which were now in need of major inspection, and return to A.D.G.B. in the United Kingdom, their place in the Wing being taken by Spitfire XIV and Tempest units from home. Consequently, on 27th September 602 Squadron handed over its aircraft, followed on 28th by 453 Squadron and on 29th by 132 Squadron. On this latter date, 132 and 602 flew back to England, but 453 flew a few patrols with the Mark IXB’s before following the other units on 30th, in company with 441 Squadron, all four units flying to Coltishall to join Air Defence Great Britain (A.D.G.B), making way for Tempest V (80 and 274 Squadrons) and Spitfire XIV (130 (Punjab) and 402 (Winnipeg Bear) Squadrons) units. Re-equipped again with IXbs at Coltishall, the Squadron moved to Matlaske to undertake bomber escort duties. They re-equipped with the Spitfire XVI on 27 November at Swannington. So perhaps when it arrived with 126 (RCAF) Wing this photo was taken after an initial repaint? With regard to Clostermanns MJ586 – according to M&S this was only issued to 602 squadron on 15 June 1944, coming from 84 GSU (which is strange as 602 was part of 125 Wing/83 Group, so logically should have come from 83 Group Support Unit?) and it was passed to 127 (RCAF) Wing HQ on 17 August. Most of the MJ batch in that number range were shipped out to Casablanca and onto the MTO. – cheers – Allan

602 squadron – Lion Rampant

I have a clear photo of a 602 squadron Spitfire IX at B.2 Bazenville taken on 16 or 17 June 1944 – “125 Wing ORB – At 20.40 on 16 June 1944 125 Wing (132, 453 and 602) landed safely at B.2 Bazenville where they spent a not very pleasant night in slit trenches whilst being bombed by the Luftwaffe who flew in considerable numbers over the beaches.” this clearly shows a Lion Rampant, which appears to be red on a yellow background, and matches that of several 602 profiles. I also have a few photos of Spitfire VII DU-G MD114 flown by Plt Officer Ian Blair DFM, who, in company with Flt Lt W G Bennett, shot down a high flying Bf109G-6 (20357, A6+XH of Aufklärungsgruppe (Reconnaissance unit) 1.(F)/120 – Oblt Helmut Quednau missing) over the Orkneys on 20 February 1944 whilst based at Skeabrae. MD114 is still wearing its previous squadron markings – that of 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron – although nominally part of the station flight at Skeabrae. Spitfire LF VB LO-V (too small for serial) is visible in the background, but not enough of it to show any crest. Also, on 9 March 1944, The Duke of Gloucester, attended by Group Captain Lord Willoughby de Broke, visited 453 Squadron RAAF at RAF Detling and inspected personnel of the squadron. 453 Squadron had taken over 602’s Spitfires and kept them in their original markings whilst they were away at Skeabrae and the nearest IX in my photo clearly shows the Lion Rampant crest. cheers – Allan

Highlights of 2004

My highlights for 2004 was, firstly, over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, I was privileged to be invited to Veelboeken in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany by James Cutler of Mentorn TV, to see the results of research that I had supplied to them with regard to Vic Murphy and his 130 (Punjab) squadron Spitfire XIV AP-J RN203 for the German part of “Fighter Dig – Live”. 🙂 Then in late November I visited 350 Squadron, Belgian Air Component, at their base at Florennes where I was given a guided tour of the squadrons facilities. One of the pilots took us into a room where they examined their missions on computer, literally everything is filmed/taped during flights – like flight simulation games – a split screen showed on the left the map of the area and little planes on it – the right screen showed the individual actions of all the pilots. Taken from various perspectives including being inside the cockpit, you just selected who you wanted to be/see using a mouse. Fascinating. Then he took us to see the films of his mission the previous day where he had dropped live bombs for the first time at a range off of Holland, and also fired his cannon.Then our second host returned hot from Switzerland where he had been dogfighting against Swiss Air Force Hornets that very day – and to watch a dogfight amongst the mountains through his HUD was awe inspiring. Especially as on the right of the screen it showed the sea level height and his actual height. And of course sea level doesn’t really exist in Switzerland, so they were very close to the mountains!! 🙂 Then we (Serge Bonge – http://home.pi.be/~braf/350Sqn/index.htm, Marc Artiges and myself) were taken to a QRA bay where we sat in an F-16 (FA-71), before going to examine a few others on the flight line – a quick trip to almost the end of the main runway to watch 4 take off (we were standing on ex-Luftwaffe concrete hardstanding whilst doing this), then we were taken to the flight simulator where I “flew” two missions – I was like a kid in a sweet shop !! 🙂 Whilst over there I also had the privilege of meeting Leopold Heimes who is the sole surviving Belgian to have flown (as an Observer) in the Battle of Britain, before remustering as a pilot. He was one of the founders of 350 (Belgian) squadron and is 87, and also “Cheval” Lallemant the Belgian Typhoon ace – he is 85 – whilst at the Brussels air museum I had bought a book (in French) about 2nd Tactical Air Force and his photo is in it. It is now inscribed with a personal message. 🙂 I was also given his book “Rendezvous with 6 June 1944” – and everyone there autographed it for me. I already hold his book “Rendezvous with Destiny” – again autographed. 🙂 I also visited the BAHA (Belgian Aviation History Association) collections at Erembodegem and Geraardsbergen. 🙂 Trips to the former B.64 Schaffen/Diest and Y.32 Ophoven were also fitted in – two ALG’s that Dad served during the winter of ’44/’45. And both trips were the result of contacts and friendships made during my research into 125 Wing, 83 Group and its squadrons 1943-1945. (Serge, I couldn’t have done it without you, thanks) – cheers – Allan

Allan – see #8 of this thread

Hi Robbo – do you really expect me to have read all the others before I make my own comment 🙁 Now I have worn out my scroll mouse reading all the others to see what I missed 😡 cheers – Allan 🙂 ps – can I do you a good deal on double glazing 😀

161 squadron and capture of agents

Hi – I had a look at your website and you queried about the Germans knowing that Agents were on board. You need to look for information about an Abwehr operation called Operation North Pole – led by a Herman Giskes I believe. Agents were captured and “turned” so that they transmitted information back to London, and the SOE Dutch section dropped more agents and arms. At least one Agent missed out his “security check” in his messages, only to have London advise him of what he had done – and alerting the Germans to the fact as well. It only closed down when an agent escaped from capture, got back to London and spilled the beans. A lot of agents were executed in Mauthausen. Hope this helps – Allan

Sale on e-bay

In a word – Sick