Here is a record of the opertaions I can find that your grandfather flew with when with 97 Squadron.
15/16 March 1944 Stuttgart
JB708R F/O W.Reid, Sgt W.Richards, F/O R.D.Parker, Sgt G.D.Moir, F/Sgt B.Harthill, F/Sgt S.Cannings, Sgt G.Brown. Up 1935 Down 0225. 5 x 2000lb. Stuttgart bombed from 19,300’. Vis fair. The first Wanganui went down at 2310 hours but this was not backed up for about 5 minutes. Later three separate concentrations appeared to form.
1/2 May 1944 – Toulouse
ND807P F/O W.M.Reid, Sgt W.Richards, F/O R.D.H.Parker, F/Sgt G.D.Moir, F/Sgt B.Harthill, F/Sgt D.P.Cannings, Sgt G.Brown. Up 2138 Down 0524. 6 clusters 7” flares, 5 x 1000lb MC, 3 x TI green no 4, 3 x 4.5” rec flares. Identified target by flares and visually. First RSF appeared to be on aiming point and attracted bombing which caused several orange and red and blue explosions. Own bombs caused an explosion and attack generally appeared well concentrated on and around aiming point.
6/7 My 1944 – Louailles
ND807P F/O W.M.Reid, Sgt W.Richards, F/O R.D.H.Parker, F/Sgt G.D.Moir, F/Sgt B.Harthill, F/Sgt D.P.Cannings, Sgt G.Brown. Up 0036 Down 0518. 6 x 7” cluster flares, 8 x TI RSF, 3 x 4.5” reco flares. Identification of target made visually and by RSFs. Bombing undershooting at beginning, then explosions started. First reds were 50 yards to west of aiming point but later reds good, and order was given Main Force to bomb the fires.
10/11 May 1944 – Lille
ND807P F/O W.M.Reid, Sgt W.Richards, F/O R.D.Parker, F/Sgt G.D.Moir, F/Sgt B.Harthill, F/Sgt D.P.Cannings, Sgt G.Brown. Up 2203 Down 0112. 6 x 7” clusters, 1 x 4000lb HC, 8 x 500lb MC, 3 x 4.5” reco flares. Weather clear, ground haze. Identified target on H2S. Re-marking became necessary and more flares were asked for. Fresh lot of reserve flares went east of target, so we were asked to drop our internally stowed flares to west of these. Main Force came in after second marking and did some very good bombing resulting in several good explosions around 2355 hours; there was no scatter of bombs noted.
22/23 May 1944 – Brunswick
ND807P F/O W.M.Reid, Sgt W.Richards, F/O R.D.Parker, F/Sgt G.D.Moir, F/Sgt B.Harthill, F/Sgt D.P.Cannings, Sgt G.Brown. Up 2253 Down 0422. One flare red/green stars, 1 x 2000lb HC, 1 x TI green No 4, 11 x “J” type clusters. 8/10ths cloud and haze. Tops approx 7,000’. Target identified by H2S. Heard markers trying to contact Controllers. Flares estimated east of target. Waited to release skymarkers, had orders to release so bombed. Order for Wanganui received at 0124 hours, returned and released own skymarker; approx 3 seen; Controller not heard; Deputy took over at H+2.
24/25 May 1944 – Eindhoven (Phillips Works)
ND807P F/O W.M.Reid, Sgt W.Richards, F/O R.D.Parker, F/Sgt G.D.Moir, F/Sgt B.Harthill, F/Sgt D.P.Cannings, Sgt G.Brown. Up 2244 Down 0229. 12 x 7” clusters, 2 x 1000lb MC, 3 x 4.5” reco flares. 10/10ths cloud. Target located on H2S. No wind given by Controller who at 0038 hours told us to standby for few minutes and at 0040 hours instructed us to return to base
27/28 May 1944 – St Valery-en-Caux
ND807P F/L W.M.Reid, Sgt W.Richards, F/O R.D.Parker, F/Sgt E.J.Watson, F/Sgt B.Harthill, F/Sgt D.P.Cannings, Sgt G.Brown. Up 2353 Down 0307. 12 x 7 x 4.5” clusters, 2 x 1000lb MC, 3 x 4.5 reco flares. Weather clear, vis good. Target located on H2S and Gee. First stick of flares went down at 0127.30 hours. Controller said first wave were to starboard of target and drifting over sea. Second wave rectified this. RSF considerably delayed. Aircraft was called a third time when RSF fell at 0148, which aircraft bombed at 0154 hours. Main Force mostly delayed by late RSF, only one of which was seen.
AIRMEN
The following airmen were temporarily awarded the PFF Badge on the dates shown:-
994575 F/Sgt H.Townsley F/E 18.5.44 1151951 F/Sgt C.D.Hooton F/E 18.5.44
1195880 F/Sgt W.S.Richards F/E 18.5.44 1124909 F/Sgt B.Harthill W/Op 18.5.44
1079001 Sgt J.P.Coman W/Op 18.5.44 1622529 Sgt J.T.Barlow F/E 24.5.44
1816009 Sgt P.R.Turner F/E 22.5.44 1320071 Sgt G.D.Moir F/E 24.5.44
15/16 June 1944 – Chateaurault
ND807P F/L W.M.Reid, Sgt W.Richards, F/O R.D.Parker, W/O G.D.Moir, F/Sgt B.Harthill, F/Sgt D.P.Cannings, F/Sgt G.Brown. Up 2134 Down 0323. 9 x 7 x 4.5” clusters, 9 x 500lb MC, 3 reco flares. Weather clear. Identification of target by H2S and ETA. Dropped flares and orbited to starboard. Mosquito went in right away. His red marker was assessed as being on the corner of the road. Controllers called in to back up which was done very quickly. Flare Force called in to bomb, markers told to go home with exception of Marker Leader. 0047 hours Flare Force told no more flares needed. Main Force called in to bomb. Wind received 350/19 knots.
21.6.44
21/22 June 1944 – Gelsenkirchen
ND807P F/L W.M.Reid, Sgt W.Richards, F/O R.D.Parker, W/O G.D.Moir, F/Sgt B.Harthill, F/Sgt D.P.Cannings, F/Sgt G.Brown. Up 2310 Down 0312. 4 x TI green, 1 x TI yellow No 16s, 9 x 7” clusters, 3 reco flares. 10/10ths low stratus, tops 2,500’. Target seen visually – Oboe markers and H2S. Told to drop flares. Yellow Oboe 0132.5 hours. Headed towards this to back up. Another yellow down 1 ½ miles north of previous yellow; orders given to back up second one. Backed up the greens and returned to base. Large explosion in target area at 0145 hours.
23/24 June 1944 – Limoges
ND961N F/L W.M.Reid, Sgt W.Richards, F/O R.D.Parker, W/O G.D.Moir, F/Sgt B.Harthill, F/Sgt D.P.Cannings, F/Sgt G.Brown. Up 2254 Down 0502. 9 x 7” clusters, 8 x 500lb MC, 1 x 500lb MC LD (12 hrs), 3 rec flares. Target seen by flares, H2S and visually on RSF. Flares down on time and excellently placed. Markers down one minute afterwards, backed up with green and red TI. First stick of bombs blew up RSF and a terrific explosion 0157 hours. Called in to bomb at 0159 hours. Bombing excellent, very great number of explosions continued after we had left area.
20/21 July 1944 – Courtrai
ND961N F/L W.M.Reid, F/Sgt W.Richards, S/L P.A.Stevens, W/O G.D.Moir, F/Sgt B.Harthill, F/Sgt D.P.Cannings, F/Sgt G.Brown. Up 2305 Down 0200. 9 x 7” clusters, 5 x 1000lb MC/GP, 3 rec flares. Weather clear, some haze. Identified target visually. First green TI went down in middle of marshalling yards. The reds had been on the southern end of yards. Greens assessed 100 yards 12 o’clock. Bombing very concentrated on markers. Attack went as planned. Marking was quick and accurate. Fighter activity on way out to French coast. Bombs seen exploding before time ordered.
25/26 July 1944 – Stuttgart
ND961N F/L W.M.Reid, F/Sgt W.Richards, F/L R.L.Parker, W/O G.D.Moir, W/O B.Harthill, F/Sgt D.P.Cannings, F/Sgt G.Brown. Up 2200 Down 0520. 6 x 4 flares white, 2 x TI red LB, 1 x 4000lb HC, 4 x 500lb MC, 1 flare green/red. No cloud, some ground haze. Target seen by TI red. On arrival two small fires still burning. One yellow TI at 0145.5 hours on bombing run. TI seen to explode, followed by another. Too early in attack to give an impression of concentration. H2S u/s on return route.
1 August 1944 – Siracourt
ND861N F/L W.M.Reid, F/Sgt W.Richards, F/L R.L.Parker, W/O G.D.Moir, W/O B.Harthill, F/Sgt D.P.Canningd, F/Sgt G.Brown. Up 1513 Down 1822.
2 August 1944 – L’Isle Adam
PB156O F/L W.M.Reid, F/Sgt W.Richards, F/L R.L.Parker, W/O G.D.Moir, W/O B.Harthill, F/Sgt D.P.Cannings, F/Sgt G.Brown, Sgt D.J.Watts (FG). Up 1435 Down 1900.
3 August 1944 – Trossy St Maximim
ND961N F/L W.M.Reid, Sgt W.Richards, F/L R.L.Parker, W/O G.D.Moir, W/O B.Harthill, F/Sgt D.P.Cannings, F/Sgt G.Brown. Up 1140 Down 1600 (Wittering).
5 August 1944 – St Leu d’Esserent
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ND961N F/L W.M.Reid, F/Sgt W.Richards, F/L R.L.Parker, W/O G.D.Moir, W/O B.Harthill, F/Sgt D.P.Cannings, F/Sgt G.Brown. Up 1037 Down 1512.
9/10 August 1944 – Chattelerault
ND495N F/L W.M.Reid, F/Sgt W.Richards, F/L R.L.Parker, F/Sgt T.Savage, W/O B.Harthill, F/Sgt D.P.Cannings, F/Sgt G.Brown. (Deputy Controller I – Target 1). Up 2054 Down 0246. 9 x 7” clusters, 4 x 1000lb ANM 44, 1 x 1000lb ANM 65, 2 Wanganui flares. Thin cloud layer 10,000’, hazy below. Target identified on H2S, Gee and ETA. Initial flares at 2343 hours scattered and slightly south of aiming point. Markers could not identify actual aiming point. Wanganui red/green was dropped to north; third wave dropped over this way. This was sufficient. Marker dropped green TI 2347 hours(?). Assessed as 200 yards 180 degrees. This should have been cancelled by yellow but was not doen. Another green was dropped almost on aiming point (50 yards) and was backed up by more green TIs. Main Force ordered to bomb. This carried on and at 0008 hours “Cease bombing” order given while more greens were put down. At 0012 hours 9 secodns delay was given for bombing and this was immediately followed by “Complete bombing and return to base”. (0013 hours).
11/12 August 1944 – Givors
ND961N F/L W.M.Reid, F/Sgt W.Richards, F/L R.L.Parker, W/O L.H.Smith, W/O B.Harthill, F/Sgt K.Forrest, F/Sgt G.Brown. (Deputy Controller). Up 2056 Down 0446. 12 x 7” clusters, 2 x TI yellow No16, 2 flares G/R star. Weather clear. Target located on GPI run and by instruments. First flares went down slightly to port of aiming point. One of the markers dropped Wanganui G/R over northern aiming point. Then we were called on to drop reserve flares over Wanganui. Aiming point was marked with a red TI, assessed as 100 yards west. Another TI dropped which was assessed as 30 yards west. Backers up dropped reds assessed as 300 yards east of the Marking Point. So Controller gave instructions to bomb the concentration of red TIs with zero wind. Yellow TIs dropped in error. The whole area was full of red TIs and Main Force were bombing in the centre of them. Flares for the main part well concentrated but some dropped over Lyons.
12/13 August 1944 – La Rochelle (Mining)
ND961N F/L W.M.Reid, F/Sgt W.Richards, F/L R.L.Parker, W/O G.D.Moir, W/O B.Harthill, F/Sgt K.Forrest, F/Sgt G.Brown. Up 2201 Down 0337. 6 x 1500 mines. No cloud, vis good, no haze. Estimated position 4609.5N 0115W. GPI and “Y” runs from 4603N 0123.5W which is northern point of Chassison. Smooth trip. Target defences slight, H/F very accurate predicted.
15 August 1944 – Deelan
ND961N F/O W.M.Reid, F/Sgt W.Richards, F/L R.L.Parker, W/O G.D.Moir, W/O B.Harthill, F/Sgt D.P.Cannings, F/Sgt G.Brown. Up 0931 Down 1328. 7 x 1000lb ANM 65, 3 x 1000lb ANM 44, 1 x 1000lb MC, 4 x 500lb GP. Clear sky, excellent visibility. Located target visually. Nearly every stick of bombs seen to fall on the airfield across runways. Later covered with pall of smoke. 3 yellow TIs seen, one on runway, 2 on starboard side of runway. Two bombs falling from aircraft above us passed within about 5 feet of our tailplane. Wind received 319/4.5 knots. Aircraft slightly damaged from explosion of aircraft behind; Perspex in rear turret shattered.
16/17 August 1944 – Stettin Bay Mining
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PB410J F/L W.M.Reid, F/Sgt W.Richards, F/L R.L.Parker, W/O G.D.Moir, W/O B.Harthill, F/Sgt K.Forrest, F/Sgt G.Brown. Up 2022 Down 0636. 12 x 7” clusters, 1 x TI green No 16, 1 x TI yellow No 16, 2 rec flares. 10/10ths cloud, 14,500’. Target identified on H2X. Controller discussed weather conditions with Deputy and decided on visual attack (H-14). We called “Tally Ho” went in and dropped flares and green TIs. Controller said flares were good and told 3rd Flare Wave to stand off. Called in Marker I but he overshot and Marker III said he was in position and went in and dropped two RSF which were assessed as 300 yards 060 degrees. Backers up called in. Marker III backed up the green, which were assessed as 600 yards east, so Controller ordered VBU from east to west over greens towards reds, and overshoot by 300 yards (H-hour). Flare Force told to go home H+3. Foregoing as heard on the VHF. Nothing actually seen on attack.
11/12 September 1944 – Darmstadt
PB156R F/L W.M.Reid, F/Sgt W.Richards, F/L R.D.H.Parker, W/O G.D.Moir, W/O B.Harthill, F/Sgt K.Forrest, F/Sgt P.C.Denness. Up 2100 Down 0159. 12 x 7” clusters, 2 green TI No 16. No cloud, layers of haze. Target confirmed by H2S and 184. Two green TIs were seen NW edge of town 2347 hours; “Tally Ho” came through half a minute later. Two more greens dropped right on centre of town, followed by others. A red TI dropped just south of the centre greens and Controller ordered “No more flares” and £Back up reds” at 2352 hrs, and at 2358 hrs gave “Come in and bomb”. At 2359 hrs we switched off VHF and went home.
12/13 September 1944 – Stuttgart
PB156R F/L W.M.Reid, F/Sgt W.Richards, F/L R.D.H.Parker, W/O G.D.Moir, W/O B.Harthill, F/Sgt G.P.Lennon, P/O H.E.Roberts. Up 1900 Down 0110. 2 x TI green No 16, 8 x 1000lb MC (1/2 hour delay). Clear, hazy. Identification of target confirmed on H2S. Ran in at H-12 and were first to drop greens. Flares went down behind as we turned off target. One Mosquito called “Tally Ho” – went in and marked 580 yards
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