Many thanks, I have come up with the following.

97 Squadron orbs states ………

“10601625 Tech Sgt. B.H. Stedman (USAAF) AG to 97 Squadron from No.12 US Replacement Control Depot. 1.1.44”

In the autumn of 1943 the orbs record 12 opertional flights by H.B. Steadman, the last being made in October.

The 12th US Replacement Control Depot was the initial U.S.unit that American Airmen who were in either the R.A.F. or the R.C.A.F. were assigned to.

Stedman enlisted in the Air Corps on 23 December 1944

Don’t have an answer for you, however apparently MACR (Missiing Air Crew Report) 9842 deals with this man’s loss.

I’m not familiar with that, where is it located?

Thanks smirky, that explains it.

Thanks Adler Tag.

You are right about Luft 6 being an N.C.O. camp. Dixie Dean was indeed the prisoners “Man Of Confidence” and I was curious to know if he held that position in October 1943.

David,
Just as a matter of nit-picking which does not answer your questions, but they are Unit Badges – not Crests (heraldically a totally different thing)
Resmoroh

Thanks for the clarification Resmoroh.

Many thanks Phillip, most helpful.

Thanks, that certainly covers some of them.

Thanks too for the link to Jim Macnaughts web site. Very instructional.