Abbreviations
|
AA DZ LZ Met RV U/S |
Anti-Aircraft Drop Zone Landing Zone Rendezvous Unserviceable |
Month and year: September 1944
17th September 1944
Place: Brize Norton
This time there was no postponement. Final briefing took place at 08.00 hours, and crews left immediately for their aircraft. Gliders were marshalled at the end of the 3,000 yards long emergency landing strip and aircraft along one side. Over 2,000 yards run was still available for take off and the prospect of take off with a fully loaded HORSA was faced with much less trepidation than at our base airfield. The runway was into wind and at 10.30 the first combination took off. The ground crews excellent work stood us in good stead. Every aircraft was serviceable at take off. The first 50 combinations were airborne in 45 minutes. There were no delays and, after a pause, the remaining 6 combinations, this time all with WACO gliders, took off at 12.00 hours. Aircraft formed up over South East England and set course from North Foreland. At a point in the North Sea with the code name TAMPA the ALBEMARLE combinations took their place in the enormous stream. Ahead the Dakota could be seen and behind the Halifax and Stirling combinations. As the stream approached the coast more of the fighter cover could be seen above and below. The islands and large areas of the mainland were flooded. There was no sign of life, except for a very little flak, which was very soon dealt with by the watchful fighters. The flight to the L.Z. at ARNHEM was over 70 miles of enemy occupied territory, but there was no interference from fighters and little from ground defences. At the L.Z. although our formation seemed rather loose in the air the concentration of gliders was excellent. The squadron released 3 WACO gliders at L.Z. "N" which was near NIJMEGHEN, 4 HORSAS at L.Z. "S" and 16 HORSAS and 4 WACOS on L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM. One HORSA, in which the glider pilot made an error in map reading, cast off prematurely, but made a safe landing. Weather conditions were mainly good. There was some cloud about 2,500 ft. which was the height to fly given at briefing, but it was easy to avoid and no difficulties were encountered. After release, tug aircraft flew on a little to clear the L.Z. area and drop ropes, and climbed to 6,000 ft. above the cloud to return to base on a reciprocal route. Above cloud tug aircraft of all types could be seen heading for home in small formations, with several machines flying singly, but at no great distance from other groups. The return flight was uneventful and at MARSTON a very speedy landing was effected. Aircraft were packed at the edge of the runway ready for remarshalling and crews reported well satisfied for interrogation. It was found that one aircraft had been hit by flak fragments, but there was no serious damage done. On this phase of the operation, W/CDR MUSGRAVE, who lost a leg in a glider accident in August, 1943, carried out his first tow since the mishap in an Albemarle tug. The glider was a WACO. On the following day, he took off a fully loaded HORSA on the second phase. Preparation for this second phase began immediately on landing. Aircraft were refuelled, fitters checked and inspections were carried out ready for "the same again". After interrogation and a meal pilots marshalled their aircraft and crews reported for briefing. A few hours postponement, on the ground of bad visibility expected early on the following day, allowed briefing to be put off until the following morning, and crews went off for rest. FLYING TIME. DAY. 99 hrs 40 mins. NIGHT. NIL.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1646. Crew: F/O A. McKENZIE FRASER, F/O F.G. MILLS, Sgt UPWARD D.O., F/SGT BURGON J.K., F/SGT GATES A. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 10.55. Time Down: 14.51. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "S" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.17¼.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle VI V.1866. Crew: F/L N. CROWE, W/O BURGESS G.H., P/O A. CHATTERLEY, F/O WINTON C.D., F/O F.J. TREASURE. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 10.57. Time Down: 14.30. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "S" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.18.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle I P.1387. Crew: W/O LEACH D., F/O W.E. BARFOOT, F/SGT MATES J.R., SGT ROSS J., F/SGT COFFEN R. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.00. Time Down: 14.31. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "S" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.20½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V 1818. Crew: F/O H.S. PRIEST, W/O ALLEN M.E.N., F/SGT ROGERS K., F/SGT BROTHWOOD R., F/SGT HOLMES G.E. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.00. Time Down: 14.40. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "S" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.19½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle I P.1432. Crew: S/LDR R.W. JAMIESON, F/O G. FARRAR, F/O W.J. HUDSON, F/LT C.R. STANLEY, F/O R. McKEE. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 10.59. Time Down: 14.47. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.19½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle I P.1435. Crew: F/O A.S. BAGLOLE, F/O E.M. BOWEN, SGT CROOKS H., SGT WILDMAN G.W., F/SGT GRIFFITHS. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 10.59½. Time Down: 14.35. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.19½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1632. Crew: W/CDR T.C. MUSGRAVE, F/LT A.G. HUMPHRYES, W/O BLACKHURST K., P/O G. McGREGOR, F/O G.A.C.H. FOSTER. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.00. Time Down: 14.45. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a WACO glider loaded with signal equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.22½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V V.1785. Crew: F/LT S.F. HORN, W/O WICKS W.E., F/O H.A. TAYLOR, F/SGT JONES J.E., F/SGT LIVINGSTONE L. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.02. Time Down: 14.42. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.25.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V 1813. Crew: F/SGT BRETHAM J., F/SGT BRANTINGHAM C., F/SGT ELLIS W.G., F/SGT ROSS B., F/SGT GOLD P. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.02. Time Down: 14.42. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a WACO glider loaded with signals equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.24.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V 1844. Crew: P/O N.E. DURACK, F/SGT IVELL K., F/O R.D. ROACH, SGT WHATLEY W.G., F/SGT JACKSON F. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.04. Time Down: 14.42. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.25.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle VI V.1847. Crew: F/O J.E. STEWART, F/SGT BORROW R.H., F/SGT COLLINS A.C., SGT BRYANT R.G., F/SGT JACKSON J. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.05½. Time Down: 14.42. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a WACO glider loaded with American signals equipment to support the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.21.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V 1775. Crew: F/O J.A. NICHOLLS, W/O COOKE F.R., SGT HOPKINS L.W., F/SGT JAMES F.C., F/SGT HUTCHINGS T. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.07. Time Down: 14.43. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.22.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1698. Crew: F/LT A. CHOLMONDELEY, F/O C.H. HAYMEN, W/O McDONOUGH T., SGT CRICKMORE A.D., F/SGT JEFFERY D.P. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.08. Time Down: 13.35 [should read 14:25?]. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a WACO glider loaded with American signals equipment to support the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.25.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II 1752. Crew: F/O R/J. WOOD, F/O H. ARMSTRONG, SGT GODLEY R., SGT VICKERS L.V., F/O F. ELIASSON. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.08. Time Down: 14.30. Details of Sortie or Flight: The Horsa glider towed by this aircraft was loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division. The glider pilot made an error in map reading and released prematurely 2 miles North of OSS, Holland.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle VI 1871. Crew: F/LT D.A. LEE, W/O PROCTER H., W/O WHITMORE R.R., F/O GARLAND J.J., F/SGT OXBOROUGH A.T. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.10½. Time Down: 14.45. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.20.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle I 1704. Crew: F/O G.S. VARNAM, F/O E. PAPP, SGT COX L.G., F/SGT DREVER E., F/SGT HORNELL W.H. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.11. Time Down: 14.43. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.20½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle I P.1388. Crew: F/O M. TOCKER, F/O J.E. SCHOLES, F/SGT WHITBREAD T., F/O BAILEY M.C., F/SGT HOYLE J.H. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.12. Time Down: 14.44. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.21.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1696. Crew: F/LT H. SCOTT, W/O COLE J.H., W/O SHARPLES R., F/O BOYD J., F/SGT MITCHELL J.F. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.13. Time Down: 14.48. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.20½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1630. Crew: F/LT M. JACKSON, P/O A.E. BLADON, F/SGT BATES C.D., F/SGT BROWN J.H., F/SGT WARRINER R.R. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.12. Time Down: 14.40. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.20.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V 1774. Crew: S/LDR E.L. ARCHER, P/O R.P. MASTERS, F/LT H. LANNING, F/SGT RESTALL J., F/O J.C. WHELAN. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.14½. Time Down: 14.40. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.20.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle I V.1391. Crew: W/O BARLOW C., F/SGT EDYVEAN E., F/SGT ROGERS H., W/O WOOD R.B., F/SGT BROWN B.A.J. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.16. Time Down: 14.45. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.21.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle VI 1862. Crew: F/SGT BUTLER N., F/SGT SAWYER H., F/SGT DEATHRIDGE L., F/SGT HOLBROOK H., F/SGT MACAULAY L. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.17. Time Down: 14.35. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.19½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II 1629. Crew: P/O R.C. LAMSHED, F/O D.M. WARNER, W/O STEWART J., W/O GREENAN H., SGT McGHAN. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.16. Time Down: 14.45. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.24.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II 1779. Crew: F/LT H. BULL, F/SGT BARRATT W., F/SGT HOWARD F.J., F/SGT TESTER C.W., SGT HIBBERT S. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.18. Time Down: 14.46. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.24.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1616. Crew: F/LT D.J. BOYER, F/LT F.T. CROKER, W/O HANSEN J.W., F/SGT LAWSON H., F/SGT STUART B.A. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.19½. Time Down: 14.46½. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "Z" near ARNHEM, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.25½. On return to base it was found that the aircraft had been hit and very slightly damaged by flak fragments.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle I P.1394. Crew: F/LT J.V. SNELL, P/O J.R. HEYES, P/O W.J. STARRETT, F/SGT BORWELL G., F/SGT THEODORE A.L. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.05. Time Down: 15.11. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a WACO glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "N" near NIJMEGEN, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.57.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V V.1815. Crew: W/O SAWARD A.B., SGT IRVINE C.P., SGT GURNEY G.V., SGT DONOGHUE D.P., F/SGT GROSCH E. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.05½. Time Down: 15.13. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a WACO glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "N" near NIJMEGEN, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.57.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle VI 1855. Crew: F/O W.H. LACEY, F/SGT CLARKE J.J., SGT STREET L., SGT DUNFORD L.J., F/O L.A.T. HAWKEY. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.06. Time Down: 15.14. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a WACO glider loaded with men and equipment of the 1st Airborne Division to L.Z. "N" near NIJMEGEN, Holland. Successful release was effected at 13.57.
18th September 1944
Place: Brize Norton
There were several changes to begin this day's work. Our headquarters at MANSTON had moved from the cinema to the church, and as briefing began a change in route was received. Final briefing followed immediately on the navigation brief, and a very depressing met. forecast promised us more difficulty in battling with the weather than with the enemy in the air. Eventually, crews reported to their aircraft for take-off at 11.45. Much low cloud still covered the area from about 400 feet above the highest ground, but no combinations had any difficulty with it, or with the occasional showers. After leaving the English coast, weather conditions improved over the sea, and over enemy territory the cloud was of an amount small enough to allow aircraft to maintain the briefed height of 2,500 feet. The route followed was the same as that on the previous day, and in all respects the operation was very similar. Crews of aircraft later in the stream reported a little more flak, and just before the L.Z. area, which like those of the previous day was near ARNHEM, one light A.A. position put up enough fire to be dangerous to a close formation. However, our aircraft managed to avoid it and make an effective release. On the 21 squadron aircraft which took off from MANSTON, 19 released successfully on L.Z. "X". The other two were victims of unserviceability, in the one case when the tug, flown by F/LT. SCOTT, had engine failure, and had to make a forced landing on a fighter strip near ASHFORD, and in the other when the glider, towed by F/LT. HORN, developed trouble in the aileron control. In the second case, in spite of lack of control, the glider pilot managed to hang on to his tug, although frequently well out of position, until far into Holland, but at last the rope broke under the strain. The glider made a safe landing near a village and F/LT. HORN dived low above it and saw villagers helping the crew unload the Horsa, and its pilots signalling that all was well. On the nineteen successful combinations, one had a harassing experience. The tug, flow by F/LT. BOYER, was hit by flak and control surfaces badly damaged when crossing the coast. Although extreme difficulty was experienced in maintaining control and the pilot had to call his navigator, F/LT. CROKER, to his assistance. The combination flew on to the L.Z. and the glider landed successfully. Pilot and navigator pooled their physical resources to bring the aircraft back to base and make a safe landing. After release, aircraft flew on, dropped ropes, climbed to 6,000 ft. and returned to base as on the previous day. The landing was even more rapid than before and impressed even the well hardened flying control of MANSTON. Interrogation followed and as the squadrons' services were not required for the next day's lift, many crews made appropriate celebration of the two very successful phases of operation "MARKET". FLYING TIME. DAY. 80 hrs 50 mins. NIGHT. NIL.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1632. Crew: W/CDR T.C. MUSGRAVE, F/LT A.G. HUMPHRYES, W/O BLACKHURST K., P/O G. McGREGOR, F/O G.A.C.H. FOSTER. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.46. Time Down: 15.50. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.38½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1698. Crew: F/LT A. CHOLMONDELEY, F/O C.H. HAYMEN, W/O McDONOUGH, SGT CRICKMORE A.D., F/SGT JEFFERY D.P. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.46½. Time Down: 15.57. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.40.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V 1774. Crew: S/LDR E.L. ARCHER, P/O R.P. MASTERS, F/LT H. LANNING, F/SGT RESTALL J., F/O J.C. WHELAN. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.48. Time Down: 15.55. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.40.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V 1822. Crew: F/SGT BRETHAM J., F/SGT BRANTINGHAM L., F/SGT ELLIS W.G., F/SGT ROSS B., F/SGT GOLD P. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.48½. Time Down: 15.48. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.39½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1646. Crew: F/O A. McKENZIE FRASER, F/O F.G. MILLS, Sgt UPWARD D.O., F/SGT BURGON J.K., F/SGT GATES A. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.50. Time Down: 15.54. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.39.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1696. Crew: F/LT H. SCOTT, W/O COLE J.H., W/O SHARPLES R., F/O BOYD J., F/SGT MITCHELL J.F. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.51. Time Down: 12.41. Details of Sortie or Flight: Took off with a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment for the 1st Airborne Division, but was compelled to ask glider to release when the starboard engine cut while the combination was still forming up. Both tug and glider made successful forced landings on a fighter strip near ASHFORD, Kent.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle I P.1394. Crew: F/LT J.V. SNELL, P/O J.R. HEYES, P/O W.J. STARRETT, F/SGT BORWELL G., F/SGT THEODORE A.L. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.53. Time Down: 15.55. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.42.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1630. Crew: F/LT M. JACKSON, P/O A.E. BLADON, F/SGT BATES C.D., F/SGT BROWN J.H., F/SGT WARRINER R.R. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.53½. Time Down: 15.44. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.40½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle I P.1391. Crew: W/O BARLOW C., F/SGT EDYVEAN E., F/SGT ROGERS H., W/O WOOD R.B., F/SGT BROWN B.A.J. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.57. Time Down: 15.48. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.40½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V 1813. Crew: F/SGT IGGULDEN H., W/O SPARKES J.H., W/O SMEED A., W/O CORLESS J., P/O J.G. HAYDEN. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 11.58. Time Down: 15.55. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.43.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V 1818. Crew: F/O H.S. PRIEST, W/O ALLEN M.E.N., F/SGT ROGERS K., F/SGT BROTHWOOD R., F/SGT HOLMES G.E. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.00. Time Down: 15.50. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.39.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle VI 1853. Crew: F/O A.C. TATTERSALL, F/SGT RICHARDSON K., SGT ROBERTS D.V., SGT EVANS T., F/SGT WARREN C.L. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.01. Time Down: 15.50. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.42.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II 1779. Crew: F/LT H. BULL, F/SGT BARRATT W., F/SGT HOWARD F.J., F/SGT TESTER C.W., SGT HIBBERT J. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.02½. Time Down: 15.51. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.42.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II V.1616. Crew: F/LT D.J. BOYER, F/LT F.T. CROKER, W/O HANSEN J.W., F/SGT LAWSON H., F/SGT STUART B.A. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.33. Time Down: 16.02. Details of Sortie or Flight: This aircraft and crew were "Spare" for the operation. When an aircraft piloted by F/LT LEE went u/s at the take-off point, the glider was placed at the end of the stream and taken off by F/LT BOYER. On crossing the enemy coast, light flak was encountered and the tug aircraft badly hit. Among other damage the starboard aileron and aileron trimmer was damaged with the resultant loss of control. F/LT BOYER told his glider to hang on and managed to keep the aircraft on an even keel while his navigator came back to the second pilot's seat, braced himself sideways and took the strain of holding the control wheel over while the captain made the smaller corrections necessary to keep on course. In this way F/LT BOYER and F/LT CROKER flew on with their glider to the L.Z., where a successful release was effected at 14.44. In the D.Z. area evasive action was taken from light flak and the aircraft was flown back to base to land safely.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V V.1785. Crew: F/LT S.F. HORN, W/O WICKS W.E., F/O H.A. TAYLOR, F/SGT JONES J.E., F/SGT LIVINGSTON. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.06. Time Down: 15.05. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division to Holland. After crossing the English coast the glider pilot reported that his aileron control was unserviceable and was instructed by F/LT HORN to hang on however much out of position he found himself. The glider pilot made a valiant effort to keep in correct position but could not avoid pulling the tug aircraft about and jerking the rope. For all that the combination flew on until 40 miles inside Holland, when the rope gave way under the strain. The glider made a safe landing, and F/LT HORN flew low over the area and saw the crew of the glider signal that all was well, and watched them, aided by villagers, begin to unload the Horsa. He then returned to base.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V 1775. Crew: F/O J.A. NICHOLLS, W/O COOKE F.R., SGT HOPKINS I.W., F/SGT HUTCHINGS T, F/SGT JAMES F.C. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.07. Time Down: 15.53. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.41.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II 1844. Crew: P/O N.E. DURACK, F/SGT IVELL K., F/O R.D. ROACH, SGT WHATLEY W.G., F/SGT JACKSON F. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.27. Time Down: 15.51. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.40½.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II 1704. Crew: F/O G.S. VARNAM, F/O E. PAPP, SGT COX L.G., F/SGT DREVER E.E., F/SGT HORNELL W.H. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.28. Time Down: 16.00. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.42.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle 1847. Crew: F/O S.E. STEWART, F/SGT BORROW E.H., F/SGT COLLINS A.C., SGT BRYANT R.G., F/SGT JACKSON. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.29. Time Down: 15.51. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.42.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle II 1627. Crew: F/O K.H.B. FRERE, F/O B.L. PORTER, F/SGT BLUNDELL R.W., F/SGT ELIAS G., F/SGT BUCKELY K. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 12.30. Time Down: 15.50. Details of Sortie or Flight: Towed a Horsa glider loaded with men and equipment to reinforce the 1st Airborne Division at ARNHEM. Successful release at L.Z. "X" was effected at 14.42.
19th September 1944
Place: Brize Norton
As our services were not required for further phases of Operation "MARKET", the Squadron returned to BRIZE NORTON, with the exception of F/LT. SCOTT, who took off with a glider for ARNHEM. Weather conditions were bad, and shortly after take-off the load in the glider shifted and the combination returned to base. FLYING TIME. DAY. 29 hrs 35 mins. NIGHT. NIL.
Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle V V.1774. Crew: F/LT H. SCOTT, W/O COLE J.H., W/O SHARPLES R., F/O J. BOYD, F/SGT MITCHELL J.F. Duty: Glider Towing. Time Up: 13.20. Time Down: 13.55. Details of Sortie or Flight: This aircraft took off with a glider loaded with men and equipment from the glider which had made a forced landing at ASHFORD on the previous day. Weather conditions were bad and the combination did not meet the main stream at the R.V. After some hair-raising adventures in and between cloud and a stream of DAKOTA tugs, the load in the glider shifted and the combination returned to base at the request of the glider pilot.
20th September 1944
Place: Brize Norton
The excitement was all over. The retrieval of gliders from NETHERAVON was recommenced. FLYING TIME. DAY. 18 hrs 30 mins. NIGHT. NIL.
21st September 1944
Place: Brize Norton
Formation flying and fighter affiliation exercises were carried out. One aircraft, flown by F/LT. SCOTT, operated with success. FLYING TIME. DAY. 9 hrs 50 mins. NIGHT. 2 hrs 40 mins.
22nd September 1944
Place: Brize Norton
A formation of eight aircraft flew over NETHERAVON where a parade for General KOENIG was being held. One aircraft, flown by F/O. FRERE operated successfully. FLYING TIME. DAY. 16 hrs 15 mins. NIGHT. 2 hrs 25 mins.
23rd September 1944
Place: Brize Norton
Retrieval of gliders from WELFORD was resumed, and a glider demonstration was laid on at base, which was watched by H.M. QUEEN MARY. One aircraft flown by P/O. LAMSHED operated successfully. FLYING TIME. DAY. 14 hrs 35 mins. NIGHT. 2 hrs 30 mins.
24th September 1944
Place: Brize Norton
Air tests were carried out, and one aircraft, flow by F/O. FRASER, operated with success. FLYING TIME. DAY. 7 hrs 55 mins. NIGHT. 2 hrs 30 mins.
25th September 1944
Place: Brize Norton
Retrieval of gliders from WELFORD was resumed. FLYING TIME. DAY. 22 hrs 0 mins. NIGHT. NIL.
