297 Squadron

Abbreviations

DZ

LZ

Met

RV

u/s

Drop Zone

Landing Zone

Meteorological

Rendezvous

Unserviceable

Month and year: September 1944

17th September 1944

Place: Brize Norton

Final briefing at 08.45 hours. 28 aircraft which included 2 attached from O.R.T.U. Hampstead Norris of 297 Squadron and 28 of 296 Squadron started taking off from Manston at 10.40 hours. 26 aircraft towed Horsa and 2 Wako gliders. F/O Milroy's tow-rope pulled out 10 miles after take off. F/O Shortman's tow rope broke 40 miles from L.Z. his glider landed O.K. on land. All the others were successful and returned O.K. Two had slight flak holes It was a perfect day with no cloud. About 2000 carrier planes were taking part. 1000 British of 38 Group and 46 Group. Our L.Z. was 5 miles E.N.E. of ARNHEM, Holland. There were various other L.Z. in the area and the Americans landed about 6 miles South of NIJMEGEN. The night before Bomber Command bombed the German Airfield and enemy fighter were seen. Fighter cover was provided and low flying fighters to straff what little flak opened up. The whole operation was a complete success. Marshalling for tomorrow started at 18.30 and then an early night.

28 aircraft took off from Manston with fully laden Horsa Gliders. Courses were:- Tamper [NOTE: Should read "Tampa"] 51° 55" N, 02° 04' 00" E. Bermuda 51° 43' 14" N, 03° 41' 30" E. Columbia 51° 38' 50" N, 04° 05' 52" E. R.V. 51° 38 15N, 05° 18' 40 E. DZ 52° 01 00, 05 47 00 E. Speed out 120 m.p.h. at 2500'. Returned on same course at 180 m.p.h. at 6500'. All except the following cast off their gliders according to plan. F/O Shortman's tow rope broke 40 miles from the L.Z. The glider landed O.K. on land in Holland. F/O Milroy's rope pulled out of his aircraft when the glider changed from high to low tow position about 10 miles from take off. It was a perfect day - no cloud. No enemy fighters were seen but quite a few of ours, giving cover and ground straffing flak posts. There was very little flak and none of our aircraft were hit. The fighters dealt very effectively with what little there was. F/O E.D. Halpin had one .303 bullet through the perspex near his head. This turned out to be a British bullet presumably from one of our fighters.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.V 'M' 1716. Crew: F/O W.H. McCutcheon, Pilot (CAN), W/O J.F. Bowers, Nav (BR), F/Lt T.F. Baylis, W/Op Air (BR), F/S Sanders F.O., A/Gnr (BR), W/O Perkins E., B/A. (AUS). Time Up: 10.45. Time Down: 14.45.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.V 'A' 1769. Crew: F/O J.C. Garnett, Pilot (BR), F/S Porteous T., Nav (BR), Sgt Morris D.G., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Clarke L.A., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Bromley D., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 10.45. Time Down: 14.45.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.1 'X' 1381. Crew: F/O K. Garnett, Pilot (BR), F/S Tubbs-Merrick A., Nav (BR), F/S Peacock H., W/Op Air (BR), F/O C.A. Shaw, A/Gnr (BR), F/S Anderson R., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 10.50. Time Down: 14.40.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.1 P.1409. Crew: F/O R. Wharmby, Pilot (BR), F/S Cooper R., Nav (BR), W/O Marsh F.J., W/Op Air (AUS), F/S Smith J.E., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Waters E.J., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 10.50. Time Down: 14.40.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.6 G.1864. Crew: F/S Taylor D.J., Pilot (BR), F/S Strachan W., Nav (BR), Sgt Bunker W.F., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Lutz K., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Smith R.A., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 10.55. Time Down: 14.35.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.2 T.1841. Crew: F/Lt R.H. Thomson, Pilot (CAN), F/O A. Ludwick, Nav (CAN), F/S Flynn P., W/Op Air (BR), F/O L.E. Blundell, A/Gnr (CAN), W/O Taylor D.R., B/A. (CAN). Time Up: 10.55. Time Down: 14.45.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.2 H.1700. Crew: F/Lt I.W. McCall, Pilot (BR), W/O H.W. Kidd, Nav (BR), F/O A.W. Crouch, W/Op Air (BR), F/S McCormick T., A/Gnr (BR), F/O J. Irvine, B/A. (BR). Time Up: 11.30. Time Down: 14.45.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.VI I.1852. Crew: F/Sgt Hart L.R., Pilot (CAN), F/O T.L. Webster, Nav (CAN), Sgt Todd M., W/Op Air (BR), F/S Keough R.L., A/Gnr (CAN), F/O Davlin R.J., B/A (CAN). Time Up: 11.30. Time Down: 14.45.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.5 R.1772. Crew: W/C J.R. Grice, Pilot (BR), F/O W.J. Arnott, Nav (BR), P/O J.B. Dawson, W/Op Air (BR), F/O D.M. Spencer, A/Gnr (CAN), F/O H.W. Hill, B/A. (BR). Time Up: 10.40. Time Down: 14.30.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.1 C.1460. Crew: P/O D.M. Richards, Pilot (BR), F/O A. Reitzner, Nav (BR), F/S Howells M., W/Op Air (BR), F/S Ward J.E., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Webster L., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 10.40. Time Down: 14.30.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.5 B.1812. Crew: S/L G.K. Brownrigg, Pilot (BR), F/O B.C. Halley, Nav (BR), W/O Sutton M., W/Op Air (BR), W/O Edgington A., A/Gnr (CAN), F/O Richardson, B/A. (AUS). Time Up: 10.40. Time Down: 14.30.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.1 G.1395. Crew: F/O A.W. Milroy, Pilot (BR), F/S Ashdown K.F., Nav (BR), F/O F. Cundell, W/Op Air (BR), W/O Oliver J.W., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Richards H., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 10.45. Time Down: 11.50.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.6 G.1849. Crew: F/L B. Cowderoy, Pilot (BR), F/S Fletcher H.M., Nav (BR), W/O Thomson A., W/Op Air (BR), W/O Worsley D.W., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Wood W.J., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 10.45. Time Down: 14.30.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.6 Q.1858. Crew: F/S Flavell E.J., Pilot (BR), F/O D. Russell, Nav (BR), Sgt Layden J.F., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Clancy W., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Edwards, B/A. (BR). Time Up: 10.50. Time Down: 14.35.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.5 J.1778. Crew: F/S Flavell J., Pilot (BR), F/O G.L. Scott, Nav (CAN), F/O I. Jacques, W/Op Air (CAN), F/S Rhodes G.W., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Richardson, B/A. (BR). Time Up: . Time Down: .

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.5 U.1838. Crew: F/O J.G. Hodge, Pilot (BR), F/S King D.A., Nav (BR), Sgt Yorke J.G., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Stephenson L., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Jenkins A., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 10.50. Time Down: 14.40.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.5 S.1823. Crew: F/O E.D. Halpin, Pilot (BR), F/S Sloan C.H.P., Nav (BR), F/S Smith J.H., W/Op Air (BR), F/S Sharpe R.W., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Taylor P., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 10.50. Time Down: 14.35.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.6 F.1860. Crew: F/S Wilkinson H., Pilot (AUS), F/S Marsden H.W., Nav (BR), Sgt Wood R.J., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Coulson A.G., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Dobbyn F.L., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 11.25. Time Down: 14.40.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.2 Z.1695. Crew: F/O J. Coxell, Pilot (BR), P/O J.W. Challis, Nav (BR), F/S Jones G.T., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Wiles L.E., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Coley R.R., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 11.25. Time Down: 14.45.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.5 W.1825. Crew: W/O Miller I., Pilot (BR), F/L Heffernan C., Nav (BR), F/S Beddow E.R., W/Op Air (BR), F/S Page W.A.R., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Hodges F., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 11.30. Time Down: 14.50.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.6 L.1860. Crew: F/S Tucker W.H., Pilot (BR), Sgt Goodwin T.R., Nav (BR), Sgt Fisher H.E., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt McGeehie G.W., A/Gnr (BR), F/O E. Daly, B/A. (BR). Time Up: 12.05. Time Down: 15.10.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.2 S.1738. Crew: F/O L.S. Price, Pilot (BR), F/O E.H. Trevens, Nav (BR), F/S W.G. Alpin, W/Op Air (BR), F/S Moss B.P., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Harrison R., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 11.30. Time Down: 14.45.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk. Crew: P/O Curtis-Hayward, Pilot (BR), W/O Marshall T., Nav (CAN), F/S Lillywhite F., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Watson J.N., A/Gnr (BR), Sgt Grenville M., B/A. (CAN). Time Up: 12.10. Time Down: 15.15.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.VI K.1861. Crew: F/O G.E. Sharp, Pilot (BR), Sgt Rowland D.B., Nav (BR), Sgt Hollick G.D., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Ball H.H., A/Gnr (BR), F/O Anderson D.W., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 12.10. Time Down: 15.15.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.VI R.1846. Crew: F/O T.R. Shortman, Pilot (BR), F/S Clements V., Nav (BR), F/S Jenkins T.C., W/Op Air (BR), W/O Peppitt J.W., A/Gnr (BR), F/O B.C. Easton, B/A. (BR). Time Up: 10.50. Time Down: 14.00.

18th September 1944

Place: Brize Norton

Briefing 08-15 hours. The same LZ as yesterday but a more southerly course was laid on. However at 1010 hours this was cancelled and yesterdays course used. 11-40 hours. 24 aircraft with loaded Horsa Gliders took off from Manston. A bad Met report. The weather suddenly changed to low cloud 3/10 at 1500' and rain patches. The weather improved slightly during the operation and the tugs were able to tow at 2,500 ft. only going through about 1/10th cloud. All the aircraft completed their sorties without incident. No enemy fighters were seen and very little flak. The landing at Manston was spectacular. Both 296 and 297 Squadrons coming in together - up to three abreast with as many as 7 aircraft on the runway at once. After the return to Manston everyone was released till 1000 hours tomorrow. Liberty Coaches went to Margate.

22 aircraft towing fully laden Horsa Gliders took off from Manston for the same L.Z. as yesterday flying on exactly the same course. The morning had been bad with low cloud at 1,500', but improved later and towards the target. The tow was at 2,500 ft. and only about 1/10 cloud at this height troubled us. All were successful. No enemy fighters were seen although plenty of ours were about the L.Z. There was very little flak and none of our aircraft were hit.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.VI G.1849. Crew: F/L B. Cowderoy, Pilot (BR), F/S Fletcher H.M., Nav (BR), W/O Thomson A., W/Op Air (BR), W/O Worsley D., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Wood W.J., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 11.40. Time Down: 15.40.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.V S.1823. Crew: F/Lt E.D. Halpin, Pilot (BR), F/S Sloan C.H.P., Nav (BR), F/S Smith J.H., W/Op Air (BR), F/S Sharpe R.W., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Taylor P., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 11.45. Time Down: 15.40.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.V J.1778. Crew: F/S Flavell E.J., Pilot (BR), F/O D. Russell, Nav (BR), Sgt Layden J.F., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Clancy J., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Edwards R.O.J., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 11.50. Time Down: 15.40.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.I Z.1365. Crew: F/O J. Coxell, Pilot (BR), P/O J.W. Challis, Nav (BR), F/S Jones D.T., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Wiles L.E., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Coley R.R., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 12.00. Time Down: 15.50.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.V U.1838. Crew: F/O J.G.Y. Hodge, Pilot (BR), F/S King D.A., Nav (BR), Sgt Yorke J.G., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Stephenson L., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Jenkins A., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 12.05. Time Down: 15.50.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.V B.1812. Crew: S/L G.K.A. Brownrigg, Pilot (BR), F/O B.C. Halley, Nav (BR), W/O Sutton M., W/Op Air (BR), W/O Edgington A., A/Gnr (CAN), F/O L. Richardson, B/A. (AUS). Time Up: 12.05. Time Down: 15.50.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.VI Q.1858. Crew: F/S Flavell J.T., Pilot (BR), F/S Campbell J., Nav (BR), F/S Graynoth R., W/Op Air (BR), W/O Entwhisle J., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Breingan M., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 12.05. Time Down: 15.55.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.V R.1772. Crew: W/C J.R. Grice, Pilot (BR), F/O W.J. Arnott, Nav (BR), P/O J.B. Dawson, W/Op Air (BR), F/O D.M. Spencer, A/Gnr (CAN), F/O H.W. Hill, B/A. (BR). Time Up: 12.10. Time Down: 16.00.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.V W.1825. Crew: W/O Miller I.E., Pilot (BR), F/L C. Heffernan, Nav (BR), F/S Beddow E.R., W/Op Air (BR), F/S Page W.A.R., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Hodges F., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 12.15. Time Down: 16.10.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.I C.1460. Crew: P/O D.M. Richards, Pilot (BR), F/O A. Reitzner, Nav (Czech), F/S Howells M., W/Op Air (BR), F/S Ward J.E., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Webster L., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 12.15. Time Down: 16.15.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.VI P.1848. Crew: F/Lt W. Watkins, Pilot (BR), F/O G.L. Scott, Nav (CAN), F/O L. Jacques, W/Op Air (CAN), F/S Rhodes G.W., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Richardson K., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 12.25. Time Down: 16.15.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.I P.1409. Crew: F/O R.G.E. Wharmby, Pilot (BR), F/S Cooper R., Nav (BR), W/O Marsh F.J., W/Op Air (AUS), F/S Smith J.E., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Waters J.E., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 12.05. Time Down: 15.45.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.2 S.1738. Crew: F/O L.S. Price, Pilot (BR), F/O E.H. Trevan, Nav (BR), F/S Aplin W.G., W/Op Air (BR), F/S Moss B.P., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Harrison R., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 12.05. Time Down: 15.50.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.VI D.1857. Crew: F/O W.R. Wallace, Pilot (BR), F/S Keaton G.T., Nav (BR), Sgt Hann D., W/Op Air (BR), F/S Clift L.A., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Bellingham L.W., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 12.10. Time Down: 16.05.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.I G.1383. Crew: P/O W.A. Rickard, Pilot (BR), W/O Escott E.R., Nav (BR), F/S Buist J., W/Op Air (BR), F/Lt P.J.R. Lee, A/Gnr (BR), F/S Hinksman F.., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 12.15. Time Down: 16.00.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.I X.1381. Crew: F/O K. Garnett, Pilot (BR), F/S Tubbs-Merrick A., Nav (BR), F/S Peacock H., W/Op Air (BR), F/O C.A. Shaw, A/Gnr (BR), F/S Anderson R., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 12.15. Time Down: 16.00.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.V A.1769. Crew: F/O J.C. Garnett, Pilot (BR), F/S Porteous T., Nav (BR), Sgt Morris D.G., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Clarke L.A., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Bromley D., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 12.15. Time Down: 15.50.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.VI R.1846. Crew: F/O T.R. Shortman, Pilot (BR), F/S Clements V., Nav (BR), F/S Jenkins T.G., W/Op Air (BR), W/O Peppitt J.W., A/Gnr (BR), F/O B.C. Easton, B/A. (BR). Time Up: 12.20. Time Down: 16.00.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.I F.1651. Crew: F/O C.S. Brott, Pilot (NZ), F/S Davies W.L., Nav (BR), F/S Mills E., W/Op Air (BR), Sgt Griffith R.J., A/Gnr (BR), F/S Pearson J., B/A. (BR). Time Up: 12.20. Time Down: 16.00.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.II T.1841. Crew: F/Lt R.H. Thomson, Pilot (CAN), F/O A. Ludwick, Nav (CAN), F/S Flynn P., W/Op Air (BR), F/O L.E. Blundell, A/Gnr (CAN), W/O D.R. Taylor, B/A. (CAN). Time Up: 12.00. Time Down: 16.00.

Aircraft Type & Number: Albemarle Mk.II M.1716. Crew: F/O W.H. McCutcheon, Pilot (CAN), W/O Bowers J.F., Nav (BR), F/L T.F. Baylis, W/Op Air (BR), F/S Sanders F.O., A/Gnr (BR), W/O Perkins E., B/A. (AUS). Time Up: 12.20. Time Down: 15.55.

19th September 1944

Place: Brize Norton

A free morning. 15-00 hours. Starting taking off from Manston for Brize Norton. Several took off in echelons of three and one or two who did not mind some slipstream made a fourth. With yesterdays fine mass landing we showed very good airmanship which made the Albemarle look as manoeuvrable as fighters.

20th September 1944

Place: Brize Norton

During the day 8 aircraft were engaged on collecting Gliders from Netheravon, each aircraft carrying out two lifts. The two remaining aircraft arrived from Manston. There was no more flying activity during the day.

21st September 1944

Place: Brize Norton

There was little flying activity during the day apart from a few odd flights. One air firing sortie off Hartland Point was carried out and one fighter affiliation over base. In addition three aircraft proceeded on short cross countries and a further aircraft was utilized in order to give a new pilot dual instruction in glider towing. At night one aircraft successfully carried out a special Nickel Operation. Three crews F/O Wharmby, F/O Shortman, and F/O K. Garnett proceeded to Tilstock for conversion to Stirlings. They will pick up their Flight Engineers there.

22nd September 1944

Place: Brize Norton

The weather was poor during the day and no flying took place. At night one aircraft was engaged on a special 'Nickel' operation but the effort was abortive owing to a technical failure in the release mechanism.

23rd September 1944

Place: Brize Norton

On this day the Station was honoured by a visit from Queen Mary. For the occasion 6 of the Squadron aircraft were laid on to carry out a local demonstration glider tow, and five eventually took off, one aircraft becoming u/s at the last moment. The Queen Mother Mary had tea in the Officers Mess where she met several officers & aircrew. There was no other flying during the day. At night 1 aircraft successfully carried out a special Nickel operation. Advance Party of F/O Morrell, Sgt Whitfield & LAC Lomas were flown down to RAF, Earls Colne. 297 Squadron together with 296 and S.H.Q. are to move here on 30th September.

24th September 1944

Place: Brize Norton

There was a fair amount of flying activity. 7 aircraft proceeded to Welford, in order to tow gliders to Keevil, and one of these aircraft crashed on landing at Welford overshooting owing to lack of brake pressure. The Pilot - W/O Hart and crew were un-hurt. Two aircraft carried out air firing sorties on the Steart Flatts range and two more were air tested. In addition 1 aircraft proceeded to Ashbourne and another aircraft to Earls Colne. At night 1 aircraft successfully carried out a special "Nickel" operation.

25th September 1944

Place: Brize Norton

7 aircraft carried out glider retrieval from Welford to Keevil in the morning and a further 6 aircraft in the afternoon. In addition 4 aircraft carried out air firing sorties on the Steart Flatts range and two were engaged on local fighter affiliation practice.