298 Squadron

Abbreviations

AGL

ASL

Cl

Cu

DZ

LZ

Mls

Posn

RSR

RV

u/s

Vis

Above Ground Level

Above Sea Level

Cloud

Cumulus

Drop Zone

Landing Zone

Miles

Position

Return Same Route

Rendezvous

Unserviceable

Visibility

Month and year: September 1944

17th September 1944

Place: Tarrant Rushton

1000 - Final briefing was held at 08.30 hours and the crews were out at their aircraft by 09.30 hours. The take-off was at 10.20 hours and it was a reasonably good take-off the average timing between the aircraft being about 45 seconds. The formation consisted of seven HAMILCARS and Thirteen HORSA combinations from the Squadron. The weather was fine at take-off, wind being light from the North, cloud about eight tenths at 2,000 feet. The purpose of the Operation was to land Airborne Forces on the North bank of the RHINE at ARNHEM. The following crews took part HAMILCAR tugs F/L L.N. NORTHMORE, F/O A. JOHNSON, F/O D.R. MCGILLIVRAY, S/L R.J. IMBER, F/L A.F. ENSOR, F/L D.H. LEE, and P/O A.K. BERRY. HORSA Tugs F/O R.I. CARPENTER, P/O T.M. GRIFFITHS, F/O R.S. EDICK, W/O DAVIES J.T.G., F/S CUNLIFFE C.H., F/S MACKRILL R.F., S/L G.H. BRIGGS D.F.C., F/L M.A.F. BARREN, W/O SMITH R.A., F/O A.W. DOUGILL, F/O W.B. TAYLOR, P/O G.J.F. REID, AND W/O MUTTON J.B. All the tows were successful except W/O MUTTON J.B. his aircraft developed engine trouble after about 20 minutes flying and he had to return to BASE on three engines. The weather over the Target was fair but hazy and all of the glider were seen to land safely. Little or no flak was encountered and no aircraft were damaged.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V K LL 335. Crew: P/O A.K. BERRY (Captain), F/S J. ROBERTS (Navigator), F/O E.C. SMITH (Air Bomber), F/S E. WHITE (WOP/AIR), F/S J.E. STEWART (Air Gunner), P/O K.W. AUSTIN (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 10.45. Time Down: 14.45. Operation 'MARKET' I. Towing Hamilcar. Successful. Base - Hatfield - Aldeburgh - 51 43 15N 03 41 30E - 51 38 50N 04 05 52E - 51 38 15N 05 18 15E - LZ Z - R.S.R. Light Flak - Glider hit.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V G LL 355. Crew: S/L R.J. IMBER (Captain), P/O A.E. PLEKMAN R.C.A.F. (Navigator), F/O C.R. EVANS (Air Bomber), P/O L.B. SMITH (WOP/AIR), F/O A.W.L. HARTWELL (Air Gunner), P/O W. MORRIS (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 10.47. Time Down: 16.03. Operation 'MARKET' I. Towing Hamilcar. Successful. Route as above. In formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V O LL 147. Crew: F/L A.F. ENSOR (Captain), F/S F. BROTHERHOOD (Navigator), F/S E. DANZIGER (Air Bomber), W/O E.R. DONALD R.N.Z.A.F. (WOP/AIR), F/S R. SMITH (Air Gunner), Sgt D.W. BROWN (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 10.50. Time Down: 15.40. Operation 'MARKET' I. Towing Hamilcar. Successful. Route as above. In formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V M LL 406. Crew: F/L D.H. LEE R.C.A.F. (Captain), P/O R.C. WARD (Navigator), F/S L.C. SHARP (Air Bomber), F/S V.T. HEASMAN (WOP/AIR), F/S H.A. FLINT (Air Gunner), Sgt J. SHEPHERD (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 10.52. Time Down: 16.20. Operation 'MARKET' I. Towing Hamilcar. Successful. Base 51N 00 53E - 51 43N 03 41E - 51 38 50N 04 05E - 51 38 15 05 18 15E - LZ. Return route as for formation. Slow aircraft - left by formation - flight carried out alone. Medium - heavy flak - accurate - from Ochten.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V L LL 353. Crew: F/O A. JOHNSON (Captain), P/O J.S. SMITH R.A.A.F. (Navigator), F/O F.H.R. LEE (Air Bomber), F/S R.A. OWEN (WOP/AIR), Sgt A.W. NEIL (Air Gunner), Sgt M.S. SPARKS (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 10.50. Time Down: 15.50. Operation 'MARKET' I. Towing Hamilcar. Successful. Route as for formation. In formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V U LL 346. Crew: F/O L.N. NORTHMORE (Captain), P/O S.R. JONES (Navigator), P/O J. MONAGHAN (Air Bomber), W/O A. STAFFORD (WOP/AIR), W/O J.A. CANNON (Air Gunner), F/S L.J. WALTER (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 10.43. Time Down: 15.23. Operation 'MARKET' I. Towing Hamilcar. Successful. Route as formation. In formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V K LL 408. Crew: F/O D.R. MCGILLIVRAY R.C.A.F. (Captain), F/S J.B. WALKER (Navigator), F/O J. CARR R.C.A.F. (Air Bomber), F/O G. DIXON (WOP/AIR), F/S J.E. BUNN R.C.A.F. (Air Gunner), Sgt J.A. MCKAINE (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 10.45. Time Down: 15.45. Operation 'MARKET' I. Towing Hamilcar. Successful. Route as formation. In formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V. Crew: F/L M.A.F. BARREN (Captain), F/O J.C. MCLAREN (Navigator), F/S E. LAPPIN (Air Bomber), F/L G.D. PALMBY (WOP/AIR), W/O H.A. NEWLING (Air Gunner), SGT A.B. MCCALLUM (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 10.24. Time Down: 15.37. Operation 'MARKET' I. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V C LK 988. Crew: W/O R.A. SMITH (Captain), W/O E.F. LANE (Navigator), P/O E.M. HALES (Air Bomber), W/O GARDINER L.G. R.N.Z.A.F. (WOP/AIR), F/S C.C. HAZLEHURST (Air Gunner), SGT A.A. AHERNE (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 10.22. Time Down: 15.35. Operation 'MARKET' I. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V B LL 271. Crew: F/O A.W. DOUGILL (Captain), F/O F.A. FORBES R.C.A.F. (Navigator), F/S D. SMEDLEY (Air Bomber), F/S A.E. WOOLLEY (WOP/AIR), SGT S.U. LOUTIT R.C.A.F. (Air Gunner), F/S J. ELLIOTT (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 10.24. Time Down: 15.37. Operation 'MARKET' I. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V P LL 983. Crew: F/O W.B. TAYLOR R.C.A.F. (Captain), P/O W. MCGHCHIE R.C.A.F. (Navigator), F/S H.F. FERGUSON R.C.A.F. (Air Bomber), Sgt A.C. SPRINGATE (WOP/AIR), P/O J.A. HORWOOD R.C.A.F. (Air Gunner), SGT J.J. CAMPBELL (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 10.27. Time Down: 15.51. Operation 'MARKET' I. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V R LL 337. Crew: P/O G.J.F. REID R.A.A.F. (Captain), F/S W.H. MARSH (Navigator), F/S D.M.W. MORREY (Air Bomber), F/S D.H. OZARD R.C.A.F. (WOP/AIR), SGT H.M. JONES (Air Gunner), SGT D.C. MCMILLAN (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 10.25. Time Down: 15.52. Operation 'MARKET' I. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V H LL 404. Crew: W/O J.B. MUTTON (Captain), P/O T.E. LEE (Navigator), F/S J. SEWELL (Air Bomber), F/S L.A. SALMONESE (WOP/AIR), SGT J.P.M. NICOLSON (Air Gunner), SGT T. MCFARLANE (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 10.20. Time Down: 11.45. Operation 'MARKET' I. Towing Horsas. Returned to Base. Port Inner Feathered owing to oil leak. Glider brought back to Base.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V T LL 278. Crew: P/O T.M. GRIFFITHS (Captain), F/O W.M. MADILL R.C.A.F. (Navigator), F/S R. HEELEY (Air Bomber), F/S L.R. WHATMORE (WOP/AIR), SGT J.R. DICKSON (Air Gunner), SGT V. HEAPS (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 10.22. Time Down: 15.05. Operation 'MARKET' I. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V J LL 347. Crew: F/O R.S. EDICK R.C.A.F. (Captain), W/O C.A. HOLMLUND R.C.A.F. (Navigator), F/O A. KOTYK R.C.A.F. (Air Bomber), W/O E.R. INNES R.C.A.F. (WOP/AIR), F/S H. LOCKHEAD R.C.A.F. (Air Gunner), SGT W. GODFREY (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 10.24. Time Down: 15.40. Operation 'MARKET' I. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation. Engaged by light accurate flak from Hertogenbosch.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V W LL 349. Crew: W/O J.T.G. DAVIES (Captain), F/L D.D. CARROW (Navigator), F/O K.R. BUBB (Air Bomber), W/O B.G. SELLS (WOP/AIR), F/O L.H. COOKE (Air Gunner), SGT R. WOODCOCK (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 10.30. Time Down: 15.45. Operation 'MARKET' I. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V F LL 361. Crew: F/S C.H. CUNLIFFE (Captain), F/O W.R. MORTON R.C.A.F. (Navigator), F/O A.J. KAINE R.C.A.F. (Air Bomber), F/S L.W. CLARK (WOP/AIR), P/O J. YOUNG R.C.A.F. (Air Gunner), SGT I.R. MCINTOSH (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 10.35. Time Down: 15.55. Operation 'MARKET' I. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V Z LL 274. Crew: F/O R.I. CARPENTER R.C.A.F. (Captain), P/O W.R. WRIGHT (Navigator), F/O E.L. BAUMANN (Air Bomber), F/S G.G. MURRAY (WOP/AIR), SGT MCROBB J.M. (Air Gunner), SGT R.B.M. MARSHALL (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 10.32. Time Down: 15.45. Operation 'MARKET' I. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V H LL 409. Crew: F/S R.F. MACKRILL (Captain), F/S R.H. HEALEY (Navigator), SGT W.T. TREMAIN (Air Bomber), F/S W.H. WALL (WOP/AIR), F/S F. BRIDGE (Air Gunner), SGT A.W. PANNELL (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 10.20. Time Down: 15.35. Operation 'MARKET' I. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation.

18th September 1944

Place: Tarrant Rushton

1000 - The second day of the operation 'MARKET'. The take-off should have been at 07.45 hours but it was delayed until 11.30 hours. This Squadrons part in the operation consisted of taking 8 HORSA and 8 HAMILCAR Gliders. The weather both at BASE and at the Target Area was similar to yesterday. The take-off was as fast as usual and there were no hitches. The following crews took part, HAMILCAR Tugs S/L G.H. BRIGGS D.F.C., F/L M.A.F. BARREN, F/L J.B. STARK D.F.C., W/O SMITH R.A., F/O R.I. CARPENTER, P/O T.M. GRIFFITHS, F/O R.S. EDICK, and W/O DAVIES J.T.G. and the HORSA Tugs were, W/O MUTTON J.B., F/O D.R. MCGILLIVRAY, F/L L.N. NORTHMORE and P/O G.J.F. REID, S/L R.J. IMBER, W/O SMITH W.F., F/L A.F. ENSOR and P/O A.K. BERRY. This trip was not so pleasant as the one of yesterday, a certain amount of flak was encountered and F/L M.A.F. BARREN's aircraft was hit in the nose. The Navigator F/O J.D. MCLAREN sustained injuries to his right arm and leg and was admitted to hospital when the aircraft landed. The Wireless Operator F/L G.D. PALMBY was slightly scratched on the ankle by shrapnel. This was the only incident, the other aircraft were undamaged. The gliders appeared to land safely on the L.Z. which was in the ARNHEM Area.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V J LL 441. Crew: F/L M.A.F. BARREN (Captain), F/O J.D. MCLAREN (Navigator), F/S E. LAPPIN (Air Bomber), F/L G.D. PALMBY (WOP/AIR), W/O H.A. NEWLING (Air Gunner), SGT A.B. MCCULLUM (Flight Engineer), F/O P. LANDAUER (Passenger, 2nd Pilot). Time Up: 11.26. Time Down: 16.51. Operation 'MARKET' II. Towing Hamilcars. Successful. Aircraft hit by flak P/O J.D. MCLAREN slight injuries to both legs and right arm. Route as formation. Air Bomber navigated return journey.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V D LL 302. Crew: F/L J.B. STARK D.F.C. (Captain), F/S W.R. FLORENCE (Navigator), F/L T.W.J. HATTON (Air Bomber), F/S J. FRASER (WOP/AIR), F/S J.A. BUZZA R.C.A.F. (Air Gunner), F/L M. FROST D.F.C. (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 11.23. Time Down: 16.48. Operation 'MARKET' II. Towing Hamilcars. Successful. Route as formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V C LK 988. Crew: W/O R.A. SMITH (Captain), W/O E.F. LANE (Navigator), P/O E.M. HALES (Air Bomber), W/O GARDINER L.G. R.N.Z.A.F. (WOP/AIR), F/S C.C. HAZLEHURST (Air Gunner), SGT A.A. AHERNE (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 10.25. Time Down: 16.35. Operation 'MARKET' II. Towing Hamilcars. Successful. Route as formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V H LL 404. Crew: W/O J.B. MUTTON (Captain), P/O T.E. LEE (Navigator), F/S J. SEWELL (Air Bomber), F/S L.A. SALMONESE (WOP/AIR), SGT J.P.M. NICOLSON (Air Gunner), SGT T. MCFARLANE (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 11.40. Time Down: 16.40. Operation 'MARKET' I. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V K LL 408. Crew: F/O D.R. MCGILLIVRAY R.C.A.F. (Captain), F/S J.B. WALKER (Navigator), F/O J. CARR R.C.A.F. (Air Bomber), F/O G. DIXON (WOP/AIR), F/S J.E. BUNN R.C.A.F. (Air Gunner), Sgt J.A. MCKAINE (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 11.30. Time Down: 16.40. Operation 'MARKET' II. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V U LL 346. Crew: F/O L.N. NORTHMORE (Captain), P/O S.R. JONES (Navigator), P/O J. MONAGHAN (Air Bomber), W/O A. STAFFORD (WOP/AIR), F/S L.J. WALTER (Air Gunner), F/S W.D. REEVELY D.F.C. (Passenger). Time Up: 11.30. Time Down: 16.30. Operation 'MARKET' II. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation. Meagre light flak between RV and LZ sometimes accurate.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V R LL 337. Crew: P/O G.J.F. REID R.A.A.F. (Captain), F/S W.H. MARSH (Navigator), F/S D.M.W. MORREY (Air Bomber), F/S D.H. OZARD R.C.A.F. (WOP/AIR), SGT H.M. JONES (Air Gunner), SGT D.C. MCLILLAN (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 11.35. Time Down: 16.55. Operation 'MARKET' II. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V Z LL 274. Crew: F/O R.I. CARPENTER R.C.A.F. (Captain), P/O W.R. WRIGHT (Navigator), F/O E.L. BAUMANN (Air Bomber), F/S G.G. MURRAY (WOP/AIR), SGT J.F. MCROBB (Air Gunner), SGT R.B.M. MARSHALL (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 11.30. Time Down: 16.45. Operation 'MARKET' II. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V T LL 278. Crew: P/O T.M. GRIFFITHS (Captain), F/O W.M. MADILL (Navigator), F/S R. HEELEY (Air Bomber), F/S L.R.S. WHATMORE (WOP/AIR), SGT J.R. DICKSON (Air Gunner), SGT V. HEAPS (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 11.25. Time Down: 16.45. Operation 'MARKET' II. Towing Hamilcars. Successful. Route as formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V J LL 347. Crew: F/O R.S. EDICK R.C.A.F. (Captain), W/O C.A. HOLMLUND R.C.A.F. (Navigator), F/O A. KOTYK R.C.A.F. (Air Bomber), W/O E.R. INNES R.C.A.F. (WOP/AIR), F/S D.H. LOCKHEAD R.C.A.F. (Air Gunner), SGT W. GODFREY (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 11.20. Time Down: 16.43. Operation 'MARKET' II. Towing Hamilcars. Successful. Route as formation. Inaccurate light flak at Dutch coast 51 43 15N 03 41 30E.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V W LL 349. Crew: W/O J.T.G. DAVIES (Captain), F/L D.D. CARROW (Navigator), F/O K.R. BUBB (Air Bomber), W/O B.G. SELLS (WOP/AIR), F/O L.H. COOKE (Air Gunner), SGT R. WOODCOCK (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 11.22. Time Down: 16.46. Operation 'MARKET' II. Towing Hamilcars. Successful. Route as formation. Medium - heavy flak observed from 2 NE of 51 51N 05 30E.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V V LL 332. Crew: W/O W.F. SMITH R.C.A.F. (Captain), P/O J.C.B. RAE (Navigator), F/S E.F. CARLISLE R.C.A.F. (Air Bomber), SGT STONHAM T. (WOP/AIR), SGT G.B. JOHNSON (Air Gunner), SGT C.R.J. JOHNSTON (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 11.38. Time Down: 16.50. Operation 'MARKET' II. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V G LL 355. Crew: S/L R.J. IMBER (Captain), P/O A.E. PLEKMAN R.C.A.F. (Navigator), F/O C.R. EVANS (Air Bomber), P/O L.B. SMITH R.C.A.F. (WOP/AIR), F/O A.W.L. HARTWELL (Air Gunner), P/O W. MORRIS (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 11.41. Time Down: 17.06. Operation 'MARKET' II. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V O LL 147. Crew: F/L A.F. ENSOR (Captain), F/S F. BROTHERHOOD (Navigator), F/S E. DANZIGER (Air Bomber), W/O E.R. DONALD R.N.Z.A.F. (WOP/AIR), F/S R. SMITH (Air Gunner), Sgt D.W. BROWN (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 11.42. Time Down: 16.31. Operation 'MARKET' II. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation. Meagre light flak at target RV.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V K. Crew: P/O A.K. BERRY (Captain), F/S J. ROBERTS (Navigator), P/O A.E. LETTS (Air Bomber), F/S E. WHITE (WOP/AIR), F/S J.E. STEWART R.C.A.F. (Air Gunner), P/O K.W. AUSTIN (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 11.38. Time Down: 17.08. Operation 'MARKET' II. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation. Meagre light flak accurate (51 52 20N 03 49 30E). Meagre light flak inaccurate (OSSUREA)

19th September 1944

Place: Tarrant Rushton

1000 - The third day of the operation 'MARKET'. The Squadrons part in to-days lift was the towing of 10 HORSAS. Five HAMILCARS were also laid on but they were scrubbed earlier in the morning. The take-off was arranged for 07.45 hours but was postponed and finally took place at 12.10 hours. The weather was good but crossing the channel the formation ran into low cloud, however over the continent the cloud dispersed but haze persisted and this made the visibility poor. Much more Flak was encountered than on the two previous lifts. Several Gliders in the formation were shot down but none of them were on tow by this Squadron. Two aircraft in the Squadron were hit F/L STARK'S aircraft was badly damaged in the starboard fin and rudder and the tail plane was holed. F/L ENSOR'S aircraft was slightly holed about the tail plane and fuselage. Both aircraft were able to return to Base after releasing their Gliders at the correct place. The crews who took part were: S/L G.H. BRIGGS D.F.C., F/L L.N. NORTHMORE, F/L J.B. STARK D.F.C., F/O A. JOHNSON, W/O MUTTON J.B., F/L A.F. ENSOR, F/L D.H. LEE, F/S CUNLIFFE C.H., W/O SMITH W.F., and F/S MACKRILL R.F. All the Gliders were seen to land safely.

Routine flying was resumed, F/O D.R. MCGILLIVRAY did some experimental dropping of containers on the local D.Z. At night three Special Air Service operations were laid on and the crews were S/L R.J. IMBER, W/O SMITH R.A. and P/O A.K. BERRY. Before P/O BERRY could land here the weather had become u/s so he was diverted to another aerodrome, before reaching it he ran out of petrol and crashed. One member of the crew SGT O'KEEFE G. was killed but the rest of the crew were uninjured except for cuts and bruises.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V F LK 651. Crew: S/L G.H. BRIGGS D.F.C. (Captain), F/O R.A. SEYMOUR (Navigator), F/S A.E. LAW (Air Bomber), F/O G.E. TONGE (WOP/AIR), F/O V.H. SEARLES (Air Gunner), P/O H.D. POPE (Flight Engineer), F/S D.P. PARSON (2nd Pilot). Time Up: 12.15. Time Down: 17.30. Operation 'MARKET' III. Towing Horsas. Successful. BASE - HATFIELD - 51 ?? 00N 00 54 ?5E - 51 22 25N 01 25 55E - 51 16 20N 03 00E - 50 57 00N 03 38 00E - HECHTEL - 51 26 00N 05 31 00E - LZ. LZ 51 46 00N 05 42 00E.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V H LL 404. Crew: W/O J.B. MUTTON (Captain), P/O T.E. LEE (Navigator), F/S J. SEWELL (Air Bomber), F/S L.A. SALMONESE (WOP/AIR), F/SGT J.P.M. NICOLSON (Air Gunner), SGT T. MCFARLANE (Flight Engineer), F/O R.J.B. ATKINSON. Time Up: 12.12. Time Down: 17.32. Operation 'MARKET' III. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation. Thick haze. Cloud down to 500' A.G.L. on route 4/10 medium cloud at LZ. Vis 8-10 mls.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V D LL 302. Crew: F/L J.B. STARK D.F.C. (Captain), F/S W.R. FLORENCE (Navigator), F/L T.W.J. HATTON (Air Bomber), F/S T. FRASER (WOP/AIR), F/S J.A. BUZZA R.C.A.F. (Air Gunner), SGT T.H. FULLER (Flight Engineer), F/S F.A. OUSELEY (2nd Pilot). Time Up: 12.08. Time Down: 17.28. Operation 'MARKET' III. Towing Horsas. Successful. Encountered flak. Rudder damage on way to Target. Returned safely. Route as formation. Thick haze and low cloud on route. Light accurate flak at 51 88N 05 21E and at LZ and posn 51 22N 05 10E. Starboard fin, rudder and tailplane hit.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V K LL 408. Crew: F/O A. JOHNSON (Captain), P/O J.S. SMITH R.A.A.F. (Navigator), F/O F.H.R. LEE (Air Bomber), F/S R.A. OWEN (WOP/AIR), Sgt A.W. NEIL (Air Gunner), Sgt M.S. SPARKS (Flight Engineer), F/S K.A. GOLDSMITH (2nd Pilot). Time Up: 12.09. Time Down: 17.40. Operation 'MARKET' III. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation. Thick haze and low cloud on route. 4/10 medium cloud. Vis 8-10 mls.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V N LL 330. Crew: F/O L.N. NORTHMORE (Captain), P/O S.R. JONES (Navigator), P/O J. MONAGHAN (Air Bomber), W/O A. STAFFORD (WOP/AIR), W/O J.A. CANNON (Air Gunner), F/S L.J. WALTER (Flight Engineer), SGT M.E. HELLIER (2nd Navigator). Time Up: 12.05. Time Down: 17.20. Operation 'MARKET' III. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation. Thick haze along route. Flight to GHENT 200' A.G.L. climbing to 2500' at LZ.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V N LL 129. Crew: W/O W.F. SMITH R.C.A.F. (Captain), P/O J.C.B. RAE (Navigator), F/S E.F. CARLISLE R.C.A.F. (Air Bomber), SGT STONHAM T. (WOP/AIR), SGT G.B. JOHNSON (Air Gunner), SGT C.R.J. JOHNSTON (Flight Engineer), SGT D. FORREST (2nd Flight Engineer). Time Up: 12.14. Time Down: 17.40. Operation 'MARKET' III. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation. Thick haze and low cloud on route. Flight at 200' AGL on route climbing to 2500' at LZ. Light flak at LZ.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V H LL 409. Crew: F/S R.F. MACKRILL (Captain), F/S R.H. HEALEY (Navigator), SGT W.T. TREMAIN (Air Bomber), F/S W.H. WALL (WOP/AIR), F/S F. BRIDGE (Air Gunner), SGT A.W. PANNELL (Flight Engineer), P/O H.P. BUCHANAN R.C.A.F. Time Up: 12.13. Time Down: 17.35. Operation 'MARKET' III. Towing Horsas. Successful. Thick haze and low cloud on route. Route as formation.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V F LL 361. Crew: F/S C.H. CUNLIFFE (Captain), F/O W.R. MORTON R.C.A.F. (Navigator), F/O A.J. KAINE R.C.A.F. (Air Bomber), F/S L.W. CLARK (WOP/AIR), P/O J. YOUNG R.C.A.F. (Air Gunner), SGT I.R. MCINTOSH (Flight Engineer), F/O K.W.L. BOWMAN (2nd Pilot). Time Up: 12.15. Time Down: 17.45. Operation 'MARKET' III. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation. 10/10 low cloud on route. Thick haze. Clear at LZ.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V M LL 406. Crew: F/L D.H. LEE (Captain), P/O R.C. WARD (Navigator), F/S L.C. SHARP (Air Bomber), F/S V.T. HEASMAN (WOP/AIR), F/S H.A. FLINT (Air Gunner), Sgt J. SHEPHERD (Flight Engineer), F/O P. IRELAND (2nd Pilot), Mr M. MOYNIHON (News Chronicle War Reporter). Time Up: 12.13. Time Down: 15.30. Operation 'MARKET' III. Towing Horsas. Encountered bad weather over French Coast. Cloud 10/10ths at 500 feet. Tow rope broke and glider landed safely in Belgium. Pilot returned to Base. Unsuccessful. Route as formation to Belgian Coast. Then return. Visibility over North Sea less than one mile cl 10/10 Strato Cu. - over Belgian Coast vis 600 yds nil at times. Cloud 10/10 at 300' AGL.

Aircraft Type & Number: HALIFAX V O LL 147. Crew: F/L A.F. ENSOR (Captain), F/S F. BROTHERHOOD (Navigator), F/S W.T. BLANN (Air Bomber), W/O E.R. DONALD R.N.Z.A.F. (WOP/AIR), F/S R. SMITH (Air Gunner), Sgt D.W. BROWN (Flight Engineer). Time Up: 12.10. Time Down: 17.25. Operation 'MARKET' III. Towing Horsas. Successful. Route as formation. Thick haze and 10/10 low cloud at 300' A.S.L. clear at LZ. Light flak at RV. Accurate and intense. Hit near rear turret and port wing tip.

20th September 1944

Place: Tarrant Rushton

1000 - Very little flying took place to-day. W/O SMITH W.F., F/L J.B. STARK D.F.C. and F/L L.N. NORTHMORE flew air tests.

21st September 1944

Place: Tarrant Rushton

1000 - A small amount of training flying took place during the day and in the afternoon the following four crews flew to South East France on a daylight operation:- W/C D.H. DUDER D.S.O. D.F.C., F/L D.H. LEE, F/O A. JOHNSON and F/O W.B. TAYLOR. All four were successful. At night there was a large programme of S.A.S. and S.O.E. operations. The following crews took part F/L L.N. NORTHMORE, F/O D.R. MCGILLIVRAY, F/O R.J.B. ATKINSON, F/S GOLDSMITH A.K., F/S PARSONS D.P., P/O G.J.F. REID, W/O MUTTON J.B., S/L R.J. IMBER, W/O SMITH W.F., P/O T.M. GRIFFITHS, W/O DAVIES J.T.G., F/S CUNLIFFE C.H., F/S MACKRILL R.F., P/O K.K. WILSON. F/S GOLDSMITH A.K. did not return from this operation.

22nd September 1944

Place: Tarrant Rushton

Again to-day there was very little flying during daylight. F/O K.W. BOWMAN did a 2½ hour cross-country. P/O T.M. GRIFFITHS did an experimental container drop carrying 24 containers in a HALIFAX. The drop was a great success. At night the following crews took part in Special Operations: F/L D.H. LEE, F/L A.F. ENSOR, P/O K.K. WILSON, W/O DAVIES J.T.G., F/L M.A.F. BARREN, F/L J.B. STARK D.F.C., F/O A. JOHNSON, P/O G.J.F. REID, and F/S OUSELEY F.A. Today at Group Headquarters Netheravon the following members of this Squadron F/O A.W. DOUGILL, F/O R.A. SEYMOUR, F/O D. ROBERTSON and F/S SEWELL J. were invested with the CROIX de GUERRE.

23rd September 1944

Place: Tarrant Rushton

1000 - Today S/L R.J. IMBER took a HALIFAX HAMILCAR Combination to BRIZE NORTON and took part in a glider exhibition before H.M. QUEEN MARY. Two HAMILCARS were ferried from NETHERAVON and at night F/O R.J.B. ATKINSON flew on a successful operation to HOLLAND.

24th September 1944

Place: Tarrant Rushton

1000 - A small amount of flying training took place to-day and at night F/O H.P. BUCHANAN flew on a training cross-country. At night the following crews took part in operations: W/C D.H. DUDER D.S.O. D.F.C., F/S PARSONS D.P., W/O MUTTON J.B., W/O SMITH W.F., P/O T.M. GRIFFITHS.

25th September 1944

Place: Tarrant Rushton

1000 - Practice towing took place to-day for the new crews. At night three crews went on operations they were F/L J.B. STARK D.F.C, F/O A. JOHNSON, and W/O DAVIES J.T.G. During the late hours of the evening information was received that 11 crews were required for an early operational lift tomorrow. Tugs were marshalled from midnight onwards.