THE ALLIED SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION - UK is dedicated to creating the ALLIED SPECIAL FORCES MEMORIAL GROVE at the NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM which will commemorate the men and women who sadly lost their lives whilst serving with ALLIED SPECIAL FORCES during World War 2 and in the Conflicts since.

**299 Squadron - Special Operation Service - Arnhem De-briefs**
Special Operation Service - P1 - Special Operation Service - P2 - Memories - Arnhem De-briefs
Log Book - Service and Release Responsibilities of a Prisoner of War - Editorials
by
**Maurice and John Davis**

Summary of Events
Keevil 17.9.44 Final Navigation briefing for Operation Market took place at 0800 hours and the show was on. Everyone was most keen and the Squadron put up twenty-five combinations which took off in very good time with W/C Davis D.S.C. leading. As a result of the tremendous combinations taking part and also on all aircraft were routed similarly were five minutes late arriving at the L.Z. near Arnhem. Opposition was nil as a tremendous fighter cover was given. Three gliders were lost; F/O Liggens had his glider disintegrate in the air and unfortuantely lost all the personel of his glider; F/O Goucher had a near shave when it appeared that his glider was going to tow him resulting in 'S' for Sugar going into a dive which nearly cost the crew their lives, however the rope broke loose and the Glider landed safely after which F/O Goucher returned to base; W/O Brown lost his Glider over the sea due to slipstream. F/L Turner, D.F.C., returned to base with engine trouble. The others including W/O Davis, D.S.O, S/L Dale, F./L Johnson, P/O Farrell, P/O Grills, P/O Hardwick, P/O Thorburn, P/O Graham, P/O Rowell, P/O Tuyttens, S/L Triptree, A.F.C., F/L Davidson F/L Rees, P/O Beresford, F/O Scherer, F/O Harmer, P/O Hotz, P/O Rowbottom, P/O Tovell W/C Dickie, and F/S White reported a good trip. The weather was rather cloudy and visibility over Holland was in the order of five to six miles. The operation was highly successful from the Squadron point of view. 18.9.44 Operation Market 'D + 1' final briefing was held at 0830 hours. Last minute changes resulted in the same route being taken. The squadron put up 22 combinations and once again W/C Davis, D.S.O. led the station. The take-off was very good and less than a minute required for each combination. Again it was noticeable that a tremendous effort was being made by this group and 46 Group. The sky near Aldeburgh seemed full of Aircraft and Gliders and Troop-carrying Dakotas. Fighter cover was again given and little opposition was experienced. Some light flak noticeable between T. R. V. and L. Z. This time only two Gliders were lost; F.O Goucher had his Glider cast off just over Holland which was tough indeed. The Glider landed safely and F.O Goucher received fighter escort to mid-channel; The other Glider towed by P/L Barridge, D.F.C., D.F.M., first pulled off and landed on Woodbridge aerodrome. The aircraft landed, hitched on the Glider and took off. As a result F/L Barridge was late and joined a Dakota stream, dropping his Glider on the wrong L.Z. Visibility was again poor and cloud base was in the neighbourhood of 2500 feet. The following made successful releases: W/C Davis D.S.O. , S/L Dale, F/L. Turner, F/L Johnson, P/O Harris, F/O Farrell, P/O Liggens, P/O payne, P/O Hull, S/L Triptree, F/L Davidson, P/O Hancock, P/O Nichol, P/O Schierer, W/O Brown, P/O Harmer, P/O Tovell, W/O Dickie, F/S White and P/O Grills. Group Intelligence reports later confirmed that losses were nearly neglible and the Operation from our standpoint was very successful. F/L G. Copeman and F/O Truelove of S/L Triptrees crew have now completed a tour and are being screened to Tilstock. 19.9.44 P/O Horan and F/S Clark and crews which had previously been attached to this Squadron from Tilstock were effectively posted to our Sqaudron strength both seemed very keen crews. For Operation Market D+2 the Squadron provided seven combinations and 17 aircraft for re-supply purposes. The combinations were briefed to release their Gliders on the same L.Z. as on the previous two days.(L.Z. 'L') and the re-supply Aircraft were to drop their containers and panniers on D.Z. 'V'. Those two areas were separated by a distance of one and one-half miles. This time all aircraft were routed in a different way going over the battle-line and then Northward. Cloud was very low and visibilty poor. Heavy Flak and machine-gun fire was experienced around the D.Z. and L.Z. and some on the route. Only one Aircraft failed to deliver its Glider this being P/O Rowell; the Glider was caught in slipstream and released near Ostend. The re-supply Aircraft all dropped their containers and panniers but three Aircraft were missing as as a result of this Operation; W/C Davis, D.S.O., F/L R. Lovegrove, D.F.C., F/L F. Mason, F/L J. Francis, F/L Chalk, D.F.C., and Sgt. Auld and also a passenger S/L Wingfield from Group. This aircraft was seen to be in flames and crashed on the D.Z. P/O Liggens, F/S F.H. Himphrey, F/S K. Crowther, F/S K.W. Scott, Sgt. W.T. Simpson and Sgt. D.G. Gaskin; this Aircraft seen in difficulties and believed crashed near the D.Z. P/O Bayne, F/O Clifford, Sgt. L.W. Dison, F/S W. Tee, Sgt. L.W. Robbins and Sgt. W. Hume; no report of this Aircraft. Of the remainder P/O Graham, P/O Goucher, P/O Thorburn, P/O Hull, F/S Clark, P/O Rowbottom, F/L Davidson, F/L Rees, P/O Schierer, P/O Bereford, W/O Brown, P/O Hotz, P/O Horan, and F/S White were successful. P/O Goucher, F/L Davidson and P/O Beresford had numerous hits from Flak. One commendable point being that P/O Hancock took his Glider in and delivered it on three engines. Fighter cover seemed less than on the previous two days, probably due to weather. F/L Davidson took two passengers, Brigadier Monies and Lt. Col. Darling from the Airborne Forces. These two were thoroughly shaken and a subsequent letter from Brigadier Monies confirms our report. The Squadron deeply regrets the loss of W/C Davis, D.S.C, and his crews for all were leaders and all very popular. Group Intelligence later confirmed that all the re-supplies dropped fell into German hands. 20.9.44 Operation Market 'D+3'. 16 aircraft were detailed for re-supply mission and the route was the same as the previous day with only a slight alteration to avoid flak positions. Weather was poor but Aircraft carried on to drop on the D.Z. It was gratifying to learn that all containers and panniers reached Airborne men who are in need of them. Flak was again heavy and the Squadron suffered one casualty and two members slightly wounded due to Flak bursts. Some of the Aircraft received extensive hits, among them P/O Harmer, who had his A.G. W/O H. Bolander and his F/Eng. Sgt. F.F. Alexander wounded; F/L Johnson had his aircraft badly mauled returning to base on three engines; F/O Grills had a few hits in the bomb bay; F/O Hardwick had the misfortune to lose his bomb-aimer P/P K.B. Ketcheson who received the lone bullet that struck the Aircraft killing him immediately. The crews taking part were S/L Dale, F/O Farrell, F/O Hardwick, F/O Harmer, P/O Tovell, F/L Johnson, P/O graham, F/L Rees, P/O Beresford, P/O Hotz, F/O Grills, P/O Rowell, P/O Curry (attached from Tilstock) W/O Dickie, P/O Horan, and F/O Nichol. F/O Nichol was forced to join the Fairford stream due to being late in take-off through no fault of his own. All Aircraft were successful in dropping on the D.Z. 21.9.44 Market D+4. Eleven aircraft detailed for re-supply. The briefing gave the route such that we flew in an Allied corridor as far as Nijmegen. At Eindhoven we met a protection of fighters but they are unable to deal with the Flak positions. Weather was still very sticky and visibility poor. Aircraft encountered heavy Flak and machine gun fire around the D.Z. Two Zebra. From this operation P/L Davidson in 'F' Fox and P/O Tuyttons in 'Z' for Zebra. From this operation P/L Turner, D.F.C., F/S J. E. Price, F/S F. sedgewick, Sgt. W. Loss, F/O J.S. Sutton, D.F.M. and W/O P.H. Harvey in 'T' for Tommy failed to return. F/L Berridge D.F.C., D.F.M. returned with engine trouble before crossing the English coast. The remaining Aircraft all made successful drops on the D.Z. namely: F/L Davidson, F/O Schierer, F/O Rowbottom, F/O Hancock, W/O Browm, F/O Goucher, P/O Tuyttens, F/O Hull, and F/S Clark. Flak was only in the neighbourhood of the D.Z., in wooded regions and from housetops. The operation was successful and the containers and panniers fell into the hands of the Airborne men. To quote the Daily Herald " Stirlings flew through murderous Flak to deliver material to the Airborne troops, who badly needed it." 22.9.44 Market: D+5. Fourteen Aircraft were detailed for Operations which were later cancelled due to weather. However the Crews and aircraft stood by in readiness. S/L Triptree, S/L Dale, F/O Rowbottom and his Crew (F/O Sparrow, F/S Downes, W/O Dumais, P/O Joyce and Sgt. McCollough, and F/O Harmer and his Crew (F/S Corlass, F/S Hall, W/O Birdling, with P/O Truelove and Sgt Marshall of S/L Triptree;s Crew filling in for W/O Bollander and Sgt. Alexander who are in hospital) proceeded to Netheravon. Here Group had representatives from each Squadron and General Koenig, leader of the F.F.I. presented the Croix de Guerres to various members in appreciation for the efforts this group made in supplying the F.F.I. and Maquis. S.L Dale and F/S Corlass received the Croix de Guerre with Palm leaves and F/O Rowbottom the Croix de Guerre with Silver Star. 23.9.44 The fourteen Aircraft and Crews detailed for the Operation on the previous day carried out re-supply missions on Market D+6. This time considerable fighter escort was provided and weather was slightly better. The only Flak encountered was near the D.Z. and here also was considerable small arms and machinegun fire. Three aircraft were badly damaged: F/o Beresford, F/S White and P/O Tovell. One aircraft, P/O Rowell (W/O Longhurst, F/S Baker, F/S L/ Donald, W.O Legrouix and Sgt Howard) was forces to make a landing but observers claim it made a successful crash landing six miles south of the D.Z. and the Crew waved to the Aircraft going home signalling that all were O.K. Every Aircraft made a successful drop and the Operation was carried out satisfactorily. Crews included: F/L Berridge, D.F.C., D.F.M. P/O Nichol, P/O Horan, P/O Hotz, P/O Grills, P/O Harris, P/O Farrell, P/O Graham, P/O Thorburn and W/O Dickie. Observations indicate that the Allies are still south of the river at Arnhem but that the Airborne troops are receiving artillery support. Sgt. Williams F/Eng. posted to the Squadron from 644 Squadron. Sgt. Stone, Nav. posted in from 1665 H.C.U. F/S Cooper, A.G. posted to strength from 295 Squadron. 24.9.44 F/S Sherman, Nav., posted in from 296 Squadron. F/O Green, Nav., posted in from 196 Squadron. Received news of P/O Rowell and his Crew who had crash landed in Holland. P/O Rowell wounded and W/O W.D. Longhurst seriously wounded, F/S J.G. McDonald slightly wounded and F/S D. Baker, W/O L.G. Legrouix and Sgt A. Howard are O.K. F/L Berridge and Crew (F/S F/H Carey, W/O L.E. Pocock, F/S B.S. Hardy, Sgt. J.R. Stirling and Sgt S.O. Steele) posted to Fairford, 620 Squadron. F/L Berridge will become O/C of one of those flights. Two S.O.E. missions successfully carried out by F/L Turnbull, and F/L Rees. 25.9.44 W/O B.H. Harvey of F/L R. Turner's Crew returned after being shot down in Holland and he gave the following story: As we were turning to port away from the D.Z. the aircraft was badly hit by 20mm. The rear turret caught fire and the gunner, F/O Sutton bailed. The aircraft crash landed in open country near Noordelyiee. The crews were taken into the village by the local inhabitants. We were picked up by a Dutch policeman in a car and we proceeded to an Armoured Corps HQ near Arnhem where we remained the night. Next morning transport was provided for Eindhoven. Between Uden and Veigel we were held up because the road ahead was under shell fire. We were informed by a free Dutchman that four German tanks were ahead so we turned around and proceeded in the direction from which we had come. After a mile and a half we met two German tanks. A Tiger tank opened fire on the lorry and we took to the ditch. We remained in the ditch for fifteen minutes but as the tank got a bit close we decided to make for a house. In the general confusion I lost sight of the rest of the crew.

Summary of Events

Keevil 17.9.44
Final Navigation briefing for Operation Market took place at 0800 hours and the show was on. Everyone was most keen and the Squadron put up twenty-five combinations which took off in very good time with W/C Davis D.S.C. leading. As a result of the tremendous combinations taking part and also on all aircraft were routed similarly were five minutes late arriving at the L.Z. near Arnhem.

Opposition was nil as a tremendous fighter cover was given. Three gliders were lost; F/O Liggens had his glider disintegrate in the air and unfortuantely lost all the personel of his glider; F/O Goucher had a near shave when it appeared that his glider was going to tow him resulting in 'S' for Sugar going into a dive which nearly cost the crew their lives, however the rope broke loose and the Glider landed safely after which F/O Goucher returned to base; W/O Brown lost his Glider over the sea due to slipstream. F/L Turner, D.F.C., returned to base with engine trouble.

The others including W/O Davis, D.S.O, S/L Dale, F./L Johnson, P/O Farrell, P/O Grills, P/O Hardwick, P/O Thorburn, P/O Graham, P/O Rowell, P/O Tuyttens, S/L Triptree, A.F.C., F/L Davidson F/L Rees, P/O Beresford, F/O Scherer, F/O Harmer, P/O Hotz, P/O Rowbottom, P/O Tovell W/C Dickie, and F/S White reported a good trip.

The weather was rather cloudy and visibility over Holland was in the order of five to six miles.

The operation was highly successful from the Squadron point of view.

18.9.44
Operation Market 'D + 1' final briefing was held at 0830 hours. Last minute changes resulted in the same route being taken. The squadron put up 22 combinations and once again W/C Davis, D.S.O. led the station. The take-off was very good and less than a minute required for each combination. Again it was noticeable that a tremendous effort was being made by this group and 46 Group. The sky near Aldeburgh seemed full of Aircraft and Gliders and Troop-carrying Dakotas. Fighter cover was again given and little opposition was experienced.

Some light flak noticeable between T. R. V. and L. Z. This time only two Gliders were lost; F.O Goucher had his Glider cast off just over Holland which was tough indeed. The Glider landed safely and F.O Goucher received fighter escort to mid-channel; The other Glider towed by P/L Barridge, D.F.C., D.F.M., first pulled off and landed on Woodbridge aerodrome. The aircraft landed, hitched on the Glider and took off. As a result F/L Barridge was late and joined a Dakota stream, dropping his Glider on the wrong L.Z. Visibility was again poor and cloud base was in the neighbourhood of 2500 feet.

The following made successful releases: W/C Davis D.S.O. , S/L Dale, F/L. Turner, F/L Johnson, P/O Harris, F/O Farrell, P/O Liggens, P/O payne, P/O Hull, S/L Triptree, F/L Davidson, P/O Hancock, P/O Nichol, P/O Schierer, W/O Brown, P/O Harmer, P/O Tovell, W/O Dickie, F/S White and P/O Grills.

Group Intelligence reports later confirmed that losses were nearly neglible and the Operation from our standpoint was very successful.

F/L G. Copeman and F/O Truelove of S/L Triptrees crew have now completed a tour and are being screened to Tilstock.

19.9.44
P/O Horan and F/S Clark and crews which had previously been attached to this Squadron from Tilstock were effectively posted to our Sqaudron strength both seemed very keen crews.

For Operation Market D+2 the Squadron provided seven combinations and 17 aircraft for re-supply purposes. The combinations were briefed to release their Gliders on the same L.Z. as on the previous two days.(L.Z. 'L') and the re-supply Aircraft were to drop their containers and panniers on D.Z. 'V'. Those two areas were separated by a distance of one and one-half miles. This time all aircraft were routed in a different way going over the battle-line and then Northward. Cloud was very low and visibilty poor. Heavy Flak and machine-gun fire was experienced around the D.Z. and L.Z. and some on the route.

Only one Aircraft failed to deliver its Glider this being P/O Rowell; the Glider was caught in slipstream and released near Ostend. The re-supply Aircraft all dropped their containers and panniers but three Aircraft were missing as as a result of this Operation; W/C Davis, D.S.O., F/L R. Lovegrove, D.F.C., F/L F. Mason, F/L J. Francis, F/L Chalk, D.F.C., and Sgt. Auld and also a passenger S/L Wingfield from Group. This aircraft was seen to be in flames and crashed on the D.Z. P/O Liggens, F/S F.H. Himphrey, F/S K. Crowther, F/S K.W. Scott, Sgt. W.T. Simpson and Sgt. D.G. Gaskin; this Aircraft seen in difficulties and believed crashed near the D.Z. P/O Bayne, F/O Clifford, Sgt. L.W. Dison, F/S W. Tee, Sgt. L.W. Robbins and Sgt. W. Hume; no report of this Aircraft. Of the remainder P/O Graham, P/O Goucher, P/O Thorburn, P/O Hull, F/S Clark, P/O Rowbottom, F/L Davidson, F/L Rees, P/O Schierer, P/O Bereford, W/O Brown, P/O Hotz, P/O Horan, and F/S White were successful. P/O Goucher, F/L Davidson and P/O Beresford had numerous hits from Flak.

One commendable point being that P/O Hancock took his Glider in and delivered it on three engines. Fighter cover seemed less than on the previous two days, probably due to weather. F/L Davidson took two passengers, Brigadier Monies and Lt. Col. Darling from the Airborne Forces. These two were thoroughly shaken and a subsequent letter from Brigadier Monies confirms our report. The Squadron deeply regrets the loss of W/C Davis, D.S.C, and his crews for all were leaders and all very popular.

Group Intelligence later confirmed that all the re-supplies dropped fell into German hands.

20.9.44
Operation Market 'D+3'. 16 aircraft were detailed for re-supply mission and the route was the same as the previous day with only a slight alteration to avoid flak positions. Weather was poor but Aircraft carried on to drop on the D.Z. It was gratifying to learn that all containers and panniers reached Airborne men who are in need of them. Flak was again heavy and the Squadron suffered one casualty and two members slightly wounded due to Flak bursts.

Some of the Aircraft received extensive hits, among them P/O Harmer, who had his A.G. W/O H. Bolander and his F/Eng. Sgt. F.F. Alexander wounded; F/L Johnson had his aircraft badly mauled returning to base on three engines; F/O Grills had a few hits in the bomb bay; F/O Hardwick had the misfortune to lose his bomb-aimer P/P K.B. Ketcheson who received the lone bullet that struck the Aircraft killing him immediately.

The crews taking part were S/L Dale, F/O Farrell, F/O Hardwick, F/O Harmer, P/O Tovell, F/L Johnson, P/O graham, F/L Rees, P/O Beresford, P/O Hotz, F/O Grills, P/O Rowell, P/O Curry (attached from Tilstock) W/O Dickie, P/O Horan, and F/O Nichol. F/O Nichol was forced to join the Fairford stream due to being late in take-off through no fault of his own. All Aircraft were successful in dropping on the D.Z.

21.9.44
Market D+4. Eleven aircraft detailed for re-supply. The briefing gave the route such that we flew in an Allied corridor as far as Nijmegen. At Eindhoven we met a protection of fighters but they are unable to deal with the Flak positions. Weather was still very sticky and visibility poor. Aircraft encountered heavy Flak and machine gun fire around the D.Z. Two Zebra. From this operation P/L Davidson in 'F' Fox and P/O Tuyttons in 'Z' for Zebra. From this operation P/L Turner, D.F.C., F/S J. E. Price, F/S F. sedgewick, Sgt. W. Loss, F/O J.S. Sutton, D.F.M. and W/O P.H. Harvey in 'T' for Tommy failed to return.

F/L Berridge D.F.C., D.F.M. returned with engine trouble before crossing the English coast. The remaining Aircraft all made successful drops on the D.Z. namely: F/L Davidson, F/O Schierer, F/O Rowbottom, F/O Hancock, W/O Browm, F/O Goucher, P/O Tuyttens, F/O Hull, and F/S Clark. Flak was only in the neighbourhood of the D.Z., in wooded regions and from housetops. The operation was successful and the containers and panniers fell into the hands of the Airborne men.

To quote the Daily Herald " Stirlings flew through murderous Flak to deliver material to the Airborne troops, who badly needed it."

22.9.44
Market: D+5. Fourteen Aircraft were detailed for Operations which were later cancelled due to weather. However the Crews and aircraft stood by in readiness.

S/L Triptree, S/L Dale, F/O Rowbottom and his Crew (F/O Sparrow, F/S Downes, W/O Dumais, P/O Joyce and Sgt. McCollough, and F/O Harmer and his Crew (F/S Corlass, F/S Hall, W/O Birdling, with P/O Truelove and Sgt Marshall of S/L Triptree;s Crew filling in for W/O Bollander and Sgt. Alexander who are in hospital) proceeded to Netheravon. Here Group had representatives from each Squadron and General Koenig, leader of the F.F.I. presented the Croix de Guerres to various members in appreciation for the efforts this group made in supplying the F.F.I. and Maquis. S.L Dale and F/S Corlass received the Croix de Guerre with Palm leaves and F/O Rowbottom the Croix de Guerre with Silver Star.

23.9.44
The fourteen Aircraft and Crews detailed for the Operation on the previous day carried out re-supply missions on Market D+6. This time considerable fighter escort was provided and weather was slightly better. The only Flak encountered was near the D.Z. and here also was considerable small arms and machinegun fire. Three aircraft were badly damaged: F/o Beresford, F/S White and P/O Tovell. One aircraft, P/O Rowell (W/O Longhurst, F/S Baker, F/S L/ Donald, W.O Legrouix and Sgt Howard) was forces to make a landing but observers claim it made a successful crash landing six miles south of the D.Z. and the Crew waved to the Aircraft going home signalling that all were O.K. Every Aircraft made a successful drop and the Operation was carried out satisfactorily. Crews included: F/L Berridge, D.F.C., D.F.M. P/O Nichol, P/O Horan, P/O Hotz, P/O Grills, P/O Harris, P/O Farrell, P/O Graham, P/O Thorburn and W/O Dickie.

Observations indicate that the Allies are still south of the river at Arnhem but that the Airborne troops are receiving artillery support. Sgt. Williams F/Eng. posted to the Squadron from 644 Squadron. Sgt. Stone, Nav. posted in from 1665 H.C.U. F/S Cooper, A.G. posted to strength from 295 Squadron.

24.9.44
F/S Sherman, Nav., posted in from 296 Squadron. F/O Green, Nav., posted in from 196 Squadron. Received news of P/O Rowell and his Crew who had crash landed in Holland. P/O Rowell wounded and W/O W.D. Longhurst seriously wounded, F/S J.G. McDonald slightly wounded and F/S D. Baker, W/O L.G. Legrouix and Sgt A. Howard are O.K. F/L Berridge and Crew (F/S F/H Carey, W/O L.E. Pocock, F/S B.S. Hardy, Sgt. J.R. Stirling and Sgt S.O. Steele) posted to Fairford, 620 Squadron. F/L Berridge will become O/C of one of those flights.

Two S.O.E. missions successfully carried out by F/L Turnbull, and F/L Rees.

25.9.44
W/O B.H. Harvey of F/L R. Turner's Crew returned after being shot down in Holland and he gave the following story: As we were turning to port away from the D.Z. the aircraft was badly hit by 20mm. The rear turret caught fire and the gunner, F/O Sutton bailed. The aircraft crash landed in open country near Noordelyiee. The crews were taken into the village by the local inhabitants. We were picked up by a Dutch policeman in a car and we proceeded to an Armoured Corps HQ near Arnhem where we remained the night. Next morning transport was provided for Eindhoven. Between Uden and Veigel we were held up because the road ahead was under shell fire.

We were informed by a free Dutchman that four German tanks were ahead so we turned around and proceeded in the direction from which we had come. After a mile and a half we met two German tanks. A Tiger tank opened fire on the lorry and we took to the ditch. We remained in the ditch for fifteen minutes but as the tank got a bit close we decided to make for a house. In the general confusion I lost sight of the rest of the crew.

Details of Work Carried Out
No. 299 Squadron
In the month of September 1944
Date - 18.9.44 Aircraft - Stirling IV 5GD 891 Crew - F/O J.E. Nichol J24271 - F.Sgt. H.E.W. Worth R183684 - Sgt. J. Lightfoot 1621169 - Sgt. M.T.B. Roach R200032 - Sgt J.H. Jessop 3005679. Operation - Market D+1 Time Up - 1140 Time Down - 1655 Details of Sorties or Flights - Successful Glider release on L.Z. "Z" Carried 2 troops, 1 jeep, and 2 trailers. Vis 2-3 miles. Good trip. No enemy action.
Date - 18.9.44 Aircraft - Stirling IV 5GH LK130 Crew - F/L B.H. Berridge DFC DFM 128555 - F/SGT F.H. Carey 1463204 - W/O L.E. Pocock R157977 - SGT. J.R. Sterling R181659 - SGT. S.C. Steele R181659. Operation - Market D+1 Time Up - 1135 Time Down - 1720 Details of Sorties or Flights - Unsuccessful Glider cast off due to slip stream and landed at Martlesham. A/C landed picked up Glider and proceeded following Dakota stream and released at 5125 N 0535 E. Hit by local Flak in fuselage and both starboard engines. Landed back at base.
Date - 18.9.44 Aircraft - Stirling IV 5GJ LK499 Crew - F/O W.H. Schierer J20063 - F.O Doherty J13981 - Sgt. F. Dunning 1585392 - W/O G.W. Kay R121603 - Sgt. B.A. Jaggard 1626473 - Sgt. A Marche 1554978. Operation - Market D+1 Time Up - 1140 Time Down - 1650 Details of Sorties or Flights - Successful glider release on L.Z. "Z" Load carried 4 troops, 1 jeep, 1 trailer, 1 m/cycle. Vis hazy over Holland. L/F seen at 5138 N 0405 E and 5157 N 0544 E. Good trip.
Date - 18.9.44 Aircraft - Stirling IV 5GL LK544 Crew - W/O Brown NZ 415058 - F.O. L.K. Bussey 133974 - F/Sgt. J.W. Eady 1168885 - Sgt. H Ledward 1474289 - F/Sgt. D.T. lewis 633600 - Sgt. J.D. Firth 2205559. Operation - Market D+1 Time Up - 1140 Time Down - 1655 Details of Sorties or Flights - Successful glider release on L.Z. "Z" Load carried 4 troops, 1 jeep, 1 m/cycle and 1 compressor. Poor Vis. No Action. Good trip.
Date - 19.9.44 Aircraft - Stirling IV 5GA LP254 Crew - F/O S.F. Hotz Aus 414490 - F/Sgt. J.F. White 1435107 - F/Sgt. A.W. Hood R 136057 - W/O W.P. Stewart R 105450 - Sgt. M.H. Smith 1295742 Operation - Resupply Time Up - 1250 Time Down - 1805 Details of Sorties or Flights - Successfully dropped 24 containers and 4 panniers on DZ "V". Vis poor and weather bad. Intense accurate flak at 5135N 0520Z and at DZ. Aircraft damaged in bomb bay and rear of fuselage. One dispatcher wounded in face and arm. Trip satisfactory. No fighter escort observed.
Date - 19.9.44 Aircraft - Stirling IV 5GL LK544 Crew - W/O Brown NZ 415058 - F.O. L.K. Bussey 133974 - F/Sgt. J.W. Eady 1168885 - Sgt. H Ledward 1474289 - F/Sgt. D.T. lewis 633600 - Sgt. J.D. Firth 2205559. Operation - Market D+1 Time Up - 1300 Time Down - 1800 Details of Sorties or Flights - Successfully, released 24 containers and 4 panniers on DZ "V". Weather very cloudy but clearing over Holland. No damage due to flak but plenty seen along route and over DZ. No fighter cover seen, successful trip.
Date - 19.9.44 Aircraft - Stirling IV 5GD L1891 Crew - F/O Beresford 150275 Operation - Resupply Time Up - 1300 Time Down - 1755 Details of Sorties or Flights - Successfully dropped 24 containers & 4 panniers on DZ "V" by map reading. Vis. on DZ area 3-4 miles. Cloud base 2000ft. No damage to a/c. Intense H/F and L/F over DZ and considerable flak seen on run up from TRV. Observed Stirling on ground at 5148N 0536E, crew seen ok. Stirling seen burning at 5135N 0516E.
Date - 19.9.44 Aircraft - Stirling IV X9A EF321 Crew - P/O B.W. Horan Aus. 410235 - F/Sgt. R.E. Lowenhanker 1396416 - F/Sgt. J.S. Fry 1586430 - SG T. M. Davis 1713697 - Sgt. G.C.Tyers. Operation - Resupply Time Up - 1255 Time Down - 1815 Details of Sorties or Flights - Successfully dropped 24 containers and 4 panniers in DZ "V" by map reading and ground signals. Weather poor on route but clear in DZ area. Flak very active from TRV to DZ. No damage to A/C. Railway bridge seen to be down south of Arnhem.
Date - 21.9.44 Aircraft - Stirling IV LK428 X90 Crew - F/Lt. B.H. Berridge 128555 - F/Sgt. F.H. Carey 1463204 - W/O L.A. Pocock 3157977 - F/Sgt. B.S. Hardy 1144387 - Sgt. J.R. Stelling R181659 - Sgt. S.C. Steeles 1850299. Operation - Resupply Time Up - 1150 Time Down - 1300 Details of Sorties or Flights - Unsuccessful. Returned base with Port Outer U/S. Load jettisoned on rope dropping area.
Date - 21.9.44 Aircraft - Stirling IV X9E 950EH Crew - P/O B.W. Horan Aus. 410235 - F/Sgt. R.E. Lowenhanker 1396416 - F/Sgt. J.S. Fry 1586430 - SG T. M. Davis 1713697 - Sgt. G.C.Tyers. Operation - Resupply Time Up - 1150 Time Down - 1640 Details of Sorties or Flights - Successfully dropped 20 containers & 4 panniers - 4 hung up owing to clutch key being too tight. Weather hazy. 80 hits in bomb doors by M/G fire. Observerd 3 Stirlings burning on DZ. Trip successful.
Date - 21.9.44 Aircraft - Stirling IV 5GL LK544 Crew - F/O H.H. Hancock 151965 - F/O S.D. Fowler 144579 - F/O G.A Whitfield 152711 - Sgt. C.H. McLeish - Sgt. H. Prevvet 1806796 - Sgt. H. Williams 539609. Operation - Resupply Time Up - 1150 Time Down - 1615 Details of Sorties or Flights - Successfully dropped 24 containers & 4 panniers on DZ. Weather poor. Concentrated M/G fire and H/F around DZ. 1 Stirling landed in wood and burst into flames. Good Trip.
Date - 21.9.44 Aircraft - Stirling IV 5GT LK645 Crew - F/Lt. R.T. Turner DFC 114982 - F/Sgt. J.E. Price 1576969 - F/Sgt. F. Sedgewick 1516657 - Sgt. W. Moss 1681242 - F/O Sutton DFM 145724 - W/O B.H. Harvey 539795. Operation - Resupply Time Up - - Time Down - - Details of Sorties or Flights - Missing. Now known that mission completed and 24 containers & 4 panniers dropped. A/C crash landed near Noordclyke and all the crew are accounted for. F/O Sutton & Sedgewick are POW, the remainder of crew are now in England.