21 Brave Airmen, March 1943

[WelwynGC1]

It seems that 180 Squadron was part of the 2nd Tactical Air Force, and at the time of Sgt Exons death (June 1944) was supporting the push out of Normandy after D-Day.
Flying Mitchells??

I am intrigued to know if its the same Exon on my photo?

Anyone know anymore about this squadron?

[rafcommands]

Hi,

Sorry missed this first time around.

Mitchell II was the RAF name for the B-25, twin engined medium bomber used by the Americans.

No.180 Sqn started as a light bomber squadron in Bomber Command flying mostly daylight bombing operations.

When the allies moved into the continent it was agreed that an expeditionary air force would be allocated to the commanders dedicated to their operational needs. No.180 was one of the light bomber units transferred from Bomber Command to the new force. The new force comprised of both bombers and fighters all dedicated to ground support operations and was desginated the 2nd Tactical Air Force (2 TAF).

As the forces moved into Germany it was reformed, some units returning to Air Defence GB and some forming the new force for the occupation.

This is why you cannot find the loss in Chorley as his books only cover Bomber Command. 2nd TAF losses are briefly mentioned by J Foreman in his Fighter Command Diaries but this is not to the level of detail in the Midland Counties Loss series.

For brief details of No.180 Sqn
http://www.rafcommands.com/Bomber/180B.html
http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/180squadron.cfm

Your best source, for any RAF unit, is the Squadron Operational Record Book (ORB) held at Kew. This is the squadron war diary and lists details on a daily and monthly basis that the squadron scribe felt noteworthy.

Regards
Ross

[walkerpete]

There is a  four volume work on 2 TAF  - 2nd Tactical Air Force by Christopher Shores & Chris Thomas which has some casualty details. I found an in law lost Jan 45 in vol 3 so I guess you might need vol 2. I borrowed  the book from my local library

[WelwynGC1]

Thanks Ross for the info about 180 Squadron.....so can l safely assume that is the same Exon as on my photo???

I hope to get the ball rolling this week and try to obtain my Uncles full service record. Once l have asked my Dad to help with the next of kin stuff should be interesting. I am told the photo was taking in Canada so l suppose that at least narrows it down to one of the Air Gunnery schools. Ontario??

[WelwynGC1]

Following the arrival of my Uncles service records, l can confidently say that the photo was taken at No. 34 OTU  Pennfield Ridge, New Brunswick.

I would like to find out something more about the other 20 on the photo, though of course without initials its a big task.  The Bomber Command losses books are a big help as they tend to list the crew in Pilot to rear gunner order, so l have looked at 43/44 and noted down a few possibles but who knows??

Wouldnt it be amazing if there is someone on the photo still alive!!

Steve.

[WelwynGC1]

Hi all, just to refresh, l can also say that my Uncle did some training at No.9 Bombing and Gunnery School, Mont-Joli, Quebec.
Would love to hear from someone who can tell me more about Mont-Joli, and the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

Unfortunately, there dont seem to be any records of courses so it looks like l will never be able to put Initials with the surnames on my photo.

Thanks for reading.

[WelwynGC1]

We remember my Uncle this week on the date that would have been his 87th birthday.
Of course he will always be Twenty.

Does anyone have an example of the form/forms he would have filled in when applying for the RAFVR??

[Pete Keane]

Hi Steve

Was he drafted? If so the notice should be in his records.

Pete

[WelwynGC1]

Hi Pete, hope all is well with you.

I dont think he was drafted, there wasn`t anything in the records to say so.

Somewhere in the recent past l recall seeing an old newspaper cutting with a Join the RAFVR headline. A little bit in the style of the old Your Country Needs You poster.

Just cant remember where though l will keep looking and maybe stumble across it again.

Steve.