RAF James Morgan

[irene_kipyahoo.co]

Ross - was amazed to read your info..

Who were the pilots - don't tell me Jimmy was the one to make the error?!

Irene

[rafcommands]

Hi Irene,

If the order of list in the Operational Record Book is correct then:

F/O J Osborne was captain and first pilot
F/O J A D Caines was second pilot

The aircraft would have been practising depth charge attacks. As soon as a submarine sighted an aircraft then it usually crash dived. The aircraft had to dive from it's patrol height of 5,000 ft at maximum speed to get over the swirl position that was the last surface indicator of were the sub had been.

The attack needed to be carried out with the minimum of delay as if the pilot used the swirl as aiming point it was thought that at least one of his stick would be in lethal range if he released his depth charges with 15 seconds of the U-Boat diving.

No bomb sight was available and to achieve accuracy all attacks were recommended to be delivered from 50 feet.

So you can see when carrying out the attack the risk of striking the water was immense and it was only practise that could reduce the risk.

On a long patrol when either pilot could be flying there would be no time to hand over control. Whoever was at the controls had to carry out the attack immediately so both pilots trained to be able to carry out the drop.

Regards
Ross

[irene_kipyahoo.co]

Ross

Your knowledge is amazing - Absolutely fascinating.

One more wee question!  What would Jimmy's duries have been?

Irene

[rafcommands]

My pleasure to help.

Again if the list is in normal order then he would have been the Navigator/Observer.

Regards
Ross

[rafcommands]

Bingo..

The casualty repatriation file for F/Sgt Ross RAAF has been digitised in the Canberra Records and is online for viewing.

http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=1075956&I=1&SE=1

This confirms Morgan as 1st Nav.

Regards
Ross

[irene_kipyahoo.co]

I don't know how to thank you - this man's death has been a mystery to me - I'm his niece.

I don't even think his owns sons and daughters have the info I have been given - Thank you Ross and everyone else who helped me.

Irene

[Greyman]

My Father, Francis ROSS, survived the Liberator crash on 31 July 1944,
It would be good to make contact with families of the crew.

Graeme Ross (son)

[Morgan240]

Hi Graeme
James Morgan was my Grandfather! Hello.

[Morgan240]

Would love to get in touch with Irene if anyone knows how I can?