Squadron history websites

453 Sqn RAAF

http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11149.asp

 

Vigors talks about his time with the squadron and is very complimentary of the men (especially as most of the RAF considered the RAAF pilots as undisciplined and uncouth):

Vigors - Life's Too Short to Cry

 

I forgot to post this for Kitty.

011348 A MOST SECRET SQUADRON; Des Curtis. Story of No 618 Squadron RAF and its special detachment formed for 'Operation Servant'.
2 15.99

http://www.eastangliabooks.com/new_page_3.htm

618 Squadron was formed to follow up the successes of 617 Squadron with a new device codenamed Highball. It was a "Bouncing bomb" designed to be carried by Mosquitos and employed against shipping.

But she probably knows all this anyway!

 

Excellent find Spidge - I'd not come across that one and I've been looking for a book on 618 Squadron. Err, I'm about to break my own promise on not buying anymore books for a couple of weeks oster_oops:

BTW, their server seems to having problems at the moment so the link may not work

 

:cry_smile: :cry_smile: :cry_smile:

It's out of print and they don't have a copy in stock. I have put my name down in case they track a reasonably priced one down. Knew it would be too good to be true (and I don't want to pay the £40+ that others are asking for it).

 

:common001::common001::common001::common001:

I've got a copy, woohoo, I've got a copy - and just as cheap as the above bookshop

 

Glad I could help you spend some cash!

 

Feel so much better now since Kyt sent me a link for another book. I had made a similar promise but just enquired about postage! I won't mention the three cheapies I bid on yesterday...

 

113 Sqn

A very entertaining site. Well done.

http://113squadron.com/home_of_113_squadron.htm

North Africa and Burma flying with Blenheims, Hurris, Jugs etc. Love it!

 

8 Sqn

A good history included in an active RAF sqn website. Some great pics too.

Maritime patrols over Gulf of Aden and Red Sea in Vincents, Blenheims, Hudsons, Wimpys and then over Malaya with Libs.

http://www.8squadron.co.uk/history_1939-1945.php
http://www.8squadron.co.uk/history_ethiopian_campaign.php - ooh, Ethiopian campaign!
http://www.8squadron.co.uk/history_maritime_patrols.php - the link I meant to post!

 

I'd completely forgotten about the 113 site. Silly really because there was a long discussion about a picture of a aircraft turret on another forum.

And Andy, what's the 8 Sqdn url?

 

Sorry, Kyt, have edited my above post.

 

Some nice footage of 618 Squadron:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=o3ohMEZ-d3I

 

Hate the too low sequence! Ouch!

 

Yes, ouch, didn't look good for the crew, I hope by some miracle someone got out of that. One thing I noticed with the A-26 footage there is that the A-26, on the two runs shown, did not pull up immediately like the Mossies did. The first drop appeared to bounce higher than the aircraft and the second one...well... The Mossies pull up pretty much as soon as the bomb leaves the aircraft.

Am surprised the Americans were not too keen on it given their successes with skip bombing in the Pacific.

 

They probably thought they knew better (as always :becky

They still preferred the dive and torpedo bombers, to their cost. And by the time that Highball was ready, and 618 went to Oz, the Americans were not only loath to use British equipment and ideas, but even stopped 618 becoming operational.

 

Miserable sods! How'd they do that?

 

Someone up high thought that it may work?

 

After 618 had finished training in Oz, a section moved to Manus Island. But because this was in the operational area of the US Navy they were never given the chance to carry out any ops.

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised at that sort of professional jealousy either

 

They might have thought that it may have been too dangerous for them.