Hello all , Richard Laughton twisted my arm to join up here:cry_smile: I am Les Fowler (Nighthawk) way off in B.C. Canada. My main WW2 interests are in RCAF Squadrons 422 and 409 (The Nighthawks) in which my late father was an engine mechanic. http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b377/lesfowler2001/3MossieMechanics.jpg?t=1206657097 Left to right .....Bill Raven , Al Sherwood , Cpl. Harold Fowler. I come from a bit of a military serving family , grandfather was a machine gunner in the 1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade in WW1 , oldest son is a serving soldier in Canadian Army today. As Richard , I am very busy with WW1 research at the moment but I will contribute when I can. Les
Welcome to the forum Les. We'll pay Richard his commission later Two squadrons that flew my favourite aircraft - Cat, Sunderlands, Beaus, and Mossies.
G'day Les! Welcome aboard. We're all friendly here and there's a great emphasis on the personal and unsung aspect of the war. I hope you enjoy it here. Looking forward to anything you can contribute, particularly with regard to 422 and 409 Sqns. We'd also be interested to hear of your WWI focus as well. Richard, cheque's in the mail! :-D
Thanks for the welcome Guy's. Kty , the Mossie is my favorite , 409 had the "Bulb Radar Nose" being nightfighters. Unfortunately most of my father's stuff is at my mothers 5000 Km away , but if I get back for a visit this fall I will show you a photo of "A" for ABLE flying under the arch of the Eiffel Tower in 1945.
Never mind later in the year, go home. NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I demand this dammit! Must have image of Mossie. Welcome to the forum
Glad to see you made it Les! There is a great WWI area here as well, however it is also a nice change to discuss some of the other issues pre and post 1939. I have no idea why they are holding back my commission cheque - guess that means I have to spot you at the pub when you get here. Probably the exchange rates are messing up the administrators!! Grandson Michael is here already but I haven't seen the rest of the group - just a small batch to start, we don't want to overwhelm them. We might not hear much from Michael to start as he is off for attention to his blighty. He might be the only Dutchman signed up - not sure. I am a Navy brat so I look forward to hearing about being an air force brat. I think my parents wanted to be Air-force as after the war they both became pilots. I tried as well, finished ground school and about half the flights before I was told that they had to do surgery on my inner ear if I wanted to continue. That ended that plan. I assume that is your Dad in the avatar? Mine is my mom, since I look like my dad's twin and I am trying to mislead any assassins.
"I will show you a photo of "A" for ABLE flying under the arch of the Eiffel Tower in 1945." If you expect us to wait another six months.... Roxy. PS welcome aboard!
I'm not sure what the clearance would be of a Mossie's wingtips to the arch of the Eiffel Tower but in the photo it looks very close. Maybe some sharpie here can come up with the clearance on each wing tip (at 400 MPH).... YEEEHAW lane: Richard don't forget you promised me 30% of your cheque and a keg of beer. If any Armoured Corps enthusiasts here want to learn about how it all evolved in WW1 they should start by spending a few weeks reading here........ Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group :: View Forum - Canadian Machine Gun Corps Study Group The two Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigades were the fathers of the later Armoured Corps of WW2. Their tactics combined with the evolving growth of the Tank are still prevalent today in mobile warfare.This is one of the Armoured Cars going into action at Amiens , Aug.1918. http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b...nArmouredCaradvancingBattleo.jpg?t=1206746208
Hi Les, Welcome to the forum. My father in law served with 422 RCAF Squadron for the last 11 months of the war. Always willing to ask him any questions you have about that last part of the war in Pembroke. I live here in the UK and can get to Pembroke in a few hours. He was also an engine fitter. Sniper eep:
Hello Sniper , and thanks to all for the welcome ! It sounds like maybe your father-inlaw and my father would have been in 422 for a short time together. Due to my father's life long sinus condition (which washed him out of Navigator School) it also almost did him in working on the Sunderland's engines on the Atlantic coast. He transfered from 422 to 409 Squadron well before D DAY. As a member of "A" Flight Ground Crew , shortly after D Day they were sent ahead of the rest of the Squadron to Carpiquet to repair the Airstrip. "B" Flight Ground Crew were held back in England in case "A" Flight was wiped out due to the unstable battle conditions at the time , plus the reports of "Hitler Youth " being at large in the area. As I stated earlier , when I get back to my home town (hopefully this year) there are many photos in dads collection , of both 422 and 409 Squadrons , and I will scan as many as possible.
