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     Website for 77 Squadron Royal Air Force Association

Chairman William A Foote DFC

Hon. Secretary( and Squadron historian)      

  Harry Shinkfield, 154 Broadway, Wakefield WF2 8AQ

West Riding of Yorkshire ,  United Kingdom.

Tel: ++44 (0)1924 785648. Email: Harry.shinkfield@blueyonder.co.uk

Site administrator: varley_mike@yahoo.co.uk

A Brief  History of 77 Squadron RAF

World War I,  
1916 to 1919 - A fighter squadron

The Squadron was originally formed at Edinburgh on 1st October 1916, within the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), as part of the home defence of Scotland against German airships and for the training of pilots in night flying prior to service overseas, at this time it was equipped with BE2c, BE2e, BE12 and BE12B single engine "fighter" aircraft. The thistle in the Squadron crest commemorates its formation in Scotland. Many of the early Squadron members were seconded to the RFC from Scottish regiments.

The Squadron moved to Turnhouse airfield on 13th April 1917 from where it carried out defensive patrols. In January 1918 the Squadron was re-equipped with AVRO 504k aircraft modified for night fighting. In April 1918 following the formation of the Royal Air Force the Squadron moved to Penston ( Macmerry) airfield east of Edinburgh where it was disbanded on 13th June 1919.

 A more detailed monograph on the history of the squadron during the Great War has been written for this web site by the aviation historian Trevor Henshaw . LINK

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/r_m_g.varley/77 Squadron in the Great War Henshaw.pdf

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Explanation of some of the terms used during Woprld War 2.

A raid is an aggressive intrusion into enemy territory, or waters, by a group of aircraft. A sortie (=mission) is the flight of a single aircraft , or of an aircrew member,  on a raid. Loss rate is the number of aircraft lost (or missing) divided by the number of sorties dispatched, expressed as a percentage. A loss rate of 3% may seem small, but when summated over a tour of 30 operations  it means the cumulative probability of  completing the tour, that is not being killed nor taken POW, is only 40%. A Tour. Earlier in the war a tour of duty with an operational squadron in Bomber Command was, at the nominal discretion of a squadron commander, restricted to 200 hours flying on any assignment to combat flying operations. In August 1942 AVM Harris suggested to squadron commanders that this be changed to 30 “completed operational sorties” and this was endorsed by the Air Ministry in May 1943. In March 1944 assignments over France were for a time only counted as ⅓ of a sortie. The number was reduced 20 sorties for crew on a second tour. The similar  figure for the 8th US AAF tour of assignment was 25 'missions' during 1943 and most of 1944.  Assignment to the Pathfinder force ( 8 Group) was for one tour of 45 sorties.

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World War II, and just before .

  June 1937 to May 1942 - A Whitley Bomber Squadron 

The Squadron was reformed at Finningley, Yorkshire, in June 1937 as No.77 Squadron from "B" Flight of No. 102 Squadron, but was moved in July 1937 to Honington, Suffolk. The Squadron was initially equipped, until November 1937, with Hawker Audax biplanes but they were briefly replaced by Vickers Wellesley single engine monoplane light bombers. In July 1938 the Squadron returned to Yorkshire as part of 4 Group, Bomber Command, where it was to remain throughout World War II except for a brief detachment from May to October 1942 to Coastal Command in Devon.  

The Air Ministry selected 4 Group to  specialise in night bombing operations. In November 1938 the squadron was requipped with Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mk III twin engine medium bombers, and from November 1939 the Mk V version, until April 1942 when remaining Bomber Command Whitley squadrons were transferred to Coastal Command.

During this period the squadron was based at Driffield (July 1938 - August 1940),  Linton-on-Ouse (August 1940 - October 1940), Topcliffe (October 1940 - September 1941), and Leeming (September 1941 - May 1942). Before the fall of France some squadron aircraft were temporarily based there,.

LINK TO :    The Officers of the Squadron in June 1940    Officers_77_june_1940.JPG

Whilst at Driffield on 14 August 1940 the airfield was attacked by Junkers 88 aircraft of the Luftwaffe and 12 Whitley bombers of 77 and 102 Squadrons were destroyed. Thirteen airmen and soldiers were killed.

An interesting  Whitley Operation - March 1940     Early in the war the Squadron became well known for pioneering flights.  On the night of 7th March 1940 two of the Squadron's Whitleys, captained by F/Lt B.Tomlin and F/Lt G.L.Raphael, flew from Villeneuve in France to drop leaflets on the historic city of Poznan, 270 km west of Warsaw in occupied Poland.  They were the first allied aircraft to fly over Poland during the war.   On the 15th March 1940 the Squadron flew a similar mission to Warsaw and it was on the return journey that an unusual  incident occurred.  F/Lt B.Tomlin in a Whitley V, with P/Off N.Parrott,  Sergeant Charlton,  Corporal Perry and Aircraftsman Erickson as crew, dropped the leaflets and turned for France.   However they encountered adverse weather and following avoiding manoeuvres began to run short of fuel. Night navigation on these early flights was carried out almost entirely by 'dead reckoning', a system of estimation using heading and speed. The crew had little idea of their true position but they decided that they were over France and the pilot descended to find a place to make an emergency landing. Choosing what appeared to be a suitable field the pilot circled at low altitude and was promptly fired upon by anti-aircraft guns.  Still believing that they were over France and that the fire was from friendly forces,  the pilot switched on the navigation lights and lowered the undercarriage,  indicating to those below that he was about to land.  The shooting stopped.   After a precarious landing on the uneven surface of a field,  the aircraft came to a stop, and peering out the crew spotted a youth running towards the aircraft.  The two Pilots jumped out to speak to him only to learn that they had in fact landed in Germany,  30 kilometres from  the French border.   Beating a hasty retreat they re-boarded the aircraft and were fortunate that the engines started immediately.  Taking off they flew in the direction indicated by the youth, hedge hopping over the Siegfried Line,  to land safely at Villeneuve, in friendly France.   The youth named Albert Kartes,  17 years of age,  was arrested and sent to prison for the offence of  'Supporting the enemy'.  He was released 6 weeks later when the local Constable of nearby  Neidersalbach,  was arrested for 'Not  fast moving enough in the 15 minutes the Whitley was on the ground.'.    On returning to base,  F/Lt Tomlin and his crew bought a bottle of Champagne which they presented to the engine fitter of the ground crew to show their appreciation for the engines starting immediately whilst on the ground in Germany. The return, or more likely its re-enactment, was filmed by Pathé and can be seen at "RAF Plane looses its way....."    (click for link)

Between the outbreak of war in 1939 and the end of December 1940 the squadron lost 27 aircraft on operations,  of which 2 crashed on return and 2 ditched. The casualties were 92 aircrew killed or missing believed dead and 21 taken prisoners of war.   Near the end of this period Berlin was attacked on several occasions and Turin twice, the latter target was at the extreme range for Whitley aircraft. Five aircraft were lost in the raids on Berlin.

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During the year 1941 the squadron lost 30 aircraft on operations, of which one was in an accident, 2 crashed and 3 ditched. The casualties were 112 aircrew killed or missing believed dead and 29 taken prisoners of war. Targets included Berlin, Hamburg, Bremen and the Ruhr. five aircraft were lost in raids on Berlin  and five in raids on Hamburg.

 < ( photo) Sergeant pilots of 77 Squadron in September 1939.

  Sgt.T.G.(Hamish) MaHaddie in the centre, joined the RAF in January 1928 as a "Halton" apprentice, training as a metal rigger. He was selected for pilot training in 1935 and later flew Wapiti bombers in Iraq. He joined 77 Squadron as a Sergeant pilot in 1937. He was commissioned in 1940 and became a legendary figure in Bomber Command. After completing a second tour with 7 Squadron on Stirlings in 1942-3 he became the  roving recruiting officer for the Pathfinder Force (PFF). later he was made Group Training Inspector in charge of the PFF Training Unit.  Known as the "horse thief ", he combed Bomber Command stations hijacking aircrews for the new elite force. He was awarded the  DSO, DFC and AFC. He retired from the RAF as a Group Captain in 1958 and became a consultant on making films about wartime flying. He died at the age of 86 on the 17th January 1997.

In the Bomber Command Order of Battle for the 9th January 1942 the squadron had 17 Whitley Mk V aircraft  on "unit charge". Soon after this the strength was expanded to 27 aircraft.

During the early part of the year 1942, prior to transfer to Coastal Command in  May ,  the squadron  lost 11 aircraft,  4 of which crashed and  one ditched. The casualties were 43 aircrew killed or missing believed dead and 5 taken prisoners of war.  Targets included St Nazaire, Emden , Rostock and Wilhelmshaven. 3 aircraft were lost in one raid on Wilhelmshaven.

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The 'Cost' of Whitley Operations on 77 Squadron

During the whole period the Squadron was operating Whitley aircraft with Bomber Command, September 1939 to May 1942, about 1687  operational sorties were flown on 239 raids, mostly over France and Germany, and 69  aircraft were lost, of which 65 were on operations, a loss rate of 4%. It is believed that the Squadron carried out more raids and suffered more losses than any other Whitley squadron. The theoretical probability of an aircrew member completing the standard tour of  30 operations was only around 30%.

  The casualties suffered were 245 aircrew either killed or missing believed dead and 59 taken prisoners of war. 10 ground personnel were also killed, mostly  during enemy attacks on airfields in the United Kingdom.  A further 48 aircrew whose aircraft were  lost either survived, evaded capture or were interned in a neutral country.

77Squadron Casualties on Whitley Operations with Bomber Command :

Out of the first hundred casualties, between the outbreak of war and December 1940, 70%  were RAF ("regulars") and 30%  RAFVR ("wartime volunteers").  In the second hundred casualties, between  January and November 1941, the RAF  component dropped to 10% and the that of the RAFVR increased to 73%, and a further 17% were from dominion air forces who had be sent to help the RAF.

The Whitley bomber was generally manned by a crew of five, consisting of two pilots, one of whom often did the navigation; an observer who acted as bomb aimer and sometimes as navigator or gunner, and two 'wireless operator air gunners' (WAG) who could  carry out either duties. However some aircrew were mustered for 'air gunner' duties only. The number of aircrew on the squadron at any one  time probably varied between about 75 in 1939 and  as many as 100 in late 1942.

It is estimated that at least 500 aircrew members served with the squadron on Whitleys. It should be remembered that of the estimated  150 to 170  aircrew members who managed to complete a first tour of operations on Whitleys most would have been required to carry out a second tour later in the War, consequently there are very few surviving Whitley aircrew. During the period of Whitley operations 29 DFC and 31 DFM were awarded to Squadron members.

May to October 1942 - Squadron With Coastal Command

The Squadron  temporarily joined 19 Group, Coastal Command, together with its Whitley aircraft, at Chivenor airfield in Devon on 6th May 1942. The operations carried out consisted of convoy escorts, antisubmarine patrols and shipping strikes off South West England. The Squadron returned to Bomber Command in October 1942. During the attachment 6 aircraft were lost on operations and the casualties suffered were 27 aircrew either killed or missing believed dead and 7 taken prisoners of war. Although one DFC was awarded in October this was probably mainly in respect of earlier operations with Bomber Command.

Return to Bomber Command - October 1942 to May 1945 - A Halifax Bomber Squadron

The Squadron moved to Elvington airfield, just outside York, and commenced intensive training on Halifax II aircraft in October 1942 but was not declared operational until the end of January 1943. In December 1942 following the loss of Wing Commander Embling the squadron received the unique distinction of having an air gunner, Wing Commander Arthur Ernest ("Lofty") Lowe, RAF, appointed as its commanding officer.

The squadron's first raid using the Halifax was against Lorient, France, on the 4th February 1943, this was followed by several raids mainly on similar targets. The first losses did not occur until 10th March 1943 when two aircraft were lost on a raid on Munich, and another on 29th March 1943 on Berlin.

However now the "Battle of the Ruhr" commenced and during April, May and June 1943 , 19 aircraft went missing on operations and 2 were lost in take-off accidents, aircrew casualties amounted to 122 killed or missing believed dead and 22 taken prisoners of war. At the time of the Bomber Command Order of Battle on 4th March 1943 the Squadron had 18 Halifax Mk2 aircraft on unit charge. So that during this battle, over a period of three months, the Squadron lost about as many aircraft and crews as its established strength.  

The Air Gunners of 77 Squadron with W/C Lowe, mid 1943.

During a comparative lull in operations 3 aircraft were lost in July. However during August and September 1943 attacks recommenced on various cities including  Berlin and Nuremberg and during these two months the Squadron lost, on operations, 21 aircraft, casualties amounted to 119 killed or missing believed dead and 32 taken prisoners of war, three aircrew evaded capture and returned to the UK. In two months the Squadron had  lost on operations almost the equivalent of its normal establishment in aircraft and aircrew.

<

 Awaiting Take Off at Elvington

  On the 12th October 1943 Wing Commander John A Roncoroni took over as the Squadron commander at a period when the Command began to experience some of its most severe losses. Aircrew had scarcely time to even get to know each other’s names never mind make friends.  During October and November 1943 the Squadron lost 7 aircraft on operations and one was involved in a collision with another aircraft on return from operations, casualties amounted to 45 killed or missing believed dead and 10 taken prisoner of war. Two aircrew members evaded capture.

At the end of November 1943 the "Battle of Berlin" commenced, altoughe for tactical reasons many other targets were included during this period and it is therefore usually considered as a whole.

During the period of the "battle" Halifax II and V aircraft, with which the Squadron was equipped, suffered a greater loss rate than any other aircraft type. According to data in the official history, "The Strategic Air Offensive Against Germany, 1939-1945 " , in December 1943, January  1944 and February 1944 149 aircraft of these types were lost by the Command on 1526 sorties, an overall loss rate of 9.8%. Had aircrews continued operating at this loss rate it is estimated that  only one aircrew in 22 would have completed a tour of 30 operations. At the end of January, over three nights, 77 Squadron lost 9 aircraft out of 60 sorties despatched, a loss rate of 15%.

Overall during the three months December 1943, January and February 1944 the squadron lost 19 aircraft on operations and 1 in an accident, casualties amounted to 103 aircrew killed or missing believed dead and 35 taken prisoners of war, one evaded capture, and 7 were killed in an accident. Squadron strength dropped to about a dozen crews and replacements were not coming in fast enough from the Heavy Conversion Units to rebuild it to establishment.   

During February 1944 in which the squadron lost 4 aircraft ACM Sir A Harris withdrew Halifax II and V aircraft from operations against German targets. The Squadron now commenced a period during which raids were mainly against railway installations and other targets in Northern France aimed at damaging the communications infrastructure prior to the invasion of Europe. It was considered that as these targets were not generally well protected by fighters and flak that the loss rate would be less. However the "Battle of Berlin" was practically over and the Air Ministry was beginning to change its priorities in respect of the whole bomber force prior to "Overlord", the invasion of Europe. From March onwards most squadrons were operating on pre invasion targets in France.

On the Squadron during March and April 1944 only 6 aircraft were lost , and in May 1944 only one. Casualties over the three months, March, April and May 1944, amounted to 38 aircrew killed or missing believed dead and 6 taken prisoners of war. 6 aircrew members also evaded capture .

In March 1944 the Squadron became aware that Elvington was to be handed over to two Free French Squadrons, and as preliminary aircrew were introduced to Tannoy announcements in French and free wine in the messes. A French station commander was appointed and all British ground staff were progressively replaced by French personnel. On 14th May 1944 the Squadron moved to Full Sutton airfield nearby and at the same time commenced conversion to Halifax III aircraft, which had much better performance and equipment than the II & V series.

Halifax Mk III 

At Full Sutton

The beginning of June 1944 and D day passed with full squadron participation but without any operational losses. The frequency of operations was stepped up but most flying was of a tactical nature in support of the the invasion forces. The strategic bombing of Germany was significantly reduced.

However on the 16th June 1944 a raid was called for on the synthetic oil plant at Sterkrade, in the Ruhr, which turned out to be the most disastrous in the squadron's history. 25 aircraft were despatched, 1 failed to take off, 1 returned early, 6 went missing and 1 ditched in the North Sea but the aircrew were rescued. On this raid 27 aircrew were killed or missing believed dead, 16 were taken prisoners of war and 7 returned safely to the UK. Three further aircraft were lost during the last week of June 1944 on French targets, making a total of  10 aircraft lost during the month, in which  51 aircrew were killed or missing believed dead, and 18 taken  prisoners of war, one aircrew member evaded capture.

A SUCCESSFUL DITCHING The aircraft which ditched on return from Sterkrade was Halifax III,  MX705 KNQ.   On the way home after dropping their bombs they were attacked by a JU88 and severely damaged.   The portside outer engine cut twice and the wing was on fire.  The flaps were shot away and there was severe damage to the portside fuselage.  Nevertheless the JU88 was hit by the gunners and burst into flame, it was claimed as destroyed.  The Pilot headed for the emergency airfield at Woodbridge but  the fire had spread so much that it was decided to ditch in the North Sea. None of the aircrew were injured either in the attack or ditching.  A Wellington on patrol spotted the dinghy and signalled that help was on its way.  The aircrew was subsequently picked up by a patrol boat and taken to Lowestoft.  The Pilot,  P/O S E Judd,  was awarded an immediate DFC. His aircrew were F/Sgt G B.Buss, navigator, F/Sgt J Plowright, bomb aimer, F/Sgt J R Trengove RAAF, wireless operator, Sgt H T Godwin, flight engineer,. Sgt R G Blackwell and Sgt W P Rogers, air gunners. The aircrew was soon back on operations.  Because it was accounted for this aircraft was not officially included in the number that went missing on this raid. (An active member of the Association Syd Judd died in May 2008)

Between July and December 1944 although the frequency of raids was maintained many were of a tactical nature and some raids were now carried out in daylight. Losses declined sharply and only 5 aircraft failed to return from operations during these 6 months. Casualties amounted to 25 aircrew killed or missing believed dead, and 8 taken prisoners of war. 5 aircrew members evaded capture. There were no losses at all on operations in the months of July and October. During the first half of this period many raids were in daylight against V weapon sites in Northern France, these were flown below 6000 feet.

Between the 25th September and the 2nd October the squadron carried out 175 transport sorties carrying petrol (gasoline) from Yorkshire to Brussels in support of the army, who were running short of fuel following operation "Market Garden", the attack on Arnhem. Each Halifax carried about 163 x  4 Imperial gallon cans, weighing around 5000 lb., stacked in the fuselage. This flying was officially considered non operational from a tour point of view!

From October 1944 onwards there was a significant return to the strategic bombing of Germany, however the German fighter defences were short of fuel and had become generally ineffective despite the introduction jet and rocket powered aircraft. The intensity of the strategic bombing effort was greatly increased and many more sorties were flown but with a marked reduction in losses. Nevertheless a further 8 aircraft were lost in January,  February, March and April 1945.  Casualties amounted to 45 aircrew  killed or missing believed dead and 12 taken prisoners of war. Following the raid on Dresden, which was carried out on the 13^th February 1945, causing immense damage and considerable loss of life, Mr Churchill , the prime minister, called for reduction in strategic bombing, The last  operation of the war was carried out on the 25th April 1945. 

The ‘Cost’ of Halifax Operations on 77 Squadron

During the whole period of Halifax operations, just over two years, a total of 3954 sorties took off of which 151 were recalled and 216 aborted, on 238 bombing and 56 mine laying raids. 103 aircraft were lost on operations, including one ditching and one in a collision on return. In addition 9 aircraft were written off after operations without loss of life. The average loss rate was 2.9% (3.1% if the written off aircraft are included), but as about 70% of the losses occurred in the first year of operations the average loss rate during this period was substantially higher than during the last year of the war.

Overall on Halifax operations a total of   577 aircrew were killed or missing believed dead, and  a further 25 were killed in accidents some of which were closely connected with operations. 146 were taken  prisoners of war and 18 evaded capture. It is estimated that about 1300 aircrew members served on Halifax aircraft with the Squadron.

The worst year for 77 Squadron was that between  March 1943 and February 1944 when the squadron was based at Elvington, one during which 72 Halifax aircraft were lost on operations, involving  529 aircrew either killed or taken prisoners of war.

Decorations Awarded to crew on Halifax Operations

During the period of Halifax operations 2 DSO, 1 CGM, 154 DFC, 3 bar to DFC, 71 DFM and 2 MBE, a total of 233 decorations, were awarded to squadron members.

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An in depth analysis of  aircrew losses, on Halifax operations between March 1943  and  March 1944, reveals different levels of survival in aircraft shot down for the various aircrew categories. During this period the squadron suffered its greatest sustained casualty rate of the war with 74 aircraft failing to return from operations,  an average loss of about 40 aircrew a month when the establishment was around 150 to 200 aircrew members. In the following table it has been assumed that supernumerary aircrew members were always pilots.

It should also be recognised that these figures are based on a presumption of aircrew category which may not have always be correct, but they are a good indication of the general trend in losses. The apparent discrepancy between totals is mainly because some pilots killed were flying on  "experience" flights with other crews.

Access to Excel Spreadsheets analysing Losses & Casualties are available though the following Links: 

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/r_m_g.varley/Roll_of_Honour_Whitley_alphabetical.xls

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/r_m_g.varley/Roll_of_Honour_Whitley_by_date.xls

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/r_m_g.varley/Analyssis of Whitley losses and casualties 77 Sqd.xls

 http://homepage.ntlworld.com/r_m_g.varley/Analyssis of Halifax losses and casualties 77 Sqd.xls

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Summary of Squadron stations during World War II 

Driffield : Jul 1938-Aug 1940
Detachments in France (Villeneuve, code name Sister) at various times during period Oct 1939-Mar 1940.
Detachments at Kinloss, Nov 1939 (on loan to No.18 Gp. Coastal Command) & Apr/May 1940.
Linton-on-Ouse : Aug 1940-Oct 1940
Topcliffe : Oct 1940-Sep 1941
Leeming : Sep 1941-May 1942
Chivenor (on loan to No. 19 Group, Coastal Command) : May 1942-Oct 1942
Elvington : Oct 1942-May 1944
Full Sutton : May 1944-May 1945
Transferred to Transport Command 7.5.45.

Squadron Commanders

W/Cdr J. Bradbury February 1939

W/Cdr C.H. Appleton November 1939

W/Cdr J. MacDonald June 1940

W/Cdr G.T. Jarman August 1940

W/Cdr D.P. Hanafin May 1941

W/Cdr D.O. Young September 1941

W/Cdr D.C.T Bennett December 1941

W/Cdr J.R.A. Embling April 1942

W/Cdr A.E. Lowe December 1942

W/Cdr J.A. Roncoroni October 1943

W/Cdr D.S. Clark September 1944

W/Cdr J.D.R. Forbes December 1944 

After World War II

May 1945  to June 1949 A Dakota Transport Squadron

On 7th May 1945 the Squadron was transferred to Transport Command . Following conversion on to Dakota aircraft it was moved to Mauripur in India in August 1945. On the 1st November 1946 it was disbanded and reformed as No. 31 Squadron.

  However on 1st December 1946 77 Squadron was reformed at Manston, Kent, with Dakotas. On the 11 December 1947 the Squadron moved to Waterbeach and on 1st August 1948 to Feltwell from where it took part in the Berlin Airlift. It was again disbanded on the 1st June 1949.

September 1958 to July 1963 A Guided Weapon Squadron

  In 1958 RAF Feltwell was transferred to Bomber Command, where it became a strategic missile station responsible for Nos. 77, 82, 107, 113, and 220 Squadrons and the Command Strategic Missile School. In August 1958, Bomber Command's first IRBM squadron, No.77, was formed at RAF Feltwell. The first Douglas Thor Missile for the squadron was received on 19 September 1958.

 Although the name had been resurrected the Squadron involved neither aircraft nor aircrew. The Strategic Air Command, USAF, retained control over the squadron's nuclear warheads and assigned a detachment to perform four functions: (1) retain custody and control over, and provide maintenance for, reentry vehicles and warheads; (2) receive and initiate US warhead release orders; (3) operate USAF communications facilities; and (4) provide training to the Royal Air Force. In August 1963 the Thor base was disbanded .  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Main Sources :
"Some of the Many 77 Squadron 1939-45", Roy Walker, Hollies Publications of West Wickham  1995
 "Esse Potius Quam Videri - a Brief History of 77 (Bomber) Squadron, RAF.", Harry Shinkfield, 1994   "77 Squadron Honours and Awards 1939-45", Roy Walker, 1996.
  "Bomber Squadrons of the RAF..", Philip Moyes, 1976.
  "The Bomber Command War Diaries", Middlebrook & Everitt, 1985.
  "The Strategic Air Offensive Against Germany 1939-1945", Webster & Frankland, 1961.
   It is acknowledged that the Squadron crest is Crown Copyright.

77 RAF Squadron Photograph in April( or May) 1944 at Elvington.
Aircrew only,(about 80% of establishment ).

Whilst previous photos were take of the aircrew on the squadron this is the only one on which a substantial number have been identified by name.

Left hand side of picture, names from left to right
Top.? , ? , ? , H.Godwin, R.Blackwell, D.Rogers, J.Plowright,T.Nash, G.McGillivray, G.R.Bird, ? , W.Malanchuk, J.R.Currie, ? ,? ,
Middle. P.Davison, S.E.Judd, G.Buss, J.Trengrove, J.Warburton, J.Christian, E.K.Hall, A.Craig, D.Stonham,K.Jury, ? ,D.W.Cobden
Front. B.Duff, M.Powell, H.Laking, E.Drake, A.Hunter, W.Braithwaite, A.F.R.Hull, A.K.Mann, C.F.Parry, R.M.G.Varley, E.J.Hale, M.G.Cooper, Lsimpson

Centre section of picture, names from left to right
Top. J.R.Currie,? , ? ,? , ? , G.Edwards, H.V.Pearce, F.Morgan, I.D.Hancocks, R.Brooks, G.Kendal, E.G.Godden, ?, ? , ?, ?, ? , ? ,
Middle.D.W.Cobden, J.E.Dean, J.E.Musson, E.Sutton, K..May, E.V.Edwards, A.Presbury, F.W.Walters, J.S.La Planche, G.H.Payne, C.J.Symes, W.A.Spears,   M.Holliday, T.Roddy, H.V.Jacques, H.Smith.
Front. M.G.Cooper, L.Simpson, ? , W J J Welch, J.Roncoroni(W/C), S.Bertram(G/C), A.D.Webb, E.C.Homer, D.Brotchie, D.Hill, R.L.Butterworth, S.Gunn, A.Cranswick, G.Norwood,  J.Scrivens.

Right hand side of picture, names from left to right
Top: ? , ? , ? , A.A.Jenkins, ? , V.R.Brown, ? , ? , ? , W.L.E.Brinker, A.Manstoff,  W J Young
Middle.: H.Smith, R.Fisher, C.White, R.Williams, P.Sinclair, F.Robertson, C.Marsden, H.E.Bridges, R.L.Beckingham, J.A.Cardiff, B.D.Smith, E.D.Chambers
Front.:G.Norwood, J.Scrivens, H.McKenzie, D.G.Cumming, J.Waddilove, ? , A.G.Cragg, J.S.Ward, A.Stadnyk, N.R.Mason, R.A.Colquhon, W.H.Cooper, T.Callaghan

As the "?" appear to be in clusters these persons could be members of crews which was later shot down and had been only a short period on the squadron. Probably  twenty per-cent  were absent, including Ernest Brown, Stan Reese and Peter Baker
The names have been inserted as a result of research by Horace Pearce and Mike Varley, apologies for mistakes and omissions. Inadvertent after 60 years. The quality of the pictures are limited by the internet, Mike Varley can supply by email slightly higher definition prints of smaller areas of these pictures.

B Flight Farewell to Wing Commander Roncoroni (Aug/Sept 1944)

Centre John Roncoroni and Denis Webb

Carl Schultz (RCAF), John Roncoroni, Mike Varley & Bill Walker (RCAF)

Left Denis Webb, Front Left John Roncoroni, Front Right Bill Walker, Right Jim Hale.

PLEASE NOTE  

Enquiries concerning either membership of the Association, or any individual who served on the Squadron , should be sent by post to the Hon. Secretary , Harry Shinkfield, at the address given at the start.  However the funds of the Association are very limited so that if any significant research or overseas postal costs are anticipated this should be taken in to account.
The Association will not provided the names, addresses or telephone numbers of members. Very, very few are 'on the net'. At the Secretary's discretion a letter may be forwarded to a member .

Contributions sent to the site administator may, if suitable and subject to editing, be incorporated into the site.

Historical and statistical information is presented  in good faith from available sources but has no official backing .

Last Revised 14^th June 2008.

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