Dedicated to the memory of the 894 members of 77 Squadron, RAF,  who were killed in action during World War 2.

BACKGROUND TO

“THE 77 SQUADRON RAF ASSOCIATION”

 ORIGIN

The idea of an association of former members of No.77 Squadron Royal Air Force was first mooted over twenty five years ago by "helpers" at The Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington Airfield, near York. In October 1987 an informal meeting of about 100 former aircrew, ground personnel and WAAF, who had served on the Squadron, together with many of their spouses and friends took place at the Museum. Following this meeting in May 1988 an Association was formed and it was resolved to hold an annual reunion and publish a newsletter to be known as the "Nickel Leaflet."

The reasons for the belated formation of an association, more than forty years after the end of Worl War 2 , are not obvious. The same delay applied to the Bomber Command Association which was not formed until 1985. One contributory factor was probably that the main body of wartime Bomber Command aircrew were civilian volunteers who were enrolled in the “VR”, the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve which was established in 1936. After peace all but a few left the service, they were 'demobbed'' and returned to 'civvy street'. Similarly the majority of Bomber Command squadrons were disbanded and never formed any permanent part of the the post war RAF.

In addition life on a war time Bomber Command squadron was not conducive to creating long term friendships. The pattern of social life was somewhat different to that in the other forces, and even that amongst RAF ground staff and other RAF Commands. The army had its regiments and the navy its ships, and both often had traditions of long term affiliation.

Aircrew were never dedicated long term members of a wartime Bomber squadron, they were posted to it from a training unit and were then either killed or 'screened' on completing a tour. After 'screening' the crew would be split up and posted to different training units. It was a very rare occurrence for aircrew to return to the same squadron for a further tour of operational duty. This procedure lead to a continuous change in the residential population of both the officer's and sergeant's messes. My own experience over a 9 month tour in 1944 was that almost the whole aircrew population on the squadron had changed in that time.

Air Marshal Harris estimated that 125,000 aircrew served during the war with Bomber Command, but no official estimate has ever been published. On the 21^st May 1947 the Air Ministry did published a statement that whilst serving with Bomber Command 55,500 aircrew had been killed and 9,838 taken prisoner of war. A further 9,838 were wounded, but this figure excluded those wounded and taken prisoners of war. These figures gives an approximate overall fatal casualty rate of 44%, and taking account of the number of POW a 48% probability of surviving a tour of operations. However these figures are the average for the whole duration of the war and in the shorter term become somewhat modified by the vast increase in sorties flown, and the dramatic decrease in losses after the spring of 1944. Undoubtedly up to the middle of 1944 the probability of completing a tour was considerably less, and for periods of several months it fell below 25%.

The number of aircrew who served with 77 Squadron during the war is not known. However based on the number killed and taken prisoner of war, and using the Command's overall average, it is estimated as being of the order of 2,200. The number of squadron aircrew killed was 883, and 214 were taken prisoners of war, these figures are accurate and given with complete confidence. At the end of the war it has been estimated that there were probably at least 1,100 surviving ex- squadron aircrew still living. However if the low losses during the last year of the war are compensated for then this estimate could be increased to around 1,500 by May 1945. It is very difficult to estimate the number still alive but it would seem unlikely that it is much more than 50, and possibly as low as 25. Within 10 years it may well fall to only 3 or 5.

MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY 

 Membership of the Association is open to anyone who has served on 77 Squadron, regardless  of sex, rank, category or trade, at any time during its existence. Membership may also be extended by the Committee to Station Personnel at Airfields from which the Squadron operated, close relations of former squadron members, friends of those who qualify for membership, and persons who have shown an active interest in the Squadron history. Application for membership should be sent in the form of a letter, by  post, to the Hon. Secretary, currently the rate of subscription is £3.- a year, renewable on the 1st November.

Membership entitles one to receive the "Nickel Leaflet" twice a year, in April and October. A dinner is held annually in September at Elvington for which a separate charge is made.  Although most of the surviving veterans are now around 90 years old there are some signs that their children and grandchildren are beginning to take a greater interest in their ancestors and what they did in the far off days of WW2. Because of the large number of aircrew killed their service is now often compared with the sacrifices made during the great battles of WW1. Overall of the estimated 125,000 aircrew who served in Bomber Command 55,500 were killed and 9,838 were taken prisoner of war.

 Those who think they can help keep the association alive should contact the Secretary, eligibility for membership is now fairly flexible

 NUMBER OF MEMBERS

At the beginning of the year 2002 there were 291 members of which 231 were veterans and 60 were relatives or friends. The figures in September 2006 showed a total membership of 319  but the number of veterans had fallen to 149.

The reunion in 2001 was attended by 93 people of whom 42 were veterans who had served on the Squadron. However the passage of time is taking its toll and Bill Foote reported that in September 2010 the number attending the reunion had fallen to 49, including 10 veterans, and in 2011 it was 54 and 9 respectively. 

COMMITTEE

  An Annual General Meeting is not held and the committee has the power to  reappoint and co-opt members. In recent years it has proved difficult to get members to serve on the committee as practically have reached, or approaching, their ninetieth year, and few live near York. The tendency has been for the committee members to come from the Yorkshire area although the squadron has never had any formal territorial affiliations.

 THE ASSOCIATION’S ACHIEVMENTS

The Association achievements  include  the establishment of an highly informative  Squadron history room at the Yorkshire Air Museum , Elvington., Nr. York, the erection of a Squadron Memorial  at the main gate  of the old RAF station at Elvington,  and the installing of a memorial window in the  Church of the Holy Trinity in Elvington village. In addition the.........................................

THE NICKLEL  LEAFLET

  One of the most important factors in keeping  the Association  going has  been the "Nickel Leaflet" which was edited and regularly  published, twice a year without fail, by Harry Shinkfield, squadron historian and  friend of the squadron,  on a voluntary basis between 1991 and 2009. In 2001 Harry also  became the association's honorary secretary.  The  'leaflet' generally consists of about 25 A5 pages and contains historical articles, details of operations, obituaries and numerous letters from members.

 Sadly Harry suffered a stroke in 2008 and on the 25th January 2009 had to resign, he sadly died on the 18th June 2010. In February 2010 Mrs Rachel Semlyen, a local Elvington resident and founder of the Yorkshire Air Museum, took over as secretary of the association, and the chairman, Bill Foote, has become the squadron historian. Bill , Rachel and Van Wilson are collaborating to produce future "Nickels".

MEMBERS IN THE ‘SOUTH’
  Between 1993 and 2009 a luncheon was held annually  in May at Midhurst, Sussex, by some of  those members living in the "south" of England and who generally, but not exclusively, had served as aircrew on the Halifax. Seven veterans and five friends or relatives managed to make it in May, 2009. However due to deaths, illness and transport difficulties that in 2010 had to be cancelled, and no more are now likely.

 INFORMATION ON MEMBERS

The Association will not provided the names, addresses or telephone numbers of members. Very few veterans are on line. At the Chairman's or Secreary's discretion a letter may be forwarded to a member .

THE  ASSOCIATION ON FACEBOOK

The association is active on Facebook , in which participation is open to all

http://www.facebook.com/pages/77-Squadron-RAF-Association/192797620759200

 Pictures, news and comments are being contributed by the Secretary, together with the friends and relatives of veterans. This is now the best informal way to keep in touch or making known you own views. Sadly as the number of veterans is now rapidly declining, and few are computer users Facebook will mainly appeal to the younger generation of  friends and relatives. 

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS SITE AND CONTACT

Contributions sent to the site administrator may, if suitable and subject to editing, be incorporated into the site.  The site is written, prepared and hosted by Mike Varley, who was a navigator on the Squadron during 1944, for the association as an amateur project.

Link Contact email :  Varley_mike@yahoo.co.uk

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AIRCRAFT LOSSES AND CASUALTIES ON 77 Squadron (RAF) during World War 2

(Note:  A raid is a coordinated aggressive  intrusion in to enemy territory ,or waters, by of one or more aircraft.  A sortie, or in US usage a mission,, is a flight by either a single aircraft  or an individual on a raid ,

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

.  The casualties suffered were 245 aircrew either killed or missing believed dead and 59 taken prisoners of war. 10 ground personnel were also killed,   during the enemy attack on Driffield.  A further 48 aircrew, whose aircraft were  lost, either survived, evaded capture or were interned in a neutral country. It is estimated that at least 500 aircrew members served on Whitleys with the squadron.

 On Halifax aircraft  between February 1943 to May 1945

 During the whole period of Halifax operations, just over two years, a total of 3954 aircraft 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% , excluding aborts & recalls.  However during  the first year  72 aircraft were lost on 1227 sorties giving an average  loss rate of 5.8%, which meant  that  during this period only one crew in six  completed a tour of operations.

 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 at least 1300 aircrew members served on Halifax aircraft with the Squadron.

Association News.

The NEXT REUNION will be held at Elvington on the weekend of the 8^th & 9^th of September (2012) . Instructions for making a booking have been circulated with Nickel Leaflet No.49. If you have not received a copy of the application form contact the Secretary by email as soon as possible.

In addition to the Dinner on the evening of Saturday 8^th September the Trustees of the Allied Air Forces Memorial are inviting those attending to a VIP Reception and Luncheon at noon on Sunday, after which there will be Commemorative Service in the Elvington Hangar conducted by His Grace the Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu

NICKEL LEAFLET No 49 , Aptil/May 2012, DISTRIBUTED

Another Nickel Leaflet , No.49, was recently despatched to all members of the Association. Twenty eight pages in size , including the cover. It contains details of the forthcoming reunion in September 2012. There is also a detailed abstract from the the Squadron's Operational Record Book covering the raid carried out on the 20^th January 1944 on Berlin,.

 HISTORICAL QUERIES

The Chairman, Bill Foote, took over as the association's squadron historian in April 2010. Bill is not on the 'net' but he can be contacted by post. However  queries can be sent to the webmaster by email varley_mike@yahoo.co.uk  , who will either try and answer them himself or pass them on to Bill, but do not expect a quick reply. Remember the association is a private one and does not hold any official records. We have limited information on those killed, in action, but do not have a record of all those who served on the squadron.  It always helps in dealing with queries concerning former members of the squadron if the service number, rank , trade and full name are given together with an indication of when they were with the squadron.

Bill Foote sadly suffered a bad fall at his home around the end of February (2012) and fractured his hip. He lives on his own and there was a substantial interval before he was found. However he is thankfully making a good recovery having returned home after three weeks in hospital, nevertheless only to face a cataract operation in May. The hazards of advancing years, soon all our veterans will be nonagenarians.

YOUR CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS

Would association members, or one of their family, send the Secretary an email address through which they may be contacted. It is quick and in practical terms FREE. Every exchange of letters by Royal Mail now costs over a pound, half of which has to borne by the Association meagre budget.

  THE ATTENDING VETERANS AT THE LAST YEAR (2011) REUNION.  

HELP THE ASSOCIATION , MAKE A DONATION NOW !

PAYMENTS & DONATIONS TO  “77 SQUADRON RAF ASSOCIATION” 

The Association has a PayPal  account  through which anybody may make payments or donations from most countries.  This facilitate avoids the trauma in sending  either cheques, money orders or cash from overseas.   To make  a payment or donation first go to the following website - link;

 https://www.paypal-marketing.co.uk/sendmoney/index.htm

then key in the following email address in the appropriate place

info@77squadronrafassociation.org.uk

If you do not already have a PayPal account you will need to set one up, the instructions on how to do so are on the PayPal web site.  Make sure you understand the security implications.

 The only income the association has is from subscriptions and donations, we do not wish to increase the former so please consider the latter

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This site is written, prepared and hosted by Mike Varley, a navigator on the Squadron during 1944, for the association.

It is an entirely amateur developed production, 

Contact email :     Mike Varley   (click)

 The site has been included in the Yahoo Directory and appears in the data base of the Google search engine.The site is continuously under expansion & revision

COME BACK AND HAVE ANOTHER LOOK

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

 Click to go to   Mike Varley's Homepagel

The 77 Squadron RAF Memorial at Elvington