627 Squadron in retirement
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Please click on the thumbnails to view the images full-size. Photos appear in a popup window so if you use popup killer software you will need to override it to view the photographs.
If you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 1
"A" Flight at Woodhall Spa in mid 1944. Flight Sergeant i/c "Jock" Taylor standing beneath the Mosquito nose. Flight Commander at the time S/Ldr Ronnie Churcher, DFC. seated with six of the Pilots and W/O Pedler Palmer - Sqdn Servicing Engineer.
"B" Flight at Woodhall Spa in mid 1944. Flight Sergeant i/c "Gerry" Garton standing behind the Flight Commander at the time S/Ldr Rupert Oakley, DFM,DFC. Pilots and Navigators seated and kneeling.
Woodhall Spa September 1945
Woodhall Spa exact date unknown. Back Row 4th from left is:- Geoffrey Brown The Squadron's first CO, Wing Commander Roy Elliott DSO DFC* Eric Arthur of Mount Gambier, South Australia. Taken by his pilot John Herriman Three of the Squadron's senior NCOs, Ken Flatt, Doug Garton and Vic Atter outside "B" Flight hut. M Mike - Pilot John Herriman in cockpit
Navigator Eric Arthur - taking photographEric Arthur Naviagtor of Mount Gambier, South Australia. l-r John Herriman, Eric Arthur, Harold Oliver, John Buckley l-r Alec McLellan, Max Phillips, Frank Armstrong, Bill Barnett
John Herriman on the tail of V Victor John Herriman in the cockpit of V Victor Eric Arthur Navigator with ground crew of V Victor Rollo Kingsford-Smith and a group of "volunteers" who borrowed a 617 Squadron Lancaster to go look for Rollos brother in Germany on V-E Day. The dark uniforms are RCAF the light ones RAf but Identities are unknown at present. See At Second Sight for the full SP.
Eric Arthur Navigator with ground crew of V Victor BR - A, B, Len Blake, Alan Webb (the man behind At First Sight)
FR - Jack Spinak, Charlie Cope, Les SeagraveL to R
LAC Harding, F/S Ranshaw, F/Sgt Marshallsay
LAC James Wookey, LAC KinscoteIf you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 6
"Bill" Hickox and "Benny" Goodman "D" DZ 547 in September 1945. Arrived on the Squadron 5th January 1944 as "O", was on loan to 692 Squadron on its formation until March 1944, and then remained on 627 until disbandment. Photograph: Don Longmore Collection.
If you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 8
Still from Brian Harris's Video "Mosquitos Airborne". Still from Brian Harris's Video "Mosquitos Airborne".
L-R
Brian Harris DFC Pilot "Johnny" Johnson - - -
If you can identify anyone in the photograph please let me know. Picture 10Still from Brian Harris's Video "Mosquitos Airborne". If you can identify anyone in the photograph please let me know
Picture 11
Still from Brian Harris's Video "Mosquitos Airborne". Still from Brian Harris's Video "Mosquitos Airborne". Still from Brian Harris's Video "Mosquitos Airborne". 627 Squadron Monthly Bombing Pactice Trophy. Winners as follows:- August '44 F/L RL Bartley DFC; September '44 F/L WW Topper; October '44 F/L HV Bland
November '44 F/L WH Yeadell; December '44 F/L JE Whitehead; January '45 F/L WW Topper
February '45 W/O TG Bennett; March '45 F/L H Bridges.
Ground crew having a break during the fitting of larger drop tanks to the wings of the Squadron's Mosquitos If you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 15
Three of the Squadron's senior NCOs, Ken Flatt, Doug Garton and Vic Atter, with own transport in front of Leonard Cheshire's Mk VI Mosquito at RAF Woodhall Spa. No fuel shortage here. M Mike - Pilot John Herriman in cockpit
Navigator Eric Arthur - taking photographVE-Day
If you can identify anyone in the photograph please let me know
Picture 16
VE-Day
F/Sgt on left is Doug "Gerry" Garton
If you can identify anyone in the photograph please let me know
Picture 17If you can identify anyone in the photograph please let me know
FR centre couple are Flying Officer Frederick Stanbury and his wife Barbara
F/Sgt on left is Doug "Gerry" Garton 2nd Left
Picture 18 taken prior to 18/09/44VE-Day
If you can identify anyone in the photograph please let me know
Picture 19
"A" Flight Oakington, March 1944. In centre "B" DZ353 - the rather over exposed Mossie appearing in a series of photographs while serving with 105 Squadron as "GB-E". DZ353 was lost on a visual marking operation on Rennes on 8th June 1944. Photograph: Brian Harris Collection.
Servicing - "A" Flight March 1944. "C" DZ632, one of the early Cookie carriers. This was one of the modified Mossies handed over to 139 Squadron the day 627 moved to Woodhall Spa, where there was no need for a 4000lb bomb carrying capacity. Photograph: Brian Harris Collection.
If you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 20
If you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 21
The way of sereral Mossies - "E" DZ344 too close to Oakington's turf for comfort. This aircraft was originally with 1655 MTU: it came to 627 Squadron in March '44, carried out eight operational sorties before ground looping: declaRED Cat. B., it was rebuilt, served with 692 Squadron and then returned to 627; Later attached to 2 Group and SOC 12-6-45.
Photographer Brian Harris Picture 22
Photographer Brian Harris Picture 23
Mosquito VI DZ642 - "H" Harry. Pilot - F/L J.A. Reid, Navigator - F/O W.D. Irwin RCAF. Crashed 22nd November '44 on Royal Hill Shetland at 150 ft on return from raid on Trondheim. Attempted landing at Scasta with full overcast at 1000 ft and patches at 800 ft. Given and completed course to fly through cloud for first leg, started second leg after which nothing was heard. He had stated he was short of fuel. See "At Second Sight" - The Crash of AZ-H DZ642 at Sumburgh by Brian Harris
Mosquito VI DZ642 - "H" Harry. Pilot - F/L J.A. Reid, Navigator - F/O W.D. Irwin RCAF. Crashed 22nd November '44 on Royal Hill Shetland at 1500 ft on return from raid on Trondheim. Attempted landing at Scasta with full overcast at 1000 ft and patches at 800 ft. Given and completed course to fly through cloud for first leg, started second leg after which nothing was heard. He had stated he was short of fuel. See "At Second Sight" - The Crash of AZ-H DZ642 at Sumburgh by Brian Harris
Mosquito VI DZ642 - "H" Harry. Pilot - F/L J.A. Reid, Navigator - F/O W.D. Irwin RCAF. Crashed 22nd November '44 on Royal Hill Shetland at 1500 ft on return from raid on Trondheim. Attempted landing at Scasta with full overcast at 1000 ft and patches at 800 ft. Given and completed course to fly through cloud for first leg, started second leg after which nothing was heard. He had stated he was short of fuel. See "At Second Sight" - The Crash of AZ-H DZ642 at Sumburgh by Brian Harris
Mosquito VI DZ642 - "H" Harry crash sight Memorial Pilot - F/L J.A. Reid, Navigator - F/O W.D. Irwin RCAF
photo John Leach Shetland
Mosquito VI DZ642 - "H" Harry. Crash sight Pilot - F/L J.A. Reid, Navigator - F/O W.D. Irwin RCAF
photo John Leach Shetland
Mosquito VI DZ642 - "H" Harry. Crash sight Pilot - F/L J.A. Reid, Navigator - F/O W.D. Irwin RCAF
photo John Leach Shetland
Mosquito VI DZ642 - "H" Harry. Crash sight Pilot - F/L J.A. Reid, Navigator - F/O W.D. Irwin RCAF
photo John Leach Shetland
Area of the flying bomb storage depot. St Leu D'Esserent. This is the target area before the overnight visit by Bomber Command on July 7th 1944. Photograph Crown Copyright.
Area of the flying bomb storage depot. St Leu D'Esserent. This is the target area after the overnight visit by Bomber Command on July 7th 1944. Insert "A" shows the large subsidence of earth above the tunnel entrance to the storage caves. Craters can be seen over the tunnel area and a great deal of earth has collapsed into the tunnel entrance. Photograph Crown Copyright.
Believed to be aftermath of raid by 5 Group on 1-2 May 1944 same night as the Toulose raid below. Official Bomber Command History site quote "46 lancasters and 4 Mosquitos of No 5 Group carried out an accurate attack on the aircraft repair workshops at Tours. The main buildings were completely destroyed. No aircraft lost".
Aircraft assembly plant Tolouse. Taken after attack on Mayday 1944. Pouderie Nationale & Nationale de L'Industrie de L'Azote - Toulose
Photograph Public Records Office,Aunay 14/15 June:- 337 aircraft - 223 Lancasters, 100 Halifaxes, 14 Mosquitos - of Nos 4, 5 and 8 Groups attacked German troop and vehicle positions at Aunay-sur-Odon and Évrecy, near Caen. These raids were prepared and executed in great haste, in response to an army report giving details of the presence of major German units. The weather was clear and both targets were successfully bombed. The target at Aunay, where the marking was shared by Nos 5 and 8 Groups, was particularly accurate. No aircraft were lost.
Squadron Reunion 1948 or 1949 London
Far right rear Eric (Pat) Patterson - 'tache and uniform
Back row 6th from left: Ronnie Pate; Back row 2nd from right - Bill Topper; Front row 2nd from left - Vic "Garth" Davis; Back row 3rd from left Andre Heggie
If you can identify anyone else in the photograph please let me know
Picture 29Reunion at the Bricklayers Arms, Shamley Green, 1989. Reunion at the Bricklayers Arms, Shamley Green, 1989. Reunion at the Bricklayers Arms, Shamley Green, 1989. Launch of "At First Sight", Mosquito Aircraft Museum, 1991 Picture 33
If you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 34
If you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 35
If you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 36
Reunion at RAF Museum Hendon early 1990's
?, Hector Bridges, Petronella Bridges, Ernie Chester, ?
If you can identify the photograph please let me know
Picture 37Reunion at RAF Museum Hendon early 1990's
Alan Webb, ?, Brian Harris DFC, Glynis harris
If you can identify the photograph please let me know. Picture 38If you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 39
If you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 40
If you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 41
If you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 42
If you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 43
If you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 44
If you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 45
If you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 46
If you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 47
If you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 48
If you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 49
If you can identify the photograph please let me know Picture 50
Alan web Left
If you can identify the photograph please let me knowPicture 51
If you can identify the photograph please let me know
Picture 52
If you can identify the photograph please let me know
Picture 53
If you can identify the photograph please let me know
Picture 54Peter Mallender, Thorpe Camp, 1998 627 Sqn Plaque at the TCVC Garden of Remembrance 627 Sqn Plaque at the TCVC Garden of Remembrance Display at Thorpe Camp Visitor centre
Rudder of Flying Officer John Christie's Mosquito
Shot down over France, rudder was kept on a loacl farm for decades. Brought back to Licolnshire by nephew Dave Christie, reportedly on his roof rackWoodhall Spa bomb dump, 2003. Now a Forestry Commission plantation.
Woodhall Spa bomb dump, 2003. Now a Forestry Commission plantation.
Woodhall Spa bomb dump, 2003. Now a Forestry Commission plantation.
Woodhall Spa bomb dump, 2003. Now a Forestry Commission plantation.
Woodhall Spa bomb dump, 2003. Now a Forestry Commission plantation.
Woodhall Spa bomb dump, 2003. Now a Forestry Commission plantation.
Woodhall Spa bomb dump, 2003. Now a Forestry Commission plantation.
Woodhall Spa bomb dump, 2003. Now a Forestry Commission plantation.
Woodhall Spa bomb dump, 2003. Now a Forestry Commission plantation.
Woodhall Spa bomb dump, 2003. Now a Forestry Commission plantation.
Woodhall Spa bomb dump, 2003. Now a Forestry Commission plantation.
Woodhall Spa bomb dump, 2003. Now a Forestry Commission plantation.
Copyright © 1943-2012 627 Squadron in Retirement or as credited
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