my Dad 'jim' Welcomme, now Wing Commander, retired, he is 88 years old now! He has been given the book "A most secret squadron" by Des Curtis. He served with the 618 squadron, with Mosquitoes, from its location in Scotland then abord the carriers HMS Fencer and HMS Striker on its secret operation to Australia, enjoyed his stay in OZ, and then after wards back to Ceylon and Suffolk Uk. This is 1944-1946. He was a senior aircraft engineer. Hoping to find out more of the personal stories of this operation that didn't activate. any offers clevedon paul
Welcome to the Forums - Des Curtis' book is the best reference about 618 Squadron currently available. There is a detailed and well-illustrated chapter in David Vincent's book 'Mosquito Monograph - A History Of Mosquitoes In Australia And RAAF Operations'. But this book was self-published in Australia in 1982 and regrettably is now one of the hardest Mosquito titles to track down.....
The "secret" part of 618's mission was the use of the new "Highball" bouncing depth-charges (smaller, rounder versions of the "Upkeep" weapons used by Lancasters on the German dam-busting missions). Spinning "backwards" against the sea, they would skip-bounce in predictable, diminishing bounces until it hit the side of a ship, drop down into the water, then explode at a pre-set depth. Unlike torpedo-bombers, which had to reduce speed and be in the crosshairs of the target's AAA for quite an uncomfortable while, the Mossies with Highball would approach at 350 mph for its run. These weapons were first "designed" for use against the Tirpitz. Why they were never used against the Japanese Navy is a ponderable mystery.
Another old thread on the subject at: http://www.ww2f.com/military-servic...-skitten-caithness-scotland-618-squadron.html The Oz At War link has since moved to: 618 Squadron RAF - based in Australia during WW2 Wikipedia No. 618 Squadron RAF - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I'm looking for a photo of Eric Stubbs who was in 618 squadron and died in a crash on 11/10/44. Some of his remains were recently discovered and we're looking for a picture for the order of service if anyone can help??
