Bomber Command References

I seem to have built up a fair few reference books on Bomber Command over the past few years.

http://www.156squadron.com/display_sources.asp

If anyone needs any assistance that can be provided by these books, feel free to visit the site and email me with any reasonable requests that you have.

Regards

Robin Riley www.156Squadon.com

 

Hi
I am currently researching on behalf of a work colleague, Steve Welch. His dad was part of 156 squadron, Pilot officer CT Welch. He was delighted to find him listed on your website and we are both currently looking through his Dad's log book to find anymore hidden clues which we are hoping to post on the site once his Mum has agreed.
Steve will be 50 soon and I would like to buy him a book about 156 squadron and if possible one that mentions his Dad. Can you help?

many thanks
Dick

 

Hello Dick

Probably the best book to get is the first one mentioned in Robin's link : 'They Led The Way' by Michael P Wadsworth. It's is - so far - the only full history of the squadron and is well-written with a number of interesting photos. Unfortunately, it doesn't have an index so I can't tell if it mentions Mr Welch !

It's a small-format paperback and, although OOP, should be available via Bookfinder or Abebooks, etc.

 

Hi Martin

I will order a copy and fingers crossed it arrives before 6 March.

thanks for the advice much appreciated.

 

Hi Martin

Is there any possibility that individual Lancasters can be traced back to their life history? I have found some info. on 156 squadron site. Is it possible to find out what happened after WWII?

 

It's not easy to obtain the full history. A good starting point is Francis K. Mason's classic book, 'The Avro Lancaster' ( Aston Publications, 1989 ) which lists every Lancaster ever built, together with a brief history. Two words of warning : Mason's book is long-out-of-print and highly sought-after , and he lists only a selection of 'ops' for each aircraft ( some have wrongly assumed that he lists every operation ).

If you are focussing on one aircraft, then a trip to the PRO at Kew is needed. I've done it for one aircraft and tracing the operational record via the relevant Squadron ORB was actually quite exciting ( the story can be found in my old thread, 'Who Shot 'J-for-Johnnie' down ?' ).

Airframe record cards are held at the RAF Museum but I have not as yet researched there.

 

If you want details on where a particular Lancaster ended its days after the war then please advise the serial number, e.g. ND875. I have a Lancaster reference book which details all Lancaster builds and their final disposition. Not each mission flown though.

Regards

Robin Riley WWW.156Squadron.com

 

This is a very helpful forum!

The Lancasters I am looking for are:-

PB375 14 missions - CT Welch flew mainly with this aircraft

PB486 1 mission
PB565 1 mission
PB507 1 mission

many thanks

Dick

 

Hi Martin
I will drop the other half at the gardens and I can then do some research probably in the summer!

thanks

Dick

 

Dick,

I suppose I should have guessed.

PB375 - 156 Sqn, 1668 CU, 1660 CU (TV-P), 1653 CU; 15 MU, Scrap Aug 48

PB486 - 156 Sqn Crashed, premature U/C retraction, Upwood 2 Nov 44.

In retrospect, this loss was one of the more amusing incidents in 156 Sqn history. The pilot S/L Cochrane, had a habit of encouraging his aircraft on takeoff, the usual phrase being "Up you Bastard". On this night he had a new Flight Engineer aboard who was not appraised of this habit and took the comment to mean that he should raise the undercarriage. The aircaft had insufficient airspeed and collapsed onto the runway with a full bomb load, which fortunatley did not explode. Only pride was injured.

PB565 - 156 Sqn, 1667 CU, Crashed at Owsten Ferry 15 Apr 45 on a training flight, all 8 on board were killed.

PB507 - 32 MU, 156 Sqn, NTU, 1656 CU, 1653 CU, Crashed 8 Nov 45- details not known

* MU - Maintenance Unit
* CU - Conversion Unit
* NTU - Navigational Training Unit

Regards

Robin Riley www.156Squadron.com (It also has a helpful forum! )

 

Hi Robin

The more I learn the more I become involved in Steve's Dad and his connection with 156 squadron as a radio operator.

I had been on your web site many times, as this is where I first found the connection and a great deal of information about P/O CT Welch. A fantastic amount of research and information (nice one).
I will also join the forum ASAP.

We can then send all the information we have about his Dad on to you to update the web site or we will update. Mrs Welch is more than happy to share this info. and is also busy searching the loft for anymore hidden details. She has already found some old photos which we are hoping to scan on Monday. They may be of 156 or the Blenheim training units her late husband served with, we will keep you posted.

Many thanks for the lancaster details - it gets better day by day!
If I can find a photo of his aircraft PB 375 then Steve will be a very proud son.

Brilliant Stuff, Thanks again!

 

The 156 Pathfinder book arrived on time for Steves 50th which was great news.

He told me today that the photo before page 64 includes a photo of his Dad standing in front of a lanc with W/Cdr Bingham Hall.

His log book shows they flew together on 6 Oct 1944 in Lanc 'N' PB486 to Sterkrade as Master Bomber

His Dad is the last person on the right in the back row (98% sure).

Can anyone confirm any of the other crew members?


thanks

Dick

 

Dick

Hate to disappoint you, but the title of the photo says "pilots of 156 Sqn", so I think F/O Welch would not be present.

Do you have the "pink" edition or "blue" edition of the book?. Pink is the most up to date, just a poor choice of colors.

Some bad news , some good news, An update on the site shortly will detail another 10 missions undertaken by P/O Welch, bringing his total to 27with this Squadron.

Keep up the enthusiasm, look forward to seing those photos & scans.

Robin