110 Squadron Blenheims

[maltadefender]

Hi there,

My Dad is currently researching the life and times of an old family friend who was an LAC gunner with 110 Squadron in 1939-40. Their aircraft was shot down on May 14th 1940 while bombing German troop columns to try and stem the tide towards the Meuse - one of five that 110 Squadron lost on that day from 12 sorties.

All three on board survived, despite the intervention of a tree (and presumably a lot of p***ed-off Germans), and thus began a five-year spell as POWs. Bill fitted in seven escape attempts including the 'Great Escape' and earned himself a grand total of more than a year in solitary... seems he got around a bit having been in Stalag Luft I, III, VI, VIIIb and VIIIc.

Question is - does anyone know of any photos of 110 Squadron in 1938-40? They were flying Hawker Hinds and re-equipped with Blenheims shortly afterwards. Dad's friend Bill's aircraft on May 14th was L9214, code unknown. Incidentally both Dad's friend and the navigator both became greengrocers when they got home - probably so used to having soil down their trousers!

[AnonymousFO98]

Might be something in that tome from a few years back by the guy that helped restore a Blenheim

The book is by Graham Warner, The Bristol Blenheim, A Complete History.

There is a photo of L9241 downed and German soldiers all over it. (also 14th May)

Although there is a soldier peering in through the turret there is no individual code as far as I can tell

Just the squadron code VE

hopefully someone will be able to corroberate this for L9214

The incident is recorded in the Appendix btw but no code provided.

Edited June 25, 2010 by walrus

[DCRanger]

The crew of L9241 is listed as Sgt A. Storrow, Sgt E. Parker, and LAC Rowlands but Graham Warner says that they returned safely to England and the aircraft was captured a few days later????

I can post the picture if it is of interest.

[AnonymousFO98]

Hi DC

they may have done

the pic is of L9241 but the one in question was L9214,which Warner states all crew members became POW's.

I mentioned that pic as it would be contempoary with L9214 and an indication that she only had the 110 Squadron code, "VC", and no individual letter.

Both aircraft were downed 14th May.

Apologies if i caused any confusion

[DCRanger]

Silly me! All the right numbers but not necessarily in the right order.

In that case the crew would be F/0 G. Wright, Sgt J. Fancy, and LAC W. Street. Co-incidentally both aircraft were lost on the same day.

[jeepman]

I too am interested in a 110 Squadron Blenheim - again a family connection

On 17th February 1940, N6211 - Blenheim IV (VE o ?) took off from Wattisham at 12.15 to recce Heligoland and Borkum. Shot down and lost at sea near the Fresian Islands (no survivors) by Haupt. Wolfgang Falcke at 16.10pm

Does anybody know the aircraft's individual code letter by any chance

thanks

sk

Edited June 26, 2010 by jeepman

[The wooksta V2.0]

No mention in the relevent appendix in the Graham Warner tome for N6211. There are five other 110 sqn aircraft lost betweeb 1st Jan and 9th May but no mention of that aircraft.

[jeepman]

No mention in the relevent appendix in the Graham Warner tome for N6211. There are five other 110 sqn aircraft lost betweeb 1st Jan and 9th May but no mention of that aircraft.

Strange - here is an article on Wolfgange Falke corroborating the victory

http://www.luftwaffe.cz/falck.html

The date also ties with the date on the CWGC entry

[DCRanger]

Blenheim Strike has the the following information on N6211:

"17/2/1940, 110 Squadron. T/o 12.31 Wattisham for recce Heligoland-Borkum area, shot down by Bf110 of Hptm Wolfgang Falck (St. Kpt. 2./ZG 76, Jever) at 16.10 off Dutch Frisians and crashed in flames. Crew: Sgt. Frederick J.R. Bigg (Pilot RAF), age 27, Rm. 12. Sgt. William B. Woods (Obs. RAF), age 21, Rm. 21. AC1 Jack Orchard (WOp/AG RAF), age 20, Rm. 25."

Unfortunately only the VE of the squadron code is given.

[jeepman]

Blenheim Strike has the the following information on N6211:

"17/2/1940, 110 Squadron. T/o 12.31 Wattisham for recce Heligoland-Borkum area, shot down by Bf110 of Hptm Wolfgang Falck (St. Kpt. 2./ZG 76, Jever) at 16.10 off Dutch Frisians and crashed in flames. Crew: Sgt. Frederick J.R. Bigg (Pilot RAF), age 27, Rm. 12. Sgt. William B. Woods (Obs. RAF), age 21, Rm. 21. AC1 Jack Orchard (WOp/AG RAF), age 20, Rm. 25."

Unfortunately only the VE of the squadron code is given.

Thanks for that - I wonder if the RAFM have any more details - eg Squadron records

I'll try that route as well

sbk

Edited June 27, 2010 by jeepman

[AnonymousFO98]

Though that is a couple of months earlier, it seems likely that the aircraft only had the squadron code at the time.

[maltadefender]

Found this website, which seems to have been put together with loving care. Unfortunately all the markings are described as VE-?

110 Blenheims

Thanks for all the insight BTW!

Edited June 27, 2010 by maltadefender

[DCRanger]

You might also like to try the Blenheim Society. There are a few email contact addresses at the bottom of this page.. They some times have stands at various air shows but particularly at Duxford.

[Sara]

110 Squadron Blenheims - L9214, L9241 and N6211 - no individual code letters mentioned in "Hyderabad Squadron, The Story of No 110 (Hyderabd) Squadron Royal Air Force" by Flight Lieutenant Elwyn D. Bell. Following is a link to John Fancy's obit with a photo taken when he was a PoW:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10...es-aged-95.html

My father was a WAG with 110 Squadron after they moved to the Far East in 1942. I've written a book about the Squadron's WWII history and am very interested in corresponding with anyone linked to the Squadron. I have some photos taken May 1941 and after.

Great photos of 110 Squadron Blenheims here

http://www.raf.mod.uk/history_old/blen5.html