Thread: newbie, re Squadron leader John Watson

Okay, I found something but it relates to searching for a crash site by a 177 Sqn team led by P/O Don Anderson RAAF and including the Group Padre, S/L GN McCulloch. After a canoe trip proved unsuccessful, a 211 Sqn Harvard was borrowed, the crash pinpointed and then a second party led on foot to subsequently bury the two crew - F/O Emery and F/S James.

I'll have to check Cotton's Hurricanes over Burma as well as this is beginning to annoy me! LOL.

While searching through Bush Cotton's Hurricanes over Burma I came across this which, although not relevant to Dr Watson's work, might be of interest. It was during Cotton's time in Calcutta recovering from injuries suffered when shot down during the retreat from Burma. We're talking roughly mid-'42. Page 145:

A few beds away from me was a young Rhodesian whose Blenheim bomber had burst a tyre on landing, swung off the strip and hit a dump of full petrol drums, which ignited. He was burnt so much on his face that his eyelids had disappeared, he had hardly any nose left, or ears, and his limbs, where not covered by shirt, shorts or socks, were also badly burnt. He lay there quietly, smoking cigarettes between his thin lips through a holder held in his skeleton-like burnt fingers, without a word of complaint.

Page 146:

...I found myself on a hospital train bound for Poona, in the west of India near Bombay, along with numerous other wounded, including "Hookey" Russell, the burnt Rhodesian.

It would be interesting to know more about Russell's treatment. The use of the cigarette holder indicates possible knowledge of the latest burns treatments as later int he war packages containing, among other things, cigarette holders, were sent from East Grinstead to POW hospitals in Europe. By 1942, the RAF's treatment of burns would have been well in order so here's hoping Russell got the best of treatment.

Aha - ( P to S )
AIRCREWS & LOSSES

08/02/1942 ???? MK?? Piloted by Hookey Russell from Mingaladon to Toungoo carrying his crews kit as well as that of Sgt J Chapman, Chapman went on ahead taking the crews in his aircraft. On landing Hookey had difficulty and bounced hitting some barrels and caught fire. Bill Clearihue who was standing nearby jumped on the wing of the burning aircraft and pulled Lt Russell free who was burned but survived. (above per Sgt J Chapman, copyright Air War Over The Arakan by author F/Lt Tony Day) (There is no official record of a loss this date)

That's all a distraction though. Unfortunately, after scanning through this book as well, I can't find the parachuting MO reference. Sorry, Carolyn.