Bennett's Staff

[Antipodean Andy]

Thanks, DL, I didn't want to step on any toes but a couple of chaps rang a bell. Kyt got the easy one with Hamish Mahaddie! I'm at work so can't contribute much at present but will have a go later today assuming Kyt and everyone else don't knock the rest off!

[Kyt]

Reginald Otto Altmann 70841

Pilot Officer on probation are confirmed in their appointment:
17th Jan. 1940

Acting Wing Commander Nov 1945

Distinguished Flying Cross
30 July 1944
144 Squadron

Distinguished Service Order
6th November, 1945
31 Squadron

According to this site:

"P/O later S/L Reginald Otto Altmann DFC, 271 Sqdn. flying Dakotas from Down Ampney, tugging Horsas - dropped supplies on 18/9 at Arnhem - mentioned in Jewish Year book 1945-46 as gazetted with a DFC. PRO Records AIR 1594"

Jews at the Battle of Arnhem

but can't confirm if it is the same man.

[Kyt]

Dennis Theodore Witt

Commissioned 5th Nov. 1940

565402 DFM
10 Squadron 17/10/40

DFC
7 Squadron 5 August 1941
Acting Flying Officer Dennis Theodore WITT, D.F.M. (44867), No. 7 Squadron.
In July, 1941, this officer led three aircraft to bomb a target near Bethune. When the section crossed the enemy coast it was subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire which shot down one aircraft of the section. Unperturbed,however, Flying Officer Witt led the remaining aircraft in a determined attack on the target in the face of another intense anti-aircraft barrage. The success of this attack was due to the tenacity, skill and determination of Flying Officer Witt. Ten days previously, while raiding Texel, he enabled his rear gunner to destroy a Messerschmitt 109. He is an outstanding pilot who has gained notable successes against the enemy.

DSO 13 February 1945
Acting Wing Commander Dennis Theodore WITT, D.F.C., D.F.M. (44867), R.A.F., 635 Sqn.
As pilot of aircraft this officer has participated in 100 sorties, many of them against the mostheavily defended targets. His last 3 missions were against Essen, Cologne and Dusseldorf respectively. On each of these occasions he pressed home his attacks with the greatest determination in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire to obtain good results. He has displayed the highest standard of skill and bravery, setting an example of a high order.

After the war he commanded 109 Squadron, and then 88 Squadron.

EDIT: I really should pay more attention. Sorry Andy, I seem to have duplicated your post

[Kyt]

World War 2 Awards.com - CRANSWICK, Alec Panton

Amazon.co.uk: Pathfinder Cranswick: Michael Cumming: Books

[Kyt]

Edward William Anderson 83847

ADMINISTRATIVE AND SPECIAL DUTIES BRANCH.
Commissioned as P/O 9th Aug. 1940.
F/O 9th Aug 1941

Relinquished the rank of F/O at his own request and ransferred. to the General Duties Branch with the rank of P/O 22 July 1941

F/O 22nd July 1942
F/L 16th Feb 1943
S/L 10th May 1944

DFC 6 July 1943
Acting Squadron Leader
Pathfinder Force Navigation Training Unit

OBE
Honours List 8 June 1944

Air Force Cross 7 Sept 1945

Bar to Air Force Cross. 1st January, 1954

[Kyt]

Pilot Officer on probation: I7th May 1941
F/O17th May 1942.
F/L 3rd Nov. 1942.

DFC
Acting Flying Officer Gordon Forbes GEORGESON (67077) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve No 12 Squadron

Distinguished Service Order.
22 September 1944
Acting Wing Commander Gordon Forbes GEORGESON. D.F.C. (67077), R.A.F.V.R., 83 Sqn.
Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross this officer has completed many sorties. He is a navigator of high merit and his technical skill has contributed to a large extent to the operational successes achieved by his flight. He has set a fine example to all.

Name: GEORGESON, GORDON FORBES
Initials: G F
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Wing Commander (Nav.)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 83 Sqdn.
Age: 33
Date of Death: 27/07/1944
Service No: 67077
Awards: D S O, D F C
Additional information: Son of Forbes Georgeson and Edith G. S. Georgeson, of Muswell Hill, Middlesex; husband of Margaret Mary Georgeson, of Mill Hill, Middlesex.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot 3. Row E. Coll. grave 17-23.
Cemetery: MAZARGUES WAR CEMETERY, MARSEILLES

Lancaster ND856 26/27 July 1944
Mission to Givors

T/O 2100 to bomb rail communications. (no details as to how it was lost)

S/L R K Eggins DFC
Sgt W H Maltman
W/C G F Georgeson DSO DFC
F/L J W Gilmour DFM
F/O J W Patterson DFC
P/O G J Pursey DFC RAAF
F/O F A Marden DFC

[Kyt]

John David Drought Collier
Group Captain J D D 'Joe' Collier - Telegraph

[Kyt]

Alexander Frederick Chisholm

P/O 23rd June 1940
F/O 23rd June, 1941

DFC 25 December 1942
Flight Lieutenant Alexander Frederick CHISHOLM (43929), No. 83 Squadron.

Name: CHISHOLM, ALEXANDER FREDERICK
Initials: A F
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Squadron Leader (Air Bomber)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 83 Sqdn.
Date of Death: 23/11/1943
Service No: 43929
Awards: D F C
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 1. C. 2-8.
Cemetery: BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY

Lancaster JB284 on mission to Berlin

T/O1730 from Wyton. Hit by Flak and crashed in the target area.

W/C Hilton had flown sixty-four operational sorties.

W/C Hilton had returned to No.83 Sqdn as Commanding Officer just three weeks prior to his death and was on his third tour. (see post #4)

W/Cmr R Hilton
S/Ldr A F Chisholm
F/O Ainsworth
F/Sgt F E Burton-Burgess
F/Sgt Tucker
F/Sgt S J Davies
F/Lt J O Cribben

[David Layne]

Thanks Kyt. You really are the font.

[Antipodean Andy]

Originally Posted by Kyt

Dennis Theodore Witt

EDIT: I really should pay more attention. Sorry Andy, I seem to have duplicated your post

Only slightly, mate, I didn't have the 10 Sqn or post war details in my post from memory.