614 Sqn and its Bisleys

[Antipodean Andy]

Just finishing off Graham Pitchfork's Shot Down and in the Drink and noted that 614 Sqn assisted ASR efforts during the invasion of mainland Italy with its Lindholme gear-equipped Bisleys. Thought this was rather late in the war to still be using the Blenheim/Blenheim derivative in combat but noted the squadron disbanded in January '44 still equipped with the aircraft.

Could this be one of the latest combat (in lieu of the term operational as that could be construed as being used in training or as hacks) assignments for the Blenheim family?

Will have to check the SAAF squadrons and Burma.

[Kyt]

Just looking at Warner's Blenheim: A Complete History, at the various theatres, it looks like its frontline operational activities petered out by the beginning of 1944. That includes Burma and SAAF. Though some squadrons who transferred to Beaus retained the odd Blenheim as a runaround etc

[spidge]

Originally Posted by Antipodean Andy

Just finishing off Graham Pitchfork's Shot Down and in the Drink and noted that 614 Sqn assisted ASR efforts during the invasion of mainland Italy with its Lindholme gear-equipped Bisleys. Thought this was rather late in the war to still be using the Blenheim/Blenheim derivative in combat but noted the squadron disbanded in January '44 still equipped with the aircraft.

Could this be one of the latest combat (in lieu of the term operational as that could be construed as being used in training or as hacks) assignments for the Blenheim family?

Will have to check the SAAF squadrons and Burma.

On my RAAF list of deaths, there were 9 in 614sq. 3 buried in Bari Cemetery and one at Udine Cemetery in Italy, 2 at Klagenfirt Cemetery in Austria and 3 on the Malta memorial which is probably resultant from operations in Italy.

DORRINGTON, RONALD KINGSTON Flying Officer 419765 614sq 16/03/1945 IX. E. 10. BARI WAR CEMETERY
HIBBINS, LEONARD HENRY Flight Sergeant 414681 614sq 20/04/1944 VI. B. 22. BARI WAR CEMETERY
SLOANE, BRIAN THOMAS Flight Sergeant 423387 614sq RAAF 23/07/1944 XV. D. 20. BARI WAR CEMETERY
VOKES, WALTER RICHARD Flight Sergeant 417537 614sq 6/07/1944 Coll. grave 8. A. 9-10. KLAGENFURT WAR CEMETERY
PRYOR, ARTHUR WILLIAM Warrant Officer 415679 614sq 6/07/1944 Coll. grave 8. A. 9-10. KLAGENFURT WAR CEMETERY
NEUBECK, WILLIAM FRANCIS Flight Lieutenant 421820 614sq RAF 21/02/1945 I. C. 9. UDINE WAR CEMETERY
DICKSON, VIVIAN Warrant Officer 405905 614sq 16/03/1944 Panel 16, Column 1. MALTA MEMORIAL
LAWSON, LYLE ANZAC Pilot Officer 414243 614sq RAF 16/03/1944 Panel 16, Column 1. MALTA MEMORIAL
LIGHTBODY, ROBERT THOMAS Flight Sergeant 415668 614sq 16/03/1944 Panel 16. Column 2. MALTA MEMORIAL

[Kyt]

Dorrington was killed in Mosquito LR470, dived into ground nr Bresceglia Italy - cause not known

[Kyt]

According to the casualty files Dickson and Lawson were in Halifax BB446, and Lightbody was lost in Halifax JW890. Possibly lost on missions to Bulgaria

[Kyt]

NEUBECK lost in Liberator KH231, shotdown by flak over Pola, Italy. Full crew believed to be

F/Lt W.F. Neubeck - RAAF;
F/Lt H.K. Mepham;
F/O D.S.J. Gladstone;
P/O W.J. Gibbs;
F/Sgt H.G. Lawley;
F/Sgt A.E. Tyreman,
F/Sgt F. Kendall
Sgt C. Wilkins.

[spidge]

Thank you for the details Kyt. Much appreciated.

[Antipodean Andy]

614 became PFF from memory. Tom Scotland's book Voice from the Stars is a good read of their ops. I didn't make the connection until I saw the Lib casualties following the Halibag ones.

[Kyt]

Not technocally PFF proper because it wasn't part of Bomber Command after the end of 1942. It moved to North Africa and then Italy, so was Middle East and then Med Air Forces.

[Antipodean Andy]

Yeah, I thought that but couldn't be bothered typing out Pathfinder...like you just made me do :-P