540 Squadron O.R.B.

[dannybou]

Good day to all

I am researching several RCAF personnel who were killed in action. To be thorough I am downloading the ORBs of RAF Squadrons. One thing I noticed that in the 540 Squadron for April 1944, there is no mention of a downed aircraft, Mosquito LR 416, which crashed in Bershire on 13 April 1944. Is this common for the ORBs to lack details like this? I was looking for it's taget of reconnaissance. If so, I won't download the other documents.

Thanks for the information

Danny

[AlanW]

Unfortunatley, ORB's do have their mistakes and omissions, which i have found out on many occasions, and can be very annoying to say the least, but you should'nt let it stop you from still downloading them.
Mosquito LR416, took off from Benson at 09.50, tasked to Munich. Developed a problem, and crew were forced to return. Last seen diving out of cloud, with a wing coming off before crashing at Kingston Bagpuize. Primary cause put down to the detachment of the escape hatch. (Mosquito Photo Reconnaisance Units of WW2. Martin Bowman.)

[Andy Fletcher]

Hi Danny,

F/O C.C. DREW and Sgt J.I. SHAER's sortie on 13 Apr 44, in LR416, is mentioned in both the F.540 and F.541 of the 540 Sqn ORB. As Alan says objective was the Munich area. F.540 notes that aircraft wirelessed returning to base at 10:35 but crashed near Abingdon at 11:10

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[dannybou]

Thanks Guys.

Andy I think I need a course on how to search the ORBs as I just did the search again and only come up with AIR 27/2007/37. Where or how do I search for your references, F.540 and F.541? Much appreciated

Danny

[AlanW]

Danny,
If i read your last post correctly, you are only looking at the ORB references. You cannot actually access the ORB from the NA's online website , you have to purchase it. The ORB is made up of two sections, the F.540 Summary of Events, (a sort of day to day diary) and F.541 Details of Work, which gives details of targets, crews, aircraft serials etc etc....

[dannybou]

Hi Alan

I think I have it. In this case would it be under: Squadron Number: 540 B flight Appendices 01 May 1942 - 28 Feb 1945. I see this record group is 288 pages.

My apologies for the rookie questions, I am not used to dealing with the UK Archives, only the Canadian ones.
Thanks

Danny

[AlanW]

What you need is the Summary of Events and Record of Events for April 44 to see the details of the loss, but still get the Appendices, as 288 pages for the price paid, is a good deal.

[Andy Fletcher]

Danny,

The file you would be interested in is AIR 27/2007.

If you like I will send you the relevant F.540 and F.541 covering 13 Apr 44. Send me an e-mail (in my profile).

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher