ORB RAF Station Mildenhall lookup

[phasselgren]

Hi,

The Monthly Supplementary Narrative of Operations for September 1943 has a claim for one destroyed unidentified E/A over Hanover by Stirling “O” of 15 Squadron at 21:57 hrs on the night 22nd/23rd September 1943:
“was approached by unidentified E/A. The R/G and the M/U/G immediately fired and flashes were seen on the E/A which dived steeply to the ground and burned there. The E/A is claimed as destroyed.”

If the code letter is correct this claim was made by the crew of Stirling EE974/O, pilot F/Sgt E. Moore, RAAF.

There is no surviving combat report (even though there are combat reports from other aircraft of 15 Sqn on this night) and this combat is not mentioned in the ORB. It is not unusual that code letters are wrong in the Monthly Supplementary Narrative of Operations and I am therefore trying to get a confirmation from another source that Stirling EE974/O is the correct aircraft.

I hope there is some information in the ORB RAF Station Mildenhall AIR 28/547 or possibly the Appendices AIR 28/556.

Thanks in advance
Peter

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

Your F/Sgt E. Moore RAAF, is actually, AUS414288 Edward John MOORE DFC RAAF.

I think you will find the following file of interest:

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C2705785?image=1

Re: Stirling III EE974.

APPENDIX VI - List of COMBAT AIRCRAFT used by No.15/XV SQUADRON.

WORLD WAR TWO - SHORT STIRLING.

Serial - EE974
Mk. - III
Code - LS-O
Remarks - To No.90 Squadron.

See:
Oxford's Own Men and Machines of No.15/XV Squadron Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force.
Ford-Jones,Martin R. & Valerie A.
Atglen:Schiffer Miltary History,1999.
p.313.

and ...

Appendix 11 - Individual Aircraft Histories.

Short Stirling EE871-EF518 built as Mk III with conversions Mk IV on the line as well as in service.

EE974.

O/XV Sqn 13.8.43, P, W/90 Sqn 23.12.43, EFB 29.4.44, engine fire on return from SOE sortie, crashed 2 miles NE Stradishall 0535 hrs.

See:
The Stirling Story.
Bowyer,Michael J. F.
Manchester:Crecy Publishing,2002.
p.361.

Col.

[phasselgren]

Hello Col,

Thanks for the very detailed information, much appreciated.

Interesting to see that the claim was included as a Probable in Moore´s bio. It was upgraded to a Confirmed at Bomber Command level but it seems this information did not always reach the squadrons.

Peter