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PO J G Wright DFC RCAF
PO J G Wright DFC RCAFAuthor: mcmillan_p
Time Stamp:
09:18:21 Monday, May 23, 2005
Post:
There is an interesting letter in the latest issue of Flypast concerning 240 Sqn flying Catalinas.
Where the writer has obtained some information and photos of the Sqn.
Apparantly they undertook some hush hush mission on route to Red Hills Lake in India in 1942 (between May 29th (when they left UK) and July 4th 1942 (when they arrived in India))
There is a photo of Flt Lt D. E. Hawkings with his DFC citiation on the back.. It starts
"Flt Lt Hawkins and Pit Off J E Wright RCAF"...
From the RCAF Awards site, this is a typo for P/O Jerauld George Wright.
The citation from Hugh Halliday is more detailed than that on the photo. Which mentions 2000 Mile Mystery Flight
From Hugh Halliday's work:..
As captain of aircraft and navigator respectively, Flight Lieutenant Hawkins and Pilot Officer Wright recently carried out an extremely important mission. The flight, which was one of twenty-four and three-quarter hours' duration, necessitated flying more than 2,000 miles across the sea. That completion was achieved despite adverse weather and intense cold can be attributed to the skilful piloting of Flight Lieutenant Hawkins, combined with the brilliant navigation of Pilot Officer Wright. Throughout, both these officers showed great powers of endurance and their outstanding performance is worthy of the highest praise.
The letter mentions a telegram dated July 11, 1942 from the AOC of Coastal Comamnd to 240 Sqn - Marked secret
"Please convey my congratulations to aircraft 'A, 'F' 'J' and 'M' on their work in connection with recent operations. They were called upon to execute missions in circumstances that were unexpected and they carried them out to the full.
The manner on which this was done indicates a high standard of Squadron effciency and of skill, endurance and teamwork in those who took part. The captains and aircrew concerned rose to the occasion in a way which reflects the highest credit upon them"
Anyway the photos reveal some clues to this mystery flight
There is a photo of a Soviet Chyetverikov ARK-3 Flying Boat at speed and it is labelled "Lake Lakhta" - Which I assume they mean around the Leningrad area. F
Further more a group gathering of the RAF crew is labelled 'Avadi Camp' and they are all in Tropical Gear - The photo is labelled 'The Pioneers' Dated June 1942 - Though I personally assume they mean Avadi in India (this is in the same general location as Red Hills Lake)
The only other clue is a signed Officers menu from a ship of the Union-Castle Line which is unamed and undated.
"Active Service Overseas - the ground party sailed from a Northern Port in a un-named ship on and and undated date".
The writer would like to know more about this Mystery mission (as would I!)
RE: PO J G Wright DFC RCAF
Author: Ross_McNeill
Time Stamp:
09:27:14 Monday, May 23, 2005
Post:
Hi Paul,
The following is a copy of an EMail that I sent to Flypast Offices:
Hello,
There are two separate incidents in the letter from Peter Green and some confusion as to the sequence and place of events.
In my research for Coastal Command Losses Volume 2 I have recorded the following references from the No.240 Sqn ORB (AIR27/1459) held at The National Archives.
The award of DFC was for an extended flight to Russia in April 1942.
Lough Erne
01/04/42
Z2143 F/Lt Hawkins left en route to Shetlands for a special job.
06/04/42
Z2143 F/Lt Hawkins returned to Lough Erne from Sullom Voe after completion of special job.
April 4/42
Catalina Z2143, F/Lt Hawkins, P/O Wright, Sgt Semple, Sgt Aston, Sgt Beverly and Sgt Faulkes. Special Flight. Took off 05:05 hrs 4th, landed 06:55 hrs
5th.
The second incident occurred during the squadron move when the aircraft were used en-route for Med Patrols from Gibraltar and the telegram was in response to the sinking of an Italian submarine on 9th June 1942.
9/6/42
Catalina VA726, F/O Godber, P/O McColl. Responded to attack message from J/240. Assisted J/240 in attack by dropping stick of 8 depth charges from 50 feet.
Catalina Z2143, F/O Hawkins, P/O Parry. Attacked and sank submarine in position approx 38 03 North 04 00 East. Attempted to land to pick up survivors but damaged sustained.
As for Avadi it was in India not Russia. The ground party had been slowly moving down the west coast of Africa in transport ship K.13 during May/June.
14/4/42 Ground party departed Blackpool for embarkation in K.13 at Liverpool
7/6/42
The ground party in K.13 arrived at Bombay.
11/6/42
Ground party ex K.13 departed Bombay for Madras.
14/6/42
Ground party arrived Avadi Rest Camp.
Hope this answers a few of the questions posed by Peter.
Regards
Ross McNeill
RE: PO J G Wright DFC RCAF
Author: mcmillan_p
Time Stamp:
10:12:45 Monday, May 23, 2005
Post:
Ross
Thanks
I think the April 1942 special mission (though I do not know what it was) was to the Leningrad area. Maybe in the support of the Russian efforts to link up with the city at this time.
Paul
RE: PO J G Wright DFC RCAF
Author: Ross_McNeill
Time Stamp:
10:10:58 Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Post:
Hi Paul,
If you look at the time up/time down it appears that the Cat spent very little time on the ground.
I venture that it was probable that they only passed over despatches or a courier before taking off on the return trip.
Subsequent Cat landings were not permitted since the Soviets objected to the aircraft carrying livestock (pigeons).
It would be about 12 months before agreement was reached on this matter.
Regards
Ross
RE: PO J G Wright DFC RCAF
Author: mcmillan_p
Time Stamp:
11:21:02 Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Post:
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 24-May-05 AT 11:21 AM (GMT)[/font][p]Ross
Thanks
But on the "ground" (ok water) long enough to get a photo!!!!
Paul
RE: PO J G Wright DFC RCAF
Author: Peter
Time Stamp:
12:28:14 Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Post:
Hi All,
Hope this clears up the mystery of F/Lt Hawkin's operation.
After the evacuation of the Russian and Norwegian inhabitants from Spitzbergen in August 1941 the enemy had established parties but beyond a visit to Icefjord on19October by two British minesweepers no forces could be spared either to clear up the position or re-occupy the island.
On 12 March 1942 a requirment was given by HQ Coastal Command to No.15 Group for a special reconnaissance of Spitzbergen to be carried out on 1 April or as soon after as weather conditiond would permit. Particular attention was to be given to the central western part of the islands including Icefjord, Lowe Sound and Kongs Fjord. Two passengers were required to fly with the aircraft - Major Sverdrop and Lieut A.R. Glen. RNVR who were familiar with the islands and could give more exact details of the reconnaissance required. This flight was to obtain information on the location of firm ice between Jan Mayen Island and Spitzbergen, to report on the ice conditions in the fjords of west Spitzbergen Island and to ascertain if any enemy forces were on the island. Consequent on this report it was it was proposed to plan a small expedition composed of Norwegian volunteers to occupy the only places at which any landing in strength could be made by the enemy.
The reconnaissance was carried out in a Catalina of No240 Squadron piloted by F/Lt. Hawkins on the 4 and 5 April in the extremely severe conditions of bad icing on the aircraft and with velocities over Spitzbergen of between 80 and 120 mph.
The information indicated that no enemy forces were in Spitzbergen and that prevailing conditions would permit ships of the sealing type to penetrate the drift ice and reach Icefjord by the beginning of May.
The final details of the operation carried the code name "Fritham" which left Iceland on 7 May 1942, but that's another story.
Regards
Peter.
RE: PO J G Wright DFC RCAF
Author: Peter
Time Stamp:
14:20:18 Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Post:
Further to my note above. I forgot to give my source so hear goes.
From the.
The RAF Narrative. The RAF In The Maritime War. Volume III.
The Atlantic and Home Waters. July 1941 to February 1943. AIR41/47.
regards
Peter.
RE: PO J G Wright DFC RCAF
Author: HughAHalliday
Time Stamp:
10:52:31 Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Post:
See also "Arctic Airmen: the RAF in Spitsbergen and North Russia in 1942" by Ernest Schofield and Roy Conyers Nesbit (London, William Kimber).