Jagan
15th December 2013, 16:52
I thought I once made a post on Philip Haynes but I cannot locate that thread. I am making this post to write about what little I know about this RAF officer who has the distinction of spending the longest amount of time with an Indian Air Force Squadron and who was deeply involved in the early days of the squadron training and grooming newly commissioned Indian Officers.
I would be very interested if Philip Haynes left any record of his experiences from India - including logbooks or photos. That material would help illustrate this man's contribution in the setting up of the fledgling Indian Air Force.
Any other information that is available about this officer that can be added to the below - would be much appreciated .
http://www.rafcommands.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/1-Sqn-Peshawar-213x300.jpg
Flt Lt Haynes in a customary photograph taken before their flight to Peshawar in April 1936
http://www.rafcommands.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/20-Sqn-RAF-1930s-Renshaw-Sir-Maurice.jpg
This Photo is from No.20 Squadron archives (via the Squadron Historian Norman Robertson). Haynes led the detachment of 'A; Flight and served on the frontier for the next two to three years.
Philip Haynes (29071 RAF) was an RAF Officer who ended up at Drigh Road, Karachi on 1st March 1934. His posting was to be the Flight Commander replacing Flying Officer H P Broad of the newly raised No.1 Squadron, Indian Air Force that has been operating as a four aircraft flight for the past one year. *The "Squadron" was commanded by Flight Lieutenant Cecil Arthur Bouchier (later Air Vice Marshal), and a Flying Officer from the RAF was on hand to act as the Flight Commander. *The Squadron had about four Indian Officers as Pilots and another as an Equipment Officer.
Haynes was appointed the Flight Commander and would spend nearly four years with the Squadron. The initial years were spent bringing the newly arriving trainee pilots , 2-3 every year and building up the squadron to full strength. Two years into his stint, in April 1936, Haynes led 'A' Flight of No.1 Squadron from Drigh Road to Peshawar. The move was designed to provide some frontier experience to the Indian unit. The flight was attached to No.20 Squadron at this time. *The next year and half would provide battle innoculation to the IAF detachment in the operations against the Faqir of Ipi in 1937.
Haynes was posted out to home establishment in January 1938. At that time he was the British officer who had spent the longest time with No.1 Squadron (three years and nine months) and his record of association with an IAF Squadron would never be beaten. Haynes was well respected by the Indian Officers and he was considered part of the family of the select Indian pilots of the squadron.
http://www.rafcommands.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Asad_1Sqn_Wapiti-300x157.jpg
Undated Photo shows Haynes with Plt Offr Aspy Engineer on his right with the sports trophies won by No.1 Squadron
http://www.rafcommands.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Formation-NWFP-300x214.jpg
Flt Lt Haynes leading a formation of three Wapiti IIAs of 'A' Flight, No.1 Squadron over the hills of Muree, near Chaklala (present day Pakistan)
I knew very little as to what happened to him afterwards, but with the help of the Gazette and online searches, I can add the following information as to what Haynes did after his return to England.
The Website of No.626 Squadron sheds light on Haynes' career during the war. *http://www.626-squadron.co.uk/crews2.html
In November 1943 Wing Commander Phillip Haynes joined 626 Squadron as its first CO. He was a regular officer with previous service on the North-West Frontier and other parts of the world. He had arrived with his recently formed crew but his administrative duties meant that they frequently flew with New Zealander, Squadron Leader Johnny Neilson, as their pilot.
Six months later Group Captain Phillip Haynes was promoted to Commanding Officer of RAF Wickenby. He received his DFO in November 1944.
His hand-picked aircrew consisted of E. (Eric) Sims (bomb aimer), Sergeant W. (Bill) Freeman (navigator), Sergeant Robert (Bob) Bond (wireless operator), Sergeant Kevin (Paddy) O'Meara (rear gunner), Flying Officer Richard H. (Dick) Tredwin (mid upper gunner), and Flight Lieutenant Humphrey. B. (Pip) Phillips (Flight Engineer). Humphrey Phillips was destined to fulfil the dual role of crew member and the 626 Squadron Flight-Engineer Leader. When selected by Philip Haynes he was Flight Engineer Leader at 1656 Conversion Unit, and supervising the training of flight engineers. He already had battlefield experience having flown on the first two 1000 bomber raids at Cologne and Essen in May and June 1942.
http://www.626-squadron.co.uk/626sqd5s.gif
Wing Commander Peter Haynes with crew with No.626 Squadron (Courtesy : www.626-Squadron.co.uk)
For his role as the CO of No.626 Squadron, Haynes was awarded the DFC in December 1944
His DFC Citation was published in the Gazette http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36853/supplements/5877/page.pdf
Distinguished Flying Cross.* Group Captain Philip HAYNES, R.A.F.*
Group Captain Haynes has completed numerous*sorties, including two attacks on the German*capital and one on Mannheim. He has displayed*high qualities of skill, courage and leadership,*setting an example which has inspired all with*whom he has flown. By his outstanding ability,*great drive and unfailing devotion to duty, this*officer has,contributed in a large way to the operational efficiency of all under his command.
While I was pleased to know he became Group Captain, distinguished himself on heavy bombers , not much information as to what happened to him, his family or next of kin.
Any other information that is available about this officer would be much appreciated .
I would be very interested if Philip Haynes left any record of his experiences from India - including logbooks or photos. That material would help illustrate this man's contribution in the setting up of the fledgling Indian Air Force.
Any other information that is available about this officer that can be added to the below - would be much appreciated .
http://www.rafcommands.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/1-Sqn-Peshawar-213x300.jpg
Flt Lt Haynes in a customary photograph taken before their flight to Peshawar in April 1936
http://www.rafcommands.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/20-Sqn-RAF-1930s-Renshaw-Sir-Maurice.jpg
This Photo is from No.20 Squadron archives (via the Squadron Historian Norman Robertson). Haynes led the detachment of 'A; Flight and served on the frontier for the next two to three years.
Philip Haynes (29071 RAF) was an RAF Officer who ended up at Drigh Road, Karachi on 1st March 1934. His posting was to be the Flight Commander replacing Flying Officer H P Broad of the newly raised No.1 Squadron, Indian Air Force that has been operating as a four aircraft flight for the past one year. *The "Squadron" was commanded by Flight Lieutenant Cecil Arthur Bouchier (later Air Vice Marshal), and a Flying Officer from the RAF was on hand to act as the Flight Commander. *The Squadron had about four Indian Officers as Pilots and another as an Equipment Officer.
Haynes was appointed the Flight Commander and would spend nearly four years with the Squadron. The initial years were spent bringing the newly arriving trainee pilots , 2-3 every year and building up the squadron to full strength. Two years into his stint, in April 1936, Haynes led 'A' Flight of No.1 Squadron from Drigh Road to Peshawar. The move was designed to provide some frontier experience to the Indian unit. The flight was attached to No.20 Squadron at this time. *The next year and half would provide battle innoculation to the IAF detachment in the operations against the Faqir of Ipi in 1937.
Haynes was posted out to home establishment in January 1938. At that time he was the British officer who had spent the longest time with No.1 Squadron (three years and nine months) and his record of association with an IAF Squadron would never be beaten. Haynes was well respected by the Indian Officers and he was considered part of the family of the select Indian pilots of the squadron.
http://www.rafcommands.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Asad_1Sqn_Wapiti-300x157.jpg
Undated Photo shows Haynes with Plt Offr Aspy Engineer on his right with the sports trophies won by No.1 Squadron
http://www.rafcommands.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Formation-NWFP-300x214.jpg
Flt Lt Haynes leading a formation of three Wapiti IIAs of 'A' Flight, No.1 Squadron over the hills of Muree, near Chaklala (present day Pakistan)
I knew very little as to what happened to him afterwards, but with the help of the Gazette and online searches, I can add the following information as to what Haynes did after his return to England.
The Website of No.626 Squadron sheds light on Haynes' career during the war. *http://www.626-squadron.co.uk/crews2.html
In November 1943 Wing Commander Phillip Haynes joined 626 Squadron as its first CO. He was a regular officer with previous service on the North-West Frontier and other parts of the world. He had arrived with his recently formed crew but his administrative duties meant that they frequently flew with New Zealander, Squadron Leader Johnny Neilson, as their pilot.
Six months later Group Captain Phillip Haynes was promoted to Commanding Officer of RAF Wickenby. He received his DFO in November 1944.
His hand-picked aircrew consisted of E. (Eric) Sims (bomb aimer), Sergeant W. (Bill) Freeman (navigator), Sergeant Robert (Bob) Bond (wireless operator), Sergeant Kevin (Paddy) O'Meara (rear gunner), Flying Officer Richard H. (Dick) Tredwin (mid upper gunner), and Flight Lieutenant Humphrey. B. (Pip) Phillips (Flight Engineer). Humphrey Phillips was destined to fulfil the dual role of crew member and the 626 Squadron Flight-Engineer Leader. When selected by Philip Haynes he was Flight Engineer Leader at 1656 Conversion Unit, and supervising the training of flight engineers. He already had battlefield experience having flown on the first two 1000 bomber raids at Cologne and Essen in May and June 1942.
http://www.626-squadron.co.uk/626sqd5s.gif
Wing Commander Peter Haynes with crew with No.626 Squadron (Courtesy : www.626-Squadron.co.uk)
For his role as the CO of No.626 Squadron, Haynes was awarded the DFC in December 1944
His DFC Citation was published in the Gazette http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36853/supplements/5877/page.pdf
Distinguished Flying Cross.* Group Captain Philip HAYNES, R.A.F.*
Group Captain Haynes has completed numerous*sorties, including two attacks on the German*capital and one on Mannheim. He has displayed*high qualities of skill, courage and leadership,*setting an example which has inspired all with*whom he has flown. By his outstanding ability,*great drive and unfailing devotion to duty, this*officer has,contributed in a large way to the operational efficiency of all under his command.
While I was pleased to know he became Group Captain, distinguished himself on heavy bombers , not much information as to what happened to him, his family or next of kin.
Any other information that is available about this officer would be much appreciated .