No.684 Sqn record Mossie flight 10.3.45

[Errol Martyn]

On 10 March 1945 Flight Lieutenant J. Irvine, RNZAF, and Londoner Warrant Officer W. G. Bannister (of the RAF?) of No.684 Sqn flew a then record (for South East Asia) 2483 mile photo recce sortie to Phuket Island and return in 8 hrs 50 mins.

Does anyone know from where they took off, please, and if Bannister's initials are correct and to which air force he belonged?

Many thanks in advance for any assistance offered.

Errol

[Amrit]

Bowyer's Mosquito seems to indicate that all of 684's long distance flights tookoff from Alipore. And Irvine's aircraft was NS675.

Sorry, can't help with Bannister except Osprey's Mosquito Photo-Reconnaissance Units of World War 2 calls him "Bob" Bannister

A

[Andy Fletcher]

On 10 March 1945 Flight Lieutenant J. Irvine, RNZAF, and Londoner Warrant Officer W. G. Bannister (of the RAF?) of No.684 Sqn flew a then record (for South East Asia) 2483 mile photo recce sortie to Phuket Island and return in 8 hrs 50 mins.

Does anyone know from where they took off ....


Errol

Hi Errol,

Not a direct answer to your question but may be of some help.

Occasionally ops started at Alipore and refuelled at a forward base on the Bay of Bengal coast (Cox's Bazaar, Akyab, Ramree Island). Usually however the crew would fly forward the afternoon before and commenced the op from the forward base.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[COL BRUGGY]

G'Day Errol,

Hope the following is of interest:-

During the second week of March 1945, Liberators FL935 and FL936 were again flying over northern Sumatra but dense cloud prevented photography. No 684 Sqn's China Bay Detachment continued flying to Sumatra, Car Nicobar and Nancowry and, on 10 March (1945), NS675, 'Z', (Flt Lt J. Irvine and Flt Sgt W G Bannister) flew through frontal cloud to Phuket to obtain beach cover. There was broken cloud over the target but, by diverting to each separate area as it became clear, almost complete cover was obtained although this entailed three full circuits of the island. The total flying time for 2,848 miles was 8hr 48min, a new distance and endurance record.

See:
Eyes For the Phoenix:Allied Aerial Photo-Reconnaissance Operations South-East Asia 1941-1945.
Thomas,Geoffrey J.
Aldershot:Hikoki Pubs.,1999.
p.134

Col.

[Andy Fletcher]

Errol,

I believe it was from China Bay, Ceylon (Sri Lanka). 684 Sqn maintained a detachment there at the date in question for coverage of Sumatra etc.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Amrit]

Distinguished Flying Cross. 13 Nov 1945

Warrant Officer Walter George Bannister (1801959)
684 Sqn

A

[Errol Martyn]

Many thanks Gents. Five responses in less than five hours is not bad going!

And special thanks to Col for unwittingly reminding me that I have a copy of 'Eyes for the Phoenix' on my bookshelves that I could have looked up the answer in for myself, if only I'd thought of it at the time!

Errol