Halifax Ditching 202 Sq? Off Western Isles

[Lyffe]

Paul,

Cummings' position for the loss of ST 807 is in error, although in fairness it should be pointed out that the F1180 from which he obviously took some of his information, is also in error.

On 18 April 1947 Halifax ST807 was tasked for a routine Bismuth sortie into the Atlantic west of Ireland. (A ‘Bismuth’ was a meteorological reconnaissance flight along a triangular track. The first leg was flown at 1800 feet above sea level, but dropping to 50 feet every 200 nautical miles (nm) to make a special observation. At the end of the first leg (700 nm from base) the aircraft would make a steep climb to 18000 feet, during which temperatures and weather details would be recorded at standard levels. At the end of the second leg, which was flown at 18000 feet, a steep descent was made to sea level, again recording data at regular intervals. The final leg, the return to base, was completed in the same way as the outward leg.)

ST807 took off at about 0730 GMT, but a signal transmitted at 0818 GMT advised it was returning to Aldergrove, as the LORAN was unserviceable. The signal gave the aircraft’s position as 55.13’N 12.00 W.

Nothing more was heard and the aircraft was posted as missing at 0948 GMT. A search was initiated immediately, the first aircraft taking off at 1032 GMT. Nothing was found that day, but on the 19th, at 1222 GMT, a Lancaster of 224 Squadron obtained a radar contact at 55.38’N 09.52’W, unfortunately contact was lost before a visual sighting could be made. During the afternoon a 202 Squadron Halifax made a brief sighting of what was thought to be a dinghy near 55.28’N 09.41’W, but could not keep this in sight due to the extremely rough conditions.

The search continued to be hampered by stormy weather through the 20th and, after a final sortie on 21st the search was abandoned.

The search operation had been considerable, some 19 aircraft taking part on the 19th as well as two Navy vessels.

Most of the above comes from the 202 Sqn ORB, but the accident was reported in the Times, and on each occasion the position was given as west of Ireland.

I've posted this correction to Cummings previously, but it must have been over a year ago as I'm unable to find it using the archive search facility.

Brian

[Lyffe]

Dave,

Whilst visiting Kew today I searched through AIR27/2457 (the 202 Sqn ORB) for 1948/49 looking for anything that could possibly fit with your query. The only loss I could find was that of ST818 which failed to return from a Bismuth sortie on 9 July 1949. Although the subsequent search lasted until 16 July no wreckage was ever found.

There were some accidents at Aldergrove itself, but nothing in the area you describe.

Brian

[Lyffe]

Dave,

It's a long time (3 years) since you started this thread, but did you ever find a satisfactory answer to your query? I'm interested because of the possible 202 Sqn connection.

Brian

[Keith Bryers]

The item was posted 8 April 2006.

Keith

[Lyffe]

Er ..... the first post in this thread was posted at 1700 hours on 11 March 2008. Mind you, I'd still wouldn't mind knowing if it was ever resolved.

Brian

[Original Gremlin]

If it is of interest I am the son of Squadron Leader Bisgood who was AOC Aldergrove in 1947 and, while on a training flight with a new crew on a Bismuth sortie, was lost at sea on April 18th 1947. It is correct that the aircraft went in of the west coast of Ireland and that a dinghy was spotted during the two day search. I have his log book and relevant notes of both his war record and the loss of the Halifax.

[Shaun]

To add to this thread, my grandfather recently passed away leaving me his 2 logbooks. He flew with 202 Met Sqdn from RAF ALdergrove from 1947 - 49. And there are a few entreis on ASR's he was part of. They may be entered in his logbook in that helps?

Also he was part of the search for Flt/Lt. Tillers aircraft from the 9th July - 16 July. Searching what appears to be the Bismuth routes.

If anything in the logbooks is of help please ask me and i will let you know what he has written in them, however, as i am sure you are aware he didnt fly on all ASR's conducted by 202.

Shaun

[Lyffe]

Evening Shaun, and thank you for contacting RAFCommands. I've PM'd you as I'd be very interested to see what's on the pages, as would two others who have an interest in this accident.

Brian

[Shaun]

Hi Brian,

Sorry i am at work so have had to use the forum. I have an entry on
4th September 1947. "halifax in distress found and escorted back to Ballykelly". Sadly no aircraft number or info.

Will PM you know with the Bismuth routes i have.

[steve cobbold]

Very interested if anyone has more info regarding flight st 798, as flt sgt john henry cobbold is my late grt uncle

Colin Cummings' 'Last Take-Off' volume has:

29 Dec 50, ST798, Halifax Met 6, 202 Sqn, 15 miles off Barra Head, Hebrides, 8 killed.

This aircraft was engaged on a meteorological flight when it crashed into the sea. The cause of the crash could not be determined but some reports suggested the Halifax was on fire before impact. Squadron Leader Cox had served as a war substantive wing commander and had married the daughter of a London doctor the previous March. On 16th January 1951, a trawler recovered Squadron Leader Cox's body together with a small amount of wreckage but the other crew were not found.

Squadron Leader Terence Anthony Cox, DSO, DFC
Pilot Officer Donald Nattriss
Sergeant Edward Arthur Keeble
Sergeant John Frederick Stanley Black
Flight Sergeant John Henry Cobbold
Sergeant William Richard Martindale
Sergeant Stuart Gordon Purches
Sergeant Gerald Walklate

Errol