Serials and code letters

[Stein Meum]

Hi!
I have J.D.R. Rawlings books "Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and Their Aircraft" and the Fighter Squadrons equivalent. Is there also a book along the same lines that would deal with Army Co-op, transport sqns and such?

If so, could one of you with the book check if there are any 2 Sqn Mustang Mk. II serials and code letter tie-ups. I'm looking for the code letter for the following serials: FR900, 902, 906, 917, 920, 924, 928 and 938. Can anyone confirm FR919 "N"? Period is June-August 1944.

And likewise for 168 Sqn Mustang Mk. Ia in the period August-October 1943. I have only one serial: FD554.

TIA

Stein

[jossleclercq]

Hello Stein

I don't think this volume exists, or I've never seen or heard about it.

About No. 2 Squadron, there's no list of serials and letters in Hans Onderwater's "second to none".

There's no tie-up with letters in "aircraft for the many" either. From that second book, FR919 served with No. 2 Squadron from 4th May to 28th November 1944. The author also stresses the point that No. 2 and No. 268 Squadrons were drawing aircraft from a 'pool' in Gatwick.

As for No. 168 Squadron, Phil Listemann, who also frequents this board, had published a small book about his unit :
http://www.raf-in-combat.com/
top row, first from right.

In the list of aircraft lost by the Squadron, you can work out a few Mustangs, as Phil added their postings before 168. I can add FD445, which was lost in my area, near Cambrai, on 3rd January 1944, issued to 168 on 23 June 1943. I wish I could find the individual letter of that Mustang.

He tried to match serials and letters, but it proved elusive for that Squadron.

Joss

[SteveBrooking]

Hi Stein

You have raised a tough issue that has irritated the life out of me for a long time!

Firstly John Rawlings did write a third volume in the Squadrons series "Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons" ISBN 0 7106 0187 5. This includes details of all the AC Sqns in the same format as in Fighter and Bomber Sqns. But I am sorry to report that although he lists 5/6 serials for MkIIs in 2Sqn and MkIAs in 168Sqn there are no individual a/c codes. As Joss writes 2Sqn has been the subject of a quite substantial unit history but it still seems to be the case that none of this type of info has surfaced. From mid 1943 to Nov 1944 168 Sqn was one of the most active of the 2TAF Tac/R units (in a quiet kind of way) but apart from the ORB it seems to be a virtual "black hole" for info; I have never come across anything to do with seril:code tie ins.

I can confirm that 2/FR900 was definitely 'M'. I cannot confirm that 2/FR919 was 'N'. I have no suggestions for 168/FD554. I will see if I have got anything on the other MkIIs but don't hold your breath.

Any chance you are going to stop sending us your weather soon?

Steve

[Stein Meum]

Thanks Joss and Steve!

Good! I've got 2 confirmed from 2 Sqn: FR900/M and FR919/N. The serials I've mentionned, are Mk. II's flown by Norwegian pilot Einar Tufte-Johnsen, who served 2 tours of ops on 2 Sqn. I have, finally, located someone who may be a relative of him, but no contact yet.

The 168 Sqn machine was lost with Norwegian pilot von Tangen, but contact with his relatives did not provide any info on the whereabouts of log books or photos/albums.

If our present weather is heading your way, Steve, you're in for a treat: Cloudless skies, no wind and temps around +7/+8 C

Stein

[jossleclercq]

Hello

Stein, I hadn't made the connection with Norwegian Von Tangen. Phil Listemann wrote that he had been posted to the Squadron on 25 August 1943, from No. 41 O.T.U., and was completing his first sortie. FD554 was issued to the Squadron on 19 August 1943. He was flying wingman to F.O. D.A. Clifton-Mogg for low level pictures of bridges near Vivier-sur-Mer, in the Normandy part of France. The reason of his loss is unknown, as there was no enemy opposition of any kind.

Only one mention of Tufte-Johnsen in "Second to none", to say that he had the opportunity to fly aerobatics in a captured Fw-190, apparently after the Squadron returned to Sawbridgeworth, in the second half of November 1943.

Steve, thanks for correcting me about this third volume. Good to learn it exists.

Good luck

Joss