488 Squadron ORB Help (December 1944)

[lifeboatadam]

Does anyone have access to a readable copy of 488 Squadron's ORB (Form 541) for December 1944? Mine is generally good quality, but the a few pages were blurred during the scanning process.

I am trying to cross reference claims against the aircraft flown as part of my ongoing work on the Squadron's Europe-based activities. I need to identify which A/C the following pilots flew on the dates listed.

Plt Off Knox - DO 217 Damaged on 06/10/42
Fg Off Stewart - JU 88 Destroyed on 23/12/44
Fg Off Stewart - JU 88 Destroyed on 23/12/44
Wg Cdr Watts - JU 188 Destroyed on 23/12/44
Flt Lt JAS Hall - ME 410  Destroyed on 23/12/44
Flt Lt Jeffs JU - 88 Damaged on 23/12/44

I have already looked at the Pilots Person Combat Reports for those I have but with no joy there.

Thanks in advance

Adam

[errolmartyn]

Adam,

You should be able to download the ORB for the relevant months from the National Archives, UK, website for a small fee.

Errol

[lifeboatadam]

Hi Errol,

That is where my existing copy came from. I got the whole ORB on disc before they changed their pricing structure. There are a few blurry pages and typically one page that holds most of the info I need is unreadable! I suspect the answers will have to wait until I can get to Kew and see the original.

Cheers - Adam

[errolmartyn]

Adam,

Have you checked with the Air Force Museum or Archives New Zealand? One or both institutions hold orginal copies of all or some of the ORBs for the likes of 485-489 Sqn.

Errol

[phasselgren]

Jul 31, 2015 3:11:23 GMT 12 lifeboatadam said:

Does anyone have access to a readable copy of 488 Squadron's ORB (Form 541) for December 1944? Mine is generally good quality, but the a few pages were blurred during the scanning process.

I am trying to cross reference claims against the aircraft flown as part of my ongoing work on the Squadron's Europe-based activities. I need to identify which A/C the following pilots flew on the dates listed.

Plt Off Knox - DO 217 Damaged on 06/10/42 - NO CLAIM MENTIONED
Fg Off Stewart - JU 88 Destroyed on 23/12/44 - MM822
Fg Off Stewart - JU 88 Destroyed on 23/12/44 - MM822
Wg Cdr Watts - JU 188 Destroyed on 23/12/44 - MT263
Flt Lt JAS Hall - ME 410  Destroyed on 23/12/44 - MV570
Flt Lt Jeffs JU - 88 Damaged on 23/12/44 - MT457

I have already looked at the Pilots Person Combat Reports for those I have but with no joy there.

Thanks in advance

Adam

Hi Adam,

I added A/C identity above from 2nd Tactical Air Force, Vol 2 by Christopher Shores and Chris Thomas

Regards,
Peter

[lifeboatadam]

Peter & Errol,

Thanks as ever for your useful replies. I have looked at the data from the 2nd TAF book but I can't tally MT263 with any aircraft operated by 488 Squadron. This serial is also absent from De Havilland production lists. Is this actually NT263?

While doing a couple of cross checks on the web this morning I discovered to my horror that I am guilty of poor editing in a post on the 12oclockhigh forums reference this A/C, swapping the N for an M. I am going to have to go and correct that now!!!

[phasselgren]

Adam,

I confirm it is MT263 in the book but of course there are a number of reasons why the book can have incorrect number including mistakes made in the original source.

[lifeboatadam]

Thanks peter - I think my list of 488 Squadron A/C is pretty good (https://broodyswar.wordpress.com/488nz-squadron-research/aircraft/). Add to that the lack of any reference to MT263 in the DH production lists and I think it is a typo in the book.

Your assistance is much appreciated.

Adam

[errolmartyn]

Gents,

According to Air-Britain's RAF aircraft serials volumes MT263 was never allocated to any RAF aircraft. NT263, however, is recorded as a Mosquito NF.30 that served with 488 Sqn, 51 OTU and 54 OTU before carrying out a belly landing near Church Fenton following engine failure, on 5 Feb 46.

Errol

[lifeboatadam]

Errol - I agree. Reference to MT263 must be a typo in various publications. NT 263 was, as you say, allocated to 488.