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Post by fwx on Feb 28, 2017 13:50:16 GMT 12
Hi Peter,
There is also a Combat Report on the website I mentioned (https://75nzsquadron.wordpress.com/combat-reports-air-50192-series/), for an incident that the Bertram crew was involved in while Norman was with them:
Document No. 21 (AIR 50/192/25)
Date of Report: 27th of June 1942
Date of Combat: 26th of June 1942 – Attack on Targets at Bremen
Name of Airman that Combat Report is filed against: Sgt. Robert Bertram, RAFVR 1112264/ 128536
Position: Pilot
Aircraft involved in report: Wellington Mk.III Z.1616 AA – D
Form 541 diary report for Operation.
Twenty a/c were detailed to attack the above. Bomb load of 4000lbs, 1000lbs, 500lbs and 4lb inc was dropped in the target. Results not observed. There was a large amount of A.A. fire searchlights were ineffective. A JU88 followed Well.III X3664 but did not attack. Weather was moderate with 10/10 cloud. Nav was good.
Summary of Combat Report:
Enemy aircraft involved: Me.109
Damage to our aircraft: none
Claim made: Probably damaged
Combat report for the 26th of June 1942
Oldenburg, 20 miles South West, 0105 hours, 14,000 feet. Wellington Mark III. ‘D’ of 75 Squadron (Captain – Sgt. Bertram, Rear Gunner – Sgt. Archer) was on a course of 074 degrees on the way to the target with the moon on the starboard quarter, 10/10ths light cloud at about 4,000 feet, and a moderate after glow to the North.
The Rear Gunner reported that he saw an aircraft far below the starboard quarter. This aircraft climbed rapidly and was identified as a ME.109. It came up level with our aircraft and almost dead astern at 200 yards when the Rear Gunner opened fire and told the Captain to turn to starboard. The first burst appeared to go straight at enemy aircraft which continued straight on while our aircraft did a turn of 180deg. This enabled the Rear Gunner to give it three more bursts while it was crossing astern two of which were believed to have hit the enemy aircraft which banked momentarily then went into a very steep dive and was lost to sight when almost at cloud level still diving. The dive was seen by the Wireless Operator. Enemy aircraft did not fire and at no time took evasive action. It is thought to have been damaged.
No I.F.F. No Flak. No searchlights. I.A.S. at start of attack was 130
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Post by reeftonbear on Mar 21, 2017 11:46:12 GMT 12
Sorry I've not been in contact, but I'm still talking to Shelley Win, who is Terry Kearns niece. She's going through all the families photos & info. So I'll be posting soon. To who it was who emailed me - I accidently deleted the email (doh!) so please email me back. Thanks. And I've just found a photo in an old newspaper, The Weekly News, from 8th October 1955. The caption reads............ Their excellencies Sir Willoughby and Lady Norrie with two of the few survivors of the famous R.A.F. 617 Squadron - the squadron which in 1943 was responsible for the destruction of the Moehne and Eder Dams - at the premiere in Wellington of "The Dambusters." Left to right - Lady Norrie, Squadron Leader J.L. Munro, D.S.O., D.F.C., Mrs Munro, Sir Willoughby Norrie, Mrs Chambers and Flight Lieutenant L. Chambers, D.F.C. I thought I'd let you know in case you don't have it. I can't upload it in here, though. Well I wasn't able to add the newspaper clipping, but below are 2 links of it. Crikey, the 2nd link is HUGE!!! goo.gl/photos/7hqCtCg9Vjj9CbkP6lh3.googleusercontent.com/9z9GEigKgQ0eIp7PNEasSC8sSlyMsYfAk1-VkG-rYQ3jLuqfiB12M983LLn6Kr3avBqqGQOdlGCfX9HB1yU-AIlGK5sEv3mRcuxlAg7KrAuh2PlsvYElOQvgTWK6ySz8hBiZhWouGf7Yf0FPaxX9K7MwLqchYDtJF6JbIzZIUbuLIILunOcFwYqZRvK2foZESFtuBFK15mnAOfhqzNmO941QKaLY7RA4qlxOuYBiuMEX6S9KtWZGMYrRywsdQe7V74uNxRo7JQdZKvEqjFUTehszlFQumdesrrNgZEC8OXI-Hv7RuMv8Dj0AIac3GCBLDvluXtD9eFuOGRaSM0pA_RHAyJ1oFzaMo59-qG28eBV-M_DTiM4-ZOKnTaD13xY5ncygomPJJFIlqWsGcYuqMkJ0xjgDjLD2R0uWfoLiWZ3doQWi6fLY-h9HLR6cp8VLTywKJg_SuhfUK3FvCUsY9pFKUorJfI4K3NYcOX2_Jo_VbELyEvc12qwZLoRcwQI6TLQidm2fOlg70RifdjuMEXL3r7Aam0rGupLEZaKv4nPy43baMaMl8NRw86t639_PPojP2IPa11Hcw7yc_NQztc0UZgOshbP5YzsooUPccYmaRQUs2E-B=w800-h399-no |
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Post by reeftonbear on Mar 26, 2017 23:09:11 GMT 12
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/press/1942/7/9/6?large_image=trueThat's a short item with a photo of Sydney Armory from The Press dated 9 July 1942. Sydney Armory On the night of 28/29 June 1942, Sydney was the Observer on board a Wellington IC bomber, (X3173), which had taken off from Steeple Morden to conduct a night training exercise. At some point early in the flight, the aircraft’s port engine reduction gear shattered and broke the propellor. With only one engine operable, the Wellington was still just about flyable. It was observed circling the airfield twice as the crew attempted manually to lower the landing gear. On the third circuit, the aircraft stalled and fell to the ground near the village of Ashwell – two miles to the south-west of the airfield. Two of the crew were injured in the crash – Pilot Officer DP Wadey RNZAF was taken to the RAF Hospital at Ely with serious chest injuries. Air Gunner Sergeant Cole was treated at base for relatively minor injuries and shock. Three other crew members died and two of them – Sydney and Percy Hamlin – are buried here. The above info is from this website - cambsaviationheritage.org.uk/aviation-heritage-trail/steeple-morden/
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Post by reeftonbear on Mar 27, 2017 15:04:02 GMT 12
I hope this is not too far off topic, but as we are discussing a West Coaster serving with the RAF I thought I might ask. Can anyone provide further information about the following airman ? 405217 Sergeant (Obs.) Sydney Armory, RNZAF, from Runanga. Sydney Armory died on 29/6/42, aged 26, and is buried at Bassingbourn Cemetery. Does anyone know his unit or how he died ? www.flickr.com/photos/harlowirish/5488726358/paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/press/1942/7/9/6?large_image=true That's a short item with a photo of Sydney Armory from The Press dated 9 July 1942. Sydney Armory On the night of 28/29 June 1942, Sydney was the Observer on board a Wellington IC bomber, (X3173), which had taken off from Steeple Morden to conduct a night training exercise. At some point early in the flight, the aircraft’s port engine reduction gear shattered and broke the propellor. With only one engine operable, the Wellington was still just about flyable. It was observed circling the airfield twice as the crew attempted manually to lower the landing gear. On the third circuit, the aircraft stalled and fell to the ground near the village of Ashwell – two miles to the south-west of the airfield. Two of the crew were injured in the crash – Pilot Officer DP Wadey RNZAF was taken to the RAF Hospital at Ely with serious chest injuries. Air Gunner Sergeant Cole was treated at base for relatively minor injuries and shock. Three other crew members died and two of them – Sydney and Percy Hamlin – are buried here. The above info is from this website - cambsaviationheritage.org.uk/aviation-heritage-trail/steeple-morden/ I'm also in contact with some of his family members & friends. They'll be giving me some photos of Sydney & some extra info, so stand by. |
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Post by reeftonbear on Apr 10, 2017 13:22:41 GMT 12
I can't add images, so here is a link from a web site I'm an administrator in. The link is of 2 letters Sid Armory sent to Claude Hartill and Mrs Hartill. It's a 3 page letter with, unfortunately, the top of the 2nd page ripped off. To enlarge each page of the letter, you can either click the grey bars above the little, yellow magnifying glass on the left of the photo, or above that is a very greyed out sort of telly you can click which will zoom it. westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/19841 1st 3 page letter. westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/19842 2nd 3 page letter, with 2 death notices. One with his photo. Probably in the ChCh press & Grey Star. And a wee Xmas Present Card he wrote on for Mrs Hartill in 1940. I don't know if you're receiving any of my posts, as I haven't had replies. Shelly Win is still working on getting info about Terry Kearns. I saw her about 5 days ago & she said it won't be long. |
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Post by reeftonbear on May 5, 2017 23:02:19 GMT 12
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Post by angelsonefive on May 6, 2017 14:04:59 GMT 12
Hi Reeftonbear,
Thanks for the information about the crash that took the life of Sydney Armory.
" Three other crew members died and two of them – Sydney and Percy Hamlin – are buried here."
The three fatalities in the crash of Wellington X3173 on 29/6/42 were :
Sgt (Obs.) Sydney Armory RNZAF, as we know, Sgt 404361 Keith Alexander Hendry RNZAF, and
Sgt 1271235 John Elliot RAFVR.
Sgt 437013 Percy John Havelock Hamlin RNZAF was killed in the crash of Wellington T2710 after it caught fire during a night training exercise on
17/2/42.
Thanks again for your input.
a15.
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Post by reeftonbear on Jun 29, 2017 17:48:32 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 29, 2017 23:13:29 GMT 12
Those photos are not working for me, does anyone else see them?
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Post by hbpencil on Jun 30, 2017 11:17:29 GMT 12
Those photos are not working for me, does anyone else see them? I can't see them either. If they are hosted on Photobucket then it could be their new 'business model' that's the problem. |
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Post by reeftonbear on Jun 30, 2017 17:46:39 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 30, 2017 19:13:09 GMT 12
Thanks, the links do work. It seems Photobucket has suddenly changed the way it operates and is stuffing up everyone's use of their service.
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Post by baronbeeza on Mar 9, 2020 20:37:45 GMT 12
Terry is speaking again at the 13:30 mark.
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Post by camtech on Mar 10, 2020 19:38:55 GMT 12
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Post by reeftonbear on Jul 14, 2020 20:16:08 GMT 12
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Post by baronbeeza on Sept 3, 2022 21:14:52 GMT 12
A longer version of the YouTube video.
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