235&236 Squadrons Combat Reports from 1940 and early 1941
 

Hi,

Besides the combat reports available from the National Archives documents online are there any surviving combat reports from 235 and 236 Squadrons for the period 1940 to early 1941 (March)?
One CR from each unit is available National Archives documents but I have never seen any reference to other combat reports.

I have read on this forum that the 235 Squadron ORB has little or no information about combats during 1940. Is there any information about combats in 236 Squadron ORB.

Thanks in advance,
Peter

Re: 235&236 Squadrons Combat Reports from 1940 and early 1941
 

Peter

Suggest you PM Andy Bird who has just written about Blenheims in the BofB. I have Coastal Command's listings of all of their combats which Andy used in his book

Re: 235&236 Squadrons Combat Reports from 1940 and early 1941
 

Peter have you checked with the RAF Museum?
Steve

Re: 235&236 Squadrons Combat Reports from 1940 and early 1941
 

Chris and Steve,

Thanks for your replies.

Chris: I have Andy´s book but as neither combat reports or ORBs are included in his Bibliography I hope to find additional information in combat reports. I am especially interested in the combats were the air gunners had an active role. Anyway I will contact Andy.

Steve: I thought that all combat reports have been transferred to the national archives but I will have a try with RAF Museum.

Peter

Re: 235&236 Squadrons Combat Reports from 1940 and early 1941
 

CC combat reports are like hen's teeth. ORB entries & CC Intsum are better sources

Re: 235&236 Squadrons Combat Reports from 1940 and early 1941
 

I see your point. For my future research it would be useful to have a complete CC Intsum. Do you have any idea about how many pages a complete CC Intsum for the period 1939-45 have? Is it still kept at the Museum RAF?

Re: 235&236 Squadrons Combat Reports from 1940 and early 1941
 

Hi,

I have the ORB and summary of events for both of these squadrons. Are you interested in any particular dates?
I could check them for you and send details of the entries if that helps.
Gerry

Re: 235&236 Squadrons Combat Reports from 1940 and early 1941
 

Hi
I should have added that i only have access to entries made in 1940.
Gerry

Re: 235&236 Squadrons Combat Reports from 1940 and early 1941
 

Hi,

I have a copy of Sgt Pipers Log Book while an air gunner on No.236 Squadron March - November 1940 if any use ?

Regards

Steve

Re: 235&236 Squadrons Combat Reports from 1940 and early 1941
 

Couldn't tell you how many pages but the copy I have seen is at the AHB

Re: 235&236 Squadrons Combat Reports from 1940 and early 1941
 

Peter

I am not an expert in these sqns or their activities but in my reply above I had assumed that at the time you specified these sqns were part of Fighter Command. It is several years ago but there were definitely PCRs at RAF Museum that came from FC at Bentley Priory. I don't know if they hold Coastal Command records.

Sorry to create confusion

Steve

Re: 235&236 Squadrons Combat Reports from 1940 and early 1941
 

Peter,
You sent me a message today with a list of dates to check.
I am struggling to understand a new phone and have lost your message somewhere within its memory. (Where are the kids when you need them!).
Could you please resend it.
Sorry
Gerry

Re: 235&236 Squadrons Combat Reports from 1940 and early 1941
 

Gerry,
No problem, PM and email sent
Peter

Re: 235&236 Squadrons Combat Reports from 1940 and early 1941
 

Thanks for your replies,

Steve Smith: Is there any information about combats in his logbook?

Chris: Your argument regarding the ORBs has just been proven. I received some information offline from the ORB of RAF station Bircham Newton and this is far more detailed than anything else I have seen in an official document on a combat involving the 235 Sqn during 1940.

SteveB: No problem, I will check with RAF Museum if they have anything on the subject.

Regards,
Peter

Re: 235&236 Squadrons Combat Reports from 1940 and early 1941
 

Peter,

Yes a few.

Regards

Steve

Re: 235&236 Squadrons Combat Reports from 1940 and early 1941
 

Steve,

PM sent

Regards,
Peter

Re: 235&236 Squadrons Combat Reports from 1940 and early 1941
 

Hi Peter,

The pieces I used are from my place of work the RAF Museum, although I am currently off until March awaiting a second eye operation. The 235 ORB for late 1939/1940 is next to useless. If you mail me at andybird235@hotmail.com and let me know what you're looking for I'll forward the notes I have.

Unfortunately the Operational Reports which includes the Interception Reports in 1940 had to be into the Ministry by 6:30 p.m. if they missed the deadline then they are either put in the day after or the day after that. In some cases its like looking for a needle in a hay stack.

Also, because 235 changed between Fighter Command and Coastal Command on frequent occasions the reports are sometimes listed in FC not CC then a report will have a strike through in pencil with a note "See CC" then a few pages later it will be the other way round!

Apologies for the Bio and Index etc., as I explained last week to Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork, four days to check, do a Bio, Index and Spellings was ludicrous.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Andy Bird
235 Sqn Registrar & Aviation Historian