RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Hello,
Some days ago, while doing a Google search to answer a post on a forum, I found online the ORB of 463 and 467 Sqn. I gave the adress to the asker, who in turn gave a website where the ORB of 617 Sqn was also available.

So I started to wonder how many ORB I may read on the Web.
Below is the result of my research. I have used probably every possible combinaison (ORB, Operation Record Book, Operations Record Book, Form 540, Form 541) in Google and also did several searches in the Australian archives. For the latter, I only list the ORB that are already available in digital form.

Note: for all ORB in Australian archives, the direct link listed below won't work. You have first to connect to them. Go to the page http://naa12.naa.gov.au/ and click on Guest, that will open a connexion for you, then all links listed below will show you the right document (to see i treally you have then to click on the "View digital copy" button)

So here is the list:

8 Sqn
2-3 May 1944 (chase of U-852)
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~8sqnwad/2may44.html

12 Sqn
1 May – 13 july 1943
http://www.aujs06.dsl.pipex.com/12sq...ml/records.htm

29 Sqn
October 1940
http://www.raf.mod.uk/bob1940/f5400291.html and next pages

51 Sqn
5 August 1941
http://www.clham.org/images11/T%20V-1-52.bmp

54 Sqn
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1129276

112 Sqn
26 October 1942 to 17 December 1942
http://www.mts.net/~robhd1a/ORB.html

141 Sqn
July 1940
http://www.raf.mod.uk/bob1940/f5401411.html and next page

151 Sqn
Not a full copy of the ORB, but enough details to be close, probably listing all actions recorded in Form 540
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/kelsey....20War%20II.htm

159 Sqn
January 1944
http://www.rquirk.com/159opps.html
ORB « C » Flight (« Special operations »)
http://www.rquirk.com/splflt/draft.pdf

160 Sqn
1942
http://www.rquirk.com/160oper/160Sqn1944.pdf
January 1943 to March 1944
http://www.rquirk.com/160opps.html
1944
http://www.rquirk.com/160oper/160Sqn1944.pdf

215 Sqn
http://www.rquirk.com/215opps.html

257 Sqn
6 July 1944
http://perso.orange.fr/yves.brossero...b.html#rafbook

298 Sqn
RAF Station Tarrant Rushton ORB
http://www.tarrant-rushton.ndirect.c...ationDiary.htm

303 Sqn
August-September 1940
http://www.raf.mod.uk/bob1940/f5403031.html and next pages

315 Sqn
August 1942
http://www.geocities.com/capecanaver...ORB_aug42.html
September 1942
http://www.geocities.com/capecanaver...ORB_sep42.html

330, 331, 332, 333 Sqn
http://presentations.uib.no/pls/port...ONSDAGBOK.show

354 Sqn
http://www.rquirk.com/354oper/354history.pdf

438 Sqn
4-7 June 1944
http://www.junobeach.org/e/4/can-tac-air-fig-438-e.htm

439 Sqn
http://www.rcaf.com/439squadron/Thisday.htm

442 Sqn
April-May 1945
http://www.rquirk.com/442.html

443 Sqn
1-6 October 1944
http://www.junobeach.org/e/4/can-tac-air-fig-443-e.htm

450 Sqn
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359188

451 Sqn
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359192

452 Sqn
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1119412

453 Sqn
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359195

454 Sqn
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359204

455 Sqn
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359207

456 Sqn
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359208

457 Sqn
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1160749

458 Sqn
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359209

459 Sqn
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1158170

460 Sqn
October 1941-December 1943
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359211
January 1944-October 1945
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359212

461 Sqn
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359213

462 Sqn
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359214

463 Sqn
http://www.467463raafsquadrons.com/L...bsTimeLine.htm

464 Sqn
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359184

467 Sqn
http://www.467463raafsquadrons.com/L...bsTimeLine.htm

548 Sqn
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359512

549 Sqn
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359513

609 Sqn
Some noticeable days
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/609photos...20Archives.htm

610 Sqn
August 1940
http://www.raf.mod.uk/bob1940/f5406101.html

617 Sqn
http://www.dambusters.org.uk/docs/recordbook.pdf

644 Sqn
RAF Station Tarrant Rushton ORB
http://www.tarrant-rushton.ndirect.c...ationDiary.htm

420 Flt
October 1940
http://www.jeversteamlaundry.org/93fm540oct40.htm

57 OTU
January-June 1941
http://www.rafcommands.com/57OTU/57%...une%201941.htm

RAAF
RAAF Unit History sheets (Form A50) Number xxx Squadron
1 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1158602
2 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1158597
3 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1339854
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1158595
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1339942
4 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1339926
6 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358865
7 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1339940
9 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1339943
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1339945
10 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1158578
11 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358718
12 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358726
13 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358732
14 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358736
15 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358739
20 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358750
21 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1158584
22 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1158581
23 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358767
24 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358890
25 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358896
30 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358944
31 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358949
32 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358951
33 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358952
36 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358985
37 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358793
38 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358827
40 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358848
42 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358858
66 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358865
67 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358869
71 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358870
73 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358873
75 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1068620
76 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1119413
77 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1358995
78 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1338124
79 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1158174
80 Sqn RAAF (concise ORB)
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1338125
82 Sqn RAAF (ORB scanned in inverse order...)
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1338126
85 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1160751
86 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1338129
87 Sqn (1 PRU) RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359014
94 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359017
99 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359018
100 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359020
102 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359028
107 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359023
120 Sqn RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359031
71 Wing RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1360007
76 Wing RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1360017
78 Wing RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1360020
79 Wing RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359977
82 Wing RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359988
18 (NEI) Sqn
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1158587
Air Sea Rescue Flights RAAF
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...?M=0&B=1359910

No digital copy yet in Australian archives: 5, 34, 5, 41, 60, 83, 84, 92, 93 Sqn RAAF and 466 Sqn

If anyone has another website I didn't find, please post the adress here, I will be interested to add it to the above list.

Best regards
Laurent

Edited 17/7/2006:
54 Sqn added (thanks to Drew H)
151 Sqn added (thanks to Mark Huxtable)
10 Sqn renamed in 10 Sqn RAAF
1 PRU RAAF renamed in 87 Sqn RAAF
75, 78, 80, 82, 86 Sqn RAAF added (I missed them during my search of Australian archives, as the title of the documents are different from usual)
Air Sea Rescue Flights RAAF added

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Good work Laurent!

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Thanks a lot Laurent
I have nothing to add. The few ORBs I have found from the Net were all in Your list!

Great work!
Juha

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Nice sites :)

odd, why do most of these records, list the Allied pilots by just there last name, but then when known that a Nightfighter shot them down, will list the Germen pilot by his full name ?

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

For some reason, I am no more able to edit my first post

A small add-on

278 Sqn
ORB 1-6 October 1944
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/ramrod-app-d.php

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

This is not a squadron ORB, but it may be of interest. Bomber Command's 60th Anniversary web site has the campaign diary at the following site:

Royal Air Force Bomber Command 60th Anniversary Campaign Diary
http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/

(select “Diary” from top menu)

The site lists every operational sortie with the target; number of aircraft tasked and lost; and the results of the raids.

Norma O'Toole
in British Columbia, Canada

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Great work, Laurent!

Access to some of these ORBs will save me a considerable amount of time. Many thanks for your efforts.

Cheers
Brian

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Thanks Norma,

I didn't include the above link because it is not an original source, but a sort of copy of the book 'Bomber Command War Diaries' by Martin Middlebrook.

Two comments:
_ the text on the website is extracted from the above book (with the same sentences) but the part listing the number of civilian killed and so on is in 99% of the cases deleted. A politically correct approach ?

_ the number of losses may be misleading, as it lists only the missing aircraft. Bomber that crashed in Allied held territory are usually not listed (except in the worst night), so losses were usually higher than what the book said

If you're interested in Bomber Command, a very detailled site exists for 6 (Canadian) Group: http://www.rcaf.com/6group/Operations.html

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Thanks Laurent for this splendid work.

Does anyone know if there are any plans to make the ORBs of all RAF squadrons (WWII) accessible on the net in the same way as they have done in Australia?

Regards
Peter

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

looking for the ORB of 99 Squadron if anyone has copies?
Just seen this post :
correction to the 278 Squadron ORB to be found in the above link, F/S Marland should read F/S Murland, he was my dad, later commissioned and flew with 74 Squadron.

Jerry Murland

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Not an ORB as such, however there's a 410 Squadron RCAF Squadron history, with details of claims and losses, as well as significant postings onto and off the squadron, here:

http://www.rcaf.com/410squadron/410eng1.htm

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

I am looking for ORB for 72 Squadron.
Has anybody got a copy?

SAAF side of the matter...
 

Hello, no data online for the SAAF Squadrons?
I have found very few stuffs online about Saaf, in particular i'm looking for 11 squadron's ORBs, thank in advance

Mick

Re: SAAF side of the matter...
 

The material only gets on to the web if someone is willing to do the work of transcribing the documents and building a website to hold it. There is no financial reward so you are relying on someone having enthusiasm and the time. You may have to do the job yourself!

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

I just found out on Norway during WW2 Forum ( http://www.f16.parsimony.net/forum28...ages/15196.htm) about a project in Norway were ORBs from RAF squadrons operating over Norway will be digitalised to pdf.files. In the near future they will be available on the net. Sofar they have following ORBs on pdf

ORB 9 Squadron RAF Jan 44 – Dec 44 AIR 27/128
ORB 19 Squadron RAF Jan 45 – Dec 45 AIR 27/254
ORB 46 Squadron RAF Apr 16 – Dec 43 AIR 27/460
ORB 65 Squadron RAF Jan 44 – Dec 45 AIR 27/595
ORB 114 Squadron RAF Dec 36 – Dec 43 AIR 27/882
Misc 114 Squadron RAF Sep 39 – May 42 AIR 27/885
ORB 143 Squadron RAF Jan 44 - May 45 AIR 27/979
ORB 144 Squadron RAF Jan 44 - May 45 AIR 27/983
ORB 210 Squadron RAF mar 31 - Dec 40 AIR 27/1298
ORB 210 Squadron RAF Jan 41 - Dec 43 AIR 27/1299
ORB 210 Squadron RAF Jan 44 - Jun 45 AIR 27/1300
Misc 210 Squadron RAF Sep 37 - Jan 45 AIR 27/1301
ORB 235 Squadron RAF Jan 43 – Jul 45 AIR 27/1444
ORB 248 Squadron RAF Jan 44 - Sep 46 AIR 27/1497
ORB 263 Squadron RAF Oct 39 – Dec 41 AIR 27/1547
ORB 307 Squadron RAF Oct 40 - Dec 43 AIR 27/1675
ORB 307 Squadron RAF Jan 44 - Nov 46 AIR 27/1676
ORB 315 Squadron RAF Jan 44 – Dec 46 AIR 27/1701
ORB 330 Squadron RAF Apr 41 – Dec 42 AIR 27/1721
ORB 330 Squadron RAF Jan 43 – Dec 43 AIR 27/1722
ORB 330 Squadron RAF Jan 44 – May 45 AIR 27/1723
ORB 331 Squadron RAF Aug 41 – Dec 42 AIR 27/1724
ORB 331 Squadron RAF Jan 43 – Dec 43 AIR 27/1725
ORB 331 Squadron RAF Jan 44 – Apr 45 AIR 27/1726
Misc 331 Squadron RAF Nov 41 – Jan 45 AIR 27/1727
ORB 332 Squadron RAF Jan 42 – Dec 43 AIR 27/1728
ORB 332 Squadron RAF Jan 44 – Apr 45 AIR 27/1729
Misc 332 Squadron RAF Jun 42 – Jan 45 AIR 27/1730
ORB 333 Squadron RAF May 43 - Jun 44 AIR 27/1731
ORB 333 Squadron RAF Jul 44 - May 45 AIR 27/1732
ORB 404 Squadron RAF May 41 May 45 AIR 27/1786
ORB 455 Squadron RAF Jan 44 - May 45 AIR 27/1898
ORB 489 Squadron RAF Sept 41 - Jul 45 AIR 27/1938
ORB 617 Squadron RAF Apr 43 - May 45 AIR 27/2128

All this great work is done by Kjetil Korsnes, Bengt Stangvik and
Olve Dybvig. The ORBs for 330-333 Squadrons can be found on
http://presentations.uib.no/pls/port...ABELL_910.show

Cheers
Peter

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Thanks Laurent. !!

What an excellent fellow !!

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

A fine piece of work posting that up there - thanks

Adam

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Information from the ORB of 156 Squadron can be found under Operational logs on the site http://www.156squadron.com/default.htm

Peter

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Nice one, Laurent, plenty to read there.

Here's another, incomplete but a start:
http://www.514squadron.org/orb/orblist.htm

http://www.514squadron.org/waterbeach/records01.htm

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

I bet there's nothing for No1 Squadron, is there? Just need to check a couple of flying times.

= Tim

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Hi,

I notice that on the last page of this thread, Notoole mentions the RAF 60th anniversary website. All the ORBs were available from here at one time, but now you just get "Bomber Command Campaign Diary - Unfortunately the RAF Bomber Command Diaries have been removed at this time, sorry for any inconveniences" at http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/diary.html

I have emailed the webmaster there to see whats going on, but as yet I have had no reply.

Best Regards,

H.

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Don't worry they are still available through the wayback machine:

http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://...and/diary.html

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Aahhh... good call.

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Hi all.

140 Squadron history etc.

http://www.jshawmsc.f2s.com/140squadron.pdf

Steve.

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

ORBs for 106 Squadron, 1943 and 97 Squadron, 1944.

http://www.10697sqn.com/Squadron%20ORBs.html

Steve.

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

The 156 Sqn ORB is online, as is a searchable database on the crews.

The site also contains a RAF Pathfinder Force Roll of Honour.

see: www.156Squadron.com

Robin

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Ongoing work-in-progress for 404 Squadron RCAF here:

http://404squadron.com/index.html

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

A little 97 Squadron ORB stuff here:

http://www.97squadron.co.uk/Intro%20...%20Berlin.html

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Are there any copies of 625 Squadron available

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Does anyone know the where-abouts of the ORBs for 615, 607 & 46 Sqn 1939 - 41
and 101 Sqn 1943-45 especially the Nuremberg Raid.

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Hello

Does anybody have the ORB's for Banff, Dallachy and North Coates Strike Wings spring 1945, or for 16 and 18 Group of the same time.

Kind regards
Nicolaj

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

The ORBs for 330-333 Squadron can now be found on:
http://mediabase1.uib.no/pls/apex/f?...52585812::NO:2

I have been in contact with Kjetil Korsnes regarding the ORBs of the other squadrons. This work has taken much longer time than expected and he could not give me a date when they will be available on the net.

Cheers
Peter

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

This might be helpful for Polish Squadrons - http://orb.polishaf.pl/

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Here is the ORB for 322 Squadron:

http://www.322squadron.com/

You'll have to register.

John

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

the 97 Squadron Operations Record Books covering the Second World War can be found on the 97 Squadron Association site:
http://www.97squadronassociation.co.uk/flightops.html

Peter

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

This is really great to see. Nice work.
Anyone have a link for 250 (Sudan) RAF Sqn for the April - May period, 1945?

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Hello to everyone,

Great post going here. Was hoping someone many have ORB's for 630 Squadron. Specifically from April 44 to October 44. Any help most welcome.

John

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Any one got anything on 107 sqn 1943-1945

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

What a great thread. I'm new to the forum, so please excuse any initial errors. Anyone know if 37, 14, 272 or 227 Squadron's ORB's are available on the web. I'm researching W/Cdr. J. K. "Buck" Buchanan, who served in these squadron's, commanding the last two.
Thanks,
Peter.

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web
 

Excellent post! Thanks for sharing your findings here.