Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum - RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web (new version)

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Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web (new version)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Semenza (Post 208672)

Great asset! Thanks, JohnE. Unfortunately the index link that David Isby gave has too many gaps to be very useful. Here is my index for the 400 series fighter, fighter-bomber and fighter-recon squadrons (sorry bomber boys) during WW2. The "image no." is the starting point of each unit's documents. Any corrections are welcomed.
...
Cheers,
Tom

I will add this to the list, plus some recent work of my own, and update the list over the weekend. BTW, the scanned films available so far have some data as early as 1919 and as late as 1964.

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web (new version)

Just realized you are working to an old link Tom... Try this one for now, I will post an update in a few days.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/o1v0w8zdix...0_17.xlsx?dl=0

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web (new version)

AS promised, an updated index to the RCAF on-line records.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5sxry9e0yn...1_06.xlsx?dl=0

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web (new version)

Next update of RCAF records online. There is a second page added,with Canadian civil registration information, but you will have to view the file in Excel or Excel Online to access it. Link remains the same. I've just started going through the civil files, they contain information on aircraft owned or leased by the Canadian military, and on the fates of ex-military aircraft.

RCAF ORBs available on the Web

Royal Canadian Air Force Operations Record Books are all online now - as microfilm images.
(Albeit hard to determine which Squadron each is assigned to.)

See: http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...c_mikan_135766

Stay tuned... It is going to take a few days for me to itemize the more important of these! (To me at least...)

Examples:
RCAF 405 Sqdn, for which it's code number is c12270. It's url is: http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...270/11?r=o&s=1
_____________________

This resource also includes the Administration and Commonwealth Air Training Plan Operations Record Books in Canada during WW2!

Examples:
64 Base Middleton St. George 1 June . 1944 - 30 Jun. 1945 and 76 Base Topcliffe 1 Nov. 1944 - 31 Aug. 1945 and R Depot Haughton Greeen 15 Sept 1942 - 28 Feb. 1946
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...428/11?r=0&s=1

62 Base Linton-On-Ouse 18 Jan. 1943 - 31 Aug. 1945 and 63 Base Leeming 30 Jan. 1944 - 31 Aug. 1945
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...427/11?r=0&s=1

127 Wing HQ 11 Jul. 1943 - 7 Jul. 1945 and 128 Wing HQ 1 Aug. 1943 - 1 July. 1944 and 129 Wing HQ 4 Jul. 1943 - 14 Jul. 1944 and 143 Wing HQ 10 Jan. 1944 - 26 Aug 1945
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...426/10?r=0&s=1

District District HQ Middle East 27 May 1942 - 21 Jun. 1945 and HQ New Delhi India 14 Jan. 1943 - 31 Dec. 1945
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.lac_reel_c12425/6?r=0&s=1

Stn HQ Wombleton 10 Aug. 1943 - 20 Sep. 1945
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...423/10?r=0&s=1

Stn HQ Dunsfold 1 Dec. 42 - 7 Sep. 1942 and Stn HQ Middleton St. George 1 Jan. 43 - 31 May 1945
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...421/13?r=0&s=1

No. 9 Air Transport Group, RCAF Station Rockcliffe Ontario
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...166/12?r=0&s=1

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web (new version)

Fred, read the posts above for link to an on-line index.

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web (new version)

Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force 1949-1961:

http://rhkaaf.com/index.php/archive/...cord-book.html

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web (new version)

Most RCAF ORBs are up on Canadian National Archives site.
Follow directions in this rafcommands thread.

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...ine-microfilms

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web (new version)

OK, so be gentle as this is all pretty new to me from a research point of view, but having looked on here, there appear to be a number of links on this thread that don't now work, which is a real shame when sites go offline.

I am trying to find sources for any squadrons that have been at Manston, including full ORB for 609 Sqn, 3 and 137 but anything covering its history and finding as many photos as possible.

I guess the question is, if the ORB's aren't linked on here, is the only likelyhood to either consider going to Hendon or Kew?

Thanks

Re: RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web (new version)

I started this thread years ago, and yes Internet sources don't last forever and so most links won't work at some times.

This thread is for free ORBs available online. But you can also download ORB of all RAF squadrons from the National Archives website. It is expensive, but depending where you come from, could be worth it if you want only a given period (you pay for each file, covering usually a month of either Form 540 or 541).

By the way, 609 Sqn's ORB is the most interesting I know. Operations are described with many details, and squadron life is also described with a lot of humor (presenting the squadron as a bunch of drunkyards sometimes.... probably close to reality).