Sunderland N9028 shot down 21 July 1940
 

Hi guys

This 204 Squadron craft was lost off the coast of Norway, shot down by a Bf109 of 8./JG77.

I have read that it was on a clandestine mission to Trondheim (it had taken off at midnight), to check the submarine base, and that it carried a specialist senior officer. The most senior on board was 204 Squadron's CO, Wng Cdr Edward Davis, OBE AFC. Was he a specialist? Does his OBE suggest this?

Hopefully, someone knows more!

Cheers
Brian

Re: Sunderland N9028 shot down 21 July 1940
 

Hello Brian,

No answer to your question, but a take off at midnight under these latitudes was probably chosen to arrive at Trondheim around dawn, that is around 3 a.m at this time of the year in this city.

Re: Sunderland N9028 shot down 21 July 1940
 

OBE = Other Bugger's Efforts :)

I don't think it suggests any specialisation. Since he had the AFC so early in the war it could well be a WW1 decoration.

All the best

Andreas

Re: Sunderland N9028 shot down 21 July 1940
 

All I have is it was a long range recce of Trondheim. As Davis was the CO, doubt if he was a specialist as well. It carried a crew of 12 which does seem a little over the top-a total of 4 officers as well

Re: Sunderland N9028 shot down 21 July 1940
 

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE,

1st January, 1931.
ROYAL AIR FORCE. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the following awards to the under- mentioned officers and airman of the Royal Air Force: —
Awarded the Air Force Gross.
Squadron Leader John Allan Cecil WBIGHT, T.D. (Auxiliary Air Force).
Flight Lieutenant Gilbert Edward NICHOLETTS.
Flight Lieutenant Edward Simeon Colbeck DAVIS.


CENTRAL CHANCERY OF THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD.
St. James's Palace, S.W.I, 11th July, 1940.
The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointments to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in recognition of distinguished services rendered in recent operations: —
To be Additional Officers of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order:
Wing Commander Henry Frederick Vulliamy Battle, D.F.C. (06208), Royal Air Force.
Wing Commander Ronald Hartley Carter, D.F.C. (16071), Royal Air Force.
Wing Commander Edward Simeon Colbeck Davis, A.F.C. {16107), Royal Air Force.
Wing Commander (now Acting Group Captain) Victor Emmanuel Groom, D.F.C. (04035), Royal Air Force.
Wing Commander Harold Alfred Haines, D.F.C. (04037), Royal Air Force.
Wing Commander James Donald Innes Hardman, D.F.C. (15155), Royal Air Force.
Wing Commander George Henry Harrison, D.F.C. (04044), Royal Air Force.
Wing Commander Raymund George Hart,. M.C. (22211), Royal Air Force.
Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Thomas Audley Langford-Sainsbury, D.F.C., A.F.C. (07201), Royal Air Force.
Wing Commander Arthur Pethick Revington (16019), Royal Air Force.
Wing Commander Douglas Arthur William Sugden (11159), Royal Air Force.
Wing Commander Thomas Cathcart Traill, M.C., D.F.C. (04245), Royal Air Force.
Wing Commander (now Group Captain) George Edward Wilson (03106), Royal Air Force.
Wing Commander Geoffrey Ivon Lawrence Saye, A.F.C. (16255), Royal Air Force.
Squadron Leader (now Acting Wing Commander) Philip Francis Canning (28205), Royal Air Force.
Squadron Leader Denis Finlay (33056), Royal Air Force.
Squadron Leader Edward Roy Pearce (05206), Royal Air Force.
Squadron Leader (now Wing Commander) Geoffrey William Turtle, D.F.C. (22074), Royal Air Force.
Squadron Leader Gerald Patrick Linton Weston (25053), Royal Air Force.
Squadron Leader Frederick Francis Wicks, D.F.C. (26148), Royal Air Force.

Re: Sunderland N9028 shot down 21 July 1940
 

Thanks guys

So Wg Cdr Davis had only just received an OBE a few days before his death. An odd award for an active squadron commander?

I do note that Flt Lt Frank Phillips was the pilot, and that Plt Off G.E. MacDonald was co-pilot; therefore Wg Cdr Davis was surplus to requirements in that department. Perhaps he was a specialist after all?

Cheers
Brian

Re: Sunderland N9028 shot down 21 July 1940
 

I would say he was the Sqn CO along for the ride-specialist would intimate an officer from HQ along for something specific and I would argue that Davis wouldn't be both? It is odd though that he got the OBE for distinguished services not the DFC

Re: Sunderland N9028 shot down 21 July 1940
 

Sunderland A/204 was tasked to do a recce of Trondheim after a report said Gneisenau had left the port. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off in spite being called repeatedly. AIR 25/393 18 Group appendix July 1940. Sullom Voe ORB (AIR 28/775) has this: Sunderland A/204 Squadron failed to return after a reconnaissanse of Trondheim. Included in the missing crew were W/Cdr. E. S. C. Davies OBE, AFC, F/Lt. Phillips DFC, P/O's Macdonald and Pareezer and Corporal Lillie DFM.

Bengt

Re: Sunderland N9028 shot down 21 July 1940
 

Belated thanks for that info, ATCC

Much appreciated

Cheers
Brian

Re: Sunderland N9028 shot down 21 July 1940
 

Hello,

Does anyone know if any photos exist of this a/c before it was lost. Would make an interesting subject for one of the EoE Color Profiles.