"Big Ben" patrol
 

Hello,

perhaps anyone can tell what is a "Big Ben" patrol ? This was flown by No. 192 Sqdn. Mosquitoes.

Rgds, René

Re: "Big Ben" patrol
 

Anti V2?

Re: "Big Ben" patrol
 

Hi Rene

"Big Ben" was the codeword for the V2 rocket weapon. "Patrols" were carried out in an endeavour to identify the weapons being launched and then to attack the site of the launch.

Was the 192Sqn patrol at night? I did not know that Mosquitos were involved in these operations...

Steve

Re: "Big Ben" patrol
 

Under the code name Big Ben 192, 214 and 223 Sqns were investigating a suspected guidance system for the V2 rocket trying to identify and jam the signals.

Turns out the V2 was not remotely guided but that was not known/confirmed until later

Regards

Martin

Re: "Big Ben" patrol
 

Thank you Chris, Steve & Martin for your replies. I have a No. 192 Sqdn. Mossie on a patrol at night between Antwerp and Almelo. So it is very plausible.

Rgds, René

Re: "Big Ben" patrol
 

Hello Rene

Antwerp was also the target of the V2, as well as the V1, and they suffered large loss of life in numerous incidents, see http://www.v2rocket.com/start/chapters/antwerp.html

Allan

Re: "Big Ben" patrol
 

There is a book written about "Operation Big Ben: The Anti V2 Spitfire Missions" by Craig Cabell.
A preview is here:

https://books.google.com/books?id=pX...2%20V2&f=false

Re: "Big Ben" patrol
 

Rene,

Would you mind mentioning the date of the No.192 Sqn Mosquito patrol?

Col.

Re: "Big Ben" patrol
 

Patrols started on 09.09.44 and went on until 27.03.45 and involved 192 Sqn Wellingtons, Mosquitos, Halifaxes and Lightnings (P-38s)


Sorties were often Walcheren-Texel, 40m off Ostend-Ijmuiden, Antwerp-Almelo or Almelo to Ijmuiden

Regards

Martin

Re: "Big Ben" patrol
 

Hello,

Thank you.

12/2/1945
No.192 Squadron
Mosquito IV DZ410 'X'

Carried out a 'Big Ben' patrol between ANTWERP and ALMELO.

156923 F/O (Pilot) Joseph REAY RAFVR (later DFC)
154558 F/O (S.O.) Eric George CLARKSON RAFVR

Ditto - 15/2/1945

An excellent book on the subject, is:

Espionage In The Ether:The Wartime Story of Electronic Intelligence and Radio Countermeasures Carried Out by 192 (Bomber Support) Squadron.
William J & John E Rees.
Warrington:Compaid Graphics,1999.

Col.