Friction in 118 Squadron?
 

I recently read an interview with SL Johnny Freeborn where his indicated his dissatisfaction with his flight commanders in 118 Squadron when he took over in June 1943. My information was that these were FL John B Shepherd DFC & bar, and FL Richard A Newbery DFC & bar. He replaced them with two Malta veterans. Were these replacements FL PWE Heppell, and FL CDM Giddings? If not can anyone supply me with the names of the replacements?

Re: Friction in 118 Squadron?
 

Freeborn took command of 118 Sqn on 16 Jun 43 and handed over to Heppell on his return from the ME 16 Jan 44. I have no mention of Heppell before that and the first mention I have of Giddings is an accident on 18 Jul 44. Both Shepherd and Newbery were quite successful-Shepherd's last claim being 2 Aug 43 and Newbery's 18 Jul 43. Giddings did not claim until 25 Sep 44. I am afraid I do not have any notes as to who were the Flt Cdrs or whether they were replaced

Re: Friction in 118 Squadron?
 

Hi
the book on Freeborn by Bob Cossey also notes the replacement of the 2 flight commanders in 118 due to Freeborn being unhappy with them and as Chris Goss states both were actually very successful pilots. It appears that Freeborn was quite a prickly character and managed to fall out with a lot of people - "Sailor"Malan ,H.M.Stephen , Bob Spurdle and "Prosser"Hanks to name but a few ! Also some people like to sweep with a new broom when they take over so I suppose that 2 experienced popular flight commanderswould constitute a possible threat and thats why they had to be moved on - generally it seems John Freeborn had a bad word for nearly everybody.
Bruce Lander

Re: Friction in 118 Squadron?
 

Hi,
Some information on Whaley Heppell: He joined the RAF July 3, 1939 and was posted to 616 Squadron in October 1940. He was later to fly with Baders Wing before he became a Flight Commander on 249 Squadron in Malta where he was shot down by AA fire of the Malta defences. He was posted as OC 249 Squdron prior to taking command of 118 Squadron, January 18, not 16th, 1944 at Castletown moving the following day to Detling. Heppell never served under Freeborn. Source: logbook of Whaley Heppell...you can see more of him here; http://norav.50megs.com

Best Wishes.
Robert.

Re: Friction in 118 Squadron?
 

Robert:

Is this the "Nip" Heppell mentioned in J.E. Johnson's book?

THX

Re: Friction in 118 Squadron?
 

Hi John,
Yes, thats him, a friend of Johnnie Johnson. Flew with him on the Bader Wing and unofficially on one or two flights with JEJ Wing.

Best Wishes.
Robert.