748797 Sgt H J D Smiles 214 Sqn

[Chris Goss]

Johnnie Smiles was gazetted for the DFM in Jun 41. He was commissioned later that year and survived the war. Anyone have any information on him-believe he was involved in at least 3 crashes whilst with 214 Sqn

[ian hunt]

Hi Chris

I've logged all of 214 Sqn's wartime ops and have him noted as flying 31 ops:
14 as co-pilot to Sgt N P Kerr between 27/9 and 26/11/1940, then 17 as pilot between 16/12/1940 and 8/4/1941.

On these ops I only see him as crashing on one occasion: 2 mins after taking off for an op against the Tirpitz at Wilhelmshaven on 29-30/1/1941. The port engine cut and the a/c (Wellington 1c, T2841 coded BU-K) caught fire in the air and crashed just off the airfield (Stradishall). The other crashes might therefore have been on non-operational flights?

Hope this helps.

Ian

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Ian. I have found since that he was slightly injured with 21 OTU in Jun 41

[ian hunt]

Hi Chris

You're welcome. Anything more you require?

Just wondering what your interest in him is.

Ian

[Chris Goss]

Ian

In April 1955, he was one of 2 Varsity pilots from 2 ANS at RAF Thorney Island who tried to intercept another Varsity which a ground crew had taken and got airborne (why, all sorts of rumours). This Varsity eventually crashed in France