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Old 18th November 2025, 16:32
Larry Larry is offline
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Did the few RAF Sqns that operated in Norway 1940 have any crewcrew support

It seems that when the RAF operated from Norway in 1940, it appears that they had no support, and relied on the Norwegians for refuelling and rearming.

Has anyone links to photos as there seem to be none, other than abandoned aircraft wrecks.

Edit for 'Crewcrew' read GROUNDCREW!
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  #2  
Old 20th November 2025, 22:51
James A Pratt III James A Pratt III is offline
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Re: Did the few RAF Sqns that operated in Norway 1940 have any crewcrew support

Yes the RAF squadrons in Norway had some ground crew support. The first Squadron in didn't have much. See the book "The Fledgling Eagles" for more info. I will have more info hopefully tomorrow.
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Old 21st November 2025, 00:53
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Re: Did the few RAF Sqns that operated in Norway 1940 have any crewcrew support

Very few photos and ground crew survived if they were on the Glorious. RAF groundcrew were also there for 802 and 823 Sqns

Last edited by Chris Goss; 21st November 2025 at 10:58. Reason: More info
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Old 21st November 2025, 18:21
James A Pratt III James A Pratt III is offline
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Re: Did the few RAF Sqns that operated in Norway 1940 have any crewcrew support

Also see "Narvik" by Donald Macintyre lets just say 263 Sqn flying Gladiators first deployment to Norway was to put it mildly was a disaster from start to finish. Things went better during its second deployment with 46 Sqn. I would say there may be other photos out there some where since most of the ground crews were taken out by transports.
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Old 21st November 2025, 21:01
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Re: Did the few RAF Sqns that operated in Norway 1940 have any crewcrew support

Hi, check this site for information no 263 sqdn https://263squadron.weebly.com/appendices.html
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Old 22nd November 2025, 01:10
Orwell1984 Orwell1984 is offline
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Re: Did the few RAF Sqns that operated in Norway 1940 have any crewcrew support

Harstad Cemetery, Norway has the graves of two RAF ground crew

LAC Squire HURLEY - 522985

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/fi...squire-hurley/

LAC Rhys P. JONES - 545400

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/fi...s-penry-jones/

Killed 27/05/1940 in an air raid on Bardufoss. Both listed as coming from 263 Squadron.
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Old 25th November 2025, 20:08
James A Pratt III James A Pratt III is offline
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Re: Did the few RAF Sqns that operated in Norway 1940 have any crewcrew support

Form the book "Narvik" 263 ground crew to Norway pages 142-3

"The first item in the task given to the cruisers, of reinforcing Sickleforce, was the transport of the ground staff, stores and equipment for this squadron. It was entrusted to the Arethusa, which embarked the RAF personnel at Rosyth on April 20th. With them came fifty tons of aviation petrol in boxed two-gallon cans many of which were leaky and some forty so bad that they were rejected. This load of inflammable material piled high on her quarterdeck was viewed with undisguised disgust by the crew of the Arethusa particularly when from ships returning from the Norweian coast came ribald comments as to the joy of which the Luftwaffe would greet such a succulent target. However, the passage was in fact made in safety, the petrol being thankfully discharged at Aandalsnes on the night of the 22nd, together with a large quantity of store for Sickleforce."
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