Admiralty War Diaries for 1942, July 1–15

[AndreasB]

ORB for 39 Sqn doesn't mention subordination of 47 Sqn, so these are likely just temporary attachments of individuals. The other three killed in his crew were all 39 Sqn.

All the best

Andreas

[Laurent Rizzotti]

You may find something on these aircrew attachment in 39 or 47 Sqn Appendixes. At least for other squadrons I found more details on personnel in Appendixes than in ORB, especially when the squadron was flying combat operations.

[JohanSWE]

Originally Posted by AndreasB

This was the Siena convoy. We are dealing with this in Breaking Rommel (forthcoming).

Beauforts: 39 Sqn RAF
Bf 109: 1./JG27 (four presumed) Fw Steinhausen made the claim.
Liberators: we only have HALPRO

Hope this helps.

All the best

Andreas

The Halverson Detachment was dissolved on 20th June 1942 and merged into First Provisional Bombardment Group and activated at same day.1942-06-20.


Sources:
Search for Halverson Detachment, NAUK
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/


AFHRA, Reel B0035, First Provisional Bombardment Group


https://usafunithistory.com/PDF/0300...TIONS%20GP.pdf

[sergey]

Colleagues. Thank you. Excellent answers.

[AndreasB]

Originally Posted by JohanSWE

The Halverson Detachment was dissolved on 20th June 1942 and merged into First Provisional Bombardment Group and activated at same day.1942-06-20.

Link to the PDF history doesn't work I am afraid.

I still have the RAF 205 Group ORB refer to the Halverson Detachment in July 1942. Here's the actual entry for the attack on the Siena convoy.



The American Archive at the IWM has 17 July 1942 for renaming to Hal Bombing Group and October for it to become 376 Bombardment Group. https://americanarchive.iwm.org.uk/a...son-detachment

My understanding is that First Provisional included both HalPro and 9th Bomb Squadron with B-17s. See here: https://americanarchive.iwm.org.uk/a...visional-group and this happened on 20 July, not 20 June.

See also: https://americanarchive.iwm.org.uk/a...-bomb-squadron

[JohanSWE]

Link to:
Operation carried out with Halverson Detachment.
https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ails/r/C754728

You have quite more history, missions, details in the Reel B0035,
When the 1st Provisional Bombardment Group was activated. Units that was merged into the group etc.
Halpro was still referred as Halpro or Hal Squadron under 1 PBG.

JohanSWE

[AndreasB]

Thanks Johan.

Is there a way you can make the Reel B0035 available?

All the best

Andreas