RAF Kenley November 1941

[Steve Smith]

Hi,

Anyone have Kenley Station records book for November 1941. Looking to see if there is any info on a 311 (Czech) Squadron Wellington arrival on the 28th on return from Dusseldorf.

TIA

Steve

[Alex Smart]

Possibly R1098 or most likely Z1098.
Only mention in the ORB for the night of the 27/11/41 is
1098 /U, Crew of six, Pilot Sgt Jambor. Take off time (17.07) but no return time.
Details of over the target are noted . So perhaps it was damaged and made for a closer airfield on return. Or they may have just got lost and made for the nearest to them ? Other aircraft return times were around 22.30 hrs. So not the 28th ?

A second possibility was T2971/J. Pilot, Sgt Svoboda, crew of six. Returned early due to icing up and was attacked by an e/a on the return flight. Up time 1704, down time 19.28 hrs.

[Steve Smith]

Originally Posted by Alex Smart

Possibly R1098 or most likely Z1098.
Only mention in the ORB for the night of the 27/11/41 is
1098 /U, Crew of six, Pilot Sgt Jambor. Take off time (17.07) but no return time.
Details of over the target are noted . So perhaps it was damaged and made for a closer airfield on return. Or they may have just got lost and made for the nearest to them ? Other aircraft return times were around 22.30 hrs. So not the 28th ?

A second possibility was T2971/J. Pilot, Sgt Svoboda, crew of six. Returned early due to icing up and was attacked by an e/a on the return flight. Up time 1704, down time 19.28 hrs.

Hi Alex,

It was Sgt Jambor and crew. Wireless failure. No mention of damage.

Thank Alex

[AndyMa]

Z1098. R1098 did not serve with 311 Sqn.
Z1098 was lost as U on the night of 14/15 April 1942.
T2971 lasted even less time, being lost as J on the night of 17/18 January 1942.

[Alex Smart]

Hi Andy,
The 311 ORB only gives the number and aircraft in Squadron letter, I looked up the RAF Commands database and 1098 could only have been either R1098 or Z1098.
As I said "Possibly R1098 or most likely Z1098". and yes Z1098 and T2971 were both lost at a later date as you have noted in your post.
So are you suggesting that it was another Wellington other than Z1098 ?
Alex

[AndyMa]

No, what makes you think that?
I thought it was clear, but for the avoidance of doubt, the first line again with two extra words which I thought were superfluous:

It was Z1098. R1098 did not serve with 311 Sqn.

[Alex Smart]

OK Andy, Z1098 letter "U".Pilot Sgt.Jambor.