Operation 'Coup de Main' / Operation Tonga - 5/6 June 1944

[eddieitman]

[cardiffrob]

If it helps, my grandfather was on the same aircraft (V1740) as Sqn Ldr Merrick and I have some 'interesting' correspondence between the AVM and Captain Midwood (22nd IPC) about 'who actually reached France first'

Rob Thomas (Grandson of Griff TAFFY Thomas)

One of the 'walking cargo' is still alive in the Midlands.

tessa dot thomas at tesco dot net, if anyone wants to have a chat.

[cardiffrob]

PS. Mike, if you are reading this, I'm afraid I have to tell you.....I have it on very good authority that they were dropped onto the wrong dropzone. )

[cardiffrob]

[cardiffrob]

The 'Vischer stick' were on V1740, the one in most of the photographs. I also have the cine film taken on the 5th June showing the activities around Harwell.

[Geoffm]

Hi,

I'm not sure where you are with this project but my father Walter McGeachin RAAF (deceased) was navigator on Halifax LL403 9UG which operated on Tonga, lifting a Hamilcar glider. According to the log kept by the Tarrant Rushton tower commander LL403 was the first tug away with a Hamilcar (4 left from Tarrant Rushton) making this the first combat operation for this massive glider. Crossing the French coast my father momentarily turned his head away from his chart table and a piece of flak came up through his maps and continued on into the foot of the Pilot F/O Bob Baird. They continued on and the glider is listed as released on target. LL403 9UG got back to England safely but the crew was unable to operate again on D-Day due to the pilots injuries.

I have collected a large amount of information on my father and his aircraft and crew on D-day and after which I'm happy to share. Let me know.

Cheers,

Geoff

[Judwin]

Sorry to drag up an old thread, but since this is the best google hit for the information i was looking for, I thought I should add/point out some info which conflicts with the following...

Originally Posted by BIGVERN1966

512 Squadron - Dakota III

KG392 'V'
KG390 'E'
KG422 'B1'
FZ647 'H'
KG322 'C'
KG314 'C1'
KG480 'G'
KG373 'B'
KG486 'A1'
KG407 'D'
KG324 'A'
KG333 'N'
FZ649 'J1'
FZ610 'O'
FZ694 'R'
FZ651 'J'
KG344 'L'
KG348 'K'
FZ658 'M'
FZ696 'Q'
FZ609 'P'
FZ656 'K'
KG368 'Y'
KG323 'U1'
KG418 'T1'
KG371 'X'
KG330 'T'
KG347 'S1'
KG361 'U'
KG379 'W'

Not sure if anyone is aware, but have a look at www.wospweb.com, specifically http://www.wospweb.com/site/RAF-Broa...chardslogs.doc

This appears to be a partial copy of the F540/541 for 512Sqn on the night of 5th/6th June. The discrepancies are...

1) In the text description of the operation, it mentions 32 aircraft took off in stream. The above list is only 30 aircraft long.

2) KG377/S is listed on the F540/541 between FZ656/K and KG368/Y. This aircraft isn't on the above list.

3) KG348 is coded K1, not K.

Also, I'm not sure what order either list is in. The wospweb list states crews and takeoff and rtb times, and they aren't in t/o order. I wonder it's Chalk Number Order?

Cheers,
Malcolm

[Judwin]

Originally Posted by BIGVERN1966

620 SQN Squadron - Stirling IV

LJ847
EF295
LJ917
EF293
LJ865
LJ878
LJ849
EF256
LJ875
LJ588
LJ921
LJ872
LJ288
EF237
EF296
LK432
LJ850
LJ892
LJ869
LJ899
LJ866
LJ847
EF303
EF116
EF275

The Carpetbagger Aircraft and Aircrew Roll of Honour lists...

EF295/J, EJ116/U, LJ849/E, EF268/R all lost between 5th and 7th June 1944.

EJ116 isn't in the above list (typo for EF116 ?) and EF268 isn't in the list at all?

[gedburke3]

Hi eddieitman,
I have been after a picture of Claude Merrick for a while.
I notice that you have posted several images here. Are you able to identify any of these as Claude Merrick?
Claude flew Spitfires with 610 Squadron during the Battle of Britain and I would love to include a pic of him in the forthcoming edition of Men of the BoB.
Cheers
Gerry

[Osric122]

Hi Gerry,

The pictures posted are the crew of LL343 that went down on 31/08/1944. I have been fortunate enough to meet two of the other families throught the site. My grandfather WW Brown was the pilot, Eduardo's (AKA eddieitman) grandfather William Bradley was the Flight engineers and Dave's uncle Francis Sayles was the bomb aimer.

I know that doesn't help your search, but it will give you some information on the posted photos.

Jeff