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

[Osric122]

Hi Geoff,

I have been gathering information about my grandfather who was also based out of Tarrant Rushton. I would be very interested in the tower commander log. Please send a private post and perhaps we can compare notes.

Jeff

Originally Posted by 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

[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