Fighter Command Rhubarbs 1941-43

[pfP7063]

Good evening all.

Just a couple of quick questions re Rhubarb operations undertaken by RAF FC during 1941-43.

1. Was the general tactic after takeoff to leave the English coast at 0', set a direct course for where you wanted to cross the coast, climb at best speed just before reaching the coast in order to cross it at about 4000'? From there spend up to about 20 minutes looking for trains and MT to shoot up/bomb whilst looking out for enemy fighters then dive for the coast and head back across the Channel?

2. Does the term '3/4 astern' when referring to the direction of an attacking aircraft mean that it is coming in from the port rear quarter btw 7 and 8 o'clock?

3. Does anyone of a way of finding out what the weather conditions were on a given day during WW2 on the Channel front?

4. Does anyone know of a good map, and where a copy can be obtained, that shows the Dutch, Belgian and French coasts along the English Channel. Simialrly for the South of England and the Channel Islands.

Thank you all in advance for your help.

Paul

[SMF144]

Hi Paul,

I can touch on two of your questions:

1 - Yes, but it all depends on what the operational order specified for that particular Rhubarb. Unfortunately the ORB's and Form F's are good, but don't provide an overall picture of what took place. I have notes somewhere that I can dredge up and see if they provide further details. If so I'll send them your way.

2 - Yes, 3/4 astern means exactly that, either port or starboard.

As for 3 and 4, I too would like to know as well.


Stephen

[pfP7063]

Thanks for that Stephen, and if I get answers to 3 and 4 elsewhere I'll post here for your benefit.

I'm sure that there must have been a pilots map for the Channel front but I'm not sure what it would have been called, or what its scale was. It would be a boon having a copy though as all the marked place names should be in the spelling of the time. Quite a few places are no longer called by the same name! e.g Courtrai viz Kortrijk

Paul

[SMF144]

Paul,

One thing to keep in mind when studying Rhubarb missions is the targets attacked tended to be seasonal. For example, when it was distilling season in France, the distilleries would be a target whereas they tended to be left alone during offseason. Fighter Command released lists (Operational Instructions) of priority targets several times a year so I suggest tracking these down if you can.

Stephen

[pfP7063]

Thanks for that Stephen.

With the 'Fighter Command released lists (Operational Instructions) of priority targets' where do I need to look please?

Paul

[Bernard]

Good Morning,

Here are some files available at the National archives:

AIR 16/527 : ‘Rhubarb ‘ operations : octobre 1941-may1942.

AIR 16/528 : ‘ Rhubarb ‘ operations : may 1942 – march 1945.

AIR 16/503 : Alcohol distilleries in northern France : suggested Rhubarb targets.

I hold these files on paper form, they are rich of all kinds of informations, tactics, targets .....One must also know that in the beginning of 1942 many
informations concerning Rhubarb operations were wrongly dispatched in Circus
Operations files....
If you have any precise request I' ll try my best to help you.

As you seem to be concerned by No 163 Squadron history and probably hold this Squadron ' s ORB, would it be possible for you to give a hand by letting me know on wich dates they flew such operations.

Very best regards.

Bernard.