Reconnaissance flight - August 1944

[Chris Going]

Hi Janusz

The principal personnel involved, and aircraft, were drawn from the UK-based 7th Photo Group, and I think some from MAPRW. A short but informative description of conditions and experiences from an American perspective is in Patricua Fussell Keens 'Eyes of the Eighth', CAVU Publishers, 1996, pp 164-67. Its a good book but poorly indexed. One remark by Russell indicates some Russian personnel worked in the processing lab and I imagine that the 'mm' lens designation on the cover plot may have originated with a Russian getting his head round what a 6" lens looked like in real money.

Best

Chris

[Fenix78]

Hi Chris


Thanks for the info about reconnaissance group. I find that possible is that also 25 Bomb Group Reconnaissance fly to reconnaissance mission from Russia.


Regards
Janusz

[Alex Smart]

Hello Janusz,
In answer to your post No.10, yes it does name Groups, but only Bomber and Fighter's as far as I could see scanning pages.

In answer to your query about the 25th Recce Group. The answer is yes that unit did participate. Aircraft used were the DH Mosquito.
Some Serial numbers of the 802 RG,(25th Group)Mosquitoes are -

NS510/I,653BS.
NS515/J, 654BS.
NS519/P, 653BS.
NS538/F,
NS568/B, 654BS.
NS569/N, 654BS.
NS590/B
NS592.
NS594/U, 653BS.
NS710/L, 653BS.
NS739/F, 653BS.
MM370;
MM389/P,654BS.
TA614.
Not saying that these were the ones that were involved in the Poltava Event.

Alex

[Stig Jarlevik]

Alex

NS389 did not exist. It was a black-out number in a canx Swordfish batch!
NS510 is listed as delivered to 60 OTU and then to Adl'A in 1946.

TA614 was on loan to USAAF at Watton ca March-April 1945 and had no part in this operation

All other aircraft mentioned were delivered as listed to USAAF

Source Air Britains RAF serial booklets

Cheers
Stig

[Alex Smart]

Thanks Stig,
It was MM389/P - 654BS .

Post edited.

I did say that they may not have been involved in the Poltava operation.

The others I listed I stand by but have no idea where I got them, handwritten paperwork is years old.

Alex

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Alex

So NS510 remains a mystery....

Cheers
Stig

[Fenix78]

Hi



Stig maybe it will be any trace:


Mosquito PR XVI NS 511



I know that it is 511 not 510 but maybe also in teh same unit was plane 510. I found this number of plane in 60 Sqn SAAF.


Regards
Janusz

[Fenix78]

I found something about NS 510:


Mosquito NS510 Landing Accident. 25.7.1944.
Crew:
Lt. Jonah E. GOODBREAD (pilot) USAAF - Ok
???? (nav.) USAAF - Ok
Owner/operator:8 (WR) Sqn USAAF


https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/104762


Janusz

[Alex Smart]

Thank you Janusz,
That may well have been where I originally got it from.
Alex