No.222 Squadron 1940

[steve sheridan]

Hi I've recently acquired a couple of logbook scans from No.222 Squadron during 1940. I've also took advantage of downloading the Form 541 ORB reports
during the Battle of Britain currently available free from the National Archives.

What I'm looking for is anybody with an interest in this unit who may be able to help further with logbook detail, aircraft identities, and so on!
Any help would be most appreciated.
Steve.

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

You might like to chase up a copy of the following limited edition book:

Go Straight Ahead The Battle of Britain Diaries of 222 (Natal) Squadron.
Burton,Ernie
Evesham:Square One Publications in association with Scramble Publications,1996.
(H/c, d/w, 200 pages)

First published in 1996 as a limited and numbered edition of 2,000 copies.
Numbers 1 to 50 are leather bound and contain a signed bookplate.
Numbers 51 to 200 are in standard binding with a signed bookplate.
Numbers 201 to 2,000 are in the standard binding.

My copy is No.202 of 2,000.

Contents:

Acknowledgments - vi
Foreword - vii
A Brief History - 1
Part One - The Diary - 5
Part Two - The Pilots - 73
Part Three - The Erks - 185
Appendix One - Roll of Honour - 192
Appendix Two - The Aircraft - 194
Appendix Three - Pilots Sorties - 197
Appendix Four - Aircraft Sorties - 198
Appendix Five - Sources - 199

Contains some unique photographs (a few poorly reproduced).

The last copy I sighted was 54 quid!

Col.

[SteveR]

I got very lucky back in Feb. (just happened to search for it at the right moment) and picked up No. 126 for under $12 with shipping and tax.

Looking at the prices today - wow.

[steve sheridan]

Hi guys thank you for your replies and suggestions, however I have a copy of this book , I ordered it direct from Ernie on its publication back in 1996. A very useful book too.
In the acknowledgements Ernie mentions that a David Mann inspired him to write up the units history and that he acquired the logbook of Reg Johnson.
Would anybody happen to know David Mann and to whether it may be possible to acquire any information from Johnson's logbook.

I'm also interested in any other logbook from No222Sq, I know there are copies
from Douglas Chipping, and Eric Thomas where scans have been published on the net. Any leads on the owners of these would help.
Best regs,
Steve.

[SteveR]

Sorry I can't be of any assistance with log books. Have you checked the Battle of Britain Combat Archive series for info on 222 Squadron?

[Chris Goss]

I have an (unofficial) 222 Sqn diary but it does not go into such details as serials or codes, just a narrative

[steve sheridan]

Thanks SteveR and Chris, I've got the Combat Archive series and most if not all publications on the Dunkirk and Battle of Britain campaigns.
I'm just looking to try and tie up aircraft identities and codes for No.222Sq. from any known logbooks available.

Best regs,
Steve.

[Tom Semenza]

Hi Steve,

Most likely you already know the following, but these are the only serial-code pairings I have found for 222 Sqn. in 1940:

K9826 ZD-X
N3203 ZD-R
N3295 ZD-G
P9317 ZD-A
P9318 ZD-P
P9323 ZD-F
P9377 ZD-U
X4057 ZD-F
X4278 ZD-D
X4416 ZD-J
X4546 ZD-C

Unfortunately I don't have the book sited (wasn't even aware of its existence!). If you know of other serial-code pairings, I would be delighted to learn of them.

Regards,
Tom Semenza

[steve sheridan]

Hi Tom many thanks for your reply and list of Sqd. codes and serials.
I have all these but think I may have some more to add, please wait till the weekend and I will revise my list. Sorry I'm working till then!
Best regs,
Steve.

[Tom Semenza]

Cheers, Steve.