Hamilcar's at Arnhem

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
There were at least 28 Hamilcar gliders lost at Arnhem in September '44.

Which Squadrons were used to tow these gliders ?
Anyone have details of Chalk numbers and possible Serial number link to the Chalk numbers ?

Losses according to the AB RAF Serial number books were -

16th September
LA691 - lost enroute to Arnhem.

17th September
HH931; 933; 958; 971.

LA654; 672; 673; 674; 675; 676; 677; 679; 682; 688; 705; 706; 710; 711; 712; 714; 717; 718; 720; 721; 722; 724.

18th September
LA680.

Many thanks
Alex

[RSwank]

Alex,

There is quite a bit of info on the gliders and towing squadrons at Arnhem on these links, have you seen them? :

https://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2012/...on-market.html

https://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html

[Alex Smart]

Thank yo,
No I had not seen these before.
It helps with the Squadron's and chalk number too in the tables shown.
Many thanks for your help
Alex

[Alain57]

Hello ,

On september 1944 Hamilcar Chalk 903 made a emergency landing at Bellem Belgium. The crew was Cpt Halsall Bernard and Sgt Lodge John. Ther were 7 man from the 2nd Airlanding Anti Tank Battery.

Regards
Alain57

[MW Giles]

298 and 644 Sqns did the towing of Hamilcars as equipped with Halifax

17.09.44 298 Sqn 7 Hamilcars, 644 Sqn 6 Hamilcars = C/n 314-326 on LZ-Z

18.09.44 298 Sqn 8 Hamilcars, 644 Sqn 7 Hamilcars = C/n 901-915 on LZ-X

19.09.44 644 Sqn 1 Hamilcar = C/n 903 on LZ-X, a repeat or completion of an abortive sortie the previous day

Martin

[Allan125]

Hello Alex

Reference "16th September - LA691 - lost enroute to Arnhem." This has to be suspect as Market Garden didn't start until 17 September - although Alain hasn't put in a date perhaps this could be the answer to that loss, but on 18 September "On september 1944 Hamilcar Chalk 903 made a emergency landing at Bellem Belgium. The crew was Cpt Halsall Bernard and Sgt Lodge John. There were 7 man from the 2nd Airlanding Anti Tank Battery." - which then appears to be "19.09.44 644 Sqn 1 Hamilcar = C/n 903 on LZ-X, a repeat or completion of an abortive sortie the previous day"

Cheers

Allan

[RSwank]

Some background on Captain Bernard Halsall.

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/arnhem...rd_halsall.htm

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

19/9/1944
No.644 Sqn.
Halifax V LL328:9U-Y
12.15-15.30

Hamilcar - This combination as others met bad weather en-route. They crossed the Channel O.K. but the rope broke in bad visibility and the Hamilcar landed safely near Ghent. P/O Blake R.T.B. safely.

J25281 P/O (Pilot) Vincent James BLAKE RCAF (later DFC)

No.644 Sqn ORB (F.541) Record of Events - Sept. 1944 - AIR 27/2159/12.
Image 28 of 44.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.go...ils/r/D8417640

and ...

http://www.644squadron.org/resources...d/blake_vj.htm

Col.