Photo of destroyed Wellington, Greece

[mimithem]

Hellow fellows!

I am searching for a photograph depicting a destroyed (burnt, to be accurate) Vickers Wellington belonging to 37 Sqn RAF at Paramythia airfield, in Greece during March-April 1941.

I had seen this photo years ago in a (english as I remember) book that had to do about the war in Greece, but did not keep either the photo or the book.

The burnt Wellington was standing in front of foothills, showing its geodetic framework.

Any help is appreciated.

Thank you in advance,

Themis

[Alex Smart]

Hello Themis,
It's been a while since you posted your request.
As there has been nil replies to date I give you the following which may be of help.

"Air War for Yugoslavia,Greece and Crete 1940-41" by Shores,Cull & Malizia.
page 367.

Photo caption reads: " The wreckage of Wellington L7866 "R" of 37 Squadron which crash-landed at Heraklion during the night of 23/24 May, 1941. Sgt W R Faulkner and his crew later became prisoners".

Photo is of a burnt out Wellington. text has "belly-landed safely in the dark".
So I assume the crew set her on fire, front end destroyed.

From "RAF Bomber Losses in the Middle East & Mediterranean" by Gunby & Temple page62.
slightly different story.
"Took off 2300, Shallufa to bomb Maleme aerodrome, which had been captured by German forces.High fuel consumption forced the crew to turn back to Crete and land at Heraklion, which was still in RAF hands. Shortly after, while refueling, L7866 was destroyed by strafing Bf110's. The crew, unable to be evacuated from Crete later became POW's.
Crew were:
Sgt. W.R. Faulkner
Sgt. W.W. Oakley
Sgt. H. Wheelan
Sgt. E.N. Webb
Sgt. S. Dawson
Sgt. H.G.W. Watkins RNZAF.

All the best
Alex

[mimithem]

Alex,

thank you very much for your answer. The aircraft is probably T2607, 37 SQN, on 21st February 1941. The book "Bomber Losses" reports:

"T2607/The undercarriage collapsed during t/o from a water logged airfield at Paramythia, when returning to Menidi after a supply dropping mission."

I remember this photo seen in a book relative to the air war in Greece but NOT the well known "Air War over Greece etc"... I thought it was in Pattle's biography book "Ace of Aces" but it doesn't seem to be there as I asked someone who has this book to drop an eye, he said he found nothing... Too pity I didn't even keep at least the source of the photograph...

Themis

[Alex Smart]

Hello Themis,
Have looked again RAF Bomber Losses in the Middle East and Mediterranean vol 1.
Page 43.
21 Feb 1941
37 Sqn
Wellington Ic - T2607 "P" - Op: Supply Drop.
The undercarriage collapsed on take-off from a water-logged airfield at Paramythia, when returning to Menidi after a supply-dropping mission to Balli and Korovode.
Crew:
Sgt. R Spiller (Pilot)
Sgt. Milne
Sgt McIntyre
Sgt Redfern
Sgt Bevan
P/O Gladwell (Rear Gunner) I think that from the Air Force List January 1940 that this was William James Kitchingham Gladwell - 82741 - RAFVR.
No photo in book.

Alex

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

You will find 2 (rather indistinct) photographs of No.37 Sqn Wellington IC T2607 in the following publication:

Wise Without Eyes - 37 Squadron Royal Air Force 1939 - 1945
Mears,Kevin.
N.p.,: Hooded Falcon Publications,2005
pp.143 & 147.

Both photographs depict T2607 (misidentified in the book as L2607 (p.141), and L2706 (p.143), on its belly at Paramythia . The aircraft appears to be intact, but could have been destroyed (burnt) on evacuation - but that is speculation.

The pilot of T2607 on 21 February, 1941, was: 700243 Sgt (Pilot) Reginald Thomas SPILLER RAFVR (Later 174584 MiD). Spiller sustained a broken ankle on 23/5/1941 in an accident involving No.37 Sqn. Wellington IC T2812 (See: BLME1/p.62). 754417 Sgt (Pilot) John Mathieson MILNE RAFVR + 29/5/1941 (See: BLME1/p.65), and 82741 P/O William James Kitchingham GLADWELL RAFVR (No.37 Sqn.), who was later awarded a DFC (LG: 31/10/1941 p.6314).

Col.

[mimithem]

Thank you very much Col! Now I've got the information!