W/C George Francis Herbert Webb, DFC* ( RAFO 90987) last flight

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Good night to all!
I am seeking information about the serial number and codes of the machine W/C Webb,DFC* was flying on his last flight on 2nd May 1945.
Any information about his last flight will be of interest ( Luftwaffe probable claims, local of the crash ).
Thanks for any help on the subject.
Sincerely and friendly yours
Adriano

[Amrit1]

Typhoon 1b SW530
124 Wing

Shot down by flak, north of Gleschendorf. Buried in Hamburg Cemetery

From FCL Vol 3

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Thank you again Amrit for your kind help and information. Do you know IF he was Acting OC 124 Wing? The last information I had was that he was OC 34 ( PR ) wing. He flew alone that day or as part of a massed armed-recon alongside other Typhoons from 181 squadron? Thank you again for that most valuable piece of information. Yours Adriano

[Amrit1]

Unfortunately, I don't have too much info on Webb but I assume he took over command of 124 Wing after North-Lewis was shot down on 24 March 1945. Though North-Lewis managed to return to Allied lines, I believe he was posted to 83 GSU, rather than returning to 124.

I'll dig around for 124 commanders and dates to shed some more light on it. I do know that J E Johnson was commander in late 1945.

BTW, coincidently, I've just bought a book signed by North-Lewis, amongst many others.

A

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Amrit1,

It would be nice if you could share the OC´s names with me...By the way, what´s the tittle of North-Lewis book? Is it good reading? ( photos inside? First person or third person? ). I do buy books in UK and USA twice a year ( average reading between 30 and 48 books per year ); so it would be nice to read something new and different about the Typhoon. I can try to find it by the NET if it is worth reading. I am happy for you that you got it signed by the author...
Sincerely yours
Adriano

[Amrit1]

Hi Adriano

Apologies for the dealy. The COs of 124 Wing were:

Commanding Officers

W/C L A Lynn, DFC April 1943 – July 1943

W/C V E Maxwell July 1943 – Aug 1943
W/C B G Carroll Sept 1943 – July 1944
G/C C H Appleton CBE DSO DFC July 1944 – Aug 1944
G/C C L Green DSO DFC Aug 1944 – Dec 1944
G/C E R Bitmead DFC Jan 1945 – July 1945
G/C J E Johnson DSO** DFC* July 1945 – Jan 1946

Wing Commanders, Flying

W/C D E Gilliam DSO DFC AFC July 1943 – Aug 1943
W/C A Ingle DFC AFC Aug 1943 – Sept 1943
W/C D R Walker DFC Sept 1943 – Jan 1944
W/C E Haabjoern DFC Jan 1944 – Aug 1944
W/C C D North-Lewis DSO DFC* Aug 1944 – April 1945
W/C G F H Webb DFC April 1945 – May 1945
W/C M R Ingle-Finch DFC AFC May 1945 – Jan 1946

From "The Typhoon & Tempest Story" by Thomas & Shores. Hope that helps.

And the book that is signed by North-Lewis (amongst others) is called "Victory Fighters: The Veterans' Story" by Steve Darlow (who is a member of TOCH). A good bood with lots of individual recollections:

http://www.stevedarlow.co.uk/victoryfighters.html

A

[Chris Thomas]

North-Lewis flew SW530 4 times (non-operational flights) between 2 and 10 April 1945, when he was still with 124 Wing, so it is likely this was the replacement for the aircraft he lost (KN-L, RB208) during the Rhine crossings. It was then presumably taken over by Webb as the new Wg Cdr Flying and probably carried his initials in some form (GW or GF-HW etc).

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Amrit,
Hei! Thanks a lot for the 124 Wing OC´s list! I can remember only two or three names from the list...Very interesting indeed...and I also checked the book you mentioned. Fantastic site! A most valuable work that of Steve Darlow. I read that his father was a Lancaster crew.
Chris Tomas, thanks also for adding information about North-Lewis fights on SW530.
Will keep in touch. Thank you again for your kind help and contribution!
Yours
Adriano

[oowebb]

Just to add to this thread I am "Sandy" Webb's grandson! I have a good amount of information relating to his RAF career, but very little on 124 Wing. He was only with the wing for a month 5/4/1945 - 2/5/1945 when he was killed. I shall post some photos for everyone to see!

Nick Webb.

[oowebb]

Here is the letter that my Grandmother received telling her about the loss of my Grandfather: