DC-3 to Russia June 1941?

[BrianC]

Hi guys

A British Military Mission that included Sir Stafford Cripps and Lt Gen Mason-MacFarlane, flew to Moscow for talks with Stalin in late June 1941, so I understand. Apparently by DC-3.

Can anyone provide details, please? Date? Route? Civil aircraft?

Stay safe
Brian

[RSwank]

Not sure the DC-3 story is completely correct. See this link:

https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/2731742.pdf

On page 93 of 283 there is this:


"On 26 June 1941, Rear-Admiral Miles, the newly-appointed Head of the British Naval Mission to Russia, set off with a small naval staff by Catalina flying boat from Sullom Voe. Also aboard was the British Ambassador, Sir Stafford Cripps. In another flying boat was the head of the Air Mission, Air ViceMarshal A Conrad Collier, and the head of 30 Military Mission and his staff. "

"The appointment of Mason-MacFarlane as Head of 30 Mission was a blunder. The Foreign Office failed to anticipate adverse Soviet reaction to a lieutenant-general who, although he had distinguished himself in the Great War, was until shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War the British Military Attache to Berlin. The Russians took it for granted that the General was simply an intelligence officer...."


The flights were most likely to Archangel, Russia from Sullom Voe (Shetland Islands). Possibly a DC-3 flew them on from Archangel?

[Andrew Arthy]

Hi,

On 25 June 1941, two Catalinas took off at 19:00 from Cromarty Firth, headed for Sullom Voe, arriving 21:30. They refuelled for the flight to Archangel, and took off at 01:00 on 26 June 1941. The course was approximately 100 miles from the Norwegian Coast and North Cape, making landfall on Cape Kanin. They then flew over the White Sea, reaching Archangel at around 19:00. They landed on the river Dvina. They then flew to Yagodnik and landed in a river alongside a Soviet air force land aerodrome. On 27 June 1941 they took a military Douglas aircraft to Moscow.

Cheers,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com/earticles

[RSwank]

A couple more articles that may provide a few clues as to who flew these missions.

In the 4th paragraph of this link is a description of a similar flight (or the same?) done in late June 41 with Harry Hopkins (Roosevelt's personal representative).

https://www.historynet.com/book-revi...-wills-ww2.htm

The paragraph gives the name of the pilot, Flight Lieutenant David McKinley.

Here is McKinley's obit, which mentions that after a short spell in 210 squadron:

http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/01245.php

" he joined the North Atlantic Ferry organization ferrying Catalinas from the USA to the UK. In 1941 he flew President Roosevelts personal envoy Harry Hopkins to Archangel for an assessment of Stalin. Flying a Catalina from Invergorden, Mckinley delivered his charge after a flight of 20 hours and was fortunate not to be intercepted by the Luftwaffe off Norway."

Note: Invergorden is on Cromarty Firth.


Here is another link:

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s....%20hendry.pdf

(See the middle column at the bottom)

Which mentions that in July? 1941, a Catalina from 209 squadron and another for 240 squadron flew Sir Stafford Cripps and other government officials to Russia and returned with a Soviet Military Mission.

In the 209 squadron reports for July 1941 it is noted the F/Lt L. Fox returned to the squadron on 8 July after a trip to Russia.

[BrianC]

Hi

Rolland and Andrew

Many thanks indeed. Much appreciated.

Stay safe, take care
Brian