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Alpha and Omega

1942

211 Squadron 1942

The Squadron re-formed out of 72 OTU on 20 December 1941, with old and new aircrew and groundcrew posted en masse from Wadi Gazouza to Helwan in Eqypt. A number of RAAF aircrew were posted in, from 70 OTU Nakuru and from 72 OTU, after completing their Blenheim Operations Courses.

Re-equipped with 24 Bristol Blenheim Mark IV aircraft, with personnel strength raised in number (and senior officers raised in rank) to match, they were one of several Middle East Squadrons about to move to the Far East for operations against Japanese forces. Exact 211 Squadron numbers do not seem to be recorded, however, the scant evidence points to at least 90 aircrew and over 400 ground personnel, about 500 men in all.

The formal Squadron records were destroyed or lost, either during withdrawal from Sumatra, from Java, or subsequently. No trace has come to light in the relevant UK National Archives Class for RAF Operations Record Books (AIR 27) for any of 211 Squadron’s activities from December 1941 to March 1942.

    Form 540: None extant
    Form 541: None
    Appendices: None.

There are, however, some interview summaries and letters soon after the event in RAAF casualty files at the National Archives of Australia. Thanks to Squadron members or their families, there are also some Flying Log Books, diaries and letters available. From these sources, it is possible to compile a partial re-construction of the Squadron’s operations from January to March 1942.

It is not unusual to find discrepancies in detail, whether between Log Books for the same day, or in the same crew, or with the Operations Record Book (where extant), or indeed with other formal or personal records—and most certainly with later recall. It is not one jot of use to argue that these inconsistencies are the result of carelessness, cover-up, incompetence or worse. They are simply the records of ordinary men, made in the stress of war, which their imperfections reflect.

The Flying Log Book entries have been summarised and reconciled, as far as possible, with other reports and correspondence of Squadron personnel at the time or soon after.

To repeat: this is a partial reconstruction, from an incomplete collection of records of the time. The few amplifications are shown in the usual way, [thus]. Abbreviations and usages are explained in the Glossary.

Partial Reconstruction of Events, 1942
A date order compilation of records to hand, for operations and other events.

January 1942

Place,
Date

Blenheim
Mark IV

Aircrew

Duration
(hrs:mins)

Event/Remarks

Source

Helwan

 

 

 

 

 

6 Jan

 

 

 

W/Cdr RN Bateson DFC posted to command 211 Squadron and move to Far East

Bateson

9 Jan

Z????

W/Cdr RN Bateson DFC
F/Lt JDWH
Clutterbuck

 

Gambut to Helwan

 

10 Jan

 

 

 

F/O Joerin, WOp/AG, posted in to Squadron

 

14 Jan

Z9649

W/Cdr RN Bateson DFC
Capt Blomfield and crew

0:40mins

Aircraft test Helwan local, 211 Squadron

Bateson

16 Jan

 

 

 

Groundcrew depart by train for Port Tewfik, embarking upon HMT Yoma

Keeping
TNA BT 389/32/212

 

Z7521

F/Lt JDWH Clutterbuck
F/Sgt HG Newstead
P/O FC
Joerin

0:25mins

Air test

Joerin

17 Jan

 

 

 

HMT Yoma sails for Aden and convoy AJ1

 

18 Jan

 

 

 

225 Group set up at Palembang, Sumatra

 

21 Jan

Z7699

F/O West*

 

Abu Sueir to Helwan, collecting aircraft

Keeping

22 Jan

Z7699

F/O B West*
P/O G Ritchie*
Sgt JB
Keeping*

 

Aircraft allotted to this RAAF crew

 

25 Jan (1)

Z9649

W/Cdr RN Bateson DFC
Sgt Dennis
Sgt
Baird
Cpl WIlliams

3:40hrs

Helwan for Habbaniyah
Bad sandstorm forced to land at Landing Ground H4 [Transjordan], Iraq pipeline

Bateson

 

Z7622

F/O WR Cuttford*
Sgt JO
Penry*
Sgt AH
Kendrick*

4:10hrs

Depart Helwan for Habbaniyah Iraq, turn back to Pumping Station H4 Transjordan owing to sandstorm

Cuttiford

 

Z7792

Sgt LC Hill
Sgt D
Golding
Sgt G Wright

 

As above. Cpl WG Hillman Fitter IIA passenger

Burningham/Hill

26 Jan

Z9649

W/Cdr RN Bateson DFC
Sgt Dennis
Sgt
Baird
Cpl WIlliams

1:50hr

H4 to Habbaniya. Remained overnight

Bateson

 

Z7622

F/O WR Cuttford*
Sgt JO Penry*
Sgt AH Kendrick*

2:15hrs

Pumping Station H4 to Habbaniya

Cuttiford

 

Z7792

Sgt LC Hill
Sgt D Golding
Sgt G Wright
Cpl WG Hillman

 

H4 to Habbaniya

Burningham/Hill

 

Z7699

Sgt Keeping*

 

Turret guns harmonizing

Keeping

27 Jan

 

 

 

AHQ Briefing, crews of Harrison, Paterson*, and West*

 

 

Z7521

F/Lt JDWH Clutterbuck
F/Sgt HG Newstead
P/O FC Joerin

 

Third Flight depart Helwan for HBR Haifa Baghdad Road [Pumping Station] H4. Warning dust storm ahead. 1 plane crash landed

Joerin

 

Z7892

Sgt JC McNamara*
Sgt DW Penn*
Sgt NA Bruce*

 

As above. Engine failure due to sand storm. Forced landing at H4, undercarriage collapsed.

Jefford

 

Z9659

P/O DA Mayger
P/O EF French
Sgt Davies.

 

Depart Helwan as above. Delayed by a week at Habbaniya. Z9659 was eventually sent on to Sumatra. Crew arrived Magwe 17 Feb and attached to 45 Squadron

Jefford

 

Z9649

W/Cdr RN Bateson DFC
Sgt Dennis
Sgt Baird
Cpl WIlliams

3:55 hrs


2:05hrs

Habbaniya to Bahrein (Mularrak Is)


Bahrein to Sharjah remained night in fort

Bateson

 

Z7622

F/O R Cuttford*
Sgt JO Penry*
Sgt AH Kendrick*

4:05hrs

2:10hrs

Habbaniya to Bahrein

Bahrein to Sharja

Cuttiford

 

Z7792

Sgt LC Hill
Sgt D Golding
Sgt G Wright
Cpl WG Hillman

 

Habbaniya to Bahrein

Bahrein to Sharja

Burningham/Hill

28 Jan

Z7643

S/Ldr KCVD Dundas DFC
Sgt GA Riddle
Sgt G Chignall
 

 

4th Flight of 6 aircraft departs Helwan:
S/Ldr KCVD Dundas DFC Flight Commander and leading 1st Section
P/O Mackay* (Oddie*, Payne*)
Sgt. Burrage* (Stewart*, MacDonald*)

P/O West* leading 2nd Section
Sgt. Harrison (crew unk)
Sgt. Paterson* (crew unk)

Paterson

 

Z7776

Sgt JA Burrage*
F/Lt D Stewart*
Sgt M McDonald*

..

As above

 

 

Z7699

F/O B West*
P/O G Ritchie*
Sgt JB Keeping*

3:15hrs

Leading 2nd Section, departed Helwan 09:35 for Habbaniya arriving 12:49
 

Keeping,
Paterson

 

Z7521

F/Lt JDWH Clutterbuck
F/Sgt HG Newstead
P/O FC Joerin

2:10hrs

HBR Haifa Baghdad Road [Pumping Station] H4 Habbaniya (Bagdad)
2 aircraft engine trouble

Joerin

 

Z9649

W/Cdr RN Bateson DFC
Sgt Dennis
Sgt Baird
Cpl WIlliams

4:20hrs

Sharjah to Karachi. Remained night in hotel on aerodrome

Bateson

 

Z7622

F/O WR Cuttford*
Sgt JO Penry*
Sgt AH Kendrick*

4:15hrs

0:15mins

Sharjah to RAF Karachi

RAF Karachi to Karachi civil

Cuttiford

 

Z7792

Sgt LC Hill
Sgt D Golding
Sgt G Wright
Cpl WG Hillman

 

Sharja to Karachi

Burningham/Hill

29 Jan

Z7699

F/O B West*
P/O G Ritchie*
Sgt JB Keeping*

..

2:45hrs

Habbaniya to Bahrein

Bahrein to Sharjah

Keeping

 

Z7521

F/Lt JDWH Clutterbuck
F/Sgt HG Newstead
P/O FC Joerin

4:15hrs

2:10hrs

Habbaniya to Bahrein (refuelling)

Bahrein to Sharja

Joerin

 

Z9649

W/Cdr RN Bateson DFC
Sgt Dennis
Sgt Baird
Cpl WIlliams

4:55hrs

2:30hrs

Karachi to Allahabad. Very small LG

Allahabad to Calcutta (Dum Dum LG)
Remained night at Grand Hotel.

Bateson

 

Z7622

F/O WR Cuttford*
Sgt JO Penry*
Sgt AH Kendrick*

5:25hrs

Karachi to Allahabad

Cuttford

 

Z7792

Sgt LC Hill
Sgt D Golding
Sgt G Wright
Cpl WG Hillman

 

Karachi to Allahabad.
Engine failure on take-off from Allahabad.

Burningham/Hill

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 Jan

Z7521

F/Lt JDWH Clutterbuck
F/Sgt HG Newstead
P/O FC Joerin

3:50hrs

Sharjah to Karachi
Electrial storm en route

Joerin

 

Z7699

F/O B West*
P/O G Ritchie*
Sgt JB Keeping*

 

Sharjah to Karachi

Keeping

 

Z9649

W/Cdr RN Bateson DFC
Sgt Dennis
Sgt Baird
Cpl WIlliams

3:10hrs

Calcutta to Toungoo. Incredible country - dense jungle. Remained 2 nights

Bateson

 

Z7622

F/O WR Cuttford*
Sgt JO Penry*
Sgt AH Kendrick*

2:45hrs

3:35hrs

Allahabad to Calcutta (Dum Dum)

Calcutta (Dum Dum) to Toungoo

Cuttiford

31 Jan

Z7521

F/Lt JDWH Clutterbuck
F/Sgt HG Newstead
P/O FC Joerin

4:30hrs

Karachi to Allahabad

Joerin

 

Z7699

F/O B West*
P/O G Ritchie*
Sgt JB Keeping*

[4:30hrs]

Karachi to Allahabad

Keeping

February 1942

En route FE Netherlands East Indies

 

 

 

1 Feb

Z7521

F/Lt JDWH Clutterbuck
F/Sgt HG Newstead
P/O FC Joerin

2:20hrs

Allahabad to Dum Dum (Calcutta)

Joerin

 

Z7699

F/O B West*
P/O G Ritchie*
Sgt JB Keeping*

 

Allahabad to Dum Dum (Calcutta)

Keeping

 

Z9649

W/Cdr RN Bateson DFC
Sgt Dennis
Sgt Baird
Cpl WIlliams

1:20hr

5:40hrs

Toungoo to Rangoon

Rangoon to Loh’nor [Lho’nga] via Andaman and Nicobar Is (recco). Remained overnight grand spot

Bateson

 

Z7622

F/O WR Cuttford*
Sgt JO Penry*
Sgt AH Kendrick*

2:20hrs

5:40hrs

Calcutta to Rangoon (Mingaladon)

Rangoon to Llobingwan [sic: Lho’nga]

Cuttiford

 

 

 

 

HMT Yoma (convoy AJ1) arrives Colombo for convoy JS1

TNA BT 389/32/212

2 Feb

Z7622

F/O WR Cuttford*
Sgt JO Penry*
Sgt AH Kendrick*

1:35hrs:

Llobingwan [sic: Lho’nga] Sea recoo for reported enemy aircraft carrier

Cuttiford

 

Z9660

P/O EP Coughlan
Sgt PLD
Cummins
Sgt AP
Richardson

 

As above

 

 

Z7521

F/Lt JDWH Clutterbuck
F/Sgt HG Newstead
P/O FC Joerin

3:40hrs

Dum Dum (Calcutta) to Toungoo (Burma)
Escorting 6 Hurricanes for Singapore

Joerin

 

Z7699

F/O B West*
P/O G Ritchie*
Sgt JB Keeping*

“5 hours”

Dum Dum to Toungoo

Keeping

3 Feb

Z7521

F/Lt JDWH Clutterbuck
F/Sgt HG Newstead
P/O FC Joerin

1:20hr

5:10hrs

Toungoo to Rangoon (Air Raid in progress)

Rangoon to Lhonga Sumatra
2 aircraft forced landed

Joerin

 

Z7699

F/O B West*
P/O G Ritchie*
Sgt JB Keeping*

[“1 hour”]
[“5 hours”]

Toungoo to Rangoon
Rangoon to
Kota Radja [sic] Sumatra. Rain squalls on arrival.

Keeping

 

Z7776

Sgt JA Burrage*
F/Lt D Stewart*
Sgt M McDonald*

 

Arrive Lhonga, Sumatra

Burrage

 

Z7792

Sgt LC Hill
Sgt D Golding
Sgt G Wright
Cpl WG Hillman

 

Allahabad to Dum Dum solo

Burningham/Hill

4 Feb

Z7892

Sgt JC McNamara*
Sgt DW Penn*
Sgt NA Bruce*

 

Arrive Habbaniya. Proceed to Burma with 45 Squadron aircraft, arrive Magwe 14 Feb. Aircraft and crew attached to 45 Squadron.

Jefford

9 Feb

Z7792

Sgt LC Hill
Sgt D Golding
Sgt G Wright
Cpl WG Hillman

 

Dum Dum to Magwe, returned, aircraft u/s

Burningham/Hill

10 Feb

Z7792

Sgt LC Hill
Sgt D Golding
Sgt G Wright
Cpl WG Hillman

 

Dum Dum to Magwe via Chittagong

Burningham/Hill

11 Feb

Z7792

Sgt LC Hill
Sgt D Golding
Sgt G Wright
Cpl WG Hillman

 

Magwe to Mingaladon, aircraft recalled

Burningham/Hill

12 Feb

Z7792

Sgt LC Hill
Sgt D Golding
Sgt G Wright
Cpl WG Hillman

 

Magwe to Mingaladon to Loh’nor [Lhonga, ie Lhok Nga] via Port Blair

Burningham/Hill

Sumatra

 

 

 

 

 

2 Feb

Z9649

W/Cdr RN Bateson DFC
Sgt Dennis
Sgt Baird
Cpl WIlliams

3:05hrs


1:45hr
0:20min

Loh’nor [Lhonga] to Pakenbaroe. 12,000ft mountains

Pakenbaroe to Palembang
P1
Palembang P1 to base Palembang P2

Bateson

 

Z7622

F/O WR Cuttford*
Sgt JO Penry*
Sgt AH Kendrick*

3:10hrs

2:30hrs

Llobingwan [sic: Lho’nga] to Pakanberoe

Pakanberoe to Palembang P2

Cuttiford

3 Feb

Z9649

W/Cdr RN Bateson DFC
Sgt Dennis
Sgt Baird

0:20min

0:20min

Base to Palembang

Palembang to base

Bateson

4 Feb

Z7643

S/Ldr KCVD Dundas DFC
Sgt GA Riddle
Sgt G Chignall

F/O B West
Sgt GA Riddle
Sgt G Chignall

..

Lhonga to Pakenbaroe
Developed major oil leak on take-off at Pakenbaroe, Dundas taking over Z7699

Z7643 repaired same day but ran into bomb crater taxiing for take-off later that day

Riddle
Keeping

 

Z7521

F/Lt JDWH Clutterbuck
F/Sgt HG Newstead
P/O FC Joerin

4:15hrs

3:05hrs
 

Lhonga to Pakenbaroe (Air Raid)

Pakenbaroe to Palembang P1
Lost 1 aircraft [Z7643 presumably]

Joerin

 

Z7699

F/O B West*
P/O G Ritchie*
Sgt JB Keeping*

S/Ldr KCVD Dundas DFC
P/O G Ritchie*
Sgt JB Keeping*

 

Lhonga to Pakenbaroe



Pakenbaroe to Palembang, leaving West*, Riddle and Chignall with Z7643. Storm on approaching Palembang.

Keeping

 

Z7776

Sgt JA Burrage*
F/Lt D Stewart*
Sgt M McDonald*

 

Lhonga to Pakenbaroe

Burrage

5 Feb

Z7643

F/O B West
Sgt GA Riddle
Sgt G Chignall

 

Ground strafe: aircraft written off crew uninjured

Riddle

13 Feb

Z7792

Sgt LC Hill
Sgt D Golding
Sgt G Wright
Cpl WG Hillman

 

Loh’nor [Lhonga, ie Lhok Nga] to Pakenbaroe

Burningham/Hill

17 Feb

Z7792

Sgt LC Hill
Sgt D Golding
Sgt G Wright
Cpl WG Hillman

 

Pakenbaroe to Batavia

Burningham/Hill

Palembang P1 and P2

 

 

5 Feb

Z7699



Z7521

S/Ldr KCVD Dundas DFC
P/O G Ritchie*
Sgt JB Keeping*

F/Lt JDWH Clutterbuck
F/Sgt HG Newstead
P/O FC Joerin

[“15 mins”]



0:25min

Palembang P1 to Palembang P2



Palembang P1 to Palembang P2

Keeping



Joerin

7 Feb (2)

Z9649

W/Cdr RN Bateson DFC
Sgt P Dennis
Sgt W Baird

5:20hrs

Fighter escort British convoy, daylight
Fighter ? escort of important convoy on Equator. By Flights. 2nd Flight beaten up by fighters. [3 aircraft lost and 7 crew]

Baird
Bateson

Penry

 

Z7622

F/O WR Cuttford*
Sgt JO Penry*
Sgt AH Kendrick*

5:30hrs

Fighter escort sea convoy, Sumatra, daylight & return to P2

Cuttiford

 

Z7699

S/Ldr KCVD Dundas DFC
P/O G Ritchie*
Sgt JB Keeping*

[5:30hrs]

On take-off 0530 undercarriage failed to retract, returned, took off ten minutes later, met convoy and exchanged recognition, circled convoy for three hours and left at scheduled time.

Keeping

 

Z7586



Z9713


Z9659
 

Sgt G Steele*
Sgt S Menzies*
Sgt G Gornall*

Sgt AT
Bott*
Sgt N Lynas*
Sgt H Lamond

F/Lt K Linton
Sgt Offord
Sgt Crowe

..

Convoy escort. Shot down over Java Sea



Convoy escort. Shot down over Java Sea



Attacked on return, shot down near P2
Linton died of injuries in hospital the next day

Bateson
Burrage
Penry

9/10 Feb

Z9649

W/Cdr RN Bateson DFC
Sgt P Dennis
Sgt W Baird

4:20hrs

Night raid Kluang aerodrome Malaya. Attacked by fighters.
Night Fighters and searchlights active

Baird

Bateson

 

Z7699

S/Ldr KCVD Dundas DFC
P/O G Ritchie*
Sgt JB Keeping*

[2:10 hrs]

Night raid, Kluang aerodrome Malaya.
Failed to return.

Bateson, Baird

 

Z????

Z????

Z????

Sgt Paterson* and crew

P/O Chalmers and crew

Sgt Manton* and crew

 

Noted AA, searchlights ineffective.
Returned safe.
Aircraft bogged before take-off

Aircraft hit obstruction while taxiing for takeoff

Paterson

 

Z9649

W/Cdr RN Bateson DFC
Sgt P Dennis
Sgt W Baird

0:25mins

Local daylight search for S/Ldr Dundas aircraft

Baird

 

Z7521

F/Lt JDWH Clutterbuck
F/Sgt HG Newstead
P/O FC Joerin

4:35hrs

Early morning: shipping

Joerin

 

Z7622

F/O WR Cuttford*
Sgt JO Penry*
Sgt AH Kendrick*

2:10hrs

Palembang P2 to Pakenbaroe
Collecting P/O BL West*, Sgt Riddle Sgt Chignall of
Z7643 (abandoned),

Cuttiford

11 Feb

Z7622

F/O WR Cuttford*
Sgt JO Penry*
Sgt AH Kendrick*

2:05hrs

Pakenbaroe to Palembang P2

Cuttiford

12 Feb

Z7521

F/Lt JDWH Clutterbuck
F/Sgt HG Newstead
P/O FC
Joerin

0:10mins

Crashed on night take off 0:56am for shipping operation. Clutterbuck and Newstead killed, Joerin injured

Joerin

 

Z9649

F/O B West (?)
Sgt GA Riddle
Sgt G Chignall

 

Crashed on night take off 00:02am [sic] for shipping operation. Pilot light injuries, Riddle broken leg, head and chest injuries, Chignall sprained back. Evacuated to Java.

Riddle

13 Feb

Z7855

W/Cdr RN Bateson DFC
Sgt P Dennis
Sgt W Baird

3:00hr day
1:00hr night

Raid convoy off coast. Horrendous weather, landed at Palembang P1
Leader, low level sweep of 6 aircraft for Jap convoy reported. Terrible storms. Unable to sight P2, night landing at Palembang P1
2 aircraft missing

Baird

Bateson

 

Z7622

F/O WR Cuttford*
Sgt JO Penry*
Sgt AH Kendrick*

2:50 day
1:30 night

Sea sweep at 50ft from Palembang P2, landed at P1

Cuttiford

 

Z7776

Sgt JA Burrage*
F/Lt D Stewart*
Sgt M McDonald*

 

On return unable to sight P2, overshot night-landing Palembang P1. Aircraft heavily damaged. Crew safe.

Burrage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Z9660
possibly

 

P/O EP Coughlan RAF
Sgt PLD
Cummins RNZAF
Sgt AP
Richardson RAF

 

 

Returned safe to P1, apparently

 

 

Z????

F/O Chalmers
F/O McInerney*
Sgt
Kendrick*

 

On return from sweep circled near P2 for a time before making North to Banka Strait for a sea ditching on fuel exhaustion. McInerney lost with aircraft. Chalmers and Kendrick rescued from Nangka Light next morning.

McInerney casualty file
Kendrick

 

Z9829

F/O Mackay*
F/O
Oddie*
F/O Payne*

 

Missing. On return from sweep circled near P2 in poor visibility for some time.
Crashed in swamp North of the airfield.

Oddie, Mackay, Payne casualty files
Brown

 

 

 

 

 

 

14 Feb

Z7855

W/Cdr RN Bateson DFC
Sgt P Dennis
Sgt W Baird

0:20hr

1:40

Palembang P1 to P2

Afternoon high level attack 6,000ft on large Jap convoy by 6 aircraft. Results OK, Medium AA

Baird

Bateson

 

Z7622

F/O WR Cuttford*
Sgt JO Penry*
Sgt AH Kendrick*

0:20mins

Palembang P1 to P2

Cuttiford

 

 

 

 

Ex convoy JS1 HMT Yoma arrives Oosthaven with 211 Squadron personnel
Joerin evacuated from P2

TNA BT 389/32/212

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Feb (3)

Z7855

W/Cdr RN Bateson DFC
Sgt P Dennis
Sgt W Baird

1:55hr

1:35hr

Morning low level raid on Japanese invasion barges, Moesi River
...on Moesi and Palembang Rivers inflicted heavy casualties. [Z7855] badly holed.

Joerin evacuated by train to Oosthaven

Baird, Bateson

Bateson


Joerin

 

Z7622

F/O WR Cuttford*
Sgt JO Penry*
Sgt AH Kendrick*

2:30hrs

P2 to P1 4x250 GP attack on Jap merchant and barges off Sumatra also MG [strafe]

Cuttiford

16 Feb

Z7855

W/Cdr RN Bateson DFC
Sgt P Dennis
Sgt W Baird

0:30

Early morning evacuation from Palembang P2, Sumatra to Batavia, Java
 

Baird
Bateson

 

Z7622

F/O WR Cuttford*
Sgt JO Penry*
Sgt AH Kendrick*

1:35hr

P2 to Batavia (evacuation)

HMT Yoma departs Oosthaven for Batavia
Joerin evacuated to Oosthaven.

Cuttiford

Java

 

 

 

 

 

17 Feb

Z7622

F/O WR Cuttford*
Sgt JO Penry*
Sgt AH Kendrick*

0:30mins

Batavia to Kalidjati

Cuttiford

18 Feb

Z7855

W/Cdr RN Bateson DFC
Sgt P Dennis
Sgt W Baird

0:30mins

Batavia to Kalidjati

Baird
Bateson (4)

 

Z7792

Sgt LC Hill
Sgt D Golding
Sgt G Wright
Cpl WG Hillman

 

Batavia to Kalidjati

Burningham/Hill

 

 

 

 

RAF HQ Bandoeng order amalgamation of all Blenheim squadrons

84 Squadron
TNA AIR 27/702

19 Feb (5)

3 Aircraft

Bateson & co
Coughlan & co
One other crew

 

Raid, Palembang, returned without loss

Burrage, Cuttiford

21 Feb

Z9660

F/O WR Cuttford*
Sgt JO Penry*
Sgt AH Kendrick*

3:55hrs

Kalidjati 4x250 4,500ft on shipping in [Moesi] river Palembang. One of 6 attacking aircraft

Cuttiford

 

Z9714

Sgt JA Burrage*
F/Lt D Stewart*
Sgt M McDonald*

 

As above but lost in poor weather over Java Sea. Failed to return..

Burrage

25 Feb

 

 

 

Blenheims of 211 Squadron passed to 84 Squadron (F/Sgt Cummings report)

84 Squadron
TNA AIR 27/702

26 Feb

 

 

 

Aircrew and ground crew of 211 Squadron depart by road for Tjilatjap

As above

27 Feb

 

 

 

Kota Gede departs Tjilatjap with large contingent of service personnel including at least 21 men of 211 Squadron

TNA BT 389/38/217

March 1942

2 Mar

 

 

 

Tung Song departs Tjilatjap, Java for Fremantle, WA, 42 crew, 3 civilians, 196 service personnel

NAA PP174/2
Campbell & Lovell

 

 

 

 

Kota Gede arrives Colombo

TNA BT 389/38/217

12 March

 

 

 

Tung Song arrives Fremantle

RAN Cards

13 Mar

 

 

 

211 Squadron party disembark to
5 Embarkation Depot Fremantle
65 officers and airmen

5 ED PORs 25/1942 to 31/1942

NAA
Series A9186/17
Item 457

Series A10605 Item 435/1

19 Mar

 

 

 

211 Squadron evacuees arr Adelaide

 

20 Mar

 

 

 

211 Squadron evacuees arr Melbourne

 

Notes
*
RAAF
1.
Bateson later recalled that the 24-strong Air Party as one Flight of six aircraft departing each day from 26 January to 29 January inclusive. His Gunner, Sgt Baird, recalled the date as 14 January. The Flying Log Books of Bateson and others show that the actual dates were the four days 25 January to 28 January.

2. The records of Baird, Cuttiford, Keeping and Penry agree that the convoy escort duty was on 7 February. Bateson and other contemporary and later records and many of the later accounts giving the date as 6 February appear to be in error.

3. Bateson’s Log Book shows two separate raids on the invasion barges on 15 February, Baird’s transcript is for the first.

4. In a later pencil annotation at the foot of his February 1942 Log Book page, Bateson added
“Ops Feb 42...26hrs Java not entered approx 10 ops”

5. See Bateson, no further confirmed details

Sources
Flying Log Books
Baird (WOp/AG; Log Book part transcript)
Bateson DFC (CO, Pilot, Log Book photocopy)
Cuttiford (Pilot, Log Book photocopy)
Hill (Pilot, Log Book part transcript and 2003 correspondence)
Joerin (WOp/AG, Log Book photocopy)

Official records
84 Squadron Operations Record Book
TNA AIR 27/702
Merchant Shipping Movement Card SS Kota Gede 1939—1946 TNA BT 389/38/217
Merchant Shipping Movement Card SS Tung Song 1940—1942, 1942—1945 TNA BT 389/27/515
Merchant Shipping Movement Card SS Yoma 1939—1946 TNA BT 389/32/212
NAA WA Office Tung Song Official Log Book PP174/2
NAA
RAAF Casualty files Burrage, Lamond, Keeping, Kendrick, MacInerney, Mackay, Oddie
RAN Merchant Ship Movement
Records Tung Song 1942—1945
RAAF Aircraft loss cards 1942 via D Norman
RAAF 5 Embarkation Depot Fremantle:
NAA Series A9186/17 Item 457 RAAF Unit History Sheets (Form A50) [Operations Record Books
NAA Series A10605 435/1 (5 ED Personnel Occurrence Reports 30/1942, 31/1942 etc)

Personal diaries
Burrage (Personal diary transcript)
Keeping (Personal diary photocopy)
Wright (WOp/AG, narrative/diary ms photocopy)

Personal reports, correspondence
Bateson report & letter
Brown
report, letter to Oddie family
Burningham C correspondence with author inc Hill partial Log Book transcript
Golding narrative
Kendrick letter
Paterson letter to Keeping family
Penry
report, letter to Burrage family

Later narratives
Abbs, Baird, Blake, Cooper, Dudman, Henderson, Hill, Riddle (see Dunnet, below)

Campbell & Lovell So Long Singapore: RAF Auxiliary Tung Song December 1941—March 1942 (Campbell 2000)
Dunnet Blenheim Over The Balkans (Pentland 2001)
Hague The Allied Convoy System (Vanwell 2000)
Jefford The Flying Camels: The History of No 45 Squadron RAF (Jefford 1995)
Neate Scorpions Sting: The Story of No 84 Squadron RAF (Air Britain 1994)
O’Brien Chasing After Danger (Collins 1990)
Plowman Across the Sea to War (Rosenberg 2003)

 

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Site created 15 Apr 2001, last updated 11 Mar 2024. Page created 31 Jul 2018, last updated 31 Jul 2021
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