206 SQUADRON ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
(Last Updated: 10.02.08)
Back in August 2006 I was contacted by Derek Straw who is the secretary of the 206 Squadron Association. I spent several weeks batting correspondence back and forth and was excited to learn of the half yearly newsletter. Derek has kindly sent me a copy and agreed for me to host the content of said newsletter. Should you require a copy then by all means contact me and i'll provide the Word version, happy reading...
No 206 Squadron Association
Newsletter - November 2006
President: Air Commodore Bob Joseph CBE BSc RAF (Retd)
Chairman: Air Vice Marshal Stu Butler RAF
Secretary: Wing Commander Derek Straw MRAeS MRIN RAF (Retd)
Life Vice Presidents: Mrs Alix Donald & AVM David Emmerson CBE AFC RAF (Retd)
(e) derek.straw@which.net Old Dominion House
Kent End
Ashton Keynes
(t)
Dear Association Members,
I hope that everybody had a relaxing summer - the drought one and the Indian one -and are now enjoying the autumn. Thanks to all of you who have been in touch with me to pass on news, tell stories, have a chat and even to those whose queries have had me scratching my head and reaching for every Coastal history book ever written! Do keep up the contacts. If your story has not been printed or referred to this time then it will probably appear in a future edition.
Sadly for the maritime air world, the summer enjoyment was overshadowed by the loss of Nimrod XV230 and its CXX crew and special forces observers. Many of you will have seen media speculation about the cause but technical failure seems to be the prime suspect. Thank you to the many members who made contact to ask for their condolences and thoughts to be passed to CXX Squadron. Our President sent letters of condolence to the Squadron Commander and personnel of CXX, as well as to each of the bereaved families. Bob also represented the Association at the funeral of Flt Sgt Steve Beattie, whose widow asked particularly for a 206 Squadron wreath to be carried on the coffin to recognise the many years that Steve had enjoyed on 206 before its disbandment.
In this issue I am grateful to Claude Fryer for one of his many reminiscences. Also there are the usual 'parish notices', updates and book reviews, some items of interest from the web and magazines, plus details of the 2007 Reunion. Please put 11-13 May 2007 in your diary and bring along your Coastal friends as guests. There are several referrals in this letter to the internet and I am aware that not everybody has access to this medium. If anybody does want further information on any item that they cannot access then do get in touch with me and I will arrange for a hard copy.
I trust that this newsletter sparks some moments of agreeable nostalgia for you all and I wish everybody a very peaceful and safe Christmas holiday. Thank you all for your continued support and I look forward to meeting in 2007.
Derek Straw
Parish Notices
Aldergrove Visit. At the last AGM I promised to look at the possibility of a visit to RAF Aldergrove. In principle this is possible. I am assured that there are no insuperable security problems although all visitors' names will have to submitted well in advance. I am also told that little remains recognisable of the 1941 Air Station! But that is what nostalgic visits are about: to spot those familiar corners. I am looking at the viability of joining the visit with the Shackleton Association's Ballykelly Reunion Visit 30 August - 4 September 2007. Please contact the secretary if interested.
Other Dates for the Diary.
· Shackleton Cornish Air Force Dinner: Saturday 5 May 2007 at Kilburnie Hotel, Newquay. Full details can be obtained from Sqn Ldr Alan Goss
· Shackleton Mk3 WR982 50th birthday celebration on 11 June 2007 at Peter Vallance's Gatwick Museum.
· Shackleton Mk3 WR977 50th birthday celebration on 25 & 26 August 2007 at Newark Air Museum
Recruits & Obituaries. A very warm welcome two new recruits to the Association:
· Mr Bert Berryman, Airframe fitter, 206 Groundcrew 1941-46: Ansons, Hudsons, Forts, & Libs; home town Widnes.
· Mr Reg Turner, GN/Nav, 206 Aircrew 1965-67: Shackleton Mk3; home town Golden Bay, New Zealand.
Sadly the following final goodbyes have been notified since the last newsletter:
· Mr Derek Burgess, Sig 52-56, deceased May 2006, Huntingdon
· Mr Dennis Burns, Pilot 45, deceased May 2003, Paradise waters, Queensland
· Mr Eric Bland, pilot 41-43, deceased late 2005, Frinton on Sea
· Mr Bob Weeks, WOPAG 44-45, deceased August 2006, Bathampton
· Mr John Oakes, Pilot 61-64, deceased November 2006, Hartney Wintney
Allow me also to record final salutes to:
· Flt Sgt Steve Beattie (ex 206) & all his crew colleagues, CXX Sqn, who perished in the Nimrod MR2 crash in Afganistan
· Sqn Ldr Hugh MacKenzie (not ex 206, but a Coastal aviator like his father before), Pilot, Shackletons & Nimrods, deceased November 2006
Bircham Newton Update. An unexpected generous donation to the appeal fund meant that the memorial unveiling could go ahead at a dedication ceremony on 2 September. Unfortunately the very short notice meant that the widest publicity was not possible. However, our Chairman, AVM Stu Butler and his wife Linda, together with several members represented the Association. The photo shows the stone, designed and beautifully carved by Teucer Wilson. This was unveiled by MRAF Sir Michael Beetham and dedicated by the Revd Canon George Hall. Sadly the flypast of the BoBMF Dakota was cancelled due to bad weather but an enjoyable day was had by all participants thanks to their hosts at the National Construction College. The next objective is the provision of a stone to commemorate the site of the former satellite airfield at Docking.
SHackleton XF702 Crash Site. It has taken longer to complete the planning and the carving of the crash site marker than anticipated. The onset of a stormy Autumn then Winter has convinced me to delay travelling up a Scottish mountain until the fairer weather in the Spring! I anticipate that the marker plaque will be put in place soon after the reunion weekend (11-13 May) - perhaps 16-18 May. I will announce a firm date at the AGM. The two photos show how the cairn has grown in size between 1967 and 2005; the left photo shows a young Kinloss Cpl
George Watt who was NCO i/c the crash site for nearly a week until the weather allowed all recoveries to take place. (George's full story of this sad and demanding task will be told at a later date.)
Airfield Charity. I have been given details of a new charity that I pass on to members for interest. The Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust (ABCT) was launched recently at the RAF museum Hendon. It is dedicated to protect & preserve our airfields, and to recognise the contribution they have made and can make. Trustees and Patrons include the Director General, Mr Kenneth Bannerman - a private businessman - and Air Marshal Ian MacFadyen as a Patron.
Objectives include erecting a memorial at each known disused airfield site to provide a permanent reminder fore future generations. The charity will also pursue historical research into airfields ranging from WW1, thro' 1920s, to WW2 fields including emergency landing grounds and decoy airfields. These objectives are a breath taking task so good luck to the trustees. If anybody feel they wish to help or seek more information look at www.abct.org.uk. I will bring details to the next reunion for perusal at leisure for any non internet members.
Coastal Lancasters. I came across a nicely illustrated article in the October edition of Aviation News under a general title of 'Fifties front Line - RAF Coastal Command'. This very short article detailed the nine year history of Coastal Lancasters. It explains how in the post war run down the Command was stretched in both aircraft and personnel resources: the hard worked Sunderlands were reduced in numbers; a long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft was needed to fill the gap left by departing US lend lease planes. Into the breech came 130 modified Lancasters as well as a batch of Neptunes. Initial squadron allocations were in Sep 45 in Air Sea Rescue & GR fits. The right hand photo shows Wg Cdr Brooks preparing to leave St Mawgan with RF325 on its final trip to the breakers yard at Wroughton. For further information about the article contact the sec.
Reminiscences from Claude Fryer
It was June 21st 1967, a beautiful summer day at Kinloss. The following week was to see the commencement of a NATO exercise and crews were flying in from both Canada & Netherlands. A welcoming cocktail party was to be held for them in the Mess on Saturday evening. As several of us left the Mess for a stroll back to Quarters in Muirton Place, the conversation amongst the wives was of the cocktail party and arrangements for baby sitters. Suddenly I was hailed from astern and turned to see the Squadron commander & Flt Cdr rapidly approaching. I guessed something unpleasant was afoot and my suspicions were justified. "Claude, there's a special operation to be carried out down in the Azores and we want you to command a two Shackleton aircraft detachment leaving tomorrow." I mildly protested that surely this was a job for a senior officer, directing my gaze to the 'A' Flt Cdr! The excuse was that as I was captain of the only 'Select Crew' at Kinloss then I was the obvious choice. When my wife mentioned the cocktail party she was met by a chorus of senior officers volunteering themselves as escorts! There the matter ended and I gathered the two crews and sped off to Operations.
(With thanks to 'Through the Looking Glass')
The situation was that a German tanker had broken its back in stormy seas some 80 miles south of the Azores. Half of the tanker was still afloat but it contained a cargo of naphtha and was therefore considered to be a danger to shipping. The Germans had requested that the Royal Navy should sink it, and the MoD had agreed. A RN frigate was now on scene awaiting the arrival of our first nuclear powered submarine - HMS Dreadnought. The whole operation was to be under my control and direction. An adjunct to the operation was that we were obliged to transit via Lyneham where we were to pick up members of the press corps, armed with their cameras and recorders, and other paraphernalia. We arrived at Lajes in late afternoon and after introducing myself to the US Ops Centre arranged briefing for the following day and then retired.
The weather on the following day was perfect. The Azores was sitting under its own inimitable high pressure system: not a breath of wind, the sea a glassy calm, and visibility unlimited. We arrived on task and communicated with the RN frigate - HMS Salisbury I think (although my memory could have failed me!). No sign of Dreadnought but radar (good old ASV21) detected her at about 60 miles. She was on the surface making a good 30 knots with a most spectacular bow wave. Apparently she had been into Gibraltar to take on WWII Mark 8 torpedoes. It struck me as most odd that here we were in the middle of the Cold War and our only nuclear attack submarine was at sea with no offensive weapons. However she arrived on task and settled in the water some 1000 yards abeam of the hulk. Becoming stationary she sank to periscope depth and began her firing solution. I enquired as to her likely firing time and was informed that it would be in 45 minutes time with a countdown from 15 minutes. All of these messages were relayed to the frigate whilst we carried visual and radar surveillance out to 50 miles. There was always the possibility that Dreadnought could have been followed by a Soviet submarine. The gentlemen of the press were kept informed of the situation as preparations had been made for them to occupy the best observation positions.
The countdown began and as the last second ticked away we saw the four torpedoes running straight for the hulk. At about 600 yards the two port torpedoes veered left and sped off into the bright blue yonder ….. Of the two starboard torpedoes one struck the hulk and exploded in a huge plume of spray while the other one also disappeared into the middle distance. Contrary to later reports only one torpedo struck. To our amazement when all the smoke had subsided the hulk was sitting there totally unmoved. The reply to my enquiry as to how long it would take to reload was a staggering 45 minutes. At this point Salisbury's Captain asked if he could give his 4.5 gun crew some practice? This was agreed with Dreadnought and soon Salisbury was a scene of great activity. The frigate gave a countdown and the gun belched smoke and flame; the first shell hit the water 50 yards from the barrel; the second made it to 200 yards and after about the fourth they found the range and gave the hulk a good peppering. Inevitably it caught fire and within 15 minutes had finally sunk. We exchanged courtesies and departed on our various ways. As we returned to Lajes there was a spirited discussion on the merits of using either a stick of Depth Charges or 1000 pounders from medium level? I was quite convinced that I would have had great success with DCs; the vessel was drawing about 25 feet and I felt sure the hull would have been ruptured.
On our return at Lyneham, we were met by a deputation of dark suited gentlemen who placed a 'D' notice on the press copy and reporting of the whole operation was forbidden!! We returned to Kinloss to hear all the details of the cocktail party we had missed - we were not amused! The sequel to the whole operation came 6 years later on 1 January 1973 when the Daily Telegraph published the story for the first time.
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Call for Assistance. Were you on 224 Sqn between May 1943 & March 1945 at St Eval or Milltown? Information about Herbert Lord, a WOP/AG is sought by a relative. Any info can be passed through the secretary.
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Can Anybody Add to The Story of Kenneth Burdett Bass?
Idly surfing the internet I stumbled over a web site that detailed the wartime story of a one time 206 Squadron pilot Kenneth Bass. The site has been compiled by a grandson of Ken and has relied upon recollections of his grandmother and uncle, and logbook records. Ken joined the RAF in 1940 and trained as a sgt pilot including training at the School of GR at Prince Edward Island; this was followed by Hudson OTU at Silloth before joining 206 In Aldergrove in 1941. He followed the Squadron's progress: the 1000 Bomber raid on Bremen, through Fortresses and Benbecula and finally Liberators before moving on through Central Navigation School and GR School at Squires Gate. The final chapter was 111 OTU at Nassau in 1945. A not untypical career path in WW2?
However, Ken's grandson would appreciate more information plus any personal anecdotes or gap filling. A selection of the photos of Ken's crew colleagues follow:
(206 Sqn circa 1941) (Ken Bass with Hudson crew, Jul 42)
(Bass & Fortress Crew, Benbecula 43) ( … with liberator crew)
For those on internet see www.coastalcommand206.com for the full story including much labelling of photos. Otherwise any information can be relayed through the secretary.
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Anything to add about the Crashed Fortress at Benbecula?
Chris Ransted is writing an article for the RAF Bomb Disposal Assoc about Jack Delarue's Fortress that crashed at Benbecula on 6 Oct 42. (See opp for all that could be seen at high tide) specifically about the safeing of the DC bombs. He is seeking any info on the crew and subsequent rescue efforts. The official report stated
"It was seen that all the safety devices of the pistols had been carried away by the sea and that the needle strikers of the tail pistols were merely floating on light creep springs so any movement of the striker would have resulted in detonation. Sqn Ldr Rowlands carefully de-fused the two bombs by hand after having to force the tail off one bomb - using a hammer!"
No Health & Safety then! Chris can be contacted on acmehotrod@yahoo.com or through the secretary.
Book Reviews & Sales
This is an interesting autobiography of Ted Cowling's "Journey" through his RAF wartime experiences: He joined the RAF as an Air Gunner in September 1939, eventually retrained as a Pilot and on the way flew in both Coastal & Bomber Commands; he was selected to fly with the then Flt Lt (later AVM) David McKinlay in a Catalina to Russia carrying President Roosevelt's special envoy, Harry Hopkins, for vital talks with Stalin.
The Journey is simply written and a delight to read. It tells a true and fascinating story of a young man joining the RAF at the outbreak of war, his development and experiences during that war, and then provides an equally interesting insight into his settlement back into 'civvy' street. A satisfying and for many a nostalgic read.
Author: Ted Cowling Price: £12.95
Publisher: Laundry Cottage Books
(thro' Kenneth Ballantyne on
ISBN: 0-9550601-1-7
Richard Thomas is now advertising his books through his internet web site: http://www.richard-thomas.co.uk/
'The Death of Pelican 16' -Story of the last flying SAAF Shackleton MK3 is available on DVD thro' www.shortfinals.co.uk cost £14.
206 Squadron Association 'Shop' is selling:
206 Squadron Ties (£14.00),
206 Squadron enamelled Lapel Badges (£2.50),
& 'Naught Escapes US' - History of 206 (£18.00)
All available from the Association Secretary - contact details on front page.
As the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War approaches this book is a welcome addition to the plethora of accounts of the conflict. Little has been written about the island base, Ascension Island, - perhaps because of the denial of that island to the media during the conflict - which was crucial to the campaign's success and was an essential stepping stone in the daring plan to retake the Falklands. The lack of facilities required much improvisation - all accomplished with dedication and good humour - in their trade mark manner by our armed forces. This softback is readable albeit a little thin and does not quite match the journalistic hype on the rear cover. To those of us who 'enjoyed' the pleasures of Wideawake Airfield and Ascension Island this book tells part of the story.
Author: Captain Bob McQueen RN Price: £15.95
Publisher: Whittles Publishing, or from Midland Books
ISBN: 1-904445-18-7
206 Squadron Association Reunion 2007 & AGM
The next Reunion weekend will be 11-13 May 2007 as agreed at the last AGM. Despite support for the RAF Club as the venue, the Club was unable to host us that weekend. So, plan B is to opt for St Annes, near Lytham in Lancashire. This area on the Fylde coast, close to the pleasures of Blackpool is within easy reach of many scenic areas such as the Lake District and the Ribble Valley. The area has good motorway (once north of spaghetti junction!) and train (St Annes, not Lytham) access. Locally there are many attractions such as the Victorian Pier and the Lifeboat Station & Museum. Local markets can be found in Fleetwood, Preston and Kirkham. Silloth is within easy reach for those ex Hudson fliers seeking a turn down memory lane and a return to Hudson Bay (aka Solway Firth!)
The Hotel Bedford in St Annes has agreed to host us on remarkably good rates. This is a comfortable hotel with easy access for all and has been most accommodating about terms, menus and the like. The terms are for 'Dinner, Bed & Breakfast' with a slightly cheaper rate for the two night stay than just the Saturday. Full details of prices, address and contacts can be found on the flier on the following page. Please book directly with the Hotel, quote "The 206 Squadron Association Reunion", and make your room, any upgrades and accessibility requirements known. The hotel will supply written confirmation of your reservation and can supply full hotel details and directions.
A Visit is planned on 12 May to Bae Systems at Warton for a presentation on, and hopefully a view of, the Nimrod MRA4. Transport will be arranged to take us between the hotel and Warton. It will be the 25th anniversary of the Falklands conflict so this will be a timely look at the replacement for the Nimrod MR2. Security needs will require all visitors to be cleared by Bae Systems; those wishing to join the visit will need to complete the few extra items of personal information on the return portion of the flier overleaf. The coach hire cost is not known at the moment so a modest 'bus fare' will collected on the day.
Following our usual practice we will hold the AGM on the afternoon of 12 May. Any agenda items can be submitted to the secretary or any committee member. Association accounts will be available on the day, but for anybody wishing an early perusal they can be obtained from the secretary from 1 Feb 2007.
The Reunion Dinner will take place on the evening of 12 May. For Hotel occupants the price is covered in the hotel terms but a small extra charge for drinks (soft & alcoholic) is necessary. Cost for non hotel occupants will be £20 + drinks' charge. Attendance at the dinner is open to any non-Association members. All and any guests - Coastal or not - will be most welcome. We would hope to conduct the usual raffle so any prize donations will be most welcome. Menu choices will be available for you on arrival but let me know if you have any particular dietary considerations; the chef can cater for all culinary wishes.
Let me have your return slip as soon as you made your hotel booking..
What? The 206 Squadron Association Reunion & Annual General Meeting
When? 11 -13 May 2007
Where? Hotel Bedford, Clifton Road South, St Annes, Lancs, FY8 1HN
Hotel Contacts? Res Mngr: Graham Taylor
(T):
(F):
Quote: "206 Squadron Assoc Reunion"
State: Any Mobility Problems, Room Style required.
Hotel Costs?
Two Night Stay = £95 pp D,B&B (standard dble or sngl room)
Saturday Night Only = £50 pp D,B&B (standard rooms)
Saturday Night Dinner Only = £20 pp + Drinks £8
"Superior" & "Club" Rooms are available for the additional supplement of £2.50 & £5.00 pp/night respectively; if required, enquire when booking.
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