Aircraft 1939-1941, flown in or flown by112 Sqdn, personnel

I encourage anyone that  has more information (Flight Log Book entries) or photos on 112 Squadron please send an e-mail to   raf_112_sqdn@yahoo.com before the history is lost.

 

N5829 RT Z above and below note the different tail fin markings and differing paint schemes also top one has 

early style roundel and bottom has later style roundel Note the two blade propeller on this N serial Gladiator, 

also the bottom picture had to have been taken at Himari, Greece February, 1941, 

an "A" Flight plane it was used by Plt Off Vale, 33 Sqdn, 28/2/41 to engage an SM 79 

Gloster Gladiator Mk. II,  RT- Z,  N5829, Himare, Greece, 28 February 1941, Pilot Officer William "Cherry" Vale, of 80 Sqdn., shot down a G50 and a S.79 in this plane
112 Squadron RAF
Helwan, Egypt, May 1940

This Gladiator of 112 Squadron is in the full war paint as worn in the early stages of the North African War - 

112 first got Gladiators in June 1939 and retained them until July 1941, and even flew a few ancient Gauntlets with them from March to June 1940... 

Then it was re-equipped with Tomahawks on which the famous shark mouth Squadron marking was introduced, reportedly copied from the Me 110s 

of ZG.26, Luftwaffe! So, as well as Egypt, 112 fought with its Gladiators in Greece, Albania, Crete and then back to Egypt.

Rick Kent is a modeler, IPMS:er and a productive aviation artist. His specialty are computer-generated aircraft profiles.

During October 1939, facing the threat og Italy entering the war, RAF 112 Sqdn Gauntlets and Gladiators where painted with standard RAF camouflage colors which covered all individual markings, most of the fin flashes, and even the Sqdn codes. The codes returned during November 1939.

At the end of May 1940 all the planes stationed in Egypt changed their colors to brown/green upper side surfaces and black/white (divided down the bottom center line of the plane) underneath. When the Sqdn was transferred to Greece the bottom black/white was painted over with a sky blue color. Serial numbers where standardized to a black color.

Gloster Gladiator of 87 Sqdn carries a 601 Sqdn "Flying Sword" on the rudder at Shoreham (1938) in small letters on the left side of the rudder it carried the numbers A-5/ 44174/GX it also had "Popeye" drawn on the rudder during this time on the left side

Note: 87 Squadron markings on fuselage (Green wavy line and black straight line). 87 Squadron operated Gladiators till July 1938.  There is no record of 601 squadron in the ORB ever having Gloster Gladiators, however there is a flying sword on the tail of K7974.

K7974 ended up with 112 Squadron in June 1939. On August 1st 1940 P/O Green  scrambled from Gedaref (Sudan) to attack an Italian Caproni Ca. 133 that was on a reconnaissance mission. P/O Green shot down the E/A after 50 minutes of combat and 1700 rounds of ammunition. K7974 was hit by one round fired from the window gun of the A/E. On December 12th 1940 K7974 crashed on take off at Port Sudan.

 

 

 K7974 RT O, above picture taken sometime prior to 1st May 1940, due to roundel and tail fin markings.

 

112 Squadron was sent to Egypt and arrived on 25 May 1939, under the command of 

Donald M Somerville. The gladiators are seen above with the early paint scheme 

on the right where only flight identification colors where used and about 

15 September 1939 the camouflage colors started to appear. The letters RT 

where actually 114 Sqn letters but where used to replace the XO letters the Sqn 

had previously used.

Flt Lt J. F. Fraser standing in front of N5627, coded RT-D, Yannina, Greece note the elephant carrying the log by his left shoulder (viewers right)

The slogan on the elephant plaque read "Slow But Steady" the plaque survives to this day with only a bullet wound to one corner. The plane now carries the later style roundel.

Photo supplied by Patricia Molloy daughter of Flt Lt Fraser

Close up of the plaque showing his ten confirmed victories.

 

29/05/40, 112 Squadron personnel strength was 35 Officer & NCO pilots, 6 non flying Officers, 2 Warrant Officers, 7 Flt Sgts., 38 Cpls., 233 airmen by 29/04/41 only 2 pilots remained in the Squadron of the 16/05/39,  originals,  Homer Cochrane and Joe Fraser.

SUMMARY OF STRENGTHS OF BRITISH RAF IN CRETE, 20 MAY 1941

Airfield Det and 112 Sqdn 16 Officers, 125 Other
Ranks, for a total of
141

Information as to British and Australian units was kindly supplied by British and
Australian Historical Sections. Estimates are marked with an asterisk.

Gloster Gladiators - Gordon Birkett
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gordon has been busy chasing up details of Gloster Gladiators. The following is a list of the total number of Gladiators manufactured and serial allocation for the RAF. 

Gladiator I Serials: K6129-K6151 - First production batch, built by Gloster Aircraft Co., Ltd., during 1936-37. K7892-K8055 - 

Second production batch, built by Gloster Aircraft Co., Ltd., during 1937. L7608-L7623 - 

Second production batch, built by Gloster Aircraft Co., Ltd., during 1937. L8005-L8032 - Production follow-on order (intended originally as replacement machines), built by Gloster Aircraft Co., Ltd., during 1937. Notes: L8005, L8012-L8028 were sold to Egypt and delivered in April 1939 were they are believed to have been re- numbered with Egyptian serials K1331-K1348. Some of these were subsequently taken back on RAF M.E. charge. 

Gladiator II Serials: N2265-N2314 - Built by Gloster Aircraft Co., Ltd., during 1938. N5500-N5549 - Principal production order, built by Gloster Aircraft Co., Ltd., during 1938-39. N5565-N5594 - Principal production order, built by Gloster Aircraft Co., Ltd., during 1938-39. N5620-N5649 - 

Principal production order, built by Gloster Aircraft Co., Ltd., during 1938-39. N5680-N5729 - Principal production order, built by Gloster Aircraft Co., Ltd., during 1938-39. N5750-N5789 - 

Principal production order, built by Gloster Aircraft Co., Ltd., during 1938-39. N5810-N5859 - 

Principal production order, built by Gloster Aircraft Co., Ltd., during 1938-39. N5875-N5924 - 

Principal production order, built by Gloster Aircraft Co., Ltd., during 1938-39. Notes: N2265; modified as Sea Gladiator (Interim) to naval requirements and transferred to Admiralty charge on 24/05/39. N2267-N2277; modified as Sea Gladiators (Interim) to naval requirements and transferred to Admiralty charge on 24/05/39. N2281-N2282; modified as Sea Gladiators (Interim) to naval requirements and transferred to Admiralty charge on 24/05/39. N2296-N2299; modified as Sea Gladiators (Interim) to naval requirements and transferred to Admiralty charge on 24/05/39. N2300; modified as Sea Gladiator (Interim) to naval requirements and transferred to Admiralty charge on 13/05/40. Loaned to 18 Squadron in June 1940. N2301; modified as Sea Gladiator (Interim) to naval requirements and transferred to Admiralty charge on 09/04/40. N2302; modified as Sea Gladiator (Interim) to naval requirements and transferred to Admiralty charge on 22/08/40. N5500-N5549, N5565-N5574; 60 aircraft transferred to Admiralty during manufacture and completed to full Sea Gladiator standard

Gordon's Rule of thumb, if it's N**** it's a Gladiator II's others are Gladiator I's

No 112 Squadron Gladiators most of this information came from Håkans aviation page, 112 first got Gladiators in June 1939 and retained them until July 1941, and even flew a few ancient Gauntlets with them from March to June 1940. Then it was re-equipped with Tomahawks on which the famous shark mouth Squadron marking was introduced, reportedly copied from the Me 110s of ZG.26, Luftwaffe! So, as well as Egypt, 112 fought with its Gladiators in Greece, Albania, Crete and then back to Egypt.
Helwan, June 1939 to February 1941. Gladiators were supplemented by a few Gauntlets between March and July 1940.
Code letters: "XO", later "RT".

 

112 Squadron

Originally sailed from Southampton on 16th of May 1939 onboard the H.M.S. Argus, with 24 crated Gladiator 1's.
Helwan, June 1939 to February 1941. Gladiators were supplemented by a few Gauntlets between March and July 1940.
Code letters: "XO", later "RT". When war broke out 112 Sqn had 35 pilots on it roll, the planes listed below only reflect 

the ones found so far.

Gauntlet Mk II, K5292 was flown from 6 Sqdn 7 June 1940 and handed over to 112 Sqdn it was coded 44 while with 6 Sqdn, K7792 from 6 Sqdn , K7870 from 6 Sqdn, coded XO T while with 112 Sqdn, Gauntlet K5318 transferred to 3 Sqn, Gauntlet K5331, K7843 went to 3 Sqdn , Gauntlets K7861, K7870, Gauntlet K7881 used for training, Gauntlet K7992

Serials

#

Code

Arrival & Notes

Avro 

Anson I

7977 this should probably have a L prefix as I do not think it fell into the K serials

Due to serial numbers this could easily get confusing as Gladiator K7977 carried the same serial number

. .

These might have been from 4 FTS, Although the courses were shortened, the training syllabus was expanded to include instruction in night flying, formation and instrument flying and, for the potential Army cooperation pilots, reconnaissance and photography training. A Navigation Flight was formed in October 1938 with the delivery of 9 Avro Ansons from the UK.

Confirmation courtesy of Chris Charland via RAF Commands Forum:

Avro Anson Mk. I s/n L7975 served with No. 206 (GR) Squadron where it carried out anti-submarine patrols. The aircraft was later transferred to No. 4 Flying Training School. It was transferred to the South African Air Force on the 2nd of December 1940 and subsequently re-serialed as 1159.

Trivia note: pictures of the Anson in flight with gear down generally meant they were being flown solo - it took 140-160 turns of the crank to raise/lower the gear & pilots weren't about to do that -- crews actually found that about 100 turns were close enough for government work ... or they just didn't bother (First RAF plane with retractable landing gear)

13 thru 18/12/39, Flown by P/O Geoffrey Buxton Smither, RAF 112 Sqdn, on 6 different occasions

27/12/39, Flown by P/O Geoffrey Buxton Smither, RAF 112 Sqdn

27/12/39, Flown by P/O Geoffrey Buxton Smither, RAF 112 Sqdn

Avro

Anson I

7975, should probably have a L prefix

. .

22/12/39, Flown by P/O Geoffrey Buxton Smither, RAF 112 Sqdn, 

Confirmation courtesy of Chris Charland via RAF Commands Forum
Avro Anson Mk. I s/n L7977 originally served with No. 217 (GR) Squadron carrying patrols of the western approaches. This Anson was later transferred to No. 4 Flying Training School at. It was then transferred to the South African Air Force on the 2nd of December 1940 and subsequently re-serialed as 1161

Avro

Anson

N/A

. . 06/08/40, Flown by, unknown, ( Flt Lt Fraser as 2nd pilot/passenger) to Quasaba - Maaten Bagush, to M-B - Fuka, Fuka to Dhaba, Dhaba - Amiriya, Amiriya to Dikehla, Dikehla - Heliopolis. To wedding  -  My Father was married 8th August in Cairo.  

Blenheim

N/A

. . 29/03/41, Flown by P/O Hooper (Sqdn unknown at this time) & 5 pass.. to Tminidi  (From Flt LT Fraser's log book, there where P/O Hooper's in both 113 and 211 Sqdn flying Blenheims which one it was is yet to be determined)

Bristol

Bombay

L5828

. . 29/03/41, Flown by F/O Coles (Sqdn as yet unknown)  with 17 passengers to El Adem, Abu Sueir, Heliopolis, (From Flt LT Fraser's log book, he was accompanied by F/O Bennet and F/O Cochrane, Flt LT Fraser,  flew back to Greece in Hurricane V7765 on 05/04/41) (No  216 Sqdn was operating Bombay's in the area about this time)

Loadstar (sic)

AX685

Lockheed Lodestar Mk1

the serial number AX685 would make it a model 18

Civil L-18-07 / -08, impressed for military use in the Middle-East.
Assigned RAF s/n: AX685 / AX687, AX717 / AX723,
AX756 / AX759, AX763 / AX765, HK855, HK973, HK976,
HK980, HK981, HK990, VR955.
AX719 to HK975, AX722 to HK974

. ..

28/04/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser,  Eraklion to Maaten Bagush, (From Flt LT Fraser's log book)( some sources indicate he was accompanied by F/O Harrison, 104 operational sorties, 57 of them over Greece and Crete and  S/L Schwab) F/L Jack Groves was also flown out in a Lodestar, he lists the date as 24/04/41, Lodestar to Eygpt---14 days rest Leave to Ismailia - Then Palestine & western desert on Tomahawks----- Back from where we started

The protection of our returning vessels was not the only service rendered by the Royal Air Force during the evacuation. An emergency 'air lift' for 'V.I.P.s', Headquarters parties, and the like was organized by No. 201 Group at Alexandria. The aircraft employed were the Sunderland of Nos. 228 and 230 Squadrons, which carried out reconnaissance by day and evacuation by night, the Lodestars and Bombays of No. 267 (Communications) Squadron, and two B.O.A.C. flying-boats. The Lodestars and Bombays made only five trips to Greece before conditions at Menidi and Eleusis made further flights impossible; thereafter, with the two B.O.A.C. aircraft, they concentrated on the Crete–Egypt section of the run.3 But the Sunderland made full use of their ability to alight at remote spots along the coast—one of them was attracted to a stranded party by signals from a shaving-mirror—and between them they succeeded in bringing off from Greece nearly nine hundred persons. The King of Greece and most of our senior commanders mad their exit this way; a little earlier in King Peter had been rescued in similar fashion from Yugoslavia. Needless to say, the pilots took on fantastic loads. One Sunderland with an official 'emergency capacity' of thirty bodies staggered off the water with eighty-four.

3 The two B.O.A.C. aircraft were used without interrupting the normal running of the Corporation's service. 'As each flying-boat arrived on a normal Horseshoe service at Cairo, its crew was rushed in a fast car along the desert road to Alexandria, to take its turn on the Crete ferry; the same car brought back to Cairo the weary crew from the previous Crete ferry, who at once took over the Horseshoe aircraft and continued its flight to Durban or to Singapore. "Coorong" and "Cambria", with a changing roster of crews in this manner, made thirteen return trips to Crete between 22nd April and 5th May, and brought out a total of 469 British troops. All normal standards were ignored. The method of loading the flying-boats was to allow the troops to file in until the forward door was to low that water began to pour in, then the door was slammed, and the flying-boat took off. On some trips more than fifty passengers were carried in an aircraft built for twenty-one.' (Merchant Airmen—the Air Ministry account of British Civil Aviation, 1939–1944.)

Hudson

N/A

. . 28/04/41, Homer Cochrane, 103 operational sorties, 67 of them over Greece and Creete,  gets out of Crete in a Hudson

Bristol

Bombay

L5811

. .

06/12/40, Flown by unknown, to Tatoi

07/12/40, Flown by unknown, to Eraklion Crete – Excursion to Greece.  ‘C’ Flight with Bombay to Crete, night at Candea, just enough petrol to reach Erakleon, terrible weather, flying 500ft round Crete, welcomed with open arms by Greeks in Greek Club. Evening with Commandos – tough mixed bag.  Next day Eleusis, terrible weather, Bombay and Glads close formation 300ft, zigzagging along dangerous Peleponese coastline.  Rocketed about, passenger in Bombay thrown against roof.  Onto Larissa.  9 planes, Glads. Handed over to Greeks, large lunch interrupted by alarm.  Mt. Olympus snow-capped.  Back to Athens to await ‘C’ flight, held up for 5 days.  Lived in King George Hotel, feted everywhere, presented with flowers in the street.  Little thought of defending Athens before Jerries.

07/12/40, Flown by unknown, back to Sidi Heneish Egypt (This is how they got back after delivering their old "Glads" to the R.H.A.F. 1-2/12/40)

Following are observations made by Flt Lt Fraser and have no relationship with the above mentioned Bombay:

10/12/40 The Squadron promised to be re-equipped, long awaited Hurricanesnot available on return from Greece, only 3 or 4 worn out Gladiators left in Squadron, 6 or 7 rebuilds brought from M.U.s and 6 F.A.A. pilots and Sea Glads. without air cleaners arrived. Patrols over Maktilla and Tumma camps on 9th & 10th, beginning of advance.  Sidi Barani taken so opposition till battle for Sollum, 8 Glads v. 20 plus CR.42s.  Sea Glads all U/S engines (no air cleaners in sand storms).  Glads forced landing all over the place – dead beat not from action, prop flew off over Sidi Barani, returning to Base, pilot forced landed, Engines running dry of oil after an hour and quarter flying.  6 remaining Glads operating from LG. 89 (20 miles S.E. Sollum) doing patrols over Bardia over Xmas.

09/01/41, back to Amirya to re-equip at long last with hurricanes.  C.O. in Palestine whole time. F/L Abrahams acting C.O. to M.E. ref. Hurricane promise – none available.  ‘A’ Flight via El Adam & Crete to Eleusis.  ‘B’ Flight held El Adam for days, weather.  Huge amount captured, brandy & Chianti at El Adam – 70 Sqdn. W/C Webb.  Flying boat escort over drome……off to Crete, terrible weather, on to Greece, joined Sqdn Eleusis.  Eraklion – little thinking we would be back here defending Crete from Jerries in 3 or 4 months. Squadron low morale given 21 Glads. and sent to Greece…..

Bombay

N/A

. . 17/05/41, Flown by F/O Archbell , (Sqdn unknown at this time), Akeir to Abu Sueir (From Flt LT Fraser's log book)

Vickers

Valentia K8852

. .

13/01/40. Flown by S/Ld MacIntyre. (Sqdn unknown at this time), to Fuka - Mersa Matruh (From Flt LT Fraser's log book) ( maybe LXX (70) Sqdn )

14/01/40. Flown by S/Ld MacIntyre. (Sqdn unknown at this time), Mersa Matruh - Dhaba - Helwan (From Flt LT Fraser's log book) (The outbreak of World War 2 found LXX Sqdn equipped with the Vickers Valentia in Nov 1935 until Sep 1940 and stationed at Helwan in Egypt.) ( The "Communications Flight, Habbaniya, Iraq", May 1941. OPERATIONS RECORD BOOKS EXTRACTS.(© Ref:-PRO, AIR29/893 ) (Form 540). (The clincher....... According to the Official Records the "Communications Flight, Iraq" was disbanded at the outbreak of World War II. The Original Unit consisted of "C" Flight No 70 Squadron under the Command of Squadron Leader H.A.Simmons. On the 9th of October 1939 the main bulk of "C" Flight flew to RAF Helwan to rejoin No. 70 Squadron for Combat duty in Egypt and North Africa. "A" and "B" Flights of No. 70 Squadron who were previously Stationed at Habbaniya had proceeded to Helwan during September under the Directives of the "BELLUM PLAN".However 2 Valentia's with Crews remained at RAF Habbaniya to carry out routine transport duties. The Detachment's Valentia Aircraft are recorded as being, K3161 and K8848.) Valentia K8848 was coded X, K3604 was coded B while with 216 Sqdn,  I will continue to watch for the code of K8852.

Vickers

Valentia

K3608

. .

10/07/40, Flown by P/O Baker, - Summit to Erkoweit - Khartoum. 

15/07/40, Khartoum to Atbara and Station 10 then to Wadi Halfa. 

16/07/40, - Wadi Halfa to Tushka L.G. and Asswan, Asswan to Luxor.  

17/07/40 - Luxor to Assuit and Helwan (All from Flt Lt Fraser's log book)

Good reason to believe this was another LXX (70 Sqdn ) plane due to the following....On the 6th of August Flying Officer M.R.Skeet arrived from RAF Heliopolis to assume the role of Officer Commanding the Transport Detachment at Habbaniya, replacing acting Flt Lt Barnard who returned to RAF Heliopolis.
On the 5th of October 1940 No. 70 Sqdn Detachment at Habbaniya was transferred in its entirety to No. 216 Sqdn forming No. 216 Sqdn Detachment at RAF Habbaniya with F/O Skeet retaining command, the strength of the Detachment at that date is recorded as being: -
2 officers, 3 Non Commissioned Officers, 12 Airmen including one attached.
The Detachments equipment is recorded as: -
3 Valentia's with one Aircraft maintained by the Detachment for the use of No 4 S.F.T.S. as an Observers Training Aircraft.

On the 14th of December 1940 on the recommendation of the Officer Commanding, No. 216 Sqdn Detachment Habbaniya was disbanded and all personnel and Aircraft transferred to the reformed "Communications Flight Iraq" with the newly promoted Flight Lieutenant M.R.Skeet retaining his position as Officer Commanding.
The strength of the Communications Flight at that date was recorded as: -
2 Officers, 3 S.N.C.O.s, 2 Cpl's, and 8 Airmen.
The Flights equipment is recorded as being: -
2 Initial Equipment Valentia and 1 Initial Equipment Valentia attached for maintenance K2808, K8852 and KR2792

ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT.
2 Tiger Moth's (K.4255 and K.4252)
7 Airspeed Oxford's (P.1940, P.1942, L.4650, L4656, L.4662, L.4668, L.4667.)
1 Bristol Blenhiem (L6656.)
1 Vickers Valentia (K3599.)

Short Junior

Z7190

possibly a model 12 Electra Junior

. . 17/05/41, S/C Economo  Lydda to Haifa and Haifa to Lydda, (From Flt LT Fraser's log book)

Westland

Lysander

L4686

. .

05/38, First serial copies in May 1938 16 ( number Lysander L4677-4686 and L4688-4691) delivered to the RAF

20/12/39, Flown by P/O Geoffrey Buxton Smither, RAF 112 Sqdn,

Hawker Audax 

K7514

. . 03/09/39, date not confirmed, Audax K7514 was on strength with RAF 112 Sqdn 1939, Flt Lt Fraser writes, during this period Sept.3rd 1939 to June 10th 1940.  The first wartime convoy from England that passed through Port Said on its way to India included R.M.S. The ‘Drunken’ Duchess of Bedford, carrying Indian Army officers and N.C.O.s recalled from home leave.  Amongst these was Captain Bill Somerville of the Gurkas, the C.O.’s brother, who telephoned Slim to fly to Port Said for a family reunion.  The C.O. and Adjutant took off at once in a Hart, but arrived to find the aerodrome marked on the map Port Fouad had been turned into a Canal Company Golf Course calling for a zig-zag landing down the beach into the sea.  After a short family reunion, a take-off  run was prepared and just as the aircraft was about to leave the ground, the wheels sunk into some soft sand, the tail came up, throwing the Adjutant, F/O Joe Fraser, out of the gunners cockpit, where there were no straps, into the soft sand and then over onto its back, leaving the most indignant C.O. hanging upside down on his straps, his head just clear of the soft sand in a most embarrassing position.  A few stitches were put in the adjutant’s knee and both returned to Helwan by car the following day.

22/05/41, not confirmed as the right plane as the one noted above is called a Hart

also K7514 was used by 4 SFTS Habbaniyah, on 22nd May 1941. Flown by Hans Ravn, K7514 0:40 hrs. Bombing and machine gunning troops at Fallujahbut,  K7514, could easily have been Returned On Strength after this little upset.

Known Audax at 4 SFTS at the time where K3099, K7502, K7542, K7544, K7512, K3111, K5235, K7514, K7528, K7539, K3124. 

The Habbaniya Air Striking force consisted of the following:

'A' Squadron - Wg Cdr G. Silyn-Roberts, Main Field 10 Hawker Audax

'B' Squadron - Sqn Ldr A.G. Dudgeon, Main Field, 1 Bristol Blenheim (possibly L6656 which was on strength with the Communications Flight see above Valentia K3608), 26 Airspeed Oxfords ( seven of which where on strength with the Communications Flight see above Valentia K3608, P1940, P1942, L4650, L4656, L4662, L4668, L4667.), 8 Fairey Gordon and 4 Gloster Gladiators

'C' Squadron - Wg Cdr C.W.M. Wing, Polo Field, 10 Hawker Audax

'D' Squadron - Wg Cdr J.G. Hawtrey, Main Field, 10 Hawker Audax

Fighter Flight - Flt Lt R S May, Polo Field,  9 Gladiators ( three known ( K7899 ( see below for RAF 112 Sqdn service), N5777 and N5887)

Iraq Communications Flight - 3 Vickers Valentia under command of the O.C. Flight Lieutenant Maurice Roy Skeet.
The Valentia serial numbers are KR2792, K2808 and K8852

Hawker Hardy

K4309

. .

Possibly from 6 Sqdn.....update... Following information from, No 6 Squadron RAF Association,  Hardy K4309 came to 6 from the depot at Aboukir, having been shipped out originally for 30 Sqdn

20/06/40, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser,  to Abu Sueir and return

25/06/40, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, To Abu Sueir with L.A.C. Chadwick

Hawker 

Hind

K6824

. .

Prior service with 113 Sqdn, flown by S/Ldr Keily in April 1939 at Heliopolis

Transferred to 112 Sqdn date unknown at this time

01/08/39, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser,

02/08/39, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser,

23/08/39, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser,

02/10/39, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser,

17/10/39, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser,   

Copyright Stan Harrison - 113 Squadron. com

Hawker

Hurricane

L1669

. . 25/09/39, Flown by Flt Lt C H Fry, on detachment to 80 Sqdn, one of the first Hurricanes in the MTO, Fry had the "honour" of putting it thru its paces for the Higher Officer Staff.

Hawker

Hurricane  

P3969

. . 03/04/41, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Local Flying Ismalia, flown on his return from Crete he and other members of "A" Flight where off to Palestine after aircraft orientation and familiarization flying

Hawker

Hurricane

P6138

. . 16/05/41, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser Abu Sueir to Lydda, Lydda to Ramleh, Palestine

Hawker

Hurricane  V6939

. . 04/06/41, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Escort 11 Sqdn Beyrouth

Hawker

Hurricane  

V7288

. .

27/02/41, Flown by Fg Off R A Acworth, 80 Sqdn plane up on a test flight, 1 CR 42, Claimed in combat with CR.42 of 150o Gruppo over Greece

28/02/41, Flown by Fg Off R A Acworth, 80 Sqdn plane, 1 CR 42 over Greece although he thought it was a Z.1007bis.

Hawker

Hurricane MkII V7733

. . 29/01/41, Flown by P/O Geoffrey Buxton Smither, K Flight not sure if this was n 80 Sqdn aircraft being delivered to Greece or not as he had had prior experience in Hurricanes.

Hawker

Hurricane  

V7765 

. .

04/04/41, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Abu Sueir to Menidi   F/Lt Vicki Boehm killed ( he was with 113 Squadron )

05/04/41, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Menidi to Larissa, Greece (he was accompanied by F/O Cochrane and F/O Bennett I have yet to determine which Hurricanes they flew in as re-enforcements / new to 80 Sqdn re-equipments)

Hawker

Hurricane  

V7875

. . 14/05/41, Flown by Flt Lt C H Fry,  plane was from 33 Sqdn, Bf110 of ZG26 at 6000 feet near Heraklion. He attacked a Bf110 piloted by Uffz Witze and it fell but the rear gunner forced him to abandon his aircraft. he badly damaged his ribs striking the tail plane was hospitalized and captured

Hawker

Hurricane Z4003

. . 17/05/40, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Abu Sueir to Lydda, Palestine

Hawker

Hurricane Z4106

. . 20/05/40 Flown by Homer Cochrane, Ground Strafe Damascus and Lydda to Ammaan, aircraft slightly damaged by small arms ground fire (see below)

Hawker

Hurricane Z4178

. .

19/05/40, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser ,Local Flying, Lydda

20/05/40 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Ground Strafe Damascus and Lydda to Ammaan   One JU52, One ME110 destroyed on aerodrome CONFIRMED

With 3 pilots from 208 Sqdn , F/L Lewis, F/O Stevenson & another who’d flown Hurricanes in Greece, picked up 6 Hurricanes at Abu Sueir and flew to Lydda and on to Amman, arriving in evening, unchecked for guns etc.  Ordered to take off at 0500 & ground staff Damascus at dawn – none had night flown a Hurricane.  Circled over Amman (small, hilly aerodrome) & joined up in dark, flew off to Damascus.  Dawn broke – a/c 50 miles north.  Returned south to Damascus, complete surprise, expected Germans ground strafing a/c, m.t., hangars & building.  2 a/c destroyed as well as m.t. & other damage in spite of guns not harmonized and firing in all directions.  All 6 a/c returned Amman, the most with 12 gallons left. 

21/05/41 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Amaan to Haifa

22/05/41 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Patrol Syrian Frontier

25/05/41 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Alarm Patrol Haifa

27/05/41 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Alarm Patrol Haifa

27/05/41 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Alarm Patrol Haifa

28/05/41 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Alarm Patrol Haifa

28/05/41 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Alarm Patrol Haifa

29/05/41 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Alarm Patrol Haifa

30/05/41 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Alarm Patrol Haifa

31/05/41 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Alarm Patrol Haifa (x2)

02/06/41 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Alarm Patrol Haifa

02/06/41 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Escort 11 Sqdn Beyrouth   4000 tons petrol destroyed 

04/06/41 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Escort 11 Sqdn Beyrouth, 147th operational sortie  255.50 operational hours flying. This completes his time with 112 Sqdn.

Hawker

Hurricane Z4223

. .

23/05/41, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Coop: with Haifa Defense

03/06/41, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Alarm Patrol Haifa

Gauntlet  

Mk I

K5292

.

44

To 56 Sqdn, North Weald, 1936-37

To 6 Sqdn, Ramleh, Palestine, 1939

07/06/40 From 6 Sqdn to RAF 112 Sqdn   

Following information from, No 6 Squadron RAF Association, K5292 was sent to the Middle East on 18 Apr 39 and was transferred from 112
to 6 and then to the reserve pilots pool and was struck off on 1 Aug 42

 

Gauntlet  

Mk I

K5318

.

.

To 46 (F) Sqdn, Kenley, 1936-1938

No 9 F. T. S. 1939

From 112 Sqdn. Served with RAAF, 3 Sqdn under UK Control

Gauntlet  

Mk II

K5331

.

.

To 65 Sqdn, Hornchurch 1936-1937

To 6 Sqdn, Ramleh, Palestine, 1939

To RAAF 3 Sqdn date unknown

17/06/40, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, - Ferrying A/C 102 M.U. returning to Helwan in Anson

Gauntlet  

Mk II

K7792

.

.

Trials at R. A. E., 1936

To 46 Sqdn, Kenley, 1936-1938

To 74 Sqdn Hornchurch 1938

From 6 Sqdn to RAF 112 Sqdn date unknown

Following information from, No 6 Squadron RAF Association, K7792 seems not to have been with 6 but was with 46, 80 and 74 before going
to 24 and then 36 MUs.  It went to the Middle East as a reserve and thence
to the Greek Flt at Gaza. It was struck off on14 Jan 42.

14/03/40 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Air Fighting

02/04/40 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Aerobatics

10/06/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, - General Practice

Gauntlet  

Mk II

K7843

.

.

To 46 (F) Sqdn Kenley 1936-38

To Head Quarters R. A. F.  Middle East May 1939

From 112 Sqdn. Served with RAAF, 3 Sqdn under UK Control

16/12/40,  Flown by Flying Officer Peter Turnbull (RAAF 3 Sqdn) took off for Maaten Bagush at 07:45 at 16 December. At 08:00 they arrived at Bagush and took off again at 08:30 to escort three Lysanders conveying General Wavell and staff bound for ALG 75. They landed at 09:40. They took off again at 14:20 to escort one Lysander back to Bagush were the Lysander landed at 15:30. The Gauntlets (which didn’t land at Bagush) returned to Gerawla and landed at 15:40.

Gauntlet  

Mk II

K7861

.

.

To 46 Sqdn, Kenley, 1936-1938

To 74 Sqdn Hornchurch 1938

To Head Quarters R. A. F.  Middle East May 1939

From 6 Sqdn to RAF 112 Sqdn date unknown, used for training

02/04/40 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Evasive Tactics

24/01/41, Flown by P/O Neville Bowker, 70 (ME) OTU

Gauntlet  

Mk II

K7870

.

XO T

To 46 Sqdn, Kenley, 1936-1938

To 19 Sqdn, Duxford, 1937-38

To 6 Sqdn, Ramleh, Palestine, 1939

From 6 Sqdn to RAF 112 Sqdn date unknown

Following information from, No 6 Squadron RAF Association , K7870 seems to have gone to 6 and then went to 112 on 4 Mar 40, on to Greek Flight.

06/03/40 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser. - Formation Practice

12/06/40, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser - to Ismalia urgent spares and to Helwan

10/01/41, Flown by P/O Neville Bowker, at 70 (ME) OTU

13/02/41, Flown by P/O Neville Bowker, at 70 (ME) Operational Training Unit

Gauntlet  

Mk II

K7881

.

.

To 79 Sqdn, Biggin Hill, 1937

To 601 Sqdn, A.A.F., Northolt, 10/12, 1938

To 6 Sqdn, Ramleh, Palestine, 1939

08/03/40 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, - Air Fighting, used for training

18/04/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Target No.1 F.A.

Saved engine wear on the Gladiators

Magister

unknown

. . 23/8/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, with F/O Lean as passenger to Quasaba and return to Gerawla

Magister

P2390

(Magister M.14A 1627 P2390)

. . 08/7/40, Summit to Port Sudan and return - Italian Shipwreck Port Sudan, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

Magister

P2396

(Magister M.14A 1633 P2396)

. .

25/6/40, To Abu Sueir with L.A.C. Chadwick / - from Abu Sueir with L.A.C. Chadwick,  Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

26/6/40, To Abu Sueir with P/O Ackworth, and return without Ackworth,  Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

01/7/40, Local flying instruction with P/O Goar,  Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

07/11/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, with Lt Gerati to Bir Kenayis

1, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, with Sgt. Mansfield - Gun post inspection

Magister R1944 (Magister M.14A 1915 R1944) . . 29/10/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn - to Amirya.  to Sidi Heneish ( 2 sorties)

Magister 

P1944

(serial may or may not be  a typo in log book or transcript no record of a P1944 in Magister list)

. .

12/12/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn , with F/O Ackworth to Heneish

17/12/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn ,To Sidi Barrani.  Looting.   From Sidi Barrani.  2 sorties

08/01/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn , with F/Lt Lean.. Instruction

09/01/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, with F/Lt Lean to Heliopolis.  To Helwan.  To Heliopolis.  To Amiryia.  4 sorties

10/01/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, with Lt Gerati to Abu Sueir.  To Amiryia.   2 sorties

.

.

.

Gladiator Mk1,engine Bristol Mercury IX, Watts propeller, specification F.14/35

Gladiator 

Mk I

K6130

1

22/02/37 From Manufacturer to 72 Sqdn, On 22 February 1937 the first of the Gladiators (K6130-K6137) entered service with the newly formed 72 Squadron, based at Tangmere

11/05/39 To HMS Argus to form 112 Sq.  "A" Flight plane

22 Feb. 1937, Flt Lt E M Donaldson (Later Air Commodore E M Donaldson ,CB, CBE., DSO., AFC.) of No 72 Sqn along with three other pilots collected this plane and three others from Brockworth and flew them to their new base at Church Fenton 

16/05/39 To the ME with unit. Was usually flown by Fg Off Dennis Herbert Vincent Smith, used at Port Sudan

13/12/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

18/07/40 Hit a hill obscured by a cloud at Qaret el Naga; F/O Gray-Worcester KIFA  

Gladiator 

Mk I

K6134

2

RT-S

22/02/37 From Manufacturer to 72 Sqdn On 22 February 1937 the first of the Gladiators (K6130-K6137) entered service with the newly formed 72 Squadron, based at Tangmere

16/05/39 To the ME with unit.

01/07/39,  Flt Lt Fraser RAF 112 Sqdn,

10/08/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

20/04/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - from Aboukir, Collection and taking over test

30/05/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Air Drill & No.3 F.A.
03/06/40 Detached with ‘B’ Flight to Summit, Sudan.
18/06/40 10:00-10:30 Port Sudan to Summit; F/L Savage.
23/06/40 16:30-14:40 Weather test; F/L Savage.

Flown in the Sudan by F/Lt K. H. "Pete" Savage "B" Flight RAF 112 Sqdn in 1940. see picture on K Flight webpage
31/08/40 ‘B’ Flight redesignated to ‘K’ Flight  

22/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 15,000ft, 2.30 hours

25/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 18,000ft, 1.35 hours

30/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Interception, 0.20 hours

06/10/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.15 hours

07/10/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.35 hours

08/10/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.25 hours

10/10/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.35 hours

13/10/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.30 hours

14/10/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.45 hours

14/10/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.10 hours

15/10/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.25 hours

16/10/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.30 hours

16/10/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.15 hours

23/12/40 short of fuel in bad weather it was ditched, Crashed in Red Sea 15m South of Suakin, Sudan, 

Gladiator 

Mk I

 

K6135

3

RT-E

22/02/37 From Manufacturer to 72 Sqdn, On 22 February 1937 the first of the Gladiators (K6130-K6137) entered service with the newly formed 72 Squadron, based at Tangmere

11/05/39 From 72 Sq. when the unit was formed on HMS Argus. On Strength June 1939 Helwan "B" Flight was used at Summit (Summit was an airfield in Sudan, about 60 miles south west of Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast, beside the railway line that goes across Sudan to Khartoum. it was near the airfields of Wadi Gazouza & Erkowit. Gebeit airfield was about 10 miles up the railway) Port Sudan and Khartoum, July 1940

16/05/39 To the ME with unit.

20/07/39, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser

31/08/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

01/12/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

05/01/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, To and From Heliopolis

06/01/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, to Aboukir and Amiriya

08/01/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Amiriya to Helwan

19/01/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, X Country, Mansura Tel El Kebir
03/06/40 Detached with ‘B’ Flight to Summit, Sudan.
18/06/40 10:00-10:35 Port Sudan to Summit; Sgt Woodward.
20/06/40 09:15-09:25 To firing range for gun tests; P/O Chapman.
21/06/40 05:00-05:10 To Erkowit LG for dawn standby; P/O Wolsey.
21/06/40 09:00-09:10 Return to Summit; P/O Wolsey.
22/06/40 04:15-04:25 To Erkowit LG for dawn standby; P/O Wolsey.
22/06/40 07:20-07:30 Return to Summit; P/O Wolsey.
24/06/40 04:30-04:40 To Erkowit LG for dawn standby; P/O Wolsey.
24/06/40 06:45-07:00 Patrol; P/O Wolsey.
24/06/40 07:20-07:30 Return to Summit; P/O Wolsey.
31/08/40 ‘B’ Flight redesignated to ‘K’ Flight

11/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Flying Practice, 0.35 hours

12/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Flying Practice, 0.40 hours

18/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 15,000 ft, 1.35 hours

19/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 15,000 ft, 2.10 hours

19/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 15,000 ft, 2.10 hours

19/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 15,000 ft, 1.20 hours

22/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 15,000 ft, 1.20 hours,  'Chased 2 SM79s. No result - Too fast!!'

26/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 15,000 ft, 2.05 hours

29/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, D. F., 1.25 hours

30/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Met Flight, 1.15 hours

03/10/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.20 hours

15/10/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, No. 1 F. A., 0.30 hours

09/12/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Port Sudan - Atbara, 2.05 hours

09/12/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Atbara - Wadi Halfa, 2.40 hours

10/12/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Wadi Halfa - Assuan, 1.30 hours

10/12/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Assuan - Assuit,  1.35 hours

10/12/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Assuit - Heliopolis, 1.30 hours.

10/12/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Heliopolis - Abu Sueir, 0.30 hours

13/04/41. to Royal Hellenic Air Force , fate as yet unknown, probably destroyed in Greece, again if it went to Greece/Crete at that late date how did it get there?  That is partly answered by the following............ 02 December 1940
 21 Mira Squadron was withdrawn from frontline to re-equip, its remaining PZL-24's being handed over to 22 and 23 Mire. The Squadron received 14 Gloster Gladiator Biplane Fighters from Britain, 8 arrived on 02 December from No.112 Squadron, RAF, based in Egypt, and were followed shortly after by 5 from No.80 Squadron, RAF (in Greece), and finally by 1 more from No.112 Squadron in Egypt.

Known ex-RAF Gladiators transferred to Greek Air Force 21 Mira.

02/12/40
L7620, L7621 (from 33 Sq.)
K8013, K8018, K8031, K8047, K8054, L7609, L7611, L7623 (from 112 Sq., Egypt)
K7892, K7923, K7973, K8017, L8011 (from 80 Sq.)
K6135 (from 112 Sq. / "K" Flight,  31/4/41)
30/03/41
K7932, K7984 (from 80 Sq.)
All in all, the Greek Air Force used 19 Mk.I and 6 Mk.II Gladiators during the Second World War.

Gladiator 

Mk I

K6136

4

.possibly RT F or RT P

22/02/37 From Manufacturer to 72 Sqdn On 22 February 1937 the first of the Gladiators (K6130-K6137) entered service with the newly formed 72 Squadron, based at Tangmere

11/05/39 From 72 Sq. when the unit was formed on HMS Argus.

16/05/39 To the ME with unit. 

On Strength June 1939 Helwan "B" Flight

23/06/39, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser 

03/07/39, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser

14/07/39, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser

28/07/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn
10/11/39 Overshot landing into ditch, Helwan.
Returned to Squadron after repair.
03/06/40 Detached with ‘B’ Flight to Summit, Sudan.
18/06/40 04:00-04:10 To Erkowit LG for dawn standby; Sgt C. J. W. Tait.
18/06/40 07:30-07:40 Return to Summit; Sgt C. J. W. Tait.
18/06/40 16:30-18:15 To Erkowit LG for evening standby. Hit ground during slow roll at Erkowit and DBF; Sgt C. J. W. Tait KIFA., flying accident, Sgt Charles John Wilson Tait, 565362, RAF, attempting to slow roll over Sgts' Mess flew into the ground, Erkowit, Sudan pilot KIFA

Gladiator 

Mk I

K6138

5

.

04/03/37 From Manufacturer to 72 Sqdn, On 22 February 1937 the first of the Gladiators (K6130-K6137) entered service with the newly formed 72 Squadron, based at Tangmere. A further six Gladiators (K6138-K6143) arrived for the squadron on 4 March.1937.

29/6/38 Collided with K6139, (which was destroyed), 2 miles south of Selby while with 72 Sqn but was able to return to base

11/05/39 From 72 Sq. when the unit was formed on HMS Argus.  On Strength June 1939 Helwan 112 Sqdn

12/12/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

21/12/39 Tire burst on landing at Helwan, swung and wing hit the ground, returned to 112 Sqdn after repair

13/03/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Air Test. New Engine

09/02/41, 1 CR42 Claimed by Squadron Leader Donald Swift 'Don' Gregory DFM, RAF nos. 565558 (NCO); 47849 (Officer), 80 Sqdn , Tepelene-Argyrokastron area

01/03/41 Flown by Flt Lt J. F. Fraser, 112 Sqdn, in Greece, Oil Test

Westenra  flew K6138 from Crete to Egypt, 19 May 1941

on strength with 1411 Flt, Heliopolis, 1942-43

02/08/42 Local flying Sgt H. Thomas.
03/08/42 Local flying Sgt H. Thomas.
04/08/42 Local flying Sgt H. Thomas.
26/09/42 Met. climb to 24,000ft Sgt H. Thomas.
26/09/42 To Alamya Sgt H. Thomas.
01/10/42 Met. climb to 24,000ft Sgt H. Thomas; landed at LG 222.
01/10/42 LG 222 to Heliopolis Sgt H. Thomas.
01/10/42 Heliopolis to Almaya Sgt H. Thomas.
02/10/42 Met. climb to 24,000ft Sgt H. Thomas.
Used to 01/43.

Westenra  flew K6138 from Crete to Egypt, 19 May 1941, Fighter command only 5 aircraft remained, 3 Hurricanes and 2 Gloster Gladiators withdrew at dawn 19th May, the remainder fought as infantry at Malame airfield and Hill 107,  K6138 was with 1411 (met) Flight by 03/42, 31/06/44 SOC further note On 18 May 1941 two Hurricanes and two Gladiators from Heraklion were airborne and after an air attack on this field they were ordered to land instead at Retimo. The remaining Hurricane and Gladiators at Heraklion were no longer flyable. On arrival at Retimo the four pilots were ordered to evacuate to Egypt, and after refueling, all took off. Flying Officer A R Costello 112 Sqdn and Sergeant W Bain, 112 Sqdn flew the two Hurricanes, Flight Lieutenant Dennant, 1430 Flight pilot, flew out in N5825, (112 Sqdn Plt Off Leonard Lawrence ‘Len’ Bartley having lost a toss of a coin) and Pilot Officer Westenra, 112 Sqdn,  K6138 the Gladiators. All arrived safely.

During 24 April the full evacuation of troops from Greece commenced under the codename Operation ’Demon’ and 80 Squadron was transferred to Crete. However due to shortage of Hurricanes the squadron was required to leave only four pilots on the island, the remainder being evacuated to Egypt in a 267 Squadron Lockheed Lodestar. These four, Flying Officer Wanklyn Flower, Pilot Officer Vale, Flight Sergeant Rivalant and Sergeant M. W. Bennett, joined others of 33 Squadron to form a composite unit with seven Hurricanes (V7181, V7461, V7761, V7795, V7800, V7826 and W9297). One of these had an irreparable hole some ten inches in diameter through the main spar of one wing, but was still to be used due to small numbers available; the pilots agreed to take turns flying it, although it was feared that any tight turning would probably result in the wing breaking off! 

On 29 April Squadron Leader Edward 'Tap' Jones and Flying Officer Wanklyn Flower departed from Crete, leaving the small Maleme detachment under Flying Officer Vale’s command 

29 April, 10:15, Vale Hurricane V7781

16:15, Vale Hurricane V7795

5 May Flying Officer Vale (V7181)

At 20:00 on 13 May Flying Officer Vale scrambled after an unidentified plot reported flying off the coast. Within 30 minutes he had been vectored onto a Ju52/3m and had landed again, claiming to have shot this down into the sea.
At this time Vale was operating virtually as a ‘one-man air force’ so far as 80 Squadron was concerned. The only other member of the unit still present was Sergeant Bennett

At 06:15 on 16 May Hurricanes were scrambled from Maleme and Flying Officer Vale (Hurricane V7795) encountered a number of Bf109s, one of which he claimed to have shot down.

Message 21 May From C-in-C Mediterranean  WO106/3241 P.M. on 16th repeat 16th Suda Bay was attacked by 30 Ju87s and 88s and 15 to 20 ME109s.  Three pilots of 80 Sqdn, in Hurricanes of 33 Sqdn shot down 3 ME109s certain one probable and one JU87 probable.  2 ME109s forced landed at Maleme.  Two Hurricanes and pilots missing.
At about 16:30 a new raid developed over Crete when Ju87s of I/StG 2, escorted by Bf110s of II/ZG 26 attacked Maleme and Suda Bay. Bf109s of I(J)/LG 2 and III/JG 77 were also in the air.
Vale had been on patrol over Suda Bay in his 80 Squadron aircraft when the raid approached. He attacked the Ju87s, which were attacking the shipping in the Bay, and claimed one shot down before being attacked by Bf109s, which he evaded.
Early in the afternoon on 17 May the three remaining serviceable Hurricanes were scrambled from Maleme. Flying Officer Vale (V7795), Lieutenant Commander Black (V7761) and N2610 (Gladiator ?) flown by a pilot from 33 Squadron intercepted approaching Ju88s. Vale claimed damage to one of the bombers
.Later in the day Vale and Black were unable to make an interception when ordered off again. The next day both Hurricanes V7795 and V7761 were destroyed in attacks on Maleme airfield.  At 18:00 in the evening on 18 May, 1941 Vale was evacuated from Crete to Egypt in Sunderland N9020 flown by Flight Lieutenant Lywood. Vale flew over Syria against the Vichy French after 80 Squadron had reformed on return to Egypt

Extracts from the Operational Record Book (ORB) for 33 Squadron.  Held on microfilm in the PRO at Kew.

On 1 May the Sqn was based at Maleme and consisted of 4 Hurricanes, 8 pilots and "ample ground crew", however there were no spares and only two boxed of tools.  They joined forces with the remnants of 80 Sqn, also at Maleme, who had 4 Hurricanes and 3 pilots.  The group was called the Hurricane Unit, and it was the HU that Sqn Ldr Howell took command of.  Howell was sent in from Egypt with six pilots, and they relieved six of those who had been in operations on Crete since the evacuation of Greece.  On the 15th May two more Hurricanes were flown in from Egypt  On the 18th May Flt Sgt Salmon, in charge of the ground crew, and a large number of the airmen left by Sunderland for Egypt.  When the invasion started the Hurricane Unit soon became unable to operate as an RAF unit, and joined with the infantry in the defense of Hill 107.

Heliopolis, Egypt Met Flight formed on 14th April 1941. Redesignated 1411 (Met) Flight in January 1942. As 1411 (Met) Flight the unit was entirely manned and serviced by Egyptian personnel, although there was the odd RAF pilot in the unit. The aircraft even carried Egyptian markings. The following Gladiators were used, K6138, K7893, K7913, K7925, K7961, K7963, K8003, K8008, N5825 and N5830. In August 1943 the unit was disbanded and the surviving Gladiators were passed on to the Royal Egyptian Air Force, although at least three aircraft (K7961, N5828 and N5830) were passed onto the Royal Iraqi Air Force

Gladiator 

Mk I

K6140

6

RT-A (Unconfirmed but comes from a drawing done by Leonard Francis Paddouck while he was a POW)

04/03/37 From Manufacturer to 72 Sqdn

11/05/39 From 72 Sq. when the unit was formed on HMS Argus.  On Strength June 1939 Helwan, On 22 February 1937 the first of the Gladiators (K6130-K6137) entered service with the newly formed 72 Squadron, based at Tangmere. A further six Gladiators (K6138-K6143) arrived for the squadron on 4 March.1937.

15/06/39, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, making it a very good possibility that this was the 2nd Glad put into service for 112 Sqdn

21/06/39,  Flt Lt Fraser RAF 112 Sqdn,

06/07/39, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser

15/07/39, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser

17/07/39, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser

12/01/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, to Faiyum L. G. 

and Air Firing V. Q. T. 22nd

22/01/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, X Country Bir Hooker, Khataba, El Rus

27/09/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Patrol Monkey M

08/12/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - to Bir Kenayis.  Patrol Sidi Barrani.  2 sorties

09/12/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, to Bir Kenayis.  Patrol Sidi Barrani.   Patrol Sidi Barrani - Sofafi.  3 sorties

15/12/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - to 274 'Drome and return

16/12/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - to Nibeyia L.G.   Patrol Bardia - Tobruk (navy shelling Bardia 15".  No E.A.    Escort C in C.  Patrol & return to base.... Sollum surrenders.  4 sorties

24/12/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Test and to Buq Buq.  Patrol Bardia & return base.   2 sorties

K6140 shows up on some sources as being on 33 Sqdn strength Mataan Garawala 1940, according to the above information I believe it was retained by RAF 112 Sqdn.

06/06/41 From 33 Sq. to X’ Flight Amman

During the thirties, the Royal Iraqi Air Force purchased numerous aircraft from various countries. Among these purchases were 15 Gladiator Mk.Is from RAF M.E. stocks; although the exact date of purchase remains a mystery.
The aircraft were based at Mosul and Raschid and were maintained by RAF at Habbaniyah Aircraft Depot.

The Iraqi aircraft took part in the attacks on RAF Habbaniyah in May 1941during the Iraqi revolt. The Gladiators came from 2 (Fighter) Squadron, which operated 9 Gladiators from Kirkuk.
During this revolt, the Iraqi Gladiators claimed one shared victory.

Some of the aircraft were later returned to the RAF

Known Iraqi Gladiators:
RAF serials:
K6140, K6141, K6147, K7897, K7907, K7928, K7961, K7989, K8005, K8006,
K8007, K8011, N5780, N5825, N5827, N5828, N5830, N5857 Most of the aircraft listed were delivered after the Iraqi Revolt. At the moment, the serials of the initial batch of 15 aircraft bought from Britain during the late thirties are unknown, although they may include K6140, K6141, K6147, K8005-K8007 and K8011

01/01/42, K6140; delivered from ‘X’ Flight Amman and returned to 1412 (Met) Flight RAF 

Khartoum, Sudan A Met Flight was formed at Khartoum on 21st September 1941. In January 1942 it was redesignated 1412 (Met) Flight. A total of 7 Gladiators (K6140, K8001, N5828, N5829, N5831, N5833 and N5851) were used by the flight. K6140 was a real veteran. Originally issued to 72 Squadron it later served with 33 Squadron in Egypt. It was then transferred to the Royal Iraqi Air Force in April 1941 before being returned to RAF service in March 1942
22/06/42 Damaged on landing, Summit.1412 (Met) Flight
17/10/43 ROS, Wadi Halfa.

31/06/44 SOC

Gladiator 

Mk I

K6141

7

.

12/03/37  From Manufacturer to 72 Sqdn On 22 February 1937 the first of the Gladiators (K6130-K6137) entered service with the newly formed 72 Squadron, based at Tangmere. A further six Gladiators (K6138-K6143) arrived for the squadron on 4 March.1937.

11/05/39 From 72 Sq. when the unit was formed on HMS Argus.  

16/05/39 To the ME with unit On Strength June 1939 Helwan, 

30/10/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

18/08/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Gerawla - Sidi Barani  forced landed  and Sidi Barani to Gerawla  - Savoya 79. F/O J. Lapsley 80.S    (this is 10 days after his marriage!)

23/08/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, to 'Y' landing ground

24/08/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, K6141    Fleet covering Patrol to Gerawla....Broken tail unit crossing road..... repaired.

06/10/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, - Patrol M. Matruh 15,000 ft

11/10/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, Patrol M.M. 15,000.   To immergency (sic!) L.G.

12/10/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, - to Sidi Heneish

31/10/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, - Patrol

06/06/41 To ‘X’ Flight Amman ("X" Flight Amman, "X" Flight, was formed on 6 June from the Gladiators left at Habbaniya. These aircraft were K6140, K6141, K7914, K7947, K7954, K7978 and N5777,) 

01/02/42 SOC

Gladiator 

Mk I

K6142

8

RT-U

12/03/37 From Manufacturer to 72 Sqdn On 22 February 1937 the first of the Gladiators (K6130-K6137) entered service with the newly formed 72 Squadron, based at Tangmere. A further six Gladiators (K6138-K6143) arrived for the squadron on 4 March.1937.

11/05/39 From 72 Sq. when the unit was formed on HMS Argus.  

16/05/39 To the ME with unit.

05/10/39 Force-landed in desert after engine cut "A" Flight 

11/09/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, - Patrol Mersa Matruh

05/10/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, - Patrol M. Matruh 15,000 ft

09/10/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn,  landed next C.Os car, damaged main spar on rock

in RAAF 3 Sqdn at LG 74 by 17/12/40 , From 112 Sqdn, 

31/12/40 ~16:10 Crashed during take off from Ikingi, Maryut. The aircraft run into a wadi and the aircraft turned up on its nose, causing fairly extensive damage to the main plane and undercarriage; F/O J. Jackson 3 RAAF Sqdn safe.

excerpt from: http://www.awm.gov.au/events/conference/2003/scully.asp

Jackson was on patrol the next day – 9 December 1940 – when General Wavell commenced the Allies’ first push westwards. Such was the introduction to operations in this new environment; you might agree that it could reasonably be regarded as a shock to the system.

The squadron moved forward with the army – offensive patrols and escort duties mainly – with marked operational success. However the aircraft re-supply problems were acute, with the squadron’s Lysanders being replaced by cast-off Gladiators from 112 Squadron RAF, which Jackson described as completely unfit:

In shocking condition and should be scrapped as unfit for further service. It’s damned near criminal that we should have to use such kites, but I suppose if there is nothing better available we have to use them and not growl.

Just to prove his point, on the delivery flight Jackson suffered an engine failure on take-off, ending up upside down in a wadi, fortunately unhurt.
No court of inquiry was held.
The aircraft was not repairable in the unit and was collected by 51 RSU.

27/01/41 SOC

Gladiator 

Mk I

K6143

9

.

12/02/37 From Manufacturer to 72 Sqdn Used until 04/39. On 22 February 1937 the first of the Gladiators (K6130-K6137) entered service with the newly formed 72 Squadron, based at Tangmere. A further six Gladiators (K6138-K6143) arrived for the squadron on 4 March.1937.

11/05/39 From 72 Sq. when the unit was formed on HMS Argus.  On Strength June 1939 Helwan "B" Flight, 

16/05/39 To the ME with unit.

25/10/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

22/05/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Demonstration flight Cairo

(One of the last flights that the squadron took part in before war was declared by Italy, was a demonstration Derby flight over Cairo in the name of propaganda.  This was to be carried out by nearly all the available aircraft in Middle East.  A rendezvous was decided over the barrage, whence all aircraft would proceed to Cairo and carry out 3 left hand circuits of the Town at 500ft, the slowest aircraft on the inside, the fastest on the outside.  Two Blenheim

Squadrons and one Gladiator Squadron arrived from the desert, Lysanders and Bombays from Heliopolis, Gladiators and Valentias from Helwan and some Hurricanes from Amiria – the pride of Middle East.  The aerial Derby was on.  Midday was chosen and the air was incredibly bumpy from up currents apart from slipstreams, which gave the aircraft a feeling of jumping fences.  Gladiators were galloping past Valentias and catching up Bombays.  Blenheims were dashing past hovering Lysanders and on the outside of the course Hurricanes were racing past everything.  The Egyptian Mail wrote of the Air Power of Britain in the Middle East.  The powers that be were ashamed at their pitiful attempt to bluff the educated Egyptian, and the ‘Gyppy’ in the street gave an annoyed grunt as the noise of engines kept him from his afternoon siesta.)
03/06/40 Detached with ‘B’ Flight to Summit, Sudan.
18/06/40 To Sub Flight Port Sudan.
18/06/40 06:55-07:05 Patrol; P/O Kirk.
18/06/40 09:10-09:30 Patrol; P/O Sanderson.
18/06/40 11:45-11:55 Patrol; P/O Sanderson.
18/06/40 12:35-13:15 Patrol; P/O Kirk.
18/06/40 13:25-14:00 Patrol; P/O Kirk.
19/06/40 14:15-14:45 Patrol; P/O Sanderson.
20/06/40 09:05-09:25 Patrol; P/O Sanderson.
20/06/40 10:45-11:15 Patrol; P/O Sanderson.
20/06/40 16:30-16:35; P/O Sanderson.
21/06/40 12:10-12:30 Patrol; P/O Kirk.
22/06/40 19:00-09:10 Patrol; P/O Sanderson.
22/06/40 13:45-14:05 Patrol; P/O Kirk.
23/06/40 09:30-09:55 Patrol; P/O Kirk.
24/06/40 06:10-06:45 Patrol; P/O Kirk.

31/08/40 From 112 Sq.,"B" Flight To K Flight then , Port Sudan and Khartoum,

14/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 15,000 ft, 1.50 hours

16/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Met Flight, 0.50 hours

23/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 18,000 ft, 2.35 hours

23/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 18,000 ft, 1.05 hours

24/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 18,000 ft, 2.25 hours

24/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 18,000 ft, 2.15 hours

28/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Interception - No A/C seen, 0.45 hours

17/10/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.5 hours

30/12/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Formation, 0.35 hours

06/01/41, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 14,000 ft, 1.50 hours

21/02/41, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Reconnaissance, 0.40 hours

To 117 Sqdn, after service with "K" Flight, 

20/06/41 Tire burst on landing at Khartoum, the aircraft swung and was damaged beyond repair.

.

10

.

Gladiator Mk1, universal armament mounting under lower wings, specification F.14/35

Gladiator 

Mk I

 

K7574

.

.

I can find no Gladiators with this serial number perhaps it was a Blenheim ?

Can anyone e-mail with what plane carried this serial number?

Never mind found it Fairey Battle K7574 good possibility this was one of 

No 1 SAAF Sqdn planes as they had, I think, 5 of them while "K" Flight and them where together. or 274 Sqdn? Anyone have any information on it?

16/10/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Formation, 0.15 hours

18/11/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.10  hours

18/11/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.25  hours

20/12/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, A/A Co-op, 0.40  hours

21/12/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol, 1.35  hours

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7604

.

.

On a couple of occasions I have come across

what I think are mis-labeled aircraft serials, this could 

easily happened during their repaints, this was likely L7614

22/09/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, - Test own new a/c

26/09/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, - Patrol Monkey Monkey

27/09/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, Test

01/10/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, Patrol Buq Buq 10,000 ft   Bomber protection.  Water tanks hit;  heavy A/C fire

03/10/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, Patrol M.Matruh

Gladiator 

Mk I

 

K7608

.

.

On a couple of occasions I have come across

what I think are mis-labeled aircraft serials, this could 

easily happened during their repaints, this was likely L7608

05/06/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, - Delivery flight from 102 MU

08/09/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, , -  Patrol Mersa Matruh

09/09/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Patrol Mersa Matruh.  To Sidi Barrani.  Patrol Ras-El-Milh. 1 S.79 unconfirmed.   To Sidi Heneish - (4 sorties)

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7612

.

.

20/04/37 From Manufacturer

28/03/38 To Packing Depot.
28/04/38 To Aircraft Depot Aboukir for 80 Sq.
25/04/40 To 1 ARS.
16/05/40 Returned to 80 Sq.
13/06/40 11:34-12:20 Patrol; F/Sgt Richens.
13/06/40 17:35-18:30 Patrol; F/Sgt Richens.
14/06/40 12:15-12:55 Patrol; F/Sgt Richens.
15/06/40 11:00-11:10 Patrol; F/Sgt Richens.
15/06/40 15:50-16:35 Patrol; F/Sgt Richens.
16/06/40 13:32-14:20 Patrol; F/Sgt Vaughan.
08/08/40 1 prob. CR.42 claimed by F/O Dowding.
06/07/41 Crashed in Iraq.  (457 hrs)

On a couple of occasions I have come across

what I think are mis-lettered aircraft serials, this could 

easily happened during their repaints, the plane for Flt Lt Fraser was likely L7612, hard one to pin down

02/07/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF 112 Sqdn,-  Helwan to Abu Sueir

06/07/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF 112 Sqdn, - Abu Sueir to Assuit, to Asswan - to Wadi Halfa

07/07/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF 112 Sqdn, Wadi Halfa to L.G. 10 - Atbara ..landed dead prop: Oil 0.lbs O bombed 1 hr previously - Summit

09/07/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF 112 Sqdn, - Battle Patrol

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7615

.

.

26/04/37 From Manufacturer.

28/03/38 To Packing Depot.
28/04/38 To Aircraft Depot Aboukir for 80 Sq.
14/11/39 Collided with K7900 and caught fire; crashed 2m SE of Amirya; pilot (F/Sgt G. A. Brett or P/O L. G. Lamb) KIFA.

31/01/40 SOC.

On a couple of occasions I have come across

what I think are mis-lettered aircraft serials, this could 

easily happened during their repaints, due to above information this was likely L7615

23/12/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, to Buq Buq.   Patrol Sollum.   Patrol Sollum.  3 sorties

04/08/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF 112 Sqdn, - Patrol Mersa Matruh

23/12/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF 112 Sqdn, - to Buq Buq.   Patrol Sollum.   Patrol Sollum.  3 sorties, - To Sidi Barrani.  Sidi Barrani to base.  2 sorties

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7892

.

.

10/12/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Oil test

25/12/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, To Almara, 

Forced Landing, no oil left.    (Christmas Day!)

02/12/40 During the day the Greeks received a welcome gift from the RAF in the form of 14 Gladiators. These were all ex-RAF aircraft and were pretty well worn out, but at the time they were welcomed with open arms. The aircraft were-: K8013, K8018, K8031, K8047, K8054, L7609, L7611, L7623 direct from Egypt, K7892, K7923, K7973, and K8017, L8011 from 80 Sqdn and K6135 from 112 Sqdn ( K7892 must have been a tad late getting to them, was eventually delivered to R.H.A.F)

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7893

11

XO-S

09/04/37 From Manufacturer to RAF 3 Sqdn

27/05/37 Overshot landing and hit hedge, Kenley. while with RAF 3 Sqdn

21/04/38, from 3 Sqn RAF Kenley to 73 Sqn 

04/07/38 Returned from 73 Sq. to RAF 3 Sqdn
07/05/39 From RAF 3 Sqdn To 72 Sq.

11/05/39, From 72 Sq. when the unit was formed on HMS Argus on strength 112 Sqdn 

16/05/39 To the ME with RAF 112 Sqdn

24/07/39, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

17/10/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

24/10/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

saw action with 80 Sqdn while on detachment in Greece

12/12/40 To 51 RSU

To 3 RAAF Sq.

16/01/41 13:00-13:45 Prot. patrol F/O Arthur.
16/01/41 15:45-17:45 Prot. patrol F/O Arthur.
17/01/41 07:30-08:15 Returned to Gambut after patrol previous day F/O Arthur.

07/41 from RAAF 3 Sqdn to  1411 (Met) Flight.,

Heliopolis, Egypt Met Flight formed on 14th April 1941. Redesignated 1411 (Met) Flight in January 1942. As 1411 (Met) Flight the unit was entirely manned and serviced by Egyptian personnel, although there was the odd RAF pilot in the unit. The aircraft even carried Egyptian markings. The following Gladiators were used, K6138, K7893, K7913, K7925, K7961, K7963, K8003, K8008, N5825 and N5830. In August 1943 the unit was disbanded and the surviving Gladiators were passed on to the Royal Egyptian Air Force, although at least three aircraft (K7961, N5828 and N5830) were passed onto the Royal Iraqi Air Force

20/07/42 Lost by enemy action.

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7895

12

.

05/04/37 From Manufacturer to RAF 3 Sqdn

11/04/38 To 65 Sq.
31/03/39 To 8 MU.
11/05/39 To 112 Sq. when the unit was formed on HMS Argus

16/05/39 To the ME with RAF 112 Sqdn

06/12/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

14/06/40 Engine test for 00:30hrs; S/L A. R. G. Bax.
16/06/40 Defensive patrol for 00:50hrs. Nothing seen; S/L A. R. G. Bax.
16/06/40 Defensive patrol for 00:15hrs. Nothing seen; S/L A. R. G. Bax.

29/07/40 Hit ground during slow roll, Sidi Barrani; P/O P. R. M. Vand der Heijden injured, he did not return to 112 Sqdn

06/08/40 SOC.

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7897

13

XO-S

01/04/37 From Manufacturer.
18/05/38 To 72 Sq.

11/05/39 From 72 Sq. when the unit was formed on HMS Argus

16/05/39 To the ME with RAF 112 Sqdn

19/04/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - No.1 F.A.

14/06/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, - Instructing Sector Recce x 2 sorties, Battle climb 31,000ft x 2 sorties

15/06/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, Instructing No.1 F.A. x 2 sorties and instructing air to ground 3rd sortie

16/06/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, Instructing Air to Ground x 2 sorties

17/06/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, ,  - No.2 F.A. x 2 sorties

18/06/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, Aerial Combat (Lt. Masson), 2nd sortie Aerial Combat  Lt. .Colenbrander

04/07/40, Flown by Fg Off R H Smith, RAF 112 Sqdn, on a detachment with 33 Sqdn

07/40 At 33 Sq

4/7/40, shot down a Fiat C. R. 42  while with 33 Sqdn

12/10/40 Loaned to Royal Iraqi Air Force.

06/07/41, SOC as crashed  (495 hrs).

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7899

14 .

13/04/37 From Manufacturer to RAF 3 Sqdn
30/03/38 To Packing Depot
05/05/38 To Aircraft Depot Aboukir as reserves to 112 Sq.

20/06/40 07:35-08:40 Patrol; P/O Weller of 80 Sqdn

This aircraft reportedly went to ‘X’ Flight in 06/40 but was used on two days in December 1940 by F/L Fraser of 112 Sqdn.

21/12/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - to Buq Buq L.G.  Patrol Sollum.  S.B. to L.G.   L.G. Buq Buq to Base.   4 sorties

22/12/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, To Buq Buq.  Patrol Bardia & return base... Tail Plane Hit by ac/ac fire.  No E.A.  2 sorties

01/05/41 taken on charge by Sqn Ldr Wightman from the Storage Unit hanger at Ismailia

04/05/41 it was in service with the "Habbaniyah Air Striking Force"  

07/05/41 In Egypt Wg Cdr Wightman was ready with his detachment to fly down to Habbaniya. The aircraft, two Mk Is and three Mk IIs, arrived at Habbaniya next day, The pilots involved were, Wg Cdr Wightman, Flt Lt Sir R A MacRobert, Fly Off G D F Herttage and Sgts E L Smith and W H Dunwoodie ( some of these where ex RAF 94 Sqdn Gladiators)

17/5/41 Sgt later Flight Lieutenant Leslie Ernest Smith DFC, RAF nos. 518837 (NCO); 47123 (Officer) of 94 Squadron shot down a Bf 110 at Raschid airbase. Bf110Cs from ZG76 or ZG26.On their return to base both pilots (Dunwoodie) stated that the Messerschmitts did not carry any rear gunners. It does not seem possible that Leutnant Woerner, leader of the ZG26 Kette, was killed in this action since he was killed in action in Iraq, together with his gunner, Unteroffizier Fischer.

31/5/41 K7899 left Iraq 

29/06/41 To 127 Sq.

28/10/41 To Meteorological Flight, Habbaniya
To Iraqi conversion flight.
14/04/44 Crashed on landing, Habbaniya.
31/06/44 SOC.

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7904

15

.

16/04/37 From Manufacturer.

28/03/38 To Packing Depot.
28/04/38 To Aircraft Depot Aboukir for 80 Sqdn presently can find no record of service with 80 Sqdn

Date of transfer to 112 Sqdn unknown 

07/10/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Patrol M. Matruh 15,000 ft

08/10/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Recce of new L. G.

09/10/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Recce immergency (sic) L .G. (landed next C.Os car, damaged main spar on rock). Returned to S.Heneish.  Patrol M.M. 15,000  (3 sorties)

13/10/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, ,  - Patrol M.M. 15000

21/10/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Patrol M.M. 15000

30/10/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Patrol

31/10/40 Shot down by CR.42s and destroyed by fire. RAF 112 Sqdn lost 5 Gladiators that day 

This was a large combat over Mersa Matruh with ten S.79s from 9o Stormo, 11 from the 14o Stormo and five from the 33o Gruppo escorted by 18 CR.42s from 13o Gruppo and 18 more from 151o Gruppo.
They were intercepted by seven Gladiators from 112 Sq. and at least four Hurricanes from 33 Sq.112 Squadron and 33 Squadron claimed 4 CR.42s, 3 S.79s, 

1 probable S.79 and 1 damaged S.79 while losing 5 Gladiators and 2 Hurricanes.

04/11/40 SOC

Sqn planes flown by 112 Sqn pilots at one time or another, A typical Middle East field shot. 80 Squadron had a detachment at Ramleh from May 1938. Reforming at Kenley in March 1937, 80 Squadron first took Gauntlets on charge, soon relinquishing them for Glads. Indeed, K7904 served with them from April 1937 in the UK and onwards to the Middle East from April 1938. Later acquired by 112 Squadron, the aircraft was shot down by CR42s on 31 October 1940. The Hind to the rear is most probably K6833 (later AO-N) of 211 Squadron, an ex-82 Squadron aircraft taken on charge 17 March 1938 and then straight to the Packing Depot and on to AD Aboukir for the Squadron. One of several Hinds sold to the Indian Air Force in April 1939

31/10/40, destroyed in combat Mersa Matruh, Shot down by CR.42s and destroyed by fire

04/11/40 SOC

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7907

16

.

06/04/37 From Manufacturer.

28/03/38 To Packing Depot.
28/04/38 To Aircraft Depot Aboukir for 80 Sq.
03/04/40 Collided with K6146 and damaged. (K6146, Collided with K7907 in formation and abandoned 20m E of Helwan)
12/06/40 15:52-16:18 Patrol; P/O E. Mason.(80 Sqdn)
15/06/40 15:50-16:35 Patrol; P/O Weller.(80 Sqdn)
22/08/40 To 51 RSU.
09/09/40 Returned to 80 Sq.

Transfer to RAF 112 Sqdn date unknown

10/40 From 112 Sq. to 4 Service Flying Training School, ‘C’ Flight became the Habbaniyah Striking Force between 30 April and 6 June 1941 which may have made up the reinforcements flown in on the 19 April 1941
29/06/41 To 127 Sq.

01/02/42 To Iraqi Conversion Flight.
11/08/42 To ‘X’ Flight Abadan

21/09/42 Swung on landing and wing hit ground, Abadan

06/12/42 To Royal Iraqi Air Force.

Fate unknown

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7914

17

.

22/04/37 From Manufacturer to RAF 80 Sqdn

28/03/38 To Packing Depot.
28/04/38 To Aircraft Depot Aboukir for 80 Sqdn.

12/10/40 To Iraq

Date of transfer to RAF 112 Sqdn not known

28/02/41 1 CR.42 and 1 G.50 claimed by F/L Fry RAF 112 Sqdn, Greece

06/06/41 To ‘X’ Flight Amman

15/06/41 Damaged by Vichy D.520s; F/O Watson safe.

01/09/42 To 1413 (Met) Flight

26/02/43 To 1565 (Met) Flight

25/03/43 Engine cut after take-off; crash-landed 2m S of Beirut

01/05/43 SOC

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7916

all information to date points to 80 Sqdn

.

.

02/05/37 From Manufacturer

28/03/38 To Packing Depot.
28/04/38 To Aircraft Depot Aboukir for 80 Sqdn
13/06/40 11:34-12:20 Patrol; P/O A. H. Cholmeley.80 Sqdn
13/06/40 17:35-18:30 Patrol; P/O A. H. Cholmeley. 80 Sqdn
15/06/40 15:50-16:35 Patrol; F/L Pattle. 80 Sqdn
16/06/40 13:32-14:20 Patrol; P/O Stuckey. 80 Sqdn
16/06/40 18:45-19:05 Patrol; F/L Pattle. 80 Sqdn
08/08/40 1 CR.42 claimed by F/O Wykeham-Barnes. 80 Sqdn
15/09/40 Damaged by return fire from S.79, dived into sea 15m NW of Sidi Barrani; P/O A. H. Cholmeley 80 Sqdn KIA.

25/09/40 SOC.

Above information leads to a mis- lettered L7619 for following entry

11/12/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, Patrol Buq Buq - Sofafi

Gladiator 

Mk I

 

K7922

18

.

14/05/37 Allocated to DTD at Glosters.
02/06/37 To DTD at Faireys for propeller trials.

18/08/37 To 72 Sq.

From 72 Sq. ,ex A. & A E E 1938

11/05/39 To HMS Argus to form 112 Sq.

16/05/39 To the ME with unit.
07/11/39 Damaged in a heavy landing

in RAAF 3 Sqdn at LG 74 by 17/12/40  From 112 Sq

01/11/41 To SAAF, Transferred to South African Air Force for evaluation 

Fate Unknown

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7923

.

.

05/05/37 From Manufacturer to 54 Squadron, Hornchurch, April 1937 to April 1939.

07/04/38 To Packing Depot
05/05/38 To Aircraft Depot Aboukir for 80 Sq.

24/04/40 To 1 ARS.
Returned to 80 Sq.
12/06/40 15:52-16:18 Patrol; P/O J. Lancaster. 80 Sqdn
13/06/40 11:34-12:36 Patrol; P/O J. Lancaster. 80 Sqdn
15/06/40 15:50-16:35 Patrol; P/O J. Lancaster. 80 Sqdn
16/06/40 11:08-12:15 Patrol; P/O J. Lancaster. 80 Sqdn
04/08/40 Damaged in combat with CR.32s; P/O Lancaster safe and the aircraft repaired but not used by the 80 Squadron any more

08/08/40 To 51 RSU.
15/08/40 To 103 MU.

05/11/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, - Acceptance Test.  Aboukir - Heneish. Patrol. 3 sorties

02/12/40 To Royal Hellenic Air Force

Gladiator 

Mk I

 

K7932  

 

19

.

19/05/37 From Manufacturer to RAF 54 Sqdn

06/04/39 To 603 Sq.

15/10/39 To 152 Sq

28/11/39 To 5 MU.
08/02/41 To 52 MU for shipment to the Middle East.
14/03/41 To Royal Hellenic Air Force Training Squadron, Aqir, 

some source have it as 11/03/41, Further Gladiators were received when K7932 and K7984 were handed over by the RAF. These had recently belonged to 112 Sqdn.

20/06/42 Swung on landing at Aqir 

Returned to RAF and transferred to 1413 MET Flight dates unknown unaccounted history between 20/6/42 to whenever it went to 1413 met Flight

08/08/43 To 135 MU.
01/09/43 To 1565 (Met) Flight

Fate Unknown (From available records it is estimated that the Greeks operated 25 MkIs and up to 10 MkIIs. The serial range was from Delta 181 to Delta 204. As can be seen this does not cover all the Gladiators that were issued. It may be that towards the end of the Greek Campaign not all Gladiators received Greek serials. It is not known how many Gladiators served with the Greek Training Flight but one of them was K7932)

Sqdn planes flown by 112 Sqdn pilots at one time or another in their careers

Gladiator 

Mk I

 

K7937

.

.

28/05/37 From Manufacturer to 65 Squadron, Hornchurch, June 1937 to April 1939

15/10/37 To 54 Sq.

05/04/38 To Packing Depot
05/05/38 To Aircraft Depot Aboukir for 80 Sq.

11/06/40 04:30-05:55 Dawn patrol; F/Sgt Vaughan. 80 Sqdn
12/06/40 15:52-16:18 Patrol; Sgt Gregory.80 Sqdn
13/06/40 11:34-12:36 Patrol; Sgt Gregory. 80 Sqdn
15/06/40 15:50-16:35 Patrol; Sgt J. C. Hulbert. 80 Sqdn
16/06/40 11:08-12:15 Patrol; Sgt Gregory. 80 Sqdn

13/11/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, To Heneish.  To Kenayis.  2 sorties

25/11/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn - To Heneish

06/42 To Alsace Free French Fighter Flight.

26/06/42 Force-landed at Assiut

To 58 RSU.
No further trace.

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7938 does NOT appear to have RAF 112 Sqdn history

20

.

28/05/37 From Manufacturer to RAF 65 Sqdn

15/10/37 To 54 Sq

30/07/39 To 603 Sq

27/10/39 To 141 Sq.

27/11/39 Overshot forced landing in bad weather and hit wall on ferry flight, Auldhouse, Lanarkshire

08/12/39 SOC

Sqdn planes flown by 112 Sqdn pilots at one time or another in their careers

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7939

21

.

01/06/37 From Manufacturer 65 Squadron Hornchurch, June 1937 to April 1939

04/11/38 Collided with K8029 during formation loop, landed OK and ROS.

21/04/39 To 8 MU.
11/05/39 To HMS Argus to form 112 Sq.

16/05/39 To the ME with unit

08/04/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - C.R. Test

25/07/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Helwan to Gerawla

27/07/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Interception Monkey-Monkey

21/08/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Patrol, covering troops moving

30/08/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn,- to Sidi Bahraini

31/08/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn,- Patrol Ras-El-Milh 20,000 ft, to Gerawla, to Helwan - 48 hrs leave (3 sorties)

18/09/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Patrol over fleet. Sidi B.  -  HMS cruiser KENT damaged

21/09/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Standing Patrol Mersa Matruh

23/09/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Patrol Sidi B. Bomber defense

28/09/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - To Helwan

30/09/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - To Sidi Heneish

08/11/40 SOC

Was the first production Gladiator with Browning under wing guns

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7944

.

.

01/06/37, From Manufacturer to 65 Sqdn, Hornchurch, June 1937 to April 1939
25/04/39, To 8 MU.
20/10/39,  To 20 MU.
11/39,  Fom From 65 Sq. To 12 Group Pool

06/03/40, From 12 Group Pool to 5 OTU

06/03/40 , From 5 OTU., To the Middle East., To 112 Sqdn.

12/01/40 Overshot landing and hit fence, Helwan, and damaged beyond repair (Possibly F/O Scott as he was posted out shortly after in Feb 1940)

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7948

22

.

Prior service with RAF 615 Sqdn coded KW-M, December 1939, at Vitry, France.

On Strength June 1939 Helwan, From 112 Sqdn, "B" Flight, To K Flight then, used at Port Sudan and Khartoum, July 1940

03/06/40 Detached with ‘B’ Flight to Summit, Sudan.
18/06/40 To Sub Flight Port Sudan.
18/06/40 09:10-09:25 Patrol; P/O Hamlyn.
18/06/40 11:45-11:55 Patrol; P/O Hamlyn.
19/06/40 14:15-14:45 Patrol; P/O Hamlyn, Hit concrete block on landing and rendered unserviceable.
Repaired and Returned On Strength (ROS)

31/08/40 ‘B’ Flight redesignated to ‘K’ Flight  

20/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 15,000 ft, 2.15 hours

24/10/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 15,000 ft, 1.50 hours

26/10/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 1.30 hours

28/10/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.10 hours

21Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 2 S79, 1.00 hours, claim half shared,  In the early afternoon of 21 November two S.79s raided Port Sudan. The cruiser HMS Carlisle opened fire and two Gladiators of 'K' Flight were scrambled to intercept. Flying Officer Green and Pilot Officer G. B. Smither attacked the bombers at 16000 feet, hitting both, but Green’s fighter was hit and damaged by return fire forcing him to retire. The gunners in the S.79s claimed to have shot down both Gladiators.

??/02/41, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Reconnaissance, 0.50 hours (?? sometime between 11 and 21 February)

15/03/41, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Local Flying, 0.20 hours

22/03/41, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol, 1.00 hours

24/03/41, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Local Flying, 0.40 hours

No further details known at this time

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7954

23

XO-

15/06/37 From Manufacturer, to 73 Squadron, Debden, June 1937 to November 1937. Digby, November 1937 to July 1938

04/07/38 to RAF  3 Sqdn

29/08/38 Flown by P/O Billy Drake his first time flying a Gladiator, what a coincidence, at the time he was with B Flight of No 1 Sqdn. at Tangmere.

07/05/39 To 72 Sqdn, Tangmere, March 1937 to May 1937. Church Fenton, June 1937 to April 1939. The unit also operated Gladiators for two weeks in March 1940 from Acklington on the Northumberland coast due to the bad state of the airfield at this time. Code letters: "RN".

11/05/39 To HMS Argus to form 112 Sqdn

28/07/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

01/11/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

10/11/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

22/11/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

29/01/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Formation Flying

10/04/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, No. 1 F. A

24/04/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Aerobatics

24/05/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, X Country canal Zone

Date of transfer unknown  to 33 Squadron, Ismailia, February 1938 to September 1938. Heliopolis, September 1938 to October 1938. Ramleh, Mersah Matruh and Helwan, September 1938 to October 1940. Over the period February to June 1940, some Gauntlets reinforced the Gladiators.Code letters: These were initially "SO". In 1939 they were changed to "TN" and finally, with the outbreak of war, to "NW".

12/10/40, to Royal Iraqi Air Force on loan

06/06/41, Returned to ‘X’ Flight Amman 
15/07/41 Hit obstruction while landing at LG H4.and destroyed beyond repair (alternative date is 05/07/41). while with X’ Flight Amman.

01/12/41,  SOC

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7963

.

.

New aircraft ex works, 6/37

15/06/37 From Manufacturer to 73 Squadron, used at both Debden, June 1937 to November 1937. Digby, November 1937 to July 1938.

11/06/38 Hit by K6145 while taxiing at Sutton Bridge., ROS.

01/11/38 to RAF  3 Sqdn, used at Kenley, March 1937 to March 1938 and July 1938 to May 1939. Biggin Hill, May 1939 to July 1939.Code letters: "OP".

07/05/39 to 72 Sqdn, , Tangmere, March 1937 to May 1937. used at Church Fenton, June 1937 to April 1939. The unit also operated Gladiators for two weeks in March 1940 from Acklington on the Northumberland coast due to the bad state of the airfield at this time.Code letters: "RN".

11/05/39 To HMS Argus to form 112 Sqdn

28/07/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn  

08/12/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn 

06/04/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Air Drill

08/04/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Air Drill

17/05/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, No.1 F.A.

31/10/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Interception (23 S.79, 18 CR42) - 1.S.79 confirmed. (F/L Schwab 2.CR42. F/O Ackworth 1.CR42. F/O Clarke - missing  

Transferred to RAAF 3 Squadron date unknown (reasonable to suspect it was part of the batch transferred to LG 74 on or about 17/12/40)

16/01/41 13:00-13:45 Prot. patrol F/O Rawlinson., RAAF 3 Squadron 
16/01/41 15:45-17:45 Prot. patrol F/O Rawlinson., RAAF 3 Squadron 
17/01/41 07:30-08:15 Returned to Gambut after patrol previous day F/O Rawlinson.,RAAF 3 Squadron 
21/01/41 10:00-12:00 Prot. patrol F/O Rawlinson., RAAF 3 Squadron 
21/01/41 14:30-16:30 Prot. patrol F/O Rawlinson., RAAF 3 Squadron 
22/01/41 10:20-11:10 Schooner set on fire on the sea by F/O Rawlinson., RAAF 3 Squadron 
22/01/41 15:30-17:35 Prot. patrol F/O Rawlinson., RAAF 3 Squadron 
23/01/41 07:00-09:05 Prot. patrol F/O Rawlinson., RAAF 3 Squadron 
24/01/41 10:00-12:00 Prot. patrol F/L D. Campbell., RAAF 3 Squadron 
24/01/41 15:30-17:55 Prot. patrol F/O Trimble., RAAF 3 Squadron 
25/01/41 07:30-08:45 Prot. patrol F/L Rawlinson; 2 G.50s damaged, this was one of 5 Gladiators bounced by 5 Italian G.50bis fighters with the pilot being F/L Alan Rawlinson (386) who managed to claim 2 G.50bis fighters damaged

3 Sqdn Patrols continued until the end of the January, 1941, Enemy aircraft were spotted on several occasions but no further combats took place. The beginning of February brought with it replacements for the Gladiators, as the first Hurricanes began to arrive. During their short service at the front 3 RAAF Squadron fought five conclusive actions with the enemy and claimed twelve aircraft shot down for the loss of five Gladiators and two pilots

to 267 Squadron, which was reformed on 20 August 1940 at Heliopolis, Egypt, by re-designating the Communication Unit, Heliopolis.267 Sqdn used Anson Mk I from Aug 1941 to Jun 1942, Gladiators where with 267 Sqdn from January 1941 to June 1942 Code letters: "KW". It is not known of any codes were used on the Gladiators (they where I have seen the photo, Rob. KW T and KW R serials not known) (Known Gladiators in 267 Sqdn service where K7925, K7963, and N5825, (KW-T is thought to be N5825))

And now so have you :-) Photo supplied by Military Aircraft Photos

?/07/41 to 1411 (Met) Flight

01/08/43, SOC

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7969

26

XO-N then,

RT-N

with 112 Sqdn

22/06/37 From Manufacturer

87 Squadron Debden, June 1937 to July 1938

01/06/38 To 85 Sqdn

85 Squadron,  Debden, June 1938 to September 1938.
Very briefly, before re-equipping with Hurricanes, this squadron had a few Gladiators (ex-87 Sqdn.) on strength but it never became operational and carried no distinctive markings.

05/10/38 To 72 Sqdn

10/03/39,  Engine cut and hit hedge in forced landing, Ledsham, Yorks, pilot unknown 72 Sqdn

72 Squadron Tangmere, March 1937 to May 1937. Church Fenton, June 1937 to April 1939. The unit also operated Gladiators for two weeks in March 1940 from Acklington on the Northumberland coast due to the bad state of the airfield at this time.
Code letters: "RN".

11/05/39 To HMS Argus to form 112 Sqdn

On Strength RAF 112 Sqdn, June 1939 Helwan, originally an "C" Flight plane it was lost in service with "B" Flight which by that time was formally known as "K"Flight

23/10/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

24/10/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

09/11/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

07/02/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Formation Practice

13/02/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - F.C.A. No. 1 Leading

06/05/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Air to Ground firing

07/05/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Air Defense exercise

Port Sudan and Khartoum, July 1940

03/06/40 Detached with ‘B’ Flight to Summit, Sudan.
20/06/40 09:30-09:40 To firing range for gun tests; Sgt Woodward.
21/06/40 05:00-05:10 To Erkowit LG for dawn standby; Sgt Woodward.
21/06/40 09:00-09:10 Return to Summit; Sgt Woodward.
22/06/40 04:15-04:25 To Erkowit LG for dawn standby; Sgt Woodward.
22/06/40 07:20-07:30 Return to Summit; Sgt Woodward.
24/06/40 16:20-16:30 To Erkowit LG for dusk standby; Sgt Woodward.
24/06/40 18:00-18:10 Return to Summit; Sgt Woodward

31/08/40 ‘B’ Flight redesignated to ‘K’ Flight  

06/11/40, Shot down by Fiat CR42`s near Gallabat/Metemma,  Plt Off Kirk baled out. during the Sudan offensive to capture the Italian fort at Gallabat

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7971

.

YK-X with 80 Sqdn

Photo supplied by DaveW a contact from RAF Commands Forum

02/07/37 From Manufacturer to 87 Sqdn

87 Squadron, stationed at Debden, June 1937 to July 1938

09/07/37 Undershot landing and hit hedge, Debden., ROS.

28/03/38 To Packing Depot
26/04/38 To Aircraft Depot Aboukir for 80 Sqdn

08/08/40 2 CR.42s claimed by F/L Pattle 80 Sqdn .

28/11/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Patrol Fuka 20,000  E.A.   2nd sortie - test.

01/12/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, to Eraklion, Crete 

02/12/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, To Eleusis, Greece

06/12/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - to Larissa

delivered to R.H.A.F.

They flew back in, Bombay L5811 pilot unknown - to Tatoi on 06/12/40, to Eraklion Crete on 07/12/40 then back to Sidi Heneish Egypt on 07/12/40

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7973

27

YK-Y with 80 Sqdn

03/07/37 From Manufacturer

87 Squadron, stationed at Debden, June 1937 to July 1938

28/03/38 To Packing Depot
05/05/38 To Aircraft Depot Aboukir for 80 Sqdn

26/03/40 Lost power on attempted overshoot at night and hit ground avoiding hangar at Amriya; P/O G. T. Baynham, 80 Sqdn,  safe and the aircraft repaired. 

31/10/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, 1 SM79 Damaged over Mesa Matruh

01/11/40, Patrol, Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn,

2/12/40, During the day the Greeks received a welcome gift from the RAF in the form of 14 Gladiators. These were all ex-RAF aircraft and were pretty well worn out, but at the time they were welcomed with open arms. The aircraft were-: K8013, K8018, K8031, K8047, K8054, L7609, L7611, L7623 direct from Egypt, K7892, K7923, K7973 "YK -Y", K8017and  L8011 “YK-O”. To Royal Hellenic Air Force on 15/12/40 from 80 Sqdn and K6135 from 112 Sqdn

probably lost in Greece

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7974

28

XO-O then, RT-O

87 Squadron Debden, June 1937 to July 1938

72 Squadron Tangmere, March 1937 to May 1937. Church Fenton, June 1937 to April 1939. The unit also operated Gladiators for two weeks in March 1940 from Acklington on the Northumberland coast due to the bad state of the airfield at this time.
Code letters: "RN".

wore 87 Squadron, colours in 1938, with a 601 Sqdn "Flying Sword" painted on its rudder along with "Popeye The Sailor man" painted on the left rudder side, picture at, http://flyingsword.messofthedamned.org/601%20Doc%20Williams/13%20Gauntlet%203.html

From 87 Sqn "B" Flight 8/38 then to 72 Sqn, then to

112 Sqn "B" Flight On Strength June 1939 Helwan

03/08/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

10/10/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

19/10/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

05/03/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Ae robatics

11/04/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Army Co-op Exercise

03/06/40 Detached with ‘B’ Flight to Summit, Sudan.
20/06/40 10:00-10:10 To firing range for gun tests; Sgt Woodward.
23/06/40 14:30-14:40 To firing range to test guns; F/O Whittington.
24/06/40 16:20-16:30 To Erkowit LG for dusk standby; P/O Green.
24/06/40 18:00-18:10 Return to Summit; P/O Green.
01/08/40 1 Ca.133 claimed by P/O Green.
22/12/40 Damaged beyond repair in take-off accident and crash. Pilot unknown as yet

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7977

29

RT-P

From 87 Sqdn "B" Flight, 8/38 then to 72 Sqdn, then 112 Sqdn "B" Flight On Strength June 1939 Helwan,

23/08/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

05/04/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Interception of Blenheims 

16/04/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, No.1 F.A.

17/04/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, No.1 F.A.

25/04/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Visit Canal L.Gs

30/04/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, No.3 & No.5 F.A.

28/05/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Wadi Natrun L.G.

03/06/40 Detached with ‘B’ Flight to Summit, Sudan.

To ‘K’ Flight. ( ’K’ Flight, Formed on 1 September 1940 Summit, Sudan, by re-designating ‘B’ Flight of 112 Squadron. Disbanded 1 April 1941 at Aqir, Palestine to become 250 Squadron) 
18/06/40 04:00-04:10 To Erkowit LG for dawn standby; P/O Chapman, "K" Flight,
18/06/40 07:30-07:40 Return to Summit; P/O Chapman, "K" Flight,
18/06/40 16:30-00:10 To Erkowit LG for evening standby; P/O Chapman, "K" Flight,
20/06/40 06:00-06:10 Returned to Summit from Erkowit; P/O Chapman, "K" Flight,
20/06/40 09:00-09:10 To firing range for gun tests; F/O Whittington, "K" Flight,
20/06/40 09:15-09:25 To firing range for gun tests; F/O Whittington, "K" Flight,
21/06/40 11:15-11:30 Weather test; F/O Whittington, "K" Flight,
21/06/40 16:15-16:25 To Erkowit LG for dusk standby; F/O Whittington, "K" Flight,
21/06/40 18:00-18:10 Return to Summit; F/O Whittington, "K" Flight,
22/06/40 08:20-08:40 Patrol; F/O Whittington, "K" Flight,
22/06/40 16:15-16:25 To Erkowit LG for dusk standby; P/O Chapman, "K" Flight,
22/06/40 18:20-18:30 Return to Summit; P/O Chapman, "K" Flight,
24/06/40 04:30-04:40 To Erkowit LG for dawn standby; P/O Chapman, "K" Flight,
24/06/40 06:45-07:00 Patrol; P/O Chapman, "K" Flight,
24/06/40 07:20-07:30 Return to Summit; P/O Chapman, "K" Flight,
24/06/40 17:15-18:00 Co-operation with 223 Sq.on attacks; F/O Whittington, "K" Flight,

31/08/40 ‘B’ Flight redesignated to ‘K’ Flight  

18/09/1940, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 15'000ft 2.05 hours

20/09/1940, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 15'000ft 2.05 hours

22/09/1940, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 15'000ft 2.35 hours

18/10/1940, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol 0.25 hours

06/11/40 Shot down by CR.42s in the Gallabat area; F/O J. M. Hayward, "K" Flight KIA

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7978

30

.

72 Squadron, Tangmere, March 1937 to May 1937. Church Fenton, June 1937 to April 1939. The unit also operated Gladiators for two weeks in March 1940 from Acklington on the Northumberland coast due to the bad state of the airfield at this time.
Code letters: "RN".

87 Squadron, Debden, June 1937 to July 1938

25/07/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

22/08/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

10/10/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

05/02/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - F.C.A. no.2

08/02/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, F.C.A. No.1

10/02/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, F.C.A. No.1

19/03/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Air Drill

22/06/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn,- Battle Interception

RAF 112 Sqdn service before going to X’ Flight Abadan.

Then to 1413 Flight,

22/10/42 Crashed at Nicosia while flown by W/O Lavalee.

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7983

31

.possibly XO-S

56 Squadron
North Weald, July 1937 to May 1938

No. 3 Sqdn, Kenley 1937-38

25 Squadron
Hawkinge, June 1938 to September 1938. Northolt, September 1938 to October 1938. Hawkinge, October to December 1938.
Code letters: "ZK".

  Then to 607 Squadron, Code letters: "ZK" Usworth, December 1938 

Unknown service details

1413 (Met) Flight
15/05/42 Crashed at Nicosia

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7984

32

.

73 Squadron, Debden, June 1937 to November 1937. Digby, November 1937 to July 1938

615 Squadron, Kenley, June 1939 to September 1939. Croydon, September 1939 to October 1939. France, November 1939 to May 1940.
Code letters: "RR", changed to "KW" in September 1939.

11/03/41, Greek Air Force, Further Gladiators were received when K7932 and K7984 were handed over by the RAF. These had recently belonged to 112 Sqdn,  K7984 was returned to RAF and used by 261 Sqdn then 237 Sqdn. 

14/04/42, Aircraft broke up in the air over Tel Kotchek, Iran?

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7986

33

73 Squadron, Debden, June 1937 to November 1937. Digby, November 1937 to July 1938

RAF 3 Squadron, Kenley, March 1937 to March 1938 and July 1938 to May 1939. Biggin Hill, May 1939 to July 1939.
Code letters: "OP".

72 Squadron, Tangmere, March 1937 to May 1937. Church Fenton, June 1937 to April 1939. The unit also operated Gladiators for two weeks in March 1940 from Acklington on the Northumberland coast due to the bad state of the airfield at this time.
Code letters: "RN".

Factory Works 1/38  

On Strength June 1939 Helwan  

17/10/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

24/10/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

16/11/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

07/12/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

11/12/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

"B" Flight 112 Sqdn then to  to K Flight,  

Port Sudan and Khartoum, July 1940

03/06/40 Detached with ‘B’ Flight to Summit, Sudan.
20/06/40 09:45-09:55 To firing range for gun tests; P/O Chapman.
21/06/40 16:15-16:25 To Erkowit LG for dusk standby; P/O Green.
21/06/40 18:00-18:10 Return to Summit; P/O Green.
22/06/40 08:20-08:40 Patrol; P/O Green

31/08/40 ‘B’ Flight redesignated to ‘K’ Flight  

12/09/1940, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, to Port Sudan 0.25 hours

13/09/1940, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 15'000ft 2.30 hours

15/9/40, Crashed on take off, Sudan, unknown pilot

Gladiator 

Mk I

 

K8008  

34

.

RAF 3 Squadron
Kenley, March 1937 to March 1938 and July 1938 to May 1939. Biggin Hill, May 1939 to July 1939.
Code letters: "OP".

RAF 112 Sqdn  On strength with 112 Sqdn Delta Defense Force Helwan 1939

80 Squadron, Henlow, March 1937 to June 1937. Debden, June 1937 to April 1938. Egypt, May 1938 to November 1940. Greece, November 1940 to April 1941.
Code letters: "OD", as war approached the code letters were changed first to "GK" and finally to "YK".

12/06/40 15:52-16:18 Patrol; F/O Kettlewell. 80 Sq
13/06/40 11:34-12:36 Patrol; F/O Kettlewell.
15/06/40 15:50-16:35 Patrol; F/O Kettlewell.
16/06/40 11:08-12:15 Patrol; F/O Kettlewell.

3 RAAF Squadron, Helwan and Gambut, September 1940 to January 1941.
Operated under RAF control using mainly ex-112, 33 and 80 Sqn Gladiators. Until December 1940, was mixed with one flight of Lysanders and four Gauntlets.
Code letters: "NW".

There was also an L8008  which had been upgraded to Mk II standard at No 27 MU, January, 1939

Cosigned for shipment to RAF Storage Depot, Aboukir, Egypt in March, 1939, L8006-L8008 remained in Storage, eventually used as spares (Francis K Mason, my interpretation is used as spare planes not for spare parts, as all 3 planes where actively used)

L8008 was actually used by 3 Sqdn, RAAF and SOC 01/41

3 Sqdn Patrols continued until the end of the January, 1941, Enemy aircraft were spotted on several occasions but no further combats took place. The beginning of February brought with it replacements for the Gladiators, as the first Hurricanes began to arrive. During their short service at the front 3 RAAF Squadron fought five conclusive actions with the enemy and claimed twelve aircraft shot down for the loss of five Gladiators and two pilots

K8008, on strength with 1411 Flt, Heliopolis, 1942-43

Heliopolis, Egypt Met Flight formed on 14th April 1941. Redesignated 1411 (Met) Flight in January 1942. As 1411 (Met) Flight the unit was entirely manned and serviced by Egyptian personnel, although there was the odd RAF pilot in the unit. The aircraft even carried Egyptian markings. The following Gladiators were used, K6138, K7893, K7913, K7925, K7961, K7963, K8003, K8008, N5825 and N5830. In August 1943 the unit was disbanded and the surviving Gladiators were passed on to the Royal Egyptian Air Force, although at least three aircraft (K7961, N5828 and N5830) were passed onto the Royal Iraqi Air Force

26/01/43 K8008, Force-landed at El Adem

Gladiator 

Mk I

K8013

35

.

54 Squadron, Hornchurch, April 1937 to April 1939

K8013, 0n 33 Sqn strength Ismailia 1938, L8012-L8028 were sold to Egypt and delivered in April 1939 were they are believed to have been re- numbered with Egyptian serials K1331-K1348. Some of these were subsequently taken back on RAF M.E. charge. 

Gladiator Mk 1, L8025, with Egyptian markings,

 With 5 Sqdn Royal Egyptian Air Force still carries the RAF fin flash large carburetor filter box and the watts propeller

02/12/40. Given to Royal Hellenic Air Force delivered ?/5/41, From Sidi Haneish in Egypthttp://www.geocities.com/ww2greece/0303.html

Under Lt. Col E. Kelaides, Commanding Officer Greek Fighter Command.

21st Mira (Kalampaka)
28 October 1940

Commanded by Captain J. Kellas, with 12 PZL-24 Fighters, and based at Kalampaka. Three Aircraft were detached under 1st Lt. J. Sakellariou and based at Yanina. 21 Mira shared a base with 80 and 112 Sqn. RAF as part of "Advanced Operations Wing West" during February 1941.Only about 8 of the squadron's aircraft were actually operational (There were 24 Operational PZL-24's out of a total of 36 in three squadrons).
02 December 1940
Squadron was withdrawn from frontline to re-equip, its remaining PZL-24's being handed over to 22 and 23 Mire. The Squadron received 14 Gloster Gladiator Biplane Fighters from Britain, 8 arrived on 02 December from No.112 Squadron, RAF, based in Egypt, and were followed shortly after by 5 from No.80 Squadron, RAF (in Greece), and finally by 1 more from No.112 Squadron in Egypt. 

Known ex-RAF Gladiators transferred to 21 Mira.

02/12/40
L7620, L7621 (from 33 Sq.)
K8013, K8018, K8031, K8047, K8054, L7609, L7611, L7623 (from 112 Sq., Egypt)
K7892, K7923, K7973, K8017, L8011 (from 80 Sq.)
K6135 (from 112 Sq.)
30/03/41
K7932, K7984 (from 80 Sq.)
All in all, the Greek Air Force used 19 Mk.I and 6 Mk.II Gladiators during the Second World War.

Gladiator 

Mk I

K8018

36

.

33 Squadron, Ismailia, February 1938 to September 1938. Heliopolis, September 1938 to October 1938. Ramleh, Mersah Matruh and Helwan, September 1938 to October 1940. Over the period February to June 1940, some Gauntlets reinforced the Gladiators.
Code letters: These were initially "SO". In 1939 they were changed to "TN" and finally, with the outbreak of war, to "NW".on 33 Sqn strength Mersa Matruh 6/40

Known ex-RAF Gladiators transferred to 21 Mira.

02/12/40
L7620, L7621 (from 33 Sq.)
K8013, K8018, K8031, K8047, K8054, L7609, L7611, L7623 (from 112 Sq., Egypt)
K7892, K7923, K7973, K8017, L8011 (from 80 Sq.)
K6135 (from 112 Sq.)
30/03/41
K7932, K7984 (from 80 Sq.)
All in all, the Greek Air Force used 19 Mk.I and 6 Mk.II Gladiators during the Second World War.

Gladiator 

Mk I

K8019

37

.

R.F.A. Storage and Maintenance Unit, Aboukir 1940-41, delivered to Greek Air Force ?/4/41 fate unknown

18/07/40  Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser  RAF 112 Sqdn, Search for F/O Worcester - forced Landed Air Lock - Tony dead. Returned to Helwan

03/08/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Gerawla to Sidi Barrani.  Patrol Bardia, Lybia, protecting bombers, no E.A..  Sidi Barrani to Gerawla (3 sorties)

10/09/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Patrol Mersa Matruh  2 S.79s John Lapsley, Hurricane

14/09/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - to 'Z' Landing Ground.  To 'Y' Landing Ground.  Patrol Sollum. Italian occup.  (3 sorties)

15/09/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Patrol Sidi Barrani - Interception and burst into S.79 losing height - unconfirmed

16/09/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - To Sidi Heneish

17/09/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

02/11/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, Patrol

03/11/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, Patrol

05/11/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, Patrol

?/04/41, To R.H.A.F 

Gladiator 

Mk I

K8021

38

.

Prior service in 56 Sqdn North Weald, July 1937 to May 1938 then to 80 Sqdn, Greece, November 1940 to April 1941. and was probably turned over to 112 Sqdn Late Feb or early March when 80 Sqdn converted to Hurricanes

11/06/40 08:10-09:20 Search and patrol; P/O Sykes. 80 Sqdn
11/06/40 12:30-13:06 Patrol; Sgt J. H. Clarke.80 Sqdn
12/06/40 04:25-05:40 Dawn patrol; Sgt J. H. Clarke, 80 Sqdn
15/06/40 09:55-11:10 Patrol; Sgt J. H. Clarke, 80 Sqdn
16/06/40 09:30-10:45 Patrol; Sgt J. H. Clarke.,80 Sqdn
16/06/40 11:33-12:24 Patrol; Sgt J. H. Clarke, 80 Sqdn

19/06/40 04:25-05:40 Dawn patrol; Sgt J. H. Clarke.,80 Sqdn
22/06/40 16:25-17:15 Patrol; Sgt J. H. Clarke.,80 Sqdn

Probably handed over to RAF 112 Sqdn when 80n Sqdn got their Hurricanes

17/04/41   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, to Phaleron & Kephesia

17/04/41   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn,, To Kosani

22/04/41   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Flown to Heraklion, Crete (log book entry to Eraklion.  Crete)

Fate Unknown

Gladiator 

Mk I

K8024

39

.

Had prior service with 73 Sqdn, Debden, June 1937 to November 1937. Digby, November 1937 to July 1938. 

Then RAF 3 Sqdn Biggin Hill, May 1939 to May 1939

On Strength June 1939 Helwan RAF 112 Sqdn,  

14/06/39, pilot unknown at this time, Was the first 112 Sqdn Gladiator flown from Helwan 

30/06/39,  Flt Lt Fraser RAF 112 Sqdn,

15/08/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

16/08/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

17/08/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

18/08/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

12/09/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

30/10/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

22/12/39, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn

11/01/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, to Abu Sueir and Helwan

17/01/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Faiyum and return

02/02/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, to Aboukir - Heliopolis - Helio - Helwan

12/04/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn,- to Amiriya

Fate unknown,  possibility it was Flown by Acworth and written off after battle 17/08/40

Gladiator 

Mk I

K8025

40

.

On Strength June 1939 Helwan 112 Sqn, on 33 Sqdn strength Mersa Matruh 6/40 33 Squadron, Ismailia, February 1938 to September 1938. Heliopolis, September 1938 to October 1938. Ramleh, Mersah Matruh and Helwan, September 1938 to October 1940. Over the period February to June 1940, some Gauntlets reinforced the Gladiators.
Code letters: These were initially "SO". In 1939 they were changed to "TN" and finally, with the outbreak of war, to "NW

Gladiator Mk1

06/11/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Gun test x 2 sorties

07/11/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, to Bir Kenayis.  Bomber protection. Sollum. 2 sorties

11/12/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - to Helwan

12/12/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, To Burg el Arab

21/12/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Dead Prop,  Forced Landing S. H. (meaning Sidi Hamish or South of Helwan ?)

Then Port Sudan and Khartoum, July 1940, 

Fate unknown

Gladiator 

Mk I

K8031

41

.

on 33 Sqn strength Mersa Matruh 6/40

29/6/40 Flown by Peter Wickham RAF 112 Sqdn, 1Ro37 and 1 CR 32 claimed by  while attached to 33 Sqn, 

17/09/40 Flown by Plt Off H. W. "Jerry" Harrison, RAF 112 Sqdn, 37th sortie, 13:05 hours patrol over Sidi Barrani 1 CR 32 shot down

08/11/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - R/T and Gun Tests

Known ex-RAF Gladiators transferred to 21 Mira.

02/12/40
L7620, L7621 (from 33 Sq.)
K8013, K8018, K8031, K8047, K8054, L7609, L7611, L7623 (from 112 Sq., Egypt)
K7892, K7923, K7973, K8017, L8011 (from 80 Sq.)
K6135 (from 112 Sq.)
30/03/41
K7932, K7984 (from 80 Sq.)
All in all, the Greek Air Force used 19 Mk.I and 6 Mk.II Gladiators during the Second World War.

Gladiator 

Mk I

K8047

42

.

on 33 Sqn strength Mersa Matruh 6/40

Known ex-RAF Gladiators transferred to 21 Mira.

02/12/40
L7620, L7621 (from 33 Sq.)
K8013, K8018, K8031, K8047, K8054, L7609, L7611, L7623 (from 112 Sq., Egypt)
K7892, K7923, K7973, K8017, L8011 (from 80 Sq.)
K6135 (from 112 Sq.)
30/03/41
K7932, K7984 (from 80 Sq.)
All in all, the Greek Air Force used 19 Mk.I and 6 Mk.II Gladiators during the Second World War.

Gladiator 

Mk I

K8048

43

.

on 33 Sqn strength Mersa Matruh 6/40, 33 Squadron, Ismailia, February 1938 to September 1938. Heliopolis, September 1938 to October 1938. Ramleh, Mersah Matruh and Helwan, September 1938 to October 1940. Over the period February to June 1940, some Gauntlets reinforced the Gladiators.
Code letters: These were initially "SO". In 1939 they were changed to "TN" and finally, with the outbreak of war, to "NW".

From 33 to 112 Sqdn dates unknown

in RAAF 3 Sqdn LG 74 by 17/12/40  From 112 Sq

23/01/41 07:00-09:05 Prot. patrol F/O J. M. Davidson RAAF 3 Sqdn

From RAAF 3 Sqdn to RAF 127 Sqdn date unknown

From 127 Sqdn to Iraq Coversion Flight date unknown

Fate Unknown

Served in "X" Flight throughout May and June 1941 ?? not confirmed yet

Gladiator 

Mk I

K8054

44

.

on 33 Sqn strength Mersa Matruh 6/40

Known ex-RAF Gladiators transferred to 21 Mira.

02/12/40
L7620, L7621 (from 33 Sq.)
K8013, K8018, K8031, K8047, K8054, L7609, L7611, L7623 (from 112 Sq., Egypt)
K7892, K7923, K7973, K8017, L8011 (from 80 Sq.)
K6135 (from 112 Sq.)
30/03/41
K7932, K7984 (from 80 Sq.)
All in all, the Greek Air Force used 19 Mk.I and 6 Mk.II Gladiators during the Second World War.

Gladiator 

Mk I

L7608

45

.

on 33 Sqn strength Mersa Matruh 6/40

Date of transfer to RAF 112 Sqdn unknown

05/06/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, - Delivery flight from 102 MU

08/09/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, , -  Patrol Mersa Matruh

09/09/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Patrol Mersa Matruh.  To Sidi Barrani.  Patrol Ras-El-Milh. 1 S.79 unconfirmed.   To Sidi Heneish - (4 sorties)  

31/10/40 Shot down near Mersa Matruh.  one of five RAF 112 Sqdn planes lost that day

Gladiator 

Mk I

L7609

46

.

on 33 Sqn strength Mersa Matruh 6/40

Known ex-RAF Gladiators transferred to 21 Mira.

02/12/40
L7620, L7621 (from 33 Sq.)
K8013, K8018, K8031, K8047, K8054, L7609, L7611, L7623 (from 112 Sq., Egypt)
K7892, K7923, K7973, K8017, L8011 (from 80 Sq.)
K6135 (from 112 Sq.)
30/03/41
K7932, K7984 (from 80 Sq.)
All in all, the Greek Air Force used 19 Mk.I and 6 Mk.II Gladiators during the Second World War.

Gladiator 

Mk I

L7611

47

.

on 33 Sqn strength Mersa Matruh 6/40

29/08/40   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Patrol Mersa Matruh

28/10/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, - Acceptance test Almaza

29/10/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, - To Abu Sueir

02/11/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, - Gun Test x 2 sorties

Known ex-RAF Gladiators transferred to 21 Mira.

02/12/40
L7620, L7621 (from 33 Sq.)
K8013, K8018, K8031, K8047, K8054, L7609, L7611, L7623 (from 112 Sq., Egypt)
K7892, K7923, K7973, K8017, L8011 (from 80 Sq.)
K6135 (from 112 Sq.)
30/03/41
K7932, K7984 (from 80 Sq.)
All in all, the Greek Air Force used 19 Mk.I and 6 Mk.II Gladiators during the Second World War.

Gladiator 

Mk I

L7612

48

possibly coded RT F not confirmed

33 Squadron, Ismailia, February 1938 to September 1938. Heliopolis, September 1938 to October 1938. Ramleh, Mersah Matruh and Helwan, September 1938 to October 1940. Over the period February to June 1940, some Gauntlets reinforced the Gladiators.

On Strength June 1939 Helwan,112 Sqdn, "B" Flight  

02/07/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF 112 Sqdn

06/07/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF 112 Sqdn

07/07/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF 112 Sqdn. has this listed as K7612  unable to find a K7612 I have listed it here as L7612  Landing Ground 10 to Atbara.... Landed - Dead Prop.  Oil , 0.lbs.  RAF bombed 1 hour previously

09/07/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF 112 Sqdn 

Port Sudan and Khartoum, July 1940

 02/06/40 From ‘K’ Flight. bent wing landing at Aswan Plt Off Wolsey was flying it. on 33 Sqn strength Mersa Matruh 6/40 Was used at Port Sudan. 

 06/11/40, Damaged by Fiat CR42`s and crash landed at Hawaton, Sudan,  Flying Officer Jack Hamlyn DFC, RAF no. 40109 "K Flight", during the Sudan offensive to capture the Italian fort at Gallabat, later back to 112 Sqn

06/11/40, (adding to the confusion) Damaged by CR.42s and crash-landed at Heaton, Sudan (other sources,  the third was forced down at El Hasiara, some 70 miles from its base.; P/O Hamlyn safe.

Gladiator 

Mk I

L7614

49

.

"B" Flight which by then was called "K" Flight, on 33 Sqn strength Mersa Matruh

From Flt Fraser's log book listed as K7604 see above in red

22/09/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, - Test own new a/c

26/09/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, - Patrol Monkey Monkey

27/09/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, Test

01/10/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, Patrol Buq Buq 10,000 ft   Bomber protection.  Water tanks hit;  heavy A/C fire

03/10/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, Patrol M.Matruh

06/11/40, Flt Lt Kenneth Howard Savage, 112 Sqdn, K Flight, Shot down, KIA, during the Sudan offensive to capture the Italian fort at Gallabat. Shot down by Fiat CR42`s from 412 Squadriglia led by unit the unit Commander Capitano Raffi near Gallabat (called, Metemma, by Abyssinians)

Gladiator 

Mk I

L7615

50

.

on 33 Sqn strength Mersa Matruh 6/40

To RAF 112 Sqdn date unknown

From Flt Fraser's log book listed as K7615 see above in red

23/12/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, to Buq Buq.   Patrol Sollum.   Patrol Sollum.  3 sorties

04/08/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF 112 Sqdn, - Patrol Mersa Matruh

23/12/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF 112 Sqdn, - to Buq Buq.   Patrol Sollum.   Patrol Sollum.  3 sorties, - To Sidi Barrani.  Sidi Barrani to base.  2 sorties

31/12/40 From 112 Sq. to RAAF 3 Sqdn LG 74

RAAF serial (K7615) or typo for L7615.
Gladiator Mk.I.
21/01/41 07:00-09:00 Prot. patrol F/O J. H. Saunders.
21/01/41 11:30-13:30 Prot. patrol F/O J. H. Saunders. Force-landed after engine trouble; pilot safe.

21/04/41 SOC 

Gladiator 

Mk I

L7616

51

.

on 33 Sqn strength Mersa Matruh 6/40

Transferred to RAF 112 Sqdn date unknown

31/12/40 From 112 Sq. to RAAF 3 Sqdn

while on RAAF 3 Sqdn:

04/01/41 From Gerawla to the detached Flight at the LG at Bir Mella by F/L D. Campbell.
16/01/41 13:00-13:45 Prot. patrol F/O J. Jackson.
16/01/41 15:45-17:45 Prot. patrol F/O J. Jackson.
17/01/41 07:30-08:15 Returned to Gambut after patrol previous day F/O J. Jackson.
21/01/41 07:00-09:00 Prot. patrol F/O J. Jackson.
21/01/41 16:00-17:50 Prot. patrol F/O J. Jackson.
22/01/41 15:30-17:35 Prot. patrol F/L D. Campbell.
23/01/41 07:00-09:05 Prot. patrol F/O Arthur.
24/01/41 15:30-17:55 Prot. patrol F/O V. East.
28/01/41 09:58-10:20 Off. patrol F/O J. M. Davidson.
29/01/41 15:20-17:00 Tac. recc. F/O V. East.
31/01/41 11:20-12:10 Recc. F/O Arthur.

3 Sqdn Patrols continued until the end of the January, 1941, Enemy aircraft were spotted on several occasions but no further combats took place. The beginning of February brought with it replacements for the Gladiators, as the first Hurricanes began to arrive. During their short service at the front 3 RAAF Squadron fought five conclusive actions with the enemy and claimed twelve aircraft shot down for the loss of five Gladiators and two pilots

Transfered to Wadi Halfa Flight. date unknown

To Iraq Conversion Flight and then to 94 Sq.

16/05/41 Shot down by He111s of 4/KG 4; F/O Herrtage KIA

22/06/41 SOC

In May when 94 Squadron was in the process of being re-equipped with Hurricanes, Wing Commander ’Freddie’ Wightman was ordered to collect five Gladiators from a Maintenance Unit and together with four other pilots proceed to Habbaniya to take part in the Iraqi revolt.
On 7 May Wightman was ready with his detachment to fly down to Habbaniya. The aircraft, two Mk Is and three Mk IIs, arrived at Habbaniya next day, The pilots involved were Wing Commander W. T. F. Wightman, Flight Lieutenant Sir R. A. MacRobert, Flying Officer Herrtage, Sergeant E. L. Smith and Sergeant W. H. Dunwoodie

lost 16/05/41 flown by Flying Officer Gerald Douglas Francis Herrtage, 94 Sqn,  the day he shot down an HE111, the plane was on 94 Sqdn strength, coded as GO-D, the day it was lost, 22/06/41 SOC

17/12/40, in RAAF 3 Sqdn LG 74 by 17/12/40, 3 RAAF Sq. then Transferred to Wadi Halfa Flt. Later to Iraq Conversion Flt. Flying Officer Gerald Douglas Francis Herrtage, RAF no. 42309
Gerald Herrtage was born in 1917 and was from Sussex.
On 12 May a small Luftwaffe unit started to arrive in Iraq in support of the Iraqi revolt. The contingent consisted of 14 Bf110C from 4/ZG76 and ZG26 (two aircraft) and seven He111H-s of 4/KG4 together with transports (Ju53/3ms and Ju90s) and support personnel.
In the morning on 16 May 1941 Hauptmann Schwanhäuser led three He111s of 4/KG4 off to raid Habbaniya. At 09.35 after a 90-minute flight they approached the base at 6,000 feet, Schwanhäuser leading in two of the bombers to attack at once, while Oberleutnant Graubner swung away to the left in order to bomb some parked aircraft. As his bombs were falling away, he saw below a plume of dust – a fighter taking off. This was a Gladiator, which was being scrambled by Flying Officer Herrtage. The three He111s made a second pass over the hangars, the two leading aircraft not having dropped their bombs, even though the attack had already caused more damage than had all previous Iraqi raids together!
With the fighter in the air, however, the bombers turned for home, but Herrtage was able to cut across the turn, and thereby come within range, even though still climbing. Graubner reported:
“The fighter slowly climbed towards us. Soon it hung behind us, and we heard the clattering of machine gun fire – one could not tell whether it was our own, or the enemy fire hitting us. Fw Prinz and I suddenly saw many hits appearing in both wings, accompanied by a murderous roaring noise. I heard from behind, “Shot down!”, and could not believe it when the voice of Ofw Thomas, the flight engineer, reported: “Now it is breaking up – now it has crashed!” The well-aimed return fire from Ofw Thomas and the radio operator, Uffz Guretzki, had succeeded! The first incontestable victory of our Gruppe!”
Observers on the ground reported that Herrtage’s Gladiator (L7616) had in fact been caught in the crossfire from all three bombers, and had crashed to the ground outside the airfield perimeter. It seems that Herrtage tried to bale out but his parachute got tangled up and did not open fully. He was killed instantly but he had however hit one of the bombers, and it was believed that this had crash-landed half a mile or so further from the camp. This was not so in fact, as Graubner’s continued narrative explains:
“Our right engine began to shake and lose oil, and the temperature rose. The Kette still had to make a reconnaissance, so I broke off and set course for Mosul. We were at 2,000 metres and after ten minutes the damaged engine stopped. We could not now maintain height and began to sink at two metres a second, so we threw everything possible overboard, except for the guns and a little ammunition in case of a force-landing. We continued eastwards, at least to reach the Tigris valley. Slowly we dropped further, only desert beneath us. We tried to restart the “sick” engine, but it was no use and we had to turn the fuel off again. Still no sight of the Tigris; there must have been a strong headwind. “Everyone strap in!” – still ten metres above the ground. I lifted it over a ditch, there was a huge bump, and then we saw nothing but dust.”
This was the only attack flown by the He111Hs of KG4.
At the time of his death Herrtage was credited with 1 biplane victory.
Claims:
Kill no. Date Number Type Result Plane type Serial no. Locality Unit
1941
16/05/41 1 He111 (a) Destroyed Gladiator L7616 Habbaniya area 94 Squadron
Biplane victories: 1 destroyed. TOTAL: 1 destroyed.
(a) He111H of 4/KG4 flown by Oberleutnant Graubner shot down. The aircraft made a forced landing and the crew survived.
Sources:
Dust Clouds in the Middle East - Christopher Shores, 1996 Grub Street, London, ISBN 1-898697-37-X
Gloster Gladiator - Alex Crawford, 2002 Mushroom Model Publications, Redbourn, ISBN 83-916327-0-9
Gloster Gladiator Aces - Andrew Thomas, 2002 Osprey Publishing, London, ISBN 1-84176-289-X
Gloster Gladiator Home Page <http://www.geocities.com/acrawford0/index.html> - Alexander Crawford.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission <http://www.cwgc.org/>

16/05/41, F/O Heritage also shot down and killed

Gladiator 

Mk I

L7617

52

.

on 33 Sqn strength Mersa Matruh 6/40

Transferred to RAF 112 Sqdn date unknown

in RAAF 3 Sqdn LG 74 by 17/12/40 From 112 Sq to RAAF 3 Sqdn

While with RAAF 3 Sqdn

05/01/41 From Gerawla to the detached Flight at the LG at Bir Mella by F/O Gatward.
21/01/41 13:00-15:00 Prot. patrol P/O Campbell.
22/01/41 15:30-17:35 Prot. patrol F/O V. East.
24/01/41 13:00-14:50 Prot. patrol F/L D. Campbell

3 Sqdn Patrols continued until the end of the January, 1941, Enemy aircraft were spotted on several occasions but no further combats took place. The beginning of February brought with it replacements for the Gladiators, as the first Hurricanes began to arrive. During their short service at the front 3 RAAF Squadron fought five conclusive actions with the enemy and claimed twelve aircraft shot down for the loss of five Gladiators and two pilots

94 Squadron, Khormaksar, March 1939 to May 1941.
Code letters: "GO".

Fate Unknown

Gladiator 

Mk I

L7619

53

.

From 33 Sqdn dates unknown

also listed in some sources as K7619

On Strength June 1939 Helwan 112 Sqdn, "B" Flight

Port Sudan and Khartoum, July 1940

29/6/40 Hamlyn claims an SM 71 over Port Sudan, This was 112 Squadron's first victory in the Second World War

To “K Flight” , was used at Summit,

03/06/40 Detached with ‘B’ Flight to Summit, Sudan.
18/06/40 To Sub Flight Port Sudan.
18/06/40 06:55-07:05 Patrol; F/O Hayward.
18/06/40 12:35-13:15 Patrol; F/O Hayward.
18/06/40 13:25-14:00 Patrol; F/O Hayward.
20/06/40 09:05-09:25 Patrol; P/O Hamlyn.
20/06/40 10:45-11:15 Patrol; P/O Hamlyn.
21/06/40 12:10-12:30 Patrol; P/O Hamlyn.
22/06/40 19:00-09:10 Patrol; P/O Hamlyn.
22/06/40 13:45-14:05 Patrol; F/O Hayward.
23/06/40 09:30-09:55 Patrol; F/O Hayward.
24/06/40 06:10-06:45 Patrol; F/O Hayward

31/08/40 ‘B’ Flight redesignated to ‘K’ Flight  

27/09/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Met Flight, 1.00 hours

27/10/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.25 hours

04/11/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.30 hours

05/11/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.35 hours

11/12/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, Patrol Buq Buq - Sofafi, (strong possibility one of the "K" Flight ones used while on detachment to 112 Sqdn)

17/11/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Air Test, 0.15

17/11/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Air Test, 0.20

29/11/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.50.hours

29/11/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.25 hours

15/12/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.40 hours 

16/12/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Met Flight, 1.00 hours

17/12/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, he bumped into 3 79s initially and then later 4 more 1.15.hours

17/12/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 1.15.hours

22/12/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.55 hours

23/12/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.40 hours

31/12/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Formation, 0.30 hours

31/12/40, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Formation, 0.45 hours

03/01/41, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Co-op Blenheim Gunners, 0.35 hours

16/01/41, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Co-op Blenheim Patrol, Acrobatics, 3 landings chance, 1 landing moon, 1.20 hours

20/01/41, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol, 0.35

30/03/41, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, A/C Test, 0.30 hours

 01/07/42 , Struck Off Charge 

Gladiator 

Mk I

L7620

54

.

Coded SO O while with 33 Sqn, Possibly RT C  while with RAF 112 Sqdn, photo taken 20 November 1940

25/09/39 Hit L8007 while it was parked at Mersa Matruh and destroyed L8007 beyond repair

02/12/40 To Royal Hellenic Air Force.

Known ex-RAF Gladiators transferred to 21 Mira.

02/12/40
L7620, L7621 (from 33 Sq.)
K8013, K8018, K8031, K8047, K8054, L7609, L7611, L7623 (from 112 Sq., Egypt)
K7892, K7923, K7973, K8017, L8011 (from 80 Sq.)
K6135 (from ‘K’ Flight, which reported it as transferred on 13/04/41)
14/02/41
K7961 (from 5 RAF MU and returned to 107 RAF MU on 19/06/41).
30/03/41
K7932 (from 52 MU, used by the Training Squadron at Aqir. Swung on landing at Aqir on 20/06/42. Returned to RAF and 1413 (Met) Flight), K7984 (from 80 Sq.)
All in all, the Greek Air Force used 19 Mk.I and 6 Mk.II Gladiators during the Second World War.

Sqdn planes flown by 112 Sqdn pilots at one time or another in their career

Gladiator 

Mk I

L7621

55

.

10/11/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Practice attack gun posts

11/11/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Interception M.M.

12/11/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Interception 1 S.79  -  fired 1 burst, quarter attack, strikes, no claim

14/11/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Patrol M.M. Bandits.    From Heneish to Kenayis.  2 sorties

16/11/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Patrol M.M

17/11/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Interception 1.S79  -  fired 2 bursts, long range, too slow, no claim

18/11/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, - Patrol. Support H.Q. Arm: Div

20/11/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn Patrol support H.Q. Arm: Div.

22/11/40, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, to Sidi Heneish.  To Heliopolis.  2 sorties 

Known ex-RAF Gladiators transferred to 21 Mira.

02/12/40
L7620, L7621 (from 33 Sq.)
K8013, K8018, K8031, K8047, K8054, L7609, L7611, L7623 (from 112 Sq., Egypt)
K7892, K7923, K7973, K8017, L8011 (from 80 Sq.)
K6135 (from ‘K’ Flight, which reported it as transferred on 13/04/41)
14/02/41
K7961 (from 5 RAF MU and returned to 107 RAF MU on 19/06/41).
30/03/41
K7932 (from 52 MU, used by the Training Squadron at Aqir. Swung on landing at Aqir on 20/06/42. Returned to RAF and 1413 (Met) Flight), K7984 (from 80 Sq.)
All in all, the Greek Air Force used 19 Mk.I and 6 Mk.II Gladiators during the Second World War.

33 Sqdn plane, Sqdn planes flown by 112 Sqdn pilots at one time or another in their career Probably flown and lost in Greece

Gladiator 

Mk I

L7622

56

.

on 33 Sqdn strength Mersa Matruh 6/40

From 33 Sqdn To 112 Sq. date unknown

There was also a  K7622

31/10/40 shot down by CR 42 near Mersa Matruh

Gladiator 

Mk I

L7623

.

.

on 33 Sqn strength Mersa Matruh 6/40

Known ex-RAF Gladiators transferred to 21 Mira.

02/12/40
L7620, L7621 (from 33 Sq.)
K8013, K8018, K8031, K8047, K8054, L7609, L7611, L7623 (from 112 Sq., Egypt)
K7892, K7923, K7973, K8017, L8011 (from 80 Sq.)
K6135 (from 112 Sq.)
30/03/41
K7932, K7984 (from 80 Sq.)

Fate Unknown

Gladiator 

Mk II

L8006

57

.

33 Squadron, Ismailia, February 1938 to September 1938. Heliopolis, September 1938 to October 1938. Ramleh, Mersah Matruh and Helwan, September 1938 to October 1940. Over the period February to June 1940, some Gauntlets reinforced the Gladiators.
Code letters: These were initially "SO". In 1939 they were changed to "TN" and finally, with the outbreak of war, to "NW".

Used as spares. in 33 Sqdn

33 Sqdn planes flown by 112 Sqdn pilots at one time or another in their careers 

L8006  which had been upgraded to Mk II standard at No 27 MU, January, 1939

Cosigned for shipment to RAF Storage Depot, Aboukir, Egypt in March, 1939, L8006-L8008 remained in Storage, eventually used as spares (Francis K Mason, my interpretation is used as spare planes not for spare parts, as all 3 planes where actively used)

Gladiator 

Mk II

L8007

58

.

33 Sqdn planes flown by 112 Sqdn pilots at one time or another in their careers

L8007  which had been upgraded to Mk II standard at No 27 MU, January, 1939

Cosigned for shipment to RAF Storage Depot, Aboukir, Egypt in March, 1939, L8006-L8008 remained in Storage, eventually used as spares (Francis K Mason, my interpretation is used as spare planes not for spare parts, as all 3 planes where actively used)

25/09/39 Hit by L7620 while parked at Mersa Matruh and destroyed beyond repair

Gladiator 

Mk I

L8031

59


2 AACU To 1624 (Anti-Aircraft Co-Operation) Flight,

Sqdn planes flown by 112 Sqn pilots at one time or another in their careers

Some sources have it as retained in storage at No. 27 M.U. until SOC in 1945

Gladiator 

Mk II

L9047

RHEA

60

.

See N5892

.

61

.

Gladiator II, built to specification F.36/37, built in 1938, Bristol Mercury VIII A engines

Sea Gladiator II

N2295

62

.

on strength with 94 Sqn Sheikh Othman, Aden, Khormaksar, 1939-40, while with 94 Sqn. 

23/06/40 Bounced on landing, swung and lost wheel at Sheikh Othman

25/03/41 Flown By P/O Neville Bowker,. interception .35

Sea Gladiator II

N5513

Flown in Battle of Crete, no record of RAF 112 Sqdn use at this time

63

coded 6 F while with 805 Sqdn

Moved to Maleme, Crete as crated spare 1940, from Malta

08/05/39; to Alexandria by 

06/40; to HMS Eagle’s Fighter Flight 

When HMS Eagle arrived at Alexandria four Sea Gladiators, N5512, N5513, N5517 and N5567 were supplied to give her some form of fighter protection. These aircraft were taken from stocks held in Egypt. Eventually three of the Malta aircraft were delivered to Egypt to replace these

06/40; to 806 Sq. FAA (6F) 

12/40; to Dekheila 

02/41; to 805 Sq., FAA 

03/41 33 Sq. RAF, Crete

05/41; lost on Crete

33 Sdqn strength Maleme. Crete 5/41 it was taken over along with N5535 from Navel stocks  and flown in operations by F/O Woods and P/O Winsland, 33 Sqdn 

At the outbreak of war in the Mediterranean, HMS Eagle - the sole fleet carrier in the Med at the time - did not carry a fighter squadron.  Four Sea Gladiators - N5512, N5513, N5517 and N5567 - were hurriedly withdrawn from storage on Malta, assembled, and taken aboard the carrier on June 16, 1940.  The Eagle Fighter Flight was commanded by CDR Charles Keighly-Peach, who managed to train several Fairey Swordfish pilots in fighter tactics Almost one month later, on July 11, 1940, the British Mediterranean Fleet was spotted by an Italian flying boat.  Though the Sea Gladiators intercepted and made contact, their initial attacks were unsuccessful.  That afternoon, Keighly-Peach - known as K-P to his men - was on patrol over the fleet in N5517/6-A ( 8/5/39; 102 MU Abu Sueir 6/40; to HMS Eagel Fighter Flight 6/40; to 805 Sq. FAA 24/3/41; lost 15/5/41 on ferry flight from Maleme to Alexandria) in company with Lt. Kenneth Keith in N5513 when he spotted five S.79s below him, heading toward the ships.  The two Sea Gladiators dove vertically on the Italian bombers, with K-P heading for the lead plane as he closed to less than 50 yards before opening fire. After three attacks, the Italian leader caught fire and dropped back, before entering a spin and impacting the sea with no survivors.  K-P was wounded in the thigh during the attack.  The two Sea Gladiators had to break off their attacks on the other S.79s as the fleet opened fire.

On July 14, K-P was launched at dawn south of Crete.  At 0750, he spotted a lone S.79 and made three attacks from out of the sun, with the result that this Sparviero also caught fire and spun into the ocean.  Three hours later, in company again with Lt. Keith, the two Sea Gladiators spotted three more S.79s approaching the fleet.  Keith opened fire on the left-hand Sparviero, joined by K-P, and the unfortunate Italian crashed into the sea from their combined fire. A few hours later, Keith was launched alone to intercept a formation of S.81s from 200 Squadriglia; after a beam attack and a stern chase, he sent one of these into the sea, to mark the end of a very successful day for the flight. On July 29th, K-P intercepted another formation of S.79s and sent his third Sparviero into the sea.

??/07/40 The next month, Eagle's Sea Gladiators were sent ashore to Sidi Barani to provide fleet defense with RAF Gladiators when the fleet bombarded the Libyan port of Bardia. 

17/08/40, separated from his flight over the British fleet, Keighly-Peach attacked two separate S.79s, forcing them to break off their attacks though not shooting them down.  Lt. Keith bagged another S.79 in company with a Gladiator from 112 Squadron RAF.  Overall, the Italians lost 4 bombers destroyed and several damaged in this action. Again off Crete on August 31, K-P was launched with Lt. Oliphant to intercept a shadower, which turned out to be a Cant Z.506B at 6,000 feet.  K-P shot the floatplane down, with the crew escaping by parachute.  It was his last victory, making him the leading FAA fighter pilot on the Sea Gladiator; he was awarded the DSO the following month for his leadership of the Eagle Fighter Flight and his achievements over the fleet. Also in early September, HMS "Illustrious" arrived in the Mediterranean with a full compliment of Fulmars in 806 Squadron, and "Eagle's" foursome were no longer the only Fleet Air Arm fighters in the region; they were then designated 813 Squadron.  On 06/11/40, 806 Squadron took aboard three Sea Gladiators from 813 Squadron, as the carrier was tasked with covering two convoys to Malta.  

08/11/40, Lt. Roger Nichols in N5549 (21/3/39 for Malta; retained at Gibraltar into 1940; arrived in Alexandria 7/40; 806 Sq. 11/40; to 775 Sq. at Dekheila 7/41)  and Sub. Lt. Jack Sewell in N5513 destroyed a Cant Z.501, Cant Z.501 of the 186a Squadriglia RM flown by Tenente Paolo Primatesta (observer Sottotenente di Vascello Paolo Bacchione), which had left its base at Augusta at 09:00, to record the last victory of the Sea Gladiator at sea.  

10/01/41, following arrival of "Illustrious" at Malta with another convoy, the three Sea Gladiators were off-loaded and turned over to 261 Squadron on the island, which was down to four effective fighters after heavy attacks.  

24/01/ 1941, Sub. Lt. Sewell spotted a German Ju-88 diving toward Hal Far, and shot it down. (It is possible that this was an Ju88 (L1+HM) of 4./LG1 flown by Unteroffizier Gustav Ulrich who failed to return from a sortie to Malta during this day.)  It was Sewell's fifth of an eventual 6 victories scored with Sea Gladiators and Fulmars, and also the last victory by a Sea Gladiator over Malta.

From 806 to 805 Sqdn then On record as a 33 Sqdn plane the Gladiators of 33 Sqdn by this time having been handed over to 112 Sqdn To 801 Sqn, 21/3/39. To Alexandria, 6/40. Eagle Fighter Flight 6/40. Code 6F, to 806 Sqn FAA 12/40. To Dekheila 2/41. To 805 Sqn FAA. To 33 Sqn, RAF 5/41 and lost in Greece. No. 33 moved to the Western Desert, active action beginning with the entry of Italy into the War in June of 1940. Conversion to ground attack Hurricanes was completed some six months later Battle for Crete:
20/05/1941, Maleme airfield  Although the Fleet Air Arm airfield, with its aircraft and some of its FAA personnel, at Maleme, Crete had been turned over to the Royal Air Force on May 1,1941, the base commander, Commander G. H. Beale RN remained on as an advisor. German bombers mounted their first large scale raid on Maleme on May 12 and continued to pound the airfield for a week http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/ww2/A2773992

Lieutenant Keith, assigned to HMS Eagle and 813 Fighter Flight 

Kill no.

Date

Number

Type

Result

Plane type

Serial no.

Locality

Unit

 

1940

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11/07/40

1

S.79

Damaged

Sea Gladiator

N5513

 

HMS Eagle

 

13/07/40

½

S.79 (a)

Shared destroyed

Sea Gladiator

N5513

S Crete

HMS Eagle

1

13/07/40

1

S.79 (b)

Destroyed

Sea Gladiator

N5513

S Crete

HMS Eagle

 

29/07/40

1

S.79 (d)

Damaged

Sea Gladiator

N5513

nr Alexandria

HMS Eagle

 

17/08/40

1/3

S.79 (c)

Shared destroyed

Sea Gladiator

N5513

Bardia-Alexandria

HMS Eagle

http://user.bahnhof.se/~surfcity/commonwealth_keith.htm

 

27/03/41 Lieutenant Keith and Sub Lieutenant R. W. M. Walsh delivered Sea Gladiators N5509 ( to 52 Maintenance Unit for shipment 28/7/40; at Dekheila 3/41; 805 Sq. 27/3/41) and N5538 ( to 52 Maintenance Unit for shipment 28/7/40; at Dekheila 3/41; 805 Sq. 27/3/41) to Maleme, Crete. Both pilots were retained by 805 Squadron on a brief attachment before being sent back to Dekheila on 6 April in a Bombay from 216 Squadron.

17/04/41, Lieutenant Keith and Sub Lieutenant Walsh brought a further two Sea  Gladiators, N5535 (an original 802 Sq. machine, exact date unknown, at Dekheila 3/41; 805 Sq. 17/4/41) and N5568, ( 21/3/39 for Alexandria; allocated 8/5/39; unknown until 805 Sq. 17/4/41) to Maleme from Egypt Lieutenant Keith was retained by 805 Sqdn but took sick and he was evacuated from Crete aboard Jaguar or Defender on 24 May, returning to duty at Dekheila.

17/05/41, Early in the afternoon on 17 May the three remaining serviceable Hurricanes were scrambled from Maleme. Flying Officer Vale (V7795), Lieutenant Commander Black (V7761) and N2610 flown by a pilot from 33 Squadron intercepted approaching Ju88s. Vale claimed damage to one of the bombers.
Later in the day Vale, 80 Sqdn and Black, 805 FAA Sqdn,  were unable to make an interception when ordered off again. The next day both Hurricanes V7795 and V7761 were destroyed in attacks on Maleme airfield. At 18:00 in the evening on 18 May Vale was evacuated from Crete to Egypt in Sunderland N9020 flown by Flight Lieutenant Lywood.

N5513, Flown during invasion of Crete, by either Flying Officer Eric Joseph Woods, RAF no. 41091, 33 Sqdn or P/O D. S. F. Winsland 33 Sqdn (Winsland was later during the war shot down by Bernardino Serafini), on the 11th or 12th of May 1941 the other aircraft being N5535, On 26 November 1941, Serafini, flying a CR.42s of 366a Squadriglia, shot down a Hurricane of 33 Squadron flown by Flying Officer D. S. F. Winsland DFC, a veteran of the fighting in Greece and the Desert. This was probably the last Hurricane to fall victim to one of the Italian biplane fighters. Victor and vanquished were reunited in 1984, due to the efforts of British air historian and writer Brian Cull and Italian air historian Nicola Malizia, and the two former enemies have remained firm friends ever since

 

Summery 

Ex-FAA & FAA Sea Gladiators used in Crete and lost on Crete.  

23/03/41, N5567; “6C”. To 805 Sq. transferred to 33 Sqdn use 01/05/41, Flown by 03/05/41, Captain L. A. Harris of 805 Squadron a photo exists of this aircraft while it was on board HMS Eagle as part of its 813 Fighter Flight

27/03/41, N5509; to 805 Sq. Known it went to Crete on this date under RAF Command by 01/05/41

29/04/41N5509, 1615 hours, Flown by  Lieutenant Commander Black, 805 Squadron

27/03/41, N5538; to 805 Sq. Known it went to Crete on this date , under RAF Command by 01/05/41

17/04/41, N5535; to 805 Sq. Moved to Maleme, Crete as crated spare 1940 taken over by  33 Sqdn date 05/41, thought to be destroyed in Luftwaffe ground strafe 15/05/41, just as good a possibility that Ash or Richardson was lost in the plane

17/04/41, N5568; to 805 Sq. Known it went to Crete on this date , under RAF Command by 01/05/41

??/05/41. N5513; coded 6F, lost on Crete, Moved to Maleme, Crete as crated spare 1940 taken over by 33 Sqdn 05/41, thought to be destroyed in Luftwaffe ground strafe 15/05/41, just as good a possibility that Ash or Richardson was lost in the plane

15/05/41,  N5517; coded  6A, unknown when it went to Crete, L/T Peter Favell Scott,  RNAS 805 Sqdn. FAA H.M.S. Nile, Gloster Gladiator, Son of Rear-Admiral George Arthur Scott, D.S.C., and Constance Mary Scott, of Grange-over-Sands, Lancashire,  lost on ferry flight from Maleme to Egypt,

15/05/41, Plane and pilot as yet unknown,  During an exceptionally heavy raid on the 15th an RAF Gladiator, shot down near the airfield, crashed and turned over on the beach in front of a machine-gun pit. While enemy fighters tried to set fire to the plane with incendiary bullets, Lance-Corporal Smith and Private Curtis10 (Later Staff Sgt M W Curtis, S-Sgt M. W. Curtis, MM; Greymouth; born Greymouth, 18 Oct 1917; motor mechanic.) left the gun pit, ran forward to free the trapped pilot, and took him to safety. Smith was killed a few days later, but Curtis was subsequently awarded the MM.

01.01.1937
-
(02.1937)
HMS Royal Oak (battleship) (Home Fleet)
22.04.1937
-
(07.1937)
HMS Emerald (cruiser) (East Indies)
12.1937
-
(10.1938)
HMS Norfolk (cruiser) (East Indies)
02.01.1939
-
(07.1939)
promotion course, Portsmouth
31.07.1939
-
(09.1939)
HMS Express (destroyer) (Reserve Fleet, Portsmouth)
(02.1940)


Fleet Air Arm
17.12.1940
-
(02.1941)
pilot, HMS Grebe (RN Air Station, Dekheila, nr. Alexandria)
?
-
15.05.1941
pilot, 805 Squadron FAA [HMS Nile (RN base, Alexandria)]
[Gloster Gladiator N5517, lost on ferry flight from Maleme to Egypt]

16/05/41 L/T. Anthony Harry Mitchell Ash,  RNAS 805 Sqdn. FAA H.M.S. Grebe. Gloster Gladiator serial unknown 

01.01.1937
-
(10.1938)
HMS Rodney (battleship) (Home Fleet)
02.01.1939
-
(07.1939)
promotion course, Portsmouth
31.07.1939
-
(09.1939)
HMS Vanessa (destroyer) (Reserve Fleet)
(04.1940)


Fleet Air Arm
17.12.1940
-
16.05.1941
pilot, HMS Grebe (RN Air Station, Dekheila nr Alexandria)

16/05/41 L/T. Herbert John Carbray Richardson,  RNAS 805 Sqdn. FAA Gloster Gladiator, H.M.S. Grebe, serial unknown (HMS Grebe, and HMS Nile (Sphinx),in Dekheila, Egypt (both RNAS land stations)
Fighter command only 5 aircraft remained, 3 Hurricanes and 2 Gloster Gladiators withdrew at dawn 19th May, the remainder fought as infantry at Malame airfield and Hill 107.

23.04.1932
-
(09.1932)
HMS Royal Oak (battleship) (Mediterranean)
12.01.1933
-
(02.)1936
course of instruction in engineering, RN Engineering College, Keyham [HMS Drake]
01.09.1936
-
(04.)1939
HMS York (cruiser) (America and West Indies Station)
(08.1939)
-
(04.)1940
Fleet Air Arm
06.10.1940
-
(02.)1941
HMS Nile II (FAA air station, Alexandria, Egypt)
?
-
16.05.1941
805 Squadron FAA [HMS Grebe (RN Air Station, Dekheila, near Alexandria, Egypt)]

Sea Gladiator II

N5535

Flown in Battle of Crete, no record of RAF 112 Sqdn use at this time

64

.

Part of the allotment to Kalafrana, Malta as crated spares 5/39

Despite the lack of fighters, measures were taken in hand to provide some sort of fighter defence. HMS Glorious had served briefly in the Mediterranean earlier in the year. On her arrival in Malta eighteen Sea Gladiators (N5518-N5535) were offloaded and stored in crates at Kalafrana. These were to be used as spare aircraft for 802 Squadron, FAA. In April she was recalled to home waters to take part in the Norwegian Campaign. Stopping at Malta, she embarked three of the crated Sea Gladiators, N5532, N5533 and N5534, on April 12th

19/04/39; stored at Kalafrana, 

25/05/39; re-embarked in 802 Sq. FAA on HMS Glorious 

Moved to Maleme, Crete as crated spare 1940

11/04/40; to 804 Sq. FAA; to Egypt; to 805 Sq. FAA; 

17/04/41 33 Sq. RAF, Crete

11/05/41 to Egypt ;

 to UK.

33 Sqdn strength Maleme. Crete 5/41 it was taken over along with N5513 from Navel stocks and flown in operations by F/O Woods and P/O Winsland, 33 Sqdn 

With the invasion of Norway on 9 April 1940, HMS Glorious was recalled to England with great haste. On 11 April 1940 when she left Malta, she had re-embarked 802 Squadron with 9 Sea Gladiators. Apparently (all of her records were lost when she sank) she embarked the nine indicated (N5518, N5521, N5525, N5526, N5527, N5530, N5532, N5533 and N5535). She landed three of these just before her final voyage (N5532, N5533 and N5535), all of which were re-assigned to 804 Squadron, FAA. The remaining six (N5518, N5521, N5525, N5526, N5527 and N5530) were apparently the six aboard her when she sank. This means that the six Sea Gladiators (among them N5521, N5525, N5527, N5530 and N5533) “borrowed” to the RAF and the Hal Far Fighter Flight were re-possessed by the FAA, probably because they were already assembled and could be used quickly 

N5535: To 36 MU 19/4/39; 

stored at Kalafrana 25/5/39; 

re-embarked in 802 Sq. FAA on HMS Glorious 11/4/40; 

At Dekheila 3/41.to 804 Sq. FAA; to Egypt; to 805 Sq. FAA, 17/04/41 ; 

33 Sq. RAF  to Egypt 11/5/41; 

to UK.  

No. 33 moved to the Western Desert, active action beginning with the entry of Italy into the War in June of 1940. Conversion to ground attack Hurricanes was completed some six months later

On 27 March 1941 Lieutenant Keith, assigned to HMS Eagle and 813 Fighter Flight and Sub Lieutenant R. W. M. Walsh delivered Sea Gladiators N5509 (N5509: to 52 Maintenance Unit for shipment 28/7/40; at Dekheila 3/41; 805 Sq. 27/3/41)  and N5538 (to 52 Maintenance Unit for shipment 13/7/40, at Dekheila 3/41; 805 Sq. 27/3/41) to Maleme, Crete. Both pilots were retained by 805 Squadron on a brief attachment before being sent back to Dekheila on 6 April in a Bombay from 216 Squadron

On 17 April Lieutenant Keith and Sub Lieutenant Walsh both assigned to HMS Eagle and 813 Fighter Flight brought a further two Sea Gladiators, N5535 (an original 802 Sq. machine, 11/04/40, at Dekheila 3/41; 805 Sq. 17/4/41.)and N5568, (21/3/39 for Alexandria; allocated 8/5/39; unknown until 805 Sq. 17/4/41) to Maleme from Egypt. During the ferry flight the two pilots spotted a lone He111, they gave chase but lack of fuel forced them to break off and head for the airfield. As they came into land the defenses opened fire but, fortunately their fire was not very accurate and the aircraft landed safely. Keith was kept on detachment but Walsh was sent back via a departing Bombay to collect another Sea Gladiator – only to find that no more were available. Keith was later sick and taken to hospital suffering from dysentery and he was still at the hospital when German airborne troops attacked

Gladiators N5513 and N5535 were

Flown by either Flying Officer Eric Joseph Woods, RAF no. 41091, 33 Sqdn or P/O D. F. S. Winsland during invasion of Crete, 33 Sqdn, on the 11th or 12th of May 1941 the other aircraft being N5513

Ex-FAA Sea Gladiator used in Crete.
11/05/41 Transferred to 

Egypt wonder who flew it there?

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5627

65

RT-D

11/40, 94 Sqdn strength Sheikh Othman, Aden 

20/11/40 1 S.81 destroyed by Wg. Cdr. Wightman. 94 Sqdn

94 Sqdn was to convert to Hurricanes early 1941, however General Platt launched his offensive from the Sudan into Italian East Africa, as a result in February,  6 of 94 Squadrons Gladiators where returned to the African Mainland, this may account for N5627's arrival in 112 Squadron Flight Log Books.

08/02/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, became his personal aircraft, he flew N5627 from Amiriya to Mersa Matruh then to El Adem, Lybia

The R.A.F. Squadrons based in Greece, under the command of Air Vice-Marshal J. H. D'Albiac, D. S. O., on the 1st January, 1941 were:
No. 30 (F) Squadron (Blenheim Fighters}.
No. 80 (F) Squadron (Gladiators).
No. 84 (B) Squadron (Blenheims)
No. 211 (B) Squadron (Blenheims).
In addition, detachments of Wellingtons of Nos. 37 and 70 (B) Squadrons based in Egypt operated during moon periods from aerodromes in Greece. The continued arrival of Italian reinforcements in Albania presaged an offensive, to counter which the Greeks would require the maximum air support that could be made available. Thus No. 112 (F) Squadron (Gladiators) was withdrawn from the Western Desert early in January, and No.11 (B) Squadron (Blenheims) and No. 33 (F) Squadron (Hurricanes) were also withdrawn after the capture of Bardia and dispatched to Greece, as follows:-
No. 11 (B) Squadron-24th January, 1941
No. 112 (F) Squadron-l0th February, 1941
No. 33 (F) Squadron-19th February, 1941
A situation calling for further reinforcements for Greece was created by the threatened German invasion through the Balkans. Accordingly, by the 3ist March, No. 113 (B) Squadron (Blenheims) had also been dispatched from Egypt to Greece and No. 208 (A.C.) Squadron (Hurricanes and Lysanders) was re-equipping and preparing to move at an early date.

12/02/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, to Eraklion Crete and on to Eleusis, Greece ,

13/02/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, to Jannina, (sic) Greece (Yanina, Greece)

14/02/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Patrol Teppeleni, Albania

15/02/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, ,Patrol Teppeleni

17/02/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Patrol Teppeleni

17/02/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, Patrol T. Wash out

21/02/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Patrol T. Return Base

01/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Patrol Base Air Raid

01/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Defensive Patrol Busi

01/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, To Jannina (sic)

02/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Defensive Patrol Busi

04/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, , Offensive Patrol. Italian Cruisers - 1G.50 confirmed, 1 G.50 unconfirmed (26 Enemy A/C confirmed destroyed by 80 & 112 Sqdn in this encounter for the loss of one Hurricane 6H & 15G v 60 +)( Hurricane, V7801, Warrant Officer Harry J. Goodchild DFM (RAF No. 517435) was killed. also Cullen (Hurricane V7288) and he was not seen again; his aircraft crashed near Himare, and the Australian ‘ace’ was killed. Only Sottotenente Nicolo Cobolli Gigli of 355a Squadriglia, who was flying a CR.42 on this occasion, and Sergente Marcello De Salvia of 354a Squadriglia were both shot down and killed, while Tenente Francesco Rocca of the latter unit was wounded. No losses by other CR.42 equipped units have been discovered. Cobolli Gigli and De Salvia were both awarded posthumous Medaglia d’Oro al Valor Militare.)

05/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Test

05/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, , Offensive Patrol. Returned Base

06/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, to Paramythea

06/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Paramythea to Base

07/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Escort & Patrol Teppelene

07/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, Patrol

11/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Escort 211 S Busi Area  1 G.50 unconfirmed - later confirmed

11/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Escort 211 S Busi Area

11/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, To Yannina

12/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Offensive Patrol Valona

13/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Offensive Patrol  3 CR.42s confirmed  (12 v 74)

14/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Offensive Patrol   1 G.50 confirmed

14/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, to Yannina

15/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn (1) Escort Koritza - Berat, (2) Escorting Bombers over Valona

17/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Patrol Red Cross Ship, Preveza      (2 newspaper reports are stuck into the log book on this page see  'March of the Gladiators' in the Greece chapter for the text)

18/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, , Escorting 211 S Buzi

18/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Interception Cant 1007 Corfu   Long bursts from lengthening range... E.A. too fast

19/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Escorting 211 S & 84 S. Tepelene

20/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, to Yannina

20/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, , to Paramythea

21/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Interception Preveza, No E.A.    Awarded D.F.C.

21/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, , Interception Corfu.  No E.A

22/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Interception G.50s over base   15 G.50s v 2 Glads 20 minute aerial combat. No casualties either side (1 G.50 unconfirmed)

23/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, (1) To Yannina, (2) Defensive Patrol 211 & 84 Berat, (3) Escort 211 S to Buzi

24/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn (1) Interception Corfu.  No E.A. seen, (2) To Yannina, (3) , To Paramythea

26/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, (1) , Alarm Patrol Base, (2) Interception Preveza, (3) , Alarm Patrol Base     104 patrol, escort or interception

28/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, (1) To P & Patrol Base, (2) Alarm Patrol Base,

Note in Flt LT Fraser's log book

29/03/41, Blenheim P/O Hooper (there where P/O Hooper's in both 113 and 211 Sqdn flying Blenheims which one it was is yet to be determined) & 5 pass.. to Tminidi

Bombay L5828 flown by F/O Coles with 17 passengers to El Adem, Abu Sueir, Heliopolis, 29th March 1941

06/04/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Escort 211 S over Berat   GERMANY declares war against GREECE & YUGO-SLAVIA

12/04/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, , Alarm Patrol Base   W/C Paddy Coote. S/Ldr Irving, F/O Buchanaon, F/O Tommy Thompson (211S) Killed

13/04/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Offensive Patrol, Koritza  Interceptions indecisive, 14th - plane destroyed on ground 15th

14/04/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Alarm Patrol Base   Interceptions indecisive   S.79 probably damaged 

06/04/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn,

12/04/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn,

15/04/41,  N5627,  was destroyed on the ground just prior to leaving Crete

31/05/41 SOC.

15 April 1941, it carried an Elephant carrying a log just behind the cockpit door on the left hand side with the slogan "Slow But Steady" .......Flt Lt Fraser had 9 victories for 8 bullet holes in the aircrafts he flew actually 10 victories but one never confirmed. The plaque survives to this day.

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5629

66

possibly RT Y

Served in No 8, 9, 27 and 47 M.U.'s then to Aden 7/40

From 94 Sq.  to RAF 112 Sqdn date unknown

24/04/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Crete, Patrol Base Alarm (x2)

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5684

67

.

Prior service with 152 Squadron, 152 Squadron was reformed on the 1st October 1939 at Acklington with Gladiators recently released from 603 Squadron. 

During December the squadron became operational.

In January it was starting to be re-equipped with Spitfires, but while doing so it continued to fly patrols with the Gladiator
Acklington (with detachments at Leconfield and Sumburgh), October 1939 to January 1940, 

then 263 Squadron
Filton, October 1939 to April 1940. Norway, April 1940 to June 1940

then 247 Squadron
Roborough (with detachments to Exeter), August 1940 to January 1941

then 

03/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, 3rd Test

then to 1562 (Met) Flight
Formed 3 February 1943 at Waterloo, Sierra Leone.

17/12/44 Overturned on landing at Waterloo, Colestown, Sierra Leone. While with 1562 (Met) Flight

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5692

68

.

To K Flight then To 94 Sqdn  

Confusion over this plane number as it is seems to be doing service in two different countries at the same time. I wonder if the numbers where transposed and it should be N5629 ?

Gloster Gladiator II in Finnish service

The urgent need for aircraft caused by the outbreak of the winter War led to the purchase of 30 Gloster Gladiator Mk.II fighters from England on 12 December 1939 (10 of these were received as a donation). The semi-assembled planes were first shipped to Sweden (Centrala Flygverkstaden, Malmslätt) and, once assembled; they were flown first to Barkarby (Sweden) and later to Finland between 18 January and 16 February 1940. In the Finnish Air Force the fighters were coded GL-251 to GL-280. Their original English serial numbers were:
N5584, N5683, N5685, N5686, N5687,
N5688, N5689, N5691, N5692, N5694,
N5696, N5700, N5704, N5706, N5707,
N5708, N5709, N5710, N5711, N5712,
N5713, N5715, N5718, N5721, N5722,
N5724, N5726, N5727, N5728 and N5729

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5695

69

.

Prior Service 152 Sqdn, Acklington (with detachments at Leconfield and Sumburgh), October 1939 to January 1940

263 Squadron Filton, October 1939 to April 1940. Norway, April 1940 to June 1940

accompainied 263 Sqdn on the Second North- Western Expedition to Bardufoss, 5/40

Other sources have it as maybe 08/06/40 lost with  HMS Glorious. This turns out not to be so.

17/02/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, Patrol Aerodrome, Alarm in Greece

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5751

.

.

listed by Francis K. Mason in his book Gloster Gladiator as being on 33 Sqdn strength

04/07/40 , Abandoned in the air after explosion in the fuselage over Bug Bug; F/O Price-Owen RAF 112 Sqdn, after this incident he was transferred to 80 Sqdn, on detachment to 33 Squadron, parachuted safely. The aircraft was probably hit by own AA.

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5753 flown to Crete by ?

70

.

On Charge R.A.F Depot, Aboukir sometime between 1939 and 1940

33 Sqdn had in on charge in 1940

From 33 Sqdn to RAAF 3 Sqdn 09/40

While with RAAF 3 Sqdn:

15/11/40 09:00-11:15 Tac. Rec. F/L Pelly.
19/11/40 13:20-14:45 Tac. Rec. F/L Pelly; 1 and 1 damaged CR.42 claimed before damaged in combat E Rabia and force-landed at Minqar Qaim (the pilot safe).
20/11/40 Aircraft returned to Gerawla.
08/12/40 07:10-08:45 Off. patrol F/L Pelly., RAAF 3 Sqdn
08/12/40 14:45-16:45 Off. patrol F/O Perrin.
09/12/40 06:50-08:40 Off. patrol F/O J. Jackson.
09/12/40 14:55-16:25 Off. patrol F/O J. Jackson.
10/12/40 06:00-07:55 Off. patrol F/O J. Jackson.
10/12/40 10:55-12:07 Off. patrol F/O J. Jackson; returned to base early with oil system trouble.
11/12/40 06:15-08:15 Off. patrol F/O Arthur, RAAF 3 Sqdn

26/12/40, Fly Off Arthur, N5753, claimed one CR 42 shot down and four damaged

3 Sqdn Patrols continued until the end of the January, 1941, Enemy aircraft were spotted on several occasions but no further combats took place. The beginning of February brought with it replacements for the Gladiators, as the first Hurricanes began to arrive. During their short service at the front 3 RAAF Squadron fought five conclusive actions with the enemy and claimed twelve aircraft shot down for the loss of five Gladiators and two pilots

Transfer from RAAF 3 Sqdn to RAF 112 Sqdn date unknown

13/04/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Alarm Patrol Base

14/04/1941, Flt Lt J. F. Fraser RAF 112 Sqdn, Escort King Peter to Paramythea    King of YUGO-SLAVIA escorted to Paramythia Greece ( now known F/L Jack Groves, (Gladiator serial number not given also) Escorted King Peter Yugoslavia to Corfu - Yugoslavs arrive in  Savoia 19's and Dorniers - Bombing of Green Troops heard all day G. 50's strafed drome before breakfast - Brunton wounded   Fry  one G fiat shot up. Information from Log Book extract which was included in Acworth's "revised log book" his early log book having been destroyed in a Gladiator fire in Greece)

25/04/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Crete, Patrol Base. Alarm    Germans entered ATHENS

31/05/41, Struck Off Charge  

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5754

71

.

On Charge R.A.F Depot, Aboukir sometime between 1939 and 1940

Prior service with 3 Sqdn RAAF

While with 3 Sqdn RAAF

16/12/40 Later in the day Flt Lts Pelly and Jeffrey with Fly Offs Rawlinson and Davidson left Gerawla in a Valencia to collect four Gladiators from the RAF Station at Abusueir. These Gladiators, all MkIIs, N5857, N5763, N5786 and N5754 all arrived at Gerawla the next day. These aircraft with four others which were at Gerawla for servicing were then despatched to the ALG.

17/12/40 Aircraft to Gerawla from Abu Sueir and then to the LG at Bir Mella.
04/01/41 To Gerawla from the LG at Bir Mella by F/O B. Bracegirdle and then to Workshops Section for 30 hour inspection.
06/01/41 30 hour inspection completed at the aircraft to the LG at Bir Mella by F/O B. Bracegirdle

3 Sqdn Patrols continued until the end of the January, 1941, Enemy aircraft were spotted on several occasions but no further combats took place. The beginning of February brought with it replacements for the Gladiators, as the first Hurricanes began to arrive. During their short service at the front 3 RAAF Squadron fought five conclusive actions with the enemy and claimed twelve aircraft shot down for the loss of five Gladiators and two pilots

16/02/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Test

SOC 31/5/41

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5757

72

.

On Charge R.A.F Depot, Aboukir sometime between 1939 and 1940

From 94 Sq.  

08/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn,  (1) Escort 211 Sqdn, (2) From Y to P, (3) Escort 211 S return 'P' (4) , Escort 211 S return 'P'

09/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn,  Escort 211 S

09/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Offensive Patrol  1 B.R. 20 confirmed  (10 v 50+)

10/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Escort 211 S

Lost in Greece.

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5760

73

.

On Charge R.A.F Depot, Aboukir sometime between 1939 and 1940

Went to Royal Egyptian Air Force  on 23/01/40

From Royal Egyptian Air Force.  

28/11/40, while in 112 Sqdn Service no details known at this time Lost in Greece

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5768

74

.

From 274 Sqn, then 80 Sqn, then 33 Sqn, on 33 Sqn strength Mersa Matruh 6/40,

While with 33 Sqdn:

11/06/40 11:00-11:05 To satellite aerodrome; F/O Couchman., 33 Sqdn
11/06/40 12:45-12:50 From satellite aerodrome; F/O Couchman.
12/06/40 10:25-10:30 To satellite landing ground; F/O Couchman.
12/06/40 13:25-13:35 From satellite landing ground; F/O Couchman

14/06/40 1 sh. Ca.310 claimed by Sgt Craig.
21/06/40 1 sortie flown by Sgt Craig.
29/06/40 1 CR.32 damaged by P/O Harrison., RAF 112 Sqdn on detachment to 33 Sqdn, Capuzzo-Sidi Aziez area

04/07/40 Flown by  Fg Off H Gray- Worchester  RAF 112 Sqdn, The first four pilots to leave 112 Squadron were led by F/O Tony Worcester – a Cranwell graduate of exceptional flying ability.  Tony led his section of Gladiators away from Helwan up to Sidi Barani in the early days of July, like a pack of hounds that had been released after months in their kennels.  To a detachment with 33 Sqdn he claims 4 CR 42 this day
24/07/40 1 and 1 probable CR.42 claimed by P/O Woodward.
25/07/40 1 and 1 sh. CR.42 claimed by P/O Woodward

19/09/40 Flown by Plt Off H. W. "Jerry" Harrison RAF 112 Sqdn, 1 CR 32, air combat Capuzzo-Sidi Aziez area, not verified with Italian records (recorded in his log book)

From 33 Sqdn to RAAF 3 Sqdn date unknown

While with RAAF 3 Sqdn;

08/12/40 07:10-08:45 Off. patrol F/O V. East., RAAF 3 Sqdn
08/12/40 14:45-16:45 Off. patrol F/O V. East.
09/12/40 06:50-08:40 Off. patrol F/O L. Winten.
09/12/40 11:25-13:07 Off. patrol F/O L. Winten.
09/12/40 14:55-15:50 Off. patrol F/O Arthur; returned early with oil system trouble.
10/12/40 06:00-07:55 Off. patrol F/O L. Winten.
10/12/40 10:55-13:10 Off. patrol F/O L. Winten.
11/12/40 06:15-08:15 Off. patrol F/O D. Ellerton.
11/12/40 11:30-13:10 Off. patrol F/O D. Ellerton.
11/12/40 14:10-16:35 Off. patrol F/O L. Winten

Transfer to RAF 112 Sqdn date unknown probably when 3 Sqdn converted to Hurricanes March 1941

15/4/41 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser , Alarm Patrol Base Vicinity   (1) Interceptions indecisive.  N5627 destroyed on ground, (2) Katitsa to Agrinion    F/Lt. John Mackie (80) killed 

16/04/41, F1own by Flt Lt Fraser,  Flew from Agrinnion to Paramythia to escort 2 S.79, 1 Lockheed Electra and a Do17 which where to evacuate some "Stars" 

16/04/1941, Flown by  Flt Lt Fraser, Gladiator N5768, Alarm Patrol Paramythea 

his aircraft burst an oil pipe so he was forced to burn it and return in a Do17

16/04/41 Flown by  Flt Lt Fraser   Dornier 17 YU To Agrinion     

SOC 31/5/41

               

Aleksandar Ognjevic <ao@kmag.net>

 

wrote:

Hello Robert,

Thanks for detailed info about N5768. With your kind permission I would like to put it in my book. Both RYAF S.79 were from 81st Independent Bomber Group. Lt.M.Vracaric (DFC) and Capt.L.Bradaska crews. Electra was from RYAF Transport Regiment pressed from civil service prior to outbreak of war. I’ll send you full info about crew and registration in a day or two. And finally Capt.P.Todorovic and his crew with Do-17K. They pick up F/LT Fraser on their way back to Agrinion.

"Stars’’ were RYAF fighter pilots escaped day earlier from Niksic airfield in Montenegro in 5 Do-17K’s that were attacked by RA fighters minutes after landing at Paramythia. Four of Dorniers were burned only Capt.Todorovic’s machine remains undamaged. They leave immediately to Agrinion. Tomorrow they returned with Savoias, Electra and lone Glad. You know the rest of the story.

I would like to know the names of Glad pilots and a/c serials if possible, for those fellows that were in escort of Royal S.79 from Valona to Corfu . BTW Royal S.79 was ‘’white 12’’ from 7th Bomber Regiment, 1st pilot Maj.D.Sofilj and 2nd pilot Capt.I.Dominko. After landing and refueling at Paramythia they proceed to Athens escorted by lone Blenheim Mk.1 from 211 Sq. Over Corinth channel they were intercepted by couple of Gladiators (maybe 112 Sq. ?). They fired ‘’color of the day’’ three times before suspicious Glads moved to reasonable distance. They are not to blame, just imagine S.79 in Italian camouflage with strange markings escorted by RAF Blenheim … 

Kind regards Aleks  

This found from;

CFR Clark Sergeant 745462, Flight Lieutenant 173855
24 March 1916–30 September 2003

14/04/41  L8533 Sgt Marshall DFM
(Paramythia) — Menidi
escort — King Peter [of Yugoslavia] in an S79.
L8533 the only flyable aircraft available, had been shot up and had no turret, a piece of plywood covered the hole. Our outline was distinctly “odd” [ie for air recognition]. We had “quite a time” with 30 Squadron — me firing colour of the day all over the sky [ie Very lights] but they not convinced — “Haggis” gets radio to Menidi to get them to warn them off, which they do as we cross the Corinth Canal. Then the S79 fails to follow us round the circuit — goes straight in against “the sock”, leaving us to flounder!   

Also from Don Clarks website;

Mick Dudman recalls that HM Peter, King of the Yugoslavs, arrived at Paramythia in an S79, escorted by the Dornier. Mick’s photo set shows that he left Paramythia for Menidi in an S79 (and escorted by a 211 aircraft, as recounted by my father). Short Sunderland in World War II shows Peter aboard a lighter, apparently about to board a 230 Squadron Sunderland (and as reported by Shores & co), while the BAFG ORB also seems to imply that is how he left Greece. Alison Legge, widow of the late F/Lt Farrington, recalls with great confidence that Farrington escorted the young King to Egypt. A complex narrative: like many another evacuee from Greece it seems that Peter went to Crete by Sunderland. Apparently from there, he once more boarded a Yugoslav aircraft to Egypt, again escorted by 211 Squadron. Whether he came to Egypt in an S79 or the Do17, it’s a minor epic. “Colour of the day “ would have been needed in spades, one would think.

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5773

75

.

33 Sqdn Fuka 9/40

planes flown by 112 Sqdn pilots at one time or another in their career

31/05/41 SOC

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5774

76

.

33 Sqn planes flown by 112 Sqn pilots at one time or another in their career

21/06/40 1 sortie flown by F/O Dean.
29/06/40 2 CR.32s claimed by P/O Woodward.

23/07/40 Shot down by CR.42s near Bardia; P/O Preston baled out safely No known connection to 112 Sqdn

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5776 flown to Crete by ?

77

.

Prior service 33 Squadron
Ismailia, February 1938 to September 1938. Heliopolis, September 1938 to October 1938. Ramleh, Mersah Matruh and Helwan, September 1938 to October 1940.

24/07/40 1 CR.42 claimed by P/O Costello., while with 33 Sqdn
25/07/40 1 sortie flown by Sgt Shaw., 33 Sqdn

Then 3 RAAF Squadron
Helwan and Gambut, September 1940 to January 1941.
Operated under RAF control using mainly ex-112, 33 and 80 Sqn Gladiators. Until December 1940, was mixed with one flight of Lysanders and four Gauntlets

Then 80 Squadron
Greece, November 1940 to April 1941. and then to 112 Sqdn when 80 Sqdn converted to Hurricane sometime in March 1941

23/04/41   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, scramble to defend air base, ,  Patrol Base

24/04/41   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Crete, scramble to defend air base,  Patrol Base

SOC 31/5/41

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5778

78

.

33 Sqn planes flown by 112 Sqn pilots at one time or another

To 94 Sq  

08/08/40 Destroyed on the ground by Cap. Ricci.

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5779

79

.

33 Sqdn  planes flown by 112 Sqdn pilots at one time or another

04/07/40 1 CR.42 claimed by F/O Bennett, 112 Sqdn, while detached to 33 Sqdn

To 3 RAAF

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5781

80

.

33 Squadron, Ismailia, February 1938 to September 1938. Heliopolis, September 1938 to October 1938. Ramleh, Mersah Matruh and Helwan, September 1938 to October 1940. Over the period February to June 1940, some Gauntlets reinforced the Gladiators.
Code letters: These were initially "SO". In 1939 they were changed to "TN" and finally, with the outbreak of war, to "NW".

Transfer to RAF 112 Sqdn date unknown

01/12/40, Flown by Homer Cockrane along with seven others flew to  Heraklion Crete for delivery to R. H. A. F ( now known to have included F/L Schwab and S/L H. I. Brown, F/L Jack Groves information from Log book extracts and (see below) Plt Off Bartley)

02/12/40 From Heraklion he flew and the other seven flew to Eleusis Airfield in Athens

02/12/40, then four of them including Cochrane flew on to Larissa on attachment to 80 Sqdn,

03/12/40,  another 8, 112 Sqdn pilots delivered more Gladiators to Larissa, amongst these pilots where Flt Lt Schwab and Plt Off Bartley,

SOC, 31/05/41

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5782

81

.

on 33 Sqn strength Mersa Matruh 6/40 

14/06/40 1 unconfirmed CR 32 claimed by F/O E Dean (33 Sqn)

30/06/40, Flown by Peter Wickham, RAF 112 Sqdn,  while attached to 33 Sqdn ,claimed a  CR 42, of the 160 Squadriglia escorting a Ro.37.,  33 Squadron claimed two victories and the Ro.37 (the crew was killed) and one CR.32 were shot down (Tenente Ivano Vanni parachuted

04/07/40 F/O Ernest H Dean (33 Sqn) shot down C R 42

flown by Sgt Azzaroni of 8 Gruppo for 33 Sqdn first victory

To 3 RAAF Sq.  

05/12/40 12:15-14:05 Escort F/O Arthur.
08/12/40 07:10-08:45 Off. patrol F/O Rawlinson.
08/12/40 14:45-16:45 Off. patrol F/O Rawlinson.
09/12/40 06:50-08:40 Off. patrol F/O Rawlinson.
13/12/40 08:00- 2 CR.42s claimed by F/O Boyd or 1 and 1 prob. S.79s claimed by F/L Steege

06/01/41 To Gerawla from the detached Flight at the LG at Bir Mella by F/O Boyd for 30 hours inspection

3 Sqdn Patrols continued until the end of the January, 1941, Enemy aircraft were spotted on several occasions but no further combats took place. The beginning of February brought with it replacements for the Gladiators, as the first Hurricanes began to arrive. During their short service at the front 3 RAAF Squadron fought five conclusive actions with the enemy and claimed twelve aircraft shot down for the loss of five Gladiators and two pilots

28/02/41 1 CR.42 claimed by F/O Cochrane. 112 Sqdn, Tepelene-coast

Lost in Greece

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5783

82

.

On record as a 33 Sqdn plane, Mataan Garawala June thru August 1940  

14/06/40 1sh. Ca.310 and 1 unconfirmed CR.32 claimed by P/O Woodward. RAF 33 Sqdn
21/06/40 1 sortie flown by Sgt Shaw. RAF 33 Sqdn
30/06/40 1 CR.42 claimed by P/O Wickham, .RAF 112 Sqdn on detachment to 33 Sqdn
24/07/40 1 CR.42 claimed by Sgt Slater.
25/07/40 1 and 1 sh. CR.42 claimed by Sgt Slater.
25/07/40 A second sortie flown by Sgt Slater.

Probably flown to Greece by 33 Sqdn members when 33 Sqdn was transferred there

It would have come into RAF 112 Sqdn use around end of December 1940 when 33 Sqdn converted to Hurricanes or perhaps it was transferred to R H A F
15/04/41 Destroyed on the ground at Larissa by Bf109Es from JG 77

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5786

83

.

33 Squadron, Ismailia, February 1938 to September 1938. Heliopolis, September 1938 to October 1938. Ramleh, Mersah Matruh and Helwan, September 1938 to October 1940. Over the period February to June 1940, some Gauntlets reinforced the Gladiators. Code letters: These were initially "SO". In 1939 they were changed to "TN" and finally, with the outbreak of war, to "NW".

To 274 Squadron, Amriya, August 1940 to November 1940. Gladiators' equipped one flight of this squadron before it became fully equipped with Hurricanes. Code letters: It is not certain if they where officially allocated code letters "YK" (later used as 80 Sqdn markings) was used on the Gladiators

3 RAAF Squadron, Helwan and Gambut, September 1940 to January 1941.
Operated under RAF control using mainly ex-112, 33 and 80 Sqn Gladiators. Until December 1940, was mixed with one flight of Lysanders and four Gauntlets. Code letters: "NW".

While in 3 Sqdn service

16/12/40 Later in the day Flt Lts Pelly and Jeffrey with Fly Offs Rawlinson and Davidson left Gerawla in a Valencia to collect four Gladiators from the RAF Station at Abusueir. These Gladiators, all MkIIs, N5857, N5763, N5786 and N5754 all arrived at Gerawla the next day. These aircraft with four others which were at Gerawla for servicing were then despatched to the ALG.

17/12/40 Aircraft to Gerawla from Abu Sueir and then to the LG at Bir Mella.
19/12/40 F/L Pelly returned from the LG at Bir Mella to Gerawla with the aircraft U/S.
22/12/40 F/O Gatward to the LG at Bir Mella from Gerawla.

3 Sqdn Patrols continued until the end of the January, 1941, Enemy aircraft were spotted on several occasions but no further combats took place. The beginning of February brought with it replacements for the Gladiators, as the first Hurricanes began to arrive. During their short service at the front 3 RAAF Squadron fought five conclusive actions with the enemy and claimed twelve aircraft shot down for the loss of five Gladiators and two pilots

80 Squadron, Henlow, March 1937 to June 1937. Debden, June 1937 to April 1938. Egypt, May 1938 to November 1940. Greece, November 1940 to April 1941.
Code letters: "OD", as war approached the code letters were changed first to "GK" and finally to "YK".

80 Sqdn Service:

28/11/40 1 prob. CR.42 claimed by F/O Hosken; 80 Sqdn aircraft damaged in this combat.
30/12/40 1 S.81 claimed by F/O Cullen.

Would have been transferred over to RAF 112 Sqdn or R H A F on or about end of December 1940
Later lost in Greece.

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5787

84

.

From 94 Sq.  

31/5/41 SOC.

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5810

85

.

274 Squadron, Amriya, August 1940 to November 1940. Gladiators' equipped one flight of this squadron before it became wholly equipped with Hurricanes.Code letters: It is not certain if the officially allocated code letters "YK" was used on the Gladiators

To 3 RAAF Squadron, date unknown, Helwan and Gambut, September 1940 to January 1941.
Operated under RAF control using mainly ex-112, 33 and 80 Sqn Gladiators. Until December 1940, was mixed with one flight of Lysanders and four Gauntlets.
Code letters: "NW".

While with RAAF 3 Sqdn:

08/12/40 07:10-08:45 Off. patrol F/L Steege.
08/12/40 14:45-16:45 Off. patrol F/L Steege.
09/12/40 06:50-08:40 Off. patrol F/L Steege.
15/12/40 F/L Steege to Gerawla from the LG at Bir Mella with the aircraft U/S

3 Sqdn Patrols continued until the end of the January, 1941, Enemy aircraft were spotted on several occasions but no further combats took place. The beginning of February brought with it replacements for the Gladiators, as the first Hurricanes began to arrive. During their short service at the front 3 RAAF Squadron fought five conclusive actions with the enemy and claimed twelve aircraft shot down for the loss of five Gladiators and two pilots

To either 80 Sqdn or 112 Sqdn by 01/03/41 it would have been on 112 Sqdn strength

10/02/41 1 S.79 claimed by F/O Cullen (80 Sq.).
13/02/41 Hit bomber crater while landing at Yanina, Greece, pilot unknown

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5813

86

.

On 2 SAAF Sqn strength, Sqn planes flown by 112 Sqdn pilots at one time or another

09/10/40 Shot down by own AA fire and over-turned on crash-landing on an island in the Nile 16km south of Juba while transferring to 1 SAAF Sq.; Lt. B. R. Dimmock lightly WIA

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5814

87

.

On record as 80 Sqdn plane, Larissa and Yannina, Greece 11/40

21/02/41 Ran into a bomb crater on landing at Yanina. Not repaired before evacuation. Some sources have it listed as "Lost in Greece, 06/05/41.

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5815

88

.

06/40 on strength 1 SAAF

To 2 SAAF Sq. and returned to 1 SAAF Sq. on 09/11/40.

From 1 SAAF , To K Flight

12/09/1941, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, A/C Test 0.25 hours

11/02/1941, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Khartoum - Atbara, 1.00 hours

11/02/1941, Flown by P/O Smither, Atbara - Port Sudan 1.40 hours

26/02/41, 1 CR.32 claimed by P/O S. A. Wells, "K" Flight, 1 CR.32 claimed  K Flight, based at Mersa Taclai, Wells had been patrolling over Kub-Kub, when army personnel on the ground drew his attention to two CR.32s, which were flying above him and oblivious to his attention. Climbing up below them, he attacked one and shot it down over Keren in full view of the troops on the ground.

To 237 Sqdn

24/05/42, overshot landing while with 237 Sqdn swung and rolled over at Asmara

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5817

89

.

From 80 Sqdn, on or about end of December 1940, to RAF 112 Sqdn

28/01/41,1 Z,10007 claimed by F/O N Cullen (80 Sqn) 

09/02/41, 2 CR 42 claimed by F/O Cullen 

10/02/41,1 s.79 claimed by F/O N Cullen (80 Sqn) on 

20/02/41,1 and 1 damaged G 50 and 1 CR 42 claimed by F/O N Cullen (80 Sqn)

01/03/41 80 Sqdn was re- equipped with Hurricanes  turned over Glads to 112 Sqdn 

05/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn in Greece Test

05/03/41, Flown by "Bowks" Bowker of "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece , RAF 112 Sqdn - patrol flying 1.00

05/03/41 Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, Patrol Flying .35

06/03/41  used by 112 Sqdn pilot "Bowks" Bowker of "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece - patrol flying

07/03/41  used by 112 Sqdn pilot "Bowks" Bowker of "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece - patrol flying

07/03/41  used by 112 Sqdn pilot "Bowks" Bowker of "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece - Bomber Escort

08/03/41  used by 112 Sqdn pilot "Bowks" Bowker of "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece - patrol flying

08/03/41  used by 112 Sqdn pilot "Bowks" Bowker of "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece - Bomber escort

08/03/41  used by 112 Sqdn pilot "Bowks" Bowker of "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece - offensive patrol

09/03/41  used by 112 Sqdn pilot "Bowks" Bowker of "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece - patrol flying

09/03/41  used by 112 Sqdn pilot "Bowks" Bowker of "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece - Bomber Escort

10/03/41  used by 112 Sqdn pilot "Bowks" Bowker of "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece - patrol flying

11/03/41  used by 112 Sqdn pilot "Bowks" Bowker of "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece - Bomber Escort in his log book he has drawn a wavy line with xx under it

12/03/41  used by 112 Sqdn pilot "Bowks" Bowker of "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece - patrol flying

12/03/41  used by 112 Sqdn pilot "Bowks" Bowker of "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece - patrol flying

12/03/41  used by 112 Sqdn pilot "Bowks" Bowker of "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece - offensive patrol 

12/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Escort 211 S. Busi Area

13/03/41, Flown by "Bowks" Bowker of "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece - coastal patrol

14/03/41  used by 112 Sqdn pilot "Bowks" Bowker of "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece - offensive patrol flying after this he drew a circle with a dot in the middle of it, reported damaged in combat

17/03/41 Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, 'TEST' .15

17/03/41 Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, 'TEST' .15

18/03/41 Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, interception then he drew a stroke .45

21/03/41 Flown By P/O Neville Bowker,  interception 1.00

24/03/41 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn

26/03/41, Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, interception  .25

26/03/41, Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, interception .20

26/03/41, Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, interception.20

26/03/41,  Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, ground strafe .40

26/03/41, Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, here he lists Gladiator 1550 ? ground strafe .30

N5817, may have been the Gladiator destroyed, 26/03/41, A/C destroyed after an effective strafe by C.200s of 153° Gruppo at Paramythia, Greece, the Gladiator destroyed had a three bladed propeller

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5818

.

.

06/40, 1 SAAF Squadron

07/40, Aircraft allocated to Iraq Command R.A.F.M.E.

to 2 SAAF Squadron
13/10/40 Damaged when struck the lagoon during low-level beat up and crashed at Port Reitz, Mombasa; Lt. L. R. Dudley safe. Aircraft salvaged and repaired
06/41 To RAF

26/06/41, Flown By P/O G. F. Westenra, 112 Sqdn

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5821 must have made it out of Greece/Crete

90

.

01/03/41 Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, no explanation in his log book about how he got to Greece, Yanina to Paramythia .15

01/03/41 Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, patrol Flying .45

02/03/41 Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, patrol Flying  1.00

02/03/41 Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, patrol Flying  1.00

02/03/41 Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, patrol Flying  2.00

Who flew it out of Greece/ Crete? When?

1941, 6 Sqdn strength, Wadi Halfa and Kufra

21/08/41, He111 approached and bombed British positions at Kufra. Immediately Flight Lieutenant Lee (Gladiator N5851) and Flight Lieutenant Hillier (Gladiator N5821) scrambled to intercept the intruder, but unfortunately made no contact 

 

Photo supplied by Tony W Brooke son of Frank Brooke one of the Transport drivers that carried 3 Gladiators to 6 Sqdn strength, Wadi Halfa and Kufra. They actually loaded the three planes on a barge to float the planes to there location.

Gladiators were flown by Six from Aug 1941 to Jan 1942. I see that they went to Wadi Halfa 20/9/41 and it states they had 6 MkII (N5820, N5821, N5822, N5828, N5830, N5851) and 5 MkI Glads (possibly one of these destroyed in a strafing attack on Wadi Halfa during August 1941) and also Lysanders. They later had a few Blenhiems in that period. The squadron were split into two flights and I think five Gladiators were located at Kufra for most of this period. From the record I have I can't see all the serial numbers and of the Kufra operational flights I have records for, these which mainly involve just two serials N5821 and N5851 with an occasional mention of N5828.

 

A guess on my part are planes N5821, N5851 and possibly N5828, enroute Wadi Halfa and Kufra.  Photo supplied by Tony W Brooke son of Frank Brooke

 

 

Frank Brooke, the tall one fourth from the left and his mates. Photo supplied by Tony W Brooke son of Frank Brooke Anyone recognise any other of the men please contact me and I will forward the information to Tony.

 

To 1414 Flt, Eastleigh, Africa 1943

Eastleigh, Kenya 1414 (Met) Flight was formed at Eastleigh in December 1941. At least 4 Gladiators (K1340, K1344, K8037 and N5821) are known to have been operated by 1414 (Met) Flight. Aircraft were also based at Mogadishu including N5821. The flight was disbanded in May 1946. One pilot was lost on 25th October 1943, which came as a blow to the small close knit unit.

25/10/43, Flown by Flying Officer Howard Pearson Ralph, RCAF J/20738, Son of William Pearson Ralph and Edna Russell Ralph, of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,  took off at 0550 hrs for a met climb in N5821. Cloud was 2-3 tenths at Mogadishu and 8 tenths further inland. By 0730hrs the Gladiator had not returned and at 0900hrs a Wellington took off to carry out a search. It was later reported that some natives had heard an aircraft with a spluttering engine. They also stated that it hit shallow water bounced back into the air and came down in deeper water about 1 mile south of the airfield. A search of the area revealed a Gladiator wheel, while other parts were later washed ashore. The pilot was never recovered.

Fly Off Ralph had carried out all met flights bar one in October, which amounted to 49 flights for a total of 57 flying hours. Plt Off Vair-Turnbull brought up another Gladiator, K1344, from Eastleigh as a replacement, although he was unable to carry out any further met climbs until another psychrometer had been delivered. The only one they had was lost with N5821. The last two Gladiators were withdrawn in May 1944 and scrapped

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5823

91

.

80 Sqdn, Larissa and Yannina, Greece 11/40

28/02/41 2 CR.42s claimed by S/L Jones. 80 Sqdn

01/03/41, Probably transferred to RAF 112 Sqdn  when 80 Sqdn converted to Hurricanes
09/03/41 Shot down by return fire from BR.20s near Gorneo; Pilot Officer Robert Haldane "Mac"McDonald (RAF no. 42316), RAF 112 Sqdn, A/C destroyed in combat, pilot died of wounds and burns 2 months later 07/05/41.

Struck off charge, 10/3/41

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5825 made it out of Greece/Crete

92

High Probability this plane was coded RT-T while with RAF 112 Sqdn in Greece

/Crete

on 33 Sqdn strength Fuka 9/40

21/12/40, 1 Cr 42 claimed by Sidney Arthur ‘Mick’ Richens RAF nos. 563502 (NCO); 47122 (Officer) 80 Sqdn 

09/02/41, 1 Cr 42 and 1 damagedS.79 claimed by P/O Vale (80 Sqdn) 

28/02/41, 1 Cr 42 claimed by Sidney Arthur ‘Mick’ Richens RAF nos. 563502 (NCO); 47122 (Officer) 80 Sqdn 

Probably transferred to RAF 112 Sqdn 01/03/41 when 80 Sqdn converted to Hurricanes

10/03/41 Flown By P/O Neville Bowker to Yanina, Greece .15

11/03/41 Flown By P/O G. F. Westenra

15/03/41 Flown By P/O G. F. Westenra

17/03/41 Flown By P/O G. F. Westenra

22/03/41 Flown By P/O G. F. Westenra

05/05/41 Flown By P/O G. F. Westenra

13/05/41, Flown by Westenra, 112 Sqdn, ,On 13 May a number of aircraft, identified as Bf110s, attacked Heraklion,  airfield in a desultory fashion, which caused little damage and a few minor casualties to army personnel. Five Gladiators got off, two flown by 1430 Flight pilots, but only Pilot Officer Westenra was able to attack, fighting with six of the intruders and getting in several good bursts, though his own fighter was badly shot about, landing with four main spars shot through, large areas of fabric missing and numerous bullet holes.
This action, witnessed by many of the defenders on the ground, proved to be quite a tonic to morale.

19/05/41, Flown by Flying Officer James Edward Dennant, 40465, 1430 Flight pilot, Crete to Eygpt (On 16 January 1945 he was awarded a DFC at the time he was a Squadron Leader R. A. F. O. in 109 Squadron on 9 March 1945 he is awarded a DSO, by which time he is a Wing Commander)

2 Gladiators where flown out of Crete 0n 19 May 1941, one by Plt Off Westenra he flew K6138, the other flown by Flt Lt J E Dennant, 1430 Flight pilot, he flew  N5825 

other sources have Gladiators N5821,N5831 and N5825 having been the ones flown out that day. (Gladiators N5821,N5831 where initially on 33 Sqdn strength but I think they where transferred to RAAF 3 Sqdn, about 17/12/40 at LG 74, not confirmed as yet, by 01/01/41, RAF 33 Sqdn was converting to Hurricanes)

27/05/41 Flown By P/O G. F. Westenra

17/06/41 Flown By P/O G. F. Westenra

Date of transfer unknown

to 267 Squadron, which was reformed on 20 August 1940 at Heliopolis, Egypt, by re-designating the Communication Unit, Heliopolis.267 Sqdn used Anson Mk I from Aug 1941 to Jun 1942, Gladiators where with them January 1941 to June 1942
Code letters: "KW", shown in photo are KW T and KW R serials not known) Due to the battle damage it sustained on 13/05/41 and the huge white "patches"  on KW T, lends one to suspect there is a strong possibility that it is indeed N5825 as even the code letters KW are painted in a dark colour, unlike KW R just behind it. Also note the "newer" looking,  lighter coloured,  leading main spar.

Photo supplied by  Military Aircraft Photos

01/01/42,, to 1411 Met Flight 

Heliopolis, Egypt Met Flight formed on 14th April 1941. Redesignated 1411 (Met) Flight in January 1942. As 1411 (Met) Flight the unit was entirely manned and serviced by Egyptian personnel, although there was the odd RAF pilot in the unit. The aircraft even carried Egyptian markings. The following Gladiators were used, K6138, K7893, K7913, K7925, K7961, K7963, K8003, K8008, N5825 and N5830. In August 1943 the unit was disbanded and the surviving Gladiators were passed on to the Royal Egyptian Air Force, although at least three aircraft (K7961, N5828 and N5830) were passed onto the Royal Iraqi Air Force

01/03/44 it went to Iraq Air Force

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5827

93

.

237 Squadron
to 80 Sqdn Larissa and Yanina, Greece, 11/40

19/12/40, Sgt E Hewett (80 Sqn) force landed 20 miles north of Yanina.

Plane was salvaged and withdrawn to Egypt in December 1940, 

Later salvaged and delivered to Royal Iraqi Air, delivered in 1941

The Gladiators came from 2 (Fighter) Squadron, which operated 9 Gladiators from Kirkuk.
During this revolt the Iraqi Gladiators claimed one shared victory. Used by 112 Sqn "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece

10/03/41 Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, Local flying .40

10/03/41 Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, return flight from Yanina .15

to 1412 met Flight,  

01/07/43 SOC

Who flew it out of Greece/ Crete and when?

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5828

94

.

13/2/41, used by 112 Sqn "B" Flight Back to K Flight   

??/02/1941, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol  Marsa Taklai 1.55 hours ??  Between 11th and 21st

22/02/41 Flown by Flt Lt Scoular. Commander of 'K' Flight when it was formed in November with Gladiators, 1 S.79 claimed 

27/03/1941, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, To Mersa Taklai; Refuel, 1.15 hours

27/03/1941, Flown by P/O Smither, "K" Flight, Escort - D. Ingaihai, 0:10; 02:40 hours

6 Squadron, Wadi Halfa, August 1941 to January 1942. Good possibility it was around  01/08/4 when K Flight became 250 Sqdn re-equipped with Tomahawks
Primarily a tactical reconnaissance squadron, this unit also had some Gladiators on strength.Code letters: "JV". The plane is confirmed to have gone to 6 Sqdn on 20/9/41, it is later found on strength with 1411 Flt, Heliopolis, 1942, then to 1412 Flight,

Khartoum, Sudan A Met Flight was formed at Khartoum on 21st September 1941. In January 1942 it was redesignated 1412 (Met) Flight. A total of 7 Gladiators (K6140, K8001, N5828, N5829, N5831, N5833 and N5851) were used by the flight. K6140 was a real veteran. Originally issued to 72 Squadron it later served with 33 Squadron in Egypt. It was then transferred to the Royal Iraqi Air Force in April 1941 before being returned to RAF service in March 1942

01/03/44 to Iraq Air Force

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5829

95

RT-Z

12/02/41, Flown by Fg Off H P Cochrane, from El Adem to Heralion, joined the rest of the Sqdn

28/02/41, Possibly lent to 80 Sq., 1 G50 and 1 S.79 claimed by P/O W Vale (while with 80 Sqn)  
Also used in 274 Sq. ,Gladiator II (N5829/ RT-Z) clearly wears the markings of No 112 Sqdn, its record card only reflects service with No 274 Sqdn and No 1411,  112

 Sqdn "B" Flight plane, Greece

09/03/41, Flown by Fg Off H P Cochrane, claimed !G50, damaged, Kelcyre-Tepelene area   

27/03/41, Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, ground strafe .30

27/03/41, Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, ground strafe .15

06/04/41, Flown by Homer Cochrane 112 Sqdn, escort bomber to Berat

07/04/41, Flown by Homer Cochrane 112 Sqdn, escort bomber to Buzi

09/04/41, Flown by Homer Cochrane 112 Sqdn, air raid scramble x2

10/04/41, Flown by Homer Cochrane 112 Sqdn, defensive patrol over Koritza x2

11/04/41, Flown by Homer Cochrane 112 Sqdn, air raid scramble x2

12/04/41, Flown by Homer Cochrane 112 Sqdn, air raid scramble x2

22/04/41, Flown by Homer Cochrane 112 Sqdn, to Crete 

Who flew it out of Greece/ Crete and when?

To 1412 (Met) Flight.

Khartoum, Sudan A Met Flight was formed at Khartoum on 21st September 1941. In January 1942 it was redesignated 1412 (Met) Flight. A total of 7 Gladiators (K6140, K8001, N5828, N5829, N5831, N5833 and N5851) were used by the flight. K6140 was a real veteran. Originally issued to 72 Squadron it later served with 33 Squadron in Egypt. It was then transferred to the Royal Iraqi Air Force in April 1941 before being returned to RAF service in March 1942

01/07/43 SOC 

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5832

96

YK-W with 80 Sqdn

Flown by Pattle in 80 Sqdn claims 7 and 8, 

02/12/40, 11:00- 1 Ro.37 (e) Destroyed Gladiator II N5832 8 km S Argyrokastron 80 Squadron
02/12/40, 14:30- 1 Ro.37 (f) Destroyed Gladiator II N5832 near Premet 80 Squadron

28/02/41, 1 G50 bis probable Flight Lieutenant Peter Townley 'The Keg' Dowding, RAf no. 41784 80 Sqdn

was probably transferred to 112 Sqdn when 80 Sqdn got Hurricanes in March 1941

22/04/41, Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, , To Eleusis

22/04/41, Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Single A/C Patrol.  A/Parashits

Fate Unknown or does its fate have a lot to do with the pilots last log book comment?

31/05/41 SOC

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5833

97

.

To K Flight then  

To Khormaksar Arden Station Flight then 1412 Met Flight  

Khartoum, Sudan A Met Flight was formed at Khartoum on 21st September 1941. In January 1942 it was redesignated 1412 (Met) Flight. A total of 7 Gladiators (K6140, K8001, N5828, N5829, N5831, N5833 and N5851) were used by the flight. K6140 was a real veteran. Originally issued to 72 Squadron it later served with 33 Squadron in Egypt. It was then transferred to the Royal Iraqi Air Force in April 1941 before being returned to RAF service in March 1942

27/04/42 Hit rock on take-off and wheel torn off. Overturned on strip 50m NE of Summit and damaged beyond repair

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5834

98

.

From 80 Sqn 

23/10/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, - Patrol M.M. 15,000

21/12/40 Damaged in combat; F/O Linnard 80 Sqdn WIA

24/04/41 Flown by 112 Sqdn pilot by FO Harrison, force landed due to engine failure Heraklion, Crete

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5853

99

.

Taken on Charge R.A.F. Depot, Aboukir, 06/40

Transferred to H.Q. Flight R.A.F.M.E. 07/40

Prior service in 1 SAAF

then 237 Squadron
25/03/41 Damaged by Hurricane over Keren.
31/03/41 Damaged by AA, force-landed and abandoned near Keren; P/O Simmonds returned safely

19/04/41   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, To Eleusis  F/Lts Frankie Holman (33S) & Timber Woods (80S) killed.  17 for 5

19/04/41   Flt Lt .J. F. Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, , to Hassani    S/Ld Pat Pattle killed (32 confirmed victories)

Fate unknown 

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5858

101

.

From 80 Sqn, Used by 112 sqn, "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece on strength with 80 Sqn Larissa and Yannina, Greece, 1940,

09/02/41 1 CR 42 claimed by F/L Kettlewell (80 Sdqn) the pilot force landed 50 miles north of Yanina with an undamaged aircraft, Lieutenant Kettlewell force-landed Gladiator N5858 some 50 miles north of Yanina due to lack of oil pressure, but with his aircraft undamaged. Both returned to Yanina aided by the Greek army

1702/41, During the middle of February 80 Squadron’s Gladiators continued to operate from Yanina while the Gladiators of 21 Mira moved up to Paramythia at this time, and here on 17 February they were joined by 80 Squadrons six new Hurricanes, led by Flight Lieutenant Kettlewell, and by four 30 Squadron Blenheims

29/03/41, Flown by Bowker RAF 112 Sqdn, from Yanina, .15

28/03/41, Flown by Bowker RAF 112 Sqdn, interception .30

28/03/41, Flown by Bowker RAF 112 Sqdn,  interception .25

28/03/41, Flown by Bowker RAF 112 Sqdn,  interception .30

31/03/41, Flown by Bowker RAF 112 Sqdn,  interception .35

31/03/41, Flown by Bowker RAF 112 Sqdn,  interception  .20

31/03/41  Flown by Bowker RAF 112 Sqdn,, Bomber escort 1.30

21 April 1941 , Flown by Bowker RAF 112 Sqdn,, Greece to Crete,

14/05/41, Flown by Bowker RAF 112 Sqdn, So must have been one of the last Gladiators to fall to enemy action in Crete.

Flown by Bowker RAF 112 Sqdn, Greece total 30.00 hours

Flown by Bowker RAF 112 Sqdn, Crete total 35 hours wavy line and again the circle with a dot in the middle of it.

SOC 31/5/41, Aircraft either destroyed or transferred to Greeks in 1941

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5859

102

.

04/04/41 Flown by Fg Off Harrison on  when he encountered Bf 109s of 6/JG-27, his guns jammed but he was able to escape, 

13/04/41, Flown by Jerry Harrison, RAF 112 Sqdn, 11:15 hours, over Koritza, cover Greek Army, spotted ME 109's , encountered, 8 SM 79 104 Gruppo BT and MC 200 of 153 Gruppo CT

13/04/41, Flown by Jerry Harrison, RAF 112 Sqdn,  patrol over Koritza,

13/04/41, Flown by Jerry Harrison, RAF 112 Sqdn, 15: 00 hours 3rd patrol over Koritza, attacked 4 ME 109, guns jammed, he made a lucky escape

22/04/41, Flown by Harrison to Crete 

27/04/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Crete, scramble to defend air base, his log book entry , Patrol Base. Alarm   J.U.88 over base. No interception possible.  130th sortie

27/04/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Crete, Patrol Base. Alarm     F/O Al Ross killed  W.D.

One of the last Gladiators to defend Crete, Aircraft either destroyed or transferred to Greeks in 1941

Gladiator 

Mk II

 

N5878

103

.

From ? 3 Sqn RAAF,

24/02/40 Flt Lt J E Scouler, "K" Flight claimed SM 79 

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5892

104

.

N5892, Repossessed from Royal Egyptian Air Force (possibly as L9047)., repossessed from R.E.A.F. 07/40, returned to R.A.F.M.E. charge and rebuilt at Helwan 07/1940, N5887, N5889, N5892 damaged and rebuilt at R.A.F. Aboukir and issued to 94 Squadron, Khormaksar, March 1939 to May 1941. dates of service with 94 Sqdn,  unknown, plane codes for 94 Sqdn, Code letters: "GO".

13/10/40 1 S.79 claimed as damaged by F/O Haywood. , Gladiator L9047, 94 Sqdn South Arden

Sqn planes flown by 112 Sqn pilots at one time or another in their career 

31/05/41 Returned to Royal Egyptian Air Force as L9047

 

Royal Egyptian Air Force use of the Gloster Gladiator during the Second World War

Egypt received under the Anglo-Egyptian Defence Agreement 18 late-series Gladiators Mk.Is (serials L8005 and L8012-L8028) from RAF in March 1939. These were given the Egyptian serials K1331-K1348. The aircraft had been modified to Mk.II standard at 27 MU in January 1939.

In 1940 a further batch of Gladiators were purchased from Britain, these being ex-RAF N5875-N5892, Egyptian serials L9030-L9047. Additional Gladiators may have been passed on to the Egyptians but most of the serials are unknown (known aircraft are N5755, N5758, 5760, N5762, N5767 and N5771). The Gladiators were to be used by the 2 and 5 REAF Fighter Squadrons.

Several of the Egyptian aircraft were later returned to RAF.

By 1943 the REAF had on strength around 140 aircraft, mostly worn out and obsolete. By this time 2 Squadron was based at Almaza still with 15 Gladiators, while 5 Squadron were in the Suez area with 14 Gladiators. In addition to these the RAF had 1411 Met Flight, which was fully equipped with Gladiators, but was entirely manned and serviced by Egyptian personnel. The aircraft even carried Egyptian markings.
The Gladiators were soon relegated to second line duties and in 1945 they were retired from active service.

31/05/41, Returned to REAF as L9047 

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5895

105

.

From 94 Sqn to "K" Flight may have gone back to 94 Sqdn (not confirmed due to dates) 

23/01/41 Fg Off Harrison "A" Flight 112 Sqdn, along with eight others flew it to Eleusis, Greece via Sidi Barrani and Candia in Crete, 

Early 1941 more machines where ferried to Athens Greece, 18/01/41, the advanced surface party left Amiriya to embark at Alexandria. On 23/01/41, the aircraft began to Fly to Eleusis, by way of Crete, the main part of RAF 112 Sqdn., embarked at Port Said on the "Ethiopia". They arrived at Suda Bay on 30/01/41. By 10/02/41, "A" Flight flew a patrol with 80 Sqdn.

28/02/41 Fg Off Harrison "A" Flight 112 Sqdn, flew it, but missed the "big show" due to engine trouble forcing him back to base. 

94 Sqdn Habbaniyah, Iraq 5/41

Fate Unknown

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5896

106

.

112 Sqn "C" Flight which became "K" Flight

04/12/1940, Flown by P/O Smither, RAF 112 Sqdn, Armaments test 0.10 hours

04/12/1940, Flown by P/O Smither, RAF 112 Sqdn , Met Flight, 1.05 hours

To 94 Sqn, Later to Habbaniya.,  

26/04/46 SOC

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5910

107

.

From Aden Station Flight, Khormaksar, was with them on 7/40

.,used by 112 Sqn, "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece 

28/02/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, , Patrol Base, Air Alarm

28/02/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, To Paramythea

28/02/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, , Offensive Patrol Teppeleni - 1C.R.42, 1 G.50 Confirmed

12/03/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, in search for Cant 506 over Corfu 

16/03/41 Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, patrol 1.20

18/03/41, Flown by Fg Off Harrison 112 Sqdn, scrambled this plane but the Gladiator was to slow to catch the Cant Z.1007bis

22/03/41 Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, ground strafe wavy line 1.15

25/03/41, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser, Scramble Base.  No E.A. seen

22/03/41 Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, ground strafe he draws a stroke 1.15

26/03/41 Dived into ground at Paramythia; presumed pilot S/L Nedwill, commander of 211 Sqdn., blacked out and was KIFA.  

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5913

108

.

From Aden Station Flight,Khormaksar, was with them on 7/40

 used in 112 Sqn "A" Flight, Greece

13/03/41 Failed to recover from dive during gunnery practice and hit lake at Yanina; F/O Banks KIFA.  

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5916

109

YK-R with 80 Sqdn makes for a possible RT-R with 112 Sqdn

J Halley’s Royal Air Force Aircraft L1000 to N9999 [Air Britain 1993] only records this aircraft with Station Flight, Khormaksar and then to112 Squadron

From Aden Station Flight, Khormaksar was with them on 07/40

Flown by P/O Geoffrey Buxton Smither, "K" Flight

YK-R while with 80 Sqdn Jan or Feb 1941

Transferred to RAF 112 Sqdn probably 01/03/41 when 80 Sqdn converted to Hurricanes

may have been RT-R with 112 Sqdn

07/12/40, Flown by P/O Smither, RAF 112 Sqdn, Formation No. 2, 0.35 hours

13/03/41, Flown  by Homer Cochrane, RAF 112 Sqdn, he claimed 3 CR42

14/03/41,  Shot down; S/L H L I Brown safe.  

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5917

110

.

’K’ Flight, Formed on 1 September 1940 Summit, Sudan, by redesignating ‘B’ Flight of 112 Squadron.
Disbanded 1 April 1941 at Aqir, Palestine to become 250 Squadron

From "K" Flight to Aden Station Flight, Khormaksar.was with them on 7/40

Transferred from Aden Station Flight to 80 Sqdn date unknown

While with 80 Sqdn:

10/02/41 1 BR 20 damaged Flight Lieutenant William Joseph 'Timber' Woods DFC, RAF no. 39605 80 Sqn

20/02/41 1 prob. G.50 claimed by F/L Kettlewell of 80 Sq.
28/02/41 1 G.50 and 1 CR.42 claimed by F/L Kettlewell of 80 Sq.

Transferred to 112 Sqn "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece date unknown probably 01/03/41, when 80 Sqdn got the Hurricanes

04/03/41, Flown by F/O Homer Cockrane "A" Flight 112 Sqdn  claimed damage to Fiat G. 50
22/03/41, Flown by Bowker  for his 2nd ,3rd and 4 missions that day which where patrols

22/03/41 Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, ground strafe he draws a stroke 1.00

23/03/41 Flown By P/O Neville Bowker, patrol 1.30

26/03/41, Fg Off Neville "Bowks" Bowker, DFC RAFVR (89773), A/C badly damaged in combat over their airfield at Paramythia with C200 of 153 Gruppo, he was able to force land the aircraft

Lost in Greece.

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5918

111

.

29/06/40 Ground-looped on landing and undercarriage collapsed at Fayid. 

 with  Aden Station Flight, Khormaksar, had to have been repaired and returned to service in Crete with 80 Sqdn

From 80 Sqn to RAF 112 Sqdn probably when 80 Sqdn got there Hurricanes

27/03/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, (1) to

28/03/40 Flown by FLT LT Fraser RAF112 Sqdn, (1) Alarm Patrol Base, (2)

28/03/41 Flown by Bowker, 112 Sqdn,, ground strafe

23/04/41 Flown by Flt Lt Fraser  scramble to defend air base Crete, Patrol Base

Fate Unknown some sources have it as ( 29/06/40 ) Ground-looped on landing and undercarriage collapsed at Fayid. Not repaired and SOC) another source has it as N5918; believed sunk in transit to Suez Canal Zone in August 1940.

Note in Flt LT Fraser's log book

29/03/41, Blenheim P/O Hooper & 5 pass.. to Tminidi

Bombay L5828 flown by F/O Coles with 17 passengers to El Adem, Abu Sueir, Heliopolis, 29th March 1941

 

More on Crete; http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Cret-c1-7.html

 

 

 

Gladiator I, RT unknown  serial unknown location unknown One of approximately nine 112 Sqdn Gladiators

transferred to RAAF 3 Sqdn, note the starter trolley in the fore ground

 

 

Gladiator I, RT F possibly L7612 (not confirmed), more likely it is RT-P, 

K7977 with part of the P covered by the open cockpit door having a bad day sometime in June or July 1940

 

Information on 112 Sqdn Glads transferred to 33 Sqdn

No.3 Squadron at Helwan, 16 September 1940 .

No.3 Squadron at Gerawla - known serial number N5750 (19 November 1940) 

No.3 squadron at LGE 74 - known serial numbers (transferred from 112 Squadron, RAF) L7615, L7616, L7617, K6142, K7922, K8048(17 December 1940), the initial equipment was transferred from 33 Squadron, RAF and there is some mention under 

33 squadron of Gladiator IIs N5821, N5831 and N5825. The same six aircraft I gave you are noted as transferred from 112 Squadron; 

Moved to Gambut, 11 January 1941 

Moved to Tmimi, 24 January 1941 Re-equipping with Hurricanes 

started, 29 January 1941

Info source is Air Pictorial, History of the RAAF, Part 11, November, 1969.

*2/12/40  the Greeks received a welcome gift from the RAF in the form of 14 Gladiators. 

These were all ex-RAF aircraft and were pretty well worn out, but at the time they were 

welcomed with open arms. The aircraft were-: K8013, K8018, K8031, K8047, 

K8054, L7609, L7611, L7623 direct from Egypt, K7892, K7923, K7973, 

and K8017, L8011 from 80 Sqdn and K6135 from 112 Sqdn.

21st Mira (Kalampaka)

28 October 1940
Commanded by Captain J. Kellas, with 12 PZL-24 Fighters, and 

based at Kalampaka. Three Aircraft were detached under 

1st Lt. J. Sakellariou and based at Yanina. 

Only about 8 of the squadron's aircraft were actually 

operational (There were 24 Operational PZL-24's out of a total of 

36 in three squadrons).
02 December 1940
Squadron was withdrawn from frontline to re-equip, its remaining PZL-24's being 

handed over to 22 and 23 Mire. The Squadron received 14 Gloster Gladiator 

Biplane Fighters from Britain, 8 arrived on 02 December from 

No.112 Squadron, RAF, based in Egypt, and were followed shortly 

after by 5 from No.80 Squadron, RAF (in Greece), and finally by 1 more from 

No.112 Squadron in Egypt.

Aden Station Flight, Khormaksar

Serials

Code

Arrival

Note

Departure

N2280

From 94 Sq.

.

18/04/41 To 3 SAAF Sq.

N2286

.

From 94 Sq.

.

18/04/41 To 3 SAAF Sq.

N2287

.

From 94 Sq.

.

18/04/41 To 3 SAAF Sq.

N5833

 

From ‘K’ Flight.

 

To Meteorological Flight, Khartoum.

N5910

.

.

.

To 112 Sq.

N5911

.

.

Believed sunk in transit to Suez Canal Zone in August 1940.

08/03/41 SOC.

N5913

.

.

.

To 112 Sq.

N5916

.

.

Also served in 80 Sq.

To 112 Sq.

N5917

.

From ‘K’ Flight.

.

To 112 Sq.

N5918

.

From 112 Sq.

29/06/40 Ground-looped on landing and undercarriage collapsed at Fayid. 

.

Gladiator Mk I K6142 RT U, an "A" Flight plane used in Greece,  Charles Fry stands in the middle others not known

31/12/40 ~16:10 Crashed during take off from Ikingi, Maryut. The aircraft run into a wadi and the aircraft turned up on its nose, 

causing fairly extensive damage to the mainplane and undercarriage; F/O J. Jackson 3 RAAF Sqdn safe.
No court of inquiry was held.
The aircraft was not repairable in the unit and was collected by 51 RSU.

 

Some notes on Crete:  Source http://home.freeuk.net/johndillon/raf.htm

 

Personal for C.A.S from Tedder  20/5 (wo106/3241)

....on eighteenth Beamish who is O.C. RAF and Freyburg decided to send out remaining serviceable aircraft since they could do nothing effective against the scale of attack.  I agreed this was sound and 3 Hurricanes and 4 Gladiators flew out dawn nineteenth.  This morning Crete advised that our joint plan to send two flights from Egypt to operate for limited periods over Crete should be suspended

On the 19th May ULTRA intercepts allowed the Allies to know that SCORCHER as they called the planned invasion, or MERKUR as the Germans knew it, would begin the next day.

Extracts from the Operational Record Book (ORB) for 33 Squadron.  Held on microfilm in the PRO at Kew.

On 1 May the Sqn was based at Maleme and consisted of 4 Hurricanes, 8 pilots and "ample ground crew", however there were no spares and only two boxed of tools.  They joined forces with the remnants of 80 Sqn, also at Maleme, who had 4 Hurricanes and 3 pilots.  The group was called the Hurricane Unit, and it was the HU that Sqn Ldr Howell took command of.  Howell was sent in from Egypt with six pilots, and they relieved six of those who had been in operations on Crete since the evacuation of Greece.  On the 15th May two more Hurricanes were flown in from Egypt  On the 18th May Flt Sgt Salmon, in charge of the ground crew, and a large number of the airmen left by Sunderland for Egypt.  When the invasion started the Hurricane Unit soon became unable to operate as an RAF unit, and joined with the infantry in the defence of Hill 107.

"After being taken prisoner by parachutists a party of our airmen, together with some of 30 Sqn, was made to march up the hill towards our lines.  Our forces opened fire against the enemy, killing some of the "hostages" and wounding LAC Hutchinson.  Four of the RAF personnel were later able to escape.  On several occasions the similarity of the RAF Home pattern blue uniform to that of the parachutists resulted in many casualties to our men through the action of others of our own troops."

23:00 on 20/5 "most of our airmen walked 7 miles further back to join the New Zealand Companies H.Q.  By 23/5 most of RAF personnel had moved back to TRAIVOROS 15 miles east of Suda."

20:00 on 26/5 "party left TRAIVOROS packed very tightly in lorries, and travelling throughout the night over a 7,000ft. mountain range to the south coast of Crete, they reached a spot about five miles east of SPARKIA (Sphakia).  All transports were then systematically wrecked."

28/5 "moved westwards."

03:00 28/5 "SPARKIA reached, three destroyers were lying to take off survivors.  Loaded to capacity, sailed for Egypt.  Alex reached at 17:30 on 29/5"

"The Squadron lost about 55 men as well as Sqn Ldr Howell, P/O A. R. "Jack" Butcher (RAF 112 Sqdn PoW), P/O Dunscombe & Sgts Reynish, Loveridge & Butterick.  With the exception of P/O Dunscombe & Sgt Reynish, all pilots known to be prisoners of war.  Fate of 55 men and two pilots mentioned, not known."

 

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