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.
RAF 112 Sqdn
K Flight
Gladiator Mk I K6134 RT S, some sources think this is Flt Lt John Scoular,
if he did not enter service with K Flight until 13 February 1941 this could not
be him as the plane had ( if the loss date is correct) had already crashed.
Adding to the confusion if Flt Lt Scoular joined in November 1940, then it might be him,
but this photo does not look like him.
This might be Plt Off Ted H Scottor a South Rhodesian, who came to the Unit I think in June,
1940 (not confirmed). Note the unknown symbol under the cockpit, symbol is repeated just under
the rear of the cockpit in white.( photo enhanced to show pilot details) Thanks to Alf Bell and the 250 Sqdn Association I can give a definitive answer to all the above. He states their copy of this photo identifies the man as" Flt Lt PETE SAVAGE". I would bet my money on them! :-)
Orders where received on 31 May 1940 for "B" Flight RAF 112 Sqdn to form "K" Flight, aircraft departed 2 June 1940 for Summit an airfield south of Port Sudan on the Red Sea to form this group
Known (so far) 112 Sqdn pilots that flew on detachment with "K" Flight
|
# |
Last Name | First |
Service Number |
Air Force |
112 Sqdn |
. |
. |
| 1 |
(Plt Off) |
Robert Hugh | 36161 | RAF | 16/5/39 | 10/9/40 | . |
| 2 |
HAYWARD (Plt Off) |
JACK
MAURICE |
40111 |
RAF | 16/5/39 | 6/11/40 | KIA, HAILEYBURIAN |
| 3 |
Kirk (Plt Off) |
Harold "Harry" Bell | 70808 | RAF | 16/5/39 | 6/11/40 | POW, |
| 4 |
(Flt Lt) |
KENNETH
HOWARD |
37483 |
RAF | 16/5/39 | 6/11/40 | KIA |
| 5 |
(Sgt) |
Charles John Wilson | 565362 | RAF | 3/1/40 | 18/6/40 | KIFA |
Known RAF 112 Sqdn members probably transferred to "K" Flight
|
# |
Last Name | First |
Service Number |
Air Force |
112 Sqdn |
to "K" Flight |
. |
| 1 |
(Plt Off) |
David (Orderly Officer) | . | RAFVR | 15/5/39 | 31/8/40 | "B" Flight to "K" Flight |
| 2 |
(Plt Off) Flt Lt to Sqn Ldr (temp) London Gazette, 37508, 1 July 1944 |
Percy Oliver Valentine | 41015 |
RAFVR | 16/5/39 | 31/8/40 | ."B" Flight to "K" Flight |
| 3 |
(Plt Off) |
Jack |
40109 |
RAF | 16/5/39 | 31/8/40, "B" Flight to "K" Flight |
112, 250 Sqdn, South African in the RAF, He was decorated with a DFC on 19 September 1941., Hamlyn didn’t see further action following the end of his tour, but was promoted Squadron Leader in July 1943 |
| 4 |
Lean (Pit Off ) |
John Thompson (Armament Off) | 74163 | RAF | 25/4/40 | 23/8/40 | . not confirmed to "K" Flight |
| 5 |
Page (Plt Off ) |
Leslie Murden (Cipher Officer) | 78155 | RAF | 20/5/40 | 18/8/40 | .not confirmed to "K" Flight, did not fly he was a Cipher Officer |
| 6 |
Sanderson (Plt Off) |
John Harwood "Doom" | 39189 | RAF | 16/5/39 | 31/8/40 | ."B" Flight to "K" Flight |
| 7 |
SCORRER (Plt Off) K Flight under 14 Sqdn |
THOMAS HENRY | 89780 | RAFVR or South Rhodesian Air Force ? prior to being absorbed into the RAF 1939 | I think but not confirmed 10/6/40 | 08/02/41 | From Southern Rhodesia he was with "K" Flight / 14 Sqdn when killed see In Memory of page |
| 8 |
(Flt Lt) K Flight under 14 Sqdn |
John
Evelyn |
37756 |
RAF |
not confirmed ??/11/41 |
.01/04/41 ? | CO "K" Flight |
| 9 |
Smither (Plt Off) |
Geoffrey Buxton DFC 1945 |
41484 | RAF | 6/12/39 | 2/1/40 | he transferred from 253 Wing and was only part of 112 Squadron for 1 month before moving on to K Flight and then 250 Squadron. He later served as Sqdn Ldr in 152 (Hyderabad) Sqdn May 1946 to June 1946 ? |
| 10 |
(Plt Off) (Can) |
Stanley Anton "Stan" |
779025 (NCO), 89781 (Officer) |
RAFVR | not listed with 112 Sqdn as he was posted directly to K Flight | .9/11/40 | from Weston, Ontario, Canada, he went on to become a member of 250 Sudan Squadron, KIA, 27 Sept 1941 with 250 Sqdn |
| 11 |
(Plt Off) |
Richard Basil "Dickie" | 40159 | . | 16/5/39 | 31/8/40 | ."B" Flight to "K" Flight |
| 12 |
(Plt Off) |
Gordon Albert | 41811 | . | 30/1/40 |
31/8/40 From "K" Flight to 250 Sqdn |
became a member of 250 Sqdn on its formation, The first serious use of the P-40 as a fighter occurred when Iraqi forces led by Rashid Ali El-Ghailani |
| 13 | Woodward (Sgt) | E Norman |
566289 |
. |
3/1/40 |
31/8/40 |
."K" Flight, 16/06/40 he and Wolsey engage 2 SM 81 over Summit, no claims made |
Aircraft Known to be at Summit on 18 June 1940 where K6134, K6135, (K6136 crashed that day killing Tait),
K6143, K7479. K7977 and L7619. Flown to Port Sudan that day were, K6143, K7948, L7619,
shortly a repaired aircraft appeared to replace Taits' it was L7612 probably flown in by Plt Off Wolsey
|
’K’ Flig 20 August, 1940, Group Captain Leonard Horatio Slatter, finally accepted the name K Flight, and by some accounts officially recognized K Flight as part of 14 Squadron, ( At Port Sudan, 14 Squadron having disposed first of its Wellesleys then its Gladiators between September 1940 and March 1941, had re-equipped with Blenheim IVs) while working with 47 Sqdn. By 20 August, 1940, "K" Flight was down to seven of its original Gladiators all carrying RT codes. On 9 December, 1940, ‘K’ Flight at Port Sudan dispatched six Gladiators Mk.IIs and one Mk.I, accompanied by a Wellesley carrying a fitter and a rigger, to Heliopolis to reinforce 112 Squadron during the upcoming Operation Compass. Flying Officer Green and Flying Officer R. B. Whittington of this Flight arrived at Sidi Hanaish from Heliopolis on 12 December, 1940, while Flight Lieutenant John Scoular and Sergeant E. N. Woodward arrived on 16 December. At this later date, Flying Officer Jack Hamlyn had already been detached to 112 Squadron, flying his first known sortie on 13 December, 1940. During April 1941 , 112 Squadrons' ‘K’ flight formed the nucleus of 250 Squadron and re-equipped with Tomahawks |
||
|
Serials |
Code |
Arrival |
|
K6134 |
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, Flown by 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. Flown in the Sudan by F/Lt K. H. "Pete" Savage "B" Flight RAF 112 Sqdn in 1940. see picture above 03/06/40 Detached with ‘B’ Flight to Summit, Sudan. 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 |
|
K6135 |
RT-E |
22/02/37 From Manufacturer to 72 Sqdn 11/05/39 From
72 Sq.
when the unit was formed on HMS Argus. 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 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 (01/04/41 "K" Flight formed the nucleus for 250 Sqdn and was re-equipped with Tomahawks) 13/04/41.
to Royal
Hellenic Air Force Known ex-RAF Gladiators transferred to Greek Air Force 21 Mira.02/12/40 When the remaining Greek fighters were moved to Amphiklia/Lodi on 16 April, twenty-one remained - eight Gladiators, 11 PZLs and two Bloch 151s. All of them, except three (unspecified type) were destroyed on a surprise attack by German Bf109s on 19 April. The three remaining fighters were evacuated to Eleusis were two more were destroyed by a German attack on 20 April by Bf109Es from II/JG27 Going by the information above and the transfer date of 31/04/41 for K6135 makes it's fate a bit more of a puzzle. |
|
K6136 |
. |
22/02/37 From Manufacturer to 72 Sqdn 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 Son of John Wilson and Rosa Matilda Tait, of Edinburgh. One way in which the RAF Sports Board was to give considerable assistance, was in the provision of badly needed trophies. Over the years they have kindly donated seven trophies. One of the most treasured is the Sergeant Tait silver loving cup. Sergeant C J W Tait was killed on active service in 1940 serving with No 112 Squadron. To commemorate his death his mother gave the cup to the Sports Board who considered badminton an appropriate sport. The Sergeant Tait cup has been in constant use every since. Mrs Tait was kept informed of the competition results until her death and after that the Association corresponded with her niece until contact was finally lost with the family in 1974. |
|
K6143 |
. |
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. 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. 31/08/40 ‘B’ Flight redesignated to ‘K’ Flight, Port Sudan and Khartoum, 14/09/40, Flown by P/O Geoffrey Buxton Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 15,000 ft, 1.50 hours 16/09/40, Flown by P/O Geoffrey Buxton Smither, "K" Flight, Met Flight, 0.50 hours 23Flown by P/O Geoffrey Buxton Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 18,000 ft, 2.35 hours 23Flown by P/O Geoffrey Buxton Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 18,000 ft, 1.05 hours 2Flown by P/O Geoffrey Buxton Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 18,000 ft, 2.25 hours 2Flown by P/O Geoffrey Buxton Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 18,000 ft, 2.15 hours 28Flown by P/O Geoffrey Buxton Smither, "K" Flight, Interception - No A/C seen, 0.45 hours 17/10/40, Flown by P/O Geoffrey Buxton Smither, "K" Flight, Intercept Patrol, 0.5 hours 30/12/40, Flown by P/O Geoffrey Buxton Smither, "K" Flight, Formation, 0.35 hours 06Flown by P/O Geoffrey Buxton Smither, "K" Flight, Patrol 14,000 ft, 1.50 hours 21Flown by P/O Geoffrey Buxton Smither, "K" Flight, Reconnaissance, 0.40 hours To 117 Sqdn, after service with "K" Flight, (01/04/41 "K" Flight formed the nucleus for 250 Sqdn and was re-equipped with Tomahawks) 20/06/41 Tire burst on landing at Khartoum, the aircraft swung and was damaged beyond repair. |
|
K7948 |
. |
On
Strength June 1939 Helwan, From 112 Sqdn, "B" Flight, To K Flight
then 03/06/40
Detached with ‘B’ Flight to Summit, Sudan. 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 |
| K7969 |
XO-N then RT-N |
87 Squadron Debden, June 1937 to July 1938 (ex 85 Sqn 8/38 then to 72 Sqn) 85
Squadron Debden, June 1938 to September 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. On Strength RAF 112 Sqdn, June 1939 Helwan, originally an "C" Flight plane it was lost in service with "B" Flight which by the time of loss 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. 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 |
|
K7974 |
XO-O then, RT-O |
From 112
03/06/40
Detached with ‘B’ Flight to Summit, Sudan. |
|
K7977 |
RT-P |
From 87 Sqn "B" Flight, 8/38 then to 72 Sqn, then 112 Sqn "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. 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 |
|
K7986 |
. |
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. 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. 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. 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 15/09/40 |
|
L7612 |
Possibly RT T |
20/04/37 From Manufacturer 28/03/38
To Packing Depot. Listed on Gladiator page as K7612 in Flt Lt Fraser's log book. 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 From 33
Sq. 02/06/40, bent wing landing at Aswan, Plt Off Wolsey, was flying it and that is why it did not arrive on 03/06/40 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 10/07/40 I think he delivered this aircraft to "K" Flight at Summit and caught a ride back in Vickers Valencia K3608 on 10/07/40 06/11/40,
Flown by, Flying Officer
Hamlyn, 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. Three
Gladiators of ‘K’ Flight arrived over the advancing troops at
low level. They were patrolling to the east of Metemma when a formation
of an estimated six or seven CR.42s from 412a Squadriglia led
by the unit commander Capitano Raffi attacked them from out of the sun.
The Gladiator pilots were taken by surprise; 24-year-old Flight
Lieutenant Kenneth Howard Savage (RAF no. 37483) (L7614) was shot
down and killed while Pilot Officer Kirk (K7969) was forced to
take to his parachute; neither pilot saw their attacker. Flying Officer
Hamlyn evaded the initial onslaught but his aircraft (L7612) was
badly damaged and he force-landed, returning later on foot. evaded the initial onslaught but his aircraft was badly damaged and he force-landed, returning later on foot. T he first brush with enemy fighters came at 0615 on 6 November 1940, when three R .A .F .Gladiators of „K Flight (brought from Port Sudan for the action) were patrolling over Metemma. These pilots had not operated before in an area where enemy fighters could be expected and were, in the opinion of Brigadier Boyle, probably watching the ground battle scene, the withdrawing enemy, the crippled tanks and smoke rising from Gallabat. Suddenly a formation of six or eight C.R.42's came out of the morning sun. In a moment, two Gladiators were shot down, their pilots killed or taken prisoner; the third was forced down at El Hasiara, some 70 miles from its base.06/07/41 Crashed in Iraq. (457 hrs) |
|
L7614 |
. |
From 33
Sq. "B" Flight which by then was called "K" Flight, 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 |
|
. |
18/6/40, From 33 via 112 Sqdn to "K" Flight 03/06/40
Detached with ‘B’ Flight to Summit, Sudan. 29/6/40
Hamlyn claims an SM 81 over Port Sudan, 29 June 1940, he took off from
Port Sudan in Gladiator L7619 to intercept enemy aircraft. Five miles
south at 4500 feet he spotted an approaching Italian tri-motor 3000 feet
above. He climbed and delivered a quarter attack, followed by a tail
chase, by which time he had identified the machine as an SM.81. The
bomber dived down to 4500 feet but after Hamlyn had fired about 1000
round from a very close range the enemy aircraft swung to starboard and
exploded, falling in flames into the Red Sea. Parts of the SM.81 damaged
the Gladiator's windscreen, airscrew and ring and bead sight and a large
piece of piping lodged itself in the engine. Later in the day two of the
crew were rescued from a coral reef just off the coast and one turned
out to be the Commanding Officer of the10a Squadriglia of the
28o Gruppo B.T., Capitano Umberto Barone, the only one of 12
machines to reach the target. 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 The S79s returned next morning when three of them raided the airfield at Port Sudan. They were intercepted by three Hurricanes and two Gladiators. The bombers escaped into cloud but one Hurricane continued to give chase and finally knocked out the starboard engine of one before he had to give up the chase and return to base low on fuel. At around 1045hrs four S79s from Asmara bombed the port area, where they were intercepted by two Hurricanes and two Gladiators. The formation managed to escape into some cloud and return to base unscathed. This brought an end to two days of intense operations over the port area by the Italian bombers based at Gura and Asmara 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 |
|
|
N2895 |
. |
This would appear to be a Wellington Ia/c N2895 AA-L 23/06/40 Bounced on landing, swung and lost wheel at Sheikh Othman Gladiator N2295 was in 94 Sqdn service at the time? |
|
N5629 |
. |
From 112 to 94 Sqn Served in No 8, 9, 27 and 47 M.U.'s then to Aden 7/40 From 94
Sq. 13/04/41, A/C damaged in combat over Koritsa, Plt Off Peter Charles Lindsay Brunton RAF no. 89774, pilot ok thanks to quick action by a bofors crew 24/04/41, Flown by Flt LT Fraser, RAF 112 Sqdn, Crete, Patrol Base Alarm (x2) |
| N5810 | . |
274
Squadron, Amriya,
August 1940 to November 1940. To RAAF 3 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 with RAAF 3 Sqdn: 08/12/40
07:10-08:45 Off. patrol F/L Steege. To date unknown 112 Squadron, Helwan, June 1939 to February 1941. Gladiators were supplemented by a few Gauntlets between March and July 1940. Code letters: "XO", later "RT". While with RAF 112 Sqdn: 10/02/41
1 S.79 claimed by F/O Cullen
(80 Sq.). |
|
N5815 |
. |
06/40 on strength 1 SAAF To
2 SAAF Sq.
and returned to 1 SAAF Sq. on 09/11/40. From 1 SAAF 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, Flown by P/O Wells 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 |
|
N5828 |
. |
13/02/41, used by 112 Sqdn "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
On 9 December, 1941, ‘K’ Flight at Port Sudan dispatched six Gladiators Mk.IIs and one Mk.I, accompanied by a Wellesley carrying a fitter and a rigger, to Heliopolis to reinforce 112 Squadron during the upcoming Operation Compass. Flying Officer Oliver Green and Flying Officer R. B. Whittington of this Flight arrived at Sidi Hanaish from Heliopolis on 12 December while Flight Lieutenant Scoular and Sergeant E. N. Woodward arrived on 16 December. At this later date, Flying Officer Jack Hamlyn had already been detached to 112 Squadron, flying his first known sortie on 13 December. In February 1941, he led ‘K’ Flight to East Africa, moving up to the front on 13 February. On 22 February 1941 ‘K’ flight saw its first action since its return to operations when Scoular on an early patrol over Mersa Taclai in Gladiator N5828 saw some Blenheims passing and escorted these to Massawa. There he spotted a lone S.79 in flight, and shot it down. There is no Italian record of this loss and it may in fact have been a transport Savoia.
To
6
Squadron, Wadi Halfa, August 1941 to January 1942. Good
possibility it was around 01/08/41 when K Flight became
250 Sqdn re-equipped with Tomahawks To 1412
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 to Iraq Air Force |
|
N5833 |
. |
From 112 possibly 02/12/40 To Khormaksar 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 27/04/42 Hit rock on take-off and wheel torn off. Overturned on strip 50m NE of Summit and damaged beyond repair |
|
N5895 |
. |
From 94 Sqn to "K" Flight may have gone back to 94 Sqn (not confirmed due to dates) 23/01/41 Fg Off Harrison "A" Flight 112 Sqdn, flew it to Eleusis, Greece via Sidi Barrani and Candia in Crete, 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 |
|
N5896 |
. |
From 94 Sqn 112 Sqn "B" Flight which became "K" Flight under control of 14 Sqdn then formed 250 Sqdn 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 ( was it one of the "K" Flight ones used while on detachment to 112 Sqdn ?) To 94 Sqn, Later to Habbaniya., 26/04/46 SOC |
|
N5917 |
. |
From 112 possibly 02/12/40 K’
Flight, Formed on 1 September 1940 Summit, Sudan, by
re-designating ‘B’ Flight of 112 Squadron. From
"K" Flight to Aden
Station Flight, Khormaksar. 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. Transferred to 112 Sqn "B" Flight ex "C" Flight, Greece date unknown probably 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 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. |
|
Hawker Hurricane MkII V7733 |
29/01/41, Flown by P/O Geoffrey Buxton Smither, K Flight, ( was it used while "K" Flight was on detachment to 112 Sqdn ?) | |
| Fairey Battle K7574 |
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 ( was it used while "K" Flight was on detachment to 112 Sqdn ?) |
|
"K" Flight claims from K Flight web page
|
Date |
Pilot |
Serial |
Claim |
|
29/6/40 |
Plt Off Hamlyn |
L7619 |
Savoia-Marchetti SM81 shot down over Aden. |
|
1/8/40 |
Plt Off P O V Green |
K7974 |
Caproni Ca133 shot down over Gederef area. |
| 8/8/40 | Flt Lt Savage | Savoia-Marchetti SM79 shot down over Port Sudan. | |
|
15/11/40 |
Plt Off Wolsey |
. |
Savoia-Marchetti SM79 Damaged over Port Sudan. |
|
15/11/40 |
Plt Off Wolsey |
. |
Savoia-Marchetti SM79 Damaged over Port Sudan. |
|
21/11/40 |
Plt Off P O V Green |
. |
Savoia-Marchetti SM79 Damaged over Port Sudan. |
|
21/11/40 |
Plt Off Smither |
K7948 |
Savoia-Marchetti SM79 Damaged over Port Sudan. |
|
22/2/41 |
Plt Off Wells |
N5815 |
Fiat CR42 shot down over KUB-KUB. |
|
24/2/41 |
Flt Lt J E Scouler |
N5828 |
Savoia-Marchetti SM79 Shot down over Mersa Taklai |
| 29/4/41 | N/A | N/A | 250 Sqdn received its first 9 Tomahawks |
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