Kyt can you come up with any history on these members of Bennett's Staff? PFF STAFF AOC Air Commodore D. C. T. Bennett, D.S.O. (later Vice-Marshal, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O.), appointed 13. 1.43 (H.Q.B.0 Staff Officer commanding the Path Finder Force, appointed 15. 7.42) S.A.S.O. Gp.-Capt. C. D. C. Boyce (later Air Commodore,C.B.E.), appointed 18. 2.43 Air Staff Wg.-Cdr. R. Hilton, D.F.C. (Ops. Rm.), appointed 28.1.43 Wg.-Cdr. J. A. Slater, D.F.C., appointed 25.1.43 Wg.-Cdr. T. G. Mahaddie, D.S.O., D.F.C., A.F.C., appointed 20. 3.43 Wg.-Cdr. G. H. Womersley, D.S.O., D.F.C., appointed 27. 4.43 Sqn.-Ldr. R. 0. Altmann, D.F.C., appointed 25.1.43 Sqn.-Ldr. D. T. Witt, D.F.C. (Trg.), appointed 25.1.43 Sqn.-Ldr. Ashworth Sqn.-Ldr. E. W. Anderson (Flyg. S.N.), appointed 25.1.43 Sqn.-Ldr. G. F. Georgeson, D.F.C. (Nav.), appointed 25.1.43 Sqn.-Ldr. J. Collier, D.F.C. (Flyg. Con.) Sqn.-Ldr. A. F. Chisholm, D.F.C. (Air Bomb.), appointed 10.3.43 Sqn.-Ldr. J. E. Partridge, D.S.O., D.F.C. (Instr.), appointed 14.3.43 Sqn.-Ldr. D. F. Allen, G.M., B.E.M. (Instr.), appointed 20. 2.44 Wg.-Cdr. G. F. Grant, D.S.O., D.F.C., appointed 2.11.43 Sqn.-Ldr. Cresswell Sqn.-Ldr. H. G. Travers, D.S.C., appointed 7.9.43 Sqn.-Ldr. A. P. Cranswick, D.S.O., D.F.C., appointed 20.10.43 Sqn.-Ldr. C. A. J. Smith, D.F.C., appointed 20.10.43 Wg.-Cdr. G. M. Dunnicliffe, DFC, appointed 10. 2.44 Wg.-Cdr. F. W. Deacon, D.S.O., D.F.C., appointed 8. 3.44 Sqn.-Ldr. C. P. C. de Wesselow DFC, appointed 7. 4.44 Wg.-Cdr. J. R. G. Ralston, D.S.O., D.F.C., A.F.C., appointed 10.8.44 Wg.-Cdr. K. H. Burns, DSO, DSC, appointed 26.10.44 Wg.-Cdr. B. W. McMillan, A.F.C., appointed 10.11.44 Sqn.-Ldr. J. R. Wood, D.F.C., appointed 13. 9.44 Sqn.-Ldr. W. H. Robinson, D.F.C., D.F.M., appointed 18.1.45 Wg.-Cdr. J. D. Bolton, D.F.C., appointed 1. 6.45 Wg.-Cdr. D. A. Cracknell, D.S.O., D.F.C., appointed 24. 5.45 Sqn.-Ldr. H. Almond, appointed 21. 4.45 Sqn.-Ldr. R. C. Walker, appointed 14.11.44 Sqn.-Ldr. L. S. Thorpe, D.F.C., D.F.M. , appointed 20.10.44 Sqn.-Ldr. J. P. Crump, appointed 7.1.45 Sqn.-Ldr. E. J. Greenleaf, D.S.O., D.F.C., appointed 23. 7.45 Group Navigation Officers Sqn.-Ldr. R. C. Alabaster, D.F.C., appointed 25.1.43 Wg.-Cdr. K. J. Lawson, D.F.C., appointed 7. 6.43 Wg.-Cdr. A. G. S. Cousens, D.S.O., D.F.0, appointed 23. 8.43 Wg.-Cdr. E. H. Bagnold, D.F.C. , appointed 20.3.44 Sqn.-Ldr. L. R. Hastings, D.F.C., appointed 26.8.43 Group Met. Officer M. J. Thomas, B.Sc. Group Intelligence Officer Sqn.-Ldr. W. J. R. Shepherd (later Wg.-Cdr., O.B.E.), appointed 25.1.43 Group Engineer Officer Wg.-Cdr. C. F. Sarsby, appointed 1.2.43 Group Armament Officer Sqn.-Ldr. W. Rathbone, appointed 10.2.43 Group Signals Officers Wg.-Cdr. G. W. Adams , appointed 7.5.43 Wg.-Cdr. E. L. T. Barton, appointed 20.12.43 Sqn.-Ldr. N. I. B. Harrison , appointed 16.6.43 Group Photography Officer Sqn.-Ldr. H. W. Lees , appointed 1.7.43 S.A.O. Wg.-Cdr. A. W. G. Martin, appointed 28.1.43 Wg.-Cdr. W. E. Carr, appointed 6.43 Gp.-Capt. F. R. D. Swain, O.B.E., A.F.C. , appointed 11.10.43 Gp.-Capt. H. McC. White, appointed 15.5.44 Personnel Sqn.-Ldr. F. B. Taylor, appointed 28.1.43 Sqn.-Ldr. P. L. Burley, appointed 21.11.43 Sqn.-Ldr. R. M. Snow, appointed 18.11.44 Org. Sqn.-Ldr. L. E. Barry, appointed 1.2.43 Sqn.-Ldr. F. Vernon , appointed 18.9.44 Group Equipment Officer Sqn.-Ldr. J. C. Rose (later Wg.-Cdr., M.B.E.), appointed 27.7.43 Group Medical Officer Sqn.-Ldr. J. C. MacGown, M.D., Ch.B.
Blimey! OK, here are the two easy ones. D C T Bennett_P C D C Boyce_P I shall going through the list David. The ones with awards should be easy to find, as far as service numbers etc go. And then go from there.
Wing Commander Raymond Hilton DSO DFC*, was killed after returning to front line duties, becoming CO of 83 Squadron in November 1943 (3 weeks before his death). This was his third tour. Name: HILTON, RAYMOND Initials: R Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Wing Commander (Pilot) Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 83 Sqdn. Age: 27 Date of Death: 23/11/1943 Service No: 60073 Awards: D S O, D F C Additional information: Son of John Peter and Alice Annie Hilton; husband of Betty Evelyn Hilton (nee Clements), of Moseley, Birmingham. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 1. C. 2-8. Cemetery: BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY He was killed in Lancaster JB284 on a mission to Berlin, crashing after being hit by flak: W/C R Hilton DSO DFC* F/Sgt F E Burton-Burgess F/Sgt S J Davis S/L A F Chisholm DFC F/O G Ainsworth F/Sgt B G Tucker DFM F/L J P Crebbin DFC DFC 21st November, 1941. Acting Flight Lieutenant Raymond HILTON (60073), Royal Air force Volunteer Reserve, No. 214 Squadron. (No citation) Bar to DFC 11 August 1942 Acting Squadron Leader Raymond HILTON, D.F.C.(60073) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve No. 83 Squadron. (No citation) DSO 12th March, 1943 Acting Squadron Leader Raymond HILTON, D.F.C. (60073), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 83 Squadron (No citation)
Wg.-Cdr. J. A. Slater, D.F.C 150 sq 103 sq CO W/Cdr J A Slater 04/43 - 10/43 DFC 23 September 1941 Acting Squadron Leader John Anthony SLATER (39807), Reserve of Air Force Officers, No. 150 Squadron. Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross. 3 December 1943 Acting Wing Commander John Anthony SLATER, D.F.C. (39807), Reserve of Air Force Officers, No. 103 Squadron.
Womersley Started with 102 Squadron Then 156 Squadron RAF picture 156 Squadron RAF Then Commanding Officer of No 139 Squadron from February 1944 to October 1944 flying Mosquitoes. Was still going strong, attending book/print signings at the beginning of 2007
Peter de Wesselow Kyt and DL, hope you don't mind me barging in and I don't want to make this a dog's breakfast but here's something on de Wesselow: A highly efficient crew who operated with 97 Squadron during the Battle of Berlin period 1943-44. (Left to right) Gordon Cooper DFC & Bar (Radar Operator), John Saynor DFC (Rear Gunner), Stan Carlyle DFM (Navigator), Peter de Wesselow DSO DFC & Bar (Pilot), Fred White DFC (Wireless Operator), Bill Bamlett DFC DFM (Flight Engineer), Grant Muckhart DFC (Mid Upper Gunner) 97 Squadron Association - Gallery of Images LG - award of Bar to DFC For some reason I can't find the citation for the first DFC. Probably staring me in the face. De Wesselow also flew with 635 Sqn.
Dennis Theodore Witt LG DFC Acting Flying Officer Dennis Theodore WITT, D.F.M. (44867), No. 7 Squadron. In July, 1941, this officer led three aircraft to bomb a target near Bethune. When the section crossed the enemy coast it was subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire which shot down one aircraft of the section. Unperturbed, however, Flying Officer Witt led the remaining aircraft in a determined attack on the target in the face of another intense anti-aircraft barrage. The success of this attack was due to the tenacity, skill and determination of Flying Officer Witt. Ten days previously, while raiding Texel, he enabled his rear gunner to destroy a Messerschmitt .109. He is an outstanding pilot who has gained notable successes against the enemy. Further details of this daylight raid can be found here - http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Sussex/Men-of-Burgess-1939-46-2004-Update.pdf - see pages 185 and 186. LG DSO Acting Wing Commander Dennis Theodore WITT, D.F.C., D.F.M. (44867), R.A.F., 635 Sqn. As pilot of aircraft this officer has participated in 100 sorties, many of them against the most heavily defended targets. His last 3 missions were against Essen, Cologne and Dusseldorf respectively. On each of these occasions he pressed home his attacks with the greatest determination in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire to obtain good results. He has displayed the highest standard of skill and bravery, setting an example of a high order.
Thanks, DL, I didn't want to step on any toes but a couple of chaps rang a bell. Kyt got the easy one with Hamish Mahaddie! I'm at work so can't contribute much at present but will have a go later today assuming Kyt and everyone else don't knock the rest off!
Sqn.-Ldr. R. 0. Altmann, D.F.C., appointed 25.1.43 Reginald Otto Altmann 70841 Pilot Officer on probation are confirmed in their appointment: 17th Jan. 1940 Acting Wing Commander Nov 1945 Distinguished Flying Cross 30 July 1944 144 Squadron Distinguished Service Order 6th November, 1945 31 Squadron According to this site: "P/O later S/L Reginald Otto Altmann DFC, 271 Sqdn. flying Dakotas from Down Ampney, tugging Horsas - dropped supplies on 18/9 at Arnhem - mentioned in Jewish Year book 1945-46 as gazetted with a DFC. PRO Records AIR 1594" Jews at the Battle of Arnhem but can't confirm if it is the same man.
Dennis Theodore Witt Commissioned 5th Nov. 1940 565402 DFM 10 Squadron 17/10/40 DFC 7 Squadron 5 August 1941 Acting Flying Officer Dennis Theodore WITT, D.F.M. (44867), No. 7 Squadron. In July, 1941, this officer led three aircraft to bomb a target near Bethune. When the section crossed the enemy coast it was subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire which shot down one aircraft of the section. Unperturbed,however, Flying Officer Witt led the remaining aircraft in a determined attack on the target in the face of another intense anti-aircraft barrage. The success of this attack was due to the tenacity, skill and determination of Flying Officer Witt. Ten days previously, while raiding Texel, he enabled his rear gunner to destroy a Messerschmitt 109. He is an outstanding pilot who has gained notable successes against the enemy. DSO 13 February 1945 Acting Wing Commander Dennis Theodore WITT, D.F.C., D.F.M. (44867), R.A.F., 635 Sqn. As pilot of aircraft this officer has participated in 100 sorties, many of them against the mostheavily defended targets. His last 3 missions were against Essen, Cologne and Dusseldorf respectively. On each of these occasions he pressed home his attacks with the greatest determination in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire to obtain good results. He has displayed the highest standard of skill and bravery, setting an example of a high order. After the war he commanded 109 Squadron, and then 88 Squadron. EDIT: I really should pay more attention. Sorry Andy, I seem to have duplicated your post
Cranswick World War 2 Awards.com - CRANSWICK, Alec Panton Amazon.co.uk: Pathfinder Cranswick: Michael Cumming: Books
E. W. Anderson Edward William Anderson 83847 ADMINISTRATIVE AND SPECIAL DUTIES BRANCH. Commissioned as P/O 9th Aug. 1940. F/O 9th Aug 1941 Relinquished the rank of F/O at his own request and ransferred. to the General Duties Branch with the rank of P/O 22 July 1941 F/O 22nd July 1942 F/L 16th Feb 1943 S/L 10th May 1944 DFC 6 July 1943 Acting Squadron Leader Pathfinder Force Navigation Training Unit OBE Honours List 8 June 1944 Air Force Cross 7 Sept 1945 Bar to Air Force Cross. 1st January, 1954
Sqn.-Ldr. G. F. Georgeson, D.F.C. (Nav.) Pilot Officer on probation: I7th May 1941 F/O17th May 1942. F/L 3rd Nov. 1942. DFC Acting Flying Officer Gordon Forbes GEORGESON (67077) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve No 12 Squadron Distinguished Service Order. 22 September 1944 Acting Wing Commander Gordon Forbes GEORGESON. D.F.C. (67077), R.A.F.V.R., 83 Sqn. Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross this officer has completed many sorties. He is a navigator of high merit and his technical skill has contributed to a large extent to the operational successes achieved by his flight. He has set a fine example to all. Name: GEORGESON, GORDON FORBES Initials: G F Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Wing Commander (Nav.) Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 83 Sqdn. Age: 33 Date of Death: 27/07/1944 Service No: 67077 Awards: D S O, D F C Additional information: Son of Forbes Georgeson and Edith G. S. Georgeson, of Muswell Hill, Middlesex; husband of Margaret Mary Georgeson, of Mill Hill, Middlesex. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot 3. Row E. Coll. grave 17-23. Cemetery: MAZARGUES WAR CEMETERY, MARSEILLES Lancaster ND856 26/27 July 1944 Mission to Givors T/O 2100 to bomb rail communications. (no details as to how it was lost) S/L R K Eggins DFC Sgt W H Maltman W/C G F Georgeson DSO DFC F/L J W Gilmour DFM F/O J W Patterson DFC P/O G J Pursey DFC RAAF F/O F A Marden DFC
Sqn.-Ldr. A. F. Chisholm, D.F.C. (Air Bomb.) Alexander Frederick Chisholm P/O 23rd June 1940 F/O 23rd June, 1941 DFC 25 December 1942 Flight Lieutenant Alexander Frederick CHISHOLM (43929), No. 83 Squadron. Name: CHISHOLM, ALEXANDER FREDERICK Initials: A F Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Squadron Leader (Air Bomber) Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Unit Text: 83 Sqdn. Date of Death: 23/11/1943 Service No: 43929 Awards: D F C Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 1. C. 2-8. Cemetery: BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY Lancaster JB284 on mission to Berlin T/O1730 from Wyton. Hit by Flak and crashed in the target area. W/C Hilton had flown sixty-four operational sorties. W/C Hilton had returned to No.83 Sqdn as Commanding Officer just three weeks prior to his death and was on his third tour. (see post #4) W/Cmr R Hilton S/Ldr A F Chisholm F/O Ainsworth F/Sgt F E Burton-Burgess F/Sgt Tucker F/Sgt S J Davies F/Lt J O Cribben
