Forum Topic

Cup made from a Catalina flying boat 1944

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Sarah Felstead ● 5761d29 Comments

Having problems with my PC - but haven't forgotten this thread - been to The Runneymead memorial and taken a few pictures for posting and son is going to Malta shortly - in return for a taxi ride he is going to photograph the Malta memorial.Kevin I have been contacted by someone asking for your e-mail address, concerning the 95 Sqdn.

Sarah Felstead ● 5710d

If you're interested in more about the Sunderland and WW2 service, get into this thread!!http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/331471-sunderland-flying-boat.htmlThere is also a civil version a Sandringham at Southampton, where you can actually get taken round inside.

Kevin Regan ● 5754d

Intriguing developments. It seems very strange for RAF personnel to mis identify a Catalina and a Sunderland. Even if they used native craftsmen to fashion the tankard, the label would have been added by one of the Station personnel. Perhaps it does refer to another Squadron losing a Catalina, but then it wouldn't have affected Jack(s).....The ORB records P/O Mullett as being buried on 8th January, a few days after the other 4 who had been recovered. Obviously that's when the search was being carried out and the part of the wreckage for the tankard recovered.There is no CWGC entry for any Spinney in the RAF, so looks as if he survived the War after his rescue from the wreckage.As I said in a previous post, there were many incidents of engines failing, sometimes only to be expected, but there do seem to be cases where the oil filters appear to have been blocked by some contaminant, such as sand (obviously readily available on land, but not so on water where much of the maintenance was done). You will note on the 95 Squadron website a large group photo with a Sunderland in the background with all 4 engines removed.Coupled with the ORB reference to "Central Maintenance" I'm sure the unexplained oil filter problem was being addressed to eliminate poor maintenance practices as a possible cause of these losses, leaving sabotage as a potential cause. There don't appear to be too many further unexplained losses, so whether it was sand getting in to the filters by accident or design can't be decided so many years later.The Free French were supposedly on our side, it was the Vichy French who sided with the Germans, but I suppose the sinking of the French fleet might still have been a cause for some Vichy or Nazi sympathiser to carry out some sabotage.So now we know that the Sunderland that crashed on 5th Jan 44 was coded "R", so it may be possible to track down the actual serial.

Kevin Regan ● 5754d

I should have said that the two pages in the previous post were displayed here courtesy of the National Archives.

Richard Jennings ● 5755d

Thanks Richard.Kevin, would you contacts know if sabotage might have been recorded as this, or for morale, as an accident?  The operations record does have an appendix, which I will try and locate on another visit. I didn't locate the base record for the date in question but the writing all seems to follow a formal, light touch manner, without any depth of emotion.  I have some duck food left so I may pop over to use it up.

Sarah Felstead ● 5755d

The story evolves ...Orginally it was the story of a Catalina that was sabotaged at Port Etienne, exploding on take-off.It's now become the story of a Sunderland that returned to base 8 minutes after take-off with an engine on fire, and smoke in the cockpit obscuring the pilots' view.  Engine problems were apparently a major cause of Sunderland losses at the time.We seem to have no evidence of sabotage, and it seems to come down to one man's gut-feel about the cause.  He refers to the "so-called Free French".  There could well have been doubts about the allegiance of some French airmen at the time.  I came across a note* about 343 Squadron which was a French unit, also with Sunderlands, that became part of the RAF from 1943 to 1945.  It appears that French units in North Africa had been aligned with Vichy France, and hence supported the Germans, but after the Allies drove the Germans out of North Africa, the French units based there changed sides and became Free French units.  Maybe not everyone agreed ...Sabotage?  I guess we shall never know.  * http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn310-347.htm#343

Richard Jennings ● 5755d

Two pages from the record book, posted here at Sarah's request:The partly-cut-off last line reads "8th [Jan 1944] - F/O Mullett was buried"And from another page in the record book:

Richard Jennings ● 5755d

Love this place, even for a short walk in the grounds. Lots of baby ducklings and I remembered to take my duck food!  :-)The research desk is always very helpful and I was quickly given directions to the 95 Squadron records which are on film in different boxes according to the years records you wish to look up.The chap also helped me by locating the RAF base records (which are bound in books) held in the main archive.  You don't need a readers card for the 95 records on film, but you do need a card to venture into the inner reading rooms.I always find the film machines and photocopier a bit fiddly if I haven't been for a while and after asking for help at most points I found the 95 Squadrons records for Port Etienne January 1944 and once I realised what they said I took the film to the photocopier for the two pages I needed.The base record books (everything is covered with secret) I took out were AIR 28/41 which covers Bathurst for 1942 - 1945 and AIR 28/407 which covers Jui for 1942 - 1945.I didn't have much time to study the records but the 28/41 is just typed information whereas 28/407 includes photographs and other snippets of base life - including newsletters and even a 'small' copy of the menu for Christmas dinner!Looks like the mug was made from the fuselage of a plane downed on the 5th Jan 1944 at Port Etienne.  The plane was a Sutherland and Jack was not involved (which is why he hadn't written his name in the story) but he may have been in one of the hospitals/sick bays when the only survivor was brought in.  The records do not say anything other than it was an accident, but I suppose that sabotage would have been kept quiet apart from open talk amongst the men?95 Squadron Operations records for Jan 1944, Port Etienne to be posted for you to read, shortly.I have spoken to the copyright people at the NA and they have said it is okay to reproduce the two copies I made yesterday on the forum under 'Courtesy of the National Archives'.

Sarah Felstead ● 5755d

From Mike Smith (Parthcawl)Thanks Mike  :-)

Sarah Felstead ● 5756d

http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/95_wwII.htmlTaken from the full text"At first one of the biggest threats to the squadron's aircraft came from Vichy French fighter units based in West Africa, and in July 1941 the squadron formed a Hawker Hurricane wing to deal with this threat."

Sarah Felstead ● 5757d

http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-2Epi-c5-WH2-2Epi-a.htmlTaken from the full text"It must be emphasised that most of the work done by the aircrews of Coastal Command was long, dull, hard, and drudging toil, lightened by only occasional flashes of combat and sudden attack. Many men flew hundreds of hours on reconnaissance, on anti-submarine patrols and convoy escorts, with never an enemy sighting. Through fine weather and foul, by day and by night, the patrols went relentlessly on. Crews weary from hours of buffeting with storms, hundreds of miles from land, would return to their bases to meet others going out to face the same storms. They were partners, in a grim struggle against a determined enemy, with the men of the Allied merchant and naval vessels, without whose sacrifices and devotion to duty the U-boats would not have been beaten. Only as a result of the combined effort were the sea routes kept open and the invasion of the Continent and final victory made possible."

Sarah Felstead ● 5757d

Thanks Richard for putting the photos up. Jacks position with the crew that died seems to indicate that he was a part of that crew and only illness prevented him being aboard when it was lost.I have searched for all aircrew lost on 5th Jan 1944 and cannot find any more than the 9 detailed in my earlier post. I therefore assume that the others died during his time with 95 Squadron.Did you notice the WRAF officer on the 95 Squadron photos?There are 2 Sunderlands on display in the UK. ML824 at the RAF Museum, Hendon, and ML796 at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford in Cambridgeshire. Crew of 9 or so, Pilot, Flight Engineer, Navigator, 2 Wireless Operators, one a mechanic for any repairs, and at least 3 gunners in nose, tail and either a dorsal turret or at side guns. It was a double decked aircraft and extremely spacious.Unlike Bomber Command, Coastal Command felt that air crew couldn't stay vigilant for more than an hour uninterrupted, so the crew changed position frequently and had rest periods on flights of up to 12 hours.The best sources are Primary and held at two locations in the UK. All are available for personal inspection.RAF Museum, Hendon. Ask for RAF Form 78. This is the aircraft movement card. It lists the manufacturer, contract number, manufacturers airframe number and RAF Serial. On either side of the small A5 card are a list of units assigned to, issue dates and authority signals. A note as to it's disposal may also be listed.RAF Form 1180. This is the aircraft accident card. This was raised for mostly non-enemy actions. The pilot in command is recorded, brief details of the accident, summary of the court of enquiry and safety equipment used/phase of flight.The National Archives, Kew. RAF Form 540 and 541These collectively are known as the Operational Record Book.This is the daily war diary of the unit and list details of the operational flights undertaken. Monthly summary details are included as well as significant postings in and out.As with everything there are slight variations in recorded information for card to card.May be time to look at these sources before deciding which information is correct and which is incorrect. I'd suggest you visit Kew first to check which aircraft and crews are listed. Ask one of the assistants there, or better still, phone and discuss so you can go straight to what you need when you visit. Then you can organise a trip to Hendon to see the Sunderland and obtain the specific records. I assume you already have his Service Records?The Catalina only had 2 engines but could stay in the air for 14 or so hours. These aircraft probably saved untold thousands of lives and vital war products by keeping the Uboats submerged and frustrating their attempts to get in amongst the ships in convoys.It's thought that Uboats cost the lives of about 25,000 Allied sailors and servicemen, but over 650 Uboats were sunk, with about 25,000 crew lost. Seems to sum up the futility of War, but the sacrifices these men made deserves to be remembered.

Kevin Regan ● 5757d

Sarah has asked me to post the photos here.  There are two prints of the same photo, one unmarked ...and the other one marked with crosses and arrows ...This is an enlargement of Jack's photo:

Richard Jennings ● 5757d

Kevin - we have had a close look and the guy at the back right hand side without a cross on his chest is definitely Jack.  This is an incredibly poignant photograph.

Sarah Felstead ● 5757d

Thanks again Kevin.  I am pleased you could open the photographs - it is only after they were scanned and I could zoom in that I could clearly see all the x'x.Do you know how many crew would have manned a Catalina?  and a Sunderland?Would there have been written reports of what happened on 5.1.44 sent back from the base which I could check on?  Where would these be held?The chap with the arrow against him is not Jack - I think Jack is right in the middle of the men with x's on their chest on the right hand side - will have to get another opinion from those at home.Do you know why the annotation on the back of the photograph says (NZ) against the 95 squadron?Finally .... do you know how to post the photograph - or does anyone else know how to post it, from and e-mail and enlarged, so people can follow what we are talking about!  :-)

Sarah Felstead ● 5757d

Thanks for the photos, SarahHave you compared them to those on the 95 Squadron website to see if you can match any?There are 16 or 17 marked with an "X" (plus 1 with "O" - but don't know what that signifies) and one "X" could be a star...I can only find 9 casualties on one day (5th Jan 1944) but can't trace that as a Catalina as 95 seem to have been a Sunderland only unit. Possibly the "X"'s mark those who died in the period while he was with them, not all on one aircraft.Three of those lost on 5th Jan were Flying Officers, they outrank a Pilot Officer, and could be the 3 in the front row, all with a double bar on their epaulettes. There was 1 Pilot Officer, 4 Sergeants and 1 Corporal, but in short sleeves, I can't see any rank epaulettes, but it may be the middle row is the "medium" ranks and the lower at the back.It's possible the tankard IS from a Catalina, but from another Squadron for which they may have helped search.

Kevin Regan ● 5757d

Name: CAMPBELL, DAVID MASON. Initials: D M. Rank: SergeantRegiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Unit Text: 95 Sqdn.Age: 22. Date of Death: 05/01/1944. Service No: 1343817Additional information: Son of Thomas G. B. and Mary E. Campbell, of Glasgow.Memorial Reference: Panel 14, Column 2. Memorial: Malta MemorialName: CRATE, ROY STUART. Initials: R S. Rank: CorporalRegiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Unit Text: 95 Sqdn.Age: 23. Date of Death: 05/01/1944. Service No: 753247Additional information: Son of Harry Clifford and Edith Tremaine Crate, of Eltham, London. Alternative Commemoration - buried in Port Etienne Cemetery.Memorial Reference: Spec. Memorial. Cemetery: St. Etienne Chapel Cemetery, NouadihibouName: EWEN, THOMAS WILLIAM. Initials: T W. Rank: Sergeant (Air Gnr.)Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Unit Text: 95 Sqdn.Date of Death: 05/01/1944. Service No: 1004464Additional information: Alternative Commemoration - buried in Port Etienne Cemetery.Memorial Reference: Spec. Memorial. Cemetery: St. Etienne Chapel Cemetery, NouadihibouName: GIBSON, GILBERT CAMERON. Initials: G C. Rank: SergeantRegiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Unit Text: 95 Sqdn.Age: 29. Date of Death: 05/01/1944. Service No: 1369021Additional information: Son of Robert and Cissie Gibson, of Crieff, Perthshire; husband of Alice Theresa Gibson, of Crieff.Memorial Reference: Panel 15, Column 1. Memorial: Malta MemorialName: MULLETT, KENNETH GILBERT. Initials: K G. Rank: Flying Officer (Nav.)Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Unit Text: 95 Sqdn.Age: 23. Date of Death: 05/01/1944. Service No: 139714Additional information: Son of Gilbert William and Alice Kate Mullett, of Downley, Buckinghamshire. Alternative Commemoration - buried in Port Etienne Cemetery.Memorial Reference: Spec. Memorial. Cemetery: St. Etienne Chapel Cemetery, NouadihibouName: NORRIS, CHARLES ERNEST. Initials: C E. Rank: SergeantRegiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Unit Text: 95 Sqdn.Age: 31. Date of Death: 05/01/1944. Service No: 1280880Additional information: Son of Charles and Marion Emblom Norris; husband of Doris Emilie Norris, of Boscombe, Bournemouth, Hampshire. Memorial Reference: Panel 15, Column 2. Memorial: Malta MemorialName: PHILLIPS, SELWYN GUY. Initials: S G. Rank: Flying OfficerRegiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Unit Text: 95 Sqdn.Date of Death: 05/01/1944. Service No: 142240Additional information: Son of Henry William and Fanny Phillips, of Westminster, London. Alternative Commemoration - buried in Port Etienne Cemetery.Memorial Reference: Spec. Memorial. Cemetery: St. Etienne Chapel Cemetery, NouadihibouName: ROPER, DEREK ANTHONY. Initials: D A. Rank: Flying Officer (W.Op./Air Gnr.)Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Unit Text: 95 Sqdn.Date of Death: 05/01/1944. Service No: 142478Additional information: Alternative Commemoration - buried in Port Etienne Cemetery.Memorial Reference: Spec. Memorial. Cemetery: St. Etienne Chapel Cemetery, NouadihibouName: SADLEIR, THOMAS WILLOUGHBY. Initials: T W. Rank: Pilot OfficerRegiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Unit Text: 95 Sqdn.Date of Death: 05/01/1944. Service No: 171950Memorial Reference: Panel 13, Column 2. Memorial: Malta MemorialThe cemetery contains a memorial to five Commonwealth airmen of the Second World War, buried in Port Etienne Cemetery, whose graves could no longer be maintained there.The Malta Memorial commemorates almost 2,300 airmen who lost their lives during the Second World War whilst serving with the Commonwealth Air Forces flying from bases in Austria, Italy, Sicily, islands of the Adriatic and Mediterranean, Malta, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, West Africa, Yugoslavia and Gibraltar, and who have no known grave.

Kevin Regan ● 5758d

Yep, that's the Ops Room in Banjul (formerly Bathurst)95 was a Sunderland Squadron, so as we were looking for a Catalina link, I passed it by. Some Squadrons phased out the Catalina and replaced with Sunderlands. Larger vrew which also ties in with your 15 men in Jul (Jui?) 43. The date is probably 5th Jan 1944.

Kevin Regan ● 5758d

http://www.95squadron.webs.com/remembered.htmlShows a number of 95 crew remembered as having died on 5.1.44 - St Ettienne Chapel Cemetery, Nouadhibou.  This was during the period 'Jack' was recorded as sick on his RAF records.

Sarah Felstead ● 5758d

http://www.95squadron.webs.com/images/Ops.jpghttp://www.95squadron.webs.com/

Sarah Felstead ● 5758d

One photograph says PE/G/132 on the reverse.There are two versions of another photograph with 54 men in a group shot one says Jul 1943 W.A. 95 (N.Z.) Squadron on the reverse and the other doesn't say anything but there are 16 men with crosses against them.

Sarah Felstead ● 5758d

I found a certificate of service and release which says Acting Pilot officer on probation - 15.4.43Pilot officer on probation - 10.6.43Flying Officer (W) - 10.12.43Acting Flight Lieutenant - 29.9.44

Sarah Felstead ● 5758d

14/10/43 seems to refer to a posting to Air Head Quarters West Africa; Group Operations Room;15/10/43 posted on to Jui (West Africa) base station Operations Room; (Note: there was also the aptly named Half Die Station (percentage that didn't survive!) so no surprise about the tropical diseases!18/01/44 posted to Bathurst (West Africa) as Controller until 06/04/45 when sent to his next posting.He seems to have been RAF ground crew (Ops Room and Controller) which explains the absence of any Squadron reference, which there would be if he was aircrew.I've enquired on a couple of aviation websites but no responses so far as to any Catalina loss claimed to be sabotage. I haven't found a group of RAF/SAAF etc casualties that fit the loss of a Catalina crew in the area either.The cup obviously exists recording an event that so far hasn't been traced. I'll let you know if anything comes to light about the loss.If his Service Record or photos etc provide any further info, please let me know!!

Kevin Regan ● 5758d

Thanks for looking this up Kevin.  There do not appear to be any references to Squadrons on the scant records but there are references to groups.  I scanned his record sheet which he obtained from writing to the RAF a number of years ago.  Illnesses for 1944 show Dysentery with date of commencement 24.12.43 and date of board 8.1.44.Pharyngitis 11.10.44 and date of board 18.10.44.There are a number of letters which cannot be read by an inexperienced eye.14.10.1943 unit A.H.Q  W.A.  p)GR ops Room15.10.1943 Sta Jui  W.A.  p)GR ops room18.1.1944  Sta Bathurst  p)Controller6.4.1945 next posting

Sarah Felstead ● 5758d

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Sarah Felstead ● 5760d

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Nouadhibou&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=11.905102,28.256836&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Nouadhibou,+Dakhlet+Nouadhibou,+Mauritania&z=10

Sarah Felstead ● 5760d

P/M sent Kevin, thanks!

Sarah Felstead ● 5760d

Port Etienne is now Nouadhibou, the capital of Mauretania.2 Squadrons operated the Consolidated Catalina flying boats in West Africa, Nos 270 and 490 (RNZAF).As yet I can find no casualties buried in Mauretania. However, there are a number only commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.With only 1944 to go on, it doesn't narrow the search by much, I'm afraid.As you know the identity, can you at least confirm what Squadron was involved, and then it may be possible to locate the casualty you seek. It seems more likely to be 270 Squadron on the info provided thus far, but it needs your help to take this further.If you want to contact me privately, then click on my name and send me your message.Hope that helps!

Kevin Regan ● 5760d

This tankard was made from the remains of a Catalina flying boat which was sabotaged at Port Etienne in 1944.The hand written note with the tankard says the following."In 1944, following the North African landings the allies swept the Vichy’ites and the Germans out of West Africa.An RAF coastal command base was set up at Port Etienne to launch attacks on the U boats and to escort troopships and convoys.  The operations at this base were a joint British/free French affair.Sorties by Sunderland and Catalina flying boats were carried out.  The navigator of a Catalina fell sick and a young operations controller volunteered to take his place.  The plane was no sooner airborne than it exploded – killing all on board.  Fragments of the plane were salvaged and made into mementoes of which this tankard is one.  Sabotaged by the so-called free French."  I keep reading about how the images of War are ingrained in our collective memories but the images are so different for everyone.  This topic concerning the tankard was never spoken about.  Have you noticed how no names were included in the information?  The person writing this was probably overcome by guilt and shock as they were the navigator who fell sick, survived the War and went on to live a very full and happy life, well into their 80's.I know the name of the survivor and one day we hope to find the name of the young operations controller.

Sarah Felstead ● 5761d