Short Stirling & RAF Bomber Command Forum

Hi Alan, apologies for the late response. He and his crew were originally with 624 Sqdn at Blida, North Africa; when the squadron was disbanded the summer of 1944 they were transferred to 148 Sqdn at Brindisi, Italy, where they converted to Halifaxes and carried out the vast majority of their operat...

After 12 OTU my uncle (1331986 F/Sgt Don Atkins) and his crew progressed to a 3 Group HCU at RAF Stradishall in May 1944, where they converted to Stirlings. This info comes from his RAF movements record, but I would like if possible to identify the specific HCU. I believe the options are 1651 HCU at...

The best way forward is undoubtedly to apply to the RAF for your father's service records. Once you have them, you'll be able to flesh out his war service. In the absence of further hard-and-fast information, perhaps worth considering that as well as a conventional bomber role Stirlings were used as...

That is interesting, thanks - that OSS connection with 624 is fascinating, and I'll look out for the book (does it have a title yet?). Once the US-led invasion of the South of France was undertaken 624 was wound down and its personnel transferred to other SD squadrons - I wonder if the Americans con...

It's a great picture of a 148 Halifax at Brindisi, thanks. If it's from the same period as my uncle's service with the squadron, then in the background on the left might possibly be a Halifax V, LL249 FS-Z which he and his crew flew on several ops (I can't make out if it's an "E" or a &quo...

Hello, I'm new here and just wanted to introduce myself. My interest derives from the beginning of the RAF career of my late uncle Don Atkins, from Brighton. He joined 624 (Special Duties) Squadron at Blida, N. Africa in August 1944 as a 21-year-old Stirling pilot, along with his crew (and perhaps h...