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78 Squadron
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World War 2 Two II WW2 WWII
78 Squadron
78 Squadron was first formed at Newhaven on the 1st of November 1916 as a Home Defence unit, tasked with intercepting enemy Zeppelins attacking the south coast. No. 78 Squadron reformed in November 1936 at Boscombe Down when 'B' Flight of No 10 Squadron was re-numbered. At the outbreak of the Second World War, 78 Squadron was tasked with the training of newly formed crews before their to posting to operational squadrons. The Squadron began operational night bombing in July of 1940 with their Whitleys until re-equipping with Halifaxes in 1942. In May 1945 it was transferred to Transport Command and, after converting to Dakotas, moved to Egypt. No 78 Squadron was disbanded at Fayid, Egypt at the end of September 1954. Later the squadron was reformed.
Airfields 78 Squadron flew from.
- Ternhill. 1st to 15th Sep 1939
- Dishforth. 15th Sep to 15 Oct 1939 & 15th Jul 1940 to 7th Apr 1941
- Linton-on-Ouse. 15th Oct 1939 to 15th Jul 1940 & 16th Sep 1942 to 16th Jun 1943
- Middleton St. George. 7th Apr to 20th Oct 1941 & 10th Jun to 16th Sep 1942
- Croft. 20th Oct 1941 to 10 Jun 1942
- Breighton. 16th Jun 1943 to May 1945.
List of those who served with 78 Squadron during The Second World War
- Pilot Officer Edward Barnes Read his Story.
- Pilot Officer Edward J Barnes Read his Story.
- Pilot Officer Edward J Barnes Read his Story.
- Pilot Officer Edward Barnes Read his Story.
- Flt Lt James Reith Campbell observer (d.2nd Nov 1941) Read his Story.
- Sgt. Rennie Frank Duggan 2nd pilot (d.2nd Nov 1941) Read his Story.
- W/O H. E. Gell
- Eric Gosling flight eng.
- Geoff Hall
- Sgt. Wilfred Joseph "Did" Loyer
- F/O Hugh Williamson Martin DFM. Read his Story.
- Sqn. Ldr. James Mercer pilot (d.2nd Nov 1941) Read his Story.
- Sqd.Ldr. Percy William S "Paul" Pope DFC. Air Gunner Read his Story.
- Sgt James Strang (d.2nd Jun 1942) Read his Story.
- Sgt. Thomas Peter Woodhouse w/op (d.2nd Nov 1941) Read his Story.
- Sgt. Thomas Peter Woodhouse w/op (d.2nd Nov 1941) Read his Story.
- Flt. Sgt. Victor George Wright air gunner. (d.2nd Nov 1941) Read his Story.
Sqn. Ldr. James Mercer pilot 78 Sqd. (d.2nd Nov 1941)
I need some information of a crew stationed at Croft till the night of the 2nd November 1941 at 0106 hours as the Whitley V got lost after a run on Kiel. After writing to the MoD I found out the Names of the Crew which are as follows:
- Sqn/Ldr J. Mercer – Pilot (my uncle)
- Sgt R. F. Duggan – 2nd Pilot
- Flt/Lt J. R. Campbell – Observer
- Sgt. T. P. Woodhouse – Wireless operator
- F/Sgt V. G. Wright – Air gunner
The R.A.F. No. for the aircraft of the Whitley Mk. V was Z9132. I now want to build a plastic model with the same markings as the one from my uncle. So it really would be nice if you could help me in my research for maybe the Identification letters on the Aircraft and nearer information on the other four chaps that got killed, for example Photographs or maybe the an E-Mail address from the relatives. The first two where EY anyway for the 78 Sqn. But the third letter is missing. It really would be great if anyone could help me with that. Thank you. It really would help me.
Sgt. Rennie Frank Duggan 2nd pilot 78 Sqd. (d.2nd Nov 1941)
Sgt Duggan flew with my Uncle, James Mercer, I would love to hear from anyone who knew him.
Flt Lt James Reith Campbell observer 78 Sqd. (d.2nd Nov 1941)
Flt Lt Campbell flew with my Uncle, James Mercer, I would love to hear from anyone who knew him.
Sgt. Thomas Peter Woodhouse w/op 78 Sqd. (d.2nd Nov 1941)
Flt Lt Campbell flew with my Uncle, James Mercer, I would love to hear from anyone who knew him.
Sgt. Thomas Peter Woodhouse w/op 78 Sqd. (d.2nd Nov 1941)
Sgt Woodhouse flew with my Uncle, James Mercer, I would love to hear from anyone who knew him.
Flt. Sgt. Victor George Wright air gunner. 78 Sqd. (d.2nd Nov 1941)
Flt Sgt Wright flew with my Uncle, James Mercer, I would love to hear from anyone who knew him.
Pilot Officer Edward Barnes 78 Squadron
I am the son of P/O Richard Barnes who, with his identical twin P/O Eddie Barnes, were prisoners in Stalag Luft III.
The story of the Barnes brothers meeting each other for the first time in Stalag Luft III is described in Paul Brickhill's book "Escape to Danger" on page 111. Dick was shot down as a navigator in a 50 Squadron Manchester on 30th May 1942, the airplane crash happening in occupied Belgian. The event resulted in the pilot F/O Leslie Manser receiving a posthumous VC for holding the aircraft until the crew could bail out. Dick was captured by the Germans. Almost a year later on 5th May 1943, Dick's brother Eddie, a rear gunner of a 78 Squadron Halifax, was shot down and captured. He also arrived at Sagan and the story of the confusion and humour when Eddie arrived at the camp and was mistaken for Dick and is described in Paul Brickhill's book.
Towards the end of the war the two brothers joined the other POWs in the long march westwards during the winter of 1944/1945 to meet up eventually with Allied forces.
Pilot Officer Edward J Barnes 78 Squadron
I am the son of P/O Richard Barnes who, with his identical twin P/O Eddie Barnes, were prisoners in Stalag Luft III.
The story of the Barnes brothers meeting each other for the first time in Stalag Luft III is described in Paul Brickhill's book "Escape to Danger" on page 111. Dick was shot down as a navigator in a 50 Squadron Manchester on 31st May 1942, the airplane crash happening in occupied Belgian. The event resulted in the pilot F/O Leslie Manser receiving a posthumous VC for holding the aircraft until the crew could bail out. Dick was captured by the Germans. Almost a year later on 5th May 1943, Dick's brother Eddie, a rear gunner of a 78 Squadron Halifax, was shot down and captured. He also arrived at Sagan and the story of the confusion and humour when Eddie arrived at the camp and was mistaken for Dick and is described in Paul Brickhill's book.
Towards the end of the war the two brothers joined the other POWs in the long march westwards during the winter of 1944/1945 to meet up eventually with Allied forces.
Pilot Officer Edward J Barnes 78 Squadron
I am the son of P/O Richard Barnes who, with his identical twin P/O Eddie Barnes, were prisoners in Stalag Luft III.
The story of the Barnes brothers meeting each other for the first time in Stalag Luft III is described in Paul Brickhill's book "Escape to Danger" on page 111. Dick was shot down as a navigator in a 50 Squadron Manchester on 31st May 1942, the airplane crash happening in occupied Belgian. The event resulted in the pilot F/O Leslie Manser receiving a posthumous VC for holding the aircraft until the crew could bail out. Dick was captured by the Germans. Almost a year later on 5th May 1943, Dick's brother Eddie, a rear gunner of a 78 Squadron Halifax, was shot down and captured. He also arrived at Sagan and the story of the confusion and humour when Eddie arrived at the camp and was mistaken for Dick and is described in Paul Brickhill's book.
Towards the end of the war the two brothers joined the other POWs in the long march westwards during the winter of 1944/1945 to meet up eventually with Allied forces.
Pilot Officer Edward Barnes 78 Squadron
I am the son of P/O Richard Barnes who, with his identical twin P/O Eddie Barnes, were prisoners in Stalag Luft III.
The story of the Barnes brothers meeting each other for the first time in Stalag Luft III is described in Paul Brickhill's book "Escape to Danger" on page 111. Dick was shot down as a navigator in a 50 Squadron Manchester on 30th May 1942, the airplane crash happening in occupied Belgian. The event resulted in the pilot F/O Leslie Manser receiving a posthumous VC for holding the aircraft until the crew could bail out. Dick was captured by the Germans. Almost a year later on 5th May 1943, Dick's brother Eddie, a rear gunner of a 78 Squadron Halifax, was shot down and captured. He also arrived at Sagan and the story of the confusion and humour when Eddie arrived at the camp and was mistaken for Dick and is described in Paul Brickhill's book.
Towards the end of the war the two brothers joined the other POWs in the long march westwards during the winter of 1944/1945 to meet up eventually with Allied forces.
Sqd.Ldr. Percy William S "Paul" Pope DFC. Air Gunner 13.28.51.78.234.578.Squs
Paul Pope enlisted in 1931 to be an engineer but became air gunner in India Wariston Campaign. He joined 51Sq in 1937. on 23rd Jan 1940 he transferred to 234Sq as an air gunner and flew during the Battle of Britain including 35 hours of fighter sorties over Dunkirk in 3 days. By April 41 he had completed 81 sorties and moved to 39MU Nightfighter Development unit at Colerne. He was involved in an interesting event publicised during Bath bombing when he took off in spare Defiant to defend city.
In June 1942 he joined 78Sq and November 1943 he returned to 51Sq. Completing 507 hours of combat flying. On the 14th of January 1944 he transferred to 578Sq.
After the war in October 1946 he joined the Diplomatic Corp in Denmark and became King Gustarv's buddy having to stay with him all times. Particularly during the King's pub crawling on his bicycle. They had a drinking bet and Paul won himself the Order of the White Elephant. He was Adjutant of 84Group HQ during the Berlin Airlift and was involved with rebuilding airfields. He retired 15.3.1954 and became a significant member of the Airgunners Association London Branch. He died in September 1981.
F/O Hugh Williamson Martin DFM. 78 Squadron
My father has told me numerous stories about my great uncle Hugh Williamson Martin who was in No.78 Squadron. To our delight we have been able to find out a bit about his RAF record. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal aged 21 whilst serving with No. 78 Squadron. He was promoted to Flight Sgt on the 1st of May 1942 and his appointment to commission as Flying Officer was on the 16th of May 1946 when he was age 26.
We would love to hear from anyone who knew or served with Hugh.
Sgt James Strang 78 Squadron (d.2nd Jun 1942)
My father, James Strang was stationed at Croft with 78 Sqn, he survived the first thousand bomber raid but stood in for his mate who was getting married and was shot down on the second thousand bomber raid on the 2nd Jun 1942. I understood that he was on a Stirling. His pilot bailed out and was a prisoner of war. He sent my mother a letter telling what happened and I still have it.
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