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- No. 78 Squadron Royal Air Force during the Second World War -


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World War 2 Two II WW2 WWII 1939 1945

No. 78 Squadron Royal Air Force



   No.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. It was disbanded at the end of 1919.

No. 78 Squadron reformed in November 1936 at Boscombe Down when 'B' Flight of No 10 Squadron was raised to full squadron status. In 1939 it was affiliated with the town of Preston and was popularly known as "Preston's Own". By the outbreak of the Second World War, the Squadron was based at RAF Dishforth in Yorkshire as part of No. 4 Group of RAF Bomber Command. It was equipped with Armstrong Whitworth Whitley night bombers.

Airfields 78 Squadron flew from:

  • Dishforth* to 15 Oct 1939
  • Linton-on-Ouse 15th Oct 1939 to 15th Jul 1940
  • Dishforth 15th Jul 1940 to 7th Apr 1941
  • Middleton St. George 7th Apr to 20th Oct 1941
  • Croft 20th Oct 1941 to 10 Jun 1942
  • Middleton St. George 10th Jun to 16th Sep 1942
  • Linton-on-Ouse 16th Sep 1942 to 16th Jun 1943
  • Breighton 16th Jun 1943 to 6th August 1945
  • Broadwell 6th August 1945 to September 1945 then to Egypt.
* Some sources state that the Squadron was at RAF Ternhill in Shropshire until the 15th September 1939, but Ternhill's records suggest it left there in mid-August.



Annual Service of Remembrance 2023.

The Middleton St George Memorial Association Annual Service of Remembrance will take place at the Memorial Garden, Teesside International Airport at 10.45am on the 10th of June 2023 Please arrive in good time, if you would like to lay a wreath or other tribute please let a member of our committee know before the service begins.


Remembrance Service 2023.

The Middleton St George Memorial Association Remembrance Day Service will take place at the Memorial Garden, Teesside International Airport at 10.45am on the 11th of November 2023 Please arrive in good time, if you would like to lay a wreath or other tribute please let a member of our committee know before the service begins.

The memorial garden is the resting place of the ashes of many who served at Middleton St George. If family members of those who served would like to have ashes placed in the garden, please get in touch so arrangements can be made. We are currently compiling a memorial book, if you know of anyone whose ashes have been placed in the garden, please could you let us know as we would like to include as many names as possible.

The Memorial Garden is open to visitors, please park in the visitors car park. Access to the garden is via the pedestrian gate on the north side of the long stay car park, follow the striped path from the terminal building to the gate. Please be aware there is no access to the old St George Hotel building or car park, as it is currently in use as a business facility.



 

7th Oct 1939 Posting

15th October 1939 Training role

10th Mar 1940 Aircraft Overshoots

24th Mar 1944 Aircraft Lost

15th July 1940 Operational

19th July 1940 First ops

14th Dec 1940 Aircraft Lost

29th Dec 1940 78 Squadron Whitley lost

10th February 1941 Operation Colossus

7th April 1941 Relocated

3rd May 1941 Aircraft Lost

8th May 1941 Aircraft Lost

16th May 1941 Aircraft Lost

29th May 1941  Failed to return

8th Jun 1941 Aircraft Lost

16th Jun 1941 Aircraft Lost

18th Jun 1941 Aircraft Lost

18th Jun 1941 Aircraft Lost

30th June 1941 Crashed

2nd Jul 1941 Aircraft Lost

8th Jul 1941 Aircraft Lost

29th Jul 1941 Aircraft Lost

6th Aug 1941 Aircraft Lost

8th Aug 1941 Aircraft Lost

16th Aug 1941 Aircraft Lost

16th August 1941 Crash landing

24th Aug 1941 Aircraft Lost

27th Aug 1941 Aircraft Lost

6th Sep 1941 Aircraft Lost

29th Sep 1941 Aircraft Lost

10th Oct 1941 Aircraft Lost

14th Oct 1941 Aircraft Lost

16th Oct 1941 Aircraft Lost

20th October 1941 Relocated

1st Nov 1941 Aircraft Lost

7th November 1941 Aircraft Lost

8th Nov 1941 78 Squadron Whitley lost

17th Dec 1941 Aircraft Lost

18th Dec 1941 Aircraft Lost

27th Dec 1941 Aircraft Lost

2nd Jan 1942 Aircraft Lost

March 1942 New aircraft

29th April 1942 Halifax mission

30th May 1942 1000 Bomber Raid

30th May 1942 1000 bomber raid

2nd June 1942 1000 bomber raid

5th Jun 1942 Halifax Lost

10th June 1942 Relocated

7th Aug 1942 44 Squadron Lancaster lost

16th Sep 1942 Moved again

2nd Oct 1942 78 Squadron Halifax lost

12th December 1942 Parachute escape

5th Mar 1943 Aircraft Lost

7th March 1943 Investigation Flights from Cornwall and Scotland

4th April 1943 Halifax lost

15th April 1943 Damaged in mid-air collision

17th Apr 1943 78 Squadron Halifax lost

5th May 1943 78 Squadron Halifax lost

24th May 1943 78 Squadron Halifax lost

12th June 1943  Halifax lost

16th June 1943 On the move

22nd Jun 1943 Aircraft Lost

15th Jul 1943 Aircraft Lost

11th Aug 1943 Aircraft Lost

28th August 1943 Halifax lost

31st Aug 1943 78 Squadron Halifax lost

31st Aug 1943 Aircraft Lost

24th Sep 1943 78 Squadron Halifax lost

27th Sep 1943 Aircraft Lost

28th September 1943 Aircraft lost

30th September 1943 Lost at sea

23rd October 1943  Aircraft lost

25th March 1944 Six 78 Squadron aircraft lost

25th March 1944 Night of the Strong Winds

30th Mar 1944 Aircraft Lost

24th May 1944 Lost in a bog

25th May 1944 Aircraft Lost

22nd Mar 1945 Aircraft Lost

May 1945 Transport Command

6th August 1945 To the East


If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.



Logbooks



Do you have a WW2 Flying Log Book in your possession?

If so it would be a huge help if you could add logbook entries to our new database. Thank you.

View Logbook entries



Those known to have served with

No. 78 Squadron Royal Air Force

during the Second World War 1939-1945.

  • Allberry. Charles Robert Cecil Austin . F/O (d.3rd/4th Apr 1943)
  • Angus. Jack Norman . Sgt.
  • Barham Stanley George Rayner. Sgt (d.13th Jun 1944)
  • Barnes Edward. Pilot Officer
  • Barnes Edward J. Pilot Officer
  • Barnes Edward. Pilot Officer
  • Barton VC. Cyril Joe. (d.31st March 1944)
  • Baxter. David . Sgt (d.13th May 1943 )
  • Baxter. Malcolm . Sgt
  • Binns Samual Dennis. LAC
  • Bovaconti Michael Joseph. Flt.Sgt. (d.31st Aug 1943)
  • Bragg. Richard Edward . P/O (d.13th May 1943 )
  • Bush Robert Ernest. LAC
  • Campbell James Reith. Flt Lt (d.2nd Nov 1941)
  • Carrington Edgell Ralph. P/O.
  • Clark Charles F . Sgt (d.6th Nov 1942)
  • Collins Arthur.
  • Cox Ronald Edwin. Flt.Lt. (d.4th April 1945)
  • Crowe Mostyn Maurice. Flt.Sgt. (d.20th June 1942)
  • Curnick Denis. Sgt. (d.28th January 1942)
  • Daniel Thomas William Reynolds. Sgt. (d.12th June 1943)
  • Dennis Raymond Claud Walter.
  • Downs DFC. Bernard Sydney. F/Lt.
  • Duggan Rennie Frank. Sgt. (d.2nd Nov 1941)
  • Dunlop. Robert Obsourne Mitchell . Sgt (d.3rd/4th Apr 1943 )
  • Dyment Leslie Roy. Flt.Sgt. (d.27th April 1944)
  • Edgehill C M . Sgt
  • Evans William Herbert. Sgt. (d.31st Aug 1943)
  • Farrell John Miller. WO2 (d.14th May 1943)
  • Farrell. John Miller . W/O (d.13th May 1943 )
  • Gamble Alec William Henderson.
  • Garlish Reginald James. Flt.Sgt. (d.17th May 1941)
  • Garrould John Aubrey Trevor. PO. (d.16th May 1941)
  • Garrould John Aubrey Trevor. P/O (d.17th May 1941)
  • Gell H E . W/O
  • Gell H. E.. W/O
  • Gillon AFC. Jeffrey Clifford. F/O.
  • Goodson DFM. John Charles. Flt.Sgt.
  • Gosling Eric.
  • Greenacre A.
  • Grey Robert . Sgt
  • Grey. Robert . F/Lt (d.13th May 1943 )
  • Grunsell Ernest Alfred Francis. Sgt. (d.27th March 1941)
  • Hales Walter Richard. Sgt. (d.21st December 1944)
  • Hall Geoff.
  • Harvey William. W/O. (d.11th June 1944)
  • Hawkes. Denis .
  • Hetherington William Moffatt Tattersall. Flt.Sgt (d.30th July 1943)
  • Hoad MID Peter John. Sub Lt. (d.27th Mar 1941)
  • Humphries Harry L . F/O (d.6th Nov 1942)
  • Jelfs Arthur Stanley. Sgt. (d.14th July 1943)
  • Jobling. Robert .
  • Jordan. Wilbur Haldayne . Sgt
  • Kerrick. Reginald John . Sgt (d.3rd/4th Apr 1943 )
  • Kew. Allan Alfred . F/Sgt (d.13th May 1943 )
  • Keymer Robert Sydney Langston. Sgt. (d.17th May 1941)
  • Leyshon Alfred David. Sgt.
  • Love Edwin Albert. F/O. (d.4th November 1944 )
  • Loyer Wilfred Joseph. Sgt.
  • Lyons Joseph Edward Richard. Sgt. (d.2nd Jun 1942)
  • Mackenzie DFC. Thomas Watson. F/Lt.
  • Markille W.. Sgt.
  • Markillie Ken.
  • Martin DFM. Hugh Williamson. F/O
  • Masterton L G . Sgt
  • Matches. Rodger David . Sgt (d.13th May 1943 )
  • McCormick. John . Sgt (d.3rd/4th Apr 1943 )
  • McDonald. Alexander . Sgt
  • Mercer James. Sqn. Ldr. (d.2nd Nov 1941)
  • Mills Alan Kingsley. Sgt. (d.27th March 1941)
  • Mills J G . Sgt
  • Minshaw Lawton Cyril. Sgt.
  • Moreton Michael Patrick. F/O. (d.19th Jul 1944)
  • Morrison G. E.. Sgt.
  • Mortenson E G. F/Lt
  • Mott MBE. Arnold John. Sqd.Ldr.
  • Nickels Edward George. Sgt. (d.30th July 1943)
  • Oakes Edward. Sgt. (d.17th May 1941)
  • Ogden Aubrey Weston. F/O.
  • Oliver DFC, DFM. John Piercy. F/Lt.
  • Olsen. Gordon.
  • Payne. Cecil William . Sgt
  • Pitman D. Sgt
  • Pope DFC. Percy William S. Sqd.Ldr.
  • Pritchard Edwin . Sgt Pilot (d.13th May 1943 )
  • Reilly Albert. F/Eng. (d.6 October 1944)
  • Richardson. Thomas Herbert Ottewill . F/Lt. (d.3rd/4th Apr 1943 )
  • Sanderson Frederick Richard. P/O. (d.28th Aug 1943)
  • Seager Kenneth Frank. P/O (d.27th March 1941)
  • Shadwell. Lancelot Rodney Cayley . F/O (d.3rd/4th Apr 1943 )
  • Sherman. Tony.
  • Short Frank. WO.
  • Simpson Gerald Anthony. (d.28th Apr 1942)
  • Smith Alexander Plant. Flt.Sgt. (d.17th May 1941)
  • Steel Stanley Nelson. Sgt. (d.23rd April 1944)
  • Steven Andrew John Kerr. Sgt. (d.24th August 1943)
  • Stevens John. W/O.
  • Stevens John. W/O
  • Strang James. Sgt (d.2nd Jun 1942)
  • Taylor DFC. Larry . F/Lt
  • Thompson John Swinnerton. P/O. (d.14th Feb 1945)
  • Thompson Walter Gracey. Sgt. (d.2nd June 1942)
  • Tomlinson Frederick. Sgt. (d.13th June 1944)
  • Turner George T . F/L (d.6th Nov 1942 )
  • Turpin Thomas Edward. (d.1st October 1942)
  • Wayte Clarence. Sgt. (Rear Gunner)
  • Webb Ernest Thomas. Sgt. (d.31st May 1942)
  • Webb. Thomas Henry . Sgt. (d.3rd/4th Apr 1943 )
  • Wenmoth Percival. Sgt. (d.1943)
  • Westall. Edward George . Sgt
  • White G W A. Sgt.
  • Willoughby D.
  • Wilson Cyril George. Sgt. (d.15th June 1944)
  • Wilson. Douglas Anderson .
  • Woodbine William. Sgt. (d.3rd June 1944)
  • Woodhouse Thomas Peter. Sgt. (d.2nd Nov 1941)
  • Woodhouse Thomas Peter. Sgt. (d.2nd Nov 1941)
  • Wright Eric . Sgt
  • Wright Victor George. Flt. Sgt. (d.2nd Nov 1941)
  • Yarrow Norman. Cpl.
  • Young. Alexander McDonald . Sgt

The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List

Records of No. 78 Squadron Royal Air Force from other sources.



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Want to know more about No. 78 Squadron Royal Air Force?


There are:2084 items tagged No. 78 Squadron Royal Air Force available in our Library

  These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War.


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.

Julian Barnes



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.

Julian Barnes



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.

Julian Barnes



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.

Christopher Mercer



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.

Christopher Mercer



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.

Christopher Mercer



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.

Christopher Mercer



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.

Christopher Mercer



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.

Christopher Mercer



Sgt. G W A White 576 Squadron

Sergent G. White served with the Royal Air Force initially with 78 Squadron flying in Halifax aircraft on Raids to Kiel, Berlin and Stuttgart to name a few. He was then moved over to 576 Squadron where he made various operations including Bremen to bomb an oil plant, Hamburg to bomb submarine yards, and took part in raids where the Admiral Scheer was sunk on a raid to Kiel on the 9th of April 1945 and later that month with an operation to Berchtesgaden where Hitler used to go to as a sort of holiday home on the 25th of April 1945. White flew to the end of the war supply dropping in Rotterdam for 'Operation Manna' on VE day and continued transporting P.O.Ws througout the month.

After the war White continued to fly with the Air Force 50 Squadron taking part in Post Mortom 1, 2 and 3 which was all about testing German radar equipment.

Bobbie Grew







Recomended Reading.

Available at discounted prices.



Goosepool.

Stan Howes


The History of RAF and RCAF Middleton St George and Teesside Airport
More information on:

Goosepool.




Into the Night Sky: RAF Middleton St George: A Bomber Airfield at War

Paul Tweddle











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