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World War 2 Two II WW2 WWII 1939 1945

2nd Tactical Air Force (2TAF)



 

3rd March 1943 Exercise Spartan

7th January 1944 Mid-air collision over France

19th March 1944 2nd Tactical Air Force

30th March 1944 Aircraft Shot

17th April 1944 Aircraft Shot down

18th April 1944 Invasion preparations

29th April 1944 Two Spitfires lost

12th May 1944 Reorganisation

21st May 1944 Two Spitfires destroyed

24th May 1944 Typhoon Lost

30th May 1944 US pilot Missing in Action

2nd/3rd June 1944 Wrong target hit at Barfleur

4th June 1944 Dive bombing sortie

5th June 1944 D-Day briefing

5th June 1944 Radar station attacked

5th June 1944 Briefing

6th June 1944 D-Day landings

6th June 1944 Smokescreen

6th June 1944 Steak and onions

6th June 1944 Invasion

7th June 1944 Long and uneventful day

7th June 1944 Three Typhoons shot down over Normandy

8th June 1944 Bad weather

8th June 1944 Photo recomnnaissance aircraft shot down

8th June 1944 No enemy activity seen

9th June 1944 Weather stopped flying

9th June 1944 Flak Damage

10th June 1944 Enemy not seen

10th June 1944 Attack on the HQ of Panzergruppe West

11th June 1944 Landing strip on 'Omaha' Beach

12th June 1944 Collision on the ground

13th June 1944 Patrol

13th June 1944 Three sorties

14th June 1944 Caen in flames

14th June 1944 Landing strip in Normandy used

15th June 1944 Continuing bad weather

16th June 1944 Dawn patrol

16th June 1944 Dust

17th June 1944 Move airbase

18th June 1944 Move

18th June 1944 Pilot shot down and killed

18th June 1944 Oil dump bombed

19th June 1944 Abortive sorties due to weather

20th June 1944 No incidents

20th June 1944 Move

23rd June 1944 Photo recce aircraft shot down

23rd June 1944 Stuck in France

24th June 1944 Move to France anticipated

24th June 1944 German Oil store destroyed

24th June 1944 Return to England

25th June 1944 Move to France

25th June 1944 Move to France

25th June 1944 Typhoons grounded due to dust

26th June 1944 First day in France

27th June 1944 Too few eggs

27th June 1944 Squadron moved to France without aircraft

28th June 1944 MT attacked

29th June 1944 Armed recce

29th July 1944 125 Wing forms dance band

30th June 1944 Digging dugouts and doing the washing

1st July 1944 Fw190s attacked

2nd July 1944 Dog fight

3rd July 1944 Armed recce

4th July 1944 Promotion celebrated

5th July 1944 Two enemy aircraft shot down

6th July 1944 Three successful armed recces

6th July 1944 Back on ops in France

7th July 1944 Celebration

8th July 1944 English beer delivered

9th July 1944 New C/O

9th July 1944 Crash

10th July 1944 More rain - and bread

10th July 1944 Replacement aircraft obtained

11th July 1944 Bombing sortie

12th July 1944 Two Spitfires damaged in dog-fight

13th July 1944 Patrols

14th July 1944 Spitfire pilot killed

14th July 1944 Wing disbanded

15th July 1944 Weather recce

15th July 1944 Settling in

16th July 1944 Straffing transport is effective

17th July 1944 Motor Transport bombed

17th July 1944 Move to Normandy

18th July 1944 Beach patrols

18th July 1944 Typhoon pilot taken PoW

18th July 1944 Cab-rank operations

19th July 1944 No flying

21st July 1944 Stuck in the mud

22nd July 1944 Near miss

23rd July 1944 Churchil glimpsed on airbase

24th July 1944 Farm bombed in error

25th July 1944 Flying again

26th July 1944 Bombing sorties

27th July 1944 Bombing sortie

28th July 1944 Routine patrols

30th July 1944 Escort to heavy bombers

30th July 1944 Pilot killed

30th July 1944 V.C.P. Patrols

31st July 1944 Pilots injured

1st August 1944 Army rescue squad killed by a mine

2nd August 1944 Killed in mid-air collision

2nd August 1944 Replacement aircraft arrive in France

3rd August 1944 Midget submarines sunk

3rd August 1944 Visit by Lord Trenchard

4th August 1944 Very quiet

5th August 1944 Dakota crashed and burnt in thick mist

5th August 1944 New Commanding Officer

6th August 1944 New bar anti-room takes shape

7th August 1944 Camp Bar completed

7th August 1944 Typhoon shot down

8th August 1944 Spitfire pilot killed

8th August 1944 Canadian braodcasting unit at airstrip

9th August 1944 News of a move

10th August 1944 Refugees seen on the road

11th August 1944 Attack on Dieppe road

12th August 1944 Barges on the Seine attacked

13th August 1944 New base and three armed recces carried out.

13th August 1944 Air attacks on Falaise

14th August 1944 Uneventful day

14th August 1944 Two Typhoons shot down

15th August 1944 Two Spitfires shot down over Falaise

15th August 1944 Foul weather prevents air support

16th August 1944 Armed recce

17th August 1944 High morale

17th August 1944 Dog Fight over Normandy

18th August 1944 1,000 M/T attacked

18th August 1944 Attack on German armoured column

18th August 1944 Two Canadian pilots killed

19th August 1944 Quiet day

20th August 1944 Recce over Paris

21st August 1944 Wash-out

22nd August 1944 Poor weather

23rd August 1944 Patrols

24th August 1944 Weather restricts operations

25th August 1944 Steamer bombed on the Seine

26th August 1944 Move proposed

27th August 1944 Armed recce

27th August 1944 Typhoon missing

28th August 1944 Routine

28th August 1944 Squadron Moves

29th August 1944 Move postponed

30th August 1944 Waiting for orders

31st August 1944 Still no orders

1st September 1944 Cards and beer

2nd September 1944 On the move at last

2nd September 1944 Moved again

3rd September 1944 Travelled all night

4th September 1944 Arrival

4th September 1944 Yet another move

5th September 1944 Patrols

5th Sep 1944 On the Move

6th September 1944 Move

7th Sep 1944 On the Move

8th September 1944 M.O. gone missing

8th September 1944 R.P. rails removed

10th September 1944 Armed recce over Flushing

10th September 1944 Attacks on shipping

10th Sep 1944 On the Move

11th September 1944 Enemy not seen

11th September 1944 Rapid moves to the east

11th Sep 1944 On the Move

12th September 1944 Little action

12th Sep 1944 On the Move

13th September 1944 German cars salvaged

13th Sep 1944 On the Move

14th September 1944 Repairing motor vehicles

16th September 1944 On the move again

17th September 1944 Operation Market Garden

17th September 1944 Arrival in Antwerp

17th September 1944 Move into Belgium

18th September 1944 Good accommodation

19th September 1944 No flying

20th September 1944 Billets offered but refused

21st September 1944 No enemy aircraft

22nd September 1944 Patrols

23rd September 1944 Shell attack

23rd September 1944 Airfield bombarded

24th September 1944 Patrols

24th September 1944 Support for troops in Arnhem

25th September 1944 Two Spitfire pilots killed

25th September 1944 Enemy fighters over Arnhem

26th September 1944 Patrols over Nijmegen

26th September 1944 Shot down into the Maas River

26th September 1944 Typhoon Missing in Action

27th September 1944 Two Spitfires shot down

27th September 1944 Shot down over Germany

28th September 1944 Airfield shelled

29th September 1944 Respite

29th September 1944 Move back to England planned

30th September 1944 Move into Holland

2nd October 1944 Battle of The Scheldt

5th October 1944 Trains and aerodromes attacked

6th October 1944  Crashed avoiding barracks

7th October 1944 New Commanding Officer

October 1944 New aircraft for offensive role

17th October 1944 Move to France

19th October 1944 Canadian show

24th October 1944 Recce

30th October 1944 Prepare for France

1st Nov 1944 On the Move

2nd Nov 1944 On the Move

3rd Nov 1944 On the Move

6th Nov 1944 Training

10th November 1944 New C.O. arrives

19th November 1944 Move to France

21st November 1944 Respite

28th November 1944  Typhoon shot down over the Ruhr

1st December 1944 Typhoons Moving back to England delayed

2nd December 1944 Typhoons diverted to Tangmere

3rd December 1944 Three pilots killed on transit flights

15th Dec 1944 New Aircraft

18th December 1944 Typhoons return to Holland

18th Dec 1944 Working Party

23rd December 1944 Abortive sortie

24th December 1944 Grandstand view of heavy bomber raid

25th December 1944 Aircraft written off

25th December 1944 Trains destroyed

27th December 1944 Two SAAF pilots lost

1st January 1945 Operation Bodenplatte

1st January 1945 Operation Bodenplatte

1st January 1945 Airfield attacked

1st January 1945 Railways attacked

4th April 1945 Pilot killed in attack

5th January 1945 Return to England

7th January 1945 Interesting Burma talk

8th Jan 1945 On the Move

12th Jan 1945 On the Move

14th January 1945 Experiment carrying double banked rockets

15th January 1945 Mid air collision observed

17th April 1945 Luftwaffe accomodation

22nd January 1945 High serviceability

27th Jan 1945 Course

2nd February 1945 Aircraft Lost

4th February 1945 Back to Holland

6th February 1945 Move into France

6th February 1945 C.O. killed

7th February 1945  Three aircraft lost in a storm

13th February 1945 Pilot taken PoW

21st February 1945 One Typhoon pilot killed and one missing

21st Feb 1945 On the Move

22nd Feb 1945 Operation Clarion

22nd Feb 1945 On the Move

24th February 1945 Pilot taken PoW

24th February 1945 Pilot killed on first op

25th Feb 1945 On the Move

27th February 1945 Killed on armed recce operation

2nd March 1945 Armed recce attacked by Luftwaffe

3rd March 1945 Shortage of serviceable aircraft

12th Mar 1945 Bomber Command

16th Mar 1945 Reorganisation

17th Mar 1945 On the Move

19th March 1945 Killed in flying accident

21st March 1945 Move into Germany

22nd Mar 1945 Accident

24th March 1945 Operation Varsity

25th March 1945 Close air support to the army

26th March 1945 Two Typhoons of 175 Squadron lost

26th March 1945 Record day for 184 Squadron

28th March 1945 Cab rank operations

30th March 1945 Killed whilst attacking target

30th March 1945 Attacks on Munster

31st March 1945 Crashed near Wuppertal

31st March 1945 Road and rail traffic attacked

31st March 1945 MT attacked

31st Mar 1945 On the Move

4th April 1945 Disbanded

4th April 1945 Pilot found dead

5th April 1945 Canadian pilot killed

5th Apr 1945 On the Move

6th April 1945 Stomach troubles

6th Apr 1945 On the Move

7th Apr 1945 Ops

8th April 1945 Packing exercise

8th Apr 1945 On the Move

11th April 1945 Move at short notice

12th April 1945 On the move

12th April 1945 More pilots transfer in

13th April 1945:  Move into Germany

16th April 1945 Petrol scarce in Holland

17th April 1945 Packing up again

17th Apr 1945 On the Move

18th April 1945 Captured pilot returns

18th Apr 1945 On the Move

19th April 1945 Move to new airfield attacked

20th Apr 1945 Ops

21st Apr 1945 Move

22nd April 1945 Passenger flights

25th April 1945 Flight commander killed

30th Apr 1945 Reorganisation

2nd May 1945 Attack on Lubeck

3rd May 1945 Aircraft and shipping attacked

3rd May 1945 Record Day

6th May 1945 Return to England planned

28th May 1945 Pilot killed returning to Germany

June 1945 Respite and then return


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



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Those known to have served with

2nd Tactical Air Force (2TAF)

during the Second World War 1939-1945.

  • Amlin James Gordon.
  • Greaves Ernest Fox. LAC.
  • Luba Maryian John. LAC.
  • Thompson George William.

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 2nd Tactical Air Force (2TAF) from other sources.



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Want to know more about 2nd Tactical Air Force (2TAF)?


There are:295 items tagged 2nd Tactical Air Force (2TAF) 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.


George William Thompson 84 Sqd.

My late Father George William Thompson, Royal Air Force was on-board the ss Aslem when she was sunk. Thankfully he was rescued after several hours in the water, I will always remember my Father saying that he was full of praise for the bravery of The Reverend Pugh tendering to the injured Airman who were trapped in the sinking ship. Dad always insisted on wearing his life jacket when on-board, he was ordered by a senior officer (no name though) to take it off & pass it him, Dad refused to do this & thus saved his life when the torpedo struck. I have seen a photo of my Mother, taken in his cabin, that is now at the bottom of the Atlantic having gone down in the Anselm.

Thankfully Dad survived 1939 – 45 after serving in 84, 101, 109 & 2nd TAF from the beginning of the war, prior to that had served with the RAF in Iraq & Egypt (84 Sqd.) flying in such delights as Westland Wapitis & the Vickers Virginia transport.

I believe there is a plaque, statue & bust of the Rev Pugh commemorating his bravery & sacrifice, does anyone know where this is please? Any info would be appreciated.

Ann Jones



LAC. Maryian John "Mary" Luba 441 Squadron

Maryian Lubaserved with 2TAF, in 441 Squadron from 1942 to 1945 and was in Normandy, Holland and Belgium. He served as an Armourer, his first operational airfield on the European continent, was Benny sur Mere. He spent his 21st birthday 7th of September 1944 in newly liberated Brussels.

He joined Bomber Command and was posted to 408 Goose Squadron at Linton on Ouse in March or April, 1945. While "bombing up a Halibag", a 500 lb bomb detonated severely wounding him. Are there any details of this accident anywhere?

John Luba



LAC. Ernest Fox Greaves

My father, Ernest Greaves was a volunteer, transferred from barrage balloons when the women took over what was Air Stores Park RAF 2nd Taf and as a result of Mountbatton's orders, the 2nd Taf mobile units were formed. He was a tough old lad, not a young man, born 1907 he was about 35 in 1942. He impressed, always being enthusiastic and one of the hardest of workers and was promoted to corporal, he was a B-class driver of a 3 ton Crossley. he funniest part was Dad had been a consciencious objector, however i know from experience when push comes to shuve you will fight. He ended up in the D-Day landings at Arromanches,with the 2nd Taf ground forces. He told me some of his experiences.

The 2ndTaf mobile units went through France, the one thing about the Crossleys was they were a state of the art vehicle at that time. They had four wheel drive and bullet proof type tyres, a double set of gears and was all double clutching. Dad had been weapons trained on stens and brens and he also acted as a medical orderly and saved them all when the cook was ill, they had to be very flexible men. There is a joke about cooks, they say that a lot of mens lives were saved when they shot the cook. They did not come home once there but followed the army and took their orders from them, they never knew what they might run into. They went through Belgium, then Holland with 30 Corps, then accross the Rhine, on a pontoon bridge with no room to spare. This was were the four wheeldrive really came in and was one of my fathers most dramatic accounts. The reason is he must have missed out on the swimming course and he could not swim so had a fear in that area. Still they got over safely and ended up in Buckeburgh, while he was there he ran the bar in the Malcolm club. This reminds me about the programme on tv regarding the 101st American Airborne, one of the officers wanted some spirits, but they only had bottled beer, Dad had the same problem but they had run out of beer but had plenty of spirits. He took a truck to Hamburgh to exchange some of the spirits for bottled beer with the Americans.

He met my mother in Germany, she had been to school with Princess Dartmar of Schumbergh Iipper. My two sisters were born in Germany Dad was posted back to England but wrote to the Prime Minister of the day to get reposted back as he loved mum and would not abandon her with my sisters. He was reposted as a result. I was born when my father was back in England, he was stationed at RAF Syerston. There was heavy snow and my mother was taken by military ambulance, which got stuck in a ditch, they used the only blanket in the ambulence to put under the wheels, luckily a snow plough came along and got them out and I was eventually born in the Women's Hospital in Peel Street. His unit was on stand by to go to the middle east, so they evoked the kings year on him.

I would like to finish by saying that you don't hear much about what the Mobile units did, but they played an important role in many ways that people don't realize and the men that served deserve credit for their courage and fortitude. Fortunately for some, there are good endings.

Ernest Kenneth Greaves







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