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211364

Wing Cdr. Donald C. Smith DSO DFC.

Royal Air Force 76 Squadron

I have a flask that was presented to Wing Commander D.C. Smith of 76 Squadron from the crew; Frank Hart, Steve Palmer, Ron Kirkwood, Pete Harris, Red Thompson, Geoff Cranswick.

The flask lists the following missions:

  • 26.1.43 Lille,
  • 11.3.43 Stuttgart,
  • 12.3.43 Essen,
  • 26.3.43 Berlin,
  • 27.3.43 Berlin,
  • 3.4.43 Essen,
  • 4.4.43 Kiel,
  • 20.4.43 Stettin,
  • 12.5.43 Duisburg,
  • 13.5.43 Bochum,
  • 11.6.43 Dusseldorf,
  • 12.6.43, Bochum,
  • 12.7.43 Aachen,
  • 15.7.43 Montbeliard,
  • 13.8.43 Milan,
  • 16.9.43 Kassel,
  • 11.11.43, Cannes,
  • 18.11.43 Mannheim.
This site has a posting from his nephew seeking information about the same missions, I have attempted to contact him via E-mail but not sure if the email has reached him. Any information on both the wing commander or the men who served under him will help me put some life to the flask Additionally if anyone can put me in touch with his nephew it would be most appreciated.

Additional Information:

The Ron Kirkwood mentioned was my father, who was a tail gunner. From the records that I have I believe that he flew on only some of the above missions and from a photograph that I have it seems that he transferred to another crew in 1944 and flew in a Halifax nicknamed B for Bambi. I understand that he eventually completed 60 missions having been promoted to Squadron Leader and awarded the DFC. Sadly he passed away in 1971.

Tim Kirkwood






On the Essen operation 12th of March 1943 W/C Don Smith overshot the runway on landing at 2304 hours and totally wrecked his aircraft (Halifax DT782) no injuries were reported. At the time he was waiting to take command of 76 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse.

Michael James austin








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