ORB
19.3.44 Movement Order is attached for the move of "C" Flight to form one flight in No 635 Squadron at Downham Market. [...]Advance Party moved off on the 18th March and the Main Party moved off with equipment by road on 20th March.
20.3.44 9 aircraft and crews also took off by air. The rear party consisting of 2 crews leave on the 21st. 14 aircraft were detailed for operations today but were cancelled soon after briefing.
21.3.44 The move of "C" Flight to No 635 Squadron has been completed today.
Many of the names which are so familiar from their operations with 97 Squadron went to Downham Market with C Flight. Amongst these were the Riches and Mansbridge crews, who had survived Black Thursday but would lose their lives flying with 635 Squadron.
Other Black Thursday crews transferring to 635 Squadron were:
Snell crew
Billing crew
Nicholls crew
Smith crew
Henson crew (Henson was the only crew member who flew on Black Thursday - as second pilot)
Though one or two crew members might be lost flying with other crews, the bulk of all these crews survived the war.
Additional crews transferring in were:
Leader crew (killed in April 1944)
Coutenay crew
Wheble crew
Voyce crew
Lyon crew
Farrant crew
635 Squadron now has its own history, written by Chris Coverdale, which was published in January of this year. Details of the book can be found at: http://www.635squadron.com/page3.htmMany of the names which are so familiar from their operations with 97 Squadron went to Downham Market with C Flight. Amongst these were the Riches and Mansbridge crews, who had survived Black Thursday but would lose their lives flying with 635 Squadron.
Other Black Thursday crews transferring to 635 Squadron were:
Snell crew
Billing crew
Nicholls crew
Smith crew
Henson crew (Henson was the only crew member who flew on Black Thursday - as second pilot)
Though one or two crew members might be lost flying with other crews, the bulk of all these crews survived the war.
Additional crews transferring in were:
Leader crew (killed in April 1944)
Coutenay crew
Wheble crew
Voyce crew
Lyon crew
Farrant crew
or email: mail@635squadron.com
For the Eastern Daily Press review of the book, check out this link:
http://www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=NOED22%20Nov%202009%2018%3A43%3A40%3A100
The Pathfinder Year - 97 Squadron at Bourn
635 Squadron
Above: 97 Squadron's C Flight, both aircrew and ground crew at the time of moving on to 635 Squadron at Downham Market.