The Pathfinder Year - 97 Squadron at Bourn
COMMANDING OFFICERS - 97 SQUADRON AT BOURN & CONINGSBY
Group Captain Noel H Fresson
Fresson was CO when 97 Squadron moved to Bourn from Woodhall Spa in March 1943.
He was posted to RAF Snaith on 15th December 1943
Whilst at Snaith, some dramatic photographs were taken of the Control Tower, thought to be on the night of the catastrophic Nuremburg raid of 30/31 March 1944. The men in the Control Tower are waiting for the bombers to return. Carter appears in these though his image is not very clear. He is standing on the balcony outside the office, overlooking the runway.
A better photograph, though still fuzzy, appears in 'Flight' magazine, April 10th 1947. Fresson, a survivor of the war, is on the right.
Fresson was CO when 97 Squadron moved to Bourn from Woodhall Spa in March 1943.
He was posted to RAF Snaith on 15th December 1943
Whilst at Snaith, some dramatic photographs were taken of the Control Tower, thought to be on the night of the catastrophic Nuremburg raid of 30/31 March 1944. The men in the Control Tower are waiting for the bombers to return. Carter appears in these though his image is not very clear. He is standing on the balcony outside the office, overlooking the runway.
A better photograph, though still fuzzy, appears in 'Flight' magazine, April 10th 1947. Fresson, a survivor of the war, is on the right.
S/L Dunnicliffe
Acting Commanding Officer 15th December 1943-7th January 1944.
He was CO on the night of Black Thursday.
Photograph and other details on the above link.
Acting Commanding Officer 15th December 1943-7th January 1944.
He was CO on the night of Black Thursday.
Photograph and other details on the above link.
Wing Commander E J Carter
He assumed command of the Squadron on 7th January 1944.
He was killed on D-Day, June 6th 1944.
A lovely new image has recently arrived from his nephew, James Stewart.
The much smaller, and rather fuzzy picture below, is from 'Flight' magazine, March 3rd 1938. Carter is thought to be the tall man in the centre, at the back.
With thanks to David Layne for Fresson and Carter photographs from 'Flight'.
He assumed command of the Squadron on 7th January 1944.
He was killed on D-Day, June 6th 1944.
A lovely new image has recently arrived from his nephew, James Stewart.
The much smaller, and rather fuzzy picture below, is from 'Flight' magazine, March 3rd 1938. Carter is thought to be the tall man in the centre, at the back.
With thanks to David Layne for Fresson and Carter photographs from 'Flight'.