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READER INFORMATION REQUESTS ...

If you can help with any of the questions below, or would like to contact the enquirer, please email us at the 3 Squadron website.

James Potter writes from Scotland (October 2007),

I am an ex-3 Squadron Butterworth 1971 to 74.  Now living back in Scotland.  Trying to get my hands on squadron patches, and to get in touch with anyone else that was there at the same time.  Can you help.

(We replied to James:  Although the Association doesn't have cloth patches of our own, I see they are available from the RAAF Museum shop... http://www.defence.gov.au/raaf/raafmuseum/museum/shop.htm )

 

In case any old comrades would like to get in touch, James Potter's contacts are:

Marketing for Sales

2 Back Row, Croftouterly, Leslie, Fife, KY6 3DT

T: +44 (0) 845 108 2845

F: +44 (0) 870 041 1310

M:+44 (0) 773 979 6376

E: james@marketingforsales.co.uk

W: www.marketingforsales.co.uk

 

Scott wrote (September 2007)

> Hi, I am chasing a little information.
> My wife's grandad was a Australian who flew Hawker Hurricanes in WW2  
> for RAAF. He discharged from Cranfied airport.
> I would like to know the squadrons that the Australians flew.
> His name was Stephen John Holland.
> Rank pilot Officer.
> If you would have any information at all we would appreciate it very much.
> If you don't know about it, it doesn't matter.
> Bye for now Scott.

We were able to reply:

Dear Scott,
 
P/O Holland was not involved with 3 Squadron, but you can find more details about him on
http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/script/veteran.asp?ServiceID=R&VeteranID=1051273#summary1
 
His file can be obtained from the National Archives of Australia for a small fee... (see below).  It will list all of his Squadrons.  - It is very likely he was attached to the British RAF if he was flying Hurricanes this late in the war and was discharged in the UK.
 
Best Wishes from James
3 Squadron RAAF Association Sydney.
 
Title
HOLLAND STEPHEN JOHN : Service Number - 430500 : Date of birth - 17 Jun 1924 : Place of birth - NEWBRIDGE VIC : Place of enlistment - MELBOURNE : Next of Kin - HOLLAND GERALD
Barcode
5250365
Series number
A9300
Series accession number
2002/05090488
Control symbol
HOLLAND S J
Contents date range
1939 - 1948
Extent
 
Location
Canberra
Access status
Not yet examined
Reason for restriction
 
Date of decision
1 Jan 1970

 

Bob Ulrich’s Dalmatian Dogpaddles

 A very interesting request arrived in July 2007 from Vince Bozin in the USA…

 

Greetings,

I am writing this email to you in hopes that you might be able to help me confirm the identity of an RAAF WWII Hawker Hurricane Pilot who flew combat missions over the Adriatic Sea in 1944. 

My father, who is in his 70’s, was just a young kid during WWII.  He is writing a book about growing up on the Adriatic islands and has a wonderful account of a Hurricane pilot.  I believe the pilot is RAAF (R Y Ulrich) and was flying a Hawker Hurricane IV No.6 Squadron from Italy.

 

We were pleased to be able to inform Vince (the American son of a Croatian immigrant) that the RAAF pilot was none other than “our” Bob Ulrich, who had flown with 3 Squadron over the Desert, and later won a DFC flying Hurricane IVs over the Adriatic with RAF 6 Squadron.  (Hurricane IVs were “Flying Can Openers”, heavily armoured and often lugging 40mm cannon! 
One Hurricane IV is still flying displays today in the markings of RAF 6 Squadron -"JV". 
See http://www.airshows.org.uk/2005/airshows/legends/photographs/hurricane_iv_1.jpg )

 

In return, we got to hear this amazing story…

…In 1944 my father was 11 years old living on the island of Rava in the Adriatic, when he witnessed four planes coming in low, one of them trailing thick black smoke.  He watched from the hill top as the smoking plane belly landed into the Adriatic Sea.  Within seconds a pilot emerged from the wreckage and deployed a raft.  There were three people (two men and a teenage girl) on a small fishing boat who rowed out to the pilot, assured him they were friendly and would help him.  They pulled him from the water and onto their boat.  The three other planes circled around to make sure the pilot made it out and radioed for a rescue vessel.  One of the men on the fishing boat was my father's cousin.  He spoke a little English and talked to the pilot.  The pilot told my father's cousin that this was the second time he was shot down and had to ditch into the Adriatic Sea.  The small fishing boat rowed around the cove and met up with the Partisan Patrol Craft PC21 "Miran".

 

Partisan Patrol Boat PC21 Miran

When the pilot saw the Miran, he told my father's cousin that this was the "second time" - his second ride on the Miran!  This is the story my father has told me for over 30 years.  63 years later he still remembers vividly that day, and holds it close to his heart, maybe because this was a positive event with a happy outcome during a time when there were few positive things.  My father has always wondered who the pilot was and if he made it back home safely.    

 

Vince’s father was overjoyed to hear that Bob is still contactable in Western Australia.  Vince kindly sent us the records that he had discovered of Bob's two ditchings with 6 Squadron RAF.  These records had led Vince to enquire with us in the first place

> DATE:  19/09/1944
> Aircraft: Hurricane IV LD169 No 6 Sqn JV-S  
> Pilot: W/O    R Y Ulrich  
> Location: Veli Iz , Yugoslavia
> Description:  Hit by flak attacking Zavratnica Bay; a pilot had to b/o offshore due to engine cut, rescued by partisans
>
> The location, Veli Iz is the neighboring island and after talking to my father he assured me that no planes crashed next to Veli Iz and that this was the plane and pilot he saw that day that crashed next to his island, Rava.  Rava is a very small island and not listed on many maps.  The plane actually crashed between Rava and Veli Iz but much closer to Rava.  In my father's account of the story the pilot told his cousin that this was his second crash, so I continued to search and was able to confirm the first incident, only 2 months prior. This leads me to believe that this indeed was RAAF Bob Ulrich that my father witnessed 63 years ago.
>
>
> First Crash:
>
> DATE: 15/07/1944
> Aircraft:  Hurricane IV KZ574 No 6 Sqn JV-F
> Pilot:  W/O Ulrich (RAAF)
> Description:  Kornat Isl, Yugoslavia Hit by 40 mm AA while attacking Siebel ferries; b/o Kornat Island, picked by partisans and returned to unit in 48 hr
>
>
> The pilot description on the 15/07/1944 crash lists the pilot as RAAF, this is what led me to your website.
 

 

In May 2007, Bob Lynes dropped a bombshell...

Subject: Missing W.W.1. Ace !!

 
Hi James,
I have been looking at 'The Squadrons of the Australian Flying Corps 1914-19' website, which I found very interesting, but was slightly disappointed to see they have missed off one of YOUR 3 A.F.C. Aces -

 

Awards of the Belge Croix de Guerre to Members Of The Australian Flying Corps

ANDERSON, Captain William Hopton; Australian Flying Corps; 3 Sqn AFC; London Gazette 12 July 1918, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 27 November 1918:
BLACKETT, Lieutenant Basil John; Australian Flying Corps; 3 Sqn AFC attached Royal Flying Corps; London Gazette 12 July 1918, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 27 November 1918:

Lieutenant B.J. Blackett was one of seven observers from 3 Squadron AFC who in late 1917 were dispersed to British squadrons to be trained as Army Observers. 3 Squadron was being formed at the time as a Corps Squadron and the remaining Observers were trained as Corps Observers. Lieutenant E.R. Dibbs, one of the seven observers, met Major D.V.J. Blake the operational commander of 3 Squadron and told Blake of the seven observers being sent to British squadrons. Blake organised for the observers to be transferred back to 3 Squadron. Unfortunately two had already been killed in action and a third wounded in action. Blackett was unique in that he remained attached to the Royal Flying Corps for intelligence duties, he later transferred to the Royal Air Force.

B.J. BLACKETT, is listed as an Ace in 'Above the War Fronts'.

I cannot see anyone on the Aus. site to contact, so as you are 3 A.F.C. I thought you might like to advise them !! 

I thought it was because his victories were with the R.F.C. but I see a number on their list only had victories with the R.F.C./R.A.F. (all the ones quoting R.F.C./R.A.F. sqds.)

Any chance a picture of Blackett survives in the Sqd. Archives ??

Over to you !

Best wishes,

Bob

We replied:

I think Blackett's continued "attachment" to the RAF is the reason for the confusion, but as you say, the list of Australian aces includes several of the men who served with the RNAS etc., so Blackett should be on it.
 
A 3 Sq WW1 Ace is certainly news to me!  (And very interesting no matter how transient the connection!)
...Below is some more information about Blackett....
 
"The Aerodrome" WW1 enthusiast site (http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/blackett.php) shows a table which expands slightly on the information that you unearthed, including the times of the combats that Blackett was flying in, and the nature of the damage done to the German machines ("out of control", "destroyed-on-fire").  Interestingly, Blackett was in DH-4 light bombers on all occasions, acting as the Observer (i.e Rear Gunner).
 
The Australian War Memorial records the gazetting of his Belgian Croix de Guerre, in July 1918.
http://www.awm.gov.au/honours/honours/person.asp?p=bEL006.
 
Cam Riley (the AFC site webmaster) discussed Blackett's Croix de Guerre in 2002 in The Aerodrome Forum...http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-3355.html
- I was thrilled to see that the only other two Belgian Croix de Guerres awarded to the AFC also went to 3 Squadron men (Capt W.H. Anderson and Lt T.L. Simpson).  - So, one way or another, 3 Squadron "scooped the pool"  for this gong!
 
Cam also lists Blackett's discharge from the AFC, which is the date that he transferred to the RAF.
Lieut.Blackett Basil John AFC Disch 31.10.1918 
(From http://www.australianflyingcorps.org/2002_1999/afc_servicemen_bell-boyd.htm)
 
Luckily, Blackett's WW1 service file from the National Archives of Australia is online...
(In glorious bureaucratic colour- 88 pages!) http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=3088160&I=1&SE=1 . 
It contains many interesting details...  
 
His service number, "700", was quite low - he had signed up on the 11th of August 1914.  - Obviously a keen Empire patriot!   He had quite a lot of previous citizen-military experience in the UK and Ceylon and was promoted rapidly from the ranks to Lieutenant.  (Turns out he'd been educated at Eton and Cambridge - very Wellingtonian!)  
 
Note he was born in the UK, this would be another reason that he has been claimed as an "RFC/RAF" ace even though he was a member of the AFC at the time.
 
Page 31 shows that he served at Gallipoli in the 18th Infantry Battalion AIF, from whence he was medically evacuated (with severe dysentery and a "superficial gunshot wound"...) and given two months convalescent leave in Britain. 
 
On Page 53 Blackett makes an interesting distinction between "Army" and "Corps" Observer work. (This whetted my interest for finding out more about this.  According to the brief definitions on http://www.rafweb.org/Ops_Europe.htm, "Army" is reconnaissance behind the enemy front, "Corps" is reconnaissance over the front line. )
 
Page 55 shows he was selected as an AFC observer in May 1917, and p56 shows he was attached to 25 Sqn RAF from 18 June, so I don't think he spent any time actually with 3 Squadron AFC.  [Note: 3 Squadron (originally designated 69 Australian Squadron RAF) didn't fly to France until 9 September 1917.  They were training at South Carlton, U.K., just  north of Lincoln, during the time that Blackett was in training at Reading, west of London.]  Also there is nothing in this file about any administrative attachment to 3 Squadron (a minor mystery), but there must be records somewhere else to have prompted the connection mentioned by Cam Riley.
 
Very interestingly, page 88 shows that Blackett was a member of the "Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force" which invaded Rabaul (the German colony off New Guinea) in 1914 - Australia's first military action of WW1.  He had an interesting Great War!

 

 

An appeal, from Nev Hayes

" Can somebody oblige me with a copy of the flying log book of William Hopton ANDERSON?  I am chasing entries for Sept 23 - Oct 18th, +- , 1920, being the period in which he was involved in the search for the schooner Amelia J, and subsequent search for Billy Stutt and Abner Dalzell.  Extracts from the log book OK, or even his memoirs if such exist. Contact with his relatives would be helpful."

FLTLT Les Crawford advises : 

The Squadron has received an Observer's Air Gunner's and W/T Operators flying log book which belonged to Cpl A. L. Godden who graduated from No 36 Course at Uranquinty Jul-Oct 1943. To allow us to place this item in our display areas, I would appreciate if any of your members could contribute some information on this member.  

 

Buz and Sue  Busby sent a request for some assistance compiling their history of each and every Kittyhawk ever built (13,738 of them!). They'd love to hear from 3 Squadron Kitty pilots particularly those who may have flown Kittys at  OTUs, for the Wing, and on RSU training flights.

Susan Philbrook is looking for anyone who knew her Uncle Robert (Bob) Philbrook who served with 3 Squadron in Italy 1944/45. 

A few people have enquired 'why and when' the Southern Cross was adopted on rudders, firstly on Kittyhawks and then Mustangs flown by 3 Squadron in Italy. One is Stephen Maire  who has made a P40 model and another is Andrew Smith  . Would any of the 1944 personnel who served in Italy, let them know?

Neena de Rofe   seeks information about a Squadron leader or Flight Lieutenant Rodger Adaams (that's ADAAMS) who was in Australia in 1944/5. Anyone know him?

Walter Houghton had a cousin, Paul Carpenter, who was the Curtiss-Wright technical rep who visited 3 Squadron (and took a lot of photos too) in about 1942. Anyone who recalls Paul's visit should drop Walt a line or two.

Harry Schaeffer was a 3 Squadron WWII pilot. His son David would like to know more about his father's service during 1941 and early 1942. In later years,  Harry also flew as a Squadron Leader with 77 Squadron in New Guinea. Would anyone who remembers serving with Harry, contact David please. Either e-mail or phone: (02) 4942 3242.

Alessandro Patroncino lives in Pescara, Italy. He is writing a series of books about Allied aircraft that fought in Italy during WWII. He'd like anyone who remembers 239 Wing's participation in attacks near the area, particularly any dam and Pescara River attacks, to e-mail him.

Alex Crawford  seeks information and photos  about  Gloster Gladiators and Gauntlets for his research project covering 3 Squadron's use of these wonderful aircraft. He'd love to hear from any pilots who flew them and ground crew who worked on them. He's also published a book about Gladiators (more info to come about this!)

Alex Crawford needs information:

Further to my Gladiator book, I am gathering material for a combined book on the Gloster Gauntlet and Bristol Bulldog. I have info on the Gauntlets with 3 RAAF and some on the Bulldog in general. 
What I am looking for is some photos of Australian Bulldogs. Do you know where I may be able to obtain some? If you can help I would be most grateful. This book will also be published by Mushroom Model Publications.

Lin Krust seeks information: 

I'm seeking information on C.G. Krust, who served with 3 Squadron during WW2. 
His service record with AWM & NAA has very little information - only name, rank and serial number. My father and I are researching our family's history and C.G. (Charles) is a bit of a mystery. He is listed as an Airman 1, and would have been a little older than perhaps other crew - 34 or 35 in 1942. He was originally from NSW.  Many thanks in advance for any help
.

John Bennett wants to know about this: 

The picture below is a 3 Squadron Cirrus Moth at Richmond.  It has been damaged in some unidentified accident probably late 1920s. Of interest is the short-lived 3 Squadron tail marking, applied to some Moths and Wapitis. Can anyone provide  the identity of this aircraft, and any details of this tail marking?

 

Ian Gillett sends this picture and asks for help:

I am contacting you on behalf of my father Bob Gillett who served in 3 squadron in the middle east and Europe during the war. An old friend recently sent him a photo taken in Tel Aviv at the "Australian Club". I'm not sure of the date but my father (on the left) and his mates are having a good time so it is probably late in the war. They were drinking from glasses made from old beer bottles and these glasses were called Lady Blameys. We have asked a few of his old war mates but nobody can give an exact origin of the name. One fellow reckons they originated in the Pacific region. 

 

Mick Sinclair, who is planning to use 3 Squadron as a "reality-squadron" in a new website educational-game he's thinking of creating, writes as follows: 

"just a question: I have seen an aircraft which is CV-D but has the D reversed. The picture is in Desert Warriors and may have been a replacement a/c to the Squadron flown by Danny Boardman and renumbered . In the photo the a/c is damaged, but the author was unable to put a serial number to the plane. Just wondering if you could help, I'd like to replicate this a/c in the game with a serial number. "

 

Anne Mainsbridge writes for information: 

"I am looking for information about my great uncle, Reg Percival, who served with the 3rd Squadron in WW2. He was killed in action in September, 1943. I am particularly interested in hearing from anyone who knew him, or who may have photographs of him." 

 

Kristen Alexander has a bookshop in Canberra, ACT, Australia, specialising in Military Books. Phone (02) 6259 0540 or e-mail:   alexfax@goldweb.com.au   Kristen is researching the life of Clive Caldwell, who was C.O. of 112 Squadron whilst it was also attached to 239 Wing alongside 3 Squadron. Here is her request: " I am an associate member of the Spitfire Association. For the last year year or so, I have been researching the career of Group Captain Clive Robertson Caldwell, DSO, DFC and Bar, Polish Cross of Valour with a long term goal of publishing a biography focussing on his military career. 

As well as discovering the historical or operational aspects of Caldwell's career, I wish to discover the more human aspects of his career: the lighter moments, the anecdotes, the stories that flesh out the "bare bones" historical record. Caldwell had a varied career and I hoping that members of the 3 Squadron Association who knew Caldwell would share their memories of Caldwell with me: whether service oriented or personal, covering his service with No 1 Fighter Wing, No 80 Fighter Wing, OTU Mildura, his EATS training days, service in the Middle East or even his brief period of 
service in England. 

If anyone can help me, please contact me Kristen's  Website is: www.alexanderfaxbooks.com.au and she kindly offers any ' 3squadron.org.au ' enthusiast 10% discount from any purchase made from her bookshop. Just mention to her that you are a 3 Squadron fan.

Brad Johns sends a message:

I am ex 1 & 6 SQN ( F111) - and had the pleasure of showing some ex 3 SQN gentlemen over a 6 SQN F111 at Amberley back in middish 80s. I was handed a silk escape map by one of them who said to me upon completion of the the aircraft visit, " here you can have this now - it kept me safe when I was flying Mustangs over Europe in WW2..." or words to that effect. I have the map proudly displayed on my study wall and would dearly love to be able to trace the gentleman who handed me that map 20 odd years ago. 

I would very much like to preserve this tiny bit of history with an account of the original owner and his exploits. 

I have not much more to go on than what I have told you - is it possible to post something on the website to see if I can get a response? 
Sincerely 

Brad Johns 
( ex FLT LT Brad Johns 321108 - 6 SQN 1983-86 )

Bob Parrish writes:

"I am doing some research for the grandson of a member of 3 Squadron RAAF, 68248 RONSON John William. His overseas record shows that he left Aussy in 27/1/43 (ship not known) and arrived Egypt 16/2/43 and was involved in North Africa, Sicily and Italy campaigns. Was in the UK 22/8/45 to 22/10/45 (Driffield Yorkshire 466 Squadron) and returned to Aussy 3/1/46. His rank was LAC and his trade was Fitter Mech then Fitter/IIE.  From the 3 Squadron records could you tell me of the ship that was involved as transport Melbourne to Middle East and help with the RAAF's cyphers - 2RC, 2RD, 2ED 1ED, 56PTC, 1PDC, 4466SE, 11PDRC and 2PD mean. Any other info would be great and anyone from that time that may have worked (battled) with him." 

Tom Ross seeks information:

"On your 'Information Required' page would you please add the following: 
I have come across several profiles showing 3 Sqn Mustang III/IVs with blue propeller spinners rather than the standard red used in Italy. Was this a flight marking or used on the squadron as a whole? Was the blue the same shade as that used on the rudder and was it used for the code letters as well? 
Were 3 Sqn P-40s in Italy camouflaged Green and Brown rather than the desert Middlestone and Brown? Definitive evidence is hard to come by." 

2. An enquiry from Steven Vernon:

"I am writing to you regarding a gentleman who is featured on your website, a Boxall-Chapman who helped recover the tri-plane of the Red Baron along with other members of 3 Squadron. 

Mr Boxall-Chapman was an active member of the 3 Squadron Association and through great disability suffered during the war managed to rise up through the ranks to become a Warrant Officer Class 1 of 3 Squadron. He was wounded in both eyes by stray metal and shot in the left eye at Gallipoli whilst serving with an Infantry Battalion. After being declared unfit for duty he did not go home, but instead re-enlisted this time with the Australian Flying Corps. 

My interest resides in this gentleman as he was born in my home town of Lincoln, England. I am something of researcher in my town and have contributed to several books on the subject of the Great War. 

At present I have all the information from the Australian Archives regarding this gentleman however I do not have access to any of the Association material or any of the Squadron histories… I am unsure even if there is a war diary for the Squadron? Might it be possible for you to point me in the right direction into finding more information on the above gentleman? Are there anymore references to this gentleman elsewhere? I would also like a photo of him, sadly the one photo of him that resides at the Archives is very small. "

 

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