RAF Beach UnitsWe found 82 results for your search.
In a previous blog post, The Pigeon Connection, I wrote about the Air Information Unit attached to No. 1 R.A.F. Beach Squadron. This was led by Alan Melville, an R.A.F. Air Information Officer, accompanied by war correspondent Montague Taylor, and a cameraman from the R.A.F. Film Production Unit. Alan Melville wrote in his book: The […]
Every now and again we hear about a pigeon called Gustav that was awarded the Dickin medal after bringing home the first message about the D-Day landings. Recently there was a news item on the BBC website: Heroic D-Day pigeon from Portsmouth remembered on Dickin Medal 80th anniversary Gustav was released by journalist Montague Taylor […]
Dennis Cliff first spoke about his experiences to me in 2010. He was pleased that someone was interested in the story of his RAF service but was hesitant about it being published. Dennis never applied for the WW2 medals to which he was entitled. However, more recently, he was happy to receive the Légion d’Honneur […]
About Serials In the planning of the Normandy invasion, a specific allocation of craft and shipping was made for the Assault and Follow-up Forces. There was an exact allotment of personnel and equipment to each craft, which was detailed in Landing Tables. Each craft-load was given a serial number by which it was identified in […]
From from 9th to 11th January 1944, No. 102 R.A.F. Beach Section were deployed with No. 6 Beach Group to participate in Exercise “GRAB”. The first divisional exercise, entitled “Smash,” …………….. was cancelled. Another exercise, named “Grab,” took place on the 10th/11th January in spite of threatening weather; a substantial proportion of the troops was […]
We first hear of Exercise SMASH as an invasion exercise for the 3rd British Infantry Division at Burghead Bay in Scotland. No. 102 R.A.F. Beach Section was to take part with No. 6 Beach Group. The 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion formed the core battalion in No. 6 Beach Group. ‘The first divisional exercise, entitled “Smash,” was […]
Air Ministry, 30th November, 1943. The KlNG has been graciously pleased to approve the following award:- Military Cross. Acting Flight Lieutenant John Nicholas DOBBIN (67733),Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Acting as an assistant military landing officer, Flight Lieutenant Dobbin landed with assault troops on one of the beaches in Italy. The beach was under heavy […]
Air Ministry, 26th May, 1944. The KlNG has been graciously pleased to approve the following award:- Distinguished Service Order. Acting Wing Commander Rowland David George, O.B.E. (75777), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Wing Commander George, the senior movements staff officer, was responsible for the smooth and efficient working of the supply system from the beaches to […]
Awards to Normandy Beach Squadron Personnel This is a list that has been gradually compiled as information has become available, or by searching entries in The Gazette. The list remains incomplete. Please note that this list is only about the 2nd Tactical Air Force Beach Squadrons in Operation OVERLORD and does not include awards given […]
This article used to be on the Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council website. However Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council ceased to exist on April 1st 2009 and their website was decommissioned. The article can not be found via the Cheshire East Council website which replaced the Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council website.Luckily, I took a […]