CREW MEMBER PROFILE |
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Surname: |
THOMAS |
First Name/s: |
Hugh Matthew Clifton "Tommy" |
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Service No/s: |
1388866 & 172071 |
Service: |
RAFVR |
Branch: |
Pilot |
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Awards: |
Distinguished Flying Cross, 1939-1945 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, Defence Medal, 1939-1945 War Medal - His DFC was awarded on 576 Squadron and was Gazetted on 06 Jun 1944, p.2700 (Citation not found) |
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SERVICE RECORDS |
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Date |
Event |
Aircraft Flown |
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01 Jan 1941 |
Enlisted at the Combined Recruiting Centre (CRC), Euston, London, as Aircraftman Second Class (AC2). Precise date not known |
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18 May 1943 |
No. 28 Operational Training Unit (OTU), Wymeswold, Leicestershire; forms his crew |
Wellington |
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03 Jun 1943 |
No.28 Operational Training Unit (OTU), Ossington, Nottinghamshire |
Wellington |
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04 Aug 1943 |
No.11 Base, Lindholme, Yorkshire; administrative Base for 1 Group heavy bomber conversions. |
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05 Aug 1943 |
No.1662 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU), Blyton, Lincolnshire |
Halifax and Lancaster |
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24 Aug 1943 |
Promoted to Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt) sometime between 24 August and 16 September 1943 (precise date to be confirmed) |
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08 Oct 1943 |
No.103 Squadron, Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire |
Lancaster |
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27 Nov 1943 |
No.576 Sqn, 'B' Flight, Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire |
Lancaster |
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15 Feb 1944 |
Discharged on appointment to a Commission |
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16 Feb 1944 |
Commissioned as Pilot Officer (Plt Off) on probation (emergency). London Gazette 28 March 1944, page 1437 |
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01 Jun 1944 |
No.1 Lancaster Finishing School, Hemswell, Lincolnshire; as an instructor (precise date to be confirmed) |
Lancaster |
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16 Aug 1944 |
Promoted to Flying Officer (war substantive) (Fg Off). Date and London Gazette reference to be confirmed) |
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01 Jan 1945 |
No.1656 Heavy Conversion Unit, Lindholme, Yorkshire; as an instructor (precise date to be confirmed) |
Lancaster |
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21 Jun 1945 |
No.7 Squadron, Oakington, Cambridgeshire |
Lancaster |
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24 Jul 1945 |
No.7 Squadron moves to Mepal, Cambridgeshire |
Lancaster |
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576 Squadron FLYING RECORDS |
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Date |
Aircraft |
Code |
Flight Details |
T/O |
Land |
Flt Time |
Crew |
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02 Dec 1943 |
ED767 |
UL-T2 |
BERLIN |
1705 |
0005 |
7h00 |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'Cookie', 56x 30lb and 1122x 4lb incendiaries. 576 Sqn’s first operation. Heavy flak encountered. |
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04 Dec 1943 |
* |
LEIPZIG |
DNTO |
nk |
N/A |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
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NOTES: |
Target: Built-up area Load: 1x 4000lb 'Cookie', 56x 30lb and 1122x 4lb incendiaries. Did not take off - Reason and aircraft not known. Possibly P2 according to Arlott logbook |
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11 Dec 1943 |
ED713 |
UL-W2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
1h00 |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Practice bombing. |
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12 Dec 1943 |
JA957 |
UL-X2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
0h35 |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Fighter Affiliation |
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16 Dec 1943 |
ED913 |
UL-U2 |
Air Test |
nk |
nk |
0h30 |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Air test. |
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16 Dec 1943 |
ED913 |
UL-U2 |
BERLIN |
DNTO |
nk |
N/A |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Target: Buit-up area Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 56x 30lb and 1122x4lb incendiaries Did not take off due to engine problems. Aircraft was probably ED913, but not confirmed. |
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29 Dec 1943 |
ND362 |
UL-Q2 |
BERLIN |
1700 |
2345 |
6h45 |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up area Load: 1x 4000lb, 56x 30lb and 1032x 4lb incendiaries. |
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30 Dec 1943 |
ND385 |
UL-W2 |
Air Test |
nk |
nk |
1h00 |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Air test. Probable crew listed. |
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01 Jan 1944 |
ND402 |
UL-R2 |
BERLIN |
0020 |
0750 |
0h00 |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 56x 30lb and 1212x 4lb incendiaries Attacked by Fw-190 at 0311 on the bombing run which hit the starboard fuel tank; the rear gunner returned fire but no hits were seen. The Lancaster was attacked twice more at 0331 by another Fw-190 just after leaving the target area. All three gunners opened up but no damage was seen to the enemy aircraft. Wandered off track and ran into heavy flak over Frankfurt. Sgt F B Gipson's 'second dickie' trip. The two combat reports will be attached below soon. |
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04 Jan 1944 |
n/k |
Elsham Wolds to Binbrook |
nk |
nk |
1h30 |
P1 Sqn Ldr M.R. Attwater |
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NOTES: |
FA. To collect new aircraft. Possibly PM-Q from 103 Squadron. Thomas crew as pax? |
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04 Jan 1944 |
ND386 |
UL-P2 |
Binbrook to Elsham Wolds |
nk |
nk |
1h05 |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Deliver new aircraft. F/E not Arlott |
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05 Jan 1944 |
ND386 |
UL-P2 |
STETTIN |
2350 |
0220 |
2h30 |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x4000lb 'cookie', 56x 30lb and 1122x 4lb incendiaries. Abortive - returned early due to faulty EDP & rear turret unserviceable. |
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06 Jan 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
Air Test |
nk |
nk |
0h30 |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Air test. Not shown in Arlott logbook |
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14 Jan 1944 |
ND386 |
UL-P2 |
BRUNSWICK |
1645 |
2215 |
5h30 |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie, 56x 30lb and 1122x 4lb incendiaries. Sgt A E Danslow joins the crew as their new Air Bomber, replacing Sgt P W Green. |
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20 Jan 1944 |
ND386 |
UL-P2 |
BERLIN |
1600 |
2320 |
7h20 |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 56x 30lb and 1122x 4lb incendiaries. ND386 was the last aircraft to bomb due to overshooting the target until well past zero hour. A Ju88 was sighted and evasive action taken, but no attack was made. |
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21 Jan 1944 |
ND386 |
UL-P2 |
MAGDEBURG |
1940 |
0220 |
6h40 |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 56x 30lb and 1122x 4lb incendiaries. |
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03 Feb 1944 |
ND402 |
UL-R2 |
Air Test |
nk |
nk |
1h50 |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Air test |
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04 Feb 1944 |
JA868 |
UL-Y2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
1h00 |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Monica 'special training'. |
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05 Feb 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
Training and air test |
nk |
nk |
1h30 |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Air test and fighter affiliation. |
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12 Feb 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
1h00 |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Local Flying, Visual Monica |
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12 Feb 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
1h00 |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Local flying and Visual Monica training. Sgt W Bird came along, probably as an observer WOp. |
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15 Feb 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
BERLIN |
1715 |
2355 |
6h40 |
P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Target: built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 56x 30lb and 1122x 4lb incendiaries. Fg Off G A J Wood's 'second dickie' operation. |
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19 Feb 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
LEIPZIG |
2310 |
0655 |
7h45 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up area Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 56x 30lb and 1122x 4lb incendiaries. |
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20 Feb 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
STUTTGART |
2340 |
0730 |
7h50 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 56x 30lb and 1122x 4lb incendiaries. |
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24 Feb 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
SCHWEINFURT |
1805 |
0205 |
8h00 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 56x 30lb and 1122x 4lb incendiaries. |
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25 Feb 1944 |
* |
AUGSBURG |
1830 |
0210 |
7h40 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
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NOTES: |
Target: Aircraft factories. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 56x 30lb and 1122x 4lb incendiaries. Attacked three times by an Me-110. 'Violent' evasive action was taken but the Lancaster was badly damaged and entered an uncontrolled dive from 23,000ft, pulling out eventually at 10,000ft. The rear turret was shot up but none of the crew were injured. Aircraft not known; although recorded in the Squadron ORB as Lancaster MkI, LL796 UL-T2, it is listed specifically as Lancaster MkIII, 'I', in Mulholland's and Arlott's logbooks, so possibly PM-I, borrowed from 103 Sqn. Combat report will be attached below soon. |
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01 Mar 1944 |
ME703 |
UL-N2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
1h00 |
P1 Plt Off C.C. Rollins |
NOTES: |
Fighter affiliation. Crew not known but Mulholland was rear gunner. |
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02 Mar 1944 |
ND362 |
UL-Q2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
1h15 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Fighter Affiliation Shown in Boston logbook |
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03 Mar 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
1h35 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Air to sea firing and practice bombing. |
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14 Mar 1944 |
ND362 |
UL-Q2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
0h30 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Fighter affiliation and bomber. No fighter and bomb sight unserviceable. FE not Arlott |
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15 Mar 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
STUTTGART |
1905 |
2240 |
3h35 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 96x 30lb and 750x 4lb incendiaries. Abortive and returned early due to starboard inner engine failure. Sgt D G C Thorpe's 'second dickie' operation. |
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17 Mar 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
1h10 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Fighter affiliation |
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18 Mar 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
FRANKFURT |
1855 |
0105 |
6h10 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 108x 30lb and1062x 4lb incendiaries. Neither Sgt Mulholland nor Sgt Arlott were on this operation and were replaced respectively by Sgt A G Wright (probably) and Sgt A W Knapp. Flt Sgt D G C Thorpe accompanied the crew on his second 'second dickie' operation. |
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22 Mar 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
FRANKFURT |
1850 |
0105 |
6h15 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 108x 30lb and 1062x 4lb incendiaries. Normal gunners Sgts Morrison and Mulholland were replaced by Sgts E R Leatham and A G Wright (reason unknown). |
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24 Mar 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
BERLIN |
1845 |
0220 |
7h35 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 108x 30lb and 924x 4lb incendiaries. Diverted to Enstone, Oxfordshire. |
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25 Mar 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
Enstone to Elsham Wolds |
nk |
nk |
1h10 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Return from diversion. |
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26 Mar 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
ESSEN |
1940 |
0110 |
5h30 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 108x 30lb and 1170x 4lb incendiaries Mulholland noted in his logbook, 'Very heavy flak. Great number of searchlights. Window used to good effect'. |
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27 Mar 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
0h30 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Air-to-air firing. Rear gunner not known but not in Mulholland's logbook. Mid-upper gunner probably Morrison. |
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30 Mar 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
NUREMBURG |
2140 |
0600 |
8h20 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 108x 30lb and 1020x 4lb incendiaries |
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01 Apr 1944 |
ME703 |
UL-N2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
1h00 |
P1 Plt Off C.C. Rollins |
NOTES: |
Fighter affiliation. C C Rollins and H M C Thomas. Crew unknown however shown in Mulholland logbook. |
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07 Apr 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
1h00 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Base to West Malling |
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07 Apr 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
1h00 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
West Malling to Base |
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10 Apr 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
AULNOYE |
2310 |
0425 |
5h15 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Marshalling Yards Load: 12x 1000lb, 4x 500lb |
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16 Apr 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
0h50 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Bombing, local flying |
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17 Apr 1944 |
ME703 |
UL-N2 |
|
nk |
nk |
0h50 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Bombing |
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26 Apr 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
ESSEN |
2220 |
0325 |
nk |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Built-up area and Krupps works. RUHR Load: 1st Wave: 1x 4000lb ‘Cookie’, 108x 30lb and 1170x 4lb incendiaries 2nd Wave: 1x 4000lb ‘Cookie’, 60x 30lb and 660x 4lb incendiaries 3rd Wave: 1x 1000lb, 1x 500lb bombs, 84x 30lb and 1050x 4lb incendiaries 4th Wave: 1x 4000lb ‘Cookie’, 60x 30lb and 600x 4lb incendiaries 5th Wave: 1x 1000lb, 1x 500lb bombs, 84x 30lb and 960x 4lb incendiaries |
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30 Apr 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
Air test |
nk |
nk |
0h45 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Air Test |
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01 May 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
Air test |
nk |
nk |
0h20 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Air test |
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01 May 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
LYON |
2115 |
0415 |
7h00 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Soc. Berliet motor works Load: H2S Aircraft: 11x 1000lb and 1x 500lb bombs (these appear to be the Lancaster Mk Is at this stage) (B2, F2, K2, S2, T2) MkIII Aircraft: 11x 1000lb and 3x 500lb bombs (C2, R2) |
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03 May 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
MAILLY LE CAMP |
nk |
nk |
nk |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Military depot & tank training centre Load: 1x 4000lb ‘Cookie’ and 16x 500lb bombs ‘Swarms of fighters’ - Mulholland |
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07 May 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
RENNES |
2135 |
0240 |
5h05 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
St Jacques Luftwaffe airfield & ammunition dump Load: 1x 4000lb ‘Cookie’, 16x 500lb bombs |
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11 May 1944 |
ED888 |
UL-M2 |
Mission Range |
nk |
nk |
2h10 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Air to sea firing, high level bombing |
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12 May 1944 |
ME800 |
UL-W2 |
Air test |
nk |
nk |
0h30 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Air test. New aircraft |
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13 May 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
Air test |
nk |
nk |
0h20 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Air test. Not RG Mulholland |
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18 May 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
|
nk |
nk |
1h15 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Air to sea firing, local flying. Not RG Mulholland |
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19 May 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
ORLEANS |
2150 |
0240 |
4h50 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Fleury-les-Aubrais marshalling yards. Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. |
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21 May 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
Air test |
nk |
nk |
oh30 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Air test RG not Mulholland |
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21 May 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
DUISBURG |
2205 |
0300 |
4h55 |
P1 Plt Off H.M.C. Thomas |
NOTES: |
Built-up area RUHR Load: 1x 4000lb ‘Cookie’, 204x 30lb incendiaries Tour completed. Crew screened. |
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PERSONAL INFORMATION |
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Details |
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PHOTOS & DOCUMENTS |
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Details |
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