CREW MEMBER PROFILE

Surname:

BAILEY

First Name/s:

Reginald Charles

Service No/s:

1379073 173325

Service:

RAFVR

Branch:

Pilot

Awards:

DFC

Return

SERVICE RECORDS

Date

Event

Aircraft Flown

01 Sep 1940

Enlisted at the Central Recruiting Centre, Euston, London (tbc) as AC2. Precise date tbc.

17 Jul 1941

Primary Flying Training School, Thunderbird Field, Glendale, Arizona, USA

Stearman PT17 Kaydet

19 Aug 1941

Incident in Stearman PT17 No.27. Ground looped but not injured.

Stearman

26 Sep 1941

No.4 British Flying Training School, Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona, USA; for basic and advanced flying training.

BT13A Valiant, AT6A Texan

02 Dec 1941

Awarded Flying Badge (possibly both RAF and USAAF Wings) and promoted to Sgt (tbc)

19 Jan 1942

No.1 Flying Instructors School, 22 (War) Course, Church Lawford, Warwickshire

Oxford, Tutor

19 Feb 1942

Accident in Tutor K4823. The aircraft hit low ground near Offchurch whilst low flying. The crew were Sgt R C Bailey and Sgt A Pryzincki. Both pilots were slightly injured and Bailey was admitted to hospital.

Tutor

12 Mar 1942

Qualified as Aerodrome Control Pilot

13 Mar 1942

Returned to flying duties at 1 Flying Instructors School, Church Lawford

Oxford, Tutor

18 Mar 1942

Accident in Oxford 1002 at Church Lawford. Taxied into a fuel bowser following a night landing. The port wing was damaged but neither Bailey nor his student, Sgt Przylucki (a nickname?) were injured.

Oxford

06 Apr 1942

Accident in Tutor K3348. The undercarriage collapsed on landing as P2 to Fg Off W J Lewis. The aircraft was extensively damaged but both crew were uninjured and Bailey returned to flying the next day.

Tutor

08 Apr 1942

Accident in Oxford 6024 at Church Lawford. The port wheel collapsed after a heavy landing due to a broken radius rod. neither Bailey nor his student Sgt Ireland, who was flying the aircraft, appear to have been injured.

Oxford

29 Apr 1942

Completed Flight Instructor Course at No.1 FIS.

14 May 1942

No.15 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit, Leconfield, Yorkshire as a Flying Instructor.

Oxford

24 Aug 1942

Attached to the Night Flying Flight, No.15 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit, Acaster Malbis, Yorkshire.

Oxford

09 Oct 1942

No.15 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit, Church Lawford, Warwickshire - No.2 Instructor's Refresher Course.

Oxford

18 Nov 1942

Air Crew Refresher School, Royal Albion or Lion Mansion Hotel, Brighton. The ACRS served to assist in the elimination of tendencies likely to contribute to avoidable flying accidents. The course formed part of a general scheme of accident prevention.

02 Dec 1942

No.15 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit, Leconfield, Yorkshire. Non-flying.

24 Dec 1942

No.15 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit, Greenham Common, Berkshire - Instructor

Oxford

09 Apr 1943

No.20 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit, Croughton, Northamptonshire - Instructor

Oxford

10 Dec 1943

No.30 Operational Training Unit, Hixon, Staffordshire. Groundschool.
Bailey crew formed (probably) as:
Flt Sgt R C Bailey, Pilot;
Sgt T Gosney, Air Bomber;
Sgt F J P Smith, Navigator;
Sgt G E Fentham, Wireless Operator;
Sgt J J Newman, Air Gunner;
Sgt E Womack, Air Gunner.

10 Jan 1944

No.30 Operational Training Unit, Seighford, Staffordshire

Wellington

27 Feb 1944

No.30 Operational Training Unit, Hixon, Staffordshire

Wellington

02 Mar 1944

Discharged on appointment to a Commission.

03 Mar 1944

Commissioned as a Pilot Officer on probation (emergency) (London Gazette, 25 April 1944, p.1888)

14 Apr 1944

No.11 Base, Lindholme, Yorkshire; administrative headquarters for No.1 Group heavy bomber conversions

23 Apr 1944

No.1656 Heavy Conversion Unit, Lindholme, Yorkshire. Here the crew would have been joined by their Flight Engineer, Sgt W Fairfull.

Halifax

23 May 1944

No.1 Lancaster Finishing School, Hemswell, Lincolnshire

Lancaster

07 Jun 1944

No.576 Squadron, 'A' Flight, Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire.

Lancaster

17 Jun 1944

'Second Dickie' with the D W McIvor crew on the attack on Aulnoye (see below).

Lancaster

16 Jul 1944

Granted Acting Flying Officer. Taken from the Squadron ORB, From 18 July 1944, he is listed as a Flying Officer. Precise date tbc

03 Sep 1944

Promoted to Flying Officer (London Gazette, 15 September 1944, p.4262)

05 Oct 1944

Set Rank from Flight Record

06 Oct 1944

Set Rank from Flight Record

02 Dec 1944

No.232 Squadron, Stoney Cross, Hampshire. The Squadron operated Wellington aircraft but there is no flying entry in Bailey's logbook.

06 Jan 1945

No.1315 (Transport) Flight, Merryfield, Somerset - presumably a conversion unit for the Dakota

Dakota

04 Feb 1945

No.238 Squadron, 'B' Flight, Merryfield, Somerset

Dakota

16 Feb 1945

Awarded the DFC for 'utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty displayed in numerous operations against the enemy' during his time on 576 Squadron (London Gazette, 16 February 1945, p933)

17 Feb 1945

Accident in Dakota KN251 in Castel Benito, Libya. Flt Lt Rose as captain and Fg Off Bailey as co-pilot with crew took off from Castel Benito on a planned flight to Lydda in Palestine and en-route with the Squadron's move to India. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off due to starboard engine trouble and an overloaded aircraft. The Dakota went through the wire at the end of the runway and was destroyed in the ensuing fire. No crew or passenger injuries are known.

Dakota

25 Feb 1945

No.17 Staging Post, Castel Benito, Tripoli, Libya (attached). It appears that Bailey was awaiting the Court of Enquiry following the accident described above, but he certainly used the opportunity to get some hours in various types of aircraft.

Mosquito, Wellington, Warwick, Dakota

26 Apr 1945

Forfeiture of seniority. Takes the rank and precedence as if his appointment as Flying Officer bore the date of 26 April 1945 (London Gazette 22 January 1946, p566).

04 Jul 1945

Flew to Hartford Bridge (Blackbushe), Hampshire, from Castel Benito in Stirling PJ947 (possibly of No.1588 Flight) and placed on strength of 238 Sqn, in Comilla, India (not flying) - tbc

Stirling

15 Jul 1945

Embarked UK for India. Precise date and means tbc.

13 Aug 1945

No.96 Squadron, 'B' Flight, South-East Asia Command, Bilaspur, Central Provinces, India

Dakota

16 Sep 1945

No.96 Squadron, 'B' Flight, Hmawbi, Burma

Dakota

20 Apr 1946

Departed Hmawbi for Dum Dum before returning to Lyneham, Wiltshire via Karachi, Cairo and Castel Benito in an Avro York on 28 April 1946

Dakota, York

14 Jul 1952

Commission relinquished on appointment to the reconstituted RAFVR as Flying Officer (London Gazette, 16 January 1953, p353)

06 Dec 1952

Approval granted for commission in the RAFVR with effect from 14 July 1952

02 Jun 1956

Promoted to Flt Lt (London Gazette 02 October 1956, p5569 and incorrectly recorded as D C BENTLEY)

576 Squadron FLYING RECORDS

Date

Aircraft

Code

Flight Details

T/O

Land

Flt Time

Crew

17 Jun 1944

LM532

UL-A2

AULNOYE

2325

0350

4h25

P1   Plt Off D.W. McIvor RCAF
P2   Plt Off R.C. Bailey
FE   Sgt O.E. Mee
AB   Fg Off H.A. Rolph RCAF
NAV  Fg Off H.J. Riviere RCAF
WOp  Sgt N.C. Stafford
MUG  Sgt J. Armstrong
RG   Sgt J.S. McGinn

NOTES:

Target: Road/rail bridge near the marshalling yards at Aulnoye-Aymeries. Load: 18x 500lb bombs. The Master Bomber instructed crews to bomb the TI’s if visible through the low cloud, and if not, to go home. The McIvor crew returned with their bombload intact. This was Plt Off Bailey's 'second dickie' trip.

20 Jun 1944

LM133

UL-H2

Training

nk

nk

2h30

P1   Plt Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Cross-country navigational exercise, Recalled for an unknown reason.

25 Jun 1944

ND994

UL-F2

Training

nk

nk

3h40

P1   Plt Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Cross-country navigation exercise.

27 Jun 1944

NE115

UL-B2

Air Test

nk

nk

0h25

P1   Plt Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Air test

27 Jun 1944

NE115

UL-B2

CHATEAU DE BERNAPRE

0150

0605

4h15

P1   Plt Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: V1 'flying bomb' launch site. Load: 18x 500lb bombs.

28 Jun 1944

NE115

UL-B2

Air Test

nk

nk

0h25

P1   Plt Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Air test.

29 Jun 1944

NE115

UL-B2

DOMLEGER

1155

1530

3h35

P1   Plt Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: V1 'flying bomb' storage and supply depot. Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs.

30 Jun 1944

NE115

UL-B2

OISEMONT / NEUVILLE AU BOIS

0605

0945

3h40

P1   Plt Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: V1 'flying bomb' launch site. Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs.

02 Jul 1944

NE115

UL-B2

DOMLEGER

1220

1625

4h05

P1   Plt Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: V1 'flying bomb' storage and supply depot. Load: 7x 1000lb, 4x500lb bombs.

04 Jul 1944

LM439

UL-J2

ORLEANS

1220

1625

4h05

P1   Plt Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Marshalling yards. Load: 18x 500lb bombs. The Bailey crew is not listed as partaking in this operation in the Squadron ORB, but is listed in Bailey's logbook.

06 Jul 1944

PB253

UL-A2

Air Test

nk

nk

0h45

P1   Plt Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Air test.

07 Jul 1944

NE115

UL-B2

CAEN

1945

2355

4h10

P1   Plt Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Enemy armour strongpoint and stores on the northern outskirts of Caen. Flown in support of the Anglo-Canadian ground forces attacking the town (Operation CHARNWOOD). Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Described as a 'wizard attack' by Bailey.

11 Jul 1944

NE115

UL-B2

Training

nk

nk

3h00

P1   Plt Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

'Y' (H2S) cross-country navigation exercise.

12 Jul 1944

NE115

UL-B2

REVIGNY

2125

0630

9h05

P1   Plt Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Marshalling yards. Load: 7x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. The Deputy Master Bomber instructed aircraft to return to base with bombs (‘Lysol’) as cloud was obscuring the target. Target marking was conducted by the 1 Group Special Duties Flight based at Binbrook.. Due to weather at Elsham on the way back, the aircraft was diverted to Blyton.

13 Jul 1944

NE115

UL-B2

Blyton to Elsham Wolds

nk

nk

0h15

P1   Plt Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Return from diversion.

14 Jul 1944

NE115

UL-B2

REVIGNY

2115

0545

8h30

P1   Plt Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Marshalling yards. Load: 7x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. The Master Bomber instructed aircraft to return to base with bombs (‘Sugar Plum’). NE115 was diverted to Newmarket due to low cloud at Elsham.

15 Jul 1944

NE115

UL-B2

Newmarket to Elsham Wolds

nk

nk

0h35

P1   Plt Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Return from diversion.

18 Jul 1944

NE115

UL-B2

SANNERVILLE

0340

0740

4h00

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Area 'H' - fortified positions occupied by enemy Panzer regiments. Flown in support of the British 2nd Army involved in Operation Goodwood with a strong fighter escort. Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Described by Bailey as a 'wizard attack'.

18 Jul 1944

NE115

UL-B2

SCHOLVEN / BUER

2320

0340

4h20

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Synthetic oil refinery near Gelsenkirchen, Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 10x 500lb bombs. The aircraft is freported to have been hit by flak and returned to base on 3 engines.

20 Jul 1944

NE115

UL-B2

WIZERNES

1920

2300

3h40

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Construction site for a V2 rocket and bunker complex, known as 'Le Coupole'. Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs.

22 Jul 1944

LM439

UL-J2

Training

nk

nk

1h30

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Fighter affiliation and practice bombing.

23 Jul 1944

NE115

UL-B2

KIEL

2225

0350

5h25

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: German Navy base, canal and harbour. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 8x 500lb bombs, 5x 500lb 'J' Type incendiary clusters OR 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 16x 500lb bombs (the load for this aircraft is not clear)

25 Jul 1944

ME735

UL-P2

Air Test

nk

nk

0h35

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Air test.

25 Jul 1944

NE115

UL-B2

STUTTGART

2125

0555

8h30

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 2000lb bomb, 12x cluster bombs, each containing 14x30lb 'J'-Type incendiaries.

28 Jul 1944

NE115

UL-B2

STUTTGART

2120

0540

8h20

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Engineering workshops. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 11x 500lb bombs

31 Jul 1944

NE115

UL-B2

LE HAVRE

1810

2140

3h30

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Harbour installations and shipping. Load 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs.

03 Aug 1944

NE115

UL-B2

TROSSY ST MAXIMIN

1135

1605

4h30

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: V1 'flying bomb' supply depot. Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs.

04 Aug 1944

NE115

UL-B2

PAUILLAC

1315

2120

8h05

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Oil storage depot. Load: 9x 1000lb, 3x 500lb bombs.

05 Aug 1944

NE115

UL-B2

BLAYE

1410

2220

8h10

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Oil storage depot. Load: 9x 1000lb, 3x 500lb bombs. Mosquito and Spitfire escort. Diverted to Worksop on return due to weather at base.

06 Aug 1944

NE115

UL-B2

Worksop to Elsham Wolds

nk

nk

0h15

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Return from diversion.

07 Aug 1944

NE115

UL-B2

FONTENAY-LE-MARMION

2105

0105

4h00

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Concentrations of enemy armour in the battle area to the south of Caen. Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Five Squadron aircraft involved in the final phase of the attack were instructed not to bomb and to return to base with their payloads as the Aiming Point was obscured by smoke and dust. It is not yet clear whether the Bailey crew bombed or not.

18 Aug 1944

NE115

UL-B2

ERTVELDE RIEME (GHENT)

2215

0125

3h10

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Motor Transport oil depot and storage tanks north of Ghent on the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal. Load: 13x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs

22 Aug 1944

NE115

UL-B2

Training

nk

nk

0h40

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Fighter affiliation

25 Aug 1944

NE115

UL-B2

RUSSELSHEIM

2000

0440

8h40

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Opel factory for aircraft wings and fuselages, and built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 12x 500 4lb incendiary clusters.

26 Aug 1944

NE115

UL-B2

KIEL

1940

0125

5h45

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: German Navy installations. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 108x 30lb and 1170x 4lb incendiaries.

30 Aug 1944

ED888

UL-M2

Training

nk

nk

2h30

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

'Special' exercise with a captured Ju-88.

31 Aug 1944

NE115

UL-B2

AGENVILLE

1255

1655

4h00

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: V1 'flying bomb' supply site. Load: 13x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Spitfire escort provided.

03 Sep 1944

NE115

UL-B2

EINDHOVEN

1525

1905

3h40

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Luftwaffe airfield. Load: 13x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Spitfire escort provided.

05 Sep 1944

NE115

UL-B2

LE HAVRE

1600

1940

3h40

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Enemy strongpoints and pockets of resistance. Load: 13x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs.

06 Sep 1944

NE115

UL-B2

LE HAVRE

1700

2030

3h30

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Enemy strongpoints and pockets of resistance. Load: 12x 1000lb, 3x 500lb bombs.

08 Sep 1944

NE115

UL-B2

LE HAVRE

0615

1005

3h50

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Pockets of resistance and enemy strongpoints to the north of the town. Load: 13x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Ten aircraft of the Squadron were tasked with Aiming Point 12, and five with Aiming Point 13; it is unclear which Aiming Point was allocated to which aircraft. During the course of the attack, the Master Bomber instructed those crews who had not yet bombed to return to base due to increasing low cloud over the target. The Bailey crew returned with their bombload intact.

09 Sep 1944

LM227

UL-I2

Training

nk

nk

1h20

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Air-to-air firing.

10 Sep 1944

NE115

UL-B2

LE HAVRE

1620

2015

3h55

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Enemy strongpoint 1/2 mile southwest of the Foret de Montgeon. Load: 13x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs.

12 Sep 1944

NE115

UL-B2

Training

nk

nk

1h30

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   Fg Off M.T. Wilson
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Fighter affiliation and air-to-air firing. Fg Off M T Wilson came along for the trip as P2.

12 Sep 1944

NE115

UL-B2

FRANKFURT

1810

0135

7h25

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   Fg Off D.E. Till
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Marshalling yards. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 14x Type 14 incendiary clusters and 120x 4lb incendiaries. Fg Off D E Till came along for his 'Second Dickie' trip. Derek Till: 'My "baptism of fire" came very abruptly. As I mentioned earlier, on September 9th my crew and I were posted to Elsham Wolds in the afternoon, when I found that I was on the Ops Board to go to Frankfurt that night as second pilot to F/O Bailey, who had nearly completed his tour. This was a familiarization trip. As " second pilot" my time was spent keeping out of the way of the people who were doing the work, since there were no dual controls. But the op counted! This was a7 ll2 hour trip and I remember very little about it except the scary stuff over the target.'

15 Sep 1944

NE115

UL-B2

PALLAU, POLWYSEP-HEL & ARNHOLT

2140

0640

9h00

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt W. Fairfull
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Minelaying ('Gardening') in Area 'A'; Pallau, codename 'Tangerine'. Load: 4x 1800lb, 5x 1500lb mines. On the flight back the aircraft was attacked by a FW-190 and was extensively damaged,

25 Sep 1944

NE115

U2

Air Test

1445

1530

0h45

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt N. Mason
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Air test on the repaired NE115. Landed at Lindholme. Sgt Mason replaced Sgt Fairfull.

05 Oct 1944

NE115

UL-B2

SAARBRUCKEN

1805

0030

6h25

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt N. Mason
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt T. Gosney
PAX   Flt Lt Campbell

NOTES:

Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 14x 4lb incendiary clusters. Following a successful attack the aircraft were diverted to Wratting Common due to fog at Elsham Wolds. The crew carried a passenger, a Flt Lt Campbell, about whom nothing is known. Sgt Mason, flying his 31st operation, volunteered to replace Sgt Fairfull. His diary records, 'Good trip, not much flak. Very little opposition from fighters'.

06 Oct 1944

NE115

UL-B2

Wratting Common to Elsham Wolds

1100

1140

0h40

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt N. Mason
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack
PAX   Flt Lt Campbell

NOTES:

Return from diversion. Passenger Flt Lt Campbell.

07 Oct 1944

NE115

UL-B2

EMMERICH

1140

1600

4h20

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt N. Mason
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Enemy strongpoints within the built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 2520x 4lb incendiaries. Sgt Mason continued to replace Sgt Fairfull. His diary reads, 'Good attack, very little opposition. A little flak'.

14 Oct 1944

NE115

UL-B2

DUISBERG

0600

1050

4h50

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   Plt Off T.C. Dawson
FE   Sgt N. Mason
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Operation HURRICANE. Target: Four Aiming Points (mines and coke ovens) in the Hamborn district of the city. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 108x 30lb and 1170x 4lb incendiary clusters. Plt Off T C Dawson came along for his 'Second Dickie'. Mason's diary simply recalls, 'Duisberg to be attacked at 0900'.

14 Oct 1944

NE115

UL-B2

DUISBERG

2145

0340

5h55

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt N. Mason
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Operation HURRICANE. Target: Built-up area to the north of the docks. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 2732x 4lb incendiaries. Mason's diary states, 'Second raid in 24 hrs. Target ablaze when we arrived from the morning bombing. Flak was heavy in the morning attack but it was pretty quiet at night.'

19 Oct 1944

NE115

UL-B2

STUTTGART

2120

0350

6h30

P1   Fg Off R.C. Bailey
P2   
FE   Sgt N. Mason
AB   Sgt T. Gosney
NAV  Sgt F.J.P. Smith
WOp  Sgt G.E. Fentham
MUG  Sgt J.J. Newman
RG   Sgt E. Womack

NOTES:

Target: Robert Bosche works. Load: 9x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. The attack on Stuttgart was in two waves; the first wave on the Bad Constatt marshalling yards and the second on the Robert Bosche works. Mason's logbook records the take-off time as 21:10. Mason's diary recalls, 'Very quiet. Large fires were started and the bombing was quite good'. This was Mason's 35th operation and the Bailey crew's last trip on 576 Squadron, and were thus screened from operations on the 20th October.

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