Carpe Diem - 576 Squadron RAF

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576 Squadron FLYING RECORDS

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Date	Event	Aircraft Flown
SERVICE RECORDS
25 Nov 1943 25 Nov 1943	Joined 576 Sqn at Elsham Wolds, Linconshire	Auto loaded with upgrade to v1.0.07
12 Feb 1944 12 Feb 1944	Set Rank from Flight Record
18 Mar 1944 18 Mar 1944	Set Rank from Flight Record

Date	Aircraft	Code	Flight Details	T/O	Land	Flt Time	Crew
576 Squadron FLYING RECORDS
08 Feb 1944	ND402	UL-R²	Training	nk	nk	5h30	P1 Fg Off G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Sgt A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt N.S. Cassidy RG Sgt A.R. Doran
NOTES:	Day/night cross-country navigation exercise at 20,000ft. Route: Elsham Wolds-Bottisham-Frome-Northampton-Hereford- Maughold Head-Catterick-Elsham Wolds
09 Feb 1944	LL796	UL-T²	Training	nk	nk	0h40	P1 Fg Off G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Sgt A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt N.S. Cassidy RG Sgt A.R. Doran
NOTES:	Night cross-country navigation exercise. Sortie abandoned as Gee unserviceable
10 Feb 1944	LL796	UL-T²	Training	nk	nk	4h40	P1 Fg Off G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Sgt A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt N.S. Cassidy RG Sgt A.R. Doran
NOTES:	Day/night cross-country navigation exercise at 20,000ft. Route: Elsham Wolds-Bottisham-Frome-Northampton-Hereford-Shawbury-Spalding-Catterick-Elsham Wolds
11 Feb 1944	JA868	UL-Y²	Training	nk	nk	1h40	P1 Fg Off G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Sgt A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt N.S. Cassidy RG Sgt A.R. Doran
NOTES:	Local flying and Visual Monica practice.
12 Feb 1944	LL796	UL-T²	Training	nk	nk	1h00	P1 Fg Off G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Sgt A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt N.S. Cassidy RG Sgt L.J. Mulholland
NOTES:	Low level bombing at 3,000 ft.
12 Feb 1944	LL796	UL-T²	Training	nk	nk	1h00	P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas P2 FE AB NAV WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG RG
NOTES:	Local Flying, Visual Monica
12 Feb 1944	LL796	UL-T²	Training	nk	nk	1h00	P1 Flt Sgt H.M.C. Thomas P2 FE Sgt D. Arlott AB Sgt A.E. Danslow NAV Plt Off H. Elliott WOp Sgt C.L. Radbone MUG Sgt H.L. Morrison RCAF RG Sgt L.J. Mulholland PAX Sgt W. Bird
NOTES:	Local flying and Visual Monica training. Sgt W Bird came along, probably as an observer WOp.
19 Feb 1944	DV365	UL-N²	LEIPZIG	2345	0800	8h15	P1 Fg Off G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt G.B. Valentine AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt N.S. Cassidy RG Sgt A.R. Doran
NOTES:	Target: built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 56x 30lb and 1122x 4lb incendiaries.
20 Feb 1944	DV365	UL-N²	STUTTGART	2355	0730	7h35	P1 Fg Off G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt N.S. Cassidy RG Sgt A.R. Doran
NOTES:	Target: built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 56x 30lb and 1122x 4lb incendiaries.
02 Mar 1944	ND362	UL-Q²	Training	nk	nk	0h45	P1 Fg Off G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt N.S. Cassidy RG Sgt A.R. Doran
NOTES:	Fighter affiliation.
09 Mar 1944	ND362	UL-Q²	Training	nk	nk	1h35	P1 Fg Off G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt N.S. Cassidy RG Sgt A.R. Doran
NOTES:	'Y' (H2S) training.
11 Mar 1944	LL830	UL-R²	Training	1415	1615	2h00	P1 Plt Off C.C. Rollins P2 Fg Off G.A.J. Wood FE Sgt E.D. Roff AB Fg Off H.L. Rees RCAF NAV Sgt J. Rutter WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt L.S. Sumak RCAF RG Sgt W.M. Boston
NOTES:	Bombing at Donna Nook Range, and fighter affiliation. Sgt Bird flew as WOp.
15 Mar 1944	ND362	UL-Q²	STUTTGART	1905	0320	8h15	P1 Fg Off G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt G.E. Fox RG Sgt A.C. Perkins
NOTES:	Target: built-up area.
18 Mar 1944	ND362	UL-Q²	FRANKFURT	1905	0205	7h00	P1 Fg Off G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt H.E. Lillicrap RG Sgt C. Philp
NOTES:	Target: built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 108x 30lb and 1170x 4lb incendiaries. The ORB lists A C Perkins as mid-upper but he was rear gunner with the Young crew that night. The mid-upper was probably Lillicrap.
22 Mar 1944	ND362	UL-Q²	FRANKFURT	1900	0115	6h15	P1 Fg Off G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt H.E. Lillicrap RG Sgt A.R. Doran
NOTES:	Target: built-up area. Aircraft struck by incendiaries from above
24 Mar 1944	DV365	UL-Z²	BERLIN	1855	0330	8h35	P1 Fg Off G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt H.E. Lillicrap RG Sgt E. Conner
NOTES:	Target: Built-up Area. Bombed from 21,000 ft. on a heading of 220, at 2236 hrs. Diverted to Enstone due to poor visibility at Elsham..
25 Mar 1944	DV365	UL-Z²	Enstone to Elsham Wolds	nk	nk	1h30	P1 Fg Off G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt H.E. Lillicrap RG Sgt E. Conner
NOTES:	Enstone to Elsham Wolds; return from diversion.
26 Mar 1944	DV365	UL-Z²	ESSEN	2000	2230	2h30	P1 Fg Off G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Sgt A.R. Doran
NOTES:	Target: built-up area. Returned early due to rear gunner losing consciousness.
30 Mar 1944	JB460	*UL-I²	NUREMBURG	2200	0215	4h15	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt H.E. Lillicrap RG Sgt E. Conner
NOTES:	Target: built-up area. Returned early as the rear turret became unserviceable.
11 Apr 1944	ME735	UL-R²	AACHEN	2030	0040	4h10	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt A. Jacques RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: Marshalling Yards
11 Apr 1944	ME735	UL-R²	Training	nk	nk	0h30	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt A. Jacques RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Pre-operation air test.
16 Apr 1944	ME735	UL-R²	Training	nk	nk	1h55	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	'Y' (H2S) cross-country navigation.
17 Apr 1944	ME735	UL-R²	Training	nk	nk	3h30	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	'Y' (H2S) cross-country navigation.
17 Apr 1944	ME735	UL-R²	Training	nk	nk	1h05	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	'Special night exercise'
18 Apr 1944	ME735	UL-R²	ROUEN	2150	0240	4h50	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: marshalling yards (two Aiming Points). Attacked by enemy intruder whilst in the circuit to land. Aircraft damaged and put on Cat AC. Crew were uninjured
20 Apr 1944	ND903	UL-R²	COLOGNE	2330	0405	4h35	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: built-up areas to the north and west of the city centre.
22 Apr 1944	ND903	UL-R²	DUSSELDORF	2225	0330	5h05	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: built-up area to the north of the city centre.
23 Apr 1944	ND903	UL-R²	Training	nk	nk	3h20	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	'Y' (H2S) cross-country navigation.
24 Apr 1944	ND903	UL-R²	KARLSRUHE	2220	0415	5h55	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: built-up area.
26 Apr 1944	ND903	UL-R²	ESSEN	2235	0320	5h10	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: built-up area. Bombed at 23,000 ft, heading 177°, at 0129 hrs
27 Apr 1944	ND903	UL-R²	FRIEDRICHSHAFEN	2125	0610	8h45	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: marshalling yards
29 Apr 1944	ND903	UL-R²	Training	nk	nk	3h40	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	'Y' (H2S) cross-country navigation.
30 Apr 1944	ND903	UL-R²	Training	nk	nk	2h30	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Air test and 'Y' (H2S) flying.
01 May 1944	ND903	UL-R²	LYON	2125	0445	7h20	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: Soc. Berliet motor works.
03 May 1944	ND903	UL-R²	MAILLY LE CAMP	2200	0405	6h05	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: military depot & tank training centre. Diverted to North Killingholme
04 May 1944		UL-R²	Training	nk	nk	0h20	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	North Killingholme to Elsham Wolds: return from diversion.
07 May 1944	ND903	UL-R²	Training	nk	nk	1h20	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Flt Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Fighter affiliation.
19 May 1944	ND903	UL-R²	ORLEANS	2145	0255	5h10	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Flt Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: Fleury-les-Aubrais marshalling yards.
21 May 1944	ND903	UL-R²	DUISBERG	2220	0255	4h35	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Flt Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: built-up area.
22 May 1944	ND903	UL-R²	DORTMUND	2205	0255	4h50	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Flt Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: built-up area. Bombed at 22,000 ft, heading 157°, at 0048 hrs
24 May 1944	ND903	UL-R²	AACHEN	2325	0415	4h50	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Flt Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: Aachen West and Rothe-Erde marshalling yards.
27 May 1944	ND903	UL-R²	AACHEN	2340	0415	4h35	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 Fg Off H.A.F. Smith FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Flt Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: Aachen East & Rothe-Erde marshalling yards.
27 May 1944	ND903	UL-R²	Training	nk	nk	0h15	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Flt Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Air test
02 Jun 1944	ND903	UL-R²	CALAIS	2235	0140	3h05	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Flt Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: Coastal railway gun battery. Most aircraft could not bomb due to cloud cover and brought their bomb load back.
05 Jun 1944	ND903	*UL-R²	ST MARTIN DE VARREVILLE & CRISBECQ	2110	0130	4h20	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 Wg Cdr G.T.B. Clayton RAF RAFO FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Flt Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: Crisbecq coastal gun batteries. The Squadron was given two targets, half the aircraft attacking each. The other target was gun batteries at St Martin de Varreville.
06 Jun 1944	ND903	*UL-R²	VIRE	2140	0255	5h15	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Flt Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: Road/rail bridge (the western Aiming Point). Bombed at 4,000 ft on heading 125°, at 0039hrs. Flown in support of the Allied invasion of Normandy.
10 Jun 1944	ND903	*UL-R²	FLERS	0015	0510	4h55	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Flt Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: enemy airfield
12 Jun 1944	ND903	*UL-R²	GELSENKIRCHEN	2230	0250	4h20	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 Plt Off J. MacDonald FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Flt Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: Nordstern synthetic oil plant (Gelsenberg AG)
14 Jun 1944	ND903	*UL-R²	LE HARVE	2010	2355	3h45	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Flt Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: docks & E-boat pens
16 Jun 1944	ND903	*UL-R²	STERKRADE	2250	0315	4h25	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Flt Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: Ruhr-Chemie AG synthetic oil plant at Holten
17 Jun 1944	ND903	UL-R²	AULNOYE	2325	0340	4h15	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 Plt Off E.A. Cartwright FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Flt Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: road/rail bridge near the marshalling yards at Aulnoye-Aymeries. Load: 18x 500lb bombs. The Master Bomber instructed crews to bomb the Target Indicators only if they were visible through the low cloud which was obscuring the target, and if not, to return to base. Most crews returned with bombload intact 'Second dickie' for Plt Off E A Cartwright
19 Jun 1944	ND903	UL-R²	SIRACOURT	nk	nk	1h50	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Flt Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: V1 flying bomb site. The operation cancelled just after seven Squadron aircraft had departed. Recalled by R/T. Five of the seven aircraft are known so far - LM352, LM439, LL799, ME800 & ND903
29 Jun 1944	JB555	UL-R²	DOMLEGER	1145	1450	3h05	P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood P2 FE Sgt H.B. Catling AB Flt Sgt R.E. Williams NAV Fg Off A.R. Marsh WOp Sgt W. Bird MUG Sgt E. Conner RG Plt Off F.D.A. Basebe
NOTES:	Target: V1 flying bomb storage & supply depot. Bombed at 14,000 ft, heading 154°, at 1329 hrs

PERSONAL INFORMATION
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PHOTOS & DOCUMENTS
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CREW MEMBER PROFILE

First Name/s:

William "Bill"

Service No/s:

1558162 186405

Wireless Operator