Carpe Diem - 576 Squadron RAF

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576 Squadron FLYING RECORDS

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Date	Event	Aircraft Flown
SERVICE RECORDS
26 Oct 1943 26 Oct 1943	No.83 Operational Training Unit, Peplow TBC	Wellington
11 Feb 1944 11 Feb 1944	No.1662 Heavy Conversion Unit, Blyton. Elements of the 576 crew formed (Gibbons (WOp), Searle (FE), & Frost (AB) are mentioned by name in Rainey's logbook). TBC	Halifax
16 Apr 1944 16 Apr 1944	No.1 Lancaster Finishing School, Hemswell. TBC	Lancaster
01 May 1944 01 May 1944	No.576 Squadron, 'B' Flight, Elsham Wolds.	Lancaster
18 Aug 1944 18 Aug 1944	Crew screened from operations on 576.

Date	Aircraft	Code	Flight Details	T/O	Land	Flt Time	Crew
576 Squadron FLYING RECORDS
11 May 1944	ME726	UL-X²	Training	nk	nk	5h00	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt G.G. Schofield
NOTES:	Night cross-country navigation exercise. Route: Elsham-Saffron Walden-Bodmin-Truro-Elsham.
12 May 1944	ND903	UL-R²	Exercise BULLSEYE	nk	nk	5h15	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt G.G. Schofield
NOTES:	Night Exercise BULLSEYE. Target: Newcastle.
14 May 1944	LL796	UL-T²	Training	nk	nk	1h45	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt G.G. Schofield
NOTES:	High level bombing and fighter affiliation.
17 May 1944	ME687	*UL-S²	Training	nk	nk	2h20	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt G.G. Schofield
NOTES:	Air-to-air firing, Air-to-sea firing, and levelling bombsight.
21 May 1944	ME687	UL-S²	DUISBERG	2245	0345	5h00	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt G.G. Schofield
NOTES:	Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 204x 30lb incendiaries. Bombed at 20,000 ft. 'Sighted 3 enemy fighters. Attacked once. Holed by flak' - Rainey.
22 May 1944	JB460	UL-V²	DORTMUND	2335	0310	4h35	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG WO R.S. Pyatt RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 108x 30lb, 1170x 4lb incendiaries. 'Fighter attack' - Rainey L/B
24 May 1944	JB460	UL-V²	AACHEN	2355	0455	5h00	P1 Fg Off W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt G.G. Schofield
NOTES:	Target: Aachen West and Rothe-Erde marshalling yards. Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs.
24 May 1944	JB460	UL-V²	Air Test	1300	1330	0h30	P1 Fg Off W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air test Rainey: "Took off and landed without ASI"
24 May 1944	JB460	UL-V²	AACHEN	2355	0455	5h00	P1 Fg Off W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: the marshalling yards at Aachen West and Rothe-Erde Load: 11x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs Rainey: "Bombed at 20,000 ft" Rear gunner incorrectly listed in the ORB as Schofield.
26 May 1944	ME735	UL-R²	Training	nk	nk	1h30	P1 Fg Off W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt G.G. Schofield
NOTES:	'Y' H2S, cross country, Air to sea firing; H2S unserviceable
28 May 1944	ME735	UL-R²	Training	nk	nk	1h30	P1 Fg Off W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt G.G. Schofield
NOTES:	'Y' Cross country (Y partly unserviceable)
03 Jun 1944	ME735	UL-R²	WIMEREUX	2310	0300	3h50	P1 Fg Off W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt G.G. Schofield
NOTES:	Target: Coastal gun battery. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 15x 500lb bombs.
05 Jun 1944	ME735	UL-R²	ST MARTIN DE VARREVILLE AND CRISBECQ	2130	0135	4h05	P1 Fg Off W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt G.G. Schofield
NOTES:	Target: Coastal gun batteries at St Martin de Varreville. The bombing of coastal guns to soften up the enemy defences prior to the D-Day landings. Load: 18x 5000lb bombs.
06 Jun 1944	ME735	UL-R²	VIRE	2155	0340	5h45	P1 Fg Off W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt G.G. Schofield
NOTES:	Target: Two aiming points one on the Viaduc de Martilly road/rail bridge (western AP) and the other on the town's marshalling yards. Load: 18x 500lb bombs.
10 Jun 1944	ME735	UL-R²	FLERS	1350	1720	3h30	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt G.G. Schofield
NOTES:	Target: Luftwaffe airfield. Load: 18x 500lb bombs.
10 Jun 1944	ME735	UL-R²	Air Test	1430	1510	0h40	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Airframe and engine test; landed Sandtoft
23 Jun 1944	ME735	UL-P²	SAINTES	0130	0530	4h00	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt G.G. Schofield
NOTES:	Target: Marshalling yards. Loads: H2S aircraft: 10x 1000lb, 2x 500lb bombs. All other aircraft 10x 1000lb, 3x 500lb bombs.
02 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	DOMLEGER	1215	1555	3h40	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: V1 'flying bomb' storage and supply depot. Load: 7x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. The crew's usual rear gunner, Sgt Schofield, was replaced by Sgt Porter RCAF for an unknown reason.
04 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	ORLEANS	2200	0420	6h20	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt A. Milne
NOTES:	Target: Marshalling yards. Load: 18x 500lb bombs. 'Successful. Clear photo' - Rainey.
05 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	DIJON	2105	0605	9h00	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Marshalling yards. Load: H2S equipped aircraft: 8x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. All aircraft were diverted to Coningsby due to low cloud at Elsham on return. 'Successful. Clear photo' - Rainey.
06 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	Coningsby to Elsham Wolds	nk	nk	nk	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Return to Elsham from the diversion.
07 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	CAEN	1925	2310	nk	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Enemy armour strongpoint on the Northern outskirts of Caen. Flown in support of the Anglo-Canadian ground forces attack on the town (Operation Charnwood). Load: 9x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. 'Successful. Clear photo' - Rainey.
10 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	Training	nk	nk	2h15	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	'Y' (H2S) cross-country navigation exercise: Elsham-Cardiff-Wolverhampton-Scunthorpe-Elsham.
11 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	Training	nk	nk	2h10	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	High-level bombing and fighter affiliation.
12 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	REVIGNY	2110	0610	9h00	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Marshalling yards. The Deputy Master Bomber instructed all aircraft to return to base with their bombs (‘Lysol’) as cloud was obscuring the target. Special Duties Flight (1 Group's 'pathfinders') carried out target marking. Load: 7x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. On return the crew diverted to Sandtoft due to the weather at Elsham. 'Marking late and inaccurate. Bombed spot fire at 2,400 ft' - Rainey.
13 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	Sandtoft to Elsham Wolds	nk	nk	0h15	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Return from diversion.
18 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	SANNERVILLE	0320	0715	3h55	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Area 'H' - fortified positions occupied by Panzer regiments. Load: 9x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Flown in support of the British Second Army involved in Operation GOODWOOD. The bombers were given a strong fighter escort. Rainey records, '...on German troop concentrations prior to breakthrough from the beachhead. Successful'. NOTE: Aircraft was UL-P2 not UL-R2, as indicated.
18 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	SCHOLVEN / BUER	2300	0300	4h00	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt A.G. Foxwell
NOTES:	Target: Synthetic oil plant. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 16x 500lb bombs. Rainey notes, 'Excellent prang. Good photo of aiming point.' NOTE: Aircraft was UL-P2, not UL-R2, as indicated.
20 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	WIZERNES	1900	2230	3h30	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Construction site for a V2 rocket site and bunker complex ‘La Coupole’. Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. 'Clear photo' - Rainey.
23 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	KIEL	2240	0340	5h00	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: German Navy base, canal, and harbour. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 8x 500lb bombs, 5x 500lb ‘J’ Type incendiary cluster. The aircraft was followed by an enemy single-engined fighter for four minutes before combat was engaged. The fighter was claimed as destroyed by the gunners. No copy of the combat report has been found yet but Rainey's logbook carried a typed report which is shown below. Rainey's logbook also states; '10/10 cloud over target. Fighter shot down by rear gunner. Confirmed & allowed'.
24 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	STUTTGART	2105	0550	8h45	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 2000lb bomb, 12x 3010 'J'-Type incendiary cluster bombs. Bombed at 15,000 ft. Rainey: '10/10 cloud over target. Photo of Wanganui flares'.
26 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	BOIS DES JARDINS	0030	0415	3h45	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: V1 'flying bomb' launch site. Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Rainey: 'Successful. Clear photos'.
30 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	CAHAGNES	0625	1040	4h15	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Enemy troop concentrations. The bomber force were given a fighter escort of Spitfires and (possibly) Typhoons. Load: 20x 500lb bombs. Rainey: 'Battle target. Low cloud. Three runs before bombing'. Diverted to Horham due to 'haze and mist' at Elsham.
30 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	Horham to Elsham Wolds	1400	1445	0h45	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Return from diversion.
31 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	Air Test	nk	nk	0h45	P1 Wg Cdr B.D. Sellick P2 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Airframe and engine test.
10 Aug 1944	ME735	UL-P²	PARIS (DUGNY)	0900	1415	5h15	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Aviation fuel storage depot. Spitfire escort. Load: 13x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Rainey: 'Successful. Camera failure'.
11 Aug 1944	ME735	UL-P²	DOUAI	1335	1735	4h00	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Marshalling yards. Load: 13x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Rainey: 'Successful. Clear photo'.
12 Aug 1944	ME735	UL-P²	BORDEAUX	1115	1805	6h50	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Oil storage facilities & U-Boat pens. Mosquito and Spitfire escort. Load: 2x 2000lb armour-piercing bombs. Rainey: 'Oil storage for U-boats. Successful. Clear photo of aim point'.
13 Aug 1944	ME735	UL-P²	FALAISE	0030	0345	3h15	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Enemy ground positions, Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Rainey: 'Battle target. Successful. (No cameras carried)'.
15 Aug 1944	ME735	UL-P²	LE COULOT (BEAUVECHAIN)	0940	1330	3h50	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 Plt Off W.S. Button FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Luftwaffe night fighter airfield. Load: 13x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. 'Second Dickie' trip for Plt Off Button. Rainey: 'Successful. Clear photo'.
16 Aug 1944	ME735	UL-P²	POMERANIAN BAY (STETTIN)	2110	0450	7h40	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Gardening 'Geraniums'. Load: 6x 1500lb mines. Mines dropped at 11,000 ft. Rainey: 'Mine-laying in Pomerania Bay. Successful. No camera carried'.
18 Aug 1944	ME735	UL-P²	ERTVELDE RIEME	2210	0115	3h05	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Motor Transport oil depot and storage tanks near Ghent on the Ghent-Terneuzen canal. Load: 13x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Rainey: '(Oil dump in Belgium). Successful. (Photo target)'. The Rainey crew were screened from operations after this mission.

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Air Gunner