CREW MEMBER PROFILE |
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Surname: |
CARTWRIGHT |
First Name/s: |
Ernest Albert "Ernie" |
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Service No/s: |
1030471 & 170202 |
Service: |
RAFVR |
Branch: |
Pilot |
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Awards: |
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC); 1939-1945 Star; France and Germany Star, Defence Medal |
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SERVICE RECORDS |
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Date |
Event |
Aircraft Flown |
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05 Jan 1941 |
Enlisted at No.3 Recruit Centre, Padgate, Warrington, Cheshire, as Aircraftsman Second Class (AC2) and mustering as Air Crew Hand / Pilot. |
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06 Jan 1941 |
Transferred to the Reserve to await call-up. |
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31 May 1941 |
Called up and posted to No.1 Receiving Wing, Norcliffe Hotel, Babbacombe, Paignton, Devon. |
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14 Jun 1941 |
No.7 Initial Training Wing, Newquay, Cornwall. |
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01 Aug 1941 |
Promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC) on completion of Initial Training. |
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07 Aug 1941 |
Embarked UK (vessel and port, and precise date tbc). |
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11 Aug 1941 |
Personnel Transit Centre, Toronto, Ontario |
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15 Aug 1941 |
Re-mustered as U/T Pilot. |
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28 Aug 1941 |
No.1 British Flying Training School, Terrell, Texas, USA |
PT-13 Stearman |
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24 Jan 1942 |
Awarded Pilot's Flying Badge and promoted to Sergeant, re-mustering as Pilot. |
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25 Jan 1942 |
No.31 (RAF) Personnel Despatch Centre, Montcon, New Brunswick, Canada |
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09 Feb 1942 |
Embarked Halifax, Nova Scotia (vessel not known) |
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19 Feb 1942 |
Disembarked UK (vessel and port not known). |
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20 Feb 1942 |
No.3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, Dorset. |
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29 Mar 1942 |
No.1 Flying Instructors School, Church Lawford, Warwickshire |
Oxford |
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27 May 1942 |
No.15 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit ((P) AFU), Acaster Malbis, Yorkshire, and Greenham Common, Buckinghamshire |
Oxford |
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08 Jan 1943 |
No.28 Operational Training Unit (OTU), Wymeswold, Leicestershire. Cartwright crew formed. |
Wellington |
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01 Nov 1943 |
Promoted to Flight Sergeant. |
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27 Dec 1943 |
Discharged on appointment to a Commission. |
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28 Dec 1943 |
Commissioned as Pilot Officer on probation (emergency) |
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06 Apr 1944 |
No.11 Base, Lindholme, Yorkshire; administrative base for No.1 Group heavy bomber conversions |
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07 Apr 1944 |
No.1667 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU), 83 Course, Sandtoft, Yorkshire |
Halifax |
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26 May 1944 |
No.1 Lancaster Finishing School (LFS), 16 Course, Hemswell, Lincolnshire |
Lancaster |
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07 Jun 1944 |
No.576 Squadron, 'B' Flight, Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire |
Lancaster |
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26 Jun 1944 |
Granted the temporary rank of Acting Flying Officer |
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28 Jun 1944 |
Promoted to Flying Officer (war substantive) |
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23 Sep 1944 |
No.1656 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU), Lindholme, Yorkshire; as an instructor |
Lancaster |
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16 Jan 1945 |
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) promulgated; awarded for service on 576 Squadron (no citation yet found) |
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18 Feb 1945 |
Attended the OTU Instructors Course, Bomber Command Instructors School (BCIS), Finningley, Yorkshire |
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31 Mar 1945 |
Returned to No.1656 Heavy Conversion Unit, Lindholme, Yorkshire |
Lancaster |
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10 Dec 1945 |
No.1384 Heavy Transport Conversion Unit (HTCU), Ossington, Nottinghamshire; BOAC course. |
Lancastrian, |
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28 Dec 1945 |
Promoted to Flight Lieutenant (war substantive) |
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18 Mar 1946 |
No.17 Air Crew Holding Unit, Pocklington, Yorkshire |
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14 Apr 1946 |
Headquarters, (MPC or MPI) - unit not identified; as supernumerary |
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01 May 1946 |
No.100 Personnel Disposal Centre (PDC), Uxbridge, Middlesex; for discharge |
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01 Jul 1959 |
Commission relinquished |
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17 Jun 2023 |
Last day of service |
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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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17 Jun 1944 |
ND903 |
UL-R2 |
AULNOYE |
2325 |
0340 |
4h15 |
P1 Flt Lt G.A.J. Wood |
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 |
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21 Jun 1944 |
ND903 |
UL-R2 |
Training |
1620 |
1950 |
3h30 |
P1 Plt Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Cross-country navigation exercise. |
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22 Jun 1944 |
NE115 |
UL-B2 |
Training |
1335 |
1720 |
3h45 |
P1 Plt Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Cross-country navigation exercise |
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23 Jun 1944 |
LL799 |
UL-N2 |
SAINTES |
2215 |
0545 |
7h30 |
P1 Plt Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Marshalling yards. Load: H2S-equipped aircraft: 10x 1000lb, 2x 500 lb bombs; all other aircraft: 10x 1000lb, 3x 500lb bombs. It is not known if this aircraft was H2S-equipped. |
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25 Jun 1944 |
LL799 |
UL-N2 |
FLERS |
0150 |
0550 |
4h00 |
P1 Plt Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: V1 'flying bomb' launch site Load: 18x 500lb bombs |
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27 Jun 1944 |
LL799 |
UL-N2 |
CHATEAU DE BERNAPRE |
0140 |
0545 |
4h05 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: V1 'flying bomb' launch site Load: 18x 500lb bombs |
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29 Jun 1944 |
LL799 |
UL-N2 |
DOMLEGER |
1150 |
1515 |
3h25 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
V1 'flying bomb' storage and supply depot Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs |
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30 Jun 1944 |
LL799 |
UL-N2 |
OISEMONT / NEUVILLE AU BOIS |
0600 |
1010 |
4h10 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: V1 flying bomb launch site Load: 11x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs |
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02 Jul 1944 |
LL799 |
UL-N2 |
DOMLEGER |
1220 |
1610 |
3h50 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: V1 'flying bomb' storage and supply depot Load: 7x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs |
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04 Jul 1944 |
LL799 |
UL-N2 |
ORLEANS |
2215 |
0345 |
5h30 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Marshalling yards Load: 18x 500lb bombs Hit by flak which killed the Air Bomber Sgt West. The aircraft was also chased by two Fw-190s and an Me-109. Landed Keevil where West's body was taken to the Station mortuary. |
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05 Jul 1944 |
LL799 |
UL-N2 |
Keevil to Elsham Wolds |
1625 |
1730 |
1h05 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Return from diversion. |
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07 Jul 1944 |
LM133 |
UL-H2 |
CAEN |
1745 |
0000 |
6h15 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Enemy armour strongpoint on the Northern outskirts of Caen. Load: 11x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs Flown in support of the Anglo-Canadian ground forces attacking the town in Operation CHARNWOOD |
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10 Jul 1944 |
LM122 |
UL-X2 |
Elsham Wolds to Oakington |
1030 |
1105 |
0h35 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Probably to attend Kenneth West's funeral at Cambridge City Cemetery. |
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10 Jul 1944 |
LM122 |
UL-X2 |
Oakington to Elsham Wolds |
2300 |
2335 |
0h35 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Return from Oakington. |
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12 Jul 1944 |
LL799 |
UL-N2 |
REVIGNY |
2130 |
0640 |
9h10 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Marshalling yards Load: 7x 1000lb and 4x500lb bombs The Deputy Master Bomber instructed aircraft to return to base with their bombs (codeword ‘Lysol’) as cloud was obscuring the target. Target marking was conducted by the 1 Group Special Duties Flight based at Binbrook. Diverted to Blyton due to weather at Elsham Wolds |
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13 Jul 1944 |
LL799 |
UL-N2 |
Blyton to Elsham Wolds |
1650 |
1710 |
0h20 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Return from diversion. |
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14 Jul 1944 |
LL799 |
UL-N2 |
REVIGNY |
2115 |
0545 |
8h30 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Marshalling yards Load 7x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs The Master Bomber instructed all aircraft to return to base with bombs (codeword ‘Sugar Plum’) as the target was obscured. Some Squadron aircraft diverted due to low cloud at Elsham Wolds, but the Cartwright crew landed safely at base. |
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18 Jul 1944 |
LL799 |
UL-N2 |
SANNERVILLE |
0335 |
0735 |
4h00 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Area 'H'; fortified positions occupied by Panzer regiments Load: 11x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs Flown in support of the British 2nd Army involved in Operation GOODWOOD and given a 'strong fighter escort' |
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20 Jul 1944 |
LL799 |
UL-N2 |
WIZERNES |
1920 |
2255 |
3h35 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Construction site for a V2 rocket site and bunker complex known as ‘La Coupole’ Load: 11x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs |
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22 Jul 1944 |
JB555 |
UL-R2 |
Training |
1100 |
1255 |
1h55 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
'Y' (H2S) cross-country navigation exercise. Flight engineer not known (not in Cawston's logbook) |
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23 Jul 1944 |
LM122 |
UL-X2 |
Training |
1100 |
1300 |
2h00 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
'Y' (H2S) cross-country navigation exercise. |
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23 Jul 1944 |
UL-R2 |
KIEL |
2220 |
0345 |
5h25 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
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NOTES: |
Target: German naval base, canal and harbour Load: 1x 4000lb ‘Cookie’, 8x 500lb bombs, and 5x 500lb ‘J’ Type incendiary cluster, or, 1x 4000lb ‘Cookie’, 16x 500lb bombs, tbc |
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24 Jul 1944 |
JB555 |
UL-R2 |
STUTTGART |
2115 |
0615 |
9h00 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up area Load: 1x 2000lb bomb and 12x cluster bombs each containing 14x 30lb ‘J’-Type incendiaries |
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26 Jul 1944 |
JB555 |
UL-R2 |
BOIS DES JARDINS |
0045 |
0445 |
4h00 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: V1 'flying bomb' launch site Load: 18x 500lb bombs |
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30 Jul 1944 |
JB555 |
UL-R2 |
CAHAGNES |
0635 |
1055 |
4h20 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Enemy troop concentrations Load: 20x 500lb bombs Given a fighter escort (Spitfires and possibly Typhoons). Diverted to Methwold due to weather at Elsham Wolds. The Flight Engineer is not known; Cawston is listed in the ORB but the operation is not in his logbook. |
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30 Jul 1944 |
JB555 |
UL-R2 |
Methwold to Elsham Wolds |
1255 |
1320 |
0h25 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Return from diversion. |
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01 Aug 1944 |
JB555 |
UL-R2 |
BELLE CROIX LES BRUYERES (BAUDRINGHEM) |
1850 |
2150 |
3h00 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: V1 flying bomb launch site Load: 12x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs The Master Bomber abandoned the attack and ordered the aircraft to return to base with their loads due to cloud cover obscuring the target area. The Flight Engineer still remains a mystery; Cawston is again listed in the ORB but the operation is not in his logbook. |
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03 Aug 1944 |
JB555 |
UL-R2 |
TROSSY ST MAXIMIN |
1135 |
1610 |
4h35 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: V1 'flying bomb' supply depot Load: 11x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs |
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04 Aug 1944 |
JB555 |
UL-R2 |
PAUILLAC |
1310 |
2115 |
8h05 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Oil storage depot Load: 9x 1000lb and 3x 500lb bombs. Flight Engineer unknown: Cawston is listed in the ORB, but the operation is not in his logbook. |
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07 Aug 1944 |
JB555 |
UL-R2 |
FONTENAY-LE-MARMION |
2055 |
0100 |
4h05 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Concentration of enemy armour in battle area near Caen Load: 11x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs |
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07 Aug 1944 |
JB555 |
UL-R2 |
Training |
1100 |
1300 |
2h00 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
'Y' (H2S) cross-country navigation exercise |
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10 Aug 1944 |
JB555 |
UL-R2 |
PARIS (DUGNY) |
0905 |
1415 |
5h10 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Aviation fuel storage depot Load: 13x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs Spitfire escort |
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11 Aug 1944 |
JB555 |
UL-R2 |
DOUAI |
1340 |
1745 |
4h05 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Marshalling yards Load: 13x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs |
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14 Aug 1944 |
JB555 |
UL-R2 |
FONTAINE LE PIN |
1310 |
1705 |
3h55 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Enemy positions in the battle area Load: 20x 500lb bombs |
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25 Aug 1944 |
ME792 |
UL-Q2 |
RUSSELSHEIM |
2025 |
0435 |
8h10 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Opel factory for aircraft wings & fuselages, and the built-up area Load: 1x 4000lb 'Cookie' and 12x 500lb clusters containing 4lb incendiaries. Enemy Me-410 sighted but did not engage |
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26 Aug 1944 |
PB472 |
UL-R2 |
KIEL |
2005 |
0120 |
5h15 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: German Navy dockyards and installations Load: 1x 4000lb 'Cookie' and 108x 30lb and 1170x 4lb incendiaries Enemy Me-210 seen but not engaged |
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29 Aug 1944 |
PB472 |
UL-R2 |
STETTIN |
2115 |
0515 |
8h00 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Port area Load: 1x 4000lb ‘Cookie’, 60x 30lb and 660x 4lb incendiaries Forced to abandon the operation and return early when South-East of Sweden due to failure of the starboard inner engine 'Second Dickie' trip for Fg Off I Thompson |
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31 Aug 1944 |
PB472 |
UL-R2 |
AGENVILLE |
1255 |
1635 |
3h40 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: V1 'flying bomb' supply site Load: 13x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs Hit by flak and failure of the port inner engine Spitfire escort |
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03 Sep 1944 |
PB472 |
UL-R2 |
EINDHOVEN |
1525 |
1910 |
3h45 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Luftwaffe-occupied aerodrome Load: 13x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs Given Spitfire escort |
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05 Sep 1944 |
PB472 |
UL-R2 |
LE HAVRE |
1610 |
1930 |
3h20 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Enemy strongpoints Load: 13x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs Hit by flak |
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05 Sep 1944 |
PB472 |
UL-R2 |
LE HAVRE |
1610 |
1930 |
3h20 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Enemy strongpoints Load: 13x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs Hit by flak in the starboard mainplane |
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05 Sep 1944 |
UL-T2 |
Training |
1030 |
1125 |
0h55 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
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NOTES: |
Fighter affiliation. Flight engineer not known - not Cawston. |
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06 Sep 1944 |
PD235 |
UL-N2 |
LE HAVRE |
1705 |
2020 |
3h15 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Enemy strongpoints Load: 13x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs |
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08 Sep 1944 |
PD235 |
UL-N2 |
LE HAVRE |
0620 |
0930 |
3h10 |
P1 Fg Off E.A. Cartwright |
NOTES: |
Target: Enemy strongpoints to the North of the town Load: 13x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs The crews were given two Aiming Points: 10 aircraft on AP 12, and 5 on AP 13. It is unknown which AP this crew attacked During the attack the cloud cover increased and obscured the target, so the Master Bomber instructed crews who had not bombed to return with their loads. It appears the Cartwright crew managed to bomb their AP Crew 'screened' from operations having completed 32 operations |
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PERSONAL INFORMATION |
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Personal Records Restricted - not available to the public |
PHOTOS & DOCUMENTS |
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Personal Documents Restricted - not available to the public |
