Researching 415 Squadron Operations from January 1944-August 1944

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heatherje
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Researching 415 Squadron Operations from January 1944-August 1944

Post by heatherje » Mon Feb 25, 2019 1:34 pm

Good afternoon,
I'm trying to track down my Grandfathers flight record (we do not have his log book), for his second tour of operations during WWII. I have had incredible responses from Squadron 158 and have managed to put together some details on his time with them but am looking for his second tour which I believe took place between January 29, 20199 - August 7, 1944. It was after this time that he was awarded the DFC medal. I would love to have his complete record of service, and any information that I can track down would be welcome! His name was Cyril Roland Rowsell, and he was a member of the RAF and served as WOP with F/Lt. H. Bond with 158, and then later with No.415 Squadron under W/C J.G McNeill.

Any assistance greatly appreciated! I am learning a lot and enjoying the research!

Thanks!

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Phil
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Re: Researching 415 Squadron Operations from January 1944-August 1944

Post by Phil » Mon Feb 25, 2019 3:16 pm

Hi,

Welcome to WARTIMES.ca. I'm guessing January 29, 20199 is a typo. Here's some basic details to help with the search,

F/O C. R. Rowsell, R.A.F., Distinguished Flying Cross

ROWSELL, FO Cyril - DFC - 441107 - 415 Sqn - WOP

The following is from The Gazette 3 November 1944, announcing his Distinguished Flying Cross Award,
Flying Officer Cyril ROWSELL (146604), R.A.F.V.R.,
415 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn.
As wireless operator (air) this officer has completed two tours of operational duty, during which he has participated in attacks on many heavily defended targets in Germany including Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Stettin and Berlin. He has rendered service which has contributed materially to the successes obtained.
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/iss ... ement/5084
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heatherje
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Re: Researching 415 Squadron Operations from January 1944-August 1944

Post by heatherje » Mon Feb 25, 2019 4:56 pm

Yes it’s a typo! Trying to type faster than my ability! January 1944 to August 1944.

I have a lot of information on his first tour with 158 squadron but can’t seem to find many details on what he completed after that although I know he had many more ops. Would love to have more details for sure.
Thanks!

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Phil
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Re: Researching 415 Squadron Operations from January 1944-August 1944

Post by Phil » Mon Feb 25, 2019 6:01 pm

Some info on what 415 Squadron R.C.A.F. was up to in 1944 in another thread,

https://wartimes.ca/forums/viewtopic.ph ... lit=415sqn
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Re: Researching 415 Squadron Operations from January 1944-August 1944

Post by Phil » Mon Feb 25, 2019 8:23 pm

415 Squadron, RCAFCrews – Halifax Era – East Moor 1944 - 1945

McNEIL DFC

Pilot W/C J McNeill
Navigator P/O S McKillop
Bomb Aimer F/L W McNicholl
WOP F/O C Rowsell
M/Upper F/Sgt L Glaisher
R/Gunner P/O N Graham
F/Engineer P/O J Hargreaves
M/AG F/O H Powell

https://wartimes.ca/forums/viewtopic.php?t=539
C R Rowsell.jpg
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http://www.415sqn.com/halifax-crews.html
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Temujin
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Re: Researching 415 Squadron Operations from January 1944-August 1944

Post by Temujin » Tue Feb 26, 2019 3:06 pm

heatherje wrote:
Mon Feb 25, 2019 4:56 pm
Yes it’s a typo! Trying to type faster than my ability! January 1944 to August 1944.

I have a lot of information on his first tour with 158 squadron but can’t seem to find many details on what he completed after that although I know he had many more ops. Would love to have more details for sure.
Thanks!
Heather, let me take a look. I assume your looking for all the operations he was on during that time period. Let me see what I can find and I’ll start posting up the info here....
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Re: Researching 415 Squadron Operations from January 1944-August 1944

Post by Temujin » Tue Feb 26, 2019 3:49 pm

Heather, so far I’ve searched the Jan, Feb, Mar, and April 1944 Operational Record books and his name is not in them........that doesn’t mean he hadn’t arrived at the Squadron, just that he was on Active Operations yet........still searching

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Re: Researching 415 Squadron Operations from January 1944-August 1944

Post by Temujin » Tue Feb 26, 2019 4:15 pm

Heather, finally found him. W/C J.G. NcNeil and crew were posted into 415 Squadron in July 1944 and as you can see, they were posted in from 433 Squadron

The first record is of their posting in.......
F73EAF6D-64A8-4CBF-BE42-316982022423.jpeg
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This second record is their first mission.........
1A336106-583D-4211-91D3-4B2577D53B95.jpeg
1A336106-583D-4211-91D3-4B2577D53B95.jpeg (177.43 KiB) Viewed 14233 times

I will continue searching and posting up info here

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Re: Researching 415 Squadron Operations from January 1944-August 1944

Post by Temujin » Tue Feb 26, 2019 4:22 pm

On this record, you can see the Squadron was “reformed” in July on 1944, and W/C McNeil arrived on the 14th July. It doesn’t say his crew arrived on the same day, but I would assumed they arrived together........
6DF479C1-D8E8-40C7-B931-85122D1920DC.jpeg
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Re: Researching 415 Squadron Operations from January 1944-August 1944

Post by Temujin » Tue Feb 26, 2019 4:50 pm

Still searching......I found this record that indicates that he was posted OUT of the 415 Squadron in 14 Sept 1944, so he was only with 415 Squadron for 3 months........I’ll see what other missions I can find
2ABB94E9-4506-4EFE-9482-CE37BCD05C94.jpeg
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