Greetings from Warwickshire

[78SqnHistory]

Hello,

I've just found your great website and thought I would introduce myself. My name is Daz and I am currently researching the operational history of 78 Squadron, 4 Group, Bomber Command and would love to hear from anyone who has any information, photos, documents relating to the Squadron during the 1939-45 period.

I have been researching the Squadron since 2000 as my late uncle flew with them as an Air Gunner. He was the sole survivor of his crew, the remainder being killed in a H2S training accident on 23/04/1944 between operations.

I have identified nearly 400 Canadians/Americans who flew with the Squadron and would love to find out more. Over the years I have made contact with many veterans and never cease to be amazed at their modesty. One particular veteran, John Erricker DFC set me the challenge of recording the deeds of the Squadron, as he put it, "Nobody remembers the Halifax Squadrons and we won't be here for ever", so I see it as my task to keep their memory alive and record some of the detail of what they did for us all those years ago.

If anyone has any questions about the Squadron then please feel free to ask.

Thanks

Daz

[BFBSM]

G’day Daz,

Do you have the Operation Record Books for 78 Squadron? They are currently available for free download from the National Archives: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov. ... SQ&_hb=tna.

[78SqnHistory]

Hi,

yes I have them thanks, I first obtained a copy by going to Kew and photocopying them before they were available to download, I have now downloaded them and a few other Squadrons to.

Regards

Daz

[Temujin]

Welcome Daz.......let us know if you have a specific item or person you’d like like us to search, and we’ll try our best

WELCOME

[BFBSM]

Hi,

yes I have them thanks, I first obtained a copy by going to Kew and photocopying them before they were available to download, I have now downloaded them and a few other Squadrons to.

Regards

Daz

Excellent! Yes, as Temujin stated, if there is anything we can do to help, ask away. I look forward to seeing some of the results of your research as time goes by.

[Phil]

Welcome to the site Daz!

[georgetanksherman]

Welcome Daz, for the last several years been researching Americans that crossed the border to help prior to the U.S. entering WW II,

What I have so far on R.A.F. No. 78 Squadron

1 American/RCAF, Whitley, Z6577, August 17, 1941

1 American/RCAF, Halifax, W1180, August 6, 1942

1 American/RCAF, Halifax, W7822, September 27, 1942

1 American/USAAF Detachment, LW320, December 31, 1943

1 American/RCAF, Halifax, HX241, March 31, 1944

1 American/USAAF Detachment, MZ577, June 8, 1944

Again Welcome
George

[78SqnHistory]

George,

Many thanks for posting, from my research the Americans aboard these flights are:

MZ577 was 1ST LT Cameron Oliver EVANS USAAF who is buried in Epinal US Military Cemetery.

HX241 was Flt Harry McCormick HUDSON RCAF

LW320 was 1ST LT Laughlin McIver KELLY USAAF - this was on the night of the 20/21 December 1943

W7822 was FSgt Stanley Goodard GRAY RCAF

W1180 was Sgt John Richard GILBERT RCAF

I have no American citizen's flying on Z6577.

Z6577 had two RCAF members Sgt T A Sherman and Sgt G L Olsen. OLSEN was Canadian of Norwegian ancestry and SHERMAN was born in Kent, England with Australian citizenship but residing in Ohio at the time of his enlistment into the RCAF.

Regards

Daz

[georgetanksherman]

78SqnHistory, According to RAFCommands, CWGC, and CVWM, SERGEANT THOMAS ANTHONY SHERMAN, RCAF, R/69619, hails from Beloit, Wisconsin, U.S.A.

CWGC: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find- ... s-anthony/

CVWM: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembra ... il/2646864

RAFCOMMAND: http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/03726.php

[78SqnHistory]

Thanks for this but according to his RCAF attestation paperwork he declared himself as being born in Kent, England, holding Australian citizenship and residing in Ohio.

His father was born in Brisbane, Australia and his mother was born in Dumbarton, Scotland. He states that both his parents are Australian although they are residing at 362 East Madison Ave, Springfield, Ohio.

I suspect that by the time the CWGC got round to creating their records his parents had moved, which might explain the difference in location.

Looks like it all got a bit confusing.

Daz