Editor's Notes: Operations Records - 407 Squadron
Aircrew recorded their flights, whether traiining, or operational, in their log books. Training flights were not "operations" and were not the subject of other reports.
The operations of each squadron were recorded not only in aircrew log books, but also in operations records in which details of each mission, and a brief comment on the results, were recorded, and in summary reports, in which each days operations and other notable events of the day were recorded. The Ops records were purely factual; the summaries allowed more room for observations and comments from the author(s) and often provide good insight into the on-the-ground activities of the squadron members. They also provide details of arrivals and departures, promotions and celebrations, deaths and funerals.
What they show is surprising. Some crews, perhaps the more experienced ones, flew many more missions than junior crews. Planes were treated interchangeably; crews may have a different aircraft from one mission to the next.
407 Squadron had over 90 pilots for, on average, about 16 aircraft. Even with two pilots per flight, an aircraft was shared among 3 flight crews.
The operations records, of course, record only operations, and not the many hours spent in training and training flights. The records for the second half of 1944 indicate the problems caused by bad weather. Ops went ahead, while training missions were often scrubbed.
These operations records and other records from 407 and other squadrons are slowly becoming available online, offering a first hand source of names, dates and places for the stories told here, and allowing some of the missing details to be completed.
They also identify other crews who did not return, and who have left no one to tell their stories.
The operations records and summaries of 407 Squadron from its formation to its disbanding in June 1945 can be viewed from the links on a small website for 407 squadron that is not yet published,
These operations records for 407 Squadron are made available by the National Archives of the UK.
Aircrew recorded their flights, whether traiining, or operational, in their log books. Training flights were not "operations" and were not the subject of other reports.
The operations of each squadron were recorded not only in aircrew log books, but also in operations records in which details of each mission, and a brief comment on the results, were recorded, and in summary reports, in which each days operations and other notable events of the day were recorded. The Ops records were purely factual; the summaries allowed more room for observations and comments from the author(s) and often provide good insight into the on-the-ground activities of the squadron members. They also provide details of arrivals and departures, promotions and celebrations, deaths and funerals.
What they show is surprising. Some crews, perhaps the more experienced ones, flew many more missions than junior crews. Planes were treated interchangeably; crews may have a different aircraft from one mission to the next.
407 Squadron had over 90 pilots for, on average, about 16 aircraft. Even with two pilots per flight, an aircraft was shared among 3 flight crews.
The operations records, of course, record only operations, and not the many hours spent in training and training flights. The records for the second half of 1944 indicate the problems caused by bad weather. Ops went ahead, while training missions were often scrubbed.
These operations records and other records from 407 and other squadrons are slowly becoming available online, offering a first hand source of names, dates and places for the stories told here, and allowing some of the missing details to be completed.
They also identify other crews who did not return, and who have left no one to tell their stories.
The operations records and summaries of 407 Squadron from its formation to its disbanding in June 1945 can be viewed from the links on a small website for 407 squadron that is not yet published,
These operations records for 407 Squadron are made available by the National Archives of the UK.
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