Use the search button on the right side to look for someone’s name among more than 170 posts I wrote about RAF 238 squadron.
Either use the comment section or the contact form below to write a comment like someone whose father was Robert Davis’ pilot.
Courtesy Richard Hall
Collection Robert Davis
Update 8 April 2023
Typo corrected. (instructor)
Updated 20 October 2022 with a comment seen in the comment section at the end…
The Type B headgear had been around since 1936 and was being replaced in the middle of the war, around 1943, with a more comfortable Type C Flying Helmet.
The original post
Someone commented a few minutes ago…
My neighbour does house clearances. He has come across a Type A flying helmet, that I believe was only issued in Malta. It has the name LG Batt written inside with W/O. I’m guessing this belonged to Leslie Gordon Batt who was a 238 Squadron pilot during The Battle of Britain. It would appear he refuelled in Malta in May 1941 en route to the Western Dessert. I’m guessing that’s where he picked up the helmet.
Would anyone have any other info/images?
Ken Smith
More Leslie Gordon Batt, if it’s him here …
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Batt.htm
The Airmen’s Stories – Sgt. L G Batt
Leslie Gordon Batt was born on 27th November 1916 and educated at Bablake School and Coventry Technical College. He was an engineering apprentice at Daimlers when he joined the RAFVR in April 1938 as an Airman u/t Pilot. He did his weekend flying at 9E&RFTS Ansty.
Called up on 1st September 1939, he was posted to 6 FTS Little Rissington and joined 253 Squadron at Kenley on 17th May 1940. He moved to 238 Squadron on the 21st.
On 21st July Batt shared a Do17, on 8th August he claimed a Me109 and five days later he made a forced-landing at Eartham in Hurricane P2989 after an attack by a Me109 south of the Isle of Wight.
Batt went to Egypt with 238 in May 1941 and remained with the squadron until December. In January 1942 he had his first long leave since May 1940, in Cairo, and in February he joined the Aircraft Delivery Unit there.
In August 1942 Batt was posted away and returned to the UK in November. He went to 55 OTU Annan as an instructor in early December 1942 and was commissioned from Warrant Officer in March 1943.
A return to operations came on 11th August 1943 when Batt was posted to 198 Squadron, flying Typhoons from Martlesham Heath.
He went for a course to 7 FIS Upavon on 24th November after which he was posted to 3 FTS Lulsgate on 29th June 1940 as an instructor of the instructors, remaining there until his release in 1945 as a Flight Lieutenant.
He then rejoined the RAFVR and served with them until 1959.
Batt’s portrait was made by Cuthbert Orde.
Batt died on 4th February 2004.
New update on 27 August 2022
The search for the “City of Hereford” has been successful, but it appears that it is not the item that I have in my posession !! The height and location of the crew door are totally different — see the attached. We have had a win, but also have to start again !!
Just another challenge !!
Thanks for your help 🙂
Dave
Click below…
From Ralph…
Hi David,
Have you seen the following newspaper reference to the « City of Hereford »:
Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 – 1954), Friday 19 July 1946, page 5
« LEAVES SKYWAYS FOR CARAVAN HIGHROADS
Here is the City of Hereford, a veteran Dakota flown more than half a million miles by pilots of 300 Wing R.A.A.F. Transport Command during the New Guinea campaigns now being made into a luxury Caravan.
During her active service she carried wounded, paratroops, infantry, food, guns, ammunition, trucks, bridging equipment, and the hundred and one things that made possible the victories in New Guinea. Her next trip will be behind a light car owned by Mr. Max Muller, of the Grange, as a family caravan with every convenience.
Some months ago Mr. Muller obtained the City of Hereford’s fuselage from a friend who purchased the plane from Disposals. Now it lies in Mr. Muller’s backyard in three sections. The forward section, including the pilots’ control cabin, has been transformed into a roomy caravan. There is 100 square feet of floor space in the section.
Mr. Muller, a city business man, builds the caravan in his spare time. When completed it will weigh about half a ton. Fittings will include: A double bed, 2 single beds, table and four chairs, sink, ice chest, and two wardrobes.
The single beds are for Mr. Muller’s two young children, and will be fitted one above the other. The double bed will fold into a settee during the daytime. »
End of comment
I have been contacted by a reader who has this request.
Hi Pierre
I now own the forward section of a Dakota that I understand is this aircraft, but no other info — manufacture, etc. The RAF had about 150 Dakota aircraft serve in the Australia/Pacific region from 1944. Some aircraft had similar nose art, « City of York », City of Cardiff ». From my research of unit histories I have not been able to locate any reference to the « City of Hereford ». There were several crashed in the region, but not details of the name were given.
When I took on the ownership of the forward section of the Dakota aircraft I was advised that it was from the “City of Hereford”.
It is understood that the aircraft was with 300 Wing (238 or 243 SQN) and operated in the Australia/Pacific area. During operations in Australia (1944-46) Dakota aircraft operated from Camden Airfield, near Sydney. The nose art on the aircraft, “City of Hereford”, would possibly due to a number of the aircrew being from that city/area. There were a number of RAF aircraft accidents from 1944-46 but I have not been able to confirm that this aircraft was one of them !
The nose section was stored in Ipswich, Queensland, for some time then donated to the Queensland Air Museum. It suffered some damage in a storm and has now become a project of mine to convert it into a caravan/camper.
Not a square inch of paint is on the exterior. The reason that I am seeking the “City of Hereford” is that when the Queensland Air Museum staff took possession of it about 40 years ago that was the name provided. I understand that the intent of the original owner was to make it into a caravan. Perhaps he stripped the paint off ?? I have not been able to locate the original owner — still trying. I have attached images of nose art on some RAF aircraft.
I look forward to having some info located.
Thanks for your interest in my project.
David
Photos and images sent by David…
Request from Ralph Sanderson
In the course of other aviation-related research, I was trying to track down the identity of Douglas aircraft which transited the 7-Mile aerodrome, Alice Springs in January 1946. The Operations Record Book of No. 57 Operational Base Unit (Alice Springs) describes three Douglas aircraft per day from 4 January 1946 to 9 January 1946 inclusive and gives a three letter identity. A search of Trove revealed that the aircraft probably belonged to 238 Squadron RAF, ie:
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 – 1954), Tuesday 8 January 1946, page 6
R.A.F. PERSONNEL ON WAY TO ENGLAND
Departure Of Dakota Squadron
Three planes, carrying 36 members of No. 238 RAF Dakota Squadron, Parafield, which is shortly to be disbanded, left at dawn yesterday for Darwin, en route to England, where the men are to be discharged. The journey is expected to take 12 days. Only those men with sufficient service for discharge were aboard the planes. The remainder of the personnel are expected to be sent as reinforcements to RAF squadrons in South-East Asia. An officer of the squadron said yesterday that no definite plans had yet been received for the remainder of the unit, but it was expected that the movement would be made as soon as possible. The squadron has had a most enjoyable stay in Adelaide, he said, and the men were fully appreciative of the many kindnesses shown them. Eight men were married here.”
The three-letter identities of each of those 238 Squadron Dakota’s that passed through Alice Springs in January 1946 from Parafield on their way to Darwin (and the Far East) were as follows:
4 January 1946
• YDJ
• YDL
• YDN
5 January 1946
• YCY
• YDE
• YDF
6 January 1946
• YCN
• YCX
• YCZ
7 January 1946
1. YCR
2. YCV
3. YDB
8 January 1946
• YCS
• YCW
• YDO
9 January 1946
• YCO
• YDM
• YDP
Just wondering whether anyone has photos or records which might confirm any prefix / code that the aircraft would have possessed at that time?
I have been contacted by a reader who has this request.
Hi Pierre
I now own the forward section of a Dakota that I understand is this aircraft, but no other info — manufacture, etc. The RAF had about 150 Dakota aircraft serve in the Australia/Pacific region from 1944. Some aircraft had similar nose art, « City of York », City of Cardiff ». From my research of unit histories I have not been able to locate any reference to the « City of Hereford ». There were several crashed in the region, but not details of the name were given.
When I took on the ownership of the forward section of the Dakota aircraft I was advised that it was from the “City of Hereford”.
It is understood that the aircraft was with 300 Wing (238 or 243 SQN) and operated in the Australia/Pacific area. During operations in Australia (1944-46) Dakota aircraft operated from Camden Airfield, near Sydney. The nose art on the aircraft, “City of Hereford”, would possibly due to a number of the aircrew being from that city/area. There were a number of RAF aircraft accidents from 1944-46 but I have not been able to confirm that this aircraft was one of them !
The nose section was stored in Ipswich, Queensland, for some time then donated to the Queensland Air Museum. It suffered some damage in a storm and has now become a project of mine to convert it into a caravan/camper.
Not a square inch of paint is on the exterior. The reason that I am seeking the “City of Hereford” is that when the Queensland Air Museum staff took possession of it about 40 years ago that was the name provided. I understand that the intent of the original owner was to make it into a caravan. Perhaps he stripped the paint off ?? I have not been able to locate the original owner — still trying. I have attached images of nose art on some RAF aircraft.
I look forward to having some info located.
Thanks for your interest in my project.
David
Photos and images sent by David…
I have been contacted by a reader who has this request.
Greetings,
I am the owner of the 576 Squadron Digital Archive and researching one of our pilots, R C Bailey DFC, who, having completed his tour on 576, joined 238 Sqn at Merryfield.
On 17 Feb 45 he was the co-pilot of Dakota KN251 which crashed just after take-off in Castle Benito, Libya, on a planned trip to Lydda, following starboard engine trouble and the aircraft being overloaded. It went through the wire at the end of the runway and caught fire.
Flt Lt Rose was captain and Bailey was flying as P2. Injuries to pilots and crew not known.
I am in possession of his logbook, kindly loaned by his son.
If anyone can provide any further information or photos, I would be most grateful and will pass them on to his son.
Many thanks
Matt Wood
More about him here:
https://www.northlincsweb.net/576Sqn/html/r_c_bailey_and_crew_576_sqn.html
You learn so much about history.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merrill%27s_Marauders
Could 238 Squadron have participated in the Merrill’s Marauders operation?
This is a snapshot taken from a scene of the movie Objective Burma!
Robert Davis’ daughter has shared that snapshot with these two.
Those are American C-47s.
This one is still a mystery. Is it one of the Dakotas flown by 238 Squadron or just a coincidence?
More about Merrill’s Marauders…
More about the Fallen
Excerpt
In the winter of 1944, while many Americans were tracing the progress of Allied island hopping throughout the Pacific, a special unit of U.S. soldiers set out on foot across hundreds of miles of mountains and thick jungle on a mission that commanders estimated would result in at least eighty-five percent casualties.
They were right. By the end of the summer, the nearly 3,000 infantrymen of the “Merrill’s Marauders,” the Army’s 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), had been reduced to about 200 survivors. And yet, their story — across Burma (now known as Myanmar), behind enemy Japanese lines, and into the hard-fought, costly Battle of Myitkyina — remains largely unknown, even among many history buffs.
Is it one of the Dakotas flown by 238 Squadron or just a coincidence?
Now we know the answer…
We can clearly see part of the American insignia with the white bar.
Even if it was not part of 238 squadron, we can see what 238 squadron did which in reality was the same.
More snapshots of Objective Burma!
Updated 19 November 2021
Information from a reader
William Edward George Cordwell (1260984) was shot down in Hurricane BP161 and taken PoW.
David Morris and I are preserving the past. These are the next pages from his father’s log book for November 1942.
The complete transcription is below.
1942
November 13 Hurricane IIc KC-Y
Ground straff of roard 20 mls south of Bengazi
3⋅25
LG 125 Southern Libya
Destroyed two six tonnes diesels, damaged three other M/T
November 15 Hurricane IIc KC-Y
Ground straff of M/T on road at El Aguila
2⋅55
Destroyed two trucks on raod, damaged three others. Destroyed
a Ju 52 on drome by the road. Shot up twenty five large trucks filled with troops, two at least were badly
damaged. Sgt. Cordwell (?) shot down. Landed 5 miles south of the road.
probably P.O.W.
November 16 Hurricane IIc KC-Y
LG.125 to LG. 101
2⋅00
Marples Posted Escorted 8 Hudsons
November 17 Hurricane IIc KC-Y
LG. 101 to El Adem
1⋅30
November 19 Hurricane IIc KC-Y
Escort five Hudsons to El Z. Msus and return
3⋅20
El Adem unvisible due to dust storm. Landed at Gazala 2.
November 19 Hurricane IIc KC-Y
Attempt to return to base
0⋅45
El Adem still u/s. returned to Gazala 2.
November 20 Hurricane IIc KC-Y
Return to base
0⋅20 (40 hrs inspection)
November 21 Hurricane IIc KC-Y
Cannon test
0⋅15 Cannons perfect
(Nov. 22 Commissioned)
November 25 Hurricane IIc KC-Y
El Adem to Martuba and return
1⋅40
November 25 Hurricane IIc KC-Y
El Adem to Martuba and return
1⋅40
Notes
Sgt. Cordwell (?) shot down. Landed 5 miles south of the road.
I could not find anything on Sgt Cordwell or Cardwell (see update)
Msus
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Msus
(Nov. 22 Commissioned)
Probably commmissioned Pilot Officer
Coming soon to a theater near you…
To learn more about the movie…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objective,_Burma!
Excerpt
Controversies
Even though it was based on the exploits of Merrill’s Marauders, Objective Burma was withdrawn from release in the United Kingdom after it infuriated the British public. Prime Minister Winston Churchill protested the Americanization of the huge and almost entirely British, Indian, and Commonwealth conflict (‘1 million men’).[21][22]Objective, Burma! London 1945 premiere was remarkable: At a line in the script, (by an American, to the effect) “We should head north, I hear there might be a few brits somewhere over there” – The entire (English) audience walked out in outrage. It got a second release in the United Kingdom in 1952 when it was shown with an accompanying apology. The movie was also banned in Singapore although it was seen in Burma and India.[23][24]
An editorial in The Times said:
It is essential both for the enemy and the Allies to understand how it came about that the war was won … nations should know and appreciate the efforts other countries than their own made to the common cause.
There were also objections to Errol Flynn playing the hero as he had stayed in Hollywood during the war, unlike actors like David Niven or James Stewart.[25][26] Flynn, however, had tried to enlist but had been declared medically unfit for military service. His studio suppressed the news of his medical problems to preserve his public image.
David Morris and I are preserving the past. These are the next pages from his father’s log book for November 1942.
The complete transcription is below.
1942
November 3 Hurricane IIc KC-Y
Ground straff M/T in the Daba District 0.40
Attacked four M/T, a staff car, one folks wagon and two three ton trucks. Hits scored on all four. Serious damage done to the first two. Returned low over sea.
November 3 Hurricane IIc KC-Y
Ground straff M/T W of Daba 0.45
Attacked three trucks and a group of tents. Strikes observed on all targets. Second truck set on fire. Returned low over sea.
(F/O Hay and Sgt Wise missing on ground straff. Blanchford baled over enemy lines) Hay returned OK, Blanchford
Note about F/O Hay
Note about Blachford, Blanchford or Bletchford
November 4 Hurricane IIc KC-Y
Three cannon tests (cannons still u/s)
0.45
November 5 Hurricane IIc KC-Y
Two cannon tests (unsuccessful)
0.30
November 7 Hurricane IIc KC-Y
From LG 172 to LG Daba
0.50
The Advance begins at last
L.G. 20
November 10 Hurricane IIc KC-A
Security patrol of shipping in Matru Harbour
2.10 No E/A seen
November 11 Hurricane IIc KC-Y
LG 20 to LG 101
0.45
November 12 Hurricane IIc KC-Y
Cannon test
0.30
November 13 Hurricane IIc KC-Y
LG 101 to LG 125 (115 miles south of Derna)
2.05 An attempt at “Comands” raiding byt the R.A.F.
Courtesy David Morris
RAF 238 Squadron 