2nd TAF in Normandy

sommecourt · #1 (**permalink**) September 7th, 2002, 10:28 AM

I am taking a veteran of the HQ of 2nd Tactical Air Force, RAF, back to Normandy at the end of the month. He is a bit vague about exact locations, but from what I can work out they were based between Crepon, Villers le Sec and Tierceville.

Does anyone have any furher references for the location of their airstrips and camps?

This will probably be his last visit, so I want to make it special for him - any help would be appreciated.

[ 07 September 2002, 05:29 AM: Message edited by: sommecourt ]

Erich · #2 (**permalink**) September 7th, 2002, 03:51 PM

Sommerct :

This a bit of a long shot but try this board and write the chap a private or maybe ask on his forum......some real knowledgeable gents here!

E

www.rafcommands.currantbun.com/home.html
Ross McNeil

sommecourt · #3 (**permalink**) September 7th, 2002, 04:31 PM

Thanks Erich - I've dropped the webmaster a line and will see what comes of it.

I knew I only had to ask you guys and you'd come up with something!

Erich · #4 (**permalink**) September 7th, 2002, 05:46 PM

Sommerct :

I am not sure what you're pilot friend flew, but there is a site also dedicated to the Typhoon/Tempest if this applies ?

E

sommecourt · #5 (**permalink**) September 7th, 2002, 10:08 PM

He was ground crew, so didn't fly, but served Typhoons most of the time. So any leads in that respect will help.

Erich · #6 (**permalink**) September 7th, 2002, 10:14 PM

I'm probably going to be no help here but under Great Britain I posted some questions about a US Tempest pilot and I think Martin mentioned the site, which should give details on the addy. Has some good materials and would prove useful....

E

Martin Bull · #7 (**permalink**) September 8th, 2002, 09:25 AM

Paul, I'm probably 'preaching to the converted', but have you tried Normandy Air War Discussion :

http://disc.server.com/discussion.cg...21&article=134

It could be worth wading through the discussions - they also have a full order of battle for 2nd TAF with airfields.

( I must confess that I find these temporary airfields very confusing, B7, B8, etc ! ).

Good luck !

sommecourt · #8 (**permalink**) September 8th, 2002, 12:26 PM

Thanks for that Martin - what a great site! Must say I hadn't come across that before. Will be adding it to my links.

Most useful information - hopefully it will prompt this veteran to remember precisely where he was.

Martin Bull · #9 (**permalink**) September 8th, 2002, 12:42 PM

( Blush ! [img]redface.gif[/img] ) Glad to be of help - and I really hope it's worthwhile for your veteran !

Erich · #10 (**permalink**) September 8th, 2002, 06:41 PM

Martin :

Yes thanks for that link to the forum. Had not heard of this, but then again I may have and never noted it.

Danke !

E

sommecourt · #11 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2002, 10:15 AM

Just thought I'd let you know we had a great weekend with 2nd TAF veteran Frank Harris. Thanks to all your help we tracked down his route from landing on Gold Beach to the B2 airfield, and on to the Falaise pocket.

I've written the whole thing up on my web site at:

http://battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/re...o_normandy.htm

But thought you would like a phot of Frank standing underneath a huge mural close to the site of B2:

Thanks again for all your help guys!!

[ 02 October 2002, 05:16 AM: Message edited by: sommecourt ]

Martin Bull · #12 (**permalink**) October 5th, 2002, 06:19 PM

Great stuff, Paul - glad the trip went well ; looks like the weather worked out, too !