Can anyone help with the exact dates any of these squadrons joined Pathfinder Force:
7, 35, 83, 97, 105, 109, 128, 139, 142, 156, 162, 163, 405, 571, 582, 608, 627, 635, 692

I have month & year only at the moment.

Thanks

Robin

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That's a tall order and will need some digging....

But to start you off ; -

142 Squadron : 25th October 1944

162 Squadron : 18th December 1944

163 Squadron : 25th January 1945

571 Squadron : 7th April 1944

( Source for these LNSF Squadrons was Barry Blunt's monographs ).

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

And here's a few more ; -

128 Squadron : 15th September 1944

582 Squadron : 1st April 1944

608 Squadron : 1st August 1944

627 Squadron : 12th November 1943

635 Squadron : 20th March 1944

692 Squadron : 1st January 1944

( Sources here were Moyes, Blunt & Ward ).

__________________
"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

Thanks Martin, I suspected that it may be you that would come thru with the info!
As you may be aware I have a PFF Roll of Honor on my website and am interested in making it a bit more accurate. Hence the enquiry.
I want to update the Roll to reflect PFF but this would entail deleteing certain entries, a reluctant but historical necessity?
Your Ideas!

Regards

Robin

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Martin

I have just obtained a copy of Mahaddies biography and this seems to be the souce of my PFF ROH, but I still do not know who originally put it on the web?
There are lots of errors & omissions and as per my previous post some non eligible entries?
When I have the time I will tidy up, but as I have indicated on my previos post this will require some deletions?

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I'm not sure, but I have the idea from somewhere that the 8 Group Roll reproduced in Mahaddie's book was originally produced privately post-war for the Pathfinder Association.

At the moment, 'it's all we have' and I should think that a more fully-researched update would be a very worthwhile project, Robin.

BTW, 'Hamish' is a most interesting book and an absolute 'must' for any Pathfinder library. It reads a bit like an after-dinner speech with anecdotes popping up all over the the place. Quite an abrasive character - for a flavour of the man, see the opening of the old ITV 'World At War' docu entitled 'Whirlwind'.....

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

From 97 Squadron Orbs.


15.4.43 Bomber Command has ordered the move of this squadron from Woodhall to RAF Station Bourn (satellite to Oakington) with effect from 17 April. The squadron is to move all personnel, aircraft, MT and technical equipment on charge, complete to establishment WAR/BC/249A under arrangements made by HQ 5 Group in conjunction with No 8 (Path Finder Force) Group. The advance party by rail under P/O Pratt, moved off today, also all stores and equipment were loaded onto transport and sent by road to Bourn. The officer i/c reported by phone that everything was in order on arrival at Bourn.