635 Squadron Photo Gallery
What ever the weather, day or night there would as always be a gathering of base personnel standing by the runways edge as seen directly above in this rare 635 Squadron photograph. It was a CO Wing Commander Baker DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar mentioned to me how it was important to see base Personnel by the runways edge to seeing the aircrew's take off. Baker also mentioned that all around the dispersal points at Oak Woods ground crews would also waving us off.
When the signal was given by flying control that the first aircraft had been spotted the base would come alive again a small crowd would gather by the control tower to watch them come into land one after the other "God willing". A flare would go up from the aircraft if they had injured onboard, the fire tenders and MO would be on standby and for those ground crews that did not get their aircraft & aircrew back safely, one can only guess the heart ache they went through.
After Take off the pilots had to get their bombers to the briefed flight pass height and get into formation as seen in this rare 635 Squadron photograph. This actual photograph was taken by 635 Squadron Rear Gunner Pilot Officer Jack Catford in 1945, Jack was flying in F2 'T' Tommy PB949, Skipper Squadron Leader E.A.O. Mange DFC, on route to attack the Industrial/Town of Osnabruck in Germany on Sunday 25th March. (See page 465 of the book Pathfinders 635 Squadron The definitive history for more details).
Over the target a 635 Squadron Pathfinder Primal Marker aircraft, the Bomb Aimer of that aircraft relays his instructions to his skipper "Steady, Steady, Left a bit, Steady, Markers Gone skipper". The aiming point has been successful remarked. Now the Master Bomber who is flying high above gives out fresh bombing instructions to the approaching bombers about to make their bombing run over the target.
635 Squadron bombing a Railway Marshalling yard
Lancaster Bomber Aircrew
THE SKIPPER FLIGHT ENGINEER
BOMB AIMER
NAVIGATOR I
(If the Pathfinder Aircrew was detailed as a Master Bomber Crew an eight man would join them as Nav II
WIRELESS OPERATOR
MID UPPER GUNNER
REAR GUNNER
Pathfinder WAAF's who carried out important duties with 635 Squadron.
WAAF's in the Drying Room's which was connected to the Aircrew Locker rooms at Downham Market. In this rare photo A WAAF is fitting up an airmen with his Mae West and Parachute.
Photo taken in 1944.
WAAF'S CHECKING THE STOCK OF SQUADRON MAE WEST IN THE PACKING ROOM.
A WAAF CHECKING A STOCK OF LANCASTER SPARK PLUGS AT DOWNHAM MARKET 1944
A WAAF MAKING UP THE AMMUNITION BELTS FOR A 635 SQUADRON LANCASTER'S
A LOCAL FACTORY EMPLOYED IN TURNING OUT THE RADAR JAMMED STRIPES KNOWN AS 'WINDOW'.
Aircrew Personnel watch on from the Aircrew Locker rooms as three airmen say goodbye to their skipper's 'Scottie dog' Bab's.
AWAITING THE RELEASE FLARE WHICH WILL TELL THE PILOTS IT IS TIME TO START TAXING ONTO THE PERRY TRACK DOWN TO THE MAIN RUNWAY FOR TAKE OFF.
Wing Commander Sidney 'Tubby' Baker
D.S.O. & Bar, D.F.C. & Bar
Pathfinder Pilot & 635 Squadron CO, he completed 100 sorties, all of them against strongly-defended enemy targets. He was adored by his Squadron and set the pace by leading from the front. He was the Master Bomber on many 635 Squadron operations during October 1944 - March 1945. His full story can be found in the book 'Pathfinders 635 Squadron - Definitive History'
More Photographs to be added.
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