550 Squadron and RAF North Killingholme Association

Squadron Operations: Summary Information

Overview

There follows below a list of the all of the operations flown by 550 Squadron and the aircraft involved on each. The information used to build this page was taken in the first instance from the lists provided on the original Squadron Association web-site, but has been augmented by new information gathered since that time (squadron operations logs, individual aircrew log books, and other sources).

This information is not yet complete: it has been build from the a number of sources (documentary and people) and compilation of complete lists is an ongoing task that is expected to take quite some time to complete. So please don't shout just yet if you spot an omission - work continues to build a more complete, and accurate, list.
Do however shout if you spot an error! Please email any corrections or information to the contact details in the link at the bottom of the page.

Operation Summary: The column headers should be fairly self-explanatory. The term "aborted" as used here covers a number of possibilities:

the operation was cancelled before crews were briefed
the crews have been briefed as to the target, and in some cases the planes may even have been bombed up and the crews on-board at their stations awaiting take-off, before the op has been stood-down
finally a number of cases where the op was already under way and the planes en-route but for whatever reason the operation was aborted (e.g. the master bomber orders the attack cancelled due to weather conditions at target adversely affecting targeting).

Aircraft Deployed: When a link to a particular aircraft is given, this indicates aircraft known to have taken part in this raid (in the records currently available to the web-site author). A record of whether the aircraft returned or failed to return (FTR) is also logged.

Servicemen Deployed: Names of the crew in the operation.

Station Summary: This section is the information from the RAF North Killingholme Station Record Book for the operational date (if available).

Definitions of the abbreviations used are available: here.

Manageable Lists

The amount of data in the database is growing and this is resulting in the "all operations/targets" list getting rapidly bigger and thus slower to generate. There are options to display shorter, more quickly generated, reports if you want to home in on something specific. For example, there are options to generate reports on operations to a single target, or by single aircraft (to all targets) or by single aircraft to a single target. There is, on the database-reports summary page, a short user guide (PDF format) on how to do this.

Operation/Target: Bremen (22 Apr 1945 - 22 Apr 1945)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Bremen	22 Apr 1945	22 Apr 1945	N	It was a formidable force that Bomber Command detailed, with four separate aiming points - enemy strong points on the east side of Bremen, within a few miles of our troops. No. 1 Group had the honour of opening the attack, and 550 Squadron contributed 27 aircraft to this spearhead. All 27 took off at 18:00, but "G" (F/O Johnston) had an engine out on take-off and was saved the consequent "cross country". The remainder completed the course and the majority returned as full of eggs as when they departed. They had the chagrin of seeing most of Bremen clear of cloud but the target area itself covered by a thick patch and because our troops were so near the Master Bomber had no choice but to call the party off. Our crews held out the hope that conditions might improve for later waves, but it transpired that only our force fitted with special equipment could bomb. That, at any rate, was a gesture to our troops, who we hope realised, when they saw the bombers overhead that the promised assistance was only withheld so that they should not be imperialed. Return was more or less devoid of incident except for "M" (F/O Handley) which after touching down took off again for a flight, which, unfortunately cannot be counted as squadron training hours.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
RF214	Returned	Mission abandoned	F/Sgt V B Cassapi (F/Eng) P/O A G Elliott (P) F/Sgt N H Lund (Nav) F/Sgt R J Francis (A/B) Sgt D Scully (W/Op) Sgt A J Cassidy (MU/AG) Sgt R Craigs (R/AG)

Operation/Target: -/MANNA (29 Apr 1945 - 29 Apr 1945)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
-/MANNA	29 Apr 1945	29 Apr 1945	N	MANNA mission. 16 aircraft with crews proceeded on their humanitarian mission at midday to deliver food to the Dutch people on German occupied Holland. Our two dropping areas were the Race course outside The Hague and an airfield near Leiden. The food, or Manna, as it is officially called, was dropped with precision to the great delight of the populace who had been acquainted with out intentions by Radio Luxemburg and whose appreciation could easily be seen in the form of vigourous flag waving since the aircraft flying at a height of 500 ft.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
RF214	Returned	Primary at 400 ft at 13.21 hrs. MANNA mission.	F/Sgt V B Cassapi (F/Eng) F/Sgt W G Anderson (A/B) P/O A G Elliott (P) F/Sgt N H Lund (Nav) F/Sgt R J Francis (A/B) Sgt D Scully (W/Op) Sgt A J Cassidy (MU/AG) Sgt R Craigs (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Valkenburg/MANNA (30 Apr 1945 - 30 Apr 1945)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Valkenburg/MANNA	30 Apr 1945	30 Apr 1945	N	MANNA mission. 28 aircraft with crews carried out another Manna mission to Holland. The aircraft took off at approx. 16.00hrs and were back in time to enjoy their normal evening meal and pleased that they had been privileged to do some good to our brave Dutch Allies.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
RF214	Returned	Primary at 500 ft at 17.39 1/2 hrs. MANNA mission.	F/Sgt V B Cassapi (F/Eng) P/O A G Elliott (P) F/Sgt N H Lund (Nav) F/Sgt R J Francis (A/B) Sgt D Scully (W/Op) Sgt A J Cassidy (MU/AG) Sgt R Craigs (R/AG)

Operation/Target: -/MANNA (01 May 1945 - 01 May 1945)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
-/MANNA	01 May 1945	01 May 1945	N	27 aircraft with crews took off at 14.00hrs with a further supply of food.

Station Summary
OPERATIONS: A "MANNA" operations, i.e. food dropping, was ordered, on a dropping zone north east of Rotterdam, 27 aircraft were detailed, all of them took off, dropped 60.453 tons of food, and all returned without incident. The Dutch inhabitants of the area evinced the usual enthusiasm, many flags being noticed and convoys of vehicles proceeding to the dropping areas.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
RF214	Returned	Primary at 500 ft at 15.32 hrs. MANNA mission.	F/Sgt V B Cassapi (F/Eng) P/O A G Elliott (P) F/Sgt N H Lund (Nav) F/Sgt R J Francis (A/B) Sgt D Scully (W/Op) Sgt A J Cassidy (MU/AG) Sgt R Craigs (R/AG)

Operation/Target: -/MANNA (02 May 1945 - 02 May 1945)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
-/MANNA	02 May 1945	02 May 1945	N	Once again 27 aircraft with crew took off at 12.30 hrs to deliver more groceries to the Dutch people.

Station Summary
OPERATIONS: A "MANNA" operation was ordered, and 27 aircraft proceeded to the same area adjoining Rotterdam, dropped in all 60.453 tons of food and all returned safely without incident. Advice was received from Base operations that "MANNA" and "EXODUS" sorties are to count as operational trips for the purposes of compiling aircrew's tours. Sport: Football - Station 2nd XI 5, Barrow 2.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
RF214	Returned	Primary at 500 ft at 14.10 hrs. MANNA mission.	F/Sgt M J Ball (P) F/Sgt P Clark (F/Eng) Sgt F M Johnstone (Nav) Sgt A E Farmer (A/B) Sgt W H Bailey (W/Op) Sgt F Law (MU/AG) Sgt G W Butcher (R/AG)

Operation/Target: -/MANNA (03 May 1945 - 03 May 1945)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
-/MANNA	03 May 1945	03 May 1945	N	27 aircraft took off before midday on another "Manna" mission. [Ed: The log book of Sgt E Ashley records him flying as W/Op for the P/O J S Percival crew on this MANNA op (to Rotterdam). However, the ORB does not record P/O Percival crew flying this op. It is not possible to determine if the Percival crew was missed off the ORB in error, or if there is an error with a crew identified, in the ORB, as flying but which was not in fact flying. Both the Squadron and Station ORBs record 27 aircraft took off on this op; and 27 aircraft are listed below. The Percival crew is identifed as flying both 2nd and 5th May.]

Station Summary
OPERATIONS: 27 aircraft were detailed for another "MANNA" dropping operation on the same area of Western Holland as previously, dropping 60.453 tons of food and all returned safely.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
RF214	Returned	Primary at 500 ft at 13.23 hrs. MANNA mission.	F/Sgt V B Cassapi (F/Eng) P/O A G Elliott (P) F/Sgt N H Lund (Nav) F/Sgt R J Francis (A/B) Sgt D Scully (W/Op) Sgt A J Cassidy (MU/AG) Sgt R Craigs (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Rotterdam/MANNA (05 May 1945 - 05 May 1945)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Rotterdam/MANNA	05 May 1945	05 May 1945	N	26 aircraft delivered groceries to the Dutch.

Station Summary
OPERATIONS: The postponed "MANNA" dropping operation took place and 26 aircraft dropped 58.214 tons of food on the outskirts of Rotterdam, and all returned without incident. Sport: Cricket. Two matches Station XI v Grimsby Town and a Station XI v Humber Graving Dock, both in Grimsby, were abandoned owing to rain.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
RF214	Returned	Primary at 500 ft at 08.17 hrs. MANNA Mission	F/Sgt V B Cassapi (F/Eng) P/O A G Elliott (P) F/Sgt N H Lund (Nav) F/Sgt R J Francis (A/B) Sgt D Scully (W/Op) Sgt A J Cassidy (MU/AG) Sgt R Craigs (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Rotterdam/MANNA (07 May 1945 - 07 May 1945)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Rotterdam/MANNA	07 May 1945	07 May 1945	N	30 aircraft with crews led by Wing Commander McWatters took off on a "Manna" mission. F/O Handley (K2) on his return flight was able to assist in the rescue of at least three aircrew members of a Fortress which came down in the sea. On sighting this aircraft the W/Op at once turned I.F.F. to "Distress", the aircraft being then practically submerged. Descending to 200 ft the crew of K2 saw an American type dingy and believed they also saw a figure in it; on returning from their orbit, however, the dingy was seen to be upside down and no figure present. A tramp ship was then spotted some 6 or 7 miles south proceeding south away from the wreck. K2 flew over to this ship and signalled to it by Aldis lamp "S.O.S. follow us". The ship replied from the bridge by Aldis lamp and turned round and followed K2 back to the wreck. In the meantime the W/Op had been passing position, time, height details etc on M/F Section "G" and had received in return "Stand By" orders. On arriving back at the wreck the ship lowered a boat. Approximately 2 miles north of the wreck, K2 found airman No. 1 in the water with a parachute floating all around him but apparently without any Mae-West as no yellow harness was visible. A Mae-West was thrown to him by the rear-gunner from the rear turret, which was seen to fall near the airman and which he donned. A flame float was also dropped. By this time, several Fortresses had arrived on the scene and circuits had become somewhat congested. A second airman was then spotted east of the wreck and another Mae-West was dropped to him, and a Red Verey cartridge fired. A Catalina aircraft then arrived on the scene, alighted on the sea and picked up surviver No. 1. A Walrus aircraft also appeared, alighted and picked up airman No. 2. Still circling the area, K2 sighted a second dinghy which appeared empty; however one of the last remaining flame floats was dropped to mark it, also a Mae-West. Almost immediately a third survivier was seen in the water and by means of a red verey light and R/T instructions on "Darkie" frequency, the Catalina aircraft taxied over and effected another rescue. Further search was continued, but as no more survivors were visible and the area was now thoroughtly marked and patrolled, and as two more aircraft were seen approaching with airborne lifeboat and an escorting Spitfire, K2 left the scene and continued her homeward journey, well satisfied with the happy twist in circumstances that had enabled them to assist in the resuce operations, and, at the same time, considerably enlivened what otherwise woulhd have been a somehwat monotonous trip. [Ed: the ORB lists PA268 "F2" twice on this op; FIRST with the F/Sgt Vance crew and two pages later again with the P/O Percival crew; there is no obvious way to determine which entry is correct.]

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
RF214	Returned	Primary at 400 ft at 14.55 hrs. MANNA Mission [Ed. ORB says RF412, which is not otherwise listed. Thus RF214 assumed.]	F/Sgt D T Williams (P) Sgt V Rose (F/Eng) Sgt D H Shaw (Nav) Sgt A M McCreight (A/B) Sgt R O Smith (W/Op) F/Sgt A W Robinson (MU/AG) Sgt J E Lindsay (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Brussels/EXODUS (10 May 1945 - 10 May 1945)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Brussels/EXODUS	10 May 1945	10 May 1945	N	23 aircraft and crews took off at approx 05.30hrs to bring back to this country ex-prisioners of war from Brussels.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
RF214	Returned	EXODUS	F/Sgt V B Cassapi (F/Eng) P/O A G Elliott (P) F/Sgt N H Lund (Nav) F/Sgt R J Francis (A/B) Sgt D Scully (W/Op) Sgt A J Cassidy (MU/AG) Sgt R Craigs (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Brussels/EXODUS (11 May 1945 - 11 May 1945)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Brussels/EXODUS	11 May 1945	11 May 1945	N	25 aircraft and crews took off at approx 15.45hrs for Brussels at very short notice after standing by for the most of the day. Ex-prisoners of war were brought back. Three of our aircraft "R", "A2" and "E2" landed at Westcott with their human cargo, but unable to take off owing to technical trouble. [Ed: all flights flying with only 6 crew, one or other of the A/Gs being absent].

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
RF214	Returned	EXODUS	P/O R H Digby (P) Sgt J H Walker (F/Eng) F/O A E Lewis (Nav) Sgt A E McLeod (A/B) Sgt D Crabtree (W/Op) Sgt R D Hager (R/AG)

Summary Statistics

Based on the data in the lists displayed above, and keeping in mind that data is still being updated and thus not yet complete, the following statistics are generated:

Aircraft Deployment Statistics

Aircraft deployments	10
MAX Aircraft deployed in single operation	1 (Bremen, 22 Apr 1945)

These details were last updated: 21 November 2024

Note

this list is still being built and will take some time to complete
what is currently displayed is believed accurate but much more is still to be added

This note describes the options currently available to produce a smaller, more manageable list and also describes planned future enhancements to the reporting facility.

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