139 (Jamaica) Squadron Pathfinders

139 (Jamaica) Squadron
Pathfinders

Badge: In front of a crescent a fasces.
Motto: "Si placet necamus" ("We destroy at will").
Authority: King George VI, December, 1938.
The fasces is taken from the badge of No. 28 Squadron to which the necleus flight of No. 139 Squadron was originally attached for a short period following it's arrival in Italy (from England) where No. 28 was then based. This flight was later transferred to No. 34 Squadron (in whose badge a crescent appears) and operated with No. 34 until July, 1918, when together with another flight it became No. 139 Squadron. The bulk of the personnel for No. 139 Squadron was supplied by No. 34 Squadron.
Based at Upwood from: (February 1944 - February 1946)
Type of Aircraft:
de Havilland Mosquito (Late 1942 - November 1953)

Formed at Villaverla, Italy, on the 3rd of July 1918 as a fighter- reconnaissance squadron equipped with Bristol Fighters. Disbanded in 1919, and reformed in 1936 as a bomber squadron. At the beginning of World War Two it was equipped with Blenheims and flew the first RAF Sortie to cross the German Frontier; and it won one of the first two decorations of the war. The first decoration of W.W.2.went 139 squadron and 110 Squadron gazetted simultaneously on 10th October 1939. A
D.F.C. went to Flying Officer A McPherson of 139 squadron in a Blenheim IV N6215 for crossing the German frontier to reconnoitre and photograph the German Fleet on 3rd September. The other went to Flight Lieutenant K. C. Doran of No. 110 squadron who led the first bombing raid of the war against German warships near Wilhelmshaven on 4th September.
After duty in France where it lost heavily the squadron returned to England and reformed and subsequently made many attacks on fringe targets in N.W. Europe including invasion ports and many anti-shipping sweeps.
During the early years of the war, a Jamaican newspaper (The Daily Gleaner), started a fund to buy bombers for Britain. The money Jamaica subscribed was the foundation of the “Bombers for Britain” Fund, to which many other Colonies and Dominions subsequently contributed . Jamaica herself contributed enough money to buy twelve Blenheims by 1941 and in recognition of this service it was decided, in the words of Lord Beaverbrook, the wartime Minister of Aircraft Production, “that Jamaica’s name shall evermore be link to the squadron of the Royal Air Force”. And so it was that No. 139 Squadron became No. 139 (Jamaica) Squadron,
During December 1941 to April 1942 the squadron was flying Hudsons and was used for general reconnaissance.
139 Squadron was the second squadron to be re-equipped with the Mosquitoes in 1942/43. The Mosquito was fast and highly-manoeuvrable aircraft which made many daring low level daylight and dusk precision attacks on targets in enemy occupied Europe, often in conjunction with 105 squadron, the first Mosquito unit.
In the summer of 1943 139 Squadron changed over to night raiding and joined the Pathfinder Force, its early work with the P.F.F. consisting mainly of preceding waves of heavy bombers to drop Window (thin strips of foil) which confuse the German early warning radar, and also making “spoof” raids on other targets to divert enemy night fighters from the primary target attacked by the “heavies”. In 1944 the Mosquitoes of 139 was equipped with H2S during that year the squadron visited a long list of the most famous targets in Germany Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Mannheim, Hanover, Duisberg and many others. 4,000-lb “cookies” were dropped on these targets in addition to T.I.’s (target indicators) to guide the main force heavies.
During 20th/21st February to 27th/28th March inclusive, the squadron made a series of 36 consecutive night attacks on Berlin. On 2nd/3rd May, 1945, came the last of the squadron’s wartime operations, an attack by 14 Mosquitoes (including Canadian built Mk. XXs) on Kiel.
During the war No. 139 Squadron flew more than 4,000 operational sorties and dropped approximately 1,500 tons of bombs.

First Operational Mission in W.W.2
3rd September 1939
Photo reconnaissance of Wilhelmshaven and airfields in N.W. Germany by one Blenheim.

First Bombing Attack in W.W.2
12th May, 1940
9 Blenheims dive-bombed German troops advancing along the Massstricht-Tongres road. The formation was subsequently attacked by enemy fighters and only 2 aircraft returned. 2 missing aircraft believed to have been shot down in flames. 2 crews later rejoined the squadron after having forced-landed near enemy lines.

Last Operational Mission in W.W.2
2nd May 1945
14 Mosquitoes bombed Kiel.

Bases
Re-formed 3.9.36 as No. 139 (B) Squadron
Wyton Sep1936-Dec1939
Betheniville, France Dec 1939-Feb 1940
Plivot France Feb 1940- May 1940
West Raynham May 1940-Jun 1940
Horsham St. Faith Jun 1940- Jul 1941
Detachment in Malta, May/June 1941
Oulton Jul 1941- Oct 1941
Horsham St. Faith Oct 1941- Dec 1941
Oulton Dec 1941 - ??
Horsham St. Faith Jun 1942- Sept 1942
Marham Sept 1942- Jul 1943
Wyton Jul 1943- Feb 1944
Upwood Feb 1944- Feb 1946

Below are Squadron pictures taken at RAF Upwood

S/Ldr Malcolm George Harris DFC DFM with F/L Arthur Victor Smith DFC

Many thanks to Nick Harris (S/Ldr Harris son) for the use of the pictures

Mosquito XD-F of 139 Squadron

Erik Hazelhoff
Made 72 attacks on Germany from RAF Upwood

Words below are taken from Erik's book (In Pursuit of Life)

Often, in course of seventy-two attacks on Germany. Twenty five on Berlin. I had difficulty taking myself seriously. A little man would be observing me from somewhere behind my right shoulder, and I would be myself through his critical, objective and not unhumorous eye. Reminding me who I really was and where I came from. Somehow his presence seemed connected with my furthest past, my boyhood on Java and gradually I came to identify him with old skin-and-bones with red lips who had bewitched my young soul with its first intimation of a spiritual world. He was keeping an eye on me and put his perspective, whenever I felt the need for it, at my disposal. By him I was reminded time and time again, caught in a searchlight over Bremen or after a particularly smooth landing in a snowstorm, that I might be acting like a hot RAF pilot, but that I was really a Dutch student with distant roots and a yen for writing. And by the way, when did I write last? Aren’t you wasting a lot of time, a lot of marvellous material?? Are you ever going to produce again??
At last I gave in. I decided to write the ultimate, definitive description of a raid on Berlin in the Second World War. In English. This was a commendable goal, as to all intents and purpose I had only learned the language since joining the RAF, and never written in anything but my native Dutch. Old skin-and –bones rejoiced, and obviously put his mystical powers behind the project. There is no other explanation.
During five consecutive missions on Berlin I observed Q-Queenie and its crew through creative eyes, with attention to detail and conscious memorizing. On return to Upwood I made notes. When I considered my material complete, I borrowed a typewriter, wrote an article and in my innocence applied for a 24-hour leave in which to find a publisher, don’t ask whom or how. In feverish spirit I took a train to London, where I arrived in time for a late dinner at Shepherd’s Inn. However, traffic was heavy and as I walked in under the marquee the restaurant had just closed.
While I stood swearing and moping, making up my mind where to go at this late hour, some young Americans in civvies walked out and noticed my plight. ‘Looking for something to eat?’ one asked. When I nodded, he went on, ‘we’re having a party, just round the corner. Lots of food. Just knock on the door, they’ll let you in Number twenty-five, Chesterfield street.’
I walked over to the place, a lovely little West end townhouse, and rang the bell. It was immediately opened by another American, a tall, well built man, who looked somewhat surprised when he saw me. ‘Hello,’ he said. ‘My name is Roosevelt. Come in.’ I mentioned the meeting in front of Shepherd’s and as we walked into the exquisite hallway, a short, stocky man in uniform joined us. ‘And this is Colonel Hoover,’ Roosevelt introduced him. I said hello and shook hands around, familiar with the names but unaware of the family implications of the two men before me, FDR Jr and ex-President Hoover’s nephew. ‘I’m here for the food,’ I added.
The party had not yet started, the house was silent. I was obviously the first guest, Roosevelt and Hoover were my hosts. Most graciously they led me to a totally empty room, except for a huge table creaking with the most opulent buffet that even I, as a spoilt Leidener, had ever seen, from oysters and lobsters to oeufs-a-la-neige and strawberries. London in wartime had never before hosted a spread like that. But the room was devoid of any other tables or chairs.
The front door bell rang and my hosts hurried away to answer it. Left alone, I stacked one of the enormous plates with all the goodies it would hold and, by lack of choice, sat down on the floor. Not wanting to be in the way, I installed myself under the table and started my sumptuous meal, not as strange a situation then as it might seem today. After a while other guest came by to load up, as I could see by their legs under the tablecloth, and I had just lit an after-dinner cigarette when a young man, also clearly American, crept down and sat next to me. We chatted a while, then I asked him what the party was about. ‘It’s a farewell party,’ he answered
’Who for?’
’for me. I am flying back to the States tomorrow.’
’And who are you?’
‘My name is Bill Hearst,’ he answered
Coincidences have meaning. They are system of beacons set out by fate. Some are tough to read, others easy, but they are always well worth attention and respect. Coincidence is Fate in action.
Even I recognized the name of the famous publishing family. I took the Berlin manuscript out of my side pocket (‘I happen to have with me,’ in truth) and handed it to William Randolph Hearest, Jr, with the request to pass it on to a publisher in New York the next day. He readily agreed, assuring me that, although he had no say about its publication, he would get it to the right person. Then, underneath the table, he started to read the opening lines: Ben Hein is late. He’s always late, but never too late. How many time now have we been over Germany together? Fifty-eight? Sixty?...
It was published in Cosmopolitan magazine, the September issue of 1945, in slightly condensed form under the title ‘Mosquitoes Sting at Night’. I got 700 bucks for it. After this ‘coincidence’ I never again doubted that I was meant to write….

HRH Prince Bernhard (center) of the Netherlands, being interviewed by the Dutch TV company AVRO, in 1974 at RAF Upwood for a documentary of Erik Hazelhoff wartime experiences, after his book came out. Erik is on the left in this photo. The Prince flew Erik and the TV crew up from London himself in his Fokker Friendship, they had lunch at the base with the Co in charge, and the Prince told about giving Erik his first flying lesson.

Books by Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema

In Pursuit of Life

Product details

Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Sutton Publishing Ltd (1 May 2003)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0750932813
ISBN-13: 978-0750932813
Product Dimensions: 22.6 x 17.9 x 3.9 cm

Reviews
Synopsis
This autobiography offers a portrait of one man's truly extraordinary life. It radiates outwards from World War II in which Dutchman Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema served as a secret agent with the Special Operations Executive, a bomber pilot with the RAF's elite Pathfinder Force, and after receiving the Dutch equivalent of the Victoria Cross, as aide and confidante to Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. His adventures after the war were no less turbulent and spanned the globe - from sales clerk and actor in Hollywood to blockade runner off New Guinea; vice-president of NBC to bum in New York's Central Park; Director of Radio Free Europe for the CIA to oil prospector in Israel - and above all, a writer.

Soldier Of Orange

Product details

Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd (8 May 1972)
ISBN-10: 0340158441
ISBN-13: 978-0340158449

Soldier of Orange was turned into a film in 1977

Based on the best-selling memoir by Dutch war hero Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, Soldier Of Orange became the international breakthrough film for director Paul Verhoeven and stars Rutger Hauer and Jeroen Krabbe, and is still considered by critics worldwide to be one of the most powerful war films ever made.

Many thanks to Erik and Karine Hazelhoff for letting me use the words from Erik's book, and also for sending me the picture of Erik and HRH Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands at RAF Upwood in 1974

139 Squadron PFF losses flown from
R.A.F. UPWOOD in 1944

A TOTAL OF 22 AIRCRAFT DESTROYED in 1944
A total of 24 people died 4 injured and 3 POW's during 1944 in 139 Squadron Pathfinders

139 Squadron PFF flown from Warboys on 15/8/42 to5/3/44
Then came to Upwood on 5/3/44 to 27/6/45

13/14 March 1944 Mosquito IV DZ359 Op. Frankfurt
F/L E W F Wall

T/o Upwood 1932 with strong crosswinds and crashed almost immediately

1st April 1944 Mosquito IV DZ476 XD Air Test
F/S A S C Brown

T/o Upwood 1735 for an Air test, landed fifteen minutes later in strong cross winds. The Mosquito veered from the runway and was wrecked.

6/7 April 1944 Mosquito IV DZ370 XD-U Op. Hamburg
F/O Andrew Mackenzie Howden RCAF died Age 24
F/O Frederick Stevens died Age: 32

T/o Upwood 2045. Lost without trace

4/5 May 1944 Mosquito IV DZ646 XD- Op.Ludwigshafen
F/O (Pilot) Graeme Connell Keys DFC RAAF died Age: 33
F/O (Nav./Bomber) Arthur Ronald Hamlin died

T/o Upwood. 2200 Crashed 0132 near Bourn.

10/11 May 1944 Mosquito XX KB161 XD-H Op.Ludwigshafen
F/O (Pilot) Geoffrey William Lewis died Age: 23
F/O A J A Woollard DFM

T/o Upwood 2205 On return a flare that had failed to release ignited the Mosquito. Crashed 0125
Note This was the first Canadian built Mosquito XX written off in Bomber Command Service

26/27 May 1944 Mosquito IV DZ610 XD- Op.Ludwigshafen
F/O Reginald James Wright died
F/O George Frederick Jarvis died

T/o Upwood 2305 Lost without a trace.

11/12 June 1944 Mosquito IV DZ609 XD-D/O Op.Berlin
F/O Charles Anthony Armstrong RNZAF DFM MID died Age 26
F/O (Nav.) George Leonard Woolven died Age 27

T/o Upwood 2325
No more information

11/12 June 1944 Mosquito IV LR505 XD-N Op.Berlin
F/O J R Cassels DFC Interned
F/O A J A Woollard DFM Interned

T/O Upwood 2330 Immediately after Bombing at 0128 The Mosquito was his by Flak in the port engine Crash-landed 0330 near Bollerup, Sweden.

24/25 June 1944 Mosquito XX KB329 XD-L Op.Berlin
F/O William Wrixon Boylson RAAF DFC & Bar died Age 25
S/L George Heath Wilson DSO DFC died

T/o Upwood 0345 Shot down by a night-fighter, they have no known graves

28 June 1944 Mosquito IX ML909 XD-S/Z Op.Training
F/O T Dickinson DFM Injured
F/O E K Martin DFM Injured

T/o Upwood for training Lost power from Port engine and forced landed

30 June/1 July 1944 Mosquito IV KB644 XD-V Op.Homberg
W/O (Pilot) Harry Ernest LLoyd Griffiths died Age 23
F/O (Nav.) Leo Wolfson died Age 28

T/o Upwood 2345 Just as they crossed the French coast they was hit by flak

7/8 July 1944 Mosquito XVI MM146 XD-H Op.Berlin
F/L J D Robins RNZAF Evd
S/L (A) B M Vlielander-Hein RNethNAS Evd

T/o Upwood 2300
No more information

26/27 July 1944 Mosquito XX KB266 XD-F Op.Hamberg
F/O (Pilot) Balfour Richard John Hay DFC RNZAF died Age 21
F/O (Nav.) James Dunn DFC DFM died Age 27

T/o Upwood 2235 Crashed at 0020

26/27 July 1944 Mosquito IX LR475 XD-Op.Givors
F/O B C Witt injured
F/L R V Dobbs injured

T/o Upwood 2325 Crashed 0410 while making a single-engine approach towards Woodbridge airfield in Suffolk

6/7 Aug 1944 Mosquito XX KB118 XD Op.Castrop-Rauxel
F/O B E Hooke POW
F/O (Nav.) John Stevenson died Age 24

T/o Upwood 2205 I have no more information on this Mosquito

6/7 Aug 1944 Mosquito XX KB202 XD Op.Castrop-Rauxel
F/L John Henry Kenny DFC & Bar died Age 30
F/O (Nav.) Martin Henry Ove Levin DFC died Age 22

T/o Upwood 2215. While trying to land in Fog, overshoot runway and caught fire

12/13 Aug 1944 Mosquito XX KB198 XD-P Op.Frankfurt
F/L T R Fleming RNZAF POW
Sgt D G Gledhill POW

T/o Upwood 2235 I have no more informaion on this Mosquito

11/12 Sept 1944 Mosquito XX KB218 XD-P Op.Berlin
P/O H A Fawcett
F/O P L U Cross DFC

T/o Upwood 2030 Hit by flack which prevented the crew from releasing the bomb load. Crash landed 0110 at Woodbridge airfield

11/12 Sept 1944 Mosquito XX KB277 XD-P Op.Berlin
F/L (Pilot) James Angus Francis Halcro RCAF died Age 22
F/L (Nav.) Thomas James Martin RCAF died Age 23

T/o Upwood 2030 Crashed

13/14 OCT 1944 Mosquito XX KB162 XD-J Op.Koln
F/L (Pilot) Norman Taylor DFM MID died Age 29
F/O (Nav.) Walter Walton Jaskson died Age 31

T/o Warboys 0247 Lost power from port engine and crashed two minutes later. On impact the bomb load exploded

20/21 Nov 1944 Mosquito XXV KB392 XD-J Op.Hannover
Capt J Rad RNZAF
F/O D McT Martin DFM

T/o Upwood 2109 Starboard engine surged and the Mosquito swung off the runway and broke up. No injuries

9/10 Dec 1944 Mosquito XX KB205 XD-N Op.Berlin
F/L (Pilot) Charles Mellville Harrison died Age 30
F/O (Nav.) G H Dodds RNZAF died Age 28

T/o Upwood 2000 Crashed at Little Plantation in Gooderstone Park

139 Squadron PFF losses flown from
R.A.F. UPWOOD in 1945

2/3 Jan 1945 Mosquito XX KB222 XD-R Op.Berlin
F/L (Pilot) James Paul Ogilvie Howard DFC RCAF died
F/L (Nav.) Derek Gordon Williams DFC died Age 25

T/o Upwood 16.40 Crashed at Natho

14/15 Jan 1945 Mosquito XVI MM132 XD- Op.Berlin
S/L (Pilot) Robert Joseph George Green DFC & Bar died Age 24
F/L (Nav.) John Henry Robson DFC died

T/o Upwood 21.05 During extremely poor visibility the Mosquito flew into a tree and crashed 02.00 about 1 mile short of the runway while making a beam guided approach to Little Staughton

14/15 Jan 1945 Mosquito XX KB263 XD-P Op.Berlin
F /L (Pilot) Peter James Drane DFC died Age 22
F/O (Nav.) Kenneth Swale DFC died Age 21

T/o Upwood 21.05 During extremely poor weather conditions the Mosquito Clipped a hedge and crashed 02.15 while trying to land at Thurleigh aerodrome

1/2 Feb 1945 Mosquito XXV KB498 XD- Op.Berlin
F /L M H Wallis
F/O F W Crawley DFC

T/o Upwood 01.57. On return to Upwood the Mosquito overshoot the runway and crashed through a barbed wire fence. no injuries reported.

10 Feb 1945 Mosquito XVI MM189 XD- Ground
S/L C G Killpack

During Engine running at 12.00 the undercarriage collapsed. No Injuries are reported.

5/6 March 1945 Mosquito XX KB271 XD-T Op.Berlin
F /L A O' Grady RAAF
F/L L D Groome DFC

T/o Upwood 18.08 Overshoot runway and Crashed at 20.15 on return to Upwood. No injuries reported

23/24 March 1945 Mosquito XX KB367 XD-D Op.Berlin
F /L (Pilot) Robert Ogilvie Day DFC died Age 23
F/L (Nav.) Thomas Treby MID died Age 33

T/o Upwood 21.20 Crashed at Heesch (Noordbrabant) F/L Day was highly experienced with 82 sorties flown

23/24 March 1945 Mosquito XXV KB390 XD-B Op.Berlin
F/L (Pilot) Stanley Oliver Searles DFC died Bomber command losses states the name as R O Searles, Commonwealth War Graves Commission States its S O Searles. If anyone can tell me, please contact me
F/L (Nav.) Norman Chesworth Berrisford DFC & Bar died Age 29

T/o Upwood 21.21 No more information given F/L Searles was highly experienced with 93 sorties flown

27/28 March 1945 Mosquito XVI MM131 XD-J Op.Berlin
F/L Andre Anton Jan Van Amsterdam DFC Vliegerkruis died Age 28
S/L H A Forbes DFC RCAF POW

T/o Upwood 19.12 Shoot down by Ofw Karl-heinz Becker, in 10./NJG11 and crashed North of Brandenburg. F/L Amsterdam was thought to have been on is 101 operational sortie

A full account of the accident and S/L H A Forbes can be found at this address
http://www.bomber-command.info/memnavforbes.htm

27/28 March 1945 Mosquito XX KB354 XD-C Op.Bremen
F/O D W Rhys injured
F/O F J Kennelly injured

T/o Upwood 19.14 Problems with the VHF radio equipment during the operation. On return to base at 22.54 F/O Ryhs approach fast on landing and ended up in the bomb dump.

2/3 April 1945 Mosquito XX KB185 XD-R Op.Berlin
F/L G A Nicholls DFC died
F/L J E Dawes DFC died

T/o Upwood 22.35 Lost without a trace

3/4 April 1945 Mosquito XX KB349 XD-F Op.Berlin
S/L T R A Dow DFC died
F/L J S Enderby died

T/o Upwood 21.28 Lost without a trace S/L Dow is believed to be on his 65th sortie.

13th April 1945 Mosquito XX KB148 XD-L Op.Training
F/O T L Parsons RAAF

T/o Upwood 17.05 Landed at 17.20 but the Mosquito swerved off the runway and was damaged beyond repair.

13th July 1945 Mosquito XVI PF501 XD-F Op.Training
F/O T Finlay

T/o Tangmere 03.27 Lost control when the starboard engine cut.

20th July 1945 Mosquito XX KB217 XD-H Ground

At 10.00 an air cylinder exploded and damaged the mosquito beyond repair. The pressure gauge at the time was reading 160-lbs per square inch. No injuries.

27th August 1945 Mosquito XVI MM220 XD-E Op.Training
F/O T Finlay

T/o Upwood 15.20 for a cross country exercise, while changing fuel tanks an air lock caused an engine to fail. F/L Finlay decided on a fast approach, but on touch down at 1710 he lost control and the Mosquito was wrecked. Finlay was also involved in a serious accident on 13th July.

Information came from:

ROYAL AIR FORCE, BOMBER COMMAND LOSSES 1944
By W R CHORLEY
ISBN 0-904597-91-1
Midland Publishing

The Supplement to
THE ROYAL AIR FORCE IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE: PART 4
Prepared by John Hamlin

Commonwealth War Graves Commission