Hendrie - The Cinderella Service RAF Coastal Command, 1939-1945

I am indebted to members of the Aircrew Association and the Coastal Command and Maritime Association who were prepared to write to me and offer assistance. They included veterans, not only from the United Kingdom, but also from Australia and Canada. Additionally, I was put in touch with other Australians who had served with Coastal Command, due to the help of Flt Lt Ray Kelly, BEM, RAAF. A considerable number of Canadians operated with Coastal Command, and many made contact with me.

Wing Commander Geoffrey Bartlett, who was my flight commander on No. 224 Squadron, has aided me throughout, in all my Coastal Command endeavours. Dr David Cheaney has given constant encouragement and help. My supervisor, Dr Mark Connelly at the University of Kent, has been ever patient in his endeavour to keep me on a true course, and I have greatly appreciated his guidance. My wife, Evelyn, above all, has been ever supportive, and of help, throughout the course of this project.

I am aware that my writing is bound to have been influenced by those whom I met in the RAF from April 1939 and in the following years. They included instructors such as my flight commander at No. 6 (Coastal) OTU RAF Thornaby, the late Sir Denis Spotswood, the late Sir Robert Craven and the late Wing Commander Bertie Leach. I have quoted directly or indirectly from their letters, as also from many others who are now listed, including four former enemy submariners.

May I now acknowledge help from all of the following:

Angell, Wg Cdr M., No. 580 Squadron; Bartlett, Wg Cdr G.C.C., AFC, Nos 224, 59 Squadrons; Baveystock, Flt Lt L., DSO, DFC, DFM, No. 201 Squadron; Bednall, Wg Cdr D., No. 230 Squadron; Bevan-John, Gp Capt D., No. 228 Squadron; Brock, D; Busbridge, Capt D., No. 224 Squadron; Campbell, Flg Off G., DFC, RCAF, No. 162 Squadron RCAF; Campbell, Wg Cdr R.I.; Cook, Gp Capt. D., OBE; Craven, AM Sir Robert, KBE, CB, OBE, DFC, Nos 201, 210, 228 Squadrons; Cremer, K/Kapt P., U-333; De Liefde, Lt T., RNethNAS; Edwards, Flt Lt Gron, No. 233 Squadron; FitzGerald,Gp Capt. J.B., No. 500 Squadron RAAF; Flynn, Flt Lt P., DFC, RCAF, No. 404 RCAF Squadron; Giese, O. U-405; Green, Flg Off J., No. 179 Squadron; Greswell, Air Cdre J., No. 172 Squadron; Hodgkinson, ACM Sir Derek, KCB, CBE, CB, DFC, AFC, No. 220 Squadron; Hodgkinson, Capt V., DFC, RAAF, No. 10 Squadron RAAF; Jones, Flt Lt J., RAAF, No. 608 Squadron; Johnson, C., MSc, FRAeS; Lynham, Gp Capt. P., DSO, No. 279 Squadron; McGill, R.; Marrows, Flt Lt D., DSO, DFC, RAAF, No. 461 Squadron; Martin, Wg Cdr D., OBE, BSc, No. 201 Squadron; Page, Flt Lt C., DFC, RCAF, No. 404 Squadron; Quinlan, B., RCAF; Rackcliff, P., No. 580 Squadron; Romanes, Wg Cdr J., DFC, No. 206 Squadron; Shuleman, Sqn Ldr S. DSO, DFC, RCAF, No. 404 Squadron; Simmons, R. No. 143 Squadron; Skaugstad, Per; Smith, Sqn Ldr A. MRAeS, No. 206 Squadron; Smith, M; Spooner, Sqn Ldr T., DSO, DFC, Nos 53, 221 Squadrons; Spotswood, MRAF Sir Denis, GCB, CBE, DSO, DFC, No. 500 Squadron; Stiebler, K/Kapt W., U-461; Taylor, Sqn Ldr C., DFC, RCAF, No. 407 Squadron; Tomkins, Air Cdre M.; Troughton, F., HMS Brocklesby ; Warren, L., Nos 459, 38 Squadrons; Whittaker, D., No. 279 Squadron; Willis, D.; Winfield, E., No. 1404 Flt; Womersley, Wg Cdr L., DFC, No. 224 Squadron; Wood, Capt E., DFC, USN, VP84; Yorston, Dr R., No. 269 Squadron; Zesterman, G., U-533, U-155.

APPENDIX

Summary of Planned Expansion of RAF, 19 41936

APPENDIX 3

Coastal Command Order of Battle, 10 September 1939

APPENDIX 4

Aircraft in Service with Coastal Command, 10 September 1939

Establishment, Strength and Average Daily Availability During September 1939

APPENDIX 5

Coastal Command Order of Battle, 1 November 1940

Additionally, a Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (PRU) was at Heston with Spitfires and Hudsons

Establishment, Strength and Average Daily Availability during November 1940

APPENDIX 6

Coastal Command Order of Battle, 15 June 1941

Establishment, Strength and Average Daily Availability during June 1941