Traces of World War 2 
RAF - No. 110 Squadron
10/05/1940 - 30/06/1940

110 SQUADRON - Bomber, Bristol Blenheim Mk IV
Bomber Command, 2 Group

History | Operations and losses | Sources | Links | Books | Questions and/or remarks



No. 110 Squadron led on 4th September 1939, the RAF's first bombing raid of World War 2 when five of its Blenheims flew from the civil airport at Ipswich (to which No. 110 had been detached from its base at Wattisham on 2nd September) to attack German warships near Wilhelmshaven.

Prior to and during the Battle of Britain, it carried out attacks on coastal convoys, invasion barges and coastal targets and then after the battle added enemy airfields and industrial targets to its list.

The squadron moved to India early in 1942.

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Operations and losses 10/05/1940 - 30/06/1940
Not all operations listed; those with losses are.

10/05/1940, The Hague, NL
11/05/1940: Maastricht, NL. 2 Planes lost, 2 KIA, 1 DOW, 1 POW
14/05/1940: Sedan, F. 5 Planes lost, 1 KIA, 3 MIA, 5 POW
22/05/1940: Henschel. 2 Planes lost, 3 KIA
27/05/1940: St-Omer, F. 1 Plane lost
01/06/1940: ?, UK. 1 KIA or DOW
08/06/1940: Amiens, F. 1 Plane lost
11/06/1940: Rouen, F. 1 Plane lost (?)
23/06/1940: Vohwinkle (?). 1 Plane lost, 3 KIA
26/06/1940: Soest, NL. 1 Plane lost, 3 MIA
26/06/1940: Reconnaissance, D. 1 Plane lost

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Losses 01/01/1940 - 09/05/1940 (incomplete)

Sergeant John H. Hanne, RAF 564212, 110 Sqdn., age 26, 10/01/1940, missing
Aircraftman 1st Class Edwin Vick, RAF 540323, 110 Sqdn., age 19, 10/01/1940, missing
Sergeant George L. Williams, RAF 524733, 110 Sqdn., age 23, 10/01/1940, missing

Sergeant Frederick J.R. Bigg, RAF 563033, 110 Sqdn., age 27, 17/02/1940, missing
Aircraftman 1st Class Jack Orchard, RAF 540259, 110 Sqdn., age 20, 17/02/1940, missing
Sergeant William B. Woods, RAF 580401, 110 Sqdn., age 21, 17/02/1940, missing

Sergeant Leslie Bancroft, RAF 562429, 110 Sqdn., age 28, 15/04/1940, missing
Leading Aircraftman Richard H. Mercer, RAF 546929, 110 Sqdn., age unknown, 15/04/1940, missing
Flight Lieutenant Mervyn L. Morris, RAF 37866, 110 Sqdn., age 28, 15/04/1940, missing

Sergeant (Obs.) William T. Howells, RAF 562745, 110 Sqdn., age 32, 25/04/1940, Sondre Nissum Churchyard, Denmark
Sergeant Wilbert Priestley, RAF 564931, 110 Sqdn., age 26, 25/04/1940, missing
Leading Aircraftman Robert A. Roberts, RAF 540263, 110 Sqdn., age 24, 25/04/1940, missing
See Air War over Denmark, Blenheim IV N6214

Sergeant Reginald H.J. Battrick, RAF 516469, 110 Sqdn., age 27, 30/04/1940, missing
Sergeant Frank J.R. Beavis, RAF 563045, 110 Sqdn., age 27, 30/04/1940, missing
Leading Aircraftman Joseph Rosemond, RAF 533258, 110 Sqdn., age 24, 30/04/1940, missing
Pilot Officer Frederick M.N. Searle, RAF 42962, 110 Sqdn., age unknown, 30/04/1940, missing

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10/05/1940, The Hague, NL

At 17.30 hours an unknown number of Blenheims Mk.IV and Mk.I bombed and strafed landed German Ju-52 transporters on the beach near The Hague. The bombing Blenheims [IV] were of the No. 110 Squadron and were escorted by the MK. I's of No. 604 Squadron. During this mission Blenheim L1517 of 604 Sqdn crashed near Wassenaar. The RAF planes claimed four enemy planes shot down, but these must have been registered as probables, for no firm claims could be made.

Sources: War over Holland, Peter D. Cornwell, The Battle of France, Then and Now, 2008; Studiegroep Luchtoorlog 1939-1945 (SGLO), Verliesregister 1939-1945, 2008

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Following a desperate plea from the Belgians (who had lost 6 out of 9 Battles attacking bridges over Albert Canal near Maastricht), 23 Blenheims (from 110 Sqdn. and 21 Sqdn.) are ordered to attack the same targets. Four aircraft are lost and none of the bombs hit the intended target. A follow up attack by LeO 451 bombers of the French Air Force failed to destroy the bridges, but did start several fires in a motorised column. Planned reconnaissance by 6 Blenheims cancelled due to poor weather. 2 aircraft lost.

Type: Bristol Type 142M/L. Blenheim Mk. IV
Serial number: L9175, VE-?
Operation: Maastricht
Lost: 11/05/1940
Flying Officer (Pilot) Gordon R. Grattan, RAF 39728, 110 Sqdn., age unknown, 11/05/1940, Kaggevinne Communal Cemetery, B
Sgt T. Patterson Inj, PoW
Leading Aircraftman Frederick J. Allam, RAF 540542, 110 Sqdn., age 20, DFM, 11/05/1940, Kaggevinne Communal Cemetery, B
Airborne 1450 from Wattisham. Shot down near Kaggevinne (Brabant), 2 km SW of Diest, Belgium. Details of LAC Allam's DFM were Gazetted 8Mar40. Sgt T.Patterson was confined in Hospital due injuries. No PoW No.

Type: Bristol Blenheim Mk. IV
Serial number: N6208, VE-?
Operation: Maastricht
Lost: 11/05/1940
Sgt G.C. Bennett Inj
Sergeant Arthur Colling, RAF 580571, 110 Sqdn., age 20, 11/05/1940, Fouquieres Churchyard Extension, F
AC1 E. Hannah Inj
Airborne 1450 from Wattisham. Crashed in flames, cause not established, near Fouquières-les-Béthune (Pas-de-Calais), on the southern outskirts of Béthune, France. Sgt Colling subsequently died from his injuries and is buried locally.

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14/05/1940: Sedan, F

After attacks of Squadrons No. 12, 105, 139, 150 and 218 came an attack by Blenheim squadrons of Uk based 2 Group. 21 Squadron, 107 Squadron and 110 Squadron tasked 30 Blenheims to bomb targets at Sedan and were provided with a fighter escort by the RAF and French Air Force. The aircraft of 107 Squadron all bombed enemy columns despite being subjected to moderate flak, which damaged five aircraft. All returned to base. 110 Squadron encountered Bf 109s and intense flak whilst making low level bombing attacks on enemy columns losing five of their number. 21 Squadron met similar opposition attacking pontoon bridges and troop columns. Two Blenheims were lost to fighter attack and another was written off in a crash landing on return to base at Bodney. The returning air gunners claimed several Bf 109s shot down.

Type: Bristol Type 142M/L, Blenheim Mk.
Serial number: L9217, VE-?
Operation: Sedan
Lost: 14/05/1940
P/O E.R. Mullins PoW
Sgt R. Lowe PoW
Aircraftman 2nd Class (W. Op.) Patrick Aherne, RAF 625621, 110 Sqdn., age 20, 14/05/1940, Sedan-Torcy French National Cemetery (5 NN RAF in this cemetery), F
Airborne 1650 from Wattisham. Cause of loss not established. Crashed at Torcy (Ardennes) on the western outskirts of Sedan, France. Sgt R.Lowe was interned in Camps 357, PoW No 2669. P/O E.R.Mullins in Camps 9AH/06B, PoW No.504.

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Type: Bristol Blenheim Mk. IV
Serial number: N6210, VE-?
Operation: Sedan
Lost: 14/05/1940
Pilot Officer Stephen G. Rose, RAF 41473, 110 Sqdn., age unknown, 14/05/1940, missing
Sergeant David A. Ashton, RAF 581077, 110 Sqdn., age 18, 14/05/1940, missing
Leading Aircraftman Ernest N. Edwards, RAFVR 751003, 110 Sqdn., age 22, 14/05/1940, missing
Airborne 1650 from Wattisham. Lost without trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

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Type: Bristol Type 142M/L, Blenheim Mk. IV
Serial number: L9241, VE-? (Lost Bombers: XD-?)
Operation: Sedan
Lost: 14/05/1940
Airborne 1650 from Wattisham. Force landed near Orchies (Nord), cause not established, 22 km SSE of Lille, France. Crew made a safe return home

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Type: Bristol Type 142/L, Blenheim Mk. IV
Serial number: P6889, VE-?
Operation: Sedan
Lost: 14/05/1940
Sgt Cater
Sgt Crossland Inj
AC1 Jones Inj
Airborne 1650 from Wattisham. Shot down near Attigny (Ardennes), 14 km ESE of Rethel, France.

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Type: Bristol Type 142M/L, Blenheim Mk. IV
Serial number: L9214, VE-?
Operation: Sedan
Lost: 14/05/1940
F/O G.O.M. Wright PoW
Sgt J. Fancy PoW
LAC W.W. Street PoW
Airborne 1650 from Wattisham. Cause of loss and crash-site not established. No other details. Sgt J.Fancy was interned in Camps 12A/8B/L1/L3/L6, PoW No.13081 with LAC W.W.Street, PoW No.21990. Both took part in an abortive tunnel escape in L6 29Aug43. F/O G.O.M.Wright in Camp L3, PoW No.599.

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22/05/1940: Henschel

58 Blenheims (plus 1 on reconnaissance) attack German troops advancing to the northern French coast.

Type: Bristol Blenheim Mk. IV
Serial number: N6207, VE-G
Operation: Henschel
Lost: 22/05/1940
F/O G.O. Lings
Sgt Martin
AC1 Bingham
Airborne 1618 from Wattisham. Battle damaged but returned to Wattisham. Crash landed with its undercarriage shot away.

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Type: Bristol Type 142M/L, Blenheim Mk.I/IV
Serial number: L8761, VE-?
Operation: Henschel
Lost: 22/05/1940
Squadron Leader (Pilot) George F.Hall, RAF 37350, 110 Sqdn., age 26, 22/05/1940, Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, F
Sergeant (Obs.) Kenneth F. Quarrington, RAF 580810, 110 Sqdn., age 19, 22/05/1940, Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, F
Leading Aircraftman (W.Op./Air Gnr.) Charles S. Torrance, RAFVR 759298, 110 Sqdn., age 18, 22/05/1940, Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, F
Airborne 1615 from Wattisham. Shot down by Flak near Abbeville (Somme), France, though the crew are buried in the Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne (Pas-de-Calais).

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27/05/1940: St-Omer, F

2 Blenheims lost from a total of 48 attempting to bomb German positions around Dunkirk.

Type: Bristol Type 142L, Blenheim Mk. IV
Serial number: R3774, VE-?
Operation: St-Omer
Lost: 27/05/1940
Airborne from Wattisham to attack troop concentrations near St.Omer. No other details available.

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Type: Bristol Type 142L, Blenheim Mk. IV
Serial number: R3670, VE-?
Operation: Amiens
Lost: 08/06/1940
P/O P.V. Arderne
Sgt G. Robson
Cpl J.Tippett
Airborne from Wattisham. Shot down near the target from where all three airmen made their way to safety and arrived back at Wattisham 13Jun40.

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Type: Bristol Type 142L, Blenheim Mk. IV
Serial number: L8749, VE-?
Operation: Rouen
Lost: 11/06/1940
Airborne from Wattisham. Cause of loss and crash-site not established.
According to 'Lost Bombers' the crew members were:

Sergeant Peter Bower, RAF 524415, 45 Sqdn., age 23, 11/06/1940, Alamein Memorial
Sergeant Stanley G. Fox, RAFVR 747815, 45 Sqdn., age 21, 11/06/1940, Alamein Memorial
Aircraftman 1st Class John W. Allison, RAF 543233, 45 Sqdn., age 19, 11/06/1940, Alamein Memorial

Since 45 Sqdn. was based in Egypt, it is highly unlikely that they were on board of this Blenheim.

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Type: Bristol Type 142L, Blenheim Mk. I/IV
Serial number: R3776, VE-?
Operation: Soest
Lost: 26/06/1940
Pilot Officer Cyril R. Worboys, RAF 41516, 110 Sqdn., age unknown, 26/06/1940, missing
Sergeant Gerald P. Gainsford, RAF 580575, 110 Sqdn., age unknown, 26/06/1940, missing
Sergeant Kenneth Cooper, RAF 550541, 110 Sqdn., age unknown, 26/06/1940, missing
Airborne from Wattisham. Lost without trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
On 'Lost Bombers' Pilot Officer Cyril R. Worboys is spelt as 'P/O C. R. Warboys'.

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Type: Bristol Type 142L, Blenheim Mk. I/IV
Serial number: R3828, VE-?
Operation: Reconnaissance
Lost: 26/06/1940
F/O Hill
Sgt Hodder
Sgt Gray
Airborne from Wattisham to reconnoitre the Münster area. Returned safely to Wattisham but crash-landed 0845 and damaged beyond repair.

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Sources

Belgian Aviation History Association Archaeological Team
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Lost Bombers
Milestones - Sedan area - 14 th May 1940
Royal Air Force - 110 Squadron
RAF - Campaign Diary - The Battle of France (May-June 1940)
RAF History - Bomber Command
RAF Museum: British Military Aviation in 1940
RAF Order of Battle, France, 10th May 1940
Royal Air Force History Section
The Royal Air Force, 1939-1945
The Second World War - a day by day account
War over Holland
www.rafweb.org - Squadron Histories

Books

E D Bell '110 (Hyderabad) Squadron history' (Air Britain)
W.R. Chorley, Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Volume 1, 1939/40, Midland Counties Publications, ISBN 0 904597 85 7
Peter D. Cornwell, The Battle of France, Then and Now, 2008
Studiegroep Luchtoorlog 1939-1945 (SGLO), Verliesregister 1939-1945, 2008

Links

Discussion Groups
Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum
RAF Commands Forum

Other
Abbreviations used in the Royal Air Force
Code Names & RAF Vocabulary

Air Aces
Airwar over Denmark
Allied World War II Casualties in the Netherlands
Armée de l'Air - Order of Battle, 10th May 1940
Australian Wargraves
Axis History Factbook
Battle-of-Britain.com
De Belgen in Engeland 1940-1945 (in Dutch)
Belgian Aviation History Association Archaeological Team
Biplane Fighter Aces from the Second World War
British Aircraft Directory
British Aviation Archaeological Council - Books and research links
Canada's Air Force History
HMS Cavalier
Ciel de Gloire (in French) RAF Squadrons
CWGC Cemeteries Germany
CWGC Cemeteries Netherlands
Czechoslovak airmen in the RAF 1940-1945
Danish WW2 Pilots
Dutch Pilots in RAF Squadrons
Eagles Squadrons (American pilots in the RAF)
Foreign Aircraft Landings in Ireland 1939-1946
'High flight', poem by John Gillespie Magee
An Irish Airman Foresees His Death, poem by W.B. Yeats
Jagdgeschwader 27 (in German)
Luchtoorlog ('Arial War', in Dutch, with many photos)
Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth
The Luftwaffe, 1933-1945
Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum
The National Ex-Prisoners of War Association
Naval History.net
Nordic Aviation during WW2
Order of Liberation (in French/English/Spanish)
Pilotfriend.com: aircraft of WW2
Polish Air Force 1940-1947 Operations Record Books
RAF Battle of Britain
RAF Upwood
RAF WWII 38 Group Squadrons Reunited
De Slag om de Grebbeberg (Dutch)
Test Flying Memorial
Warbird Alley
War over Holland
World War II Aircraft wrecksites in Norway
www.bomber-command.de

Aircraft crashes on the North Yorkshire Moors, England
Bills-Bunker.de
The Lancastershire Aircraft Investigation Team
Luftfahrt-Archäologie in Schleswig Holstein (in German)
North East Diary 1939-1945
Wartime Leicester and Leicestershire

The Aerodrome - Aces and Aircraft of World War 1
WW1 Cemeteries


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This page is dedicated to the men of 110 Squadron.

© Bart FM Droog / Rottend Staal Online 2008. Permission granted for use of the data gathered here for non commercial purposes, if this source is mentioned with a link to http://www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/index.html