21 SQUADRON - Bomber, Bristol Blenheim Mk IV
Bomber Command, 2 Group
History | Losses | Sources | Links | Books | Questions and/or remarks
On the outbreak of war 21 Squadron was based at Watton, Norfolk.
During the early part of the war, No. 21 Squadron, flying Blenheim IVs, played a prominent part in No. 2 Group's offensive against shipping in the English Channel and the North Sea, and "fringe" targets on the Continent. Moved in December 1941 to Malta. Disbanded on 14 March 1942.
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Losses 10/05/1940 - 30/06/1940
11/05/1940: Maastricht-Tongres road, NL, B. 1 KIA
12/05/1940: Tongeren (Tongres), B. 1 Plane lost, 3 MIA
14/05/1940: Sedan, F. 3 Planes lost, 3 MIA
25/05/1940: Lys, F. 1 Plane lost, 2 KIA, 1 POW
28/05/1940: Clairmarais, F. 1 Plane lost, 1 KIA
29/05/1940: Dixmude, B. 1 Plane lost
08/06/1940: Battle Area, F. 1 Plane lost, 3 KIA
11/06/1940: Battle Area, F. 3 Planes lost, 5 KIA, 1 POW
13/06/1940: Forêt de Gaul, F. 2 Planes lost, 3 KIA
14/06/1940: Merville, F. 1 Plane lost, 1 MIA, 2 POW
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Losses 01/01/1940 - 09/05/1940 (incomplete)
Leading Aircraftman Frank Birch, RAF 540261, 21 Sqdn., age 23, 16/02/1940, missing
Sergeant George H. Tice, RAF 507671, 21 Sqdn., age 30, 16/02/1940, missing
Sergeant John H. Wadmore, RAF 564478, 21 Sqdn., age 26, 16/02/1940, missing
Leading Aircraftman (W.Op.U/T/Air Gnr.) John B. Ball, RAF 524840, 21 Sqdn., age unknown, 06/04/1940, Watton (St. Mary) Churchyard, UK
Pilot Officer (Pilot) Ian Stapledon, RAF 40438, 21 Sqdn., age 20, 06/04/1940, Watton (St. Mary) Churchyard, UK
Sergeant (Obs.) Walter J. Wetton, RAF 580533, 21 Sqdn., age 20, 06/04/1940, Heckington Cemetery, UK
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11/05/1940: Maastricht-Tongres road, NL, B (1 KIA)
See: RAF Watton - Jack Bartley; Harry Osbourne
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.
21 Squadron took of at mid-afternoon on May 11th, overflying Holland and Belgium at around 15,000 ft, through sporadic anti-aircraft fire from 'friendly' gunners, whose aircraft recognition left much to be desired, eventually spotting the long line of vehicles that were to be the target.
At 16.30 hours Squadron Leader Pryde took his bombers down into the attack. The defences, in and around, Maastricht to put up a dense curtain of flak as the Blenheims shallow dive-bombed and gained hits on an assortment of vehicles that clogged the road. Aircraftman P.Charleton, the airgunner in Pilot Officer P. MacDonald's Blenheim, P6806, was killed by shrapnel during the attack, while no less than eight of the Squadron's aircraft were unserviceable the following morning.
Aircraftman 1st Class (W.Op./Air Gnr.) Robert Charleton, RAF 628854, 21 Sqdn., age 31, 11/05/1940, Belfast (Milltown) Roman Catholic Cemetery, UK
Jack Bartley: 'Paddy Charleton was killed by the only bullet that hit the machine and pierced his lung. Pretty successful raid despite the Ack-Ack over target and from points all the way over.'
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12/05/1940: Tongeren
Type: Bristol Type 142M/L, Blenheim Mk.1/1V
Serial number: L8739,YH-?
Operation: Tongeren
Lost: 12/05/1940
Leading Aircraftman Arthur C. Burgess, RAF 544110, 21 Sqdn., age 22, 12/05/1940, missing
Flight Lieutenant Arthur D. Watson, RAF 39249, 21 Sqdn., age 25, 12/05/1940, missing
Sergeant Alan L.F. Webb, RAF 564469, 21 Sqdn., age 25, 12/05/1940, missing
Airborne 1900 from Watton. Shot down by Flak from 7,000 feet. Crashed 2040 in the vicinity of Tongeren (Limburg), Belgium. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
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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.
Jack Bartley's account of what happened.
Type: Bristol Type 142M/L, Blenheim Mk.1/1V
Serial number: L8742,YH-?
Operation: Sedan, F
Lost: 14/05/1940
Pilot Officer Robert G.M. Gilmore, RAF 40382, age unknown, 14/05/1940, missing
Sergeant Thomas R.A.D. Pearce, RAF 564385, 21 Sqdn., age unknown, 14/05/1940
Aircraftman 1st Class Alfred G. Wilson, RAF 538054, 21 Sqdn., age 21, 14/05/1940, missing
Airborne 1750 from Bodney, briefed to attack enemy troops in woods E of Givonne (Ardennes) and N of Sedan. Shot down by enemy fighters. Crash site not established. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
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Type: Bristol Type 142M/L, Blenheim Mk.1/1V
Serial number: L8738,YH-?
Operation: Sedan, F
Lost: 14/05/1940 (3 Evd)
Sergeant (Pilot) Johnny J. Outhwaite
Sergeant (Observer) E. Broadland
Aircraftman 1st Class Jack E.Bartley
Airborne 1750 from Bodney. Badly shot about by Me109's while attacking enemy troops in woods W of Givonne (Ardennes) and N of Sedan. Force landed in Belgium where the crew escaped and later rejoined their Squadron.
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Type: Bristol Type 142L, Blenheim Mk.1V
Serial number: P6890,YH-?
Operation: Sedan, F
Lost: 14/05/1940 (1 WIA)
Squadron Leader J.C.G. Sarll
Sergeant (Observer) Jennings
Aircraftman 1st Class Leo H.Lightfoot Inj
Airborne 1750 from Bodney, briefed to strafe enemy troops in the woods W of Givonne (Ardennes) and N of Sedan. Badly shot about and crash landed on return tobase. Damaged beyond repair, SOC 27May40.
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25/05/1940, Lys
Type: Bristol Type 142M/L, Blenheim Mk.1/1V
Serial number: L8734, YH-?
Operation: Lys
Lost: 25/05/1940
Leading Aircraftman (W.Op [Air]) Donald V. Cleaver, RAF 548680, 21 Sqdn., age 19, 25/05/1940, Moorsele Communal Cemetery, B
Sergeant (Obs.) Arthur K.R. Keates, RAF 528054, 21 Sqdn., age unknown, 25/05/1940, Moorsele Communal Cemetery, B
Sergeant (Pilot) H. Rowson, PoW
Airborne 1530 from Watton to bomb the strategic bridge at Lys. Cause of loss not established. Crashed near Moorsele (West- Vlaanderen), 8 km SSW of Roeselare, Belgium. Sgt H. Rowson (RAF No. 509523) was interned in Camps L1/L6/357, PoW No.132.
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28/05/1940: Clairmarais
Type: Bristol Type 142M/L, Blenheim Mk.1/1V
Serial number: L8744,YH-?
Operation: Clairmarais
Lost: 28/05/1940 (1 KIA)
Sergeant (Obs.) Arnold E.D. Twamley, RAF 580573 (Ireland), 21 Sqdn., age 19, 28/05/1940, De Panne Communal Cemetery, B
Sgt Bailes
AC1 S.C.Thompson
Airborne 1230 from Watton. Lost attacking enemy positions in the Clairmarais Forest, immediately E of St-Omer (Pas-de-Calais), France.
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29/05/1940: Dixmude, B
Type: Bristol Type 142L, Blenheim Mk.1V
Serial number: P6886,YH-?
Operation: Dixmude, B
Lost: 29/05/1940
P/O L.M. Blanckensee
Sgt A. Williams
AC1 J. Guest
Airborne 1830 from Watton. Badly shot about by a Me109 and on return to Watton made a wheels up landing. AC1 Guest claimed the destruction of a Me109. AC1 Guest was to be awarded the DFM and promoted to Sergeant for his actions on this occasion. Tragically this crew were destined to be KIA 13/06/1940.
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08/06/1940: Battle Area, F
Type: Bristol Type 142M/L, Blenheim Mk.I/IV
Serial number: L9023,YH-?
Operation: Battle Area
Lost: 08/06/1940
Flying Officer (Pilot) Hugh D.S. Dunford-Wood, RAF 40215, 21 Sqdn., age 26, 08/06/1940, Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension, F
Sergeant (Obs.) Edwin Jones, RAF 566209, 21 Sqdn., age 24, 08/06/1940, Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension, F
Sergeant (W. Op. Air) Donald R.C. MacLagan, RAF 551673, 21 Sqdn., age unknown, 08/06/1940, Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension, F
Airborne 1000 from Bodney to attack German armour. Cause of loss not established. Crashed in the vicinity of abbeville (Somme), France, where the crew are buried in the Extension to the Communal Cemetery.
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11/06/1940: Battle Area, F
Type: Bristol Type 142M/L, Blenheim Mk. I/IV
Serial number: L8746,YH-?
Operation: Battle Area
Lost: 11/06/1940
F/L D. MacDonald RCAF PoW
Sergeant (Obs.) Gwyn Lewis, RAF 580549, 21 Sqdn., age unknown, 11/06/1940, St. Aubin-sur-Scie Communal Cemetery, F
Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.) Alastair G. Murray, RAFVR 759321, 21 Sqdn., age 19, 11/06/1940, St. Aubin-sur-Scie Communal Cemetery, F
Airborne 1700 from Bodney. Shot down at St-Aubin-sur-Scie (Seine- Maritime), 6 km SSW of Dieppe, France. F/L D.MacDonald was interned in Camps L1/L3, PoW No.115
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Type: Bristol Type 142M/L, Blenheim Mk. I/IV
Serial number: L8743, YH-?
Operation: Battle Area
Lost: 11/06/1940
P/O Rogers
Sgt Huckins
Sgt Bradshaw
Airborne 1700 from Bodney. Shot down by fighters. Crash-site not established. It is presumed the crew were eventually able to reach safety.
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Type: Bristol Type 142L, Blenheim Mk. IV
Serial number: R3674, YH-?
Operation: Battle Area
Lost: 11/06/1940
Sergeant (Pilot) John J. Outhwaite, RAF 565200, 21 Sqdn., age unknown, 11/06/1940, Boulleville Churchyard, F
Sergeant (Obs.) James P. Waters, RAFVR 755869, 21 Sqdn., age unknown, 11/06/1940, Boulleville Churchyard, F
Sergeant (W.Op Air) John M. Sculfer, RAF 552947, 21 Sqdn., age unknown, 11/06/1940, Boulleville Churchyard, F
Airborne 1700 from Bodney. Crashed near Boulleville (Eure) 9 km W of Pont-Audemer, France. 'Lost Bomber' reports as air gunner 'Sgt A.G. Murray.'
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13/06/1940: Forêt de Gaul, F
Type: Bristol Type 142L, Blenheim mk. IV
Serial number: R3676, YH-?
Operation: Forêt de Gaul
Lost: 13/06/1940
Pilot Officer (Pilot) Lewis M. Blanckensee, RAF 41248, 21 Sqdn., age unknown, 13/06/1940, St. Hilliers Communal Cemetery, F
Sergeant (Obs.) Albert Williams, RAF 580502, 21 Sqdn., age 20, 13/06/1940, St. Hilliers Communal Cemetery, F
Sergeant (W. Op. [Air]) Jack Guest, RAF 626540, 21 Sqdn., DFM, age 20, 13/06/1940, St. Hilliers Communal Cemetery, F
Airborne 1505 from Bodney. Cause of loss not established. Crashed at St-Hilliers (Seine-et-Marne), 8 km NW of Provins, France. See 29/05/1940.
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Type: Bristol Type 142M/L, Blenheim Mk. IV
Serial number: L9269, YH-?
Operation: Forêt de Gaul
Lost: 13/06/1940
F/L L.V.E. Petley
Sgt Hart
Sgt Norris
Airborne 1505 from Bodney to attack German armour. Cause of loss and crash-site not established. It is presumed that the crew were able to eventually return to their Squadron.
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14/06/1940: Merville, F
Type: Bristol Type 142L, Blenheim Mk. IV
Serial number: R3742,YH-?
Operation: Merville
Lost: 14/06/1940
Pilot Officer William A. Saunders, RAF 40756, 21 Sqdn., age 20, 14/06/1940, missing
Sgt W.H.Eden PoW also initialled H.W.Eden
Sgt C.Webb PoW
Airborne from Bodney. Crash-site not established. Last seen being chased by Me109s. P/O Saunders has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Mmemorial. Sgt W.H.Eden on his 30th operation evaded until captured Jul40 near Doullens after spending 3 days in a rowing boat and interned in Camps L1/L6/357, PoW No.87. Sgt C.Webb was also captured with his comrade but was interned in Camps L1/L3/L6/357, PoW No.76.
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Sources
Air of Authority - 21 Squadron
Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database
Australian War Memorial
Bail-outs for 1940
BBC WW2 People's War - 21 Squadron, 1940
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Lost Bombers
Milestones - Sedan area - 14 th May 1940
Prisoners of War captured in Europe 1940
RAF Bomber Command - 21 Squadron
RAF Watton - History: Jack Bartley
RAF Watton - 21 Sqdn. Pilots, 1939
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
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Books
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
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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 21 Squadron.
© Bart FM Droog / Rottend Staal Online 2007-2008. 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
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