In November 1943 USAAF B17s of The Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (Provisional) arrived at Bovingdon having completed a detachment with 517 Squadron RAF Coastal Command, St Eval, Cornwall. 231 sorties had been flown since their formation at St Eval in September 1943. Due to a shortage of American Met Air Observers MAOs from 517 Squadron RAF Coastal Command were detached to Bovingdon. Tragedy struck on 9th December 1943 when Wing Commander Jack Osborne and Flt Lt Howard 'John' Leigh-Clare MAO Leaders 517 Squadron were killed along with eight other crew members when their B17 crashed at Bovingdon. The Squadron (or Flight) under No 1 CCRC remained at Bovingdon until the 28th of March 1944 when it moved to Watton, Norfolk and was reformed and split as The 8th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy Provisional and Light Provisional).
B17 42-37744. Captain was Second Lt LaVerne Rissinger. Crashed Bovingdon evening of 9th December 1943. The aircraft hit trees after a late rotation and crashed into Bourne Wood. There were no survivors. Recorded as a training sortie.
B17 42-30131. Captain was Second Lt Robert Grafton. Lost over the Western Approaches/East Atlantic 2nd February 1944. After leaving Bovingdon the aircraft called at RAF Brawdy, Pembrokeshire to pick up its MAO Sgt John Pye (18 yrs). After its departure from Brawdy it was not seen again.
Weather Flights were also conducted from Bovingdon's satellite aerodrome at nearby Cheddington.
B17 42-37869. Captain was Major Ernie Patterson crashed at Bridestow, Devon 25th December 1943. At the end of its sortie and en-route to Cheddington the aircraft diverted back to St Eval due to an overheating engine. When they eventually departed for Cheddington the crew who were in high spirits beat up the airfield. En-route they were cruising at 1200 feet VFR when they suddenly entered cloud and hit high ground. The two pilots and the MAO Sgt Basil Brown survived, five other crew members died.
Captain later Lt Col Alvin E Podwojski, C.O. Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, Bovingdon 10th February 1944. Note Squadron Emblem. On April 3rd 1945 Podwojski with crewman Lt Col Proule operating a Mosquito from Watton were hit by Flak and 'lost' an engine whilst sowing 'Chaff' over Kiel. They landed at Malmo, Sweden and were interned. Photo credit American Air Museum.
MAO Sgt W.H. Timms RAF and Capt Podwojski fit one of two Psychrometers before a mission. Bovingdon 17th February 1944. Photo credit American Air Museum Freeman Collection.
The Crash Site of B17 42-37869 near Bridestow, Devon. Photo credit Paul Buck.
More information about these operations and other snippets from Bovingdon can be found here:https://www.key.aero/forum/historic-...af-station-112
Further details about the Weather Squadron at Watton from March 28th 1944 here:
https://www.rafwatton.info/a-brief-history-of-the-25th/
One final interesting bit of thread drift:
http://www.ww2irishaviation.com/42-3279.htm