jamesinnewcastle: Have a browse through this thread,
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...evet-ww11.html
You will see the the originator and one or two others who contribute, flew at that time. Their recall of events that long ago is astonishing, and I am sure if you contact them they would be only too willing to help in whatever way they can.
If anyone can answer your questions with authority, it will will be Cliffnemo and 1 or 2 others.