Halifax Shadow- 78 Squadron RAF reuinion 2010

[TheWizard]

If anyone has any personal links or has any relatives with past connection with 78 Squadron please pass on the details below to make them aware of an upcoming event that the Squadron is running at the beginning of June this year. Thanks.

78 Squadron RAF Reunion and Former Base Visit 5-7th June 2010
Calling all former 78 Squadron personnel, veterans and relatives of those KIA / MIA.
A programme of activities is being arranged by the current 78 Squadron, now based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire.
Events are planned to take place at RAF Linton on Ouse, The Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington, All Saints Church, Bubwith and Breighton Airfield, home of the Real Aeroplane Company’s collection of historic aircraft.

We plan to include (please note that itinerary is subject to final approval):
Saturday:
Visit to the YAM at Elvington with exclusive access to a restored Halifax bomber interior
Fly-through by Merlin helicopter at Breighton Airfield
Sunday:
Sqn Standard Parade and Memorial Church Service at All Saints Church, Bubwith.
Wreath laying at 78 Squadron memorial in Bubwith Church Yard with provisional flypasts by Merlin & Sea King helicopters, plus BBMF Spitfire.
Visit to Breighton Airfield which will be hosting a Members Club D-Day fly-in event with a static display of participating Merlin helicopters plus other a/c.
Monday:
Visit to RAF Linton on Ouse Memorial Room for veterans and families.
Departure of Merlins with flypasts of former 78 Squadron bases at Breighton, Croft, Dishforth, Linton on Ouse and Durham Tees Valley.

Interested parties should contact:
Tony Hibberd SNCO i/c 78 Sqn Operations, RAF Benson, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 6AA
Email: PM for details

[Icare9]

Err.... is that the 5th, 6th and 7th June or the week after (bearing in mind 6th June is D Day anniversary)

[TheWizard]

Due to some rather nasty and malicious emails being received after the organisers email appeared in the advert, it has now had to be locked and canceled. If anybody received any cries for financial help etc from Tony, please ignore them as they are false. There are some very sad and disturbed people out there.
If anybody needs further information please send a PM for details.

[TheWizard]

Just a quick post to say what a hugely successful event this was.
Although we had pretty awful weather conditions the memorial service was very poignant and humbling.
The veterans came from far and wide and as ever their matter of fact and modest tales of heroism were truly inspiring.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs534.ash1/31312_127217217301741_107616379261825_196385_7428814_n.jpght tp://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs574.snc3/31312_127217210635075_107616379261825_196384_5760385_n.jpg
Five of the seven DFC holders who gathered for the event alongside OC 78 Sqn and other veterans.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs574.snc3/31312_127217220635074_107616379261825_196386_1426721_n.jpg

[Duncan D'Sorderlee]

'Machine Gun' Freddy is still looking as fit as a fiddle. I bet he has Michelle Goodman's hat!

Duncs:ok:

[TheWizard]

Well, he was certainly making Michelle smile whatever he was saying! What a legend. :)
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs529.snc3/30062_126889640667832_107616379261825_194876_3539854_n.jpg

[Duncan D'Sorderlee]

Old Pals from Church Fenton; Freddy is an honorary member of Yorkshire UAS. I think that she's got him drunk there before!

Glad that you all had a great time.

Duncs:ok:

[November4]

Guess it's a sign of the times that the serving male pilot has more campaign medals than the old boys.

[Herod]

I couldn't make it to Yorkshire this year. Any chance of some more pictures?

[ken knight]

Merlin at Elvington
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy348/balmedie3169/78%20Squadron%20Reunion/CNV00019.jpg?t=1276361495

Start of the Act of Remembrance
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy348/balmedie3169/78%20Squadron%20Reunion/CNV00004.jpg?t=1276361581

The Squadron Standard
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy348/balmedie3169/78%20Squadron%20Reunion/CNV00007.jpg?t=1276361675

A Merilin at RAF Breighton
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy348/balmedie3169/78%20Squadron%20Reunion/CNV00012.jpg?t=1276361785

[TheWizard]

Thanks for posting the pictures Ken. They show nicely the contrast between the weather on both days!

[TheWizard]

Just a quick post to highlight a new article which has been published online about the 78 Squadron reunion weekend, Exercise HALIFAX SHADOW that took place in June this year.

http://www.globalaviationresource.com/reports/2010/halifaxshadow.php (Exercise HALIFAX SHADOW)

http://www.globalaviationresource.com/reports/2010/halifaxshadow/titlethumbs/8.jpghttp://www.globalaviationresource.com/reports/2010/halifaxshadow/banner/1.jpghttp://www.globalaviationresource.com/reports/2010/halifaxshadow/titlethumbs/21.jpg

[Jihndee]

Hi All,
New guy here. I served 27 years in the RAF, sadly never on 78 Sqn. My father in law however was a wartime 78 Sqn Air Gunner with the Lancasters. It would cheer him up if anyone remembers him. WO Constable. I'm limiting details at the moment as I'm new to this sort of forum. Cheers

[TheWizard]

Hi Jihndee
Welcome to the sometimes mad world of PPRuNe.
If you can PM me a suitable email I will pass it on to the 78 Sqn Historian so he can get in touch with you.
One thing that puzzles me is that you say that your father-in-law was on Lancs?
I am not doubting that but 78 Sqn did not operate Lancs as far as I am aware?
Could he have been on the Halifax by any chance?
Regards

Wiz

[PPRuNeUser0139]

I had the privilege of meeting George Duffee (2nd from the right in Post #12) and the others below during the commemorative march over the Pyrenees in September this year which was organised by the local branch of the Comet Line (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comet_line) in the Pays Basque.
This pic was from a ceremony at the War Memorial, St Jean de Luz.
http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp265/geoffpaysbasque/11Sept10StJeandeLuz21.jpg
From L to R: M Jean Dassie, Bob Frost (http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cometeline.org%2Ffiche065.html)(rear gunner), George Duffee (http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cometeline.org%2Ffiche143.html)(pilot), Andree "Nadine" Dumon (http://home.clara.net/clinchy/bulletin.htm)(guide), Gordon Mellor (http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cometeline.org%2Ffiche069.html)(nav), unk, unk.
September next year sees the 70th anniversary of the Comet Line. I think it would be fitting if the RAF was represented by a small number of current Tornado GR4 aircrew at the 2011 commemoration which would involve attendance at several ceremonies followed by a crossing of the Pyrenees via the original escape route.
PM me if you'd like more details.
sv

[Jihndee]

Thanks to the Wizzard for putting me right. I should have paid more attention when being told war stories. I will now try and research the correct sqn - 186 at Stradishall which was formed from C Flight of 90 Sqn.

[LordChristoff]

Hello, I have managed to find this forum post online with the intent on trying to find out some information, my granddad who I know was in 78 Squadron died a few years ago now and I am trying to find out a bit more about his role in the Squadron. His name was Samuel Dennis Binns and was an Engineer on the Halifax aircraft during that last war...

I was wondering if any of the veterans would remember the name at all? I know it's a shot in the dark.. but it's worth a shot :)

Oh and he went for some sort of Dinner at RAF Breighton if that rings any bells.

Cheers
LordChristoff

[Herod]

If you don't get a reply here, I suggest you post on the History and Nostalgia forum. There are a lot of guys there who might be able to help.