Bomber Command query

[PPRuNeUser0139]

I'm looking for a photograph of Flt Lt Wallace Ian Covington RAF. He was the pilot of a 97 Sqn Lancaster Mk III, JA716, OF-V that was shot down on the night of 10/11 Aug '43 in the vicinity of Hanzinelle, 6km NE of Florennes, nr Namur.
This info has come from a Belgian website and so the details may have been scrambled.
Can anyone oblige?
Thanks in advance.
sv

[T-21]

Hello, Might be worth trying here 97 Squadron Association - Achieve your aim (http://www.97squadronassociation.co.uk/)

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Thanks for that :ok: - I'll give it a shot.

[David Layne]

I too would like a photograph of Covington to include here, Covington crew (http://www.97squadron.co.uk/Crew%20Covington.html)

My father was in the same squadron as Covington and was shot down the following month. You can read about it here. Wally's War | The wartime story of Wally Layne (http://wallyswar.wordpress.com/)

Regards, David

[om15]

After being shot down Ian Covington was helped to evade capture and returned to England, unable to return to operations due to his knowledge of the escape routes and those involved, Ian then flew as a test pilot for Napier. After the war Ian flew Vikings, I think for Airwork, not sure, but ended his flying career with Channel Express flying Heralds, last flight was Guernsey to Bournemouth in the summer of 1986.
I remember Ian very well and he was a fund of funny stories, during his time at Channel Express he returned to France and was reunited with the girl who escorted him through occupied France, he recounted how he walked through France with a pebble in his shoe to make him limp, his cover story being that he was a recuperating Frenchman.
I don't have any photographs unfortunately, I do still have a Christmas card from him somewhere in the loft, I think that Ian carried out around 65 Operations before being shot down, hope that your request is successful,


best regards, om15

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Many thanks to you both :ok: - I've set a few hares running - hopefully Ian's photo will emerge.
sv

[robert f jones]

I notice om15 mentions Ian Covington as flying for Airwork on Vikings and retiring from Channel Express in 1986. I'm sure I remember an Ian Covington in BUA and then British Caledonian, so will look in my log book and ask former colleagues. Bcal have a very good website so you also look there as well : British Caledonian BCal (http://www.british-caledonian.com)
Contact name is David Thaxter.

[thegypsy]

David Layne

I see 97 Squadron was based at RAF Bourn at that time and on 23 August a memorial plaque is being unveiled there to commemorate ALL those who were based there during WW11 who lost their lives. Look at web RAF Bourn Memorial. It is organised by the son of a crew member from 97 Squadron.

See PM I sent you!

[robert f jones]

Have replied to your PM, trust it went ok, pse confirm receipt. rfj.

[Chris Scott]

As Bob says, there was an Ian Covington in BUA/BCAL. I flew with him several times in the early 1970s when he was a VC10 skipper, and was once his right-hand man on one of those wretched sim sessions we used to do at "Branecrank" in the early hours. His DoB would have been in 1920 or so, which fits.

Unfortunately, I can't shed light on any wartime service, let alone provide a photo. My guess is he was from an upper-middle-class background - probably public-school educated. He was genial, with a good sense of humour, but perhaps too modest to volunteer wartime experiences with young, casual acquaintances like myself. Sounds like I missed an interesting tale, and I wonder which route he took - presumably across the pair of knees?

[Brian Abraham]

Some records have his name listed as Wallace Ian Covington. Never the less he would have a story to tell. He escaped via the Comete line crossing the extreme western Pyrenees, where escapees were generally delivered to the British Consulate. Looks like he made it home in January 1944.

MI9 nos 1500 to 1999 (http://www.conscript-heroes.com/MI9-04.html)

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Well spotted - many thanks Brian.. His name was incorrectly listed as Ian Wallace Covington in the main Comète (http://www.cometeline.org/fiche258.html) records; his file contains all the details of his shoot-down and subsequent successful return to the UK. (in French).. Mangled Google translation here (http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?sl=fr&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cometeline.org%2Ffiche258.html&edit-text=).
Your MI9 link is confirmed by this extract from the actual wartime records maintained by the Belgian lady who ran Comète in the Basque country.
http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y497/Piperade64/Covington_zps1246e6fb.jpg (http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/Piperade64/media/Covington_zps1246e6fb.jpg.html)

[Brian Abraham]

From Chris Scott's post it may be that he used his middle name (Ian) as his handle. My farther was the same, no one knew of his first name, always used his second. The google translation most interesting, thanks sidevalve.

[Democritus]

Whilst I can't guarantee this is your man, from a quick search of records in England and Wales the only Wallace Ian Covington I can find was born on 26/4/21 and died in Surrey in 2000. A person of the same name married a Joyce A Hendley in 1960 and she died in Surrey in 1997.

If you obtained a copy of his or her death certificate then it may be that a relative was the informant of the death but it could be a Doctor or a Nursing Home. The informant has to include their own address in the notification. If you want the reference details which would enable you to get a death certificate of either or both then drop me a PM.

As Bob Jones said in his post, it is worth contacting Dave Thatcher who runs the British Caledonian tribute site. He is extremely helpful and could put a request for information in one of his monthly updates.

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Thanks Demo.. I took Bob's advice and emailed Dave Thaxter but still waiting.

For Chris Scott - yes, Ian crossed the Pyrenees via the inland "Larressore" route. This was opened up in '43 after a wave of arrests on the original coastal route.

For those interested in the "Comète Line", google cometepaysbasque* - it will take you to the website of the local association that's concerned with commemorating Comète's operations in the Basque country. I'm writing up the story of the inland routes for a future post and the one photo I was missing was that of Ian Covington.

Finally, if anyone's feeling energetic, each September we retrace the actual routes used by the evaders over the mountains during the course of a long weekend. We do in 2 days what the evaders did in one long night, plus we're equipped with modern kit & no-one's shooting at us.

The weekend is normally graced by the attendance of a few veterans - former guides and aircrew alike - it's a real privilege to listen to their stories.:ok:

* PPRuNe won't accept an embedded direct link for some reason

[Chris Scott]

That's very interesting, guys. Yes, to avoid some bad errors in the translation that extract from the Comète via les Pyrénées records (http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cometeline.org%2Ffiche258.html&anno=2) really needs to be read in the French. (Is it possible to make the invited amendments to the translation "stick"? Presumably not.)

Perhaps the indomitable Dave T will have some news on the Airwork/BUA/BCAL Covington, but just to verify we are talking about the same person, the latter signed my logbook as ATPL #22293. Maybe om15 has the licence number of Ian (the escapee) from his Channel Express, Herald days?

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Chris, the parent Comète web site is French language only.. which unfortunately ignores a large swathe of the main players.
I do suggest corrections as and when I spot errors and they've been accepted.

[Hipper]

Just for interest I thought I'd mention that I posted a picture of former members of the Belgian Comete here, fourth photo down:


http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/434196-canberras-xv-squadron-honington-1956-a.html


My mother was there presumably because she was Dutch (and was in Holland during WW2) and could perhaps help with the language.

[PPRuNeUser0139]

I finally tracked down a photo of Ian Covington.. here he is, with his co-pilot Charles Berridge, taken just after his Herald undercarriage incident (http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/Handley-Page%20HP7%20Dart%20Herald%20G-BEZB%2010-84.pdf) at Guernsey..
http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y497/Piperade64/1e88d89a-7924-4a30-962e-150a26f5c8e3_zps4cdfbf8a.jpg?t=1399027582
Credit: The Guernsey Press
If anyone would like a higher res image, send me a PM with your email address.
Thanks to all who offered help - greatly appreciated!
sv

[Chris Scott]

That's definitely the Ian Covington in my log book, sidevalve. Excellent excuse for a N/S in St Peter Port, perhaps, and one or two jars...

[thegypsy]

RAF Bourn Memorial

Bourn opens at 10am Sunday 24th August ( not the 23rd as I mentioned earlier) Lancaster flypast at 2.45pm.

Barbecue and Hog Roast too:p

[Lancaster97]

I'm looking for a photograph of Flt Lt Wallace Ian Covington RAF. He was the pilot of a 97 Sqn Lancaster Mk III, JA716, OF-V that was shot down on the night of 10/11 Aug '43 in the vicinity of Hanzinelle, 6km NE of Florennes, nr Namur.
This info has come from a Belgian website and so the details may have been scrambled.
Can anyone oblige?
Thanks in advance.
sv

Please see message above

[David Layne]

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q137/DavidLayne/Log%20Book/scan0045.jpg (http://s135.photobucket.com/user/DavidLayne/media/Log%20Book/scan0045.jpg.html)

My father flew non operationally with Flt/Lt. Covington. My father's log book states that on June 19th 1943 he made a flight to Scampton in ED862 with F/Lt Covington as pilot. Wally has the flight logged as “Base to Scampton” and “Scampton to Base,” both flights of .35 hours duration. The Flight Engineer Joe Nelson has recorded the same brief details in his log book with the interesting addition in capital letters of “THE DAM BUSTERS BASE TWO WEEKS AFTER THE HISTORIC ATTACK. ATMOSPHERE IN MESS EUPHORIC. MET W/C GIBSON V.C.”

https://wallyswar.wordpress.com/1942-2/

[David Layne]

Tim Covington you may wish to edit or remove your e mail address to avoid spam.

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Good idea David..:ok: I've copied Lancaster97's address and an email is on its way to him..
sv

[Lancaster97]

To all those who posted about my father Ian Covington I am fascinated to learn more about his exploits and will post what he shared with me over the years in a few days about his escape over the Pyrenees via the Comete.
He had logged 23,000 hours flying initially for Airwork, Hunting Clan, Freddie Lakers Silver City on Bristol Frighteners and then BUA flying BAC 1-11 and VC10 to Nairobi and the BOAC routes to South America.
Became BA later after BCAL was absorbed.
I have some great shots of my Dad and will post also.
He obtained the DFC and Bar and became a member of the Silk Club when he parachuted down to Chatlineaux in Belgium after his Lancaster was shot down by a "Shimmelmusic" - but someone will know more about that German aircraft.
Thanks, Tim Covington.

[David Layne]

I don't know if Covington served with another squadron prior to joining 97 Squadron however here are his operational flights with 97 Squadron.


8/9 January 1943 Gardening – “Pumpkin” area – 4 mines

R5559W F/O I.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts R.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos.
Up 1748 Down 2312. Primary garden reached. Rosnaes port visually identified. Veg dropped in correct position. Satisfactory trip.

11/12 January 1943 Essen – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC

W4355T F/O I.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts R.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos.
Up 1721 down 2138. Primary target bombed. Bombs dropped by white flares. Own bombs observed through clouds.
3 cans of incendiaries hung up. Straightforward trip.

12/13 January 1943 Essen – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC

ED323O P/O I.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts R.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos.
Up 0410 Down 0837. Primary target reached. Much cloud. Bombed by release point flares, no results seen. Uneventful trip.

16/17 January 1943 Berlin

R5889V F/O I.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts R.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos. 14 SBC.
Up 1653 Down 0033. Believed primary target bombed. Bombed on white marker flares in large built up area.
Own incendiaries seen to ignite. Saw three fires burning. Some opposition encountered.

17/18 January 1943 Berlin – 1 x 4000lb 8 SBC

R5889V P/O I.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts R.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos.
Up 1710 Down 0130. Primary Berlin bombed. ETA. Recognied features from previous night. Own bombs seen to straddle built up area.
Fires observed starting over large area. PFF failed to ignite target.

21/22 January 1943 Essen – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC

W4355T F/O I.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts R.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos.
Up 1729 Down 2218. Bombed estimated target area. Thick ground haze from 20,000’.
Bombed estimated position of release point flares. Own bursts observed. Five red fires seen burning, two appeared to be large.
Some flak encountered.

27/28 January 1943 Dusseldorf – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC

R5612R P/O I.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts R.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos. 1 x 8000lb.
Up 1737 Down 2200. Dusseldorf successfully bombed. Cloud over target. Own bomb dropped on marker and seen to explode.
Many sticks of incendiaries seen burning. Conditions were ideal for this method of bombing.

7/8 February 1943 Lorient

R5889V F/O I.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts R.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos. 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC.
Up 1757 Down 2351. Primary target successfully attacked. Clear, good
Visually pin-pointed target, saw and bombed on TI markers. W/Op saw bombs burst. Whole town covered with incendiaries.
Excellent trip and appeared effective.

13/14 February 1943 Lorient

R5889V F/O I.Covington, Sgt R.Thompson, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts R.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos.
Up 1907 Down 0105. Primary objective successfully attacked. Target identified visually. Pin-pointed down river bend.
Own bomb bursts seen. Many fires around target and in town. Defences strengthened since last attack. Fighters in evidence.

14/15 February 1943 Milan

R5559W F/O I.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunne, Sgts R.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos. 1 x 4000lb 4 SBC.
Up 1907 Down 0304. Primary target successfully attacked. Saw and bombed on red TI markers. Own bursts were seen.
At least 40 good fires observed burning around TI markers. Fires visible 100 miles away. Successful trip – conditions ideal.

18/19 February 1943 Wilhelmshaven – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC

W4355T F/O I.W.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts R.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos.
Up 1840 Down 2326. Wilhelmshaven successfully attacked. Visibility good. Visual on target with assistance of marker flares,
which were right on aiming point. Saw own 4000 pounder burst. About 20 big fires observed in dock area. PFF good.

21/22 February 1943 Bremen – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC

W4355T F/O I.W.Covington, J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts R.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos.
Up 1841 Down 2339. Bremen attacked from 20,000’. Cloud over target. Sky marker flares seen and bombed. Flares in sights.
No ground detail observed.

5/6 March 1943 Essen – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC unless stated

R5612R F/L I.W.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts J.F.Gardner, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Dillon. 1 x 8000lb.
Up 1851 Down 2312. Primary objective attacked. 22,000’ clear, no cloud. Bombed red TI markers which were in sights.
One very large explosion seen. About 30 fires counted as aircraft was about to leave target area.

9/10 March 1943 Munich

W5609S F/L I.W.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts A.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos.
1 x 8000lb. Up 2100 Down 0451. Primary target Munich attacked. 14,000’, clear, visibility good.
Markers had burnt out by the time aircraft reached the target. Bombed the centre of area where fires were observed burning.
Numerous scattered fires. One particularly large explosion.

11/12 March 1943 Stuttgart – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC unless stated

R5612R F/L I.W.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts A.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos. 1 x 8000lb.
Up 1939 Down 0236. Primary target Stuttgart attacked. 13,000’. Clear, slight ground haze.
All TI markers had gone out when we were ready to bomb. Bomb released on edge of fire area but not seen to burst.
Hardly enough PFF markers.

12/13 March 1943 Essen – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC unless stated

R5483D F/L I.W.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, P/O Pratt (Nav 2), Sgts R.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos.
Up 1903 Down 2325. Primary objective attacked. Clear but slight haze at 20,000’.
Bombed centre of green TI markers, own 4000 pounder seen to burst. 5 large fires and about 30 smaller ones counted.
Good concentrated raid.

27/28 March 1943 Berlin – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC unless stated

R5896Y F/L I.W.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts A.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos.
Up 2016 Down 0300. Primary objective Berlin bombed. No cloud, some haze. 20,000’.
Bombed on cluster of TI markers (mostly green) in sights. Raid seemed slow in developing but aircraft were piling in as we left.
Fires were developing.

29/30 March 1943 Berlin – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC unless stated

R5612R F/L I.W.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts A.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos. 1 x 8000lb.
Up 2202 Down 0506. Primary objective attacked. 20,000’. No cloud. Slight ground haze. Lake identified visually.
Centre of cluster of TI markers in sights when we bombed. About 15 good fires seen, developing well as we left target.

3/4 April 1943 Essen – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC unless stated

R5612R F/L I.W.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts A.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos. 1 x 8000lb.
Up 1931 Down 0006. Essen attacked from 20,000’. Clear, weather good over target, some ground haze.
Bombed on cluster of TI markers which were in sights. One terrific explosion observed (larger than a 8000 pounder). Very large fires.

4/5 April 1943 Kiel – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC unless stated

R5612R F/L I.W.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts A.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos. 1 x 8000lb.
Up 2105 Down 0218. Kiel attacked. 9/10ths cloud, 19,000’. Bombed estimated position of two green TI markers which disappeared
into cloud. Glow seen through cloud.

8/9 April 1943 Duisburg – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC unless stated

R5889V F/L I.W.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts A.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos.
Up 2053 Down 0221. Believed Duisburg attacked. 10/10ths cloud at 20,000’. Bombed on ETA. No release point flares seen.
Nickles also dropped. Nothing seen owing to cloud.


10/11 April 1943 Frankfurt – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC unless stated

R5917K F/L I.W.Covington, J.H.Mason (2nd Pilot), F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts A.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos.
Up 0012 Down 0603. Believed Frankfurt attacked. 16,000’. 10/10ths cloud. Time run from position E where green steady
flares were seen, bombed on estimated position from there. Spent ten minutes over target but no PFF markers were seen.

13/14 April 1943 Spezia – Bomb load 4 x 1000lb 5 SBC unless stated

ED816U F/L I.W.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts A.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos.
Up 2036 Down 0636. Primary target bombed. Visibility good – with ground haze and smoke.
Pin-pointed Palmeira and base of fires and smoke in town. Ship seen burning along outer dock. Town well ablaze. Opposition was meagre

14/15 April 1943 Stuttgart – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC unless stated

R5612P F/L I.W.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts A.J.Goad, C.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos. 1 x 8000lb.
Up 2232 Down 0429. Primary objective bombed. 15,000’. Clear, some haze. Saw and bombed on green TI markers which were in sights.
Whole town seemed to be well alight. Raid seemed concentrated on western half of town. Good track marking.

12/13 May 1943 Duisburg – Bomb Load 1 x 4000lb, 3 x 1000lb, 8 x 5000lb unless stated

ED870T F/L I.W.Covington, Sgts J.R.Thomas (2nd Pilot), K.Fairlie (F/E), F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts R.J.Goad, G.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos.
Up 2333 Down 0422. Primary target Duisburg attacked. 18,000’. Moon, no cloud, visibility good except for slight ground haze.
Cluster of three red TI markers in sights when we bombed. No fires while over target but glow seen when 40 miles away.


13/14 May 1943 Pilsen

ED878K F/L I.W.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J,Dunn, Sgts R.J.Goad, G.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos.
Up 2133 Down 0436. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb, 6 x 500lb. Primary target Pilsen bombed. 13,000’, moonlight, no cloud, hazy.
Bombed on centre of cluster of red TI markers. No ground detail observed, area covered by pall of thick smoke. Bomb flashes seen.


25/26 May 1943 Dusseldorf – Bomb Load 6 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 6 x 1000lb unless stated

ED923V F/L I.W.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts R.J.Goad, G.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos.
Up 2352 Down 0420. Bomb load 5 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 6 x 1000lb. Dusseldorf attacked. 21,000’. Clear over target. Visibility fair.
Bombs released on two green TI markers. Own results not seen.

28/29 May 1943 Wuppertal – Bomb Load 4 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 6 x 1000lb unless stated

ED923V F/L I.W.Covington, Sgt J.R.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts R.J.Goad, G.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos.
Up 2242 Down 0331. Primary target Wuppertal attacked. 18,500’. Visibility good. Bombed on red TI markers but own results not
observed. Many bomb bursts seen from other aircraft. Good fires seen and well concentrated in marked area.

11/12 June 1943 Dusseldorf – Bomb Load 5 TIs, 1 x 4000lb, 4 x 1000lb, 1 x 500lb

ED923V F/L I.W.Covington, Sgts J.L.Thomas, J.P.McMillin, R.J.Goad, G.T.Ambrose, H.Walters, G.Partos.
Up 2249 Down 0305. Primary objective Dusseldorf attacked. Half moon. 2/10ths cloud. Ground haze. Built up area identified
visually. No TIs seen on approaching. Bombed built up area. Some fires seen going well and were spreading as we left.

16/17 June 1943 Cologne – Bomb Load 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC

ED923V F/L I.W.Covington, Sgt J.L.Thomas, F/Sgt J.Dunn, Sgts R.J.Goad, G.T.Ambrose, Davis, G.Partos.
Up 2242 Down 0256. Cologne attacked. 7/10ths cloud. 20,000’. Made timed run from green steady flares.
Red and green skymarkers in sight when bombs released. Nothing seen.


24/25 July 1943 Hamburg – Bomb Load 5 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 3 x 1000lb unless stated

JA716V F/L I.W.Covington, F/Sgt T.Lancashire, S/L K.J.Foster, Sgts S.Powell, O.Ramsden, F.Jackson, J.McKnight. 1 x 4000lb, 4 x 1000lb, 12 x 20 flares.
Up 2204 Down 3021. Primary objective attacked. 18,000’ Visibility good. Target identified by town and river (visually) and yellow
TI markers. Latter in bombsight when load released. Many fires seen on leaving target.


25/26 July 1943 Essen – Bomb Load 5 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 3 x 1000lb

JA716V F/L I.W.Covington, F/Sgt T.Lancashire, F/O J.L.Canham, Sgts S.Powell, O.Ramsden, F.Jackson, J.McKnight. 1 x 4000lb, 2 x 1000lb, 5 x 500lb.
Up 2230 Down 0257. Essen attacked. Light cloud. Visibility poor and hazy. 20,000’. One red TI marker in bombsight when load
released. Many explosions and fires observed and great pall of heavy smoke up to 21,000’ seen.

27/28 July 1943 Hamburg – Bomb Load 1 x 4000lb 4 x 1000lb unless stated

JA716V F/L I.W.Covington, F/O G.de Wesselow (2nd Pilot), F/Sgt T.Lancashire, P/O W.G.Wishart, Sgts S.Powell, O.Ramsden, F.Jackson, J.McKnight. 1 x 4000lb, 10 x 500lb.
Up 2158 Down 0325. Primary target successfully attacked. 18,500’. Hazy – no cloud. Fires from previous raid were still burning.
Bombed centre of concentration of yellow markers. One large explosion seen at 0059.

30/31 July 1943 Remscheid – Bomb Load 5 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 5 x 500lb, 2 x 1000lb unless stated

JA716V F/L I.W.Covington, F/Sgt T.Lancashire, F/O J.L.Canham, Sgts S.Powell, O.Ramsden, F.Jackson, J.McKnight. 1 x 4000lb, 2 x 1000lb, 96 incs.
Up 2211 Down 0239. Remscheid attacked. 19,900’. No cloud. Visibility moderate. Ground haze. Centre of concentration of
red and green TI markers in bombsight when load released. One large explosion seen at 0110.

159537 A/F/L I.W.Covington GD Awarded DFC auth London Gazette 6.7.43

2/3 August 1943 Hamburg – Bomb Load 5 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 3 x 1000lb unless stated

JA716V F/L I.W.Covington, F/Sgt T.Lancashire, F/O J.L.Canham, F/Sgt S.Powell, Sgts S.S.Ramsden, F.Jackson, J.McKnight. Bomb load as F/O Moodie.
Up 2311 Down 0455. Possibly target Hamburg reached. Weather bad, lightning practically continuous. Bombed on ETA and light from
yellow TI (believed). Glow from fires. No other results seen.

9/10 August 1943 Mannheim – Bomb Load 5 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 4 x 1000lb unless stated

JA716V F/L W.I.Covington, F/Sgt T.Lancashire, F/O J.L.Canham, Sgts S.Powell, S.S.Ramsden, F.Jackson, J.McKnight. Bomb load as P/O Munro.
Up 2228 Down 0422. Target Mannheim attacked. 19,500’. 8/10ths cloud. Red TI markers – centre of built up area – in bomb sight at
time of bombing. Many bursts seen around TI markers. One big red explosion seen at 0130 near main railway yards.

10/11 August 1943 Nuremburg – Bomb Load 4 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 3 x 500lb unless stated

JA716V F/L W.I.Covington, F/Sgt T.Lancashire, F/O J.L.Canham, F/Sgt S.Powell, Sgts S.S.Ramsden, Sgts F.Jackson, J.McKnight. 1 x 4000lb, 6 x 500lb.
Up 2137 – aircraft and crew missing.

[PPRuNeUser0139]

He was shot down by Lt Otto Fries, II/NJG 1, 6km NW of Florennes. Fries survived 2 ejections from He 219 night fighters.
http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/PROJECT/Biographies/F/FriesO/FriesOtto.jpg
And just to round off Ian Covington's story, here's his Comète file (http://www.cometeline.org/fiche258.html) (only in French unfortunately) that describes how he made his way back home..:ok:
In brief, he took a train from Paris to Bordeaux where he switched to a local stopping train as far as Dax. From there he cycled to a safe house at Anglet-Sutar (Auberge Larre) before undertaking a night crossing of the Pyrenees..

http://www.cometeline.org/258passage.jpg