Dakota/C-47 Operations in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire during WWII

[Clive B]

Good afternoon, I am after operational information and photographs for both RAF and USAAF Dakota/C-47 units within Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire during WWII, for an upcoming publication.
If anybody can assist it would be really appreciated and welcome.
Many thanks
Clive B

[BirdmanBerry]

Clive, Would the Jet Age Museum be of any assistance? Not been there myself but only round the corner.

[Brian 48nav]

Have you tried the Action Stations series of books?

[Clive B]

Thanks Birdmanberry, I have a couple of contacts at the Jet Age Museum, I will contact them once they re-open.
I am hoping that there may be someone on here that could have some interesting facts, photos or even old log books that they would be willing to share?

[Clive B]

Thanks Brian 48 Nav, I will have a look out for copies.

[chevvron]

'Airfields of the Ninth' will give you details of USAAF activity.

[Clive B]

Thanks Chevvron

[ICM]

Clive: I suspect this will be something on the margins of your topic but just in case you were unaware. 10 Squadron and other 4 Group bomber squadrons were transferred to Transport Command on VE Day, for anticipated ops in the Far East. 10 Squadron progressively 'retired' its Halifaxes and converted crews to the Dakota at its RAF Melbourne base in Yorkshire. However, it came south to RAF Broadwell in July 1945 for training in airdrop and other tactical procedures and, despite the Japanese surrender, deployed to India in early September, now to help initially with repatriation flights. I believe that 76 Sqn did likewise and there may have been others that visited your area of interest.

[sandringham1]

The people at Membury rebuilding C-47 Night Fright have done a lot of research on this subject but I expect you already know that https://www.night-fright.com/

[Clive B]

Thanks ICM, this is the kind of information that starts a thread for further investigations, thanks once again.

[Clive B]

Thanks Sandringham1, I have contacted the Night Fright team, I would always like to have the information twice, than not at all. Thanks again.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Clive B. You may or may not have visited this website: https://www.rafblakehillfarm.co.uk/aircraft (https://www.rafblakehillfarm.co.uk/aircraft)

https://www.dday-overlord.com/en/battle-of-normandy/forces/commonwealth/airborne-transport-forces

[Quemerford]

Have you looked at the ORBs? Always the best starting point.

[Clive B]

Clive B. You may or may not have visited this website: https://www.rafblakehillfarm.co.uk/aircraft (https://www.rafblakehillfarm.co.uk/aircraft)

https://www.dday-overlord.com/en/battle-of-normandy/forces/commonwealth/airborne-transport-forces

I am aware of the Blakehill Farm site, will look into the D-Day one as well.
Many Thanks

[Clive B]

Have you looked at the ORBs? Always the best starting point.

Thanks, will have a look.