Researching 415 Squadron Operations from January 1944-August 1944

[heatherje]

Good afternoon,
I'm trying to track down my Grandfathers flight record (we do not have his log book), for his second tour of operations during WWII. I have had incredible responses from Squadron 158 and have managed to put together some details on his time with them but am looking for his second tour which I believe took place between January 29, 20199 - August 7, 1944. It was after this time that he was awarded the DFC medal. I would love to have his complete record of service, and any information that I can track down would be welcome! His name was Cyril Roland Rowsell, and he was a member of the RAF and served as WOP with F/Lt. H. Bond with 158, and then later with No.415 Squadron under W/C J.G McNeill.

Any assistance greatly appreciated! I am learning a lot and enjoying the research!

Thanks!

[Phil]

Hi,

Welcome to WARTIMES.ca. I'm guessing January 29, 20199 is a typo. Here's some basic details to help with the search,

F/O C. R. Rowsell, R.A.F., Distinguished Flying Cross

ROWSELL, FO Cyril - DFC - 441107 - 415 Sqn - WOP

The following is from The Gazette 3 November 1944, announcing his Distinguished Flying Cross Award,

Flying Officer Cyril ROWSELL (146604), R.A.F.V.R.,
415 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn.
As wireless operator (air) this officer has completed two tours of operational duty, during which he has participated in attacks on many heavily defended targets in Germany including Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Stettin and Berlin. He has rendered service which has contributed materially to the successes obtained.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/iss ... ement/5084

[heatherje]

Yes it’s a typo! Trying to type faster than my ability! January 1944 to August 1944.

I have a lot of information on his first tour with 158 squadron but can’t seem to find many details on what he completed after that although I know he had many more ops. Would love to have more details for sure.
Thanks!

[heatherje]

Some info on what 415 Squadron R.C.A.F. was up to in 1944 in another thread,

https://wartimes.ca/forums/viewtopic.ph ... lit=415sqn

[Phil]

415 Squadron, RCAFCrews – Halifax Era – East Moor 1944 - 1945

McNEIL DFC

Pilot W/C J McNeill
Navigator P/O S McKillop
Bomb Aimer F/L W McNicholl
WOP F/O C Rowsell
M/Upper F/Sgt L Glaisher
R/Gunner P/O N Graham
F/Engineer P/O J Hargreaves
M/AG F/O H Powell

https://wartimes.ca/forums/viewtopic.php?t=539

C R Rowsell.jpg (20.51 KiB) Viewed 16505 times

http://www.415sqn.com/halifax-crews.html

[heatherje]

Yes it’s a typo! Trying to type faster than my ability! January 1944 to August 1944.

I have a lot of information on his first tour with 158 squadron but can’t seem to find many details on what he completed after that although I know he had many more ops. Would love to have more details for sure.
Thanks!

Heather, let me take a look. I assume your looking for all the operations he was on during that time period. Let me see what I can find and I’ll start posting up the info here....

[Temujin]

Heather, so far I’ve searched the Jan, Feb, Mar, and April 1944 Operational Record books and his name is not in them........that doesn’t mean he hadn’t arrived at the Squadron, just that he was on Active Operations yet........still searching

[Temujin]

Heather, finally found him. W/C J.G. NcNeil and crew were posted into 415 Squadron in July 1944 and as you can see, they were posted in from 433 Squadron

The first record is of their posting in.......

F73EAF6D-64A8-4CBF-BE42-316982022423.jpeg (160.44 KiB) Viewed 16494 times

This second record is their first mission.........

1A336106-583D-4211-91D3-4B2577D53B95.jpeg (177.43 KiB) Viewed 16494 times

I will continue searching and posting up info here

[Temujin]

On this record, you can see the Squadron was “reformed” in July on 1944, and W/C McNeil arrived on the 14th July. It doesn’t say his crew arrived on the same day, but I would assumed they arrived together........

6DF479C1-D8E8-40C7-B931-85122D1920DC.jpeg (186.76 KiB) Viewed 16492 times

[Temujin]

Still searching......I found this record that indicates that he was posted OUT of the 415 Squadron in 14 Sept 1944, so he was only with 415 Squadron for 3 months........I’ll see what other missions I can find

2ABB94E9-4506-4EFE-9482-CE37BCD05C94.jpeg (174.08 KiB) Viewed 16491 times