British (RAF/SOE) Flight Dates Over Balkans 1943

[Old MacDonald]

Not sure I'm posting this in the right spot, but here goes:

Where I can I find the dates and overflight locations (targets) of RAF (presumably river mining ops) and SOE (agent & supply drops) over the Balkans during June-July-August-September 1943? I've searched the web, but may not be using the right search terms. I know these flights were frequent, but so far can find no info except a few anecdotal notes in various books and articles.

TIA.

Ol' Mac

 

[WATU]

I was at a talk by a chap on Farm Hall, Godmanchester last night. Farm Hall was used for agent training for SIS and SOE. I will contact the speaker and see if he has any sources. I doubt he will know about mining.
Paul

 

[Old MacDonald]

Hey Paul

Very helpful, thanks. I hope he can point me in the right direction. My understanding that SOE's involement in river mining--if any--would have been to identify specific drop areas and possibly report results of mine explosions or removal by the Germans. I wouldn't expect SOE agent/supply drop missions to be done concurrently with mine drops from the same aircraft, but who knows?

Ol' Mac

 

[WATU]

Hi
Not his bag as he is into SIS. I forgot that while SOE and SIS both used Tempsford airfield only SIS used Farm Hall. He suggests contacting the Tempsford Museum and Archive.

Home | Tempsford Museum & Archives

www.tempsfordmuseum.co.uk

I don't live far from there, I must visit.

Good luck

Paul

 

[Old MacDonald]

Hi Paul

I contacted Tempsford as soon as you posted your suggestion, but they've not answered so far. Is there any other source I should try, or is there a specific person at Tempsford I should contact directly?

Ol' Mac

 

[WATU]

Hi Mac

Sorry to hear that. I don't have any contacts there but let me see what I can find out.

Paul

 

[Old MacDonald]

Hi Mac

Sorry to hear that. I don't have any contacts there but let me see what I can find out.

Paul

Again, my thanks, Paul. I appreciate your help on this as well as the Coastal Command camera issue in another thread.

Ol' Mac

 

[f for freddy]

Not sure I'm posting this in the right spot, but here goes:

Where I can I find the dates and overflight locations (targets) of RAF (presumably river mining ops) and SOE (agent & supply drops) over the Balkans during June-July-August-September 1943? I've searched the web, but may not be using the right search terms. I know these flights were frequent, but so far can find no info except a few anecdotal notes in various books and articles.

TIA.

Ol' Mac

Hi Ol'Mac

Just come across your post while checking some old radar related ones.

Let me try and help if you haven't had any luck and still need pointers?

I'll wait to hear back but just a quick note, the mining (Gardening) operations were flown separately (as far as I know) to the agents and supply drops. For info on mining I think a great resource would be Jane Gulliford Lowes book on the subject. I haven't actually got a copy but know about her work via various podcasts, including her own one "Never mind the Dambusters".

When it comes to agent dropping for the period you are talking about, you are mainly looking at 148 Special Duties Squadron. In 1943 they were flying out of North Africa with modified Liberators and Halifax. From reading up on the agents they were dropping at that point, it was more a case of building up networks and connections in the regions. Unfortunately with all the infighting and doubtful alliances, this was a seriously difficult task. I haven't read anything about mine laying co operation or similar. Not to say it's buried somewhere deep!

A great starting point for those early ops of supply and agent dropping are "Trust to the End" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and go to Flights of the forgotten by Kenneth Merrick. The later covers all theatres and units.

Hope this helps and will be interested to know if you have had any success?

Cheers Steve A

 

[WATU]

Hi Ol'Mac

Just come across your post while checking some old radar related ones.

Let me try and help if you haven't had any luck and still need pointers?

I'll wait to hear back but just a quick note, the mining (Gardening) operations were flown separately (as far as I know) to the agents and supply drops. For info on mining I think a great resource would be Jane Gulliford Lowes book on the subject. I haven't actually got a copy but know about her work via various podcasts, including her own one "Never mind the Dambusters".

When it comes to agent dropping for the period you are talking about, you are mainly looking at 148 Special Duties Squadron. In 1943 they were flying out of North Africa with modified Liberators and Halifax. From reading up on the agents they were dropping at that point, it was more a case of building up networks and connections in the regions. Unfortunately with all the infighting and doubtful alliances, this was a seriously difficult task. I haven't read anything about mine laying co operation or similar. Not to say it's buried somewhere deep!

A great starting point for those early ops of supply and agent dropping are "Trust to the End" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and go to Flights of the forgotten by Kenneth Merrick. The later covers all theatres and units.

Hope this helps and will be interested to know if you have had any success?

Cheers Steve A

Good tip about Jane Gulliford Lowes. Just ordered the minelaying book and one she wrote about a Halifax WOP that sounds good. Thanks.