I was browsing through the ORBs from UK National Archives for 304 (Polish) Squadron for May 1945. I was surprised to read that as the war in Europe ended they were receiving Wellingtons equipped with sono-buoys (High Tea). I knew they were fitted in late mark Liberators and used on operations but that was the first time I had seen sono-buoys linked to Wellingtons.. Anyone have information on the fitting in Wellingtons and if other squadrons were equipped earlier and used it on operations?
Wellingtons and sono-buoys (High Tea) (2 Viewers)
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Jadera
Airman 1st Class
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Hi Thanks 306 was a single-seat fighter squadron so not really suitable for High Tea. 53 was fitted with High Tea but was a Liberator unit. Did you find evidence that either flew Wellintons late war?
Jadera
Airman 1st Class
I couldn't find anything, only squadrons that I found were 172, 179, 304 and possibly 612
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Hi. 612 and 172 Wellington squadrons, probably, had ASV Mk VIA radar bombsights. 524 and 304 definitely did. That is what I was looking at. As yet I have not seen mention of 179 but will look into it. Where did you see 179 named? It was in the 304 ORBs that High Tea was mentioned. Thanks
Appendices in the RAF Narratives give CC Group orders of battle with squadrons, aircraft type (incl those fitted with LL but not High Tea), radar type, UE, strength & available aircraft monthly from Sept 1944. It might be worth a trawl through. High Tea does get mentioned on Liberators.
179 squadron converted from Wellington XIV to Warwick GR.V in Nov 1944 and moved to St Eval. Narrative says ASV.IIIB and LL on its aircraft on 1 May 1945.
304 moved down from Benbecula to St Eval on 6th March with LL Wellington XIV.
Their are differences in radar fits from what you note, but not sure which would be correct.
RAF in the Maritime War Vol 5
306 was only ever a single engined fighter squadron throughout its existence. 53 only flew Liberators from May1943 to June 1946 when it disbanded.
Note that by May 1945 per the Narrative the role of 524 (ASV.IIIA) and 612 (ASV.VIA) squadrons was anti-shipping in the North Sea and not anti-submarine which may have had an effect on equipment fits. Note also no LL
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Hi Ewen
524 and 304 definitely had the Mk VIA radar bombing equipment but not in all aircraft initially. New aircraft fitted with it were fed in piecemeal so reports could easily mention other radar types. For example 304 started to receive ASV VIA aircraft on 20 April. The Mk VIA could be used against ships and U-boats and the aircraft would carry the Leigh Light for identification of targets at night. Final attack could be by radar or visual bombsight. The only sight mentioned in the ORBs was the Mk XIV used in attacks above 1,000' which indicates an anti-shipping role rather than ASW although the Mk XIV could be used against U-boats with the 600lb bomb. Only one or two U-boats were seen monthly and targets were overwhelmingly ships. There is no evidence in the ORBs of blind bombing being undertaken. Mk III low level bombsights would have been held at the station.
I will look at 172 and 612 squadrons later. My expectation is that they will mirror 524 and 304. 179 is not relevant, as you say.
Still no more on High Tea in Wellingtons but the 304 ORB clearly mentions it.
524 and 304 definitely had the Mk VIA radar bombing equipment but not in all aircraft initially. New aircraft fitted with it were fed in piecemeal so reports could easily mention other radar types. For example 304 started to receive ASV VIA aircraft on 20 April. The Mk VIA could be used against ships and U-boats and the aircraft would carry the Leigh Light for identification of targets at night. Final attack could be by radar or visual bombsight. The only sight mentioned in the ORBs was the Mk XIV used in attacks above 1,000' which indicates an anti-shipping role rather than ASW although the Mk XIV could be used against U-boats with the 600lb bomb. Only one or two U-boats were seen monthly and targets were overwhelmingly ships. There is no evidence in the ORBs of blind bombing being undertaken. Mk III low level bombsights would have been held at the station.
I will look at 172 and 612 squadrons later. My expectation is that they will mirror 524 and 304. 179 is not relevant, as you say.
Still no more on High Tea in Wellingtons but the 304 ORB clearly mentions it.
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Jadera
Airman 1st Class
maybe buoy utlity?
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A surprising use of High Tea by a Wellington XIV of 172 Squadron. It carried out a depth charge attack on a submerged U-boat. It subsequently dropped a High Tea pattern. The odd thing is that this was on 11 May, three days after the end of the war in Europe. And the fact that Wimpys had High Tea still surprises me!
The term SBU is used in the RAF narrative in the context of " E-boats and Small Battle Units". So ASBU I would suggest refers to Anti- Small Battle Unit patrols.
It is a reference to the various craft used to target Allied shipping between the Thames estuary and the Scheldt in 1945. Craft like Biber, Molch & Seehund midget subs and Linsen explosive motorboats. These were being targeted by RN patrols as well as 524 & 612 squadrons RAF with Wellingtons as well as 119 with Albacores then Swordfish as well as 819 FAA with Swordfish mostly by night as well as Beaufighters of 236 & 254 squadrons by day.
The Linsen operated in groups of three - two carrying explosives and the third radio gear to control the other two remotely.
