JH/WAR/3 - [651 Squadron RAF. Notes and reports on the Tunisian campaign]

JH/WAR/3

File

[651 Squadron RAF. Notes and reports on the Tunisian campaign]

1942-1943

20 items Mixed

World War, 1939-1945

The contents relate to JH's experiences as an Air Observation Post pilot in 651 Squadron RAF, a squadron the personnel of which were drawn from both the RAF and the Army. They include:

Bound foolscap notebook entitled 'Airmanship' containing notes made by JH while undergoing training as an Air Observation Post pilot; MS headed 'Duplicate copy Report on 1st day's fighting in Battle of Bou Arada', 18/1/42 [sic], by JH, AI Section, 651 Sqn, RAF; MS entitled 'Bou Arada Battle'; MS entitled 'Air OP 651 Sqn RAF AI Section. Report on Bou Arada Battle', by JH, 28/1/43. In three sections; typescript, '651 Squadron - Summary of Operations in N.W. Africa. 12 Nov. 42 to 11 Dec. 42'; 'Operations by Captain M.J. Magrath with 6 Armd. Division R.A. 23-26 April 1943, inconclusive' (typescript list of sorties); 'Air-mindedness in ground troops (528)' (typescript of para. 203 of an unidentified report, recording notes supplied by "a gunner officer who took part in the Tunisian campaign with an Air OP Squadron, RAF" [i.e., JH]); 'The Air Observation Post, Royal Artillery' (two copies of a typescript [1944]), one of which is annotated in MS "draft talk for BBC broadcast to Germany - but not given because D-Day 1944 intervened!"; Nominal rolls for A and B Flights [unit unknown]; MS report by KH on visit to Besa, 17/18.12.41; MS report on liaison visit to US Army Air Corps at Tebessa, 30.11.42; letter from Derek B- of C Troop, RA, to JH confirming JH’s ‘kill’ of a Henschel 129 on 18.1.42 in the Bou Arada area; 3 typescript copies of comic verses entitled ‘Army Air Requirements. Note by Hump T. Dumpty’; MS note [recording a sortie?]; sketch plan of Medjez area based on sheet 27 of an unidentified 1:50,000 scale map; I page of sketches showing an unidentified object [spigot mortar?] and injuries sustained by casualties.