JP244, FS-E of No. 148 Squadron, failed to return from 'northern Italy' on the night in question. The squadron was based at Brindisi, on the SE coast of Italy, at the time.
The discrepancy is between the dates of all the crew being listed as missing - 29th October - and the recorded loss date of 29th September. Mind you, there's huge amounts of discrepancies throughout wartime records. I wonder which is most likely to be correct?
As the two dates are exactly a month apart, I think you're quite right about it being a typo at some stage.
I can't speak for the CWGC, but the 148 Sqn ORB extracts I've seen (albeit from several months earlier; I haven't seen the one in question) appear quite diligently completed.
Rob's info. includes the September date, too. Where does your info. come from, Rob?
JP244 was last with 205 Grp MEAF (Middle East Air Force??) so doesn't appear in any of the Bomber Command losses. Where else may I be able to check up the discrepancies?
I think that this aircraft was part of Contract B123457/40, to the London Passenger Transport Board, probably making it a B/GRII? Delivery date is meant to be between 2/2/44 and 12/3/44.
I've also had problems looking up information on non-Bomber Command aircraft, and can't really suggest where you can go to check up on discrepancies.
Speaking of discrepancies, did you notice that according to the 148 Squadron History, JP244 was coded 'E', not 'S'?
You wondered about trades earlier. They should be the same as for a Bomber Command Halifax with the exception that none (I think) of the 148 Sqn Halifaxes had mid-upper turrets. The redundant gunner retrained as the Dispatcher, ensuring that the agents and packages left the aircraft at the correct time. (The canisters in the bomb bay and wings were dropped by the bomb aimer.)
As for MEAF, I've also seen MAAF Command, which I think must stand for Mediterranean Allied Air Force. Command.
Actually I'd been more engrossed in the dates than the codes Now you mention it I think there is a possibility there is a picture of this aircraft in one of the books I was looking at. I'm sure it's a picture of 3 148sqn Halifaxes being worked on at dispersal - it is taken from underneath a 4th halifax as you can see its shadow in the foreground. The codes of the Halifax in the background are ?, E and C I think from memory......One is JP246?? Anyone know which picture I mean?
Ah EB196 is it? My photo reference is from 'Halifax Special' but it doesn't attribute any serials to 'C' and 'E'. I guess now that the picture you describe was taken at a different angle and reveals all! Many thanks for clarifying that
re -read your message , my father was rear gunner on148 sqn 1944-1945 raf brindisi i have noted from his log book that his duties changed to dispatcher for agents to be dropped into yugoslavia,to retrieve lost art treasures from 3rd reich ,a book has covered this called the "LOST MASTERS" regards j lennox
My father in law was f/sgt Ernest Logan Brown, navigator/bomb aimer on this a/c. He previously served in the Grenadier Guards and was a police constable before the war. Born in Dalmeny, Scotland.
Now you mention it I think there is a possibility there is a picture of this aircraft in one of the books I was looking at. I'm sure it's a picture of 3 148sqn Halifaxes being worked on at dispersal - it is taken from underneath a 4th halifax as you can see its shadow in the foreground. The codes of the Halifax in the background are ?, E and C I think from memory......One is JP246?? Anyone know which picture I mean?![[linked image]](http://www.network54.com/Realm/tmp/1257583291.JPG)