Although I have heard my grandad's story of how he was shot down over Warsaw many atimes i would love to know a little bit more about his plane and squadron. If you wish to ask me anything on his story please feel free to ask me. i shall also give you a book which i found intresting it is called Hell On Earth by Mel Rolfe. My grandads story also features in this book the title of his story is Lambs To The Slaughter. Could you please tell me anything that you may find out. either post on here or send me an email it would be welcome.

Thanks Mark

The Halifaxes and Liberators were the main aircraft which were used to do the airsupply drops over Warsaw during the period of the Warsaw ghetto uprisings against the Nazis. They left from Italy bases and I think also from N.Africa bases. They had to run the gauntlet of antiaircraft guns for many miles to do the drops and lots were shot down. Cannot give you squadrons but if you google this occurence (Warsaw ghetto uprising air operations) you will be able to zero in these very hazardous ops) - only 1 in 4 bomber crews finished their combat tours. Bounce back with more questions after you check out the supply drops to Warsaw.
Cheers, Karl

P.S. anybody with info who can help?

There were two uprisings in Warsaw during WWII. The Jewish Ghetto uprising was in April 1943. The uprising in August 1944 was carried out by the underground Polish Home Army. The aim was to capture the city in anticipation of advancing Allied forces who were expected to enter the city. To my knowledge no allied forces were used in support of the Ghetto uprising.

Hi Mark,

Your grandfather was part of the crew of Halifax II JN926 FS-O of No. 148 Squadron RAF which failed to return from Warsaw on 15.8.44.

Crew:

Pilot PO Maurice Langford CASEY 418064 RAAF
BA WO Kenneth Anthony ‘Ken’ BEDFORD 1399347 RAFVR
Nav F/Sgt Richard Charles ‘Dick’ SAMWAYS 1324626 RAFVR
Wop/AG Sgt Robert Samuel DARLING 1420671 RAFVR +
FE Sgt. Peter Henry ROOTS 1394103 RAFVR +
AG or Dispatcher Sgt Thomas LAW 1823733 RAFVR +
AG or Dispatcher Sgt Ronald HARTOG 1814810 RAFVR +

I have some more info and have dropped you a line to your email address.

Best wishes,

Aidan

Thinking about it…

The Halifax serial number and code letter in my last post derives from ‘Heroism Beyond Praise’ by G. Du Toit (2005)

On the other hand, Ken Merrick’s ‘Flights of the Forgotten’ (1989) identifies Casey’s Halifax as JN896 FS-L.

Can someone with the ORB help with this discrepancy?

Aidan

I can infact tell you that the plane they flew in was a JN926 O-Orange. i had a look for the book and have foudn out what plane it was.