"Hi all,

As some of you may be aware. I am searching for information on 148 Squadron, (Special Duties-S.O.E), R.A.F, and my cousin who was lost in the shoot-down of Halifax JP292-FS-W, "W-William", and there are posts re:that, on other parts of this forum.

Whilst my personal search is now almost over, there are others, in similar circumstances, reasearching their own lost ones. There is literally NO, forum for that particular period in R.A.F. - S.O.E. history, for the period of WWII, until now!

As a member of this Forum, and several others that helped me no end in my search, I decided to try to fill that particular niche. The inspiration is the need to keep the history alive, and as that generation passes, the living history is dying with them. There is need for all parties to see that it lives on.

The invitation is open to all having an interest, to visit, and hopefully, join the group OPERATION: Dark of the Moon at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/operationdarkofthemoon/

The group began just a few days ago, and is currently still under construction, however some of my own files have been uploaded, to get the ball rolling. one of those is "Missing... Believed Killed", the story of Halifax JP292-FS-W, "W-William", and my cousin, Fl/Sgt L.J.Smith Air Gunner/Dispatcher.

Regards

Terry Maker"

Dear Terry, I attended a Nov 10, 2009 symposium for Remembrance day in Ottawa, Ontario. The only air force presentation was by an RCAF navigator who was with an RAF SOE squadron out of Brindisi.

He only gave an overview of his ops as he was taliking about the sacrifice as the priority. he gave me his name and I can give you this but I have to find his name again in my notes. He lives in Ottawa but I do not know if he has email.

I asked him if he was on Hallies and he said yes. He MIGHT be 148 sq. but I cannot recall right now. ANY nav of SOE is a rare bird !

Please contact me at 57rescuecanadaATrogers.com (replacing the AT with the proper symbol) and I will get you the info on this Nav.

I was project manager for the underwater recovery of SOE Halifax NA337 -644 Sq. from Norway in 1995. They may have SOE info at their museum in Trenton, Ontario but they are slow responders.

Contact me if you would like.

Cheers, Karl Kjarsgaard
Calgary, Alberta area

Further to my earlier post, I have now created two searchable databases on the OPERATION:Dark of the Moon group site.

The first is of 148 Aircrew, and their last known status, currently standing at 128 members, (gaps need filling!), and,

the second, is of all the known Halifax's in BOMBER configuration, (No S.O.E. Specials yet, early days!), and their manufacturers.

It's easy to read between the lines to find the 'Specials', after all, a serial number is a serial number, for a reason.

Drop me an email at the listed address, or join via the group.

Terry