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Post Info TOPIC: Heavy Conversion Unit 1660


Leading Aircraftsman

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Heavy Conversion Unit 1660
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Did the Heavy Conversion Units ever participate in operational bombing missions or would this have been the exclusive domain of formal Squadrons (with the HCUs strictly playing a training role).

If yes to the former, does anyone have references that could help me research what if any bombing missions that 1660 HCU could have supported during the spring/summer of 1944 (April to July). I just received my Great Uncle's service records from Canada National Archives (took less than 3 months)! It lists a posting/attachment to 1660 HCU from April to July and immediately prior to being taken on 50 Squadron. My goal is to piece together his typical activities during this time.

Brian

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Anonymous

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Brian,
            If you need any info from 50sqdn Records Book, let me know, i have the ORB from Jan to Dec 44. Email at alpol.wellsATbtinternet.com with your great uncles name.
Alan.

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R. Fulford

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Scanning the Chorley's Bomber Command Losses Vol. 8 HCU shows no Operational losses listed for 1660 HCU which was based at RAF Swinderby, Lincolnshire and operated pretty near everyheavy bomber varieties including the Stirling III, Hally V's and Lanc I's & III's during this period.  It was not entirely uncommon for aircraft of the Heavy Conversion Units or the Operational Training Units to be assembled for and involved in Diversionary Flights that sometimes flew in relatively large formations out over the North Sea and dropped window as a distraction for the Main Force Squadrons conducting Bombing Ops.   In and of itself that was valuable training.  These were sometimes referred to as "Sweepstakes Division" and some of the OTU/HCU assemblies could be upwards of 70, 100 or more aircraft.  When windowing and picked up on radar the goal was to distract and mislead the controllers of the German fighter defenses causing them to misallocate resources into the wrong sectors thus drawing attention off the Main Force Operations.
These flights generally turned tail and headed back to relative safety though that wasn't always the case and their were losses for the normal perils of flying as well as interceptions.

I'm not certain how one can find out as to whether any specific HCU was involved without accessing the individual HCU's ORBs if they even exist anymore.

Primarily though the role of the HCU was just that ... to convert aircrew onto the more complex Heavy Bomber aircraft that flew with the Bomber Command Squadrons.  After November of '44 the HCUs were placed under the umbrella of No. 7 Group rather than the control of the various Bomber Groups.

Someone may be able to access more specific details pertaining to the time period you have referenced but it was sometimes the case that HCU aircrew were actively involved in support of the Operational Squadrons.

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Leading Aircraftsman

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Yes, I would be greatly interested in 50 Squadron ORB pages for the dates that my great uncle was posted: July 2 1944 through July 9, 1944.

Are you able to scan ORB pages for these dates and share through email? I checked into having National Archives prepare a digital copy of these ORBs - the cost for all of 1944 was astronomical!

My great uncle was Charles Joseph O'Connor (RCAF, Bomb Aimer). His Lancaster was shot down on the July7/8 St Leu d'Esserent night bombing mission. I've researched a tremendous amount about his final mission, the crash location, burial location etc. Unfortunately, I do not have his flight book so his day to day activities (including any other missions, training flights etc.) are unknown. I do, however, have his overall service records so I at least have some start/end dates to work with.

Thanks, Brian



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AW


Air Commodore

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Brian,
            No problem with sending the scans, but you need to email me so as i know where to send them.
Cheers.......Alan.

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AlanW

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Can't stop me from getting good grades in school because I know my assistant will always help me, a paper reference that does any essay writing service assignments and writes whatever I need



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