41 Squadron and the End of the War in Europe

May to July 1945

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© Allan Hillman; no reproduction without permission, please.

All following information has been extracted from the 125 Wing Operational Record Book for the period 1 May to 14 July 1945; note that all place names typed in capitals are exactly as set out in the ORB.

"The hectic days continue. 350 squadron were first off on a patrol to the LUDWIGSLUST area but had nothing to report. Our first success was by 41 Squadron who sighted 6 plus FW 190’s near the SCHWERIN LAKE and destroyed three and damaged two. F/Lt Cowell destroyed two, Lt Bodtken destroyed one and Sgt Scott damaged two. Just after noon 130 Squadron damaged 20 MET between STERNBERG and SCHWERIN. They saw two columns of RAF prisoners marching West. The next bit of joy was also by 130 Squadron F/O Lord destroyed an ME 109 at SCHWERIN. 350 Squadron saw 20 plus FW 190’s near the SCHWERIN LAKE and destroyed 4 of them, 2 by F/Sgt Boels, and one each by F/Lt Muls and F/O Leva. In the early evening F/Sgt Woodman of 130 Squadron damaged a HE 111 near LUBECK and a little later P/O Coleman destroyed 3 FW 190 and W/O Stevenson destroyed 1 FW 190, both of 41 Squadron. Finally S/L Shepherd and F/O Gray shared in the destruction of a FW 190 at SCHWERIN LAKE. Altogether a busy day." (1 May 1945)

"With the enemy pocket shrinking rapidly, great care had to be exercised before any ground targets could be attacked. We started off with a rush, 5 aircraft of 130 Squadron on the first patrol saw 4 Buckner 131’s at 0615 hours near LAKE SCHWERIN at zero feet. Our aircraft were at 5,000 ft and they immediately attacked. The result was 2 destroyed by F/O Lord, 1 destroyed by F/Sgt Woodman and 1 destroyed shared between these two pilots. At 0850 hours a section of 4 aircraft of 130 Squadron saw a ME109 in the circuit of SCHWERIN A/D at 1,000ft. Our A/C dived on to it from 5,000ft and P/O Edwards and P/O Mertons shared in its destruction. A large concentration of MET was seen from CRIVITZ to SCHWERIN. It appeared to be unable to move either way. After careful reconnaissance this was duly clobbered by a section of 4 aircraft of 350 Squadron to the tune of 55 damaged. Later in the morning, 3 Fiesler Storches were seen by a section of 41 Squadron flying North at zero feet near SCHWERIN A/F. Two of these were destroyed by W/O Chalmers and one destroyed and one damaged by F/O Smith. We suffered a loss during the afternoon when F/L Stowe got mixed up in the debris from ground targets and had to crash land west of SCHWERIN LAKE either in our lines or just beyond them. He is believed to be safe and we all look forward to seeing him in a few days. We had another victory at 17.10 hours when P/O Watkins, F/LT Bangerter, F/Sgt King and F/O Van Eckh shared in the destruction of an Arado 234. The Enemy aircraft was trying to land when attacked and a ME262 in the same area only got away owing to superior speed. That concluded our joy except for MET to the tune of 2 destroyed and 13 damaged clobbered by 130 Squadron, and a loco and 5 trucks damaged by 350 Squadron." (2 May 1945)

"We started off with a highly successful attack by 350 squadron on a column of 40 plus MET on the road between LUBECK and KIEL. 20 MET were destroyed and from they way they burned they appeared to be laden with petrol. Before breakfast F/O Trevorrow and P/O Edwards of 130 Squadron had destroyed a Ju 188, and another was destroyed by F/Lt Rake of 41 Squadron. This was the 200th e/a destroyed by 41 Squadron. Apart from a little MET successfully attacked the day yielded nothing more." (3 May 1945)

"Today, with poor weather and a battle ground nearly out of reach, we could hope for little spectacular. A strong cross wind developed in the afternoon and operations ended early. The big news is the safe return of S/Ldr Terry Spencer. From the reports received at the time it seemed impossible that he could be alive, but the impossible happened. He was shot out of his aircraft as it plunged towards the sea in WISMAR BAY and his parachute opened, he hit the water. Having struck out for land he was surprised to find that he was only in four feet of water, so waded ashore in soft mud. Although badly burn, bruised, and shaken he was forced to walk over a mile. He was eventually liberated and brought back home where he arrived this afternoon. F/Lt Stowe who landed in ‘no man’s land’ got back to 142 Wing and an Auster brought him back to the Wing. F/Lt Smith of 350 squadron who crash landed in enemy territory on the 30th April also came back today. He evaded for some days until hunger drove him to join a batch of American prisoners until he was liberated by the Americans." (4 May 1945)

"There is only morning activity to report today. We had to patrol 10 miles south of KIEL until 08.00 hours. Our first patrol by 130 squadron was vectored on to a Siebel 204 with instructions either to escort it to a base on our side of the line or force it down. The aircraft was flying south near HAMBURG and on sighting our aircraft immediately turned north and started evasive action. As the war was still on, F/LT Gibbons and F/Sgt Seymour had no option but to shoot it down, and that was that. Shortly afterwards the section met 4 Fw 190’s and they adopted the correct tactics by waggling their wings and dropping their under-cart. They were at zero feet and obviously very nervous. Our pilots, with visions of Lugers, tried to bring them to B.118 but as soon as the Huns saw a strip – B.152 – they were not prepared to take further risks and promptly landed. 41 Squadron were next off but their patrol was uneventful. 350 Squadron completed the day’s patrols but owning to deteriorating weather had to land at B.154 from whence they returned to base later." (5 May 1945)

"A day of suppressed excitement and partly of disappointment. In view of the capitulation of Germany, our move to COPENHAGEN (B.160) is cancelled. The new squadrons 137, 486 and 414 flew in and the airfield is choc-a-block with aircraft. 130 Squadron were ordered to fly their aircraft to 126 Wing where they changed aircraft, getting back their Spitfire IX’s they last saw at DEURNE. Their comments on landing back were unprintable. However this was only the opening move, as later they were ordered to fly to England within the next forty-eight hours, so we shall be losing a very popular squadron who have done magnificent work with the Wing. Everyone is very disappointed that there is to be no Copenhagen trip." (7 May 1945)

"More excitement today when it was learned we are to go to COPENHAGEN after all, but without the Recce Squadron (414). Operationally, all was quiet until the early evening when a Ju88 flew in and the crew surrendered. They had come from NORWAY and seemed to expect us to refuel them and treat them almost as friends. There was a small party in the Officers’ Mess to celebrate the end of the European war, but it was a comparatively modest affair." (8 May 1945)

"“A” Party left by air-lift for B.160. Dakotas were coming in most of the morning and by lunch time all the personnel had gone, leaving the jeeps to follow later. The Squadrons flew off in the afternoon and “B” party are now on their own. So ends our operational activity at B.118 and we can justly look back on our record with pride." (9 May 1945)