A Remarkable Night Fighter 29 Sqdn Log Book signed Guy Gibson

A Remarkable Night Fighter 29 Squadron Log Book — Guy Gibson, Bob Braham and Alan Whitby Offered here is a genuinely evocative piece of RAF night-fighter history: the wartime flying log books of Alan Whitby, an observer/radar operator who served with No. 29 Squadron at RAF West Malling during the crucial development of Britain’s airborne radar night-fighter force. The first log book dates from September 1941, when 29 Squadron was operating Bristol Beaufighters from West Malling. The squadron had arrived at the Kent airfield in April 1941 and was becoming one of Fighter Command’s foremost night-fighter units. The Beaufighter, equipped with airborne interception radar, represented a major technological advance in Britain’s defence against the Luftwaffe night bombers. Whitby’s Log Book’s greatest historical relevance is the signature of Squadron Leader Guy Gibson. Guy Gibson signed RAF Night Fighter Log Book At this stage Gibson was already an experienced and highly regarded night fighter pilot, having served with 29 Squadron since 1940 and having commanded its ‘A’ Flight. He was promoted to acting Squadron Leader in June 1941. Only months later he would leave 29 Squadron and embark upon the remarkable career that culminated in his command of 617 Squadron and the Dambusters Raid of May 1943. Consequently, Gibson’s signature in Whitby’s log book provides a fascinating link to Gibson, the operational night-fighter commander working alongside the young radar operators and aircrew who were pioneering a new form of aerial warfare. Whitby’s own story makes the log book still more compelling. His first flight with 29 Squadron was in a Beaufighter with another pilot destined to greater things, Hugh Verity, placing him immediately within the heart of the squadron’s operational night-fighter environment. The Beaufighter and its radar were at the cutting edge of RAF interception work, requiring close co-operation between pilot and radar operator. 29 Squadron’s experience at West Malling helped establish the station as an important centre of British night-fighter operations. Nov 1941 29 Squadron Ops Book who’s who The log book was subsequently signed by Flight Lieutenant Bob Braham, Whitby’s Flight Commander. Braham was one of the RAF’s outstanding night-fighter aces and developed his formidable reputation with 29 Squadron at West Malling where he worked closely with radar operators to perfect the interception techniques that made the Beaufighter such an effective weapon. By late 1941 he had already claimed seven enemy aircraft. Whitby went on to prove himself operationally. As recorded in the accompanying account, on the night of 7–8 May 1942, flying with Pilot Officer Roy Carr, he guided the interception of a Heinkel He 111. Carr attacked from close range, setting the bomber’s port engine ablaze; the German crew subsequently bailed out, although two were killed on landing. The Heinkel crashed near Brabourne in Kent. This was a particularly interesting action involving a specialist Luftwaffe aircraft from KG100, an experienced unit employed in precision attacks. Guy Gibson signed RAF Night Fighter Log Book Whitby’s wartime career did not end there. He later flew with Beaufighters with 255 Squadron in North Africa and Italy, then with Mosquitos firstly with 219 Squadron then with 157 Squadron with 100 Group on night-intruder operations over Germany, carrying forward the same fundamental combination of pilot, radar operator and airborne interception that had been pioneered in the Beaufighter years. Log Book 2 only records a few operations between 14th March 1945 and 2nd May 1945 with his final recorded Op being Low Level over Skrystrup, Denmark – a 3 ¾ hour night flight. His grand total of hours being in excess of 1100 hours. For the collector of RAF log books, the appeal is therefore unusually broad: a named operational radar operator; a 1941 29 Squadron West Malling provenance; a first flight with Hugh Verity; the signature of Guy Gibson; the endorsement of night-fighter ace Bob Braham; and the subsequent combat career of Whitby himself. This is far more than a flying log. It is a personal document connecting the development of RAF airborne radar, 29 Squadron’s Beaufighter night fighters, Guy Gibson’s pre-Dambuster career, Bob Braham’s night-fighting achievements and the later Mosquito operations of 100 Group. A superb piece of original RAF history, and an exceptionally evocative survivor from one of the most fascinating periods in the development of Britain’s night-fighter force. Selling with a small quantity of notes and sketches made during training and with the 29 Squadron group photograph which was taken prior to Guy Gibson being posted away. This important known photograph features Guy Gibson, Bob Braham and Hugh Verity. 29 Squadron featuring Guy Gibson, “Bob” Braham and Hugh Verity SELECTED NOTABLE PERSONS in this superb Log Book. GUY GIBSON, VC, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar – First month’s activity, September 1941 his Flying Time summary is signed off by “A” Flight commander GUY GIBSON and Wing Commander, E L Colbeck-Welch, C.B. D.F.C. J. R. A. “Bob” Braham, DSO 2 bars, DFC 2 bars His October summary signed by B Flight commander, J R A “Bob” Braham, DSO 2 bars, DFC 2 bars, the most decorated airman in RAF Fighter Command. Peter Dunning-White, DFC – 255 Squadron – February 1943 hours signed off by Squadron Leader Dunning-White “B” Flight. Nicknamed “Stunning Black” Dunning-White had served in 601 “Millionaires Squadron”. John Harry Mackellar Chisholm – 157 Squadron – Squadron Leader – Chisholm signed off Whitby’s August 1944 flying time. Log Book Entry 16th September 1944 Whitby notes Air Sea rescue Patrol off Denmark S/L Chisholm Missing. Squadron Leader Chisholm and his navigator, Flight Lieutenant Eric Lawless Wilde, took off at 23:40 for a high-level patrol over the Kiel area in Germany. Their Mosquito failed to return. Although an empty life dinghy was spotted floating in the North Sea the following morning, no trace of either crew member was ever found. Selected notable events endured and recorded by Whitby. 7th May 1942, 29 Squadron, in Beaufighter 7813, Heinkel 111 Destroyed. (Insert combat report snip) 23rd March 1943, 255 Squadron, patrol out of Setif “effort to find 2 Hurricanes”. April 1944 Intruder Patrol, Sardinia, ground attacks on transport. July 1943, 255 Squadron, Sicilian Invasion. June 1944, 219 Squadron, night support and intruder missions in Mosquitos. Diver patrols, Anti V1 Doodlebug and Normandy Beachhead operations. Late 1944 / 1945 – In excess of 30 Ops with 157 Squadron, 100 Group, Bomber Command. Guy Gibson signed RAF Night Fighter Log Book Guy Gibson signed RAF Night Fighter Log Book Guy Gibson signed RAF Night Fighter Log Book Guy Gibson signed RAF Night Fighter Log Book