W/O ‘Bob’ Gill DFM, of 1663 HCU, 158 & 35 Squadrons – one of the Last Surviving Heroes from Bomber Command, died just a few weeks short of the 75th Anniversary of VE-Day. Warrant Officer Robert ‘Bob’ James Henry Gill, from London, was awarded the DFM for his Role in the Allied Bombing Campaign against Berlin’s War Machine having Flown on 48-Operations when the odds of Survival were in single Figures for Rear Gunners. He was just 17 when he Signed up to Join the RAFVR while he was evacuated from London during the Blitz and became a Rear Gunner in Halifax & Lancaster Bombers – Britain’s Main Striking Force on German Industry.
Bob qualified as Air Gunner on 2nd October 1942 (a week before his 19th birthday). At the conclusion of the Ground School and the Aerial Training, the students underwent an extensive 3-day Series of Exams. Thoroughly tested on all they had learned in the preceding 6-week’s successful Students were promoted to the Rank of Sergeant. The highest scoring Student was often recommended for a Commission.
In September, 1942 he Flew Boulton Paul Defiants (various Code Numbers and Pilots). Log Book does not Record where, it just states ‘E flight‘.
During November & December 1942, he was at RAF Honeybourne, Worcs on an OTU Course – ‘B Flight‘. No.24 Operational Training Unit (OTU) was formed on 15th March 1942 at RAF Honeybourne as a 2/3rds Status Unit of No.7-Group RAF Bomber Command to Train Night Bomber Crews using the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley. RAF Honeybourne had 5-Hangars there was one J-Type & 4 T2’s
Various Pilots were involved including Loader, Hardy, Affleck, Mason & Lomas. All take in Whitley‘s (Sqdn Codes TY-D, E, G, K, C, L). In January 1943, various Flights with various Pilots, including Hardy, D’eath & Pestridge, all in a Whitley,
Bob was then at RAF Dalcross (Inverness). February & March 1943.
The Airfield was lying in a hollow and subsequently became very muddy whilst it remained a Grass Strip. The 1st users were Lysander Aircraft from 614 Squadron detailed on anti-Invasion Patrols. The Winter of 1940/1 was so wet that the Construction of 3 Hard Runways began, the Layout of the Runways was very unusual as they all intersected at the centre of each Runway. Prior to completion No2 Air Gunnery School was installed on 5th July 1941. Shortly after No.19 Operational Training Unit with Whitley Bombers arrived and began using the Runways for Night Training in August 1941. They operated with Airspeed Oxfords between October 1942 & February 1944. Such was its size that a number of Relief Landing Grounds had to be employed at Brackla (Nairn), Elgin, Forres, Leanach (nr Culloden) & Tain (Durnoch Firth). A few other Units had short stays at Dalcross during the remainder of the war but were in the main Detachments. Autumn 1941 saw Oxfords from RAF Shawbury arrive at Inverness, when conditions on the Airfield became too muddy Aircraft were relocated to Brackla (Nairn), Longman or Elgin Airfields. In 1942 Miles Martinet and Westland Lysander, Boulton Paul Defiants & Avro Tutor Aircraft were resident, along with a detachment of Oxford Aircraft from No.2 Flying Training School at Montrose. In autumn of 1942 Dalcross was reformed into No.19 Flying Training Unit and more Airspeed Oxfords were acquired throughout the Winter of 1942/43.
Bob was again in Whitley’s, near RAF Honeybourne (15 mins Flying time from there). A few entries of Flying to RAF Tempsford & Returning. Mainly with RCAF Pilot Archie Vernon Hardy now under S/Ldr Whyte. Total for 24 OTU Flying Time was 158hrs-40mins.
11th March 1942 No.138 Special Duty Squadron (SD) moved into Tempsford together with their Whitley and Lysander Aircraft to carry out Covert Supply & Agent delivery Operations. Stores & administration follow from Stradishall
Instructing had its dangers, too, as it involved Flying with Inexperienced Recruits in old Aircraft. More than 8,000 men were Killed in Training Accidents or other non-Operational Flying during WW2
After his ‘Ab Initio’ Training Bob Gill Qualified as an Air Gunner 2nd October 1942 (a week before his 19th birthday & some 8 Months before his 1st Sortie); this would have been followed by a spot of Leave perhaps. Then Crew Training at a Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU) and then returning to a Course at 1663 Rufforth (B-Flight) with Pilot Hardy in Halifax Bomber along with likely Hawker Hurricanes and making simulated Attacks & Operations (Bullseye’s) before Teaming up with Sgt A V Hardy’s New Aircrew with 158 Squadron Flying the Halifax. The Air Crew of Halifax NP-F were duly assembled at 1663 HCU Rufforth and also the Base for 158 Squadron; (Period of Tenure: 6th November 1942 to 23rd February 1943).
RAF Lissett opened in February 1943 & No.158 Squadron RAF arrived from RAF Rufforth to be the Resident Squadron on 28th February. 158 Squadron was a Heavy Bomber Squadron equipped with the 4-Engined Handley Page Halifax. The Squadron Flew the 1st Operational Mission on the Night of 11/12th March 1943 when 10-Aircraft were Flown to Stuttgart. One Aircraft Failed to Return. The Squadron carried out Operations up to the end of the War from Lissett. Apart from a few weeks in early 1944, only 158 Squadron Operated out of this Station, which was unusual for an RAF Base. Over the course of the 2-years 158 Squadron was Stationed there they completed 250 Missions, suffering the Loss of 144 Aircraft, either destroyed in Combat or in Accident. In addition, 851 of the Squadron’s Airmen were lost in the War.
RAF 158 Squadron was Based at Rufforth
Period of Tenure: 6th November 1942 – 23rd February 1943
NP-F 158 Sqdn Halifax Bomber Crew (RAF Lissett in May 1943, L-R Bob Gill (Rear Gunner), Bernard Brooker, Archie Hardy (Captain), John Walters, Arthur Page, Bates and Eric Davies (kneeling)
The Air Crew of Halifax NP-F were assembled at 1663 HCU Rufforth
19th May 1943, the Crew Posted to RAF Lissett nr Bridlington Yorks with 158 Squadron. Did Cross Country Flights to RAF Linton on Ouse North Yorkshire on 22nd, 23rd & 25th May 1943
Bob Gill’s 35 Squadron Crew
R121529 – Archie Vernon Hardy, DFC, DFM (Sgt Pilot RCAF) 39 Sorties with 35 Squadron
1268630 – H Robert (or M) Bates, (Wireless Operator) 7 Sorties with 35 Squadron
658724 – Bernard Chapman Brooker, DFC & Bar (Bomb Aimer – KIA)
935690 – Eric McHugh Davies, Air Gunner, (KIA as Rear Gunner) 32 Sorties with 35 Squadron
1333854 – Robert Henry James Gill, DFM (Air Gunner – Rear & Upper) 32 Sorties with 35 Squadron
1270918 – Arthur George Page, DFM (Flight Engineer) 35 Sorties with 35 Squadron
1288666 – John Graham Walters, DFM (Navigator) 35 Sorties with 35 Squadron
(Also The Air Crew were further Posted to 35 Squadron Graveley on 22nd June 1943.
In August 1942. 35-Squadron was one of the 5-Squadrons selected to create the Pathfinder Force. The Squadron was Based at RAF Graveley. When the Pathfinder Force was enlarged 35-Squadron was a part of the newly designated No.8 Group. Lancaster I & IIIs arriving on 15th August 1943.
Krefeld 21/22nd June 1943
“We were going to be put on this Operation but we had only just arrived at RAF Graveley that day on 35 Squadron and the Skipper persuaded them not to as they didn’t have any Flying Kit. Later found out that on this Operation 6 of the 18 Halifax’s on 35 Squadron had been Lost.
Operational Sorties from RAF Lissett Bob Gill
1- Dusseldorf 25/26th May 1943 158 Sqn Halifax NP-F Bob as Rear Gunner
Essen 27/28th May 1943, 158 Sqn Halifax NP-F Bob as Rear Gunner.
Wuppertal 29/30th May 1943, NP-F Bob Gill as Rear Gunner.
Dusseldorf 11th June 1943 Halifax NP-F Bob Gill Rear Gunner
5 – Bochum 12th June 1943 Halifax NP-F Bob Gill Rear Gunner
Le Creusot 19th June 1943 Halifax NP-F Bob Gill Rear Gunner
Krefeld 21/22nd June 1943 158 Squadron Halifax B Mk.lll – ‘TL-F‘ HR837
Posted to 35 Squadron RAF Graveley – Pathfinders
Mulheim 22nd June 1943 Rear Gunner, Pilot was Sgt A Hardy. Halifax Mk.ll HR837 NP-F
Hamburg 27th July 1943 Halifax Rear Gunner
10 –Hamburg 29th July 1943 Halifax Rear Gunner
Hamburg 2nd August 1943 Halifax Rear Gunner
“Very severe electrical storms & icing” – written in Log Book
At the beginning of August 1942, RAF Graveley was re-allocated to the Pathfinder Force which brought in No.35 Squadron and its Halifax ll‘s from No.4 Group at Linton-on-Ouse. These would be Upgraded to Halifax Mk.IIIs in the following October. These would be upgraded to MK IIIs in the following October and Lancaster I & IIIs a year later.
Graveley Upgraded to Halifax MK IIIs in October 1942 and Lancaster I & IIIs a year later. Arriving on 15th August 1942, they would have their 1st Mission from here just 3-days later on the Night of 18th/19th August 1942, a Total of 31 PFF Aircraft left to Mark the Target at Flensburg.
In early 1943, Graveley was to become the 1st Base to use ‘FIDO’ the Fog Dispersion system, which led to a number of successful, poor weather Landings. This, in turn, led to 15 other Operational Airfields being fitted with the Facility, a Major step forward in allowing Bomber Command to Fly or Land in poor Weather.
Krefeld 21/22nd June 1943
“We were going to be put on this Operation but we had only just arrived at RAF Graveley that day on 35 Squadron and the Skipper persuaded them not to as they didn’t have any Flying Kit. Later found out that on this Operation 6 of the 18 Halifax’s on 35 Squadron had been Lost.
Peenemunde 17th August 1943 – 35 Squadron Rear Gunner
“We were on Peenemunde as ‘Backers Up, dropping Flares on the Flares that were already there. There were Flak Ships in the Baltic and the stuff was pumping up to us, then we were Coned with the Bomb Doors down. I was immediately blinded. I could hear the crump and the rattle of the fragments of Flak coming through and we couldn’t get the Bomb Doors up. We managed to get out of the Searchlights, but there was tremendous drag from the open Bomb Doors all the way back using up Fuel and we were very glad to get Home”
Nuremberg 27/28th August 1943. Bob Gill, Rear Gunner
“We got very short of fuel on the way back and had to make a May Day Landing at Tangmere“
Munchen Gladbach -30th August 1943
15 –Berlin 31st August 1943 Pilot Archie Vernon Hardy, Bob Gill Rear Gunner
Manneim 5th September 1943 Pilot Archie Vernon Hardy
Boulogne 8/9th September 1943 Special Target 1st Phase – Gun Positions Special Op for Pilot A V Hardy
From 3rd October to – 22nd October Training Flights with Pilot A V Hardy in Halifax
Kassel 23rd October 1943 Halifax Rear Gunner
Dusseldorf 3rd November 1943 Halifax Rear Gunner, F/S A V Hardy Pilot – ?? check date.
20 – Cannes 11th November 1943, Halifax Rear Gunner
From 3rd November to 22/10 Training Flights with Hardy in Halifax
Berlin 22/23 November 1943, Halifax Rear Gunner
Berlin 23/24November 1943, Halifax Rear Gunner
Frankfurt 25th November 1943 Halifax Rear Gunner
Frankfurt 20th December 1943 35 Squadron Halifax rear gunner.
25 –Magdeburg 21/22nd January 1944
Heligoland 27/28th January 1944
Berlin 28/29th January 1944
Berlin 30/31st January 1944
Berlin 15th February 1944, Halifax Rear Gunner P/O A Hardy Pilot
30 –Leipzig 19th February 1944 Halifax Rear Gunner
Stuttgart 20th February 1944, Halifax Rear Gunner
Schweinfurt 24th February 1944, Halifax Rear Gunner
Augsburg 25th February 1944, Lancaster Bob Gill Rear Gunner
Stuttgart 1st March 1944, Lancaster Rear Gunner P/O A V Hardy Pilot
“During March 1944 35 Squadron effected a change over from Halifax Aircraft to Lancasters. The last Operation with Halifax Aircraft was on the Night of 1st March on Stuttgart, and the 1st with Lancasters on 15th March, also on Stuttgart. Up to the end of March, 5 more Operations were carried out making a total of 7 in all for March”.
35 –Stuttgart – 11th/12th March 35 Squadron Lancaster
Frankfurt 24th March 1944 Lancaster rear gunner P/O AV Hardy Pilot
Nuremburg 30th March 1944 35 Squadron Lancaster Rear Gunner
“We were at the head of the Stream on Nuremburg and didn’t get Attacked, but behind occasionally from the Rear Turret I would see the Tracer of Air to Air Combats, then an Explosion as a Kite blew up in the Sky”
April, Log Book says – Hospital, so Bob Gill was not Flying – no reason given as to why he was Non-Effective for a Calender Month.
The 17th April Directive issued to Bomber Command restated that the Overall Mission was “the progressive destruction & dislocation of the German Military, Industrial & Economic System and the disruption of vital Elements of Lines of Communication”.
The 35 Squadron’s Monthly summary shows: “The Squadron operated on 10 Nights during the Month. The bulk of their effort was devoted to Bombing Transportation Centres & Marshalling Yards in Northern France. During the month they operated in strength on Attacks on Laon, Lille, Rouen, Villeneuve-St-George & Acheres. In addition, they participated on major Attacks on Aachen, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Karlsruhe, Essen & Friedrichshafen. On 5 occasions, when Precision Bombing was required, the Squadron provided the Master Bomber whose function it was to direct the Bombing of the Main Force”
Lens 10th May 1944 – Railway Yards
The Squadron’s Monthly summary shows: “The Squadron Operated on 14-Nights during May 44, most of the Attacks being directed against Marshalling Yards & Communications in Northern France. Further “Shaking up” Attacks were carried out against Ruhr Targets which were badly damaged last year”
Hasselt 11/12th May 1944 Lancaster Bob Rear Gunner Flt/Sgt A V Hardy Pilot
40 –Mardyck 28/29th May 1944 Lancaster Rear Gunner:- Gun Emplacements
181 Lancasters & 20 Mosquitos Bombed 7-Coastal Gun Batteries, Fort Mardyck in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais positions. 1 Lancaster Lost. (Little detail available.)
9/10th May 1944 (Earlier RAF Raid)
414 Aircraft – 206 Halifaxes, 180 Lancasters, 28 Mosquitos – Attacked 7 Coastal Gun Batteries in the Pas de Calais area. 4 of the positions were claimed to have been Hit. 1 Lancaster Lost while Bombing the Mardyck position.
Trappes 2/3rd June 1944 Lancaster Bob Gill as Rear Gunner
Foret de Cerisy 7/8th June 1944 – 35 Squadron Lancaster Fuel Dumps & Tank Depot. Pilot S/L G F H Ingram with Bob Gill as Mid Upper Gunner
Avranches 7/8th June 1944 – Fuel & Ammo Dumps? (44) Wing Commander: Rosslyn Chares Crabbe (Pilot) Bob Gill Rear Gunner
Évreux 11/12th June 1944 Pilot S/L G F H Ingram with Bob Gill Mid-Upper Gunner
45 –Arras 12/13th June 1944 35 Squadron Lancaster. Pilot S/L G F H Ingram Bob Gill Mid- Upper Gunner
Evrecy 14/15th June 1944 – 35 Squadron Pilot G F H Ingram with Bob Gill as Mid Upper Gunner
Sterkrade 16/17th June 1944 in the Ruhr (47) 35 Squadron Lancaster with Pilot S/L G F H Ingram & Bob Gill as Mid-Upper Gunner
Final Op 48 Coubronne , 23rd June 1944, V-1 Launch Site – Shot Down, Pilot S/Ldr G F H Ingram KIA. Bob Gill as Mid-Upper Gunner,
RAF Graveley 35 Squadron Pathfinder – Lancaster ND734, TL-H Crew
1945/49 After a few short months back in Britain, Bob Gill returned to Europe, 1st Brussels and then Berlin, as part of the RAF’s Occupation Force, where he took part in the Berlin Airlift that kept the City supplied during the 1948 Soviet Blockade. Bob recalled: ‘I fell in love with the City [Berlin] that I had Bombed 6 times & spent almost 4 very happy years there.
Air Gunner Bob Gill DFM 