95 Squadron

The Long Tow

Extracts from 95 Squadron ORBS - January 1941

Theatre of War


Churchill said of the Battle of the Atlantic: “The only thing that ever really frightened me during the war was the U-boat peril.

Transcribed from Original 95 Squadron Records

The Long Tow

OBAN 15th January 1941 10:00 hrs: No 210 (G.R.) Sqdn RAF received orders to detach 3 Sunderland flying boats with pilots and crews, maintenance personnel and spares to proceed to FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE for operations. The three aircraft left for PEMBROKE DOCK on 16th January 12:00 hrs. During the next few days, the flight became 95 Sqdn.

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Arrival in Freetown, Sierra Leone

FREETOWN 2.3.41 A.M.
SS "HIGHLAND BRIGADE” anchored in the harbour. F/LT GIBSON and 3 officers disembarked and spent the next two days arranging accommodation. 4.3.41 P.M. Remainder of ground party disembarked and were accommodated, 8 officers and 56 airmen to FOURAH BAY COLLEGE, the officers in the college buildings, the men under canvas in the grounds, 5 officers and 110 airmen to LUMLEY CAMP. Thanks to the 2/5th Btn. Essex Regiment.

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March 1941 Report

Made by Squadron Leader J.R. Leggate, temporary Officer, 95 Squadron.
OBJECT OF OPERATIONS

The object of the operations has been A/S escort with convoys SL.69 and SL.70 and search along shipping lines. FORCES AT THE DISPOSAL OF THE COMMANDER: Two Sunderland Flying Boats of 95 Squadron

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The Search for Sunderland Flying Boat L5805 B/95

10th June 1942 - CONVOY ESCORT: Sunderland B/95 took off from base at 2300 to carry out patrol ahead of W.S.19Q (Aquitania). B/95 did not return to base. It was subsequently reported that the aircraft circled the Aquitania at 00300/11 in position - 0902 N 1529 W and then flew NE. At 0400 something resembling a white verey light was seen by the Aquitania at 0830 N 1422 W at low height. When it became evident that the aircraft, whose ETA was 0730/11 was overdue, a search was orders.

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March-April 1943 Operations

8th March marked the official date for commencement of operations from Bathursh.

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Bathurst Summary of Operations April 1943

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Report on Visit of Z/95 to Cape Verde Islands

On 20th January, 1944 orders were received to proceed to Cape Verde Islands by Sunderland with Yellow Fever vaccine, provided the Governor of Cape Verdes agreed. His concurrence was obtained through the Portugese Consul at Bathurst, and arrangements were made to proceed on 21st January. However, the orders were cancelled on the evening of 20th, and consequently arrangements were also cancelled. Later that night, however, the orders were reissued but since it was too late to re-ward the Portugese Authorities, and the weather forecast was not good, it was decided to make the trip on the 22nd.

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BATHURST  JUNE 1945
OPERATIONS

All Operational Flying by No. 95 Squadron ceased on 25th May, 1945.
Flying carried out since that date was of a semi-operational nature only, as detailed hereunder.
Under instructions form Air Headquarters, West Africa, it was laid down that all aircraft of the Squadron should be ferried home to the United kingdom during the month of June, 1945. The disposal, however, of D/95, F/95 and K/95 was to be as follows:-

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