Carpe Diem - 576 Squadron RAF

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576 Squadron FLYING RECORDS

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Date	Event	Aircraft Flown
SERVICE RECORDS
25 Nov 1943 25 Nov 1943	Joined 576 Sqn at Elsham Wolds, Linconshire	Auto loaded with initial creation of profile

Date	Aircraft	Code	Flight Details	T/O	Land	Flt Time	Crew
576 Squadron FLYING RECORDS
29 May 1944	ME800	UL-W²	Training	nk	nk	2h0	P1 Fg Off W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	'Y' Cross country 'Sgt Eccles' shown as MUG in Rainey logbook. No 'Eccles' flew on ops with the squadron.
31 May 1944	ME735	UL-R²	Training	nk	nk	2h55	P1 Fg Off W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	'Y' Cross country' 'Sgt Eccles' shown as MUG in Rainey logbook. No 'Eccles' flew on ops with the squadron.
02 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	DOMLEGER	1215	1555	3h40	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: V1 'flying bomb' storage and supply depot. Load: 7x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. The crew's usual rear gunner, Sgt Schofield, was replaced by Sgt Porter RCAF for an unknown reason.
05 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	DIJON	2105	0605	9h00	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Marshalling yards. Load: H2S equipped aircraft: 8x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. All aircraft were diverted to Coningsby due to low cloud at Elsham on return. 'Successful. Clear photo' - Rainey.
06 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	Coningsby to Elsham Wolds	nk	nk	nk	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Return to Elsham from the diversion.
07 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	CAEN	1925	2310	nk	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Enemy armour strongpoint on the Northern outskirts of Caen. Flown in support of the Anglo-Canadian ground forces attack on the town (Operation Charnwood). Load: 9x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. 'Successful. Clear photo' - Rainey.
10 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	Training	nk	nk	2h15	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	'Y' (H2S) cross-country navigation exercise: Elsham-Cardiff-Wolverhampton-Scunthorpe-Elsham.
11 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	Training	nk	nk	2h10	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	High-level bombing and fighter affiliation.
12 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	REVIGNY	2110	0610	9h00	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Marshalling yards. The Deputy Master Bomber instructed all aircraft to return to base with their bombs (‘Lysol’) as cloud was obscuring the target. Special Duties Flight (1 Group's 'pathfinders') carried out target marking. Load: 7x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. On return the crew diverted to Sandtoft due to the weather at Elsham. 'Marking late and inaccurate. Bombed spot fire at 2,400 ft' - Rainey.
13 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	Sandtoft to Elsham Wolds	nk	nk	0h15	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Return from diversion.
18 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	SANNERVILLE	0320	0715	3h55	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Area 'H' - fortified positions occupied by Panzer regiments. Load: 9x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Flown in support of the British Second Army involved in Operation GOODWOOD. The bombers were given a strong fighter escort. Rainey records, '...on German troop concentrations prior to breakthrough from the beachhead. Successful'. NOTE: Aircraft was UL-P2 not UL-R2, as indicated.
20 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	WIZERNES	1900	2230	3h30	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Construction site for a V2 rocket site and bunker complex ‘La Coupole’. Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. 'Clear photo' - Rainey.
23 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	KIEL	2240	0340	5h00	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: German Navy base, canal, and harbour. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 8x 500lb bombs, 5x 500lb ‘J’ Type incendiary cluster. The aircraft was followed by an enemy single-engined fighter for four minutes before combat was engaged. The fighter was claimed as destroyed by the gunners. No copy of the combat report has been found yet but Rainey's logbook carried a typed report which is shown below. Rainey's logbook also states; '10/10 cloud over target. Fighter shot down by rear gunner. Confirmed & allowed'.
24 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	STUTTGART	2105	0550	8h45	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 2000lb bomb, 12x 3010 'J'-Type incendiary cluster bombs. Bombed at 15,000 ft. Rainey: '10/10 cloud over target. Photo of Wanganui flares'.
26 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	BOIS DES JARDINS	0030	0415	3h45	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: V1 'flying bomb' launch site. Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Rainey: 'Successful. Clear photos'.
30 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	CAHAGNES	0625	1040	4h15	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Enemy troop concentrations. The bomber force were given a fighter escort of Spitfires and (possibly) Typhoons. Load: 20x 500lb bombs. Rainey: 'Battle target. Low cloud. Three runs before bombing'. Diverted to Horham due to 'haze and mist' at Elsham.
30 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	Horham to Elsham Wolds	1400	1445	0h45	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Return from diversion.
31 Jul 1944	ME735	UL-P²	Air Test	nk	nk	0h45	P1 Wg Cdr B.D. Sellick P2 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Airframe and engine test.
10 Aug 1944	ME735	UL-P²	PARIS (DUGNY)	0900	1415	5h15	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Aviation fuel storage depot. Spitfire escort. Load: 13x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Rainey: 'Successful. Camera failure'.
11 Aug 1944	ME735	UL-P²	DOUAI	1335	1735	4h00	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Marshalling yards. Load: 13x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Rainey: 'Successful. Clear photo'.
12 Aug 1944	ME735	UL-P²	BORDEAUX	1115	1805	6h50	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Oil storage facilities & U-Boat pens. Mosquito and Spitfire escort. Load: 2x 2000lb armour-piercing bombs. Rainey: 'Oil storage for U-boats. Successful. Clear photo of aim point'.
13 Aug 1944	ME735	UL-P²	FALAISE	0030	0345	3h15	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Enemy ground positions, Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Rainey: 'Battle target. Successful. (No cameras carried)'.
15 Aug 1944	ME735	UL-P²	LE COULOT (BEAUVECHAIN)	0940	1330	3h50	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 Plt Off W.S. Button FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Luftwaffe night fighter airfield. Load: 13x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. 'Second Dickie' trip for Plt Off Button. Rainey: 'Successful. Clear photo'.
16 Aug 1944	ME735	UL-P²	POMERANIAN BAY (STETTIN)	2110	0450	7h40	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Gardening 'Geraniums'. Load: 6x 1500lb mines. Mines dropped at 11,000 ft. Rainey: 'Mine-laying in Pomerania Bay. Successful. No camera carried'.
18 Aug 1944	ME735	UL-P²	ERTVELDE RIEME	2210	0115	3h05	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Flt Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt L.G. Porter RCAF
NOTES:	Target: Motor Transport oil depot and storage tanks near Ghent on the Ghent-Terneuzen canal. Load: 13x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Rainey: '(Oil dump in Belgium). Successful. (Photo target)'. The Rainey crew were screened from operations after this mission.

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CREW MEMBER PROFILE

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R183353

Air Gunner