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101Matters!The Newsletter for the Members of

the 101 Squadron Association

Matters Editorial

101 Sqn Association Committee:President: Wg Cdr Steve Lushington. OC 101 Sqn, RAF Brize Norton, Oxon, OX18 3LX.Chairman: AVM Tony Woodford. Filkins Moor, Filkins, Lechlade, Gloucestershire, GL7 3JJ.Deputy Chairman: Gp Capt Mike Harrington. Millstone, Clappers Lane, Eamley, West Sussex,PO20 7JJ.Secretary: Geoffrey Whittle, 142 Westcliffe Road, Ruskington, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 9AY.Treasurer: Paul Taylor, 8 Surrey Close, Stockingford, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV10 8LNMembership Secretary: Phil Webb. 83 Cogges Hill Road, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 3XU.Welfare Secretary: Gary Wright. 60 Ley Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse, Notts, NG19 8JX.Ludford Representative: Al Greethurst. 5 Old Barn Court, Ludford, Market Rasen, LN8 6AZ.101 Matters! Editor: Gary Weightman. 1 Troon Court, Greylees, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 8GU.101 Sqn Liaison Officer: Flt Lt John Dainty, 101 Sqn, RAF Brize Norton, Oxon,OX18 3LX.

The Deadline for inclusion in the Winter Edition of 101 Matters! is the 25th November 2010.

gary.w8man@gmail.com

As I prepare to hand over the role of Chairman in September I thought it would useful to look back over the past three years and recall my most powerful memories from working with the Association. The World War 2 veterans continue to make the strongest impact. Although their numbers sadly reduce year on year the effort which those remaining, along with their spouses, make to attend the Reunion and demonstrate the loyalty they feel to their past colleagues is truly impressive. The very sizeable donations they have made to the Bomber Command Memorial Appeal will help guarantee that that Memorial will be a significant and appropriate testimony to the courage of the wartime crews for all time. The sight of that hardy band following the Standards down Ludford High Street always brings tears to my eyes. What memories they must have. My second impression must be the Squadron of today - still operational and proudly serving, so much part of the Association due in no small part to the magnificent support from the respective Squadron Commanders and their appointed Liaison Officers. My third impression is of the dedicated work of the Association’s Committee. I think of Al Greethurst, Noel Steel, Letha Beadnell, Gary and Sue Weightman, Vic Sherwin and those following in their footsteps. They deserve the warmest thanks of all Association Members. I really appreciate the support they afforded me and which will ensure the Association remains a vibrant and relevant organisation for many years to come. To be Chairman has been a great privilege. Thank you, all of you.

Tony WoodfordChairman

Summer 2010Keeping Our Membership In Touch And Informed

Royal Salute!

This incredible photograph, taken by RAF Photographer Cpl Laura Bibby from a helicopter hovering over the Mall, shows the pair of 101 Sqn VC10s participating in Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday flypast on Saturday 12th June 2010. The picture is sure to become one of the most iconic images in the long history of 101 Sqn.

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Reunion 2010

Martin Withers (in immersion suit) shares a beer with the brass on Ascension Island on his return from Blackbuck 1.

Next week’s 101 Sqn Association Reunion in the Lincoln Assembly Rooms on Saturday 4th September 2010 promises to be something special with our guest of honour confirmed as Martin Withers, the 101 Sqn pilot of Vulcan 607 on the famous Op Blackbuck raid in the Falklands War. Morning Coffee and LunchArrangements for the day will follow the usual itinerary and begin with the meet and greet coffee morning from 1030 with displays of the memorabilia from 101 Sqn. You can also purchase tee-shirts and badges from the 101 Sqn fund shop. Lunch is served from 1215 and will be followed by our Annual General Meeting at 1330. AGMThis year we will have a new chairman and introduce a number of new committee members for your approval, as well as some exciting proposals for the Association and its constitution. Your committee are considering applying for charitable status and the Treasurer will use his presentation at the AGM to describe the implications and detail the main changes involved if the proposal is to go ahead. Such a move will require strong support from Members and we will be looking for a favourable mandate from those attending the AGM. Once all the reports of both the Squadron and the Association’s progress in the past year are presented at the AGM there will be a chance for everyone to enjoy a walk around the historic

Lincoln Cathedral district and grab a spot of tea before we get ready for the grand reunion dinner. Reunion DinnerThis will start in the bar at 1845 and all should be seated by 1915. We were very excited to have invited Martin Withers, ex-101 Sqn pilot who flew the first and last Vulcan “Blackbuck” bombing raids on Port Stanley airfield in 1982, and has agreed to be our speaker at the dinner. Martin is also the display pilot of the last flying Vulcan so should have some very interesting tales to tell. We will also have our usual raffle with £300 worth of prizes to be won on the night so plenty to look forward to.Ludford Magna Memorial ServiceOur remembrance service and memorial parade will take place at Ludford Magna on Sunday 4th September. Why not have lunch at the White Hart before seeing the official unveiling of the new site for the memorial plaque at 1340. The Service will start as usual at 1400 with the parade afterwards at about 1500. The Reunion weekend will finish with tea in the Ludford Village Hall and a flypast by the BBMF Avro Lancaster at a time to be detailed on the day.The great news is that the committee have once again decided to keep the cost of Saturday’s Reunion lunch and dinner the same as it has been since 2007, £6 for lunch and £24 for a full four course dinner. If you haven't yet sent in your form to book your place there is still time if you contact the treasurer, Paul Taylor, on 07778 335503 ! The reunion dinner has always been a successful and enjoyable night and we look forward to seeing you all there again.

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The weather Gods smiled on the RAF Brize Norton Families Day on Saturday 12th June and members of the 101 Sqn Association attending were granted VIP status for the day with prime viewing spot right by the air display line. The gates opened at around 1100 and traffic was backed up at the main gate giving some long delays for the early arrivers. However, once through the necessary security there was a lot to see, with all the RAF’s big jets open for viewing. Air displays at families day are always

Hot Day At Brizegoing to be smaller than the big £50 a ticket shows but there was a lot of variety at Brize with displays by two Spitfires, the BBMF Hurricane, RNHF Sea Hawk, and the 45 (R) Sqn King Air (plug). The big acts appearing on Saturday included the Brize based Falcons Parachute Display Team and a rare full show by the Red Arrows to close the afternoon. The crowds and our members were also given a chance to watch the full Queens Birthday Flypast, fresh from its appearance over Buckingham Palace, and featuring a very tight 101 Sqn VC10 two-ship formation. Sadly, two aircraft missing on the day were the Avro Vulcan, still undergoing its late winter

maintenance and not expected in the air until July, and the BBMF Lancaster, sadly unserviceable that weekend due to a problem with the main landing gear but now back in the air for the rest of the season. It was wonderful to meet so many members and veterans at Brize and everyone seemed to be having a great, if a little overheated, time. It was so hot that even the Spitfire burst into flames during start-up a few yards from the 101 Sqn Association compound!

Erik’s Airport!Ex-101 Sqn Lancaster pilot, ex-deputy prime minister of Canada and past member of the 101 Sqn Association, Erik Hersholt Nielsen DFC, who sadly died two years ago, has been honoured in his native Yukon Territory by naming the city of Whitehorse’s airfield the Erik Nielsen International Airport. First opened in 1942 the airfield was an RCAF base until 1968 when it became a civilian airport. It currently flies 250,000 passengers a

year from its 9,500 ft main runway, 2,317 ft up in the Canadian Rockies. The airport has recently opened a new international terminal to promote tourism in the Yukon. Situated conveniently on the AAR refuelling route to Alaska, Erik’s airport (CYXY) could become an ideal and appropriate staging post for 101 Sqn VC10 tankers when they are next in that part of the world.

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Mailly & Voué 2010For the first time in a number of years 101 Squadron was unable to provide their Standard Party and RAF Bugler for the annual commemoration at Mailly Le Camp or the village cemeteries containing the graves of 101 aircrew killed in the operation at Mailly on the 3rd/4th May 1944. The absence of the squadron greatly saddened the older French members of L’Association Mailly and the more elderly British veterans and relatives who have attended these gatherings since the first ceremony involving 101 Squadron in 1987 and, although a strong party of air cadets from 866 Immingham Squadron put on a very good show with their band and Standards, there was a feeling that something was missing.In unusually poor weather the main ceremony at Mailly took the usual form with the French Army and veterans of the French Resistance on parade, but shivering in a bitter northeasterly wind. A fly past by two French Airforce Mirage fighters ended the wreath laying at the Mailly Memorial and the British visitors and their French hosts from L’Association Mailly moved on to the speeches and lunch, not in the usual Cercle Mixtie ,

which was being renovated, but in the soldiers mess hall. Unfortunately many were unable to get into the hall to hear the speeches, translated as usual by Huguette Ruillard, and the lunch arrangements were not quite up to the usual high standard.During the shorter than normal visit by the main party of visitors from the UK several excursions were made to some of the war graves of aircrew from other squadrons killed during the Mailly operation. One 101 Squadron grave site was however visited and that was that of my brother, Flight Sergeant Nigel Lacey-Johnson, who was the navigator in Lancaster SR-J which crashed near Voué. I myself had travelled in style in my son’s BMW and,

with the help of Huguette Ruillard, the Mayor of Voue and Ken Scott, arranged for a small party to assemble at the grave site. The party included a bugler and a two man Standard Party from the Immingham Air Cadets, the Mayor and Mayoress of Voué, two other local Mayors, a grand daughter of “Jimmy” one of the oldest surviving veterans of the raid and, for the first time, my son and daughter in law. I laid a suitably inscribed wreath on the graves and , after explaining to the cadets the circumstances of the crash of SR-J, spoke the usual eulogy in remembrance of the crew.After the little ceremony at the graves all were invited to the Mairie for a glass of Champagne. Inside they were able to browse the impressive collection of memorabilia relating to the first ceremony at Voué involving 101 Squadron in 1987 and subsequent ceremonies held at Voué and Mailly. Later, at my request, the Mayor explained the renovation taking place at the church and produced the church kneeler which I had had made in memory of my brother and had presented to the church in 1995. It is now 23 years since 101 Squadron, then under command of Wg Cdr Jim Uprichard, became involved at Voué and Mailly. I hope that the tempo of operations and improving finances will enable 101 Squadron to mount, once again, Operation “Proud Lion”.

Lionel Lacey-Johnson

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Bomber Command Memorial

Many thanks for the recent updates regarding the Memorial to Bomber Command. It is certainly good news to hear that the Command is now getting what it deserves. It is most certainly in my opinion , not before time. What grieves me is that many of those who survived are no longer with us and will not get to see the memorial. As the planes from Cranwell fly overhead I often wonder if you are on board one of them.Sincerely, John.Rawlins

Fantastic news. I have some bits of my dad's 100 Squadron Lancaster that crashed at Hatfield Top, Lincs on 16th December 1943 (prior to him joining 101 after he had recovered from his injuries). I wonder if I sent a bit to Bomber Command Association if they could include that in the melt down for the entrance?Paul Taylor

That is wonderful news and the idea of using the remains of the Halifax in the entrance to where its crew of seven now stand is quite a moving one. I look forward to seeing it from the windows of the RAF Club before too long!Noel Steel

So glad the memorial will be built, however I do hope the other bombers will have a place on the memorial, the blurb reads as though the Halifax will be the only bomber on the memorial.Best wishes Anne Manners

Thanks for keeping us updated on 101 Matters, including the progress with the Bomber Command Memorial in London, which our Bomber Command Association in Australia members have been supporting, more so since Tony Iveson addressed our Christmas lunch in December. Interest in Bomber Command is growing here. On 1 June I gave a one hour address featuring 14 Power Point slides

Matters Letters (including target shots and one of Ludford airfield) to nearly 100 retired leading business men of Sydney Probus Club. It was very well received.Cheers, John Fletcher

A Very Special Date...Thank you for your mag’ - very good. Myself and Tim Walker noted the date 10-10-10 is rapidly approaching and following the success of 10-1-01 I wonder if Wg Cdr Steve Lushington has a bash of some kind in mind to celebrate the date. See you are back in Lincs!Regards, Phil Tyson

Brize Norton Families DayMany thanks to all who organised the invitation to the 101 Sqn Families Day and the excellent weather. A fine time was had by all the brood I was forced to take along. Including grand children. How time marches on! I look forward to next year.Thanks again, Dave Smith.

It was a pleasure to finally meet you and a privilege to be invited to Brize Norton. I may have a photo or two worthy enough for the newsletter. I shall have a look through and forward them on. Thanks again for all your efforts with the Association.Regards, Dave Johnson

Reunion Tour of Historic Lincoln

As a new member of the association I am looking forward to this year's reunion. For the last few years I have been either at work or on holiday abroad during the first week of September. As an ex Vulcan crew chief I am also hoping to meet Martin Withers again.However, the main reason for contacting you is because I am a voluntary tour guide in Lincoln and would be happy to conduct a mini-tour of the upper city for any members who are interested. About an hour (no Steep Hill!) between the AGM and the evening on Saturday. Just a stroll with a flavour of the Roman and medieval history on the doorstep.

Best regards, Mick BathPlease keep your letters and emails coming in. I am always looking for member’s news and anecdotes and will try to print any interesting pictures of good quality. Just to let you know that I have finally moved out of the patch and brought a house, so the new address for the Editor will be 1 Troon

Court, Greylees, Sleaford, Lincs, NG34 8GU. I look forward to hearing from you soon. GW

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Cold War Spy Flights by 101 Sqn Boss

which included practising air-to-air refuelling using the American flying boom method as AAR would be a vital factor in these missions.Crampton and his team returned to the UK and established the special flight of four RB-45s, stripped of all American markings and repainted with RAF roundels, at RAF Sculthorpe. After being briefed on the nature of the mission early in 1952, Crampton carried out a “gentle probe” of East German airspace while GCHQ listening posts monitored the Soviet radar and radio activity. The live mission took place ion 17/18th April 1952. Three RB-45s took off from Sculthorpe to RV with their tankers north of Denmark. They then penetrated Soviet airspace and flew on separate routes over the Baltic states, the Moscow area and central southern Russia with all lights off and in total radio silence at 36,000 ft. The mission was a complete success and after 10 hours and 20 minutes Crampton landed back in Norfolk. After debriefing and congratulations from General LeMay, Sqn Ldr John Crampton was offered the prestigious command

In the early 1950’s the confrontation between the Western powers and the Communist bloc was at its height. UN forces faced Chinese and North Korean Communist forces on the 38th parallel, the British battled with Communist Chinese terrorists in Malaya, Communist parties threatened to take over power in Greece, Italy and France and US President Truman was advised by aides that they were losing the cold war. To avoid further provocation Truman banned over-flights of the Soviet Union by USAF aircraft. This left the Chief of Strategic Air Command, General Curtis LeMay, in a difficult situation. SAC was custodian of the US nuclear deterrent but the lack of intelligence on their targets in the Soviet Union meant this deterrent lacked real credibility. LeMay needed to find a way around his commander-in-chief’s ban and sought the help and co-operation of the British via the special relationship fostered by Prime Minister Winston Churchill.The plan was to fly American RB-45C reconnaissance aircraft, based at RAF Sculthorpe in Norfolk, on long range penetration missions deep into the Soviet Union to record radar images of potential nuclear targets. The aircraft would be painted in RAF markings and flown by RAF crews to ensure American deniability should they be shot down. It was a highly risky plan that had to be kept secret even from the president of the USA! Churchill approved it and the Air Ministry started to look for candidates to form a very Special Flight.Sqn Ldr John Crampton was selected to lead the operation, code named “JIU JITSU”. In August 1951 Crampton and eight other aircrew departed for three months conversion training in the USA on the RB-45,

of 101 Sqn, the RAF’s first Canberra bomber squadron at RAF Binbrook.However, in October 1952 Crampton was asked to reform the special flight for another spy mission. This time he recruited one of his 101 Sqn flight commanders, Flt Lt McAlistair Furze. The flight trained hard for a couple of months but then the mission was scrubbed and all returned to their respective units. John Crampton ended his tenure as OC 101 Sqn in July 1953 but he had not yet finished in the spy game. In March 1954 he was asked again to reform the special flight at Sculthorpe. This time there was no cancellation and the mission went ahead the 28/29th April 1954, once again with three RB-45s climbing into the night to meet their tanker support. Crampton’s crew were to fly the longest route, covering targets around the Kiev area. At first all proceeded as before but soon Crampton, cruising at 36,000 ft and Mach 0.7, noticed flashes through the cloud layers that looked a lot like the flak he had witnessed over Germany during the war. Suddenly the sky ahead of his aircraft was lit by golden bursts of well predicted anti-aircraft fire. Crampton took evasive action and turned west at best speed. By now the whole Soviet Air Defence network was alerted and Migs had been launched with orders to ram his aircraft if necessary. Fortunately the Migs failed to catch his RB-45 before he crossed the Iron Curtain to RV with the tankers.

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ObituariesWe are saddened to record the deaths of our following

members and 101 Sqn veterans:

Frank R Haslam. We regret to report that Frank Haslam died aged 86 on 6th December 2009. A Wireless Operator, he had earlier served on 207 Sqn and successfully evaded capture when shot down on 21st June 1944. He served on 101 Sqn at Binbrook on Avro Lincolns just before leaving the RAF in May 1949 and was proud to have served with two such distinguished units. Frank joined the Association in 1991 and was also associated with the RAF Memorial at Boxbergheide in Belgium. Our condolences go to his son Frank, and all his family and friends.

Ross Christensen AFC. We are sad to report that Ross Christensen died on the 15th April 2010 in his native Australia. He served on 101 Sqn as a Wellington pilot in 1941 and was the first Australian airman to evade capture by walking over the Pyrenees into Spain after a crash landing in occupied France in on the way home from bombing Turin. Having made it to the British embassy in Madrid, he and other evaders were interned until given safe passage to Gibraltar by the Spanish Government in exchange for 3,000 tons of flour. After the war he was a pilot for Qantas. Our sincere condolences are extended to his family and friends. Colin David Hill. We are very sorry to report the passing of Colin Hill on the 10th May 2010. Colin served with 101 Sqn as a Flt Lt wireless operator on Lancasters and Lincolns at RAF Binbrook from September 1945 to March 1947 on Flt Lt John Robinson’s crew. He joined the 101 Sqn Association in 1997. Our condolences go to his family and friends.

John Crampton DFC AFC and Bar. We are sad to report the death of John Crampton at the age of 88 on

the 12th June 2010. John joined the RAF in 1940 and served on Halifax bombers during the war. He commanded 101 Sqn from June 1952 to July 1953 when it flew Canberras from RAF Binbrook. However before and immediately after his appointment he was involved in some highly secret over-flights of the Soviet Union, commanding a special flight of RAF crews flying American RB-45 jet aircraft painted in RAF markings, the details of these fascinating missions appear elsewhere in this newsletter. After leaving the RAF in 1957 John worked for Hawker Siddeley and helped sell the Harrier to the Spanish Navy. Our deepest condolences go to his daughter Anne Turner and all his family and friends.

Jack Hesmondhalgh. We regret to report that Jack Hesmondhalgh passed away on 24th June 2010 aged 88 years. Jack joined the RAF in 1939 aged 18 and was posted to West Raynham, where he became a WOp/AG with 101 Sqn. He was one of the last surviving veterans from the Fairey Battle and Bristol Blenheim era of 101 Sqn and claimed to have shot down an Me109 while flying on a low level sweep over the English Channel. In May 1941 101 Sqn re-equipped with the Vickers Wellington and on the 24th July 1941 Jack flew in Wellington SR-E as part of a daring 100 aircraft daylight raid to bomb the German Battlecruiser Gneisenau in Brest Harbour. Attacking without fighter escort, the bombers were decimated by flak and fighters. Jack’s aircraft was shot down with only he and the rear gunner bailing out. Jack woke up on a German flak ship, was offered a glass of cognac and became a POW. During his captivity he made 5 attempts to escape but was recaptured each time. Jack served on in the RAF until 1961 and joined the 101 Sqn Association in 1995. Jack was also chairman of the Allied Special Forces Association at Hereford from 2001 to 2010. Our deepest condolences go to his family and friends.

We Will Remember Them

Fearing his refuelling equipment may have been damaged, Crampton opted to divert to Furstenfeldbruck in West Germany to refuel before flying on the Sculthorpe where he was relieved to find the other two RB-45s had landed safely after incident free flights. The mission had been successful but it was clear that the RB-45 was now vulnerable to Soviet defences and no further flights were made by Sqn Ldr John Crampton and his team. Crampton was awarded a bar to his AFC for his courage and leadership on these daring flights; an AFC required no citation, which was perfect for such a top secret mission. So ended one of the most extraordinary Cold War spy missions ever to be

revealed and involving one of the most extraordinary Bosses 101 Sqn ever had.

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Exercise Magic Carpet 2010 was the latest of series of deployment exercises that allow RAF Squadrons to operate alongside the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) as part of a long standing and important relationship with the Sultanate. It also served as a showcase for the Typhoons of XI Sqn and let 101 demonstrate our world-beating air to air refuelling (AAR) capabilities over three weeks in the sunny Omani desert.Two VC10s trailed the 6 Typhoons out to Thumrait in Oman, always a challenging exercise in itself. However, with a little flexibility and re-planning all aircraft arrived in time for the Exercise to begin. Initially both VC10s were used to re-qualify 16 RAFO pilots, flying probe equipped Jaguar and Hawk aircraft, in air refuelling. One VC10 then returned home leaving the other to participate in the exercise itself.Unfortunately, bad weather and serviceability issues meant that the first week of Ex Magic Carpet did not go quite to plan. Only a couple of missions refuelling the Omani Hawks and Jaguars were flown, causing much disappointment as the Omanis were desperate for their annual opportunity to meet their AAR training needs. An attempt to fly a refuelling mission unpressurised (due to a damaged flight deck window) at 6,000 feet met with little success due to turbulence as the RAFO aircraft struggled to make contact with the refuelling hoses. However, the first week did end on a high, with an invite to the XI Sqn barbecue dinner at the Hilton in Salalah. We were informed that dress was to be a dinner jacket! It turned out to be a fantastic night and was greatly enjoyed by all, so thank you XI Sqn. The next week started with a rather sheepish co-pilot reporting with what could be described as acute elephantiasis of the neck. (The doctor was

not convinced by our diagnosis but appreciated our input). Realising this was not normal, he was put under quarantine. Now we were down to one VC10 co-pilot for the rest of the Exercise.During the weekend a fully serviceable VC10 was delivered to Thumrait and with improving weather the tempo of operations for 101 increased to of 3 tanker sorties a day complete sufficient AAR training prior to the night flying phase. The morning and night waves were concentrated on essential AAR training for the RAFO and the afternoon sorties saw this training put into practice, with a fast paced, fully developed, war time scenario involving all airborne elements. The exercise had both blue and red forces and the VC10 served both sides. These complex missions involved numerous fast jet formations co-ordinated by Omani Ground Controllers and an RAF Sentry AWACS deployed from RAF Waddington. The RAFO Hawks and Jaguars and the UK Typhoons took over 200 tonnes of fuel from the VC10 during the exercise, making up for the slow start. The Typhoons appreciated our usual slick service which, by all accounts allowed them to dominate proceedings.

The VC10 ground crew pulled out all the stops to ensure we met our high sortie rate and Cpl Steve Hepworth was rewarded with a flight in a Typhoon. He loved it so much that he has applied for a crossover tour as a Typhoon pilot - good luck with that Steve. The VC10 also flew over fifty RAFO and RAF Exercise personnel on AAR experience flights, further strengthening relationships between the two air forces.

The Recovery to the UK went smoothly with fine weather for the transit over Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Egypt towards Cyprus. The 101 Sqn VC10 lead the trail and all 6 XI Sqn Typhoons arrived back in the UK on time. All of our exercise training objectives were met and there were a number of delighted and now AAR-current RAFO fast jet aircrew, 101 Sqn’s work on Ex Magic Carpet 2010 was complete.

Flt Lt Oli Fisher, The Magic Carpet Co-pilot.

Refuelling the Magic Carpet