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RAF Lasham opened in November 1942 as a Forward fighter airfield. It was situated 6 miles south east of Basingstoke in Hampshire. It was initally home to 38 Wing, Army Co-operation Command and was transferred to Fighter Command, in June 1943. Teh base became to home to 175 Sqn flying Hurricanes and Typhoons, 181, 182 and 183 Sqns flying Typhoons, 412 and 602 Sqns with Spitfires. In August 1943 it was transferred to No 2 Group, Tactical AF, becoming home to 320 Sqn flying Mitchells, 107, 613 and 305 Sqns flying Mosquitoes. These squadrons were Heavily involved in Operations Overlord and Market Garden. In November 1944 Lasham was transfered to No 84 Group Support Unit and used for the training replacement aircrews. After the war it became a Group Disbandment Centre. and was fianlly home to 49 MU. and General Aircraft Ltd based servicing RAF Mosquitoes.
The airifeld closed in 1948 and has been used since for gliding and aviation engineering.
Squadrons stationed at RAF Lasham
- 38 Wing, Army Co-operation Command. Nov 1942 to June 1943.
- No: 175 Squadron. June 1943 to Aug 1943.
- No: 181 Squadron. June 1943 to Aug 1943.
- No: 182 Squadron. June 1943 to Aug 1943.
- No: 183 Squadron. June 1943 to Aug 1943.
- No: 412 Squadron. June 1943 to Aug 1943.
- No: 602 Squadron. June 1943 to Aug 1943.
- No: 320 Squadron. Aug 1943 to Oct 1944.
- No: 107 Squadron. Aug 1943 to Oct 1944.
- No: 613 Squadron. Aug 1943 to Oct 1944.
- No: 305 Squadron. Aug 1943 to Oct 1944.
- No 84 Group Support Unit. from Nov 1945
- 49 MU. Jan 1945 to 1948
Since 2001 I am writing the life-story of a airgunner of Dutch 320 Squadron RAF. This veteran is 88 years old and is living in a house for Dutch veterans. On the 25th Oct 1943 Mr Jonker became very heavily wounded on a raid of the Dutch 320 Squadron to Lanveoc Poulmic Brest. His Mitchell (FR 169 42-32514) made that day a emergency landing at Exeter. In the month October 1943 the 2nd TAF (with the Mitchells B-25) made a several raids on the airfield Lanveoc Poulmic (Brest). On the 25th Oct 1943 there was a raid of the Dutch 320 and the British. 98th Squadron RAF together.
On the 25th Oct 1943 Mr Jonker became very heavily wounded on a raid to Brest. On the same day 5 men of the same formation were killed. Their names are; E. Bakker, C.J. Bank, M. Bolk, HG Haaften, RWH van Pelt. For the lifestory of Mr Jonker and the chapter about 25-10-1943 and the raid to Brest, I would like to come in contact with the relatives of those Dutchmen.
I am very interested about information of the raid on 25th Oct 1943. This date one Dutch Mitchell exploded in the sky (FR 178 W 42-64788) and another Dutch Mitchell (FR 166 R 42-32352) ditched in the sea. Five Dutchmen were killed that day. One of them is still missing. His name is Flying Officer C.J. Bank. He was born on the 27-08-1943 and killed on the 25-10-1943. Do you have information about the Flying Officer?
Are there monuments around Brest in relation to this raids?
I am also very interested what happened of the airfield Lanveoc Poulmic on that 25th Oct 1943. I have heard that on that 25th Oct day, a lot of high level German officers were on the base. Is that true?
Three survivors of the ditched Dutch Mitchell escaped with a French Fisherboat. After the arrival in the harbour all of them were captured by the Germans. Does some one know what has happened with the Fishermen?
Is there a (aerial) picture of the airfield of Lanveoc Poulmic?
Could you help me with information about what has happened on the 25th Oct 1943 on the airfield Lanveoc Poulmic?
Does some one has information about what has happened with the 98th Squadron (B-25), that day?
In May this year I would like to visit Lanveoc Poulmic Brest.
With kind regards,
25 October 1943
"Twenty-four aircraft of 98 and 320 Squadrons were despatched to bomb the Brest/Lanvioc Poulmic airfield. All went well until 320 began to lead them in on the bomb run. To the surprise of 98's leader the Dutchmen were flying straight and level despite the flak which was soon accurate. There was suddenly a tremendous flash as Sgt. C. J. Bank's machine received a direct hit. Then another, as Cdr. Bakker's Mitchell dis- integrated in a welter of fragments and flame. Roosenburg found that his hydraulics were out of action, instruments too, and that oil was streaming from his starboard engine. Worse, he had an arm wound. He managed to hold the aircraft level long enough for the bombs to be dropped. Soon after he found he had lost 3,000 feet, wrestled to regain control and steered for home alone. He skidded to a belly landing at Portreath.
The tremendous force of the explosions had thrown the aircraft of the leader, J. H. Maas, on to its back, then it too received a direct hit between the radio operator's position and the dorsal turret. At once the machine went into a dive from which recovery was miraculously made since the controls were badly damaged. The air gunner (this is Leendert Jonker) had been seriously wounded and was given immediate first aid. Then all movable gear was taken to the rear of the Mitchell until trim was adjusted. Crippled, it staggered back to Exeter for an excellent landing despite two tyres punctured and extensive structural damage. There was a major enquiry into what had gone wrong. It was the considered opinion of the survivors that the leader might have sooner begun evasive action, and that the second box was too close to the first. Nevertheless the raid was not a failure, for 98 Squadron had scored accurate bombing on ammunition stores, hangars and dispersals."
expert from:
Michael J.F. Bowyer, 2 group R.A.F. A Complete history, 1936-1945 Offensive Crescendo p. 336
I am trying to find out more about John Wilson Hughes who served with 107 Squadron. He was a Flying Officer (Navigator) in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. His number was 154746 and he died on 15 Oct 1944, age 22. He is buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery (grave number 20. D. 17).
He was the son of Arthur George and Ethel Hilda Hughes, of Isleworth, Middlesex.
His girlfriend was Margaret Anne Hynard of Eynsford, Kent. Margaret Hynard is my mother and has just celebrated her 80th birthday. She would love to know more information about how John was killed and would also love to be in touch with any living relatives (John had a younger brother, but Margaret cannot remember his name) or colleagues from the RAF.
Photographs
If you have any Photographs you would like to share please get in touch.
List of those who served at RAF Lasham during WW2
- Cpl Albert Gerardus Apeldoorn dutch 320 B Sqd (d. 28/10/1943 )
- Eduard Bakker VK. dutch 320 B Sqd (d. 25/10/1943 ) Read his story
- Sgt Cornelis Jacobus Bank dutch 320 B Sqd (d. 25/10/1943 ) Read his story
- Marinus Bolk VK. dutch 320 B Sqd (d. 25/10/1943 ) Read his story
- Sgt Henri Jean Boots dutch 320 B Sqd (d. 15/02/1944 )
- F/O Robbert Simon "Robbie" Cohen BK, DFC. dutch 613 F Sqd (d. 11/08/1944 )
- F/O Anthonius Johannes van Dieren Bijvoet dutch 320 B Sqd (d. 28/10/1943 )
- Cpl Jan George Egter van Wissekerke dutch 320 B Sqd (d. 15/02/1944 )
- Herman Gerard van Haaften dutch 320 B Sqd (d. 25/10/1943 ) Read his story
- Sgt Johannes Henricus Hubertus de la Haije VK. dutch 320 B Sqd (d. 26/11/1943 )
- F/O John Wilson Hughes. nav. 107 Sqd. (d. 15 Oct 1944) Read his story
- P/O Henri Joseph Pierre Jansen dutch 320 B Sqd (d. 15/02/1944 )
- Leendert Jonker. dutch. air gunr. 320 SqdRead his story
- P/O Cornelis van der Knaap dutch 320 B Sqd (d. 28/10/1943 )
- Sgt Johannes Antonie Kok dutch 320 B Sqd (d. 26/11/1943 )
- Lac Paulus Kwast dutch 320 B Sqd (d. 08/04/1944 )
- Richard Willem Hubertus van Pelt. dutch 320 B Sqd (d. 25/10/1943 ) Read his story
- Sgt Pierre Fortunus van Woesik. dutch 320 B Sqd (d. 28/10/1943 )
If you have any names to add to this list, or any recollections or photos of those listed, please get in touch.
If you have a story which you would like to share, or a website dedicated to an airfield or aircrew, please get in touch.
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