click on image for larger view |
"Tubby" Gaunt had a remarkable career during the duration
of the Second World War. His tours of duty encompassed
Germany, Italy, France and the Balkans, a variety of aircraft types, roles of
wireless operator, air gunner, pilot - and finally a crash landing and
escape from enemy-occupied Yugoslavia.
Like many ex-servicemen, he did not speak about his experiences after
the war and it was a chance discovery made by his son, Paul Gaunt, at
the Moreton-in-Marsh
Wellington Aviation Museum that led to several years of research,
recorded in Paul's book: "Shadows of the Past". What emerges
is a moving picture of individual experience in 49,
37 and, finally, 70
Squadrons.
Tubbys pre-war training was with the Civilian Air Guard scheme, 1938-39,
at the Leicestershire Aero Club, Braunstone and was entirely voluntary.
On 4th August 1939, at the age of 22, he enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve for a period of 5
years. After kitting out at RAF Receiving Station Cardington and basic training at Manston, Tubby was selected for wireless op/air gunnery training,
despite having been recommended for pilot training.
Cranwell for signals training was followed by 1 Wing 4 Bombing and Gunnery School,
Fiskerton.
On 18th January 1941, Tubby moved to No 14 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at
Cottesmore, Rutland. On 9th September 1941 he commenced his first tour as wireless operator/air gunner on Hampden
bombers with 49 Squadron. Operations included minelaying
("gardening"),
leaflet dropping ("nickels"), attacking the Scharnhorst and bombing
targets in France and major German
cities. After experience with Manchester and Lancaster
bombers, Tubby re-mustered for pilot training in South Africa.
Tubby was awarded his wings on 28 April 1944, together with the "Best of Intake" bombing trophy.
He then moved to OTU Quastina in what is now Israel, for familiarisation
with the Wellington X before joining 37 Squadron at Tortorella, August
1944. .When 37 Squadron converted to Liberators, Tubby finally transfered to 70
Squadron.
On 8 January, 1945, on a 70 Squadron mission to drop supplies to
partisans in Yugoslavia, Tubby and his crew crash landed near Vode,
north of Gerovo, in what is now Croatia. Their escape,
aided by Yugoslavian partisans, qualified them as members of the "Flying-"
or "Winged Boot" evaders' society.
|
|
Sorties with 70 Squadron
A FLT 70 SQD 205 GROUP
OPERATION BOMBING M/T AND TROOPS
MATESEVO - KOLASIN
19TH DECEMBER 1944
WELLINGTON X H MF367
Up 13.11 Down 15.47
W/O GAUNT PILOT
SGT. SCANLAN NAV
SGT. SANDELL B/AIR
SGT. MCMELLIN W/OP
SGT. HAZELDEN R/GNR
DETAILS OF SORTIE
6 x 500 GP 12 x 250 GP Nickels.
Road MT seen and bombs dropped in 3 sticks from 3000 ft. aimed at roads, bombs seen to straddle the road.
Detailed to Bomb MT and Troops (Concentrations on Road)
Matesevo Kolasin
SUMMARY OF EVENTS
11 aircraft took off to continue yesterdays work. 1 returned early with engine trouble, and the remainder found the target. Area clear of cloud as on previous days and smote the Hun heavily. There were many hits on the road and several fires were started among The M/T; on the whole, another good day. No flak was encountered.
Bombing 1430-1509, heights 3000/9000 feet. 27.3 tons were dropped, 2 x 4000
HCNI, 47 x 500 lbs GPNI and 93 x 250 lb GPNI. 115 packets of nickels were also dropped.
A FLT 70 SQD 205 GROUP TORTORELLA
OPERATIONS BOMBING BRIDGE AT MOJKOVAC
21ST DECEMBER 1944
WELLINGTON J NA720
Up 13.37 Down 16.32
W/O GAUNT CAPTAIN
SGT SCANLON NAV
SGT SANDELL B/AIM
SGT MCMELLIN W/OP
SGT HAZELDEN R/GNR
DETAILS OF SORTIE
Foggia Tortorella Mojkovac Bridge Foggia Tortorella.
Bridge seen and bomb dropped from 9500 feet aimed at the bridge (1 x 4000 lb
HCNI). Bomb undershot about 200 yds.
23rd December no operations by group owing to adverse weather.
24th December no operations by group owing to adverse weather.
SUMMARY OF EVENTS
7 aircraft took off to destroy Mojkovac Bridge. The weather was good and all A/C clearly saw the target. No hits were claimed, but two of the attacking aircraft reported seeing the bridge destroyed. One crew said they saw what was a 4000 pounder demolish the target. The destruction is confirmed by photos, but it is not known whether it was caused by an A/C of this or another
Sqn. Bombing 1507-1526 hrs. Heights 5500-9000 feet. 18.75 tons were dropped, comprising 2 x 4000 lb
HCNI, 34 x 500 lb GPTI and 26 x 250 lb GPNI.
A FLT 70 SQD 205 GROUP TORTORELLA
OPERATIONS BOMBING RAILWAY BRIDGE CASARSA
26TH DECEMBER 1944
WELLINGTON H MF367
Up 18.09 Down 19.40
W/O GAUNT CAPTAIN
SGT SCANLON NAV
SGT SANDELL B/AIM
SGT MCMELLIN W/OP
SGT HAZELDEN R/GNR
DETAILS OF SORTIE
Foggia Tortorella Casarsa R.R bridge Foggia Tortorella.
Target was clear but hazy. Red T.I seen. Bombs dropped in one stick 9 x 500 lb GPTI and 4 x 250 lb GPTI from 7000 feet aimed at red T.Is to hit west end of bridge. Burst seen to straddle west end of bridge.
SUMMARY OF EVENTS
Casarsa Railway Bridge
Casarsa railway bridge over the Tagliammento River is of vital importance to the Germans in North Italy at a time when every effort is being made to thoroughly disrupt communications. The group therefore was given a change from Yugoslavia and 15 A/C from our Squadron went out with Liberators, other Wellingtons and target marking aircraft of 614
Sqd, the target was well illuminated and marked.
Only slight inaccurate HFF and LFF was encountered. A good concentration of bombing was achieved. However, photos taken by our aircraft do not suggest that the target was hit, though several crews claim to have straddled it and one or two crews believe they obtained hits on the west end of the bridge. Weather good in target area, little haze. Bombing 1230-1735 hrs. Height 6/9000 feet. 38.5 tons were dropped, comprising 2 x 4000 lb
HCNI, 112 x 500 lb GPTI and 52 x 250 lb GPTI.
A FLT 70 SQD 205 GROUP
OPERATION BOMBING CASARSA RAILWAY BRIDGES
28TH DECEMBER 1944
WELLINGTON F MF243
Up 16'04 Down 20.11
W/O GAUNT CAPTAIN
SGT SCANLON NAV
SGT SANDELL B/AIM
SGT MCMELLIN W/OP
SGT HAZELDEN R/GNR
DETAILS OF SORTIE
Foggia Tortorella Casarsa rail road bridge. Both bridges seen, also flares and reds. 5 bombs dropped in one stick from 6800 feet aimed at red target indicators. Stick believed to have straddled bridge.
SUMMARY OF EVENTS
Casarsa Railway Bridge
It appears that Casarsa railway bridge is still standing, it is again the target for the group. 12 A/C took off from the squadron, the weather was good. The illumination and target marking by 614 Squadron was excellent. A good concentration of bombing was achieved, but
results were largely unobserved owing to smoke and glare from markers. Moderate inaccurate H/FF was encountered.
Photo Received. Reports received since both attacks now indicate that the bridge suffered considerable damage on 26th. The western approach was damaged, there was a direct hit on the centre rendering it impassable and the diversion over the river was also damaged. Later time 14 span from the west collapsed, further damage was caused on the second raid.
A FLIGHT 70 SQD 205 GROUP
OPERATION SUPPLY DROPPING UDINE
8TH JANUARY 1945
WELLINGTON G LP614
Up 11.25 Down . . . .
W/O GAUNT CAPTAIN
SGT SCANLON NAV
SGT SANDELL B/AIM
SGT MCMELLIN W/OP
SGT HAZELDEN R/GNR
DETAILS OF SORTIE
Foggia Tortorella nothing heard from the aircraft after taking off from base a later message states that the crew are safe and in Partisan hands. 6th 7th January, group did not operate owing to adverse weather.
SUMMARY OF EVENTS
9 A/C took off to drop supplies to Partisans near Civcaino in NE Italy Udine area. There was 10/10 cloud over N/Italy which prevented observation of the ground signal. 8 A/C brought their containers back to base. The 9 A/C, W/O Gaunt P.H Captain and crew, did not return to base and no message was received.
It has since become known that the whole crew is in Partisan hands and further details are awaited.
|
