By Clive Smith, 106 Squadron Researcher
Leading image: John Searby
In late 1942-early 1943, the process of allocating aircrew from Bomber Command training units to operational squadrons seems to have been fairly random and generally driven by the need to replace crews lost on operations. However, transferring from a main force squadron into a Pathfinder squadron appears to have been much more targeted, as was the case with crews from 106 Squadron only being transferred to 83 Squadron PFF.
In October 1942 Squadron Leader John Searby, DSO, DFC, was posted to 106 Squadron at RAF Syerston, as a replacement flight commander under Wing Commander Guy Gibson. Seven months later he would become well known in the Path Finder Force, having taken over command of 83 Squadron based at RAF Wyton.
However, his initial meeting with Gibson at 106 Squadron had not gone particularly well as his previous experience had been in Transport Command.
“It was an extraordinary meeting. Gibson had been flying the previous night and was under some strain. He asked me what I had been doing before joining him, and heard me out with obvious distaste, impatient and barely polite. I was brief but he cut in,
“You can forget all that – it means nothing. Anything you may have done before you came here is nothing. This is the real thing.”
He got up from his desk and walked to the window, hands thrust deeply into the pockets of his uniform jacket. Then,
“Ops are what count here – and anyone who doesn’t like it can get out.”[1]
Gibson need not have been concerned as Searby was a natural pilot who fitted easily into squadron life, and the two grew to have a mutual respect for each other. Between November 1942 and May 1943, Searby flew 25 operations, most of which were in the well-known Lancasters ‘Admiral Prune’ and ‘Admiral Prune II’.
John Searby and Crew, RAF Wyton (Ross Forster)
L-R – Frank Forster RAAF (Flight Engineer), Leslie Davis (Wireless Operator), Norman Scrivener (Navigator), John Searby (Pilot), George Ross (Bomb Aimer), Ivor ‘Taffy’ Preece (Rear Gunner)
Prior to Searby transferring to 83 Squadron, there had been a steady stream of other crews from 106 Squadron who were posted to the squadron at RAF Wyton, either because they’d finished their tour or in some cases had requested a transfer themselves, being eager to get into the Pathfinders.
One such airman was P/O Richard ‘Wimpy’ Wellington. He’d had a slight falling-out with Gibson and went to see him.
“Sir, I’ve seen the notice on the board calling for volunteers to join the Pathfinders, and my crew and I wish to apply.”
Gibson looked at me thoughtfully.
“They only want the best crews and so I shouldn’t think you stand a chance.” He then added quite charmingly, “But I’ll do my best for you.”[2]
P/O Wellington and crew – Lancaster OL-L at RAF Wyton (Wellington Family)
L-R – Dusty Hicks (Air Gunner), Vin Harley (Bomb Aimer), Johnny Johnson (Air Gunner), Tommy Blair (Navigator), Earl Reid (Wireless Operator), Richard Wellington (Pilot), Tash Goodwin (Flight Engineer)
He was as good as his word, and Wellington and crew transferred to RAF Wyton at the beginning of February 1943. Not only did they complete a successful tour there, but Wellington went on to be posted to PFF Headquarters in Huntingdon as an Operations Officer under Don Bennett.
Another well-known 106 Squadron pilot was P/O Walter Thompson, a Canadian from Vancouver, British Columbia. He was posted to the UK in March 1942 and then a year later to RAF Syerston on 11th March 1943. Soon after arriving, he met Gibson in the Officers’ Mess.
“You must be Thompson,” he said. “You’re just in time, you’ll be flying tonight.”
“With my own crew, sir?”
“No. You’ll be coming with me, so get yourself settled in and I’ll see you at briefing.”[3]
Thompson flew the op to Stuttgart acting as the flight engineer, and as it turned out this was Gibson’s last operation with 106 Squadron; The next time he would fly operationally was on the Dams raid of 16/17 May 1943.
After Searby had taken over command of the squadron, he asked Thompson to accompany him on a visit to RAF Wyton in April 1943. On the return trip to Syerston, he asked him,“How would you like to be on a Pathfinder squadron?” Thompson replied that he had already asked the adjutant to put his name down.[4]
A couple of weeks later Searby said to me,
“Thompson, you’ve been posted to Pathfinders.” I was delighted.[5]
F/O Walter Thompson DFC and Bar (Walter Thompson)
The transfer to Pathfinders wasn’t always blessed with good luck, and unfortunately Sgt Antony Renshaw and crew, after flying 14 ops with 106 Squadron, only survived a further 8 ops at RAF Wyton before being lost in the raid on Pilsen on 13/14 May 1943.
P/O Dennis Britton was more fortunate, and survived his tour with 83 Squadron after he had already flown 12 ops at Syerston. He’s pictured here proudly wearing his Pathfinder eagle badge.
Sgt Dennis Noble Britton, DFC, DFM (Jane Saunders)
In total, around 50 airmen transferred during this period to become Pathfinders. Some of these airmen are featured in my book ‘The Great Men of 106 Squadron – Gibson’s Lancasters at RAF Syerston’ which tells the story in their own words of their experiences.
SEE ALSO: DONALD MARGACH AND GUY GIBSON – Margach served with Gibson before moving to the Pathfinders and 582 Squadron; and JIM PEZARO, PATHFINDER PILOT
[1] John Searby, The Everlasting Arms (William Kimber & Co Ltd, London, 1988) pp. 25-26
[2] Richard Wellington, Pathfinder Pilot (Pen & Sword Aviation, Yorkshire, 2020) p. 66
[3] Walter Thompson, Lancaster to Berlin (Goodhall Pubs Ltd, London, 1985) pp. 53-54
[4] Ibid, p.96
[5] Ibid, p.100
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