David Rees is sharing two of his father’s photos with this message.
Bonjour Pierre
Thanks for putting it all together and publishing it. Dad was never one to talk much about it but I think he would be pleased that we have jointly made the effort.
Rooting about I have come across a couple more pictures.
One is a group. Dad has noted the back. Rest Camp Palestine 1943, presumably some other 23 Sqn guys are in the group.
Second is Dad alone.
I note that he is wearing the Africa Star ribbon. He refers to this on 21 March 1944, which you have published. No details on the back. I was a bit confused as it was in with some more 107MU Kasfareet photos.
David Rees has been sharing his father’s memoirs whose father was an engine fitter with 23 Squadron stationed in Malta.
Introduction
In July 1942, RAF 23 Squadron had been re-equipped with the more capable de Havilland Mosquito.
In December 1942, the squadron was transferred to the Mediterranean, flying from RAF Luqa on Malta. It was attacking enemy airfields and railway targets in Sicily, Tunisia and Italy through 1943, moving to Sardinia in December 1943, which allowed targets in Southern France to be attacked.
In June 1944, the squadron returned to England, operating from RAF Little Snoring in Norfolk as part of 100 Group. The role of 100 Group was bomber support, i.e. to disrupt the Luftwaffe‘s attempts to stop the British bomber offensive. 23 Squadron was being tasked with low level night intruder operations against German night fighters.
In addition to its normal night time operations, the squadron was also carrying out daylight bomber escort missions. 23 Squadron was disbanded, following the war’s end, on 25 September 1945.
In April 1943 Wing Commander J. B. Selby DSO, DFC took command of 23 Squadron. The squadron was on the move from 27 December 1942 to 7 December 1943 and was then stationed at Luqa, Malta.
From 3 September to 5 October 1943 there was a detachment to Signella.
From 5 October to 1 November 1943 there was a detachment to Gerbini Main. From 1 November to 7 December 1943 there was a detachment to Pomigliano.
From 7 December 1943 to 8 May 1944, the squadron was stationed at Alghero.
Photos (descriptions in italics are from David Rees)
This picture is from a negative which I processed via an app on my phone. Mosquito “Babs” plus 23 Squadron ground crew including my father on the left.
This set includes photos with Mosquitos but none of the individuals are named. The first shows my father with what looks like aircrew. One with a South African cap maybe?
My father as engine fitter, was working with LAC George Penfold as rigger.
One morning they had started early, then tried to get some food at what passed for the canteen. Although the Siege of Malta was officially over, supplies were still not getting through and the guys were constantly hungry. It was worse for the Maltese civilians as the troops had priority. Anyway my father was trying to “scrounge some grub” and George went back to the aircraft. Sadly he was hit by a taxying Spitfire and killed (the angle of the Spitfire nose meant that pilots could not see directly forward but had to swing side to side). My father served at the funeral party.
During a raid on the airfield a German Messerschmitt Bf109 was damaged. The pilot glided it down safely onto Luqa airfield while the raid continued. My father said it was the best bit of flying he saw during the war. Apparently though the pilot acted somewhat arrogantly. Before the 109 was taken away, the guys looked it over, and thought it was more robust than the Spitfire and Hurricane. My father had worked on both types on Squadrons in the UK.
Some additional information from Taff Rees’ letters.
Malta
22 April 1943
I’ve had to change billets again. That’s the 5th time. Just about fed up with it. However the billet I’m in now is the best I’ve had yet, and all the boys off my squadron are in it. Hope we stay put this time.
30 June 1943
I went to see Gracie Fields the night before last. She’s out here putting shows on for the boys, admission free. Well, we are moving billets tomorrow. I should say changing billets so we are going to be busy for a day or two.
October 1943 he started up a social committee for the Squadron.
7 November 1943
We haven’t moved from here yet, but just gone into new billets, but will probably be on the move shortly.
10 November 1943
10 November 1943 (Collection Theo Griffiths)
29 November 1943: Boarded Barge 64 on. Left Malta approx midday
30 November 1943: Arrived Cagliari
3 December 1943: Arrived Alghero early this morning 4 December 1943.
US 350th Fighter Group HQ building at Alghero referred to as Fort Hot Bottom by Taff Rees.
Photo of Group Commander Capt Ariel W Nielsen – message on the Christmas Programme.
The next note refers to the Christmas Party.
My father refers to it as being at “Fort Hot Bottom”. The Germans booby trapped the airfield building before they left. It seems nobody bothered to diffuse it.
23 Sqn were guests of Americans in Alghero and were receiving rations from them, not much to the Brits taste!
According to my Dad the Sqn Adjutant asked him to get some better food for Christmas. So they took a vehicle and toured around the farms. Some American cigarettes and chocolate persuaded one farmer to part with a pig. Apparently Jack Noble had been a butcher in Civvy Street and prepared the pig for later consumption.
Attachments are
Programme inside – my father is listed as “Taff” Rees.
Picture of the pig being slaughtered.
There are a couple of other stories.
Alghero (December 1943) Christmas 1943 greetings
1944
10 March 1944
I celebrated my birthday by having a tooth extracted.
21 March 1944
I received my Africa Star ribbon yesterday, so when you see me next, I will have a bit more “colour”.
Letter from LAC Walters 17 April 1944
The free issue (cigarettes?) are being kept by Ray Lupton. He received a letter from Bert Pickering, he was in our billets in Malta, he had arrived back in England. Red (?) Smith wrote from Malta…….
Oscar Wild and Rollinson are still there.
The Squadron football team played an Italian team in Alghero 2 days ago. The Squadron couldn’t get a “stand down” to see it. The Italians must have advertised it as there were at least two thousand spectators.
Two photos of 23 Squadron Mossies at Luqa, one DZ693 possibly. Via a Royal Artillery anti-aircraft gunner.
Malta
Letter and photo from Peter Rudd, 23 Squadron aircrew and author of The Red Eagles.
Malta?
NB his aircraft was P “Phelix”.
Maps
Other letter from LAC Walters
Yes, indeed, it would be nice to hear from someone.
There is a slight possibility to find more, I need to check everything. Most of the negatives relate to my father’s service at Kasfareet with 107MU, but will double check. It will be next week though.
Also attached – letter from LAC Ernie Walters to my father when he got sent to 60th Hospital at Cagliari.
I never expected a quick reply from this post published last week.
See the comment at the end…
Second from the left on the wall… (Graham Topping)
My grandfather Flying Officer F.D. Topping (Observer) did two tours of Malta with 23 Squadron. Flying out Christmas Eve 1942. His original pilot Flight Lieutenant Tym was sadly killed with Sgt Haley landing at Luqa the day my grandfather flew back to the UK. I understand Tym had caught chickenpox and my grandfather wanted to get back home for my father’s birthday so they flew with separate people to finish their tours. I did come across a photo of my grandfather in Malta looking slightly worse for the wear and wonder if this may have been his leaving party? I have found some great colour photos at the IWM one where he is standing on a wall behind a Mosquito but haven’t been able to find any logbooks.
My grandfather later flew with 605 Squadron at Bradwell Bay and was sadly shot down over Amersfoort Holland on a mission to Gardelagen on the 23rd March 1944. If anybody has any information or squadron photos I would be very interested.
Kind regards
Graham Topping
Comment…
Hello Graham
Very interesting to read about your grandfather’s service with 23 Squadron in Malta. My father was ground crew, an LAC engine fitter with 23 Sqn in Malta and later in Sardinia. I have a very few photos which may be of some though not direct interest. I have been meaning to sort out and post – some are still only negatives.
Dave
23 Squadron
This picture is from a negative which I processed via an app on my phone. Mosquito “Babs” plus 23 Squadron ground crew including my father on the left.
Second from the left on the wall… (Graham Topping)
My grandfather Flying Officer F.D. Topping (Observer) did two tours of Malta with 23 Squadron. Flying out Christmas Eve 1942. His original pilot Flight Lieutenant Tym was sadly killed with Sgt Haley landing at Luqa the day my grandfather flew back to the UK. I understand Tym had caught chickenpox and my grandfather wanted to get back home for my father’s birthday so they flew with separate people to finish their tours. I did come across a photo of my grandfather in Malta looking slightly worse for the wear and wonder if this may have been his leaving party? I have found some great colour photos at the IWM one where he is standing on a wall behind a Mosquito but haven’t been able to find any logbooks.
My grandfather later flew with 605 Squadron at Bradwell Bay and was sadly shot down over Amersfoort Holland on a mission to Gardelagen on the 23rd March 1944. If anybody has any information or squadron photos I would be very interested.
RAF 23 Squadron 