12(Bomber) Squadron Association Newsletter. Phantoms in action together against a common enemy in Iraq.

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Roy O’Brien’
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1 12(Bomber) Squadron Association Newsletter 1 DECEMBER ISSUE 1 Inside this Issue: The Fox Returns 1 Disbandment Weekend 2 Disbandment Parade 3 12(B) Sqn History 3 Upcoming Events 5 Association Committee 5 Welcome to the first 12(Bomber) Squadron Association Newsletter. Welcome to the first 12(B) Sqn Newsletter. With the formal standing up of the 12(B) Sqn Association on 15 Feb 14, the aim of this newsletter will be to keep current Association members informed as to upcoming events, welcome new members, whilst offering all the opportunity to reflect on past glory. I am pleased to report that we already have over 150 members. The newsletter is for all members; therefore if anyone would like to contribute articles of interest to the bi-annual publication, they can forward them on to the secretary Flt Lt Steve Westley at Stephen.Westley866@mod.uk The Fox Returns 20 December 2015 By Air Commodore Mike Wigston CBE Earlier this year, when we gathered for the 12(B) Squadron disbandment weekend, we were all nostalgically recalling our times with the Squadron. I m not sure any of us were imagining an immediate future for 12(B) Squadron on the frontline. Few would have foreseen the extraordinary expansion of ISIL across Iraq and Syria, the Russian annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in Ukraine, or the expanding insurgency in Nigeria. Even fewer would have predicted Tornado GR4s and Iranian F4 Phantoms in action together against a common enemy in Iraq. The unpredictable and uncertain world we live in has been reflected in the operational tempo of the Tornado GR4 Force throughout By early autumn, Tornados were still in action in support of troops on the ground in Afghanistan, were flying reconnaissance missions over Nigeria and, with Brimstone and Paveway IV weapons, were bringing the Tornado s unique capabilities to bear against ISIL in Iraq. Against this backdrop, the planned drawdown of the Tornado GR4 Force to just two squadrons in April 2015 no longer made military sense. Who better then than 12(B) Squadron to lead the field on the extended mission? So, last February as I took on the role of interim president of the 12(B) Squadron Association, I expected years of quiet lobbying to keep the Squadron on the radar and at the front of the queue for reforming. I expected a few memorable annual reunions along the way too. What I did not expect was, that within a year, the proud Standard would again be let fly and 12(B) Squadron would reform at RAF

Page 2 scenes, you will understand why we hesitate to make firm plans for the Association and of course the 100th anniversary until the Squadron is up and running and Nikki has thought about how best

It would also be remiss of Commander Simon Strasdin and (soon to be) Squadron Leader Steve Westley me not to mention Anne Law and everyone involved at Wickenby for their have done a great deal behind

Wing Commander Nikki Thomas will be the new Commanding Officer and I m sure you will join me in wishing her and the team all the very best of luck; one thing is certain, they won t be idle.

2 Page 2 scenes, you will understand why we hesitate to make firm plans for the Association and of course the 100th anniversary until the Squadron is up and running and Nikki has thought about how best we can support her. That said, there is a reunion planned in Norwich in July, the details at the end of this As for the Association, while Wing newsletter. It would also be remiss of Commander Simon Strasdin and (soon to be) Squadron Leader Steve Westley me not to mention Anne Law and everyone involved at Wickenby for their have done a great deal behind the Marham. Wing Commander Nikki Thomas will be the new Commanding Officer and I m sure you will join me in wishing her and the team all the very best of luck; one thing is certain, they won t be idle. continued outstanding work which you can read about at For those of you fortunate enough to attend the parade at RAF Marham on 09 January, I look forward to seeing you there, witnessing 12(B) Squadron proudly rejoining the frontline field. 12(B) Sqn Disbandment Weekend 14 February (B) Sqn Standard was paraded into church for the last time... On the weekend of February (B) Sqn held their formal Disbandment Weekend at RAF Lossiemouth, Morayshire. The weekend afforded the opportunity for past and present members of the Sqn to come together and celebrate in style the rich history of 12(B) Sqn prior to its disbandment later in the year. The weekend was very well attended with the Sqn hosting in excess of 150 visitors over the course of the two days. On Friday 14 Feb 14, the weekend s events started with the presentation of to 12 nominated charities. The money was raised whilst the Sqn was was deployed and each charity nominated by current serving members. This was swiftly The all ranks dining in night was the largest ever hosted by the Officers Mess followed by the Sqn s Medal and Awards Ceremony, where medals and commendations recently earned on Op HERRICK were presented by the weekend s Guest of Honour, Air Cdre Mike Wigston CBE. In addition to the Op HERRICK medals a number of other awards were presented, including Green Endorsements for outstanding airmanship and the presentation of the well earned Royal Royal Warrant to WO Tam McEwan. Coincidentally the Sqn s 99th birthday and the presentation of his Royal Warrant also coincided with the last 12(B) Sqn WO s birthday we re not sure who s older! Following the awards ceremony a Sqn Memorabilia Auction was held, where more anecdotal items from the Sqn s past were sold, clearly after the Air Historical Branch had their pick of the crop. The Sqn birthday cake celebrating 99 years. All proceeds from the auction bolstered the charity pot. On the evening, a total of almost 3000 was raised for the 12 chosen Sqn charities. The Saturday evening was the main event of the Disbandment Weekend with the Disbandment Dinner and formal standing up of the new 12(B) Sqn Association. With over 100 guests attending of all ranks, the guests were able to send the Sqn off in high spirited fashion! The RAF Lossiemouth Officers Mess staff were truly accommodating and for that the Sqn will be ever grateful. The final act of the dinner was the first playing of a very emotive Sqn History video, produced by Flt Lt Al McFarland. Post dinner all attendees retired to the bar, luckily my memory seems a little cloudy thereafter The Sqn birthday cake celebrating 99 years.

Page 3 although I believe the party was still going strong beyond 0400hrs!

A short 40 min service was held, where the outgoing Sqn Cdr, Wg Cdr Strasdin, said a few words to reflect where the Sqn had come from, adversity we had faced, to where we temporarily concluded our

Current Sqn members bid their farewell as did Association members; although the parade was not for another month, it felt appropriate that this was the beginning of the Sqn s farewell.

3 Page 3 although I believe the party was still going strong beyond 0400hrs! The final act of the Disbandment Weekend was on the Sunday morning where the 12(B) Sqn Standard was paraded into church for the last time as an RAF Lossiemouth-based Tornado GR4 Sqn. A short 40 min service was held, where the outgoing Sqn Cdr, Wg Cdr Strasdin, said a few words to reflect where the Sqn had come from, adversity we had faced, to where we temporarily concluded our history. It was a poignant end to the weekend and to a fine era of service with the mighty GR4 at RAF Lossiemouth. Current Sqn members bid their farewell as did Association members; although the parade was not for another month, it felt appropriate that this was the beginning of the Sqn s farewell. The one thing that remained true throughout was that 12(B) Sqn will always Lead the Field! The Disbandment Parade 30 March 2014 On 28 Mar 2014 the final act for Number 12(B) Sqn took place at RAF Lossiemouth in 1 Hangar, the Sqn s former home. At 1100 the Colours of Number 12(B) and 617 Sqns were marched onto Parade by the 12(B) Sqn Standard Bearer Flt Lt Steve Westley and 617 Sqn Standard Bearer Flt Lt Ian Abson before being stood up and placed in the RAF College Cranwell Rotunda. The RAF Band, who travelled from Northolt for the event, took centre stage first followed by 12(B) Sqn and then 617 Sqn. It was an honour to have HRH The Duke of York as the Reviewing Officer on the day who inspected both Sqns, escorted by the Chief of the Air Staff and RAF Lossiemouth Stn Cdr Gp Capt Mark Chappell. After the parade Sqn members, their guests and former Sqn members were hosted by the Sgts Mess for lunch and drinks. Many also had the opportunity to meet and speak to HRH The Duke of York. Following the lunch, the RAF Band put on a special concert in 1 Hangar for all of the friends, families and honoured guests that had attended the Parade. It was particularly nice to have the band set up in the Hangar with each Sqn s commemorative paint scheme aircraft as the backdrop. On Parade Wg Cdr Simon Strasdin, OC 12(B) Sqn Flt Lt Stephen Westley during the Royal Salute HRH The Duke of York inspecting the Sqn. 12(B) Sqn History - The Victoria Cross 12 May 1940 By Flt Lt Lucy Westley No doubt most of you will know the proud history of 12(B) Sqn, and we intend to add historical articles of interest with each newsletter. If you have a piece of history you d like us to either find information on or write on yourself, please get in touch with Flt Lt Steve Westley at the address at the end of the newsletter. As many of you will know, 12(B) Sqn boasts the first 2 RAF VC recipients of WWII; Flying Officer Donald Edward Garland VC and Sergeant Thomas Gray VC. On the first day of the Second World War 12 Squadron moved to France to begin operations. Early in

The whole Squadron volunteered so it was decided that the six crews already detailed on the readiness roster should undertake the mission.

4 Page 4 the morning of 10 May 1940 the German forces commenced their Blitzkreig advance through the Low Countries. On the 12th May, 12 Squadron was tasked with destroying vital bridges over the Albert Canal. The whole Squadron volunteered so it was decided that the six crews already detailed on the readiness roster should undertake the mission. Flying Officer Donald Garland was to lead three Fairey Battleaircraft against the Veldwezelt Bridge in a low level attack. Sergeant Tom Gray was his Observer/Navigator and Leading Aircraftman Lawrence Reynolds the rear gunner. They flew below the cloud base at 1000 feet and on reaching the Veldwezelt area started a shallow bombing run. There were estimated to be some 300 guns entrenched in a defensive ring around the bridge, and the aircraft was blasted into the ground. The second Battle, piloted by Pilot Officer I A McIntosh, was hit in the main fuel tank, setting the aircraft ablaze, he jettisoned his bombs and made a forced landing and survived as a prisoner of war. The third Battle, piloted by Sergeant Fred Marland, released its bombs but then lost control and dived into the ground. When the smoke cleared it was seen that the western end of the bridge was shattered, and evidence suggested the damage was caused by Garland and Gray's cool attack. It had been Gray's first operational bombing raid. Flying Officer Garland and Sergeant Gray were both posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. After the bombing raid, local civilians recovered the badly burnt bodies of Flying Officer Garland, Sergeant Gray and Leading Aircraftman Reynolds, and quickly buried them in a secret location to prevent the Germans claiming them. Near the end of the war Allied authorities were notified and all three were re-interred in Lanaken cemetery. Subsequently the three were buried in the Imperial War Graves Commission cemetery at Haverlee. The VC was given to Tom Gray's parents at an investiture in Buckingham Palace on 24 June By 1946 three Gray brothers had died while serving with the RAF. Garland s 3 brothers, all Officers serving in the RAF, sadly also lost their lives by the end of WWII. After the war there was some consternation when it was discovered that the third member of the crew, the gunner, 20 year old Leading Aircraftman Lawrence Royston Reynolds, who was also killed, and buried alongside his crewmates, received no commendation whatsoever. It was later described as 'one of the great injustices of WW2'. Fg Off Garland and Sgt Gray

5 Page 5 Upcoming Events 9 January 2015 Re-formation of Number 12 (Bomber) Squadron at RAF Marham, Norfolk (awaiting details, see the website in the New Year) 11 July hrs 12 (B) Sqn reunion at The Queen of Iceni - Lloyds at Riverside Development, Norwich Contact Chris Smith chrisjohnsmith@hotmail.com or search 12 Squadron (RAF) on Facebook. Association Committee Members The Association is still going through its set-up phase and we hope to continue to develop it over the coming months, in the meantime let me introduce the current Association Team. Interim President Air Cdre Wigston CBE Air Cdre Wigston was Squadron Commander from December 2005 to October 2007 Secretary Flt Lt Steve Westley Flt Lt Westley served on 12(B) Sqn as the Qualified Weapons Instructor Pilot from Aug 11 until its disbandment. On promotion, will serve as a Flt Cdr on the newly stood-up 12(B) Sqn at RAF Marham. On the web:

PANAVIA TORNADO GR.1B ZA457 MUSEUM ACCESSION NUMBER X

A/C SERIAL No. ZA457 SECTION 2B PANAVIA TORNADO GR.1B ZA457 MUSEUM ACCESSION NUMBER X003-2283 1983 Built at British Aerospace Warton, Lancs. as one of 228 GR.1 aircraft for the RAF. Plane set 259, variant