Trafford

Born on the 16th October 1921 and baptised at St. Matthew's PC on the 6th
November 1921, the son of Alfred & Nellie Etchells.

His father was a Clerk and the family resided at 19 Stanway Street,
Stretford.

James A. Etchells, Joined the Metro-Vicker's Company as a Machine Operator
in October 1938 and became a Trade Apprentice in May 1939.   Joined the
RAFVR in April 1942 and later promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer.   
Reported missing from air operations over enemy territory in March 1945 and
presumed Killed in Action.

143 Sqn were detailed to Banff, Banffshire (Map 2/18), on the 23rd October
1944, flying Mosquito Mk 6 aircraft for 18 Group, as part of the Banff
strike wing for attacks on enemy shipping off Norway for the rest of the
war.   Previously, the Squadron had flown Beaufighters from Portreath in
Cornwall, Manston in Kent and North Coates in Lincolnshire.    See the
Squadron War diaries at TNA at Kew - ref: AIR 27 978/9.

23rd March 1945. - A strike force of 42 Mosquito’s and 12 Mustangs attack
shipping found at Stadlandet, Aslesund and Dalsfjord, resulting in the
sinking of1 the Norwegian Merchant Vessel. LYSAKER of 910 tons and three
other Merchant Vessels damaged. These were the German ship INGA ESSBERGER
of 1827 tons, another German ship ROTENFELS of 7854 tons and a Norwegian
ship ROMSSDALE of 138 tons.   During the action, intense accurate flak was
experienced from the shore positions. After the attack, Mosquito "R" of 143
squadron was seen to be on fire and dived into the sea.    Pilot Officer K.
McCall and Warrant Officer J.A.M. Etchells were lost with the aircraft.    
Another Casualty of 143 squadron was Mosquito "W" which was successfully
ditched with the starboard engine smoking. The crew, Flight Lieutenant R.H.
Lowe and Flying Officer P. Hannaford were taken prisoner. Mosquito "W" of
235 squadron attacked shipping in Dalsfjord, and was seen to crash into the
sea immediately after— wards. Flying Officer Turner is buried in Stavne
Cemetery, and a plaque erected near his grave in memory of Squadron Leader
Reid, whose body was not recovered.

Banff airfield opened in 1943 and closed in 1946.  It was situated 4½
miles west of Banff and had a 3,500 yard, concrete landing strip, with type
'T2' and 'Blister' hangers and 36 'Frying Pan' hardstandings.   It was
staffed by 2,301 RAF and 341 WAAF personnel.

Mosquito FB VIs of 143 Squadron, Banff Strike Wing, were armed with 25-lb
solid armour-piercing rockets.  Based at Banff on the north east coast of
Scotland, the Banff Strike Wing was formed in 1944.  Its primary role was
to combat the threat of enemy shipping operating from the bases deep within
the Norwegian fjords.

23rd October 1944. - Arriving today from Strubby were Wing Commander E.H.
Mchardy DSO, DFC, leading 143 squadron to Banff to convert from
Beaufighters to Mosquito’s.

26th October 1944. - Mosquito’s at Banff use Rocket Projectiles for the
first time, and can now bring the equivalent to a broadside from a cruiser
against enemy shipping and submarines.

7th November 1944. - 143 squadron fly its first Mosquito sorties since
converting from Beaufighters in October, when HR141 and PZ419 fly an armed
patrol off the coast of Norway.

8th November 1944. - Bad weather of snow and hail disrupt operations flown
over Ytteroene, Marstein and Askvoll.

9th November 1944. - Bad weather of snow and hail again play havoc with
operations flown from Banff.

14th November 1944. - Banff Mosquito’s from 143, 235 and 248 squadrons
engage in an attack on shipping found in Sognefjord, sinking the Norwegian
trawler SARDINIEN of 177 tons and damaging the Norwegian merchant vessel
GULA of 264 tons, again no aircraft were lost during the strike.

5th December 1944.Mosquito’s of 143,235 and 248 squadrons took part in a
large attack on shipping in Nordgulenfjord, which resulted in four German
vessels being damaged. These were the OSTLAND of 5273 tons, TUCUMAN of 4621
tons, MAGDELENA of 3283 tons and HELENE RUSS of 993 tons. During this
action two Mosquito’s were severely damaged. Mosquito "P" of 143 squadron
flew back to Sumburgh on one engine and crash-landed on arrival. The pilot,
Flying Officer Robert Gilchrist died of his injuries while his navigator
Flying Officer W. Knight, although injured in the forced landing, survived.
Mosquito "G" of 248 squadron was shot down during the same attack. The
plane was seen to make an attack on a large, heavily armed ocean going tug,
and to have been on fire before making the attack. It later crashed into
the sea. During the attack in Nordgulenfjord very intense, accurate light
flak was experienced from the whole of the Eastern end of the Anchorage,
particularly from the North shore, some of the guns being positioned
several hundred feet up the mountain side. In addition to the aircraft
mentioned, five other aircraft had to land away from base, three on one
engine. A further four sustained battle damage. The crew killed in Mosquito
"G" were: pilot Flight Lieutenant L. N. Collins and his navigator Flying
Officer R.H. Hurn. Wing Commander G.D. Sise who led the attack, received a
Bar to his DFC soon after.

10th December 1944. - Mosquito strike by 143,235 and 248 squadron
Mosquito’s attack shipping found in Flekkefjord and sank the German
merchant vessel GIJDRUN of 1485 tons. No aircraft were lost during the
attack.

12th December 1944. - Another strike sortie by 143,235 and 248 squadrons
against Gossen airfield, meeting no opposition. The wing also attacked
shipping found in Eidfjord and sinking the German merchant vessel
WARTHELAND of 3678 tons and damaging the Norwegian merchant vessel MOLLA of
815 tons.

16th December 1944. - A Strike force of 143, 235 and 248 squadrons attack
shipping at MALLOY and KRAAKBELLESUND. Malloy the Norwegian merchant vessel
FERNDALE of 5684 tons was sunk while at Kraakbellesund the Norwegian
Salvage tug the PARAT of 135 tons was also sunk. During these actions two
Mosquito’s were lost, these were "R" of 248 squadron flown by Flight
Lieutenant J. Kennedy and navigator Flying Officer F.W. Rolls, which was
hit by flak during the attack. This aircraft was seen to have the port
engine smoking but managed a controlled ditching. Both crewmembers were
seen to evacuate the plane and climb into the dinghy. A Warwick Air Sea
Rescue aircraft dropped an airborne lifeboat, which sank. It then circled
and dropped a Lindholme dinghy near the aircraft dinghy. Up to the time
when escorting aircraft had to return to base due to fuel shortages the two
men were seen to be sitting up in the dinghy but despite an intensive
search of the area they were never found. The other plane lost was "5" of
235 squadron piloted by Flying Officer K.C. Beruldsen (RAAF) and his
navigator Pilot Officer T.D.S. Rabbitts. This aircraft was ‘seen to be
hit’ by flak and crashed at Losnoy approx. 25km North West of Gulen. Both
these crewmembers were buried at Rivnik, Norway.

26th December 1944. - On the 26th of December, Mosquito "N" of 333 squadron
flying an "outrider" patrol, spotted two ships in Lervik harbour, one of
which was the merchant vessel CYGNUS. An attack was arranged with twelve
Mosquito’s from 143, 235 and248 squadrons. Squadron Leader
Jackson—Smith of 235 squadron, led the strike. The following attack
resulted in the damaging of the Norwegian merchant vessel CYGNUS of approx.
1349 tons. The squadrons were intercepted by two formations of enemy
fighters, each numbering about 12 FW 190s and ME 109s. Since the strike
force was in loose formation after the attack several individual combats
developed, during which two enemy fighters were shot down and a EW 190 was
seen to be escorted back to base on fire. There is an unconfirmed report of
a FW 190 being shot down at Bomlo on this date which would account for one
of the fighters. Two Mosquito’s sustained damage and a third was escorted
back to Banff on one engine by an Air Sea Rescue Warwick of 279 squadron.
Mosquito "G" of 235 squadron flown by Flying Officer E.J. Fletcher and
navigator Flying Officer A.J. Watson is believed to have been shot down by
a FW 190 from 16/JG 5 flown by Feldwebel Heinz Halsotrick who was a veteran
pilot with thirteen kills.

31st December 1944. - An attack on shipping in Flekkefjord left two German
vessels badly damaged and two sunk. The merchant vessels sunk were the
PALERMO of 1461 tons, the ACHIlLLES of 998 tons with one of the damaged
ships being the WALLY FAULBAUM of 1675 tons. 143,235 and 248 squadrons
returned to Banff with an aircraft missing from 248 squadron.This was
Mosquito "U" which was ‘seen to be hit’ by flak. Whilst attempting to
return to base on one engine it was forced to ditch after apparent failure
of the live engine. The aircraft broke up after hitting the water, the
pilot was seen to evacuate the plane and get into the aircraft’s dinghy,
but despite an intensive air sea search of the area, was not found. The
crew were; Flight Lieutenant J.F. Lown who was never found and Flying
Officer C.J. Daynton who went down with the aircraft.

Also in December 1944, Wing Commander E.H. Mchardy DSO, DFC, was rested
from operations with the new Commanding Officer being the popular Frenchman
Wing Commander Max Guedj.

9th January 1945. - Banff wing effort by 143, 235,248 and outriders of 333
squadron attack a large German vessel, CLAUS RICKMERS, of 5165 tons in
Lervik causing severe damage to the ship. No aircraft were lost in the
strike, the only casualty being back at Banff where Mosquito HR 159 of 235
squadron crashed into Hopeton farmhouse while performing an air tests, near
the edge of the airfield. The crew killed were Flight Lieutenant D.B.
Douglas (RCAF) and Leading Aircraftsman G.P. Pobbins who was assisting with
the air test. The farmhouse was demolished but both occupants of the house
escaped without injury.

11th January 1945. - Mixed strike force of fourteen Mosquito’s from Banff
and eighteen Beaufighters from Dallachy flew an armed strike to Flekkefjord
to attack shipping reported there. Whilst preparing for the strike they
were intercepted from the North by approx. six ME 109s and FW 190s, while
at the same time at Lister airfield a similar group of fighters took off
and attacked the formation from the South. Luring the engagement various
dog fights ensued which finished when the enemy fighters climbed into cloud
cover. Three enemy fighters were seen to be shot down, Flight Lieutenant M.
Russel DFC, and another Mosquito crew sharing a claim in destroying a ME
109. A further German fighter was claimed as a probable. The strike wing
lost two aircraft, a Beaufighter and Mosquito "M" of 143 squadron, which
did not return from the strike although it was ‘not seen to be shot
down’.The crew of this plane were; Flight Sergeant P.C.L. Smoolenaers
(Belgium) and his navigator Flight Sergeant W.W. Harris (RAAF) both
reported missing. This was one of the rare occasions when, the six pounder
‘Molins gun’, of the MK XVIII (Tsetse) Mosquito’s belonging to 248
squadron, was fired in air—to—air combat, normally it was used for
anti—shinning strikes.

15th January 1945. - A total of sixteen Mosquito aircraft from 143,235,248
and 333 squadrons attacked shipping in Lervik harbour, destroying two large
merchant shins and sinking an armed trawler, the SEEHUND-Vp 5304
(Vornostenboot), they were usually ex-trawlers used for convoy escorts.
These converted-armed trawlers were usually between 150 and 750 tons (the
Seehund was 320 tons), and carry 88mm guns, 2Omm guns and machine guns.
These were what the R.A.F. referred to as flak shios. Along with intense
flak the strike force had to fight its way home through a pack of nine FW
190s.The fighting was fierce a MK XVIII Tsetse Mosquito firing its Molins
gun at the attackers managing to frighten them off, but not before the
strike force suffered serious losses. Six Mosquito’s were lost in the
action, the heaviest losses sustained by the Banff wing in any one action.
Amongst those killed was Wing Commander J.M. Guedj DSO, DFC, the popular
Frenchman who had only been given Command of 143 squadron a few weeks
previous and who had been a popular choice amongst the aircrews. His
navigator Flight Lieutenant J.F. Langley was also killed in Mosquito "K" of
143 squadron. Other aircraft missing were Mosquito "D" of 143 squadron
which crashed near Fjell, the pilot Flight Lieutenant G.A.M. Moncrieff
missing, while navigator Flight Sergeant C. Cash’s body was recovered and
buried in Mollendal Cemetery, Bergen. Mosquito "V" of 143 squadron was lost
with pilot Lieutenant F.F. Alexander (USAF) and navigator J.A. Mcmullin.
Mosquito "A" of 235 squadron shot down with pilot F. Chew who was buried in
Mollendal Cemetery. While his navigator Flight Sergeant S.W. Couttie
survived and was taken prisoner and Mosquito "R" of 333 squadron with pilot
Q/M K. Sjolie and navigator C/M M.J.S. Gausland (Norwegians) also lost
during the strike. This attack also proved to be 248 squadrons MK XVIII
Tsetse Mosquito’s last sorties from Banff before leaving the base to
leave the squadron to operate MK VI Mosquito’s only at Banff.

25th January 1945. - Strike wing effort from Banff of 143, 235 and 248
squadrons attack shipping in Edfjord and Malloy sinking the German merchant
vessel ILSE FRITZEN of 5099 tons and damaging the Norwegian merchant vessel
BJERGFIN of 696 tons. No aircraft were lost during the strike, but back at
Banff while the formation broke over the base preparatory to landing,
Mosquito "F" of 248 squadron flown by Flight Lieutenant D.S.L. Crimp and
Flying Officer J. Bird collide with "Y" of 248 squadron (Squadron Leader
H.H.K. Gunnis and Warrant Officer A. Mudd) and crashed close to Roughilly
Wood near the airfield. Aircraft "Y" of 248 squadron landed safely after
sustaining serious damage while both crewmembers of aircraft "F" were
killed in the crash.

29th January 1945. - Mustang "N" of 65 Fighter Squadron flown by Squadron
Leader I.D.S. Strachan, was on detachment duty, temporarily based at Banff,
failed to return from escort duty to a strike force of Beaufighters from
R.A.F. Dallachy. January 1945 was a month of bad weather and heavy snow.
This being reflected in the reduced number of operational strikes carried
out. TIEFLAND of 1923 tons. No strike aircraft were lost during this
sortie.

3rd February 1945. - Banff wing sortie by 143,235 and 248 squadrons,
attacked shipping found at Bergen, causing damage to the German Merchant
Vessel.

4th February 1945. - A visitor to Banff during the early hours of the
fourth was Liberator "F" of 201 squadron from Leuchars, flown by Flight
Lieutenant at .D. Beaty DFC. This aircraft while on patrol near the Danish
Island of Bornholm received a contact for a U—boat. They approached the
target and switched the Leigh Light on but soon became the focus of fierce
flak from a destroyer, which had been escorting the U—boats. One of the
Liberators engines was put out of action with two others damaged the
mainplanes and rudders were holed, rudder trim wires severed, bomb bay
doors were hit preventing them from closing and a large hole blown in the
beam gun position. All heavy equipment was jettisoned before the aircraft
managed to climb to 4000 feet and set a course for Sweden. Once a full
account of the damage was made, it was decided to try and limp hack to
base. Although a longer journey they made it and arrived safely at Banff at
09.30 hours in the morning.

12th February 1945. - Banff strike wing effort of approximately twenty
Mosquito’s armed with rocket projectiles, attack a German merchant vessel
of 3832 tons (this was the SIVAS.) and increase the damage already done to
this vessel as it had already been run aground off Askvold. Only one
Mosquito section attacked as the ship was already partly below the water.
Negligible flak was met but no Aircraft from 143 or 235 squadrons were lost
during the attack at Flado.

14th February 1945. - Early morning reconnaissance by Banff Mosquito’s of
the Norwegian Coast between Sandoy light and Utsire Light. Heavy rain and
poor visibility with low cloud hampered the sortie, which ended with
nothing seen.

3rd March 1945. - Rover patrol of 40 Banff Mosquito’s and 12 Mustangs
patrol between Marstein Light and Lervik and also Skotning Light with
nothing seen.

7th March 1945. - 40 Mosquito’s from Banff attacked self—propelled
barges in the Kattegat with cannon and machine gun fire followed by 251b
rockets. Twelve P51 Mustangs provided fighter cover with two Warwick’s of
979 squadron on hand to drop lifeboats to any ditched crews. Four aircraft
of 333 squadron led the way with the fire suppression Mosquito’s
following behind. The strike force attack with rockets against the vessels.
Several Mosquito’s had to return to base with faulty jettison fuel tanks.
Four German Gun Barges were sunk each averaging approx. 130 tons. The
German Flak ship INNSBRUCK Vp 1610 of 256 tons was also sunk. Two
Mosquito’s were lost in the attack, Mosquito "0" of 235 squadron flown by
Flying Officer S.C. Hawkins and Flying Officer F. Stubbs is believed to
have collided with Mosquito "R" of 248 squadron flown by Flight Lieutenant
R.G. Young and Flying Officer C.V. Goodes, during the attack. Both crews
failed to return.

8th March 1945. - Armed reconnaissance of the Norwegian Coast between
Utaire Light and Utvaer Light with no shipping seen.

17th March 1945. - 31 Mosquito’s from 143, 235, 248 and 333 squadrons
attack shipping at Aslesaud with cannon and rocket projectiles, with many
hits being observed. Two German Merchant vessels were sunk and one damaged.
These were the IRIS of 3323 tons and the REMAGE of 1830 tons, which were
both sunk, and the ERNA of 865 tons being damaged. The Norwegian Merchant
Vessel LOG of 1684 tons was also sunk. Intense flak was encountered from
the area, with Mosquito "F" of 143 squadron seen to crash into the sea in
flames. Also shot down during the attack was the strike force leader Wing
Commander Orrock and his navigator Officer Wilding who, after a successful
ditching, were taken prisoner. The crew lost in Mosquito "F" were; Flying
Officer W.J. Ceybird and Flight Lieutenant N. Harwood

20th March 1945. - Rover patrol of forty Mosquito’s and twelve Mustangs,
led by Wing Commander Foxley Norris, fly an armed patrol of the Kattegat
area looking for shipping, but found none.

Letter from - Bill Knight (navigator 143 Sqdn) states:- My own
recollections of a brief spell at Banff (I left in January 1945) are
coloured by the extreme cold of a severe winter (all ranks shovelling snow
off the runway). A fashion adopted by Officer aircrew of wearing their
raincoats over their greatcoats for extra warmth (soon stopped by the
Station Commander). Coal was in short supply and people devised other means
of keeping warm, overloading electrical circuits and causing the occasional
black out. I recall returning from sick leave to find that a water pipe in
the ablutions had burst and the cascading water had frozen round my bicycle
stored there, so that my pride and joy was encased in several feet of solid
ice. However, it suffered no lasting damage and I still have it now.

As Banff was a wartime station, we lived in Nissin huts and the Officers
Mess was on the same pattern, albeit on a larger scale. The Bar had a
rough-hewn appearance reminiscent of a Wild West Saloon. We didn’t let
off six guns but we did let off steam in other ways. I recall one evening
when a bonfire was lit in a suitable receptacle and aircrew, dressed in
white sheets, performed a creditable (allegedly authentic) Arab dance
around it, to the accompaniment of drum "music" on upturned bar stools. A
visiting ENSA repertory company were invited to the Mess after their
performance (a Chekhov play I recall) - the ladies took one look and fled.
As you know, the Station lay between Banff and Portsoy. The latter had a
village hall where a dance was held a couple of times a week. Unfortunately
the dance could not start until the Whist Drive finished, so one was lucky
to get to bed before about 2am - OK if you were not down to fly early the
next day.