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No 680 Sqn Personnel, aircraft and locations

[1943 | ]

Personnel Movements: Jan - Dec 1943

Rank Name Date Notes
February
Wg Cdr J R Whelan DFC*  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU and assumed command of No 680 Sqn
Sqn Ldr J G Cole DFC  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU for duty as Operations Officer
Flt Lt B A Hutchings  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Flt Lt J L G Glaister  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Flt Lt R W Atkinson  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Flt Lt S A Hankey  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Capt J I Orr SAAF  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU and allocated to 'A' Flight
Capt D R Main SAAF  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Fg Off R C Specht  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Fg Off R L Westinghouse  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Fg Off P J Kelley  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU and allocated to 'A' Flight
Fg Off W B Burgess  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Fg Off J W Ketler  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Fg Off O P Olsen  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Fg Off J R Owen  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Fg Off G H Searle  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Fg Off G G Jones  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU and allocated to 'A' Flight
Fg Off J Moss DFC  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU and allocated to 'A' Flight
Fg Off R E Walker DFM  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU and allocated to 'A' Flight
Plt Off P Riley  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Plt Off K H Jones RAAF  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Plt Off D O'Leary  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Plt Off C W Beckinsale  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Plt Off L D O'Brien  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU and allocated to 'A' Flight
Plt Off G Tozer  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Plt Off J Lowe  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Plt Off A H Gunn  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU and allocated to 'A' Flight
Plt Off D W Barbour  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU and allocated to 'A' Flight
Plt Off D A Reed  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
WO A Penny  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Flt Sgt A Campbell  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Flt Sgt E Ellison  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU
Lt R H Stanley SAAF  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU and allocated to 'A' Flight
Lt D Betterby SAAF  1 Feb 1943 Transferred to No 680 Sqn from No 2 PRU and allocated to 'A' Flight
Flt Lt G Hunter xx Feb 1943 Posted to No 74 OTU
March
No personnel movements were recorded in this month's ORB
April
Fg Off R E Walker DFM 11 Apr 1945 Posed to No 682 Sqn for duty as Flight Commander
May
No personnel movements were recorded in this month's ORB
June
Flt Lt F Pilling xx Jun 1943 Arrived on attachment
Fg Off J G Huggins xx Jun 1943 Arrived on posting
Fg Off Weber xx Jun 1943 Arrived on posting?
Lt W F B Standen SAAF xx Jun 1943 Arrived on attachment
2nd Lt E L Daniel SAAF xx Jun 1943 Arrived on attachment
Flt Sgt A C D Terrett xx Jun 1943 Arrived on posting
Sgt B L Miller xx Jun 1943 Arrived on posting
July
Sqn Ldr F O S Dobell  1 Jul 1943 Arrived on posting from No 1434 Flight
Flt Lt G F Oliver  1 Jul 1943 Arrived on posting from No 1434 Flight
Flt Lt W E Comber  1 Jul 1943 Arrived on posting from No 13 SOR for duty as Adjutant
Fg Off A G Humphreys  1 Jul 1943 Arrived on posting from No 1434 Flight
Fg Off M A Stead  1 Jul 1943 Arrived on posting from No 1434 Flight
Plt Off A G Kirk  1 Jul 1943 Arrived on posting from No 1434 Flight
Sgt E J Denton  1 Jul 1943 Killed in action
Fg Off J G Huggins  2 Jul 1943 Proceeded to join 'C' Flight detachment
Capt D R C Main SAAF  8 Jul 1943 OC, 'C' Flight. Killed in action
Sqn Ldr J G Cole DFC xx Jul 1943 Proceeded to AHQ ADEM for Junior Commanders' Course
Sqn Ldr F O S Dobell xx Jul 1943 Proceeded to AHQ ADEM for Junior Commanders' Course
Flt Lt L C Murch xx Jul 1943 Arrived on posting from No 74 OTU
Flt Lt F Pilling xx Jul 1943 Posted to No 213 Group
Flt Lt B A Hutchings xx Jul 1943 Posted to No 216 Group
Flt Lt J L G Glaister xx Jul 1943 Relinquished command of 'A' Flight on posting to the UK
Fg Off J Moss DFC xx Jul 1943 Assumed command of 'C' Flight
Fg Off J W Keller xx Jul 1943 Arrived on posting from No 74 OTU
Fg Off S G Jackson xx Jul 1943 Adjutant, posted to No 13 SOR
Fg Off G G Tozer xx Jul 1943 Assumed command of 'A' Flight
Plt Off D A Reed xx Jul 1943 Posted to No 216 Group
Plt Off E B Bowyer xx Jul 1943 Arrived on posting from AHQ ADEM
August
Flt Lt G G Tozer 13 Aug 1943 Assumed command of 'B' Flight, Derna
Flt Lt L C Murch 13 Aug 1943 Assumed command of 'A' Flight
Flt Lt R W Atkinson 13 Aug 1943 Relinquished command of 'B' Flight, Derna on posting to Junior Commanders' Course
Sqn Ldr F O S Dobell xx Aug 1943 Returned from AHQ ADEM on completion of Junior Commanders' Course
Sqn Ldr J G Cole DFC xx Aug 1943 Returned from AHQ ADEM on completion of Junior Commanders' Course
Sqn Ldr F O S Dobell xx Aug 1943 Posted to No 22 PTC but remained attached awaiting transport to UK
Flt Lt R W Atkinson xx Aug 1943 Proceeded to AHQ ADEM for Junior Commanders' Course
Flt Lt G F Oliver xx Aug 1943 Posted to No 22 PTC but remained attached awaiting transport to UK
Flt Lt R S Holgate xx Aug 1943 Medical Officer, posted to AHQ ADEM
Flt Lt W A Johnson xx Aug 1943 Arrived on  posting from HQME for duty as Medical Officer
Fg Off A H Gunn xx Aug 1943 Posted to HQ RATG
Fg Off S Purvis xx Aug 1943 Arrived on  posting from AHQ ADEM
Fg Off F L Lomas xx Aug 1943 Arrived on  posting from No 74 OTU
Fg Off A G Humphreys xx Aug 1943 Posted to No 22 PTC but remained attached awaiting transport to UK
Fg Off M A Stead xx Aug 1943 Posted to No 22 PTC but remained attached awaiting transport to UK
Plt Off A G Kirk xx Aug 1943 Posted to No 22 PTC but remained attached awaiting transport to UK
Flt Sgt E Ellison xx Aug 1943 Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off
September
Fg Off S Purvis  4 Sep 1943 Posted to RAF Abu Sueir
Fg Off E S Cundgey  7 Sep 1943 Arrived on posting from HQ RAFME
Plt Off K Bray  9 Sep 1943 Arrived on posting from No 74 OTU
Plt Off D Redman  9 Sep 1943 Arrived on posting from No 74 OTU
Plt Off R Hewison  9 Sep 1943 Arrived on posting from No 74 OTU
Plt Off W S Chandler  9 Sep 1943 Arrived on posting from No 74 OTU
Fg Off G H Searle 11 Sep 1943 Posted to AHQ NAAF
Fg Off W Bruckshaw 12 Sep 1943 Arrived on posting from RAF Abu Sueir
Fg Off G O'Neil 12 Sep 1943 Arrived on posting from RAF Abu Sueir
Fg Off F Sindan 13 Sep 1943 Posted to No 682 Sqn
Plt Off D Redman 13 Sep 1943 Posted to No 682 Sqn
Flt Lt L C Murch 16 Sep 1943 Died from natural causes
Fg Off E R Pearson 20 Sep 1943 Attached on arrival from the UK
Plt Off R Hewison 26 Sep 1943 Killed in action
Plt Off K Bray 26 Sep 1943 Failed to return from a sortie
Flt Sgt B L Miller 30 Sep 1943 Posted to No 22 PTC pending posting to HQ India Command
October
Fg Off E W Bicknall  4 Oct 1943 Photographic Officer, posted to No 22 PTC
Fg Off G M Yelland  9 Oct 1943 Arrived on posting from No 74 OTU
Fg Off L S Mellor RAAF  9 Oct 1943 Arrived on posting from No 74 OTU
Plt Off G L H Hay RAAF  9 Oct 1943 Arrived on posting from No 74 OTU
Fg Off R L Westinghouse 10 Oct 1943 Posted to No 203 Group on becoming tour expired
Plt Off K Bray 17 Oct 1943 Returned from Turkey having escaped from internment and posted for non-operational flying
Sgt L W Elliott 23 Oct 1943 Arrived on posting from No 1 ADU
Fg Off W M Bigham 24 Oct 1943 Arrived on posting from HQ RAF ME for Intelligence duties
Plt Off G L H Hay RAAF 24 Oct 1943 Killed in action
Lt F Edmondson SAAF 26 Oct 1943 Arrived on posting from SAAF Base Depot for Intelligence duties
Fg Off O P Olsen xx Oct 1943 Promoted to Flt Lt
Fg Off E R Pearson xx Oct 1943 Ceased to be attached on posting to the squadron, wef 21 Sep 1943
November
Fg Off W Bruckshaw 11 Nov 1943 Posted to No 1 (ME) ARC for PR training at No 74 OTU
2nd Lt W R Bezuioeuhout SAAF 13 Nov 1943 Arrived on posting from RAF Abu Sueir
Fg Off G O'Neil 16 Nov 1943 Posted to No 451 Sqn
Plt Off K Bray 16 Nov 1943 Posted to HQ NAAF
Sqn Ldr J G Cole DFC 18 Nov 1943 Posted to No 22 PTC pending repatriation to the UK (tour expired)
Flt Lt G G Tozer 18 Nov 1943 Posted to No 22 PTC pending repatriation to the UK (tour expired)
Fg Off R W Lowe 18 Nov 1943 Arrived on posting from HQ NAAF
Cpl A J Tucker 24 Nov 1943 Appointed to a commission (Admin) in the rank of Plt Off
Fg Off J G Huggins 29 Nov 1943 Posted to AHQ ADEM as N/E sick
Fg Off J R Owen 30 Nov 1943 Promoted to Flt Lt, wef 8 Aug 1943
Flt Lt R W Atkinson 30 Nov 1943 Posted to No 22 PTC pending repatriation to the UK (tour expired)
Flt Lt G G Tozer 30 Nov 1943 Promoted to Flt Lt, wef 29 Jul 1943
Fg Off F L Lomas 30 Nov 1943 Promoted to Flt Lt, wef 30 Sep 1943
Plt Off W S Chandler 30 Nov 1943 Promoted to Fg Off, wef 27 Sep 1943
Plt Off E B Bowyer 30 Nov 1943 Promoted to Fg Off, wef  1 Oct 1943
December
Plt Off A J Tucker  1 Dec 1943 Posted to AHQ ADEM for disposal
WO T P Debenham  2 Dec 1943 Arrived on posting from No 2 ADU
Flt Sgt V J Barwick  2 Dec 1943 Arrived on posting from No 1 ADU
Flt Lt J S Humphreys  4 Dec 1943 Arrived on posting from No 127 Sqn
Sqn Ldr J C Paish  6 Dec 1943 Arrived on posting from No 208 Sqn for duty as Operations Officer
Flt Lt W E Comber 10 Dec 1943 Died from natural causes
Flt Lt H A L Weeks 15 Dec 1943 Arrived on posting from 36 Brick for duty as Adjutant
Plt Off D F Ritchie 16 Dec 1943 Arrived on posting from No 1 ADU
Plt Off D W Barbour 17 Dec 1943 Posted to No 203 Group (tour expired)
Flt Sgt T O Muller 23 Dec 1943 Arrived on posting from HQ NAAF

Source - No 680 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/2197)

Organisational Movements: Feb - Dec 1943

Date Notes
February
 1 Feb 1943 No 680 Squadron was formed at LG219 by redesignating No 2 PRU, with 'A' Flight detached to Castel Benito

The squadron commenced the month with the following aircraft: -

  • 17 x Spitfires
  •  3 x Beaufighters
  •  4 x Hurricanes
  •  1 x Electra
Beaufighter I
Hurricane I
28 Feb 1943 The squadron ended the month with the following aircraft: -
  • 14 x Spitfire IVs
  •  2 x Spitfire VIs
  •  0 x Beaufighters
  •  5 x Hurricanes
  •  1 x Electra
Spitfire IV
Spitfire VI
xx Feb 1943 The Training Flight was transferred to No 74 OTU
March
 8 Mar 1943 1 x new Spitfire IV arrived from the UK
11 Mar 1943 Advance party of 'A' Flight moved to Senem
13 Mar 1943 Main party of 'A' Flight moved to Senem
April
10 Apr 1943 1 x Spitfire, 'B' Flight, detached to Nicosia from LG219
11 Apr 1943 1 x Spitfire, 'B' Flight, detached to Nicosia from LG219
12 Apr 1943 2 x Spitfires, 'B' Flight, detached to Nicosia from LG219
14 Apr 1943 1 x Spitfire, 'B' Flight, detached to Nicosia from LG219
17 Apr 1943 Main road party 'A' Flight proceeded to El Djem N
18 Apr 1943 Main road party 'A' Flight arrived at El Djem N
21 Apr 1943 Advance party 'A' Flight departed El Djem N for Monastir
22 Apr 1943 Main road party 'A' Flight departed El Djem N for Monastir
May
 1 May 1943 'B' Flight detachment returned to LG219 from Nicosia
21 May 1943 'A' Flight departed Monastir for Sorman by road and air
24 May 1943 'C' Flight, detached to Nicosia from LG219
25 May 1943 Road convoy, 'A' Flight departed Sorman for LG219
June
 7 Jun 1943 Road convoy, 'A' Flight arrived at LG219
Jun 1943 'C' Flight was detached to Nicosia in Cyprus

'A' Flight was employed as the communications and test flight

3 x Hurricanes and ferry pilots were attached to 'A' Flight to maintain communications with detachments
26 Jun 1943 Main party, 'B' Flight moved from LG219 to Derna
July
 1 Jul 1943 5 x officers and 8 x NCO pilots arrived on posting from No 1434 Flight
Jul 1943 The following equipment changes took place this month: -
 
Received Issued and lost
Spitfire IV, EN155 from No 103 MU Spitfire VI, BS133 to No 103 MU
Spitfire IV, BP920 Spitfire IV, BP909
Spitfire IV, BR645 Spitfire IV, BP928 lost
Spitfire IV, BS366 from the UK    
August
10 Aug 1943 First Spitfire XI, EN661, was received
Spitfire XI
Aug 1943 The following equipment changes took place this month: -
 
Received Issued and lost
Spitfire IV, BP909 from No 103 MU Spitfire VI, BS106 to No 103 MU
Spitfire IV, AB426 from No 682 Sqn    
Spitfire IV, BR664  
Spitfire IV, EN389    
Spitfire IV, BR432 from No 103 MU    
Spitfire IV, BR339 from Malta    
Spitfire IX, BS366 from No 682 Sqn    
Spitfire XI, EN661 from the UK    
Spitfire IX
29 Aug 1943 Advance party, 'B' Flight departed Derna for Tocra
31 Aug 1943 Main road party, 'B' Flight departed Derna for Tocra
September
 1 Sep 1943 Main road party, 'B' Flight arrived at Tocra
Sep 1943 The following equipment changes took place this month: -
 
Received Issued and lost
Spitfire IV, BP885 from No 103 MU Spitfire IV, BR936 to Gibraltar
Spitfire XI, MB774 from the Malta  
Spitfire XI, EN655 from the Malta Spitfire IV, BS360 to No 74 OTU
Hurricane I, W9242 from No 103 MU Spitfire IV, BP909
Hurricane I, V6738 Spitfire IV, AA789
Hurricane I, V6747 Spitfire IV, BP908
Spitfire XI, EN425 from No 683 Sqn but passed to No 103 MU for tropicalisation and major inspections Spitfire IV, BR644 Missing
Spitfire XI, EN412 Spitfire IV, BR645 Crashed
Spitfire XI, MB785 Spitfire IV, AB310 Cat II
Spitfire XI, EN391 Spitfire IV, BR428 Cat II
Spitfire XI, EN420 Spitfire IV, BR429 Cat II
    Spitfire IX, BS339 to No 103 MU
October
Oct 1943 The following equipment changes took place this month: -
 
Received Issued and lost
Spitfire IV, BP885 from No 103 MU Spitfire IV, BR932 to No 58 RSU
Spitfire XI, EN425 from No 103 MU Spitfire IV, BR920 to No 58 RSU
Spitfire XI, EN412 Spitfire IV, BP885 to No 103 MU
Spitfire XI, MB785 Spitfire IV, AB421 to No 54 RSU
Spitfire XI, EN420 Spitfire XI, EN661 to No 58 RSU
Spitfire XI, EN391 Hurricane I, W9242 to No 58 RSU
    Hurricane I, Z4604 to No 135 MU
November
Nov 1943 The following equipment changes took place this month: -
 
Received Issued and lost
Spitfire IV, EN388 from No 103 MU Spitfire IV, AB426 to reduce strength to establishment
Spitfire IV, BR432 Spitfire IV, BS363
Hurricane I, V7404 Spitfire IV, EN389 Cat II at Tocra
    Spitfire IV, BP905 to No 103 MU
    Spitfire IV, BR432
    Spitfire IV, BR388
    Hurricane I, P2915 to No 135 MU
    Hurricane II, Z5132
December
Dec 1943 The following equipment changes took place this month: -
 
Received Issued and lost
Spitfire XI, EN661 from No 166 MU Spitfire IV, EN264 Cat III, struck off strength

Source - No 680 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/2197)

This entry was last updated on 12/11/25

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