Memories - John Haddock
In Early 2001, I received an Email from John Haddock, who was based at Banff between October 1944 to July 1945. John was so kind in sending me operational photographs and his memories from his time there. I have added to this page, what John sent me. you can see it all below.
Memories of Banff Airfield
I was stationed at Banff. Airfield from October 1944 to July 1945. The flying side of life was of course exciting and sometimes stressful and is well described elsewhere.
The more pleasant and humorous aspects included cycling everywhere on the official RAF bicycles in all weathers. This was necessary because of the dispersed nature of all the buildings. The bikes came in handy for trips to nearby villages, although you had to watch out for diligent policemen who nabbed people riding without lights in the blackout.
The winter of 1944/45 was quite harsh. We lived in Nissen huts, and there were often night raids on the coal store to acquire extra fuel for our stove. We had long sessions playing bridge by the red-hot stove, with the hut filled with smoke from the stove and the cigarettes. Nearly everyone smoked cigarettes then. It was not unusual afterwards to then go to bed wearing the inner padded flying suit, for warmth, looking like a "Michelin Man". A punishment for anyone who wouldn't get up was to carry him in his bed outside and leave him in the snow for a while.
In the evenings there were trips to Banff, Portsoy and Macduff on the bus for the dancing, the beer and that rare delicacy white pudding and chips. We all knew about black pudding but the white variety was a new experience to be enjoyed, whatever the ingredients were.
The worst part of being at Banff was going on leave on the train. The trains were dirty and cold, the journey seemed to take forever with many changes, and it always seemed to be dark.
When the good weather came however we considered ourselves lucky to be within reach of pleasant walks and rides along the attractive coast.
At the present time, ex members of 143 Squadron still meet, albeit a little shakily for reunions with their other squadron friends of the Northcoates (Lincolnshire) Strike Wing.
John Haddock Ex-Navigator, 143 Squadron RAF, May 2001.
ø Mosquito with rockets, cannons and machine guns. On Operations, the long range fuel drop tanks would normally be jettisoned before reaching the enemy coast. ø 143 Squadron Mosquito being prepared for operations at Banff airfield. A rocket is being lifted from the trailer. ø Aircrews being briefed in the Operations Room by Group Captain Max Aitken. Wing Commander "Sam" McHardy, a New Zealander and CO of 143 Squadron is on the right of the blackboard. Details on the wall maps and boards were blacked out on the photograph for security reasons. ø Strike squadrons formating over Banff Airfield ø Stage 1 of attack on armed merchant vessel at anchor on Fjord south west of Aalesund, Norway,23rd March 1945 ø Stage 2 of the attack ø Stage 3 of the attack ø Stage 2 of the attack. 2 of the U-Boats explode. In both the above pics, other attacking Mosquitoes can be seen ø Attack on Merchant Ship in Convoy in Kattegat ø A Mosquito of 143 Squadron is hit during action on 23rd March 1945 and crashes into the sea off Western Norway. The crew are lost. The photographs were supplied by John Haddock, Photographs 5-11 were taken by Warrant Officer Ron Harvey,Pilot, from Walthamstow,London and Warrant Officer John Haddock, Navigator, from Wednesbury, Staffordshire, a crew in 143 Squadron.
