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RAF service, 2nd World War
welcome .
John 'Maxwell 'Wauchope Lloyd, DFC.
"© Lloyd family"
This is a family page posted on behalf of Max's family, to denote his achievements as a young pilot during the 2nd World War.
This site is a dedication to his memory and its added intention is to show how he and young men and women like Max, were linked to and played their part, in historical events that maybe the younger generation may not grasp today. Ordinary people, who were in fact, quite extraordinary.
Much of the information has been drawn from his RAF Log-book. I've then cross-referenced to historical events that occured in the European and African campaigns.
Max was born John Maxwell Wauchope Lloyd, on the 21st of May 1920, in King's Norton, Edgbaston.
He attended King Edward Grammar School in Camp Hill, Birmingham.
He joined the Departmental Clerical Class of the War Department, in October 1937.
Max joined the RAFVR on the 8th of August 1940. His service numbers were 1177131 / 139274.
His initial training began in Cambridge with ‘1-ITW’.
Max (1st on the left) with fellow cadets © Lloyd family”
He was then posted to ETFS at Meir (near Stoke on Trent.)
There, he flew the Magister trainer aircraft. From entries in his Log book, it looks like his first solo flight was on the 19th of March,1941
On the 19th of April 41, he moved to Tern Hill with 5 FTS. There, in May 1941, he moved onto the ‘Master’ training aircraft and in the same month, had his first flight in a ‘Hawker Hurricane’.On the 5th of August 1941 Max was posted to ‘58 OTU’ (Operational Training Unit) which was based at Grangemouth. There he trained on the Master and flew Spitfires for the first time. He did his first solo flight in a Spit, on the 8th of August 1941,
exactly a year after joining the RAFVR
No 124 Squadron -Baroda
On the 16th of September 1941, he joined his first, provisional, operational Squadron, No 124 (Baroda). They were equipped with the Spitfire Mk 1. The Squadron was based at RAF Castledown and its primary role was to provide air defence to 'Scapa Flow' and the Royal Navy's North Atlantic fleet.
41 Squadron
On the 24 September 1941, he transferred to Squadron 41. They were equipped with the Spitfire ‘Vb’
During his year with the squadron, Max spent an intensive period of offensive activity over France. As well as interceptive scrambles, the squadron also flew escort cover for RAF medium bombers, carried out several convoy patrols and even provided escort for commando raids, such as one carried out on Boulogne on the 4th of June 1942. On the 24th of June he flew as section leader for the first time.
One of the actions he took part in, whist with the squadron, was the ill-fated Canadian landings at
Dieppe (Operation Jubilee) on 19 August 1942, completing three Squadron-strength missions over the beaches. The pilots returned from the third without the Commanding Officer, who was hit by Flak and killed; he was the Squadron’s only casualty that day.
Max, 1st left, top row, with his B flight comrades, Sqn 41,- 1941-“© Lloyd family”
229 Squadron
Max had hoped for service overseas and by September 1942 he got his wish.
He transferred to 229 Squadron, in Malta. They were equipped with the Spitfires ‘Vc’ and ‘Vb's.
When he first joined, the squadron was part of the Islands defence, having to scramble to intercept bombing attacks, mainly from ME109s, Junkers 88s and Italian Macchi-200 bombers. They would also provide air cover, over the Mediterranean, for the allied convoys.
Spitfire 'Vb’ of 229 Sqn at Qrendi, Malta 1943
Max preparing for take-off, Malta 1943 - “© Lloyd family”.
However by December 42, the island’s forces were able to go on the offensive. Initially Max and his flight carried out offensive recco’s and escorted RAF bombers, such as the Beaufighter, to and from Sicily and the Italian mainland.
In December 1942, 229 Squadron were transferred to Qrendi airfield and given the specific task of "working out" and designing a way to use the Spitfire as a dive bomber. As a result Max and his fellow 229 Sqn pilots were the first to use the Spitfire as a Dive- Bomber, carrying out fighter-bomber operations mainly over Sicily.
It would carry out its own armed offensive sweeps. It participated in the closing stages of the island's air battles, carrying out fighter-bomber operations over Sicily prior to and during, the Allied landings on the island.
Max holding an elevator after lucky escape following a raid on Pantelerra, 13th of April 1943 -“© Lloyd family”.
Max, Malta 1943 - “© Lloyd family”.
On the 7th of May 1943, Max flew his final sortie for the squadron.
He returned to Blighty, in a DC47. The journey took 5 days, via, Biskra, Tunisia and RAF Gibraltar and was just as dangerous as his squadron’s sorties. He was back home on the 18th of May 43.
On the 3rd of June 43, he was transferred to No 59 O.T.U. at Milfield, and began training for his new forthcoming role within the European campaign, which of course included the D-Day landings. His training was intense and spanned nearly 4 months.
It was specialist training, in that it focused on the skills required to carry out ‘air to ground’ attacks, a role that was considered the most dangerous role a fighter aircraft crew had to undertake during the second world war.
The various aircraft he flew during his training, included the Typhoon IB, Martinet, the Master III, Spitfire II-a and the Hurricane Mk I.
The training included a spell at the Central Gunnery School at Sutton Bridge- from the 1st of August 1943. During those few months training, he himself qualified as an instructor.
On the 19th of August 1943 he was assigned to‘X’ Sqn at 59 OTU, at Brunton, where he took up his role as a fighter-bomber pilot instructor, up until he was called to join 65 Sqn
No 65 Squadron, (East India Sqn)
Photo published during the war and found on IWM site, with the caption "Pilots line up for a haircut while waiting on standby near the No. 122 Wing Operations Room at Martragny, Normandy. In the chair is Flying Officer J. M. W. Lloyd of No. 65 Squadron RAF".
He joined the Squadron on the 26th of January 1944, then based in Gravesend. The Squadron was the first RAF squadron to be equipped with the P-51 Mustang Mark III, in December 43 (transitioned to Mustang IV- February, 1945)
The squadron had joined the Second Tactical Air Force, the RAF's contribution to the close air support forces required for the upcoming invasion of Europe.
In the months before D-Day, Max with his Squadron, took part in the intensive air war against German targets all across France. They also
escorted bombers, over France and often well into Germany. With external fuel tanks, it could accompany the bombers, such as Fortresses and Liberators all the way to Germany and back. His log-book shows that they were able to fly to within 100 miles of Berlin.
-“© Lloyd family”.
Max-1st left, front row, recent research by Mr Steve Brooking suggests this photo was taken at the "Central Gunnery School", Sutton bridge
August/September 1943. (unfortunately, no details known about the American pilot, shown).
From D-day onwards, he flew "armed recce’s" almost every day, frequently twice a day for nearly 3 months. From the start he and his squadron carried out ops over Normandy. The Mustang was deemed a better ground attack aircraft than the Spitfire, allowing it to linger for longer over the battlefield.
On the 17th of June 1944, Max led the Squadron, (on ops) for the first time.
Just 19 days after D-Day, i.e. on the 25 of June 44, Max and his squadron moved to Normandy, becoming one of the earliest RAF squadrons to do so. They were so close to the front line, they were often shelled by the German artillery .
Forming part of a mobile wing that bombed and shot-up bridges, enemy armour, transport, troops, barges and trains, No. 65 was credited with having destroyed 1,000 armoured vehicles in two months.
Around this time, one of the touching sub-plots during those months, was what happened to the aircraft that was assigned to him. Max’s plane number was YT-P, His log book showed that on 3 occasions, whilst he was on a 48 hour pass or on other duties, his ‘P’ (as he fondly described it) was flown by other pilots and on those days, one pilot was shot down, one crash-landed and the 3rd pilot was, at that time presumed drowned but who later was found to have survived.
One gets a sense that from Max’s short, but poignant, entries in his log book that he found this a quite fateful turn of events.
Above -Max with his Mustang Mk III - ‘P’ 65 sqn “© Lloyd family”.
In September 1944 the Squadron were moved to Brussels, and took part in “Operation Market Garden” up until 28th of September 1944 . Max flew several sorties over Arnhem itself. The squadron then returned to Matlaske, in East Anglia and flew support to the RAF’s heavy bombers 'daylight' raids.
On the 14th of January 45, Max and the Squadron moved to Peterhead to begin Operations over Norway.
This little known campaign, relative to, for example, D-Day and the Battle of Britain, came to ahead at the tail end of 1944 and early 45. The squadron was one that supported the Bristol Beaufort squadrons. They were tasked with attacking German shipping using the Norwegian Fjords; a very dangerous task with many losses and dangerous low level flights required across the North sea.
WRECKAGE OF "YT=P " FOUND IN NORWAY
Max’s last “P” was flown by a 65 sqn comrade, which was shot down (pilot survived) was found in a fjord with an interesting human tale relating to the pilot, Gordon Watt – SEE ATTACHED LINK TO A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE -With incredible photo believed to be Max in April 45
On the 24th of March, Max received news of his award of the DFC. On the same day he flew his first ops with the Mustang mark IV which he continued to do throughout the remainder of his time with the squadron. he flew his last front-line ops on the 5/4/1945.
61 OTU
On the 14th of May 1945, Max transferred to 61 O.T.U. at Rednal, where he completed his war time duties as Pilot Trainer/ Instructor, and as Officer Commanding 2-Squadron, 61 OTU.
From July 1947, Max continued as a pilot reservist until 1955.
RANK HISTORY
Flight Sergeant = Sept 1942 ; Pilot Officer = 31/12/42 ; Flying Officer = 19/9/43
Flight Lieutenant = 31/12/44
CONFIRMED
1 DEST Ju52, 19 April 1943(*now thought to be a Savoia Mrarchetti SM82 - following contact from Alessandro Pontellini, g/son of crew member, Elio, of said aircraft) : 2 Dam Me109s, 14 Jun 1944; 1DEST Me109, 27 Jun 1944;1 Dam Me109, 26 Sep 1944
1 DEST Me, 109 5 April 1945.
AIRCRAFT FLOWN--Magister, Master I, Master III, Spitfire I, Spitfire II, SpitfireVA, Spitfire VB, Hurricane IA, Spitfire VC, Typhoon IB, Hurricane IC, Martinet, Mustang III, Mustang IV, Spitfire XIV, Spitfire XVI, Auster, Harvard, Tiger Moth, Percival Prentice
Max's DFC “© Lloyd family”. & Max's Campaign medals & ribbons “© Lloyd family”.
Vivien, Wendy and Elizabeth at the 95th anniversary of Squadron 41 at RAF Coningsby on the 23rd of Sept 2011
Judy at the RAF museum, Malta, Feb/March 2012
Max’s daughters. L to R- Vivien, Wendy, Elizabeth and Judy
Following contact from French historian, Fabrice Dhollande, via this site, Max's daughters were invited to attend a memorial service at Ellon Calvados in 2014, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day and the Normandy campaign. Ellon was the main airfield where 65 squadron were based, during the Normandy campaign.
Following contact from French historian, Fabrice Dhollande, via this site, Max's daughters were invited to attend a memorial service at Ellon Calvados in 2014, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day and the Normandy campaign. Ellon was the main airfield where 65 squadron were based, during the Normandy campaign.
Wendy greeted by Mayor of Ellon (Fabrice here on her right)
Memorial at Ellon on 70th anniversary-commemoration of D-Day
Max's name shown on memorial
Australian veteran pilots at the 70th anniversary- commemoration, at Ellon
Wendy, Elizabeth and Vivien, pictured remembrance service in 2014, in front of the amazing memorial, built by the local community in gratitude to all the pilots of the 3 squadrons of the 122 wing, attached to TAF2 RAF & who were based at Ellon during the Normandy campaign
Links to other siteswith referances to Max's RAF service records-
volume 1 & 2 re:- 41 Squadron 1942 - 1945 by Mr Seve Brew available from the 15/12/2012 http://brew.clients.ch/BSV.htm
Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve) (RAF(VR)) Officers
http://www.unithistories.com/officers/RAFVR_officers_L01.html
MEMORIAL AT ELLON CALVADOS, NORMANDY, TO 122 WING:-
http://www.aerosteles.net/fiche.php?code=ellon-b12
DGL
Big thanks to Richard Evans, tech support !, Steve Brew, Fabrice Dhollande (Normandy historian-Rouen) Emmanuel Muscat (Malta-Krendi historian) and Steve Brooking.
Contact Details
Name :Gareth Lewis
E-mail :6arethlewis@gmail.com or garethlew1s@hotmail.com
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