Lancaster ME699

Lancaster ME699

A little real research - My Dad's story - Bob Routledge - Bill Young - July 1944, France - 44 Squadron
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Bob Routledge's Log Book

One of the most treasured possessions of Bob Routledge's family is his flying log book from his career with the RAF during WWII.

It covers his time from initial training as an Air Gunner which commenced on the 17th June 1943 through all his various training courses to his operational career with 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron from March 1944 to August 1944 and then on as an Air Gunnery instructor until his release from the RAF in July 1945.

With the permission of the Routledge family I have scanned the pages of the book and they can be found indexed below.

Instructions on the use of the book and certificates of qualification (Air Gunner and Air Gunner Instructor)

Results of Ab Initio Gunnery Course

Flying training commences

Flying record from 18/7/43 to 27/7/43 - Botha aircraft, various pilots, various gunnery exercises

Flying record from 27/7/43 to 23/8/43 - Completion of gunnery course and signoff, posting to 82 OTU

Flying record from 13/9/43 to 27/9/43 - 82 OTU flying with F Sgt Young on Wellingtons and September 45 summary

Flying record from 1/10/43 to 21/10/43 - 82 OTU flying with F Sgt Young on Wellingtons

Flying record from 21/10/43 to 19/11/43 - 82 OTU flying with F Sgt Young on Wellingtons and Course summary

82 OTU summary: 105 hours total flying time, 51.20 hours daylight, 53.40 hours night, signed by OC 82 OTU

Flying record from 7/2/44 to 29/2/44 - 1657 Conversion Unit, Stradishall, flying with F Sgt Young on Sterlings

1657 Conversion Flight summary: 34.30 hours total flying time, 18.15 hours daylight, 13.15 hours night, signed by OC 1657 CF

Flying record from 7/3/44 to 14/3/44 - 5 Lancaster Finishing School, flying with F Sgt Young on Lancasters and course summary

Training ends: posted to 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron

Flying record from 27/3/44 to 30/3/44 - 44 Squadron, flying with F Sgt Young - includes first op, Nuremberg

Flying record from 1/4/44 to 18/4/44 - 44 Squadron, flying with F Sgt Young - includes four ops

Flying record 30/4/44 - 44 Squadron, flying with F Sgt Young - Summary for April 44 signed by OC B Flight and OC 44 Squadron

Flying record from 1/5/44 to 11/5/44 - 44 Squadron, flying with F Sgt Young - includes four ops

Flying record from 11/5/44 to 27/5/44 - 44 Squadron, flying with PO Young - includes four ops

Flying record from 27/5/44 to 31/5/44 - 44 Squadron, flying with PO Young - includes two ops - Summary for May 44 unsigned

Flying record from 2/6/44 to 22/6/44 - 44 Squadron, flying with PO Young - includes three ops

Flying record from 23/6/44 to 27/6/44 - 44 Squadron, flying with PO Young - includes two ops - Summary for June 44 unsigned

Missing - PO Young is missing 5/7/44 - in another mans handwriting, presumably entered when it was believed Bob was also missing

Flying record from 4/7/44 to 31/7/44 - 44 Squadron, flying with Young, Boswell and Davey - includes four ops - Summary for July 44 signed by OC B flight

Flying record from 1/8/44 to 10/8/44 - 44 Squadron, flying with FO Davey - includes seven ops

Flying record from 11/8/44 to 14/8/44 - 44 Squadron, flying with FO Davey - includes three ops - Summary for 44 Squadron signed by OC A Flight

End of Operational Tour!

Flying record from 11/9/44 to 29/9/44 - No. 1 AAS Manby

Flying record for 29/9/44 - No. 1 AAS Manby - Summary for course signed by OC

Flying record from 9/2/45 to 26/2/45 - No. 11 AGS RAF Andreas, I.O.M.

Flying record from 2/3/45 to 31/3/45 - No. 11 AGS RAF Andreas, I.O.M.

Flying record from 5/4/45 to 24/4/45 - No. 11 AGS RAF Andreas, I.O.M.

Flying record for 29/4/45 - No. 11 AGS RAF Andreas, I.O.M.

Flying record from 3/5/45 to 12/5/45 - No. 11 AGS RAF Andreas, I.O.M. - includes note of VE Day, 9th May 1945

Flying record for 12/5/45 - No. 11 AGS RAF Andreas, I.O.M.

Flying record from 12/6/45 to 23/6/45 - No. 11 AGS RAF Andreas, I.O.M.

Flying record from 23/6/45 to 30/6/45 - No. 11 AGS RAF Andreas, I.O.M.

Flying record from 2/7/45 to 13/7/45 - No. 11 AGS RAF Andreas, I.O.M.

Flying record for 14/7/45 - No. 11 AGS RAF Andreas, I.O.M.

End of the Flying record

Proficiency Assessments - No. 82 OTU

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