83 Squadron
Maker and role
Llewelyn Jone, Photographer
Production date
1941
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
11-1533
Maker
Description
Image taken in January 1941 of no. 83 Squadron (six rows of men, two seated, four standing) with three Hampdens behind the group. The noses and parts of the propellers can be seen behind the group. According to the caption Neil Svendsen (NZ) is not present as he had just completed a tour of operations and posted to No. 14 O.T.U, Cottesmore. Two winners of the 'Victoria Cross' are in this photo - Wing Commander 'Babe' Learoyd, Squadron C.O. is in the second row seated 20th from the left. Sargent J. Hannah is seated in the front row, 20th from left. At the top and in the centre is a squadron badge with the words: Bomber Squadron Royal Air Force Strike to defend.
Marks
No. 83 Squadron (Hampdens), January 1941. Neil Svendsen (NZ) is not present as he had just completed a tour of operations and posted to No. 14 O.T.U, Cottesmore. Two winners of the 'Victoria Cross' are in this photo - Wg Cdr 'Babe' Learoyd, Squadron C.O. is in the second row seated 20th from the left. Sgt. J. Hannah is seated in the front row, 20th from left. Caption
Letter dated 13 July 1987 stuck to backing. From Neil Svendsen to Bill. The text reads: 14 Hartfield Rise,
Papakura
13 July 1987
Dear Bill,
The enclosed photo was sent to me by F/Lt Julian Badcock who was quite happy for me to present it for display with the Lancaster. He was on lave when the photo was taken while I was on posting to 14 O T U Cottesmore after a tour of ops.
In the second row seated 20th from the left is the squadron C.O. W/Co Babe Leroyd V.C. while 20th from the left seated in the front row is Sgt Hannah V.C.
W/Co Leroyd won his V.C. during a low level night attack in the Dortmund Ems canal. His attack was successful and he managed to return to Scampton with his Hampton about shot to pieces. Sgt Hannah won his V.C. during an attack on invasion barges at Antwerp. His aircraft was set on fire but he managed to extinguish the flames using his W/Ops log book and his bare hands. The only casualties in the aircraft were two homing pigeons burned in their cages.
83 Squadron was equipped with Hampdens at the time the photo was taken but was later transferred to Pathfinder duties and reequipped with Lancasters. Hoping this will be of interest. All the best.
Yours sincerely
Neil Svendsen Hand-written
Letter dated 13 July 1987 stuck to backing. From Neil Svendsen to Bill. The text reads: 14 Hartfield Rise,
Papakura
13 July 1987
Dear Bill,
The enclosed photo was sent to me by F/Lt Julian Badcock who was quite happy for me to present it for display with the Lancaster. He was on lave when the photo was taken while I was on posting to 14 O T U Cottesmore after a tour of ops.
In the second row seated 20th from the left is the squadron C.O. W/Co Babe Leroyd V.C. while 20th from the left seated in the front row is Sgt Hannah V.C.
W/Co Leroyd won his V.C. during a low level night attack in the Dortmund Ems canal. His attack was successful and he managed to return to Scampton with his Hampton about shot to pieces. Sgt Hannah won his V.C. during an attack on invasion barges at Antwerp. His aircraft was set on fire but he managed to extinguish the flames using his W/Ops log book and his bare hands. The only casualties in the aircraft were two homing pigeons burned in their cages.
83 Squadron was equipped with Hampdens at the time the photo was taken but was later transferred to Pathfinder duties and reequipped with Lancasters. Hoping this will be of interest. All the best.
Yours sincerely
Neil Svendsen Hand-written
Media/Materials
Physical description
1 photograph : black and white ; 28 x 61 cm.
Collection
Credit Line
Llewelyn Jone. 1941. 83 Squadron, 11-1533. Walsh Memorial Library, The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
Production place
England
Great Britain
British Isles
Europe
Great Britain
United Kingdom
Great Britain
British Isles
Europe
Great Britain
United Kingdom
Current rights
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