Flying Officer William Gerald Phelan DFC – Base 61

Flying Officer William Gerald Phelan DFC

Posted to Base 61 on 10 March 1944 for additional training.

Notes on Base 61 (click on the link below)

Airfield Topcliffe

Excerpt

RAF Topcliffe was created in 1940, as a turf airfield. Two RAF Squadrons operated from the airfield with Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley bomber aircraft, from September 1940 to late 1941.

Hard surface runways were built during the winter of 1941-42; the main runway 03-21 of 6,000 feet, and secondary runways 09-27 and 13-31 of just over 4,000 feet in length. A perimeter track was created, with 37 pan ‘hardstands’.

For several months in early 1942 RAF Squadron No. 102 flew on Operations out of the improved facilities at Topcliffe, but in August of 1942, RCAF Squadron No. 405 was transferred to the Air Station – although still under No.4 Group RAF Bomber Command. For a very short time RCAF Squadron No. 419 also occupied the Topcliffe airfield before being transferred to Leeming Air Station. No. 405 Squadron was moved out in October 1943, and a new RCAF Squadron, No. 424, with ‘Wellington’ Mk.III aircraft was formed at Topcliffe late in October 1942, just as No. 6 (RCAF) Group, Bomber Command was formed.

Designated an Operational Base, No. 6 (RCAF) Group on March 1st, 1943 – controlling RCAF Topcliffe, and sub-stations at Dishforth and Dalton, Yorks. RCAF Squadrons No. 419 and No. 424 were based at Topcliffe from August 1942 to March 1943 on Operations.