Bristish Aegean Squadron

5 June 2000, 02:47 PM

Long shot and I apologise if its way off remit - I'm new - I'm interested in information on 62 Wing RAF based at Mudros, 1917. Most particularly the mobile 'F' Squadron and two characters in particular BJE Belcher DFC and DF Murray DFC (Murray was, I think a Canadian). These two flew quite a number of succesful missions using a home-made bombsight fixed onto the side of their DH4 (and later a DH9). I think the use of this bit of kit was contributory to their DFCs.
Has anybody come ever come across mention of this or even a pic of a DH4 with an unidentified 'something' on the outside of the cockpit? Where's a good source of information about them and the squadron as a whole ?
Thanks in anticipation

Rod_Filan · 5 June 2000, 04:23 PM

DH4, pilot and bombsite. I wasn't aware this was another Canadian invention

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Image Archive

5 June 2000, 05:22 PM

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MURRAY, Captain David Fraser - Distinguished Flying Cross - 1 January 1919. Born 18 November 1893 in Nova Scotia; home in Victoria; attended Toronto Curtiss School in 1916 but did not receive certificate; appointed Probationary Flight Officer, Ottawa, 17 November 1916; to Crystal Palace, 17 December 1916; to Killingholme, 2 July 1917; to Calshot, 3 July 1917; for disposal to 2 Wing, 2 October 1917; at Thasos, 18 December 1917; at Imbros, 18 June 1918; at Thermi-Mitylene as of 18 September and 18 December 1918; to Headquarters, 24 December 1918; to Malta, 10 January 1919; at Repatriation Camp, 9 April 1919. No citation.

All that is currently available via http://www.airforce.ca/citations/wwi/index.htm

5 June 2000, 06:02 PM

See S.F. Wise, CANADIAN AIRMEN AND THE FIRST WORLD WAR, pp.214-215 which describes the general nature of the squadron's work, although without much detail of individual exploits.

6 June 2000, 10:02 AM

Thanks. Great pic - any further detail with it? I actually have the sight that Belcher/Murray used, with brief notes hand written on the back (the backplate is wooden). Am confident its not the one in the pic - tho' I can't make too much out. How widely were sights developed ? Was it an individual thing ?