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RAF Years
See also these links - Battle of Britain
Personal
History of Squadron Leader William John Johnson
mostly referred to
as Johnny Johnson but by his mother’s family as Jack Johnson and by the early
RAF as Bill Johnson so as not to be confused with the other Johnnie Johnson
World War 2 (WW2) veteran fighting mostly in spitfires and hurricanes. Obtained DFC and bar and the Malta cross.
I would like to contact anybody who knew him in the RAF especially anybody who knows where his logbook is likely to be or where his medals are! I would also like to find any article written about him. Please email me - click here
Here is a brief history of the RAF by date
Apr 1939 Joined RAF Volunteer Reserves as pilot under training at Sywell. -
1 Sep 1939 Mobilised. U/T pilot RAF Volunteer Reserves
1939 - 1959 Qualified on aircraft including Hurricane, Spitfire, Typhoon, Tempest, Vampire, Meteor, Saber, Hunter, Dove. 2800 hours flying time as pilot including over 800 hours on jets and 150 hours on Doves. RAF Squadron Leader Fighter Command number 115410, twice shot down. His bravery were recognised and he was awarded the DFC and Bar.
26 Dec 1940 Managed time off to get married to Pamela Joyce Turner
Jul 1940 - Jun 1942 - NCO Fighter pilot.
1940-41 Fighter Pilot on Hurricanes and Spitfires.
Sep 1940 Flying Hurricanes.
30 Jan 1942 Angela was born in
Jan 1942 Commissioned - Twice Flight Commander, Three times squadron commander, two periods of operational instruction giving flying instruction and lecturing on operational tactics and other allied subjects. Latter period as Chief Flying Instructor.
Jun - Aug 1942
Flight and Squadron Commander in
1943 Officer Commanding RAF in Scilly Isles - Hurricanes.
20 May 1943 Alan was born in
1943-45 Squadron Commander - Rocket firing Typhoons at home and on the continent.
21 Oct 1944 Total of 5 enemy aircraft destroyed. 64 dive bombing on flying bomb sites in northern France (near Bayeux).
6 Oct 1944 'Northampton Echo newspaper' tells of W J Johnson's attack on tanks on a farm in Holland.
1944-5 One of the first pilots to be offered a permanent Commission after the war. France and Germany.
1945 Chief Flying Instructor ground attack O?? Training Unit.
1947 Chatham House Current Affairs Course full time.
1948 Germany.
1948 Gunnery Instructor in Air-to-Air Firing.
1949-50
Flight Commander of Ground Attack Squadron
in
1950 Part time study for RAF promotion examination and passed Staff College qualifying exam.
??? Chief Instructor at Day Fighter Leader School.
1 Jan 1954
Promoted to Squadron Leader No 74 Squadron, RAF Horsham St. Faith, Norfolk.
- Squadron Commander of Meteor Flight Squadron
20 Jun 1955 Congratulations on recent formation flying from Air Vice Marshall W J Crisham CB CBE (who also washed out the formation landing due to its dangers).
Jan 1956 - Jun 1958 - NATO HQ Planning training exercises in atomic procedures
1956-7
Local French language tests
Morris Oxford hit by a French lorry driver in Fontainbleau.
16 Sep 1957 Premature retirement refused.
From “Aces High”
JOHNSON, William John, joined '45 Squadron as a Sgt. in 1940. On 26 January 1941 he destroyed a Bf 109F. He was later commissioned, and in early 1942 served as a P0 in 611 Squadron. In April he was posted to Malta, where he joined 126 Squadron, destroying four more enemy aircraft at least, and became a flight commander. He got two Macchi 202s on 14 August 1942, and probably destroyed a Bf 109 on 5 October. He received a DFC in December, and returned to the United Kingdom. After a rest from operations, he was posted to command 257 Squadron in July 1944, and led this unit on ground-attack duties with Typhoons, receiving a Bar to his DFC in October 1944. His final score was at least 5.
From “Malta: The Spitfire Year 1942”
Suddenly, at 1515, on the scene came four Spitfires of 126 Squadron which were escorting the captured Cant floatplane, flown by Wg.Cdr. Satchell, still searching for the missing Beaufighter crew, Jay and McFarlane. Spotting the unsuspecting Italian fighters beneath them - and taking them to be Macchis -Flt.Lt. Bill Johnson (BR31I) and Sgt. Bill Marshall (BP860) undertook a perfect bounce, shooting all three down into the sea; two fell to Johnson's fire - his 4th and 5th victories - the other to his Canadian No 2; Pocek would later be rescued by a Do24T of Seenotst 6, while Scarpetta - the second commanding officer to be lost by the unit in little more than a month, was subsequently posthumously awarded a Medaglia d'Oro. Johnson recorded:
'1 was leading Dumbell Yellow
Section escorting the Cant Out towards Linosa. Just north of Linosa I saw the
enemy approaching. They immediately turned round and made off towards
Pantelleria. I gave chase with my No 2 after telling Yellow 3 and 4 to stay
with the Cant. The enemy made no evasive action until we were almost on top of
them, and then the Macchis turned left. I attacked the centre one. They were in
line astern. Attacked from port quarter and gave it a burst. I saw the hood
come off and the pilot bale Out (almost certainly Ten. Pocek). I saw my No 2
firing at the first Macchi probably Magg. Scarpetta). which went straight into
the sea. I turned round into the third Macchi and gave it a burst, and saw
strikes on the wings and fuselage. It turned away streaming oil and climbing,
so I climbed right up underneath him and gave him a burst, and he immediately
rolled over and went into the sea. The pilot did not bale out.
From EBay!
British Fighter Ace of the
Second World War, Sqdn Ldr William John Johnson has personally signed this
autograph card and comes together with this black and white photograph of
himself. Johnson joined the RAF in May 1939 and was posted to 85 Sqdn in 1940
(September). In October he was posted to 145 Sqdn gaining his first success in
June 1941 on one of the early cross-channel sweeps. On April 1, he was sent to
RAF History (Typed from Dad’s handwritten notes with some bits torn
and missing - see ……)
754371
Sgt W.J.Johnson 115410 Sqn Ldr
May
1939 Joiner RAFVR in
Oct
1941 A.D.J. (Tony)
Lovell assumed command from Stan Turner.
9 May
1942 No air tests! but
all Spits flown off Eagle & USS Wash to
9 May
1943 Posted to command
1449 Flight, Scilly Isles - Hurricanes
Nov 45
to Jan 48 Permanent commission
promulgated and posted to Air Ministry.
Mar
1948 Flt Cdr 33 Sqn
Tempest IIs,
29.11.53
to 23.1.56 Posted to command No 74 Sqn
Horsham St. Faith
The
following comments on events outlined in the text in which I have personal
interest are offered for cross checking, disregard if the detail is not of
sufficient matter or memory of 50 years ago is faulty!
Page
42 and 43
1.
In July 1940, I was
with 8 FTS Montrose. I think 145 Sqn at this time had a Flight at Montrose and
the other at Dress.
2.
I joined 145 at
Tangmere in Oct 1940 - we had Hurricanes until Mid January 1941 when Spitfire I
were received for training and Spitfire IIs were not available until late Feb
when Squadron again became operational. During this short re-equipment the
squadron remained at Tangmere where we stayed, or at Merston, the satellite to
Tangmere. The Spit Vs arrived in early July 1941, about two weeks before we
moved to Catterick on ‘rest’. There was no move south in early 1941, we were
already there! - as part of the Tangmere Wing soon to be led by D R S Bader.
Page
45
3.
197 Squadron - I was
with 197 from Nov 43 until I was posted to command 257 - and later as Wg Co
Planning? 84 GOC - at no time di 197 have R/P, only bombs. This is also true of
other Squadrons in 146 Wing. i.e. 193, 266 and 486. I took Fairwld? Common then
No 18 Armament Practice Camp? on
4.
The above is also
relevant to 257 Sqn on P.50 and 266 Sqn on P.52
5.
No 193 on P.45? - I
knew them on 146 Wing
6.
Page 255. Larry
Robilland was flying with 145 (on 2 Jun 1941) when he was shot down over
France. He evaded capture and returned to UK to rejoin the Sqn at Catterick 31
Aug 1941. He was successful on 2 Jun 1941 when he was shot down, and the DFM
recognised this and getting back to the squadron.
7.
Page 276 - Barry
Sutton, with whom I shared a desk & played cricket at school in
Northampton, wrote ‘Way of a pilot’ and ‘Burma Pilot’
8.
Boby Yale, Page 305
- While Wg Co Flying at Wattisham, was killed when in collision with another
meteor in the formation.
Record
of Service
|
Unit |
From |
To |
|
RAFVR Sywell |
23 Apr 39 |
15 Sep 39 |
|
3. ITW St Leonards |
15 Sep 39 |
25 Mar 40 |
|
5. EFTS Hanworth |
25 Mar 40 |
25 May 40 |
|
10. EFTS Latesbury |
25 May 40 |
7 Jun 40 |
|
8. ITS Montrose |
7 Jun 40 |
29 Aug 40 |
|
5. OUT Aston Down |
29 Aug 40 |
14 Sep 40 |
|
85 Sqdn Church Fenton |
16 Apr 40 |
16 Oct 40 |
|
145 Sqdn Tangmere |
17 Oct 40 |
7 May 41 |
|
145 Sqdn Merston |
7 May 41 |
28 Jul 41 |
|
145 Sqdn Caterick |
29 Jul 41 |
5 Jan 42 |
|
611 Sqdn Drem? |
6 Jan 42 |
1 Apr 42 |
|
P.D.C. West Kirby |
2 Apr 42 |
13 Apr 42 |
|
H.M.S. Charibdis? at Sea |
13 Apr 42 |
18 Apr 42 |
|
R.A.F. Gibraltar |
18 Apr 42 |
7 May 42 |
|
H.M.S. Eagle in Medtn. |
7 May 42 |
9 May 42 |
|
126 Sqdn Luqa Malta |
9 May 42 |
29 Jun 42 |
|
Attached H.M.S. Eagle |
30 Jun 42 |
15 Jul 42 |
|
126 Sqdn Luqa Malta |
15 Jul 42 |
18 Aug 42 |
|
Gibraltar in Transit |
19 Aug 42 |
21 Aug 42 |
|
Attached Wilmslow on Leave |
21 Aug 42 |
15 Sep 42 |
|
No 56 O.T.U. Tealing |
16 Sep 42 |
28 Oct 42 |
|
Attached F.I.S. Hullavington |
28 Oct 42 |
2 Dec 42 |
|
No. 56 O.T.U. Tealing |
8 Dec 42 |
9 May 43 |
|
1449 Flight Scilly Isles |
9 May 43 |
17 Nov 43 |
|
197 Squdn Tangmere |
17 Nov 43 |
16 Mar 44 |
|
197 Sqdn Manston |
16 Mar 44 |
1 Apr 44 |
|
197 Sqdn Tangmere |
1 Apr 44 |
10 Apr 44 |
|
197 Sqdn Needs Oar Pt |
10 Apr 44 |
25 Apr 44 |
|
Attached Fighter Leader School
Millfield |
25 Apr 44 |
12 May 44 |
|
197 Sqdn Needs Oar Point |
12 May 44 |
3 Jul 44 |
|
197 Sqdn Hurn |
3 Jul 44 |
17 Jul 44 |
|
197 Sqdn St. Croix B.3. France |
17 Jul 44 |
18 Jul 44 |
|
257 Sqdn St. Croix |
19 Jul 44 |
11 Aug 44 |
|
257 Sqdn Fairwood Common |
11 Aug 44 |
30 Aug 44 |
|
257 Sqdn St. Croix |
30 Aug 44 |
4 Sep 44 |
|
257 Sqdn Manston |
4 Sep 44 |
6 Sep 44 |
|
257 Sqdn B23. Thierville |
6 Sep 44 |
8 Sep 44 |
|
257 Sqdn Bradwell Bay/Tangmere/Manston |
8 Sep 44 |
11 Sep 44 |
|
257 Sqdn Lille-Vendeville |
11 Sep 44 |
1 Oct 44 |
|
257 Sqdn Antwerp Deurne |
1 Oct 44 |
15 Oct 44 |
|
9. P.T.C. Uxbridge (on Leave) |
15 Oct 44 |
15 Nov 44 |
|
H.Q.84 Group Main Breda Holland |
15 Nov 44 |
12 Dec 44 |
|
H.Q. 84 Group Main Tilburg |
12 Dec 44 |
19 Dec 44 |
|
No. 84 G.C.C. Turnhout |
19 Dec 44 |
5 Jan 45 |
|
No 56 O.T.U. Milfield |
7 Jan 45 |
13 Aug 45 |
|
No. 1335 Flt. Molesworth |
14 Aug 45 |
21 Aug 45 |
|
No. 56 O.T.U. Milfield |
22 Aug 45 |
28 Sep 45 |
|
631 Sqdn Llanbedr |
28 Sep 45 |
15 Nov 45 |
|
Air Ministry (OP4? OD4?) |
19 Nov 45 |
19 Jan 48 |
|
No. 1 PRFU Finningley |
19 Jan 48 |
|
|
C.G.S. Leconfield |
|
|
|
Gutesloh - B.A.F.O. |
|
|
|
33 Sqdn - Gutesloh |
|
|
|
33 Sqdn H.M.S. Ocean |
|
|
|
33 Sqdn Changi |
|
|
|
33 Sqdn Butterworth |
|
|
|
33 Sqdn Changi |
|
|
|
33 Sqdn |
|
|
|
33 Sqdn Changi |
|
|
|
33 Sqdn Tengah |
|
30 May 50 |
|
33 Sqdn Butterworth |
30 May 50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
229 O.C.U. Leuchars |
|
|
|
54 Sqdn Odiham |
|
|
|
602 (RAAF) Sqdn Renfrew |
|
|
|
602 (RAAF) Sqdn Leuchars |
|
|
|
605 (RAAF) Sqdn Horsham |
|
|
|
605 (RAAF) Sqdn Honiley |
|
|
|
CFE |
1 Aug 51 |
29 Nov 53 |
|
74 Sqdn Horsham St. Faith |
29 Nov 53 |
23 Jan 56 |
|
NATO OPG Fontainebleu |
24 Jan 56 |
58 |
|
Air Ministry (D Acc Prev) |
58 |
Jan 59 |
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