Last updated on
10 June, 2009
|
| Reference | AIR20/8469 | ||
| Name of operation | MAGDALEN (completed) | Date of operation | 7-8 Nov 1943 |
| Aircraft | Lysander | Squadron | 161 Squadron, RAF |
| Based at | RAF Tangmere, Sussex, UK | Pilot(s) | F/O McCairns |
| Personnel In | 4 | Packages In | - |
| Personnel Out | 1 | Packages Out | 9 |
| Area | Compiègne | Pinpoint | 49° 29' 15'' N / 03° 11' 10'' E |
| Recognition signal | "B" | Answering signal | "K" |
| Takeoff | 21:15 | Landing | 23:00 |
| Time on ground | 5 minutes | ||
| Takeoff | 23:05 | Landing | 00:30 |
[Note: this information was copied from the original typed report filed under reference AIR20/8469 held in the UK National Archives]
Meteorological report
Thick cloud over the French coast up to 6500'. Clearing 30 miles inland giving excellent conditions.Enemy opposition
None.Report by pilot
The French coast was completely obscured by cloud and the first pinpoint I recognised was Compiègne. At 2330 hrs. I set course for the field and passed over it without receiving a signal. Discovered my overshoot and returned to the field - this time I received a feeble signal, acknowledged it and two lamps of the flarepath were lit. As there was a car in the immediate neighbourhood I investigated the field and then landed. The agent told me I had landed off the flarepath; only lamp C was working. The ground was soft and undulating but absolutely safe.
Signed by J.A.McCairns, F/O
Remarks by OC/A Flight 161 Squadron
We are not satisfied with Captain Martin's conduct of operations, on little points, and I have asked him to be brought home for refresher training.
Signed by H.B.Verity, S/L
[Note: the following remarks were found in the handwritten report, but were not included in the official(?) typed report]
"His [Captain Martin's] training was compressed into a very short time, as a supernumerary pupil. As he is a Belgian Air Force officer, and seemed to have absorbed the training, we passed him out on a short course.
In operation "Brasenose" he allowed me to land on a narrow strip of stubble between two haystacks, on a field which had been 9/10ths ploughed up. The flarepath was up much too steep a slope.
In operation "Magdalen" he came to the field with only three torches, whereas he should have a minimum of four plus two spares. When one failed he left "C" lit and "B" out, whereas he should have changed them over to give the true landing direction. He failed to signal until McCairns was circling the field, whereas he should signal on first hearing the aircraft.
Captain Martin is such a sound and conscientious officer, who is doing such valuable work in helping evaders, that I hope his case will be handled tactfully, so that he will not suffer from any lowering of morale, or think he is in any way in disgrace."Signed by H.B.Verity, S/L
Remarks by OC 161 Squadron
Martin is now on a refresher course.
Signed by L.M.Hodges, W/Cdr