Page 8 - G.H. Markes and Crew

This crew initially joined 550 Squadron based at RAF North Killingholme between
Scunthorpe and Grimsby. Completing 20 Main Force operations until the crew were
selected to join the reformed 150 Squadron. This Squadron had undertaken sterling
work as part of the British Advanced Air Striking Force in France during 1939 – 40.
The Squadron transferred to the North African campaign in December 1942,
disbanded and reformed back in the UK as a Main Force squadron within
No.1 Group in November 1944.

150 Squadron were initially based at Fiskerton. No.1 Group Headquarters at Bawtry
near Doncaster decided the Squadron would move to RAF Hemswell and share this
airfield with 170 Squadron. This crew flew three operations from Fiskerton, all in
st
Lancaster NG264 - IQ-B (Baker). The crews first operation from Fiskerton (their 21 )
was on the evening of 16 November 1944 to Duren, 22 operation on the 18 th
nd
th
rd
November 1944 to Wanne Eickel and the 23 operation on the 21 November 1944
st
to Aschaffenburg.
The crew then moved over to Hemswell and completed their tour of 36 operations on
st
the 1 March 1945 and were then screened from further operational duties.
Gordon Markes, the crews pilot after some we earned leave moved just a few miles
south to RAF Scampton, home to 1687 (Bomber Defence) Training Flight. Gordon,
having converted to the Supermarine Spitfire would, flying the Spitfire engage the
new bomber crews being trained up at No.1 Groups Heavy Conversion Units in
simulated attacks on the crews bomber. Thus showing the attack methods employed
by Luftwaffe pilots. It would appear that Gordon was actually based at Hemswell
flying his spitfire from this airfield. It is possible there was no accommodation for
Gordon at Scampton, he therefore being given permission to operate from
Hemswell. He was reprimanded for ʻbeating upʼ the airfield at Hemswell in his Spitfire
and doing acrobatics on VE day, thus preventing him from being promoted to Flight
Lieutenant. This misdemeanour was forgotten as he did eventually achieve this rank.