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Flight Lieutenant Ray Harrington

Ray joined the RAF in 1941, completing his training in South Africa. In January 1944 he was posted to 603 Squadron flying Beaufighters in North Africa. Here he teamed up with navigator, Warrant Officer A.E. 'Bert' Winwood, and from where they launched attacks across the Mediterranean into Crete, Greece and the Aegean Islands against shipping, harbour installations and enemy aircraft with much success. In December 1944 they were posted to 235 Squadron Coastal Command, part of the Banff Strike Wing, converting to Mosquitos. In April 1945 they were shot down following a strike in the Kattegat, but avoided capture and with the help of the Danish resistance made it home, where they continued to fly again from Banff.

Ray Harrington during a signing session in March 2010.

Report from the Squadron Operational Record Book from the day his Mosquito was forced to belly-land in Denmark :

5th April 1945 : The Banff Strike Wing led by W/Cdr A H Simmonds DFC was airborne between 1410-1421 hrs. It comprised 13 RP aircraft of 235 Sqdn, 11 RP of 143 Sqdn, 10 RP of 248 Sqdn also 2 fighter aircraft of 333 (Capr Wenger leading) 2 of 143 Sqdn and 1 of 235 Sqdn. The Wing made R/V over Peterhead with 12 Mustangs and S/C on a Rover patrol into the KATTEGAT. T/235 returned early with failure engineer and V/235 also returned early escorting a Mustang in distress. The Danish coast was crossed in good weather 6/10 cloud at 2,500ft with vis. 15-20mls. Near ANHOLT 3 convoys were sighted. The first consisted of 1 E/V plus 5 small M/Vs on a southerly course. The second convoy of 1 M/V of approx. 1500 tons and 2 E/Vs was on a northerly course and the third of 4 small coasters in line astern was on an easterly course. An attack was made on the first of these convoys. This comprised :
(A) 1 M/V of 1200-1500 tons 3 island type.
(B) 1 Small escort vessel.
(C) 1 Coaster of 1000 tons.
(D) 1 M/V of 1500-2000 tons, 3 island type.
(E) 1 M/V of 800-1000 tons.
(F) 1 M/V of 1000-1500 tons.
M/V (A) was seen to be attacked by U/235. M/V (B) was attacked by 6 aircraft with RP and cannon, (C) was attacked by 4 aircraft with RP and cannon, (D) was attacked by 6 aircraft with RP and cannon, (E) was attacked by 3 aircraft with RP and cannon, and (F) by 7 aircraft with RP and cannon and wet and dry hits were observed on all ships. M/V (E) was seen to blow up and M/V (D) was burning furiously and seemed to be listing. (C) and (F) were both smoking heavily and down by the stern. (A) and (B) were both left smoking. 2 aircraft of 235 Sqn attacked the third vessel in line of the third convoy with RP and cannon. A large explosion was seen followed by flares and a column of smoke. U/235 (P/O Arthars and F/S Richardson) was seen to collide with the mast of a ship during the attack and broke up and dived into the sea. E/333 (Capt Wenger and Sgt Hansen) failed to return but the crew have since repatriated from Sweden. 1 aircraft believed F/235 (Harrington and Winwood) with a glycol leak was seen to make a belly landing in a field position 56 48N 08 21E.

The last aircraft mentioned in the report is that of Bert Winwood and Ray Harrington. During signatures sessions, Bert Winwood also provided us with the photgraphs of the two men lost when their aircraft collided with the mast of a ship during the raid. Below are the photos of P/O Laurie Arthars and F/S Geg Richardson.


P/O Laurie Arthars


F/S Geg Richardson

Flight Lieutenant Ray Harrington - Signed Aviation Art Prints, Paintings and Drawings

Return From Leipzig by Anthony Saunders. 8 editions. 4 of the 8 editions feature up to 2 additional signatures. £20.00 - £300.00

Text for the above items :

Return From Leipzig by Anthony Saunders. Mosquitos of 105 Squadron, Marham. No. 105 Squadron, stationed at Marham, Norfolk, became the first Royal Air Force unit to become operational flying the Mosquito B. Mk. IV bomber on 11th April 1942. The painting shows 105 Squadron on the raid of 10th April 1945, to the Wahren railway marshalling yards at Leipzig, Germany.

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