Flight Lieutenant Robert James McConnell (RJ McConnell) of the Royal Air Force.
- DOB 19th May 1913, died 9th July 1992, aged 79
- Service Number 39421
- September 1936 – joined RAF
- Trained in Coventry, Uxbridge
- Posted to Digby, Lincolnshire
- Posted to Squadron at Cranfield, Buckinghamshire. He flew with 82 Squadron, but some records also show him in 21 Squadron.
- May 1940 – shot down, badly injured. Alexandria Hospital, Portsmouth
- Shot down again five months later – taken prisoner – listed 8 different POW camps in his General Questionnaire for Ex-Prisoners of War – including Oflag XXI-B, Oflag VI-B, Stalag Luft III. He may also have been at Oflag 9A/H.
Dulag Luft, Frankfurt – 20th – 21st February 1941
Stalag Luft 1, Barth – February – September 1941
Oflag X C, Lubeck – September – October 1941
Oflag VI B, near Warburg – October 1941 – April 1942
Stalag Luft III, Sagan – April to September 1942
Oflag XXI B, Schubin – September 1942 to April 1943
Stalag Luft III, Sagan – April 1943 – January 1944
Stalag Luft III, Marlag Milag Nord Tarmstedt – February – April 1944
- Survived war, returned to UK 1945
Pictured as a child
Article in Tyrone Constitution, (Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland) date unknown, probably during 1980s.
Text reads:
Tyrone Constitution
Scope
A feature about people, places and things.
Date unknown
Our feature last week on local people who had served in the Royal Air Force has brought the following contribution regarding former pilot R.J. McConnell, of Newtownstewart. It reads:
At 6.30am on a cold and misty September morning, Robert James McConnell, clad in full tropical uniform, stood shivering violently. He was part of a group of RAF pilots preparing to fly four aircraft from Waddington aerodrome, Lincolnshire to Egypt. However, the flights were postpoined due to certain military events. Those four aircraft never reached Egypt. At 11.30am the Prime Minister broadcast to the nation: “This country is now at war with Germany.”
R.J. joined the RAF in September 1936, and after intensive training at Coventry and Uxbridge, was posted to Digby, Lincolnshire where he completed elementary training. Completion of advanced training led to a posting to a Squadron at Cranfield in Buckinghamshire.
Soon after this, he carried out his first operation, a photographic reconnaissance of N.W. Germany. On board with him were Sergeant Stacks and L.A.C. Humphreys, navigator and gunner respectively. Despite running into aircraft fire over Bremen, plane and crew accomplished their mission.
A lot of time was spent in such work, doing reconnaissance over the North Sea and Germany, but as things began to hot up work like this was essential.
Bombing Mission
But on May 17, 1940, R.J. with a 12-strong aircraft squadron, was sent on a bombing mission to attack German forces. Of the 12 planes, only one returned and it wasn’t his! He had been shot down and badly injured and unconscious for three days. He came round to find himself being taken to Alexandria Hospital near Portsmouth.
However, he was back in action again after about five months, but this time a shortage of fuel led to a forced landing and capture in France and the following years were spent in six P.O.W. camps in Germany and one in Poland.
One of these camps was the infamous Stalag Luft 3 where 50 RAF officers were executed and where the legendary “Wooden Horse” escape took place.
Although he was not directly involved in this plan, he has in his possession some of the tools used in this escape. He also made several attempts of his own to escape, one of which resulted in 10 days solitary confinement in the “cooler” with “basic rations”.
As the war dragged on he found himself being moved further away from East Germany in the face of the Russian onslaught and the end of the war found him on a small farm in N.W. Germany.
His most vivid memory of his return to Northern Ireland is when he and five comrades were invited to Belfast by the Lord Mayor. He signed the visitors’ book and recalls that the Lord Mayor kept “damn good liquor”.
He held the rank of Flight Lieutenant, and his three medals, the 1939-45 Star, the Aircrew Europe Star, and the Victory Medal. He also has two other medals for service to his country since the war. The medals only come out on special occasions, but they serve as a reminder that he was one of the lucky ones. So many of those in his squadron photograph never returned.
But service in the Air Force did give him his interest in meteorology, and for many years now he has collected and coded weather information for the Met. Office. Now retired, he scans the skies, not for enemy aircraft, but for cloud type, height and formation!
Enlisted 16th November 1936
Pilot’s licence December 1936 (aged 23)
September 1937 – joined Royal Air Force, aged 24. 82 (Bomber) Squadron
JULY 1938
The Air Force List
http://archive.org/stream/airforcelistjul1938grea/airforcelistjul1938grea_djvu.txt
https://archive.org/details/airforcelistjul1938grea
June 16th 1939 (aged 26) – Promotion from Pilot Officer to Flying Officer
July 6th 1939
http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1939/1939-1-%20-%200033.html
August 1939 – updated pilot’s licence?
Photos
RAF 82 Squadron 1939
27th September 1939 – first operational sorties by a UK based Blenheim squadron
May 1940 – after Operation Gembloux – shot down and injured. Some official records say he was captured, but we know he was treated at Alexandria Hospital in Portsmouth and was flying again within a few months.
17th May 1940
http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/10600.php
RE: Blenheim Loss 17/5/40
Author: Peter Cornwell (Guest)
Time Stamp:
10:04:14 16 December 2006
Post:
82 Squadron, Watton Armoured columns at Gembloux
Blenheim IV L8830. Bomb-bay damaged by AA fire en-route to target and believed abandoned over Rosseignies, north of Charleroi, 6.15 a.m. F/O R. J. McConnell baled out and captured. LAC H. Humphreys baled out wounded, taken to hospital where later captured. Sgt S. J. Fulbrook baled out unhurt, evaded capture and returned. Aircraft UX*T a write-off.
http://www.rafcommands.com/archives/air-81-raf-casualty-packs-1939-45-part-2-300-to-599/
AIR 81 – RAF Casualty Packs 1939-45 : Part 2 (300 to 599)
http://www.regimental-art.com/aircraft_history.php?Aircraft=51
Reports that RJ was captured after flight L8830 was downed are inaccurate.
The report from Sgt Fulbrook begins as follows:
At the first burst of AA fire at 06:04 hours on our level of 7500 feet, a shell hit our aircraft, in the bomb well, on the small bomb containers. The pilot, F/O McConnell ordered me to jump and I went out of the front gun hatch. My last sight of the pilot was him attempting to open the top hatch of the aircraft. My parachute took a long time to open, and I landed in some woods about 12 kilos EAST of COUVIN. On my way down I was shot at by some French soldiers, who took me for a Hun parachutist. Upon landing, I left my parachute and harness, etc., and headed WESTERLY, circling round behind these troops who had fired at me, and confirmed that they were FRENCH. On hearing the noise of motor transoprt, I headed towards the nearest road and saw several light tanks and lorries, with roundels painted on the front, so I came out of hiding and stopped one of them which had a parachute in the back. One of the crew informed me that my Air Gunner was with them, [is he referring here to Humphries?] wounded, and I asked to go to him at the village. I found his arm and leg broken, so had his wounds dressed as far as was possible and saw that he had an injection before removal to hospital at MASSIGNY. Then I returned to the woods on a motorcycle and continued to search for F/O McConnell until 08:30 hours. After this I met an English speaking Frenchman, an officer in one of their regiments, and went with him to LA CHAPPELE. Thence he took me to St Quentin by car, being straffed by 3 Mello’s on the way…
As mentioned above, RJ reported after the war that he was badly injured and was unconscious for three days, meaning he would have been unconscious during his 27th birthday. He came round to find himself being taken to Alexandria Hospital near Portsmouth. Who was able to get him to safety?
28th May 1940 – promoted from Flying Officer to Flight Lieutenant
London Gazette, 19th November 1940
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34996/supplement/6633
The undermentioned Flying Officers are promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant: —
28th May 1940.
…
Robert James McCONNELL (39421).
…
November 28th 1940
London Gazette, page 456
http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1940/1940%20-%203380.html
11th February 1941 – shot down a second time – captured
http://www.regimental-art.com/aircraft_history.php?Aircraft=51
11th February 1941
http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/04497.php
According to this document “Verliesregister 1939-1945 : alle militaire vliegtuigverliezen in Nederland tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog” (tr. Flight Losses 1939-1945 : all military flight losses in The Netherlands during the Second World War), published by de Studiegroep Luchtoorlog 1939-1945 (SGLO), RJ McConnell’s flight T2282 was shot down over the River Schelde at West Valkenisse on 10th February 1941.
Record of the crash from the UK National Archive.
12th February 1941
Letter to RJ McConnell’s wife, Kathleen, from Squadron Leader Miles V. Delap, RAF Watton.
Text reads:
Dear Kathleen,
It is with very heavy heart that I write to give you what details I can of Mc who did not return from a night operation over Germany. He took off about 10pm on the 10th and should have arrived back about 3 or 4 am on 11/2. Aircraft usually keep wireless silence so it was not unusual that we didn’t hear from him. While returning we tried to get in touch by wireless but there was no reply. There is no reason to give up hope yet. He may have been shot down and escaped by parachute or he may have had engine trouble and been forced to land either in Germany or occupied territory. Either case is of course a more hazardous undertaking at night than by day. All one can do is refuse to give up hope and the moment any news is received it will be telegraphed to you. Mc returned to flying a few weeks ago and his presence immediately had a great effect on the whole squadron which at once recognised his worth. I knew it of old but even I was impressed with his keeness to get on with the job especially after what he’s been through already. He was such a character that he will be terribly missed especially by myself.
All I can do is hope and pray that he is safe and offer you and his family my sincerest sympathy in what must be the most trying circumstances that could exist.
Yours sincerely,
Miles V. Delap
17th February 1941
http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?15883-McConnell-R-J-POW/page3
18th February 1941
19th February 1941
Letter from Squadron Leader Miles V. Delap at RAF Watton to RJ McConnell’s wife, Kathleen.
Text reads:
“My dear Kathleen,
I was overjoyed to hear last evening that the German radio had announced that Mc and his crew were safe and prisoners of war. The whole camp took on a new lease of life at the news and it now only remains to polish the —- off and restore him to you as quickly as possible. If you get his address before I do please send him my best regards. I don’t know how he’ll manage without his guiness.
Hoping you will continue to hear good news of him.
Yours sincerely,
Miles
27th February 1941
http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1941/1941%20-%200537.html
Dogtag found in personal possessions after his death. Show POW number 410 from camp at Stalag Luft 1, Barth-Vogelsang, where he was imprisoned from February to September 1941.
15th March 1941
Letter from Squadron Leader Miles V. Delap to RJ’s wife, Kathleen.
Dear Kathleen,
If I sometimes am a little tardy in replying it’s because I’m very busy. So busy sometimes that I get a letter or two in the morning and don’t find time to read it till quite late.
Mac’s official number is 39421.
I had a copy of a letter which was sent to you so I hope you have received the pocket book or if it’s the other one you will get it sent on from Colmbrook.
I hope to hear from Rob very soon.
I’m getting a job in N. Ireland for a time so maybe if I’m near Omagh I’ll get along to see you and daughter.
Yours sincerely,
Miles V. Delap
PS From people who have had cards or letters from POW I hear that the writers say they are well treated.
March 1941 – Letter from Air Ministry to Kathleen McConnell re pay
Interesting to note that the British government understood that payments were being made to RAF prisoners who were officers by the German government, therefore an amount was deducted from the officers’ RAF pay.
General Questionnaire for Ex-Prisoners of War – completed by R.J.McConnell on 3rd April 1945
Responses in questionnaire for exprisoners:
He notes he is in 21(B) Squadron, RAF, Bomber Command. (Note: not 82 Squadron.)
He passed exams in French and German languages while a prisoner.
He was originally captured on 17th February 1941 in NW France. (Note: This is 6 days after he flew his mission.)
He notes he was not wounded when captured.
He notes camps and dates as follows:
Dulag Luft, Frankfurt – 20th – 21st February 1941
Stalag Luft 1, Barth – February – September 1941
Oflag X C, Lubeck – September – October 1941
Oflag VI B, near Warburg – October 1941 – April 1942
Stalag Luft III, Sagan – April to September 1942
Oflag XXI B, Schubin – September 1942 to April 1943
Stalag Luft III, Sagan – April 1943 – January 1944
Stalag Luft III, Marlag Milag Nord Tarmstedt – February – April 1944
He notes that he did not suffer from any serious illnesses while a prisoner.
Were you lectured in your unit on how to behave in the event of capture? And on escape and evasion?
Yes, at Watton, 1939 by Squadron Leader Evans.
Were you specially interrogated by the enemy?
Yes, at Barth in 1941. No threats were used and on refusing to give information interrogation promptly concluded. Intention was probably to discover Irish men suitable for conversion to Nazi ideals.
Did you make any attempted or partly successful escapes?
Yes attempted at Barth, Warburg, Schubin and Sagan. None successful. Attempts were mostly by tunnel.
POW camp Oflag VIB Kassel near Frankfurt
www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/95/a3615095.shtml
Strabane Air Ace a WW2 Prisoner in Stalag Luft 111
The Story of Squadron Leader H.D.H. (Douglas) Cooper DFC in WW2
Herbert Douglas Haig Cooper 1917 — 2004
November 1942 transferred to reserve?
2nd November 1945, London Gazette
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37336/supplement/5386
Transfer to reserve?
Year Unknown – picture presumably from Belfast Telegraph – Sep 1942 – April 1943. Prisoner at Camp Oflag XXI B
Picture sent to his wife while he is a prisoner.
Clipping probably from Tyrone Constitution. He was at this camp from September 1942 to April 1943.
Telegram from RJ McConnell’s wife, Kathleen – 5th October 1945
Insignia of Squadron 82 (from personal effects)
23rd August 1945
Letter regarding missing personal effects (wireless, pistol and car), addressed to RJ McConnell at Fair Oaks, Woking, Surrey. Note here he is recorded as being attached to No. 21 Squadron, rather than 82 Squadron.
Wooden Horse – probably cutting from Belfast Telegraph, date unknown.
War Medals
Left to right: The 1939-1945 Star, The Air Crew Europe Star, Victory Medal.
Passed away in Tyrone County Hospital, Omagh on 9th July 1992, aged 79.
Buried at Mountjoy Presbyterian Church, near Omagh.
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