138 Squadron
138 Squadron was formed in 1918 as a fighter-reconnaissance unit and disbanded in 1919. It was
re-formed in 1941 as a special duties squadron and their base at RAF Tempsford was perhaps the
most secret airfield in the Second World War due to its work with the Special Operations Executive (SOE) whose task was to
stimulate subversive activities and the agents, ammunition and equipment to achieve this
were dropped inside enemy territory, first by No. 1419 Flight which eventually formed the
nucleus of the new 138 Squadron.
Operation Citronelle
Two similar operations were launched in France during April 1944, CITRONELLE in the Ardennes,
with the task of seeking out and supplying resistance groups along the Franco-Belgian border, and BENJOIN in the Massif Central
to make contact with a larger group of Maquis known to exist in the Auvergne region.
Mission : May 8th 1944
138 Squadron, part of the The Royal Airforce Volunteer
Reserve were involved in Operation Citronelle and Donald Brown was killed during this
particular mission, along with the entire crew of their Halifax. Airborne from Tempsford
and setting course for the Drop Zone in France they
were shot down on the return flight by a nightfighter,
crashing at St. Denis d'Orques (Sarthe), 40 km WNW of
Le Mans and astride what in 1944 was
the main road to Laval. All are buried in Le Mans West Cemetery, Sarthe, but sadly
only three of the crew could be positively identified. This crew were
just starting their second tour. The pilot, Wing Commander Russell, the 138 Squadron Commanding Officer, joined the
RAF in the late 1920s.
The Crew
Wing Commander William McFarlane Russell, Pilot, DFC & Bar
Flying Officer James Alexander Armour, Wireless Operator/Gunner, DFC, DFM, RAFVR
Flying Officer Donald Brown, Navigator, DFC, RAFVR
Flying Officer Alexander Frederick Bryce, Gunner, RAFVR
Flying Officer Bernard Pierce McGonagle, Air Bomber, DFC, RAFVR
Flying Officer Norman Simister, Gunner, DFM, RAFVR
Pilot Officer George Cable, Flight Engineer, DFM RAFVR
Donald Brown
Donald was employed at the Air Ministry until he joined the RAF on the
28th August 1941 and originally served with 57 Squadron as part of a Lancaster crew during which he was
awarded his DFC. He volunteered for special duties and became part of 138 Squadron who were
engaged in dropping SOE agents behind enemy lines.