A special report prepared by © Simon Muggleton August 2025 for Aircrew Remembered

Wing Commander Richard (Dickie) Douglas Speare DSO DFC* CdeG

Whether a pilot or aircrew in Fighter Command, Bomber Command, or Coastal Command in WW2, you had to have a lot of luck as well as skill in airmanship, Richard Speare seemed to have plenty of that, until a fateful day on the 23rd November 1945. Here is his story:-

Richard Douglas Speare always known as ‘Dickie’ by his family and friends, was born in Dalhousie, a hill station in Himachal Pradesh, India on the 22nd September 1916, the son of Alice and Major Francis William Speare, Royal Irish Fusiliers and Indian Miscellaneous List. Richard had a sister Sylvia, who was two years older than him, also born in India. He attended Alma Road School in Winton, Bournemouth, and at 14yrs moving on to the Bournemouth Grammar School between 1930-34, and was made a Sergeant in the school RAF Cadet Operational Training Unit.

Major Speare continued his service in India and was awarded the Military MBE, the 1914/15 Star, War and Victory medals (MiD), the India General Service Medal (Bar Afghanistan 1919), the 1911 Delhi Durbar Medal, the Meritorious Service Merit Medal, and Army Long Service Medal.

Richard is shown on a P&O shipping list of the Prince Ludwig along with his mother and sister, arriving at Plymouth on the 6th December 1919 from Bombay. The 1921 Census shows the three of them lodging with the Blake family in Woodford, Wiltshire, later moving to Bournemouth.

Whilst at secondary school he became really interested in flying, and after leaving school joined the Hamble Civil Flying School, in Hampshire, on the 27th January 1936.

He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) on the 23rd March 1936, and was granted a commission as an Acting Pilot Officer RAFVR, on probation with a four year short service commission . On the 4th April 1936, he was sent on to No 9 Flying Training School, RAF Thornaby-on-Tees, North Yorkshire, commanded at that time by Group Captain Elliot-Smith.

No 9 FTS, RAF Thornaby *Note Squadron Leader D’Arcy Grieg Chief Flying Instructor standing on the right, wearing his service cap, watching the new recruits .

The Chief Flying Instructor was Squadron Leader D’Arcy Grieg DFC AFC (later Air Commodore) who was a pilot in the Schneider Trophy Air Race contest held around the Isle of Wight in 1929. Their paths would cross again only a year later.

Dickie Speare was then attached to No 38 Night Bomber Squadron at RAF Mildehall on the 11th October 1936, flying the Handley Page Heyford, the squadron later re-equipped with the monoplane bomber the Fairey Hendon, and Wellington. He was confirmed as a Pilot Officer on the 27th January 1937.

On the 15th March 1937 P/O Speare joined No 75 (New Zealand) Bomber Squadron, at RAF Honington, Suffolk, which had only just been reformed. The squadron was equipped with 4 Vickers Virginia Night Bombers and 2 Avro Anson General Reconnaissance aircraft, and commanded at that time by Squadron Leader HL Rough. Dickie Speare was allocated to ‘A’ Flight.

Motto:-
‘Forever and Ever Be Strong'

Pilot Officer Speare was made a Flying Officer on the 27th August 1938, having already gained his Flying Licence on the 10th February 1938, (for all types of private aircraft) while he was stationed at RAF Honington, ( Licence No 9125). He had also applied and was issued with a British Passport (412439) on the 3rd February 1938.

** In November 1938 D’Arcy Grieg was promoted to Wing Commander and became the new commanding officer of 75 Squadron. It must have felt a bit strange for F/O Speare to be confronted again with his old Chief Flying Instructor, who was now his boss!

In July 1939 the squadron was re-equipped with Wellington bomber aircraft and moved to RAF Stradishall, and thereafter began the usual training routine towards getting operational. When WW2 was declared, 75 was just about operational, and later in that month of September 1939, it moved to Harwell. The squadron had a number of New Zealand personnel on strength, crews having come over to the UK in order to take the Wellingtons back home. Once war had started the New Zealand Government suggested the UK keep both the aircraft and crews. From then on the squadron became known as No 75 (New Zealand) Squadron.

On the 14th October 1939, Dickie married his sweetheart, Jessica Evelyn Morrison, of Newby Scarborough, (known as Peggy) in Abingdon, Berkshire. His fellow pilots in the squadron were invited, and contributed a wedding present of a solid silver engraved round tray on feet. The inscription read:-

Presented to Flying Officer Richard Douglas Speare Royal Air Force Harwell

By His Brother Officers

on the occasion of his Marriage 14th October 1939

RAF Oakingdon May 1941

On the 27th January 1940 F/O Speare was re-employed with the Royal Air Force, and sent to No 15 Operational Training Unit at RAF Harwell, on the 4th April 1940, and by the 9th April 1940, had been promoted to Acting Flight Lieutenant, which was confirmed on the 27th August of that year. It was at this time that he underwent a Conversion Course for Heavy Bombers.

On the 10th January 1941 Flt/Lt Speare was promoted to Acting Squadron Leader, and posted to No 7 Squadron at RAF Oakington, on the 14th May, this was the first squadron to fly the Stirling heavy bomber aircraft, their airfield situated some 5 miles North West of Cambridge. The first offensive mission by the Squadron was to attack Rotterdam docks.

However, S/L Speare would have to wait until the 27th May 1941 to complete his first mission with the squadron, flying in a Stirling Mk 1 N6022, taking off at 0708 hrs in a search for the German ‘Hipper’ class cruiser, Prinz Eugen, a sister ship to the Bismark which had been sunk in the Atlantic. This was not successful, and all bombs were brought back, landing at 1420 hrs.

His crew were:-

Sgt GC Bayley 2nd Pilot
P/O ED Levien Observer /Navigator
Sgt EC Glenwright Wireless Operator
Sgt J Graham Front Air Gunner
Sgt EW Peters Rear Air Gunner.
Sgt DH Williams, Aircraft Engineer

Their next mission was on the 12th June 1941, taking off at 2315 hrs to bomb the chemical works at Huls, in the district of Krefield, North Germany, carrying 5x1000 and 12x500 pound bombs along with 240 x4 pound incendiary bombs. After searching for the target for over an hour they abandoned their mission due to a low cloud base, again returning with their bomb load.

16th June 1941 was an ‘op’ to Dusseldorf in Stirling N3655, carrying 5x1000, 16x500 pound bombs. One of the 1000 pound bombs being jettisoned in order to gain height, the rest dropped on target, returning at 0420 hrs.

18th June 1941 - take off at 2305hrs in Stirling N6005 on a mission to bomb any warships in Brest with 4x 2000 pound Semi Armour Piercing bombs (S.A.P.) plus 4x500 pound bombs. The German Navy had laid an artificial smoke screen over the area, so results were not seen. The crew landed back at base at 0417 hrs.

23rd June 1941 - The target this time was Kiel with take off at 2230 hrs in Stirling N6005, with a bomb load of 5x1000 and 8x500 pound bombs. There were many searchlights over the target area combined with heavy flak batteries. S/L Speare aircraft suffered damage to their starboard flap and hydraulic pipes damaged, making the rear gun turret useless. They landed back at base at 0430hrs.

28th June 1941 - This was a daylight attack on Bremerhaven, carrying 16x500 pound bombs in Stirling N 6007, with take off time at 1347hrs, returning almost immediately as there was no suitable target.

29th June 1941 - This next target would be the city of Hamburg, an operation Speare and his crew would remember for a long time.

Taking off at 2305 in Stirling N6020 loaded with the usual bomb load, they soon found themselves in heavy flak over the target, making excessive flak holes in the aircraft, and jamming the bomb doors, resulting in one of the 500 pound bombs remaining on board, which fell away on landing back at base at 0434 hrs, luckily remaining intact! S/L Speare completed a ‘Combat Report’ which gives a clearer picture of events that night;

‘Ten minutes after leaving Hamburg, whilst held in a cone of searchlights, the Captain saw tracer go past the port side of the aircraft.The Rear Gunner immediately turned his turret to port and fired a short burst towards the source of the tracer. Four rounds of .303 entered the turret putting it temporarily out of action, but turret freed itself in time to allow the gunner to fire another short burst.The front gunner then observed tracer coming from port beam and returned fire with a short burst. Navigator saw the enemy aircraft pass over their aircraft, which was not identified, owing to searchlight glare, no hits on e/a are claimed.’

Extensive damage caused to the starboard wing of the Stirling, with No1 and 3 petrol tanks extensively damaged. Numerous bullet holes along fuselage, tailplane and flaps.

Weather good with clear visibility.

7th July 1941 - General target area Northern France with 7 other Stirlings, along with a Fighter Escort. Take off 0836hrs in N 6022, the whole target area was obscured by smoke and dust, aircraft suffered bomb release failure,1x500 and 20x4 pound bombs brought back to base at 1145hrs.

8th July 1941 - Another memorable trip for the crew, this time the primary target was to be Munster, they were also carrying a ‘Special’ passenger, a Belgium Major, Henri Verhaegen

(** An SOE Wireless Operator code-named Rhomboid of ’T’ Section who worked with another SOE Operator Jean Cassart, code-named ‘Hireling’. Rhomboid was a very active agent in Belgium sending radio messages during 1943/44 and transporting explosives throughout Belgium for resistance operations. He sadly died in an aircraft accident involving a Halifax aircraft from 138 Squadron, flying over Bedfordshire on 8.1.44. He had been awarded the British Distinguished Conduct Medal on January 14th 1943 for his clandestine work, and the Belgium Croix de Guerre on 8.4.44.

The Stirling N6022 was also carrying 5x1000 1x500 and 4x250 pound bombs.The target was not attacked as S/L Speare could not gain enough height, and decided not to attack Rotterdam

( which was their secondary target), because of their ‘Special’ passenger. All returned safely at 0240 hrs. ** Just two years later S/L Speare would be carrying other ‘agents’ whilst attached to 138 Squadron

Rhomboid - Rhomboid Named Distinguished Conduct Medal

14th July 1941 - A rubber factory and city centre of Hanover was the target on this trip, taking off at 2300 hrs in Stirling N6006 with a bomb load of 5x1000 5x500 7x250 pound bombs. S/L Speare landed at RAF Waterbeach at 0450 hrs as their home base was u/s.

5th August 1941 was an op to bombing the railway at Karlsruhe in Stirling N6020, taking off at 2204 hrs with a bomb load of 5x1000,4x500 and 8x250 pound bombs, starting fires that could be seen for over 15 miles and anding at 0420hrs.

Bombing Up a Stirling

12th August 1941. The primary target was Karlsruhe, but the Navigator F/O ED Levien could not locate it, so the 5x1000 and 5x500 pound bombs were dropped on Brunswick instead, causing large fires.

19th August 1941 The target was Kiel, take off 2105 in Stirling N3666, the target was not located due to 10/10 cloud base, the crew returned at 0235hrs.

25th August 1941 For the third time that month the target was Karlsruhe, taking off at 2014 in Stirling N3666, carrying 5x1000, 3x500 and 8x250 bombs which successfully landed on the target causing large fires, returning at 0245hrs.

28th August 1941 Another memorable mission, this time to Duisburg taking off at 0115hrs in Stirling N6005, with 14x500 8x250 pound bombs and incendiaries. Unfortunately the bombs were dropped 1 mile north of the target, along with the aircraft being caught in a ‘cone’ of searchlights, which dazzled S/L Speare, preventing him from seeing the results. Heavy flak was encountered which shot away the cockpit cover, luckily not wounding any crew. They landed safely at 0522.

31 August 1941 Cologne was the target this night, taking off at 1956hrs in Stirling W7436 with 5x1000, 4x500 and 8x250 pound bombs. This target was abandoned due to 10/10 cloud base and their bombs were successfully off-loaded over Dunkirk docks. The crew returned at 0048hrs.

On the 1st September 1941 Speare was made a (Temporary) Squadron Leader.

7th September 1941 Their next ‘op’ was a 7 hour return trip to ‘The Big City’ of Berlin, taking off at 1950hrs in Stirling W7436 again with a bomb load of 10x500 42x50 pound incendiaries. It was a clear night, and S/L Speare remarked that the incendiaries were ‘wizard’, causing large fires.

10th September 1941 Another long trip of over 7 hrs, in order to bomb Turin, Italy, with a bomb load of just 4x1000 and 8x500 pond bombs, taking off at 1936hrs in Stirling W 7436 and returning at 0305hrs, all aircraft crews reporting large fires over the city.

Squadron Leader Spears bravery, skill, and good airmanship over the last four months was recognised by a Mention in Despatches from the Commanding Officer of 7 Squadron, published in the London Gazette of 24th September 1941.

3rd October 1941 the squadron was detailed to bomb the docks at Brest, S/L Speare flying Stirling W7436, with a bomb load of 5x2000 bombs, but the likely target could not be located.S/L Speare jettisoned 2x2000 bombs off the French coast and returned at 2220 hrs with the three other bombs.

13th October 1941 Stirling W7436 was used again loaded with 13x5000 pound bombs along with 720x4 pound incendiaries to bomb Dusseldorf, take off at 1826, but due to engine trouble S/L Speare decided to drop the load in the Siegburg area, returning at 2315hrs.

23rd October 1941 Six Stirlings took off at 1825hrs in order to bomb Brest, with each aircraft carrying 5x2000 pound bombs. S/L Speare and his crew in Stirling W7436 dropped their bomb load in No’s 8&9 docks, but results not observed due to heavy flak. This was the last ‘op’ with 7 Squadron for S/L Speare and his crew.

S/L Richard Speare on the left, after a Luftwaffe ‘Nuisance Attack’ at RAF Waterbeach

On the 28th October 1941, S/L Speare was attached to No 26 Conversion Flight at RAF Waterbeach, 5 miles north of Cambridge.

This airfield was constructed from the start of the war with a tarmac covered concrete base for heavy bombers. It developed into a major airfield housing in excess of 3,000 personnel of mixed rank and gender.

On the 5th October 1941 No 26 Conversion Unit was formed from ‘C’ Flight of 7 Squadron, which was designed to train crews on the Stirling and later the Lancaster, 106 Conversion Flight joining in December.

In January 1942, the two units were amalgamated to form 1651 Conversion Unit (later reformed as a Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU). 1651 were one of only three Conversion Units set up in early 1942, with 1651 being the only Stirling unit, the other two flying the Halifax and Liberator.

S/L Speare was attached to 1651 CU on the 12th January 1942.

As a base with long hard runways it became a safe haven for crippled or lost aircraft who were desperately trying to find a suitable place to land. The airfield was not always a safe place from the Luftwaffe in those early years, Waterbeach was subjected to nuisance attacks, just the same as those airfields in Kent and London were. Minor damage was done to hangers, aprons and runways, in those early years, with one fatality.

On the 21st November of 1941, S/L Speare was recommended for the award of a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), the award being published in The London Gazette (LG) on that date.

** Between 1939-41 -1273 DFC’s were awarded

On 23rd March 1942, S/L Speare was sent to No 149 Conversion Unit (CU) at RAF Mildenhall (part of 149 Squadron), where he stayed until the 4th October 1942 when he was then attached to the RAF Bombing Development Unit (BDU) at Newmarket Suffolk, which later moved to

RAF Feltwell, Norfolk.

On the 17th January 1943, S/L Speare was attached to No 22 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at RAF Wellesbourne Mountford, Warwickshire, and on the 25th January 1943, posted to No 460 (RAAF) Squadron.

First formed at RAF Molesworth on the 15t November 1941, the squadron was equipped with Vickers Wellington bombers, its first raid was on Emden, Germany, on the 12th March 1942.

It moved from Molesworth to RAF Breighton in January 1942 and to Binbrook from the 14th May 1943, until wars end.

It has been regarded as the most efficient of all the Australian Bomber Squadrons, flying the most bombing raids, dropping 24,856 tons of bombs. In October 1942, it began operating Avro Lancasters, joining Bomber Command’s No 1 Group. The squadron, however, suffered heavily, losing 181 aircraft with 1,018 crew (589 Australians).

3rd March 1943 S/L Speare had a new crew to get used to after two months training together they went on their first sortie to Hamburg, taking off in Lancaster 369 ‘L’ Lima at 1846hrs, with a bomb load of 1x4000, 32x30 incendiaries and 720x4 pound incendiary bombs. The aircraft suffered a problem with the Port Inner Engine and S/L Speare decided to abandon the attack, dropping the 4000 pound bomb into the English Channel from 15,000 feet, and returning with the incendiaries at 2101hrs.

His new crew were:-
P/O Hetherington (Aus)
Sgt FS Ralph (Aus)
P/O MA Keddie(Aus)
Sgt E Booth
Sgt CLY Wilkins
F/Sgt NR Simpson (Aus)

5th March 1943 It was on this night that that Bomber Command’s 100,000 sortie of the war was flown. 442 aircraft (157 Lancaster’s ) attacked Essen in Germany. S/L Speare took off at 1529hrs in Lancaster ED 369 (L) with a bomb load of 1x4000, 52x30 pound incendiaries, and 720 x4 pound incendiaries. He reported seeing two large explosions to the East and West of the Target Indicators (TI’s) laid by the Pathfinders, with many concentrated fires, the Krupp works hit many times. They returned at midnight.

9th March 1943 Take off at 2008 hrs in Lancaster ND 369 (L) bound for Munich with 1x4000 24x30 pound incendiaries, along with 630x4 pound incendiaries. This was a most successful ‘op’ with many concentrated fires seen. The local Flack units reporting they had fired 14,234 rounds consisting of 105mm, 88mm and 20mm shells (3% of the attacking force of 264 aircraft were lost). The crew returned at 0410hrs.

12th March 1943 Essen was the target again, Speare and his crew taking off at 1544hrs in LancasterN 4325 (D) with Good target marking by the Pathfinders ensured the target was hit by the attacking force, causing large explosions and concentrated fires which could still be seen at the Dutch Coast. The crew returned at 0021hrs.

26th March 1943 455 aircraft (157 Lancaster’s) were detailed to attack Duisburg. S/L Speare and his crew took off in Lancaster ED 521 (B) at 1550hrs with the same bomb load as the previous two missions. It was a cloudy night and the Pathfinder Mosquitoes had problems with their aircraft engines and had to return early leaving inaccurate marking. This resulted in a widely scattered raid, S/L Speare reporting it was ‘a complete failure’.

28th March 1943 396 aircraft took off on this night to bomb Berlin (191 Lancasters) which resulted in another failure by the Pathfinders to drop their TI’s in the right area of the City, most bombs falling between 7-17 miles short of the aiming point.

S/L Speare took off at 2134hrs in Lancaster ED 521 (B) with 1x4000, 48x30 pound incendiaries, and 540x4 pound incendiaries. S/L Speare reported his bombs fell to the South West of the City. However, because of the inaccuracy, a large number of bombs fell in the woods at Teltow, and by chance this was an area where a secret Luftwaffe stores depot was located, 11 miles south west of the City Centre. It contained a large quantity of valuable radio, radar, and other technical stores which were all destroyed. Post war records show that the Luftwaffe High Command believed this depot was the main target that night, and were full of admiration for ‘the special unit’ which had found it, and bombed so accurately!

3rd April 1943 Essen was the target this night and 348 mixed aircraft were sent to bomb the City again, (the first raid in which more than 200 Lancasters were involved). S/L Speare and his crew would take off at 1947hrs in Lancaster W4310 (F) with 1x400048x30 pound incendiaries, and 540 4 pound incendiaries. The Port outer engine failed in flight and Speare decided to abort the operation, dropping his bomb load over Germany from 11,000 feet. They returned safely at 2149hrs.

14th April 1943 462 aircraft (98 Lancasters) were tasked to bomb Stuttgart, the Pathfinders claimed to hit the city centre but in fact their TI’s were to the north east, along the line of approach, an example of ‘creepback’ where the main force dropped their bombs at the first seen marker. Luckily on this night the ‘creepback’ extended over the suburb of Bad Canstatt, an industrial centre, where some useful damage was caused, particularly in the large railway repair workshops. S/L Speare took off at 2130hrs in Lancaster ED711 (U) and reported large fires around the North East area of the city, encompassing the railway marshalling yards and railway bridge. They returned at 0408hrs.

18th April 1943 173 Lancaster’s and 5 Halifaxes were dispatched to bomb the dockyard at La Spezia, the second largest city in the Liguria region in Italy. Again they were off target, the bombs falling North West of the aiming point, destroying the main railway station and public buildings.

S/L Speare was flying Lancaster ED 750 (W) taking off at 2053hrs and dropping their bomb load at 0152 hrs. They returned at 0630hrs, S/L Speare recording,’a good show’.

20th April 1943 339aircraft were allocated for this raid (13 Lancaster’s0 which proved to be a great success due to perfect marking by the Pathfinders with excellent visibility. A large chemical factory was destroyed completely. S/L Speare and his crew took off at 2125 in Lancaster ED 780

(W) with a bomb load of 1x400048x30 pound incendiaries, and 540x4 pound incendiaries, dropping their bombs at 0110hrs from 12,000 feet over the city. However, Speare reported he saw no need for the low flying tactics involved that night, returning at 0556hrs.

27th April 1943 this raid over Duisburg was deemed to be a partial failure, with 561 aircraft taking part (215 Lancaster’s), dropping their bombs North East of the city, however, over 300 buildings were destroyed. S/L Speare took off at 0026hrs, in Lancaster W4783 (G), with 1x4000, 48x30 pound incendiaries, and 540x4 pound incendiaries. He reported scattered fires over the target area, but deeming it a success, landing back at base at 0455hrs.

4th May 1943 Dortmund was the target this night when 596 aircraft (255 Lancaster’s) attacked the city, the first ‘major’ attack, where half the attacking force bombs reached within 3 miles of the TI’s, causing extensive damage and loss of life. S/L speare took off at 2200hrs, in Lancaster with a bomb load of 1x4000 and 48 30 pound incendiaries, along with 540x4 pound incendiaries. Fires could still be seen when flying over the Dutch coast. They landed at 0324 hrs.

27th May 1943 518 aircraft took off to bomb Essen once again, (274 Lancaster’s), S/L Speare and his crew in Lancaster ED 986 (B), taking off at 2310hrs, with a bomb load of 1x4000, 48x30 pound incendiaries, and 600x4 pound incendiaries, dropping these at 0130hrs from 20,000feet. The weather was cloudy and ‘sky-marking’ had to be used, with limited damage caused mainly in the central and northern districts. Speare reported the bombing was better than over Dortmund or Dusseldorf, with large fires observed. Speare and his crew landed at 0335hrs. This would be the last ‘op’ they would all fly together.

On the 24th May 1943 S/L Speare had been informed he was going to 138 Squadron at RAF Tempsford, and was promoted to Acting Wing Commander on the 2nd June 1943, taking over command of the squadron from W/C Batchelor who had been promoted to Group Captain and Station Commander of RAF Chedburgh.

Formed in August 1941, 138 Squadron’s main duties were to support S.O.E. agents in mainland Europe, ranging from Norway/Denmark in the North, to Yugoslavia in the South, with the odd foray into Poland. At first, using Whitleys, and then with Halifaxes, using Lysanders for pick-ups of agents. Both 138 and 161 Squadrons were known as ‘Moonlight Squadrons’

The aircraft flew out from RAF Tempsford with agents, (known as ‘Joes’), arms, explosives, radio sets and other equipment used by saboteurs, dropping them by parachute at about 600 feet, to awaiting reception parties of local underground units. Homing Pigeons were also dropped, for the resistance to release them later with messages.

These secret operations were regarded as dangerous, involving very low flying at times, but by using excellent pilots and navigators, there was a good chance of getting the agents/containers with supplies to the correct position. If any of the crews were caught by the Germans (due to an aircraft malfunction or enemy fire), they could be shot as assisting ‘Spies’.

On the 28th May 1943, S/L Speare would lose the services of two of his most experienced pilots, F/Lt Austin and F/O Ruttledge who were posted to the newly formed 1575 Flight out of Tunisia, this coincided with a massive influx of new crews, a large majority of them Polish. He was made a Temporary Wing Commander on the 2nd June, and truely had been thrown in at the deep end, with this posting!

The new Commander of 138 would choose the 20th June 1943 as his first sortie with his Squadron, departing in Halifax JD 180 at 2257hrs on Operation Physician 50/70 dropping a total of 15 containers onto his assigned dropping points, returning at 0327 hrs.

There were just three 138 Squadron Halifax aircraft taking off on the 14th July 1943 for supply drops on targets in France, led by Wing Commander Speare in Halifax JD 269 taking off at 2245hrs on Operations Roach 69 and Tomcod 5, of which he completed the first element only.

26th July 1943 W/C Speare and his crew took off in Halifax NF-F, DG 253, at 2154 hrs and successfully carried out Operations Tablemargarine and Tablegossip 4 combined with Operation Tablesandwich and table Gossip 5 ( these codes relating to drops over Denmark).

Their dropping point was 13km NW of Hadsund and 13km south south east of Volsted, where they would look for a flashlight giving the signal ’A’ with the aircraft returning signal ‘D’, the ground call sign being Hitler whilst the aircraft was Mussolini.

The resistance people from Aalborg were waiting to receive four containers of supplies and a

parcel along with two ‘Joes’. These were Jens Peter Peterson (codenamed ‘Tripe’, and Aage Moller Christensen, (codenamed ‘Margarine’).

Unfortunately, Petersen jumped 3 seconds prematurely at 0116hrs, landing away from his target area where the resistance members were. The containers were received OK, but

‘ the parcel’ (containing a radio, landed in the middle of a lake, as did Christensen, 60 feet from the shore). After that drop Spears carried on to the 2nd RV, 9km NE of Otterup and 17km NNE of Odense on the island of FYN (Funen), where at 0156hrs he dropped four containers and two parcels, flying at just 500 feet. He now headed for the Danish Coast.

At 0123hrs Leutnant Herman Stock and his crew from 12/NJG3, were instructed by the Luftwaffe Control ‘Ringelnatter’ to take off from Fliegerhorst Grove ( Karup in Denmark), flying Ju 88C-6 coded D5+FX, as the control radar had confirmed an enemy aircraft in the area.

Flying at 3000 metres, Stock reported seeing Speares Halifax in the light of a full moon, but then lost it as Speare turned away defensively. They both left the Jutland peninsula and flew over the North Sea, with Speare flying very low, and Stock, who tried to get even lower noticed his altimeter was recording below zero! Both aircraft engaged in combat mode, firing their guns when their enemy was in sight. Suddenly Stock heard a loud bang, and his Ju 88 began shaking violently, with the engines fluctuating between 800 and 2600 rpm whilst still at zero altitude. Stock climbed a little and when he reached 200 metres he slowly turned the Ju 88 back towards Jutland, and managed to find his base and land at 0356 hrs. When the crew disembarked from their aircraft they could see the reason for their problems. The tips of the propellor blades (about one third of their length), were missing on both sides.

Upon landing back at RAF Tempsford W/C Speare made his report which sheds more light on the combat with the Ju 88;-

56 01N - 50E, at 0235hrs at 500 feet. Ju88 crossed behind my a/c at 300 yards from starboard to port. It then came in again from port quarter with 2 white lights on wingtips. I opened fire putting lights out. Rear Gunner replied with long burst. Ju88 then turned to starboard, climbing to 5/600 feet, Rear Gunner giving a second burst as our a/c turned to starboard. Ju88 then disappeared to port. Rear Gunner claims to have hit Ju88 in port engine. 0310 hrs at 500 feet an a/c was seen at 1000 yards, behind with two white lights on wing tips, which flew for a short time on a parallel course, then disappeared. I landed at Tempsford at 0522hrs.

Left Stock shown in the centre - right Ju88 at Grove 27/7/1943

** Stock was actually credited with the destruction of a Halifax at 20 metres altitude at 0239 hrs on the 27th July 1943! He wrote to Dickie Speares only son, Christopher on the 28th November 1969, relating this incident. ( Christopher was born in 1942, and sadly died on the 19th August 2010, aged just 68 years).

Dickie Speare obviously felt very lucky to return from that sortie, and like a lot of other aircrew in the RAF, carried with him on his flights, a ‘lucky mascot’, a hedgehog, wearing a jumper and trousers, which was always tucked away in a uniform pocket on his missions. It is not known why he chose this as his mascot, maybe it belonged to his young son, Christopher ?

On the night of 11/12 August 1943 W/C Speare and his crew took off at 2211hrs in Halifax

JD 180 and successfully carried out Operations Greyhound/Woodchuck/Mistral 4/ and Butler 5, landing at 0431 hrs. The first two elements were dropping ’Joes’ along with packages, whilst Mistral and Butler were containers, all in France.

Wing Commander Speare was recommended for a Bar to his DFC on the 13th August 1943.

The recommendation stating:-

Wing Commander Speare has completed a large number of operational sorties, many of which were against the enemy’s most heavily defended targets, including Berlin. At all times he has displayed excellent airmanship, performing his duties as flight commander in an efficient manner.

During WW2, 21,281 DFC’s were awarded, with 1550 First Bars. His bar was probably instigated by the events on the night of 26/27th July 1943?

On the night of 22nd/23rd August 1943, W/C Speare flew Halifax JN 910 taking off at 2317 hrs for Operation Dick 20/21, dropping containers and packages in France, landing at 0424hrs.

His next sortie was on the night of 16th/17th September 1943 flying Halifax JD 172 on Operations Spruce 25 and Munster, the first one dropping containers (not completed owing to no reception committee), whilst the second was successful in dropping a ‘Joe’, both operations in France.

22nd/23rd September 1943 were Operations Yapok/Othello 2/Tom14 Speare taking off at 0027 hrs in Halifax LL280, with two ‘Joes’ to be dropped in Belgium on the first two ops, whilst the third was containers for France. Unfortunately there were no reception committees awaiting in Belgium, and that ‘op’ was cancelled, with the containers being successfully dropped in France.

Norway was the target for Operation Goldfinch on the night of 15th/16th October 1943, when Speare took off in Halifax HX161 at 2050 hrs with containers and two ‘Joes’ on board, the operation was aborted due to bad weather over Norway.

**On the 9th November 1943 W/C Speare entertained HM King George VI and Queen Elizabeth on their special visit to RAF Tempsford, via the royal train from London. Speare, his wife Peggy, and their son Christopher, met their Majesties on the platform to welcome them.

Operation Goldfinch 1 was put into action again on the night of 11/12th December 1943, with W/C Speare and his crew in Halifax LW 280 venturing out alone at 2003 hrs, but again this was unsuccessful due to no reception committee, they retuned at 0422hrs.

29/30th December 1943, the squadron launched three sorties this night, each one a mammoth

‘pigeon drop’. W/C Speare led the way, taking off at 1740hrs.

He crossed the coast at Dieppe at 12,000 feet, to begin a clockwise circuit, taking in Cleres, Bacqueville, Rouen, Bolbec, Goderville, Cany, and back to Bacqueville, using G-Fixes to establish his turning points, and spending 17 minutes over the target area, dispensing 191 pigeons at the rate of 12 per minute! This was part of Operation Columba, a British bid to gain intelligence from occupied areas. Between 1941 and 1944 around 16,000 ‘avian agents’ hidden in canisters with little parachutes were dropped over France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Part of The Secret Continental Pigeon Service of MI 14(d), run by secret service officers and pigeon fanciers.

Coded messages using random letters were attached to the homing pigeons leg from members of the resistance, giving details of the German Army, and its movements etc, in their area.

Attaching a message on a homing pigeon

January 1944 would be the first occasion that the ‘Moon Squadrons’ (138 and 161), would appear officially in the ORB’s of Bomber Command, all hand written with few, if any, details to identify aircraft. W/C Speare would wait until the end of the month before taking to the skies again.

It was on the night of 29th/30th January 1944 that he would climb aboard Halifax LL183 at 1959hrs on a mission to France carrying ‘Joes’ and containers, code-named, Operation John 25, which was successful.

W/C Speare and his crew departed Tempsford at 2302hrs in Halifax NF-J on the night of 7/8th February 1944, carrying an agent and stores to France on Operation Harry 17, all of which remained on board as the reception committee failed to make itself known.

In the early days of March 1944, Halifaxes of 4 and 6 Groups Bomber Command, were involved in the Transportation Plan, the systematic dismantling, by bombing, of the railway network in France and Belgium, in order to prevent their use by the Germans to bring up forces to face the oncoming invasion.138 put up 10 aircraft on operations under cover of this activity.

On the night of 6/7 March 1944, W/C Speare and his crew took off from Tempsford at 2019 hrs carrying stores in containers which were dropped over France , Operation John 14, which was successful, landing at RAF Tuddenham at 0320 hrs.

The night of April 1st/2nd 1944, would be W/C Speares last operation with the squadron, flying to Norway with containers of supplies, Operation Bit 1, which was successful.

While in command of 138 Squadron W/C Speare took part in:-

14 Ops to France, with 2 ‘Joes’ and 9 containers (5 Not Completed) 3 Ops to Norway (2 not completed)

2 ops to Belgium (2 not completed)

2 ops to Denmark with 2 ‘Joes’ (completed)

The new month of May brought a change in command for 138 Squadron as W/C Speare concluded his lengthy tour in the hot seat, taking a weeks leave, and was replaced by the newly promoted W/C Russell, the ‘A’ Flight Commander.

By the end of the war, 138 had flown over 2,500 sorties, dropped 29,000 containers with supplies, 10,000 packages and 99 ‘Joes’ into occupied Europe, whilst losing 70 aircraft.

On the 9th May 1944 Speare was posted to The Bomb Development Unit (BDU) initially located at the Newmarket Racetrack, in Suffolk, but soon moving to RAF Feltwell, Norfolk.

Various high priority problems in Bomber Command would be given to the unit to solve.

Problems such as how to modify the bomb bay of a Mosquito Mk XVI aircraft in order to accept a target marking bomb too large for it, or how to allow tail gunners to escape from a jammed tail turret in a disabled aircraft. (Resolved by jettisoning the turret canopy top, so the gunner could jump upward and out)

Flying a Desk

On the 14th July 1944, whilst still at this unit he was informed that he had been awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), mainly for his leadership whilst with 138 Squadron, the citation reads:-

Since being awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross, this officer has completed many sorties which have demanded a high degree of skill and resolution. He has at all times displayed great keenness and determination and his gallant example has inspired all with whom he has flown.

** 870 DSO’s awarded to the RAF during WW2

On the 1st April 1945, ‘Dickie’ Speare was informed that he had also been awarded the Croix de Guerre (with Palme) by the French authorities, for the part he played in helping the French Resistance, and the Liberation of France. (Degree 583)

** Only 230 awards made to both the RAF/RCAF during WW2 ( National Archives Air 2/9645 )

On the 22nd July 1945 Wing Commander Speare was posted to the USA as part of The Special Duties List, where he attended various USAAF courses, gaining a Diploma. He was also sharing his knowledge with the USAAF of dropping agents and supplies to the resistance in Europe

On the 21st November 1945 Speare was posted to HQ Bomber Command at RAF High Wycombe, having amassed over 2699 flying hours, taking part in over 60 sorties.

On Friday the 23rd November 1945, Wing Commander Speare luck finally ran out, having taken part in all types of operations with Bomber Command and Special Duties, since the start of WW2.

Dickie Speare took off at 1145 hrs on a ferry flight from RAF Halton, in an Anson Mk XI aircraft (NL185) part of the HQ Flight, en route to RAF Feltwell near Thetford, the weather conditions were not ideal.

For an unknown reason he had flown some 70 degrees off course, and with no radio or navigation aids on board, other than a compass, he became hopelessly lost.

Some 55 minutes after taking off he flew through the low cloud base expecting to see the flat lands around RAF Feltwell. Instead he found himself flying towards the steep edge of The Clough, Woolpacks, Kinder Scout, the high peaks area in Derbyshire. He obviously attempted to pull up, but too late, and killed instantly flying into the hillside.

On the Saturday morning, a local farmer, Mr Cooper was attending his cattle and found the aircraft wreckage along with the lifeless body of Wing Commander Speare, lying next to the fuselage. It would appear that Speare was intending to have a spot of leave, as there was also a suitcase, whose contents were also scattered.

Mr Cooper hurried back down to the village and informed the police, who arranged for a RAF crash party from Harpur Hill to collect the body on a stretcher, this was made difficult due to the terrain.

W/C Speare was taken to Buxton Mortuary, and later buried at Row K4 No 95 at Bournemouth North Cemetery on the 30th November 1945, he was only 29 years old.

The Bournemouth Echo of Tuesday November 27th 1945, published this report on the crash:-

Crash Site at High Peaks Derbyshire

The official Air Ministry accident report states:

Anson Aircraft crashed into hillside in bad visibility - flying 70 degrees off course. Pilot believed he was over the south coast and apparently descended, trying to avoid the hills, but was too late.

Possibly set compass wrongly, Meteorological winds and actual winds were nearly identical. All radio equipment had been removed from the aircraft. Possible contributing factor. Control should have quoted conditions to pilot. Aircraft flew into ground in bad visibility - lack of radio possibly contributed.

** The Anson aircraft served as a crew trainer throughout the war. Though cold and noisy, it was generally ‘a good aircraft’, very sturdy and reliable.

Although the land where the crash occurred lies in the Peak District National Park, it is owned and managed by The National Trust.

Local aviation enthusiasts provided, and installed a memorial to Wing Commander Speare on the 17th April 1951. It is located about 2km NW of Upper Booth in the Hope Valley, on the SW flank of Kinder Plateau, between Jacob’s Ladder and Pym Chair.

(NGR: SK08903 - 86696)

It comprises of a stainless steel cross 430mm x260mm, with an inscription in upright capital block lettering, positioned adjacent to the remaining debris from the aircraft.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF

WING COMMANDER

DICKIE SPEARE 1651 HCU

Probate shows he left £2,227 8 shillings and 6 pence to his wife Peggy, living at their home, 6 Barrie Road, Moordown, Bournemouth.

Wing Commander Speare was awarded with the following decorations and campaign medals, a scarce set, to a Commanding Officer of a Secret Squadron, consisting of 5 awards for Gallantry, but he had no time to get them mounted and wear them. They remain unmounted.

Distinguished Service Order (1944) Distinguished Flying Cross (1941) and Bar (1943 ) 1939-45 Star
Aircrew Europe Star
War Medal with Mention in Despatches (1941)
** Can be awarded for gallantry
French Croix de Guerre with Bronze Palme (1945)
** Mentioned at Army level for Gallantry.

© Simon Muggleton August 2025

Acknowledgements:-

Gorringes Auctions Lewes Sussex
Wing Commander Jim Routledge RAF Rtd Colin Pateman Aviation Historian
Soren Flenstead -Danish Aviation Historian J Helme Danish Aviation Historian Hermann Stock Luftwaffe Pilot
Ron Collier Aviation Historian Barry Blunt Aviation Historian
Ron Collier Author - Dark Peak Wrecks
Clive Bassett Harrington Aviation Museum
Martin Middlebrook - Author Bomber Command War Diaries
MoD Service Records/Medals
Chris Ward - Author 138 Squadron Profile Flight Magazin
Traces of War Website London Gazette Ancestry website
Find My Past Website
RAF Museum London
RAAF 460 Squadron Australian War Memorial Museum - Australi
Imperial War Museum London
National Archives London
RAF Commands Archive Website Aviation Safety Network Website Bournemouth Echo Newspaper
Peak District Air Accidents Research Website
South East History Website Derbyshire War Memorials Website Bournemouth School Archive

W/Cdr. Richard Douglas (Dickie) Speare 37696 RAF Age 29. Bournemouth North Cemetery. Row K.4. Grave 95.

Son of Maj. Francis W. Speare and Alice Speare; husband of Jessica Evelyn (Peggy) Speare, of Newby, Scarborough, Yorkshire, England. Epitaph: 'In Sacred Memory Of "Dickie" Dearest Husband Of Peggy Beloved Only Son Of Major And Mrs F.W.Speare'.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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