582 Squadron - Avro Lancaster B Mk III
A 600 Series Limited Edition Cover
During March 1944, changes in 8 (Pathfinder) Group saw the larger squadrons reduced to two flights, which resulted in the formation of two new squadrons, 582 and 635. At the same time 8 Group acquired three new stations, Upwood, Downham Market and Little Staughton, the latter being the home of the newly formed No 582 Squadron. The Squadron came into being on the 1 April 1944 equipped with Lancasters, being disbanded on the 10 September 1945 following the end of the war. In its short history the Squadron left its mark with its aircrew earning 4 DSOs, 69 DFCs with 20 bars, 29 DFMs, numerous foreign decorations and most notably the posthumous Victoria Cross awarded to Captain Edwin Swales DFC.
The first special has been signed by Flight Lieutenant R.J.F. Cann DFC, a Navigator with No 582 Squadron PFF between September 1944 and May 1945. Having trained as a Navigator in Canada during 1943, he joined No 625 Squadron flying Lancasters in July 1944 before
being chosen for the Pathfinder Force and joining No 582 Squadron in September. Awarded his Pathfinder badge December 1944
he completed 47 Operations and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
(150 Signed, Numbered and Certified - Code AV600-582a)
The second variant is signed by Air Commodore G.W. Bennington DFM MIMgt, who often flew Lancaster '60-M' shown on the cover with Captain Edwin Swales
DFC SAAF (later awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross), and was the Flight Engineer on board Swales' aircraft on the night of the 23 February where they were tasked as Master Bomber to attack the railway junction at Pforzheim. The aircraft was heavily hit by both flak and night fighters and having successfully performed their task the crippled aircraft began to lose height and after ordering his crew to bail out Swales lost his life when his aircraft crashed and exploded, his bravery leading to the award of the Victoria Cross. Having enlisted in April 1943, he only saw service with No 582 Squadron
PFF completing 43 Operations (34 of them with Captain Edwin Swales VC DFC) and also being Mentioned in
Despatches. He had a distinguished post war career with staff positions in the Air Ministry, Middle East Air Force (MEAF) and Far East Air Force (FEAF) and also at the Pentagon.
(200 Signed, Numbered and Certified - Code AV600-582b)
The
third variant is signed by Warrant Officer B. Leach who was a member of Captain Edwin Swales'
crew on board '60-M' on the night of the 23 February 1945.
(150 Signed, Numbered and Certified - Code AV600-582c) DUE FOR RELEASE IN
EARLY 2007
The
fourth variant is signed by Wing Commander P.K.K. Patrick MBE DFC, Flight
Commander with Nos 7and 582 Squadrons PFF a superb pilot who flew on numerous
occasions with my grandfather often acting as Master Bomber. The cover is also
signed by Flight Lieutenant K. Lenz a member of the RCAF who qualified as a
Navigator and was with my grandfather when they were shot down over Germany and
taken POW.
(150 Signed, Numbered and Certified - Code AV600-582d)
Covers cost £10 each
(A total of 755 covers were printed and serviced)