The ORBs comprise of:
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‘summary of events’ forms (also known as Form 540)
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‘detail of work carried out’ forms (also known as Form 541)
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appendices where applicable (which may include operational orders, miscellaneous reports and telegraphed messages)
Information includes:
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aircraft type and number
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names
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rank of flight crew
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names of passengers
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weather conditions
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flight/sortie details
The records can be used to create a list of all the flying operations that RAF aircrew completed. They are also an excellent source for building a picture of squadron operations.
This summarises the operations that the crew performed with 103 Squadron before 626 squadron was formed and shows their introduction to one another before flying regularly as one crew. Some of the individual ORBs are reproduced below
16th December 1943 - John Joey Smith was unwell, mission abandoned
20th December 1943 - "No Difficulty Encountered"
29th December 1943 - "No Difficulty Encountered"
2nd January 1944
23rd December 1943 - This mission was abandoned as there were electrical difficulties. Cyril Wheatstone was replaced by a JAB Hicks as Wireless Technician
14th January 1944 - "Aircraft faied to return"
5th January 1944 - the crew ran out of oxygen with no ill effects. The record has JJ Smith and George Upfold shown in swapped positions which was probably a mistake
