Charles Eric Littler
Pre War RAF
Amateur boxer who represented the RAF at Featherweight.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Son of Charles James Wharton Littler and Laura Littler, of Ainsdale, Southport.
Cranwell cadet appointed Pilot Officer on the 26th July 1930.
He was in the same group as Douglas Bader.
April 1930 he baled out of a Bristol Fighter when he got into an inverted spin and was unable to correct it.
February 1932 he was promoted Flying Officer.
January 1936 he was promoted Flight Lieutenant.
Appointed OC of 103 Squadron on the 5th December 1940.
30/3/1941 103 Squadron detailed 8 aircraft for attack on the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in the French port of Brest. All aircraft carried 500 lb semi armour piercing bombs and each reported to have bombed the target area. However no results could be observed because of the intense searchlight activity. Two crews made several runs over the target to ensure the exact location before releasing their bomb load. A Bf 109 was reported by one crew passing within 15 yards but did not fire.
W/C Littler made 7 runs over the target area 4 of which were dummy runs. Bursts were seen in close vicinity to the ships. On the return journey both engines started to cut out and finally stopped altogether. A forced landing was made by P/O Auliff from 10000 ft but Wellington R1043 struck a tree and burst into flames. W/C Littler was trapped in the wreckage and was killed. Rest of the crew suffered minor burns and injuries being taken to Yeovil Hospital.
Wellington W5612 103 Sqn. Take off from RAF Newton to bomb Brest as above, attacked port bow by intruder aircraft while circling the base on its return. W5612 had its navigation lights on and the rear gunner was not in his turret. The petrol tanks and fabric were damaged and the aircraft lost height and force landed in a field a mile short of Newton (https://vgy.me/u/94YI2r) . Damaged beyond repair. Other returning aircraft diverted to RAF Waddington. No Luftwaffe claim but possibly shot down by Gefr Otto Kruger 4/NJG2 who's Ju88C-4 R4+HM crashed into the North Sea
on return that night.
S/Ldr Kenneth Mellor injured legs.
Sgt Elliott unhurt
F/O Arthur Roberts unhurt
F/S McCudden unhurt
Sgt Davies unhurt
Sgt S Hamblin unhurt.
Photo of Charles Eric Littler