Under Construction

E. Blinko

Unknown

Note: This is an alternate page for the one titles Edward Kingsley Blinko 1910-1991. The reason for the alternate is the lack of specific identifying evidence because both the incidence report for 1944 and Forces War record (which is likely created from that report ) state initial E. and no other information about him.

WW2

We do know that there is only one reference to E. Blinko in flying records. That in itself proves that this was the only flight that he was involved in that had an incident. The National archives hold 10 squadron flight reports but under the Flying Officers name so all reports would need to be accessed to see if E. Blinko is on ant other flights

WW2

Blinko E.  Flight Sergeant 10th Squadron RAF

1943

Note: We have two records for Edward in the war but it does tell us a lot about what he did and where he was. In October 1944 a dramatic ditch into the sea and subsequent rescue by boat are well documented and we know at this time he was part of a Bomber flight crew of 10 Squadron. Likely Conscripted in 1942-43 he would have been probably in the age range of 20-25 ie born 1917-1923.

• Recruited and sent for Basic Training.

  

• After Basic Training, E. Blinko would have been sent to attend Elementary Flight Training which because of a dire shortage of facilities and instructors may well have been overseas. The United Kingdom turned to the British Empire and its allies for help. Air training agreements were made with countries including the United States, Canada and India. These international arrangements were vital in training the vast numbers of men being recruited into the RAF at this time. From 1941 the majority of flying training took place overseas. By 1945 110,600 pilots Attendees of the Air Training Conference, Ottawa, Canada 1939 had been trained on behalf of the RAF in nine different countries.

  

1944

• When he qualified for active duty we can only speculate that this would have been probably 12 months or more after joining up. We also do not know what Edwards role was ie Navigator, Gunner etc. We do know he wasn’t a Flight Commander/Pilot when he suffered his 1944 crash.

It’s highly likely that E. Blinko joined the 10 Squadron when it was at RAF Melbourne a station located 5 miles to the south-west of Pocklington, Yorkshire, England.

• We do not know what role E.Blinko played onboard the Halifax bomber, we can rule out Pilot as this role and name mentioned in-flight records. these are the other roles aboard; Flt Engineer, Navigator, Bomb Aimer, Gunner, Mid Upper Gunner and Tail Gunner.
• It would seem from an incident in October that E. Blinko was taking part in Bombing missions to Germany, it could be the October flight was his first and maybe with an inexperienced Pilot. Pilot Beakley (see below) does not appear in previous mission records

• 28 October. E. Blinko is involved in a crash into the sea on this mission. Halifax MZ576 10 sqn off Immingham Coded ZA-T. Airborne 1309 28 Oct 44 from Melbourne for Cologne. Outbound, the port outer engine failed and the bomb-load was jettisoned. However, the Halifax continued to lose height and a ditching was carried out at 1437 off Immingham on the Lincolnshire coast. Some five hours later the crew were picked up by HMS Middleton and taken to Portsmouth. F/O C.Bleakley Sgt H.McHugh Sgt P.Shelley F/O W.Hiscott Sgt E.Blinko Sgt A.Bennett Sgt S.Canning.

Notes on the Crew

1. Sgt H.McHugh is probably Wyndham D Hiscott b1922 Monmouthshire

• Its likely E.Blinko sustained injuries in the crash and was sent for medical treatment in Hospital and for him the combat was likely over.

1945

• Probably Discharged in 1945.

After the War