Ive just received a group of medals to a leading aircraftsman killed in 1943.
buried in Sicily. his date of death being 11th August 1943.
question is I can find with the help of Bomber Command losses relevent info for BC aircrew, but as far as I can tell this man was with 242 squadron , possibly Spitfires but presumably ground crew, or maybe ???
can anyone either fill in a few blanks as to.
a/ what would have happened on 11-8-43, any German/Italian raids on bases?
b/ how do I go about getting more info as I applied to Innsworth for my fathers info, didnt get much back and as Im not this persons immediate family looks like Im up against it.
c/ 242 sqadron history is a bit sketchy when it comes to the Med area , yet BOB is well covered.

thanks.

Difficult Question. I would think ground crew too or a at least a non operational loss , but I could be wrong. The only casualty I can find for a fighter pilot on this day is a Typhoon from 197 Squadron, but that was in belgium. In fact I have no 242 Squadron combat casualties for the August July period at all. Besides Leading Aircfaftsmen were ranks used in 1939-1940 I doubt that that a Spitfire Pilot would still have this rank in 1943. They were usually F/O, F/L or P/O or at least a Sergeant.

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If he was an LAC then he was almost certainly part of the ground echelon. Can you tell us what sort of medals they are - it may give a clue ?

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

At the time of this airman's loss, 242 Squadron were operating with the Spitfire IX out of Lentini East, Sicily.

Chaz, any chance of a name? Not saying it would help as info on ground crew can be very difficult to find, but one never knows.

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no probs.
LAC Frederick Delaunay service no 1650609. Africa star, Italy star, 39-45 star and war medal included is 42-43 bar for Africa star.