SOE 298 Squadron

I am on an interesting challenge.
The auto mechanic who my life's happiness is dependant... is on a mission to learn what happened to his uncle.

This thread is focused on assembling additional information and family contacts for the RAF Special Operations Executive (SOE) 298 Squadron.
http://www.pegasusarchive.org/normandy/unit_R298.htm
________________

Firstly we will focus on improving the information for the Loss Record for British Subject Francis Sayles and crew.

Interim Editable Loss Card posted at: http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=29899
Please proof read and do any corrections needed. Tnx one and all!

Date Aircraft Type & Serial Unit Crew Location Cause Sources / References
31.8.44 Halifax V LL343 T-L 298 Sqdn RAF
F/O William Wallace Brown RCAF - Pilot - died
Sgt William Bradley RAFVR - Flight Engineer - died
F/O Robert Denver MacDuff RNZAF - Navigator - died
F/Sgt Frederick Pearson RAFVR - Wireless Op / Gunner - died
F/O Francis Sayles DFM - Air Bomber - died
F/Sgt John Bonsall Smith RAFVR - Wireless Op / Gunner - died
All commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial,
UK English Channel

Took Off from Tarrant Rushton 23:59 hrs on SOE operation OSRIC 122 to the Diest area of Belgium, believed shot down over Straights of Dover by Mtr.ObGefr. Baumann Flak Ship VP-Flottilla Windhuk off Walcheren Island which guarded the entrances to the Scheldt rivers at position AN8762 [SIZE=14.44444465637207px]off the Dutch coast.[/SIZE]
Page 126 Flights of the Forgotten

Further research and information:

Harrington Museum Aircraft lost on Allied Forces Special Duty Operations (pdf)
http://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/Aircraft%20lost%20on%20Allied%20Forces%20Special%20Duty%20Operations.pdf


http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/archive/index.php?t-19029.html
http://www.wingstovictory.nl/database/database_detail-en.php?wtv_id=414
http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/20498-help-with-tombs-of-unknown-airmen-in-netherlands-may-be-my-grandfather/

The families have been told that:
a) This Special Operations Mission remains classified to this day under the The Official Secrets Acts 1911 to 1989 and NO FURTHER INFORMATION will be provided.

- I would have thought that information would have been released by now!
_____________________

Speculation is that for some or all "top secret" Special Operations Missions:
1. Crew members were given false names and fake personal ID numbers.
2. They flew in fake squadrons from fake wings from fake airfields.
3. Aircraft that landed heavily damaged at RAF Carnaby and RAF Woodbridge, Manston South coast emergency landing ground for bomber crews were possibly stripped of their Serial Numbers, Identifiers, Parts numbers and that these were applied to Aircraft destined for Special Ops to thwart Axis investigators.

Any truth to these rumours? Interesting spy versus spy policy if in fact an operational policy and procedure!

 

Archived Tarrant-Rushton Website http://web.archive.org/web/20070711135229/http://www.tarrant-rushton.ndirect.co.uk/
Tarrant Rushton Airfield RAF Station Diary for 196 Squadron, 298 Squadron and Heavy Glider Squadron Operational Record Books:
http://web.archive.org/web/20041221114411/http://www.tarrant-rushton.ndirect.co.uk/RAFStationDiary.htm
196 and 298 etc Squadron Log Books: http://web.archive.org/web/20070711135158/http://www.tarrant-rushton.ndirect.co.uk/RAF%20Control%20Tower%20Flight%20Log.htm
Tarrant-Rushton Control Tower Flight Log: http://web.archive.org/web/20041014235904/http://www.tarrant-rushton.ndirect.co.uk/RAF%20Control%20Tower%20Flight%20Log.htm

298 Squadron SOE Losses for investigation:

Halifax Mk.III NA347 http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=28104

Halifax V LL293 - 8A-P http://www.teunispats.net/t4544.htm

Halifax MZ980 http://www.csn.ul.ie/~dan/war/mz980.htm

From: http://www.pegasusarchive.org/normandy/unit_R298.htm

D-Day June 6th 1944
One aircraft ‘K’ 288 piloted by Flying Officer ANDERSON failed to return from this operation. Is 288 a type for 298 Squadron?

Following the conclusion of their part towing Horsa Gliders in the D-Day Invasion, 298 Squadron flew many supply drops over France to men of the SAS
and the Special Operations Executive, and they also participated in a number of tactical bombing raids. Losses were sustained on some of these missions.

On the 16th July, one Halifax was lost and its six-man crew killed whilst flying an SOE sortie codenamed "Stationer 175".
Halifax ‘N’ of No. 298 Squadron piloted by Warrant Officer CROSSLEY failed to return from operations.

A similar mission, "Diplomat 9", took place on the 5th August 1944 and an aircraft was shot down by a German fighter; one man died but the remaining crew successfully bailed out.
Aircraft A-’Q’ of No. 298 Squadron piloted by Flying Officer ANDERSON failed to return.
The Tarrant Rushton Airfield RAF Station Diary lists, for Sept 23d 1944 that Flying Officer READER, rear gunner in Flying Officer ANDERSON’S crew of No. 298 Squadron reported missing on August 5th/6th, 1944, is now back in hospital in this country.

On the 24th August, three men died when their Halifax was shot down on "Pimento 98",
Aircraft A-’T’ of No. 298 Squadron piloted by Warrant Officer BAIN was missing from this operation.
Signal received from United States sources concerning the fate of two of the crew of Warrant Officer BAIN’s aircraft which was shot down in France on the night of August 24th/25th, 1944.
Flight Sergeant WEEKES (air gunner) died on August 27th, 1944, from cerebral concussion in No. 19 General Hospital A.E.A.F.
and Flight Lieutenant ROWALL (navigator) was also a patient in the same hospital after suffering from a fractured skull.

Warrant officer BAIN reported missing from operations on August 24th/25th, 1944, was in WROUGHTON HOSPITAL. Condition not serious.
From information received, it appears that the aircraft was shot down by friendly anti-aircraft fire killing the flight engineer, Flight Sergeant BENSLEY.
Rest of crew were believed to be safe but whereabouts unknown.

and on the 30th August another aircraft and all six crew were lost on "Osric 122".
- No mention of losses in the Tarrant Rushton Airfield RAF Station Diary.

Another SOE mission was flown on the 11th September, but the Halifax involved crashed into high ground, killing all four aboard.
http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=29635
- No mention of losses in the Tarrant Rushton Airfield RAF Station Diary for that day.
But on Sept 30th 1944, the Station Diaries state: Sergeant A.C. BATEY (rear gunner) from Pilot Officer OWEN K. SMITH’S crew returned to base.
This crew was missing from operations over France on September 10th/11th, 1944.
Sergeant BATEY reported that their aircraft struck the crest of MONT LES VAUX, burst into flames and segregated into three parts.
He escaped from the rear turret and found Sergeant ROYAL (flight engineer) severely burned.
The remainder of the crew were dead and were later taken by the French to EPINAC where on September 13th, 1944, a requiem mass was held in the church.
They were buried in one grave, Sergeants BATEY and ROYAL were driven to WIGON on September 24th, 1944, by F.F.I. Commandant and proceeded by air to HESTON airfield.

Following Operation Market Garden, 298 Squadron resumed their SAS/SOE duties.

A Halifax crashed and one man was killed on the 20th September, when it ran out of fuel during landing after the successful completion of an SAS resupply mission.
The Tarrant Rushton Airfield RAF Station Diary lists, for Sept 19th 1944, Aircraft T-’S’ of No. 298 Squadron piloted by Pilot Officer BERRY crashed in a wood beside MIDDLE WALLOP airfield at 02.50 hours on return owing to shortage of fuel. Sergeant O’KEEFE (u/t wireless operator) was killed and Pilot Officer AUSTIN (flight engineer) slightly injured and three second SAS troops injured. Aircraft was completely written off.

On the following day another aircraft was lost when it flew too low on a similar mission and collided with the ground; killing three of the six crew.
The Tarrant Rushton Airfield RAF Station Diary lists, for Sept 21st 1944 Aircraft A-’M’ of No. 298 Squadron piloted by Flight Sergeant GOLDSMITH reported missing from this operation.

The Tarrant Rushton Airfield RAF Station Diary lists, for Oct 14th 1944
No. 298 Squadron sent five aircraft and No. 644 Squadron six aircraft on SOE operations over Holland. One aircraft piloted by Flying Officer W.B. TAYLOR of No. 298 Squadron is missing.

The Squadron suffered no further losses during the remainder of 1944, but two men were killed when their aircraft crashed on a navigational exercise on the 9th February 1945,
The Tarrant Rushton Airfield RAF Station Diary lists, for Feb 9th 1945 A-’U’ of No. 298 Squadron piloted by Flying Officer McGILLIVRAY was forced to ditch in DONEGAL BAY.

and on the 25th February the six man crew of a Halifax were lost when they were hit by flak during an SOE mission to Norway.
The Tarrant Rushton Airfield RAF Station Diary lists, for Feb 25th/267h 1945 Aircraft T-’M’ of No. 298 Squadron piloted by Flying Officer EDICK is missing from this operation.

In March 1945, 298 and 644 Squadrons temporarily left Tarrant Rushton for Woodbridge, a base closer to mainland Europe,
so that they might participate in Operation Varsity, the second and successful attempt to cross the Rhine, this time using the 6th Airborne Division.

On the 24th March, 298 Squadron towed twenty-four Hamilcars and five Horsas to their landing zones at Hamminkeln, during which one Halifax was brought down by flak and its six-man crew were killed.
- No mention of losses in the Tarrant Rushton Airfield RAF Station Diary.

Three days later another crew were lost when their aircraft stalled and crashed during a night-time navigational exercise.
- No mention of losses in the Tarrant Rushton Airfield RAF Station Diary.

Thereafter the Squadron reverted to its former SAS/SOE resupply role, although their field of operations was now largely concerned with only Norway and Denmark.

On the 30th March, 298 and 644 Squadrons contributed eleven aircraft to SOE resupply missions in these countries; one aircraft and six men were lost on the "Ostler 2" sortie.
- No mention of losses in the Tarrant Rushton Airfield RAF Station Diary.

Further six-man crews were lost on flights to Scandinavia on the 3rd, 13th, and 19th April.
April 3d 1945 - No mention of losses in the Tarrant Rushton Airfield RAF Station Diary.
April 12th 1945 in the Tarrant Rushton Airfield RAF Station Diary: Three aircraft were sent on SOE missions to Holland. One is missing.
April 18th 1945 in the Tarrant Rushton Airfield RAF Station Diary: Denmark was the target for ten SOE aircraft. One completed its mission and one has not yet returned.

April 23'd 1945:
Twelve aircraft were sent to SOE targets in Norway, nine being successful. Three others dropped on SOE targets in Denmark. From Norway, one aircraft landed at CARNABY and another is missing.

April 26th 1945:
Denmark was the target for 12 SOE missions, eight aircraft completed their tasks and one is missing.

 

http://wingstovictory.nl/database/database_detail-du.php?wtv_id=414

It's in Dutch/German, but Google Translate handles that quite well.





Not much more useful info, I'm afraid. The site has some pics and map.

 

This is brutal. Not one mention of 298 Squadron in Chorely and the Amendments. And only 4 records of any losses from 298 Sqdn - see list above.

The Brown and Sayles Family & Relatives were NOT kidding when they said these men are lost, buried in the Official Secrets Act.

Results list below from: Harrington Museum Aircraft lost on Allied Forces Special Duty Operations (pdf)

________________________

298 Sqdn RAF, 38 Group Special Duty Operations.

Tarrant Rushton, UK (4.11.43 - 21.3.45, 24.3.45 - Aug 1946)
Woodbridge, UK (21.3.45 - 24.3.45)

298 Squadron reformed at Tarrant Rushton from A Flight of 295 Squadron with Halifaxes and
in February 1944 began supply dropping flights over France in addition to training for the invasion of Europe.

On the eve of D-Day the squadron sent six aircraft with Horsa gliders to capture the Orne bridges
before the main landings and later towed fifteen gliders to the landing grounds in Normandy.

For the Arnhem landings the squadron towed thirteen Horsa gliders and seven Hamilcars on the first day and eight of each on the second.
Ten Horsas on the third day took reinforcements to the 1st Airborne Division.

For the Rhine crossing No 298 squadron contributed tugs for twenty five Horsas and six Hamilcars and after the end of the war took troops to Norway and Denmark.

 

More information is requested to provide further information on RAF 298 Squadron Halifax LL348 K

Editable Loss Card: http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=29902

6.6.1944 298 Sqdn RAF Halifax Mk V LL348 K
Loss Location: France

T/O Tarrant Rushton 01:43 hrs towing Horsa glider LF912 on Operation TONGA as part of Operation OVERLORD
after releasing glider over target and completing mission aircraft hit by flak and set on fire.
Pilot gave order to bale out at 03:40 hrs landing in orchard north of Bures, 10 miles east of Caen in France.

F/O C.E. Anderson RCAF - Pilot - evaded
P/O E. Annon - Navigator - evaded
F/O C.F. Evans - Air Bomber - evaded
F/Sgt D.E. Lewis - Wireless Op - evaded
Sgt D. Forrest - Flight Engineer - injured - evaded
P/O R.F. Reader - Tail Gunner - evaded

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/

Horsa Glider Story from that operation (naming a Horsa pilot towed by LL348.)
http://www.fallenheroesphotos.org/Servicemen/Detail/22646

Harrington Museum Aircraft lost on Allied Forces Special Duty Operations (pdf)
http://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/Aircraft%20lost%20on%20Allied%20Forces%20Special%20Duty%20Operations.pdf

 

More information is requested to provide further information on RAF 298 Squadron Halifax LL129 T-N

Editable Loss Card: http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=29903

15/16.7.1944 298 Sqdn RAF Halifax Mk V LL129 T-N
Loss Location: Larre, Normandy, France

T/O Tarrant Rushton 23:35 on SOE Operation STATIONER 175, a drop zone at Chatellerault-le-Blanc in France.
Aircraft came down at Larre in France with no survivors,

W/O James Foxall Crossley RAFVR - Pilot - killed
W/O Joseph Wilfred Romeo Fournier RCAF - Tail Gunner - killed
Sgt Enzo Biagge Grasso RAFVR - Air Bomber - killed
F/O William Edward Linning RCAF - Wireless Op - killed
F/O Derwood William Smith RCAF - Navigator - killed
Sgt Edward Maurice Cyril Wilkinson RAFVR - Flight Engineer - killed

W/O Crossley, Sgt Grasso, F/O Smith & Sgt Wilkinson buried at Le Mans West Cemetery, France
W/O Fournier & F/O Linning buried at Brettevilesur- Laize Canadian War Cemetery, France

Page 122: Flights of the Forgotten

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/

http://www.aerosteles.net/fiche.php?code=larre-halifax&lang=en

http://francecrashes39-45.net/page_fiche_av.php?id=2137
States: The pilot was ceceived by false markings established by the Germans suspected airdrops in the area.

http://www.ansa39-45.fr/ete44.htm

Edwin Bryce states their was a "Joe" aboard as well. http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/07078.php

An unknown 7th found much later in the beet fields under a hatch or door of the plane. The unidentified victim could be a member of the SOE (Special Operations Executive)

Harrington Museum Aircraft lost on Allied Forces Special Duty Operations (pdf)
http://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/Aircraft%20lost%20on%20Allied%20Forces%20Special%20Duty%20Operations.pdf

 

More information is requested to provide further information on RAF 298 Squadron Halifax LL334 A-Q

Editable Loss Card: http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=29904

4/5.8.1944 298 Sqdn RAF Halifax LL334 A-Q
Loss Location: Essoyes, France

T/O Tarrant Rushton 23:42 hrs on SOE operation DIPLOMAT 9 to Haute Marne, France
Aircraft shot down by ME110 night fighter within drop zone area and crash landed in flames at 02:00 hrs in a wood north of Essoyes in France
A Halifax was claimed by Hptm. Fisher of 3./NJG100 at 00.04 hrs.

F/O Charles Edward Anderson RCAF - Pilot - killed
P/O E. Annon - Navigator - evaded
F/Sgt J. Threlkeld - Air Bomber - evaded
F/Sgt D.E. Lewis RNZAF - Wireless Op
Sgt C. Muskin - Flight Engineer
P/O R.F. Reader - Tail gunner - injured, POW
F/O Anderson buried at Essoyes Communal Cemetery, France

The Tarrant Rushton Airfield RAF Station Diary lists, for Sept 23d 1944 that Flying Officer READER, rear gunner in Flying Officer ANDERSON’S crew of No. 298 Squadron reported missing on August 5th/6th, 1944, is now back in hospital in this country.

Page 124: Flights of the Forgotten

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/

http://www.conscript-heroes.com/MI9-06.html
F/Sgt Jack Threkeld 298 Sqn Halifax LL334 FTR SOE mission Aug 44 - evaded until liberated near Isigny Sept 44
P/O Elliott Annon 298 Sqn Halifax LL334 FTR SOE mission Aug 44 - evaded until liberated near Isigny Sept 44

Harrington Museum Aircraft lost on Allied Forces Special Duty Operations (pdf)
http://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/Aircraft%20lost%20on%20Allied%20Forces%20Special%20Duty%20Operations.pdf

 

More information is requested to provide further information on RAF 298 Squadron Halifax LL401 A-T

Editable Loss Card: http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=29905

24/25.8.1944 298 Sqdn RAF Halifax Mk V LL401 A-T
Loss Location: La Rouge, north east of Le Mans, France
T/O Tarrant Rushton 22:14 hrs on SOE Operation PIMENTO 98 in central France near Le Mans 20 miles NE of Lyon
aircraft came down near village of La Rouge north east of Le Mans after being hit by US anti aircraft battery

W/O G.P. Bain - Pilot - injured
F/Sgt Robert Bensley RAFVR - Flight Engineer - killed
F/Sgt Ivan Alexander Weeks RAFVR - Tail Gunner - died of injuries 26.8.44
F/Lt Leslie Jack Rowell RAF - Navigator - died of injuries 26.8.44
Sgt A. Holder - Air Bomber - injured
F/Sgt C. Mansell - Wireless Op - injured
F/Sgt Bensley buried at La RougeCommunal Cemetery, France
F/Sgt Weeks & F/Lt Rowell buried at Le Mans West Cemetery, France.

Warrant officer BAIN reported missing from operations on August 24th/25th, 1944, was in WROUGHTON HOSPITAL. Condition not serious.
From information received, it appears that the aircraft was shot down by friendly anti-aircraft fire killing the flight engineer, Flight Sergeant BENSLEY.

Signal received from United States sources concerning the fate of two of the crew of Warrant Officer BAIN’s aircraft which was shot down in France on the night of August 24th/25th, 1944.
Flight Sergeant WEEKES (air gunner) died on August 27th, 1944, from cerebral concussion in No. 19 General Hospital A.E.A.F.
and Flight Lieutenant ROWALL (navigator) was also a patient in the same hospital after suffering from a fractured skull.

Page 126: Flights of the Forgotten

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/

Harrington Museum Aircraft lost on Allied Forces Special Duty Operations (pdf)
http://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/Aircraft%20lost%20on%20Allied%20Forces%20Special%20Duty%20Operations.pdf

 

More information is requested to provide further information on RAF 298 Squadron Halifax LL343 T-L

Editable Loss Card: http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=29899

30/31.8.1944 298 Sqdn RAF Halifax Mk V LL343 T-L
Loss Location: English Channel

T/O Tarrant Rushton 23:59 hrs on SOE operation OSRIC 122 to the Diest area of Belgium, believed shot down over Straights of Dover by flak ship off Dutch coast

F/O William Wallace Brown RCAF - Pilot - died
Sgt William Bradley RAFVR - Flight Engineer - died
F/O Robert Denver MacDuff RNZAF - Navigator - died
F/Sgt Frederick Pearson RAFVR - Wireless Op / Gunner - died
F/O Francis Sayles DFM - Air Bomber - died
F/Sgt John Bonsall Smith RAFVR - Wireless Op / Gunner - died
All commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, UK

Page 126: Flights of the Forgotten

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=19029

http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/20498-help-with-tombs-of-unknown-airmen-in-netherlands-may-be-my-grandfather/

http://wingstovictory.nl/database/pdf/414-story.pdf

Harrington Museum Aircraft lost on Allied Forces Special Duty Operations (pdf)
http://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/Aircraft%20lost%20on%20Allied%20Forces%20Special%20Duty%20Operations.pdf

 

More information is requested to provide further information on RAF 298 Squadron Halifax LL273 8A-Y

Editable Loss Card: http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=29635

11.9.1944 298 Sqdn RAF Halifax Mk V LL273 8A-Y
Loss Location: Aubigny-La-Ronce (Cote d’Or), France

Airborne 22:12 on 10 Sep 1944 from Tarrant Rushton on Special Operations Executive (SOE) operation "Bob 264"
at Drop Zone (DZ) "Etable" positioned at 46°58'41"N, 05°11'00"E, near Aubigny-la-Ronce (Côte-d'Or), 15 km from Dijon in France.
At about 00:36 on 11 Sep 1944, while making the drop, the aircraft hit the crest of Mont les Vaux at Aubigny-la-Ronce (Côte-d'Or), bursting into flames and breaking up into three parts.
German patrols were believed to be nearby, so villagers in the Lavaut hamlet, 300 m S of the crash site dared not leave their houses.

RAAF 425782 PO Smith, O K Captain (Pilot) killed
RAF Sgt Len Royle, (Flight Engineer) evaded
RAF FO Solomons, (Navigator) killed
RAF Flt Sgt A Laverick, (Air Bomber) killed
RAAF 421246 Flt Sgt W M Christie, (Wireless Air Gunner) killed
RAF Sgt Alan C Batey, (Air Gunner) evaded

Four members of the crew, P/O O.K.Smith, F/Sgt W.M.Christie, F/Sgt A.Laverick and & F/O Solomon were killed in the crash, and are now buried in the Epinac Churchyard France.
Two, Sgt L.Royle and Sgt A.C.Batey, survived and evaded capture by the Germans.


On Sept 30th 1944, the Station Diaries state: Sergeant A.C. BATEY (rear gunner) from Pilot Officer OWEN K. SMITH’S crew returned to base.
Sergeant BATEY reported that their aircraft struck the crest of MONT LES VAUX, burst into flames and segregated into three parts.
He escaped from the rear turret and found Sergeant ROYAL (flight engineer) severely burned.
The remainder of the crew were dead and were later taken by the French to EPINAC where on September 13th, 1944, a requiem mass was held in the church.
They were buried in one grave, Sergeants BATEY and ROYAL were driven to WIGON on September 24th, 1944, by F.F.I. Commandant and proceeded by air to HESTON airfield.

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/


http://aerosteles.net/fiche.php?code=aubignylaronce-halifax&lang=en
http://www.aerosteles.net/fiche.php?code=aubignylaronce-halifax&lang=en
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/36889261

Harrington Museum Aircraft lost on Allied Forces Special Duty Operations (pdf)
http://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/Aircraft%20lost%20on%20Allied%20Forces%20Special%20Duty%20Operations.pdf

 

More information is requested to provide further information on RAF 298 Squadron Halifax LL256 T-S

Editable Loss Card: http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=29906

19/20.9.1944 298 Sqdn RAF Halifax Mk V LL256 T-S
Loss Location: Middle Wallop, UK

T/O Tarrant Rushton 19:32 hrs on SAS operation to LOYTON 27.
Aircraft ran out of fuel and crash bellylanded in a wood near Middle Wallop at 02:53 hrs while being diverted to Harwell due to bad weather on returning from unsuccessful mission.
Passengers included 3 SAS troops and a dispatcher. One of troops was dangerously injured. Aircraft completely written off.

P/O A.K. Berry - Pilot
Sgt Geoffrey. O’Keefe RAFVR - Wireless Op - killed
P/O K.W.Austin - Flight Engineer - injured
Sgt O’Keefe interned at Camberwell (Honor Oak) Crematorium, UK

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/

http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/02747.php

Harrington Museum Aircraft lost on Allied Forces Special Duty Operations (pdf)
http://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/Aircraft%20lost%20on%20Allied%20Forces%20Special%20Duty%20Operations.pdf

 

More information is requested to provide further information on RAF 298 Squadron Halifax LL333 A-M

Editable Loss Card: http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=29908

21/22.9.1944 298 Sqdn RAF Halifax Mk V LL333 A-M
Loss Location: Noel-Cerneux, 14 miles south of Besancon, France

T/O Tarrant Rushton on SOE / SAS sortie STOCKBROKER 26A at DZ 47deg 07'12"N, 06 deg 42' 13"E aircraft flew into high ground 22:10 hrs, at Noel-Cereux (Doubs), 16 miles south east of Besancon, France
CWGC website has all casualties date of death as 20.9.44

F/Sgt K.A. Goldsmith - Pilot - evaded
F/O Gerald Borkett RAFVR - Wireless Op - killed
F/O Albert Fred Sheffield RAFVR - Navigator - killed
Sgt Harry Day RAFVR - Flight Engineer - killed
F/Sgt F.A.Barnes - Air Bomber - evaded
Sgt R. Titman - Tail Gunner - evaded
F/O Borkett, F/O Sheffield & Sgt Day are buried in Choloy War Cemetery, France

Page 129: Flights of the Forgotten

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/

From: http://www.conscript-heroes.com/MI9-06.html
Sgt Roy Titman 298 Sqn Halifax LL333 FTR SOE mission Sept 44 - joined American troops near Swiss border

Harrington Museum Aircraft lost on Allied Forces Special Duty Operations (pdf)
http://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/Aircraft%20lost%20on%20Allied%20Forces%20Special%20Duty%20Operations.pdf

 

More information is requested to provide further information on RAF 298 Squadron Halifax LL294 8A-P

Editable Loss Card: http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=29900

14/15.10.1944 298 Sqdn RAF Halifax Mk V LL294 8A-P (Some sources have this as LL293)
Loss Location: Stavoren, Holland

T/O Tarrant Rushton 00:13 hrs on SOE arms drop operation RUMMY 6 near Wezup in the Emmen area of Netherlands
aircraft hit by flak near Hoorn, Holland while en-route to DZ. Aircraft made emergency landing on the Ijsselmeer near Stavoren, Holland

F/Sgt Springate stayed with the resistance in Friesland and got RAF permission to operate as a W/Op for the SOE mission NECKING (Peter Tazelaar / Lykele Faber) who were in desperate need for an operator.

F/O William B. Taylor RCAF - Pilot - evaded
W/O Harold L. Ferguson RCAF - Air Bomber - died
Sgt John Campbell - Flight Engineer - evaded
P/O William McGechie RCAF - Navigator - evaded
P/O James A. Horwood RCAF - Tail Gunner - evaded
F/Sgt Alfred C. Springate - Wireless Op - evaded

5 of crew escaped in dingy
W/O Ferguson buried at Staveren General Cemetery, Netherlands

Page 130: Flights of the Forgotten

http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=168409

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/

Extensive story posted at: http://elger.livejournal.com/169099.html

Harrington Museum Aircraft lost on Allied Forces Special Duty Operations (pdf)
http://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/Aircraft%20lost%20on%20Allied%20Forces%20Special%20Duty%20Operations.pdf

 

More information is requested to provide further information on RAF 298 Squadron Halifax MZ980 A-U

Editable Loss Card: http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=29901

9.2.1945 298 Sqdn RAF Halifax Mk III MZ980 A-U
Loss Location: Donegal Bay, UK

‘EXERCISE QUIVER’ - Two aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and two aircraft from No. 644 Squadron participated on this exercise.
Adverse weather was encountered and none were successful.
One aircraft landed at TILSTOCK and A-’U’ of No. 298 Squadron piloted by Flying Officer McGILLIVRAY was forced to ditch in DONEGAL BAY.

Aircraft ran out of fuel on a navigation exercise and crashed in Donegal Bay at 16:15 hrs.

Flying Officer Delmer Ronald McGillivray J/24978 - Pilot - Safe
F/Sgt James Beedham Walker 1541521, Navigator - Safe
F/O George Dixon 157924, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner - Safe
W/O James Ewart Bunn R/203548, Air Gunner; - Safe
Sgt John Alan McKaine RAFVR 1892951 - Flight Engineer - killed
F/Lt John Carr RCAF J/21035 - Air Bomber - died from injuries

F/Lt Carr buried at Irvinestown Church of Ireland Churchyard, UK
Sgt McKaine buried at Guildford Cemetery, UK

http://www.csn.ul.ie/~dan/war/mz980.htm

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/

http://www.csn.ul.ie/~dan/war/images/Thumbnails/mz980.htm

Harrington Museum Aircraft lost on Allied Forces Special Duty Operations (pdf)
http://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/Aircraft%20lost%20on%20Allied%20Forces%20Special%20Duty%20Operations.pdf

 

More information is requested to provide further information on RAF 298 Squadron Halifax NA103 T-M

Editable Loss Card: http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=29908

25/26.2.1945 298 Sqdn RAF Halifax Mk III NA103 T-M
Loss Location: North Sea

T/O Tarrant Rushton 17:27 hrs on SOE mission to Norway.
Aircraft hit by flak at 23:44 hrs while crossing Norwegian coast.
All crew killed when aircraft crashed into sea.

F/O Robert Stanley Edick RCAF - Pilot - died
P/O Eric Alexander Innes RCAF - Wireless Op - died
WO Chester Allen Holmlund RCAF - Navigator - died
F/O Alex Kotyk RCAF - Air Bomber - died
P/O Hector Lochhead RCAF - Tail gunner - died
F/Sgt William George Godfrey RAF - Flight Engineer - died

All commemorated on Runnymede Memorial, UK

Page 137: Flights of the Forgotten

Aircraft Crash Research in Southern Norway website

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/

http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flystyrten_ved_Torungene_i_1945

NA103 is included in known Luftwwaffe kills at: http://www.luftwaffe.no/SIG/1945/Nacht.html

Harrington Museum Aircraft lost on Allied Forces Special Duty Operations (pdf)
http://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/Aircraft%20lost%20on%20Allied%20Forces%20Special%20Duty%20Operations.pdf

 

More information is requested to provide further information on RAF 298 Squadron Halifax NA311 A-K

Editable Loss Card: http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=29909

24.3.1945 298 Sqdn RAF Halifax NA311 A-K
Loss Location: Wessel, Germany

T/O Woodbridge 07:42 hrs on Rhine Crossing Operation VARSITY
aircraft shot down by enemy flak near Wessel.

F/O Delmer Ronald McGillivray RCAF - Pilot - killed
W/O James Ewart Bunn RCAF - Tail Gunner - killed
F/O George Dixon RAFVR - Wireless Op - killed
F/O Edwin Marshal Hales RAFVR - Air Bomber - killed
F/Sgt James Beedham Walker RAFVR - Navigator - killed
F/Sgt Augustine Aherne RAFVR - Flight Engineer - killed

All buried at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany

This aircraft was captained by McGillivray whose aircraft MZ980 had ditched in Donagal Bay in February.
Vivien Joy's engagement to him was announced in The Times on 7th March 1945. Sadly he was killed 2 weeks later during Operation Varsity,
See: http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=307801.50

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/

Harrington Museum Aircraft lost on Allied Forces Special Duty Operations (pdf)
http://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/Aircraft%20lost%20on%20Allied%20Forces%20Special%20Duty%20Operations.pdf

 

More information is requested to provide further information on RAF 298 Squadron Halifax PN243 T-S

Editable Loss Card: http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=29910

30/31.3.1945 298 Sqdn RAF Halifax Mk VII PN243 T-S
Loss Location: ?

T/O Tarrant Rushton 20:26 hrs on SOE operation OSTLER 2 to Norway
aircraft failed to return with crew presumed killed in action

F/O Peter Ireland RAFVR - Pilot - died
F/Sgt Cyril Alexander RAFVR - Air Bomber - died
F/Sgt Alfred George King RAFVR - Wireless Op - died
W/O James Alexander Buzza RCAF - Tail Gunner - died
Sgt Thomas Reynolds RAFVR - Flight Engineer - died
F/Sgt Kenneth Woodhart RAFVR - Navigator - died

All commemorated on Runnymede Memorial, UK

Page 141: Flights of the Forgotten

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/

Harrington Museum Aircraft lost on Allied Forces Special Duty Operations (pdf)
http://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/Aircraft%20lost%20on%20Allied%20Forces%20Special%20Duty%20Operations.pdf

 

More information is requested to provide further information on RAF 298 Squadron Halifax NA660 8A-X

Editable Loss Card: http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=29911

2/3.4.1945 298 Sqdn RAF Halifax Mk III NA660 8A-X
Loss Location: Kalleberg near Farsund, Norway

T/O Tarrant Rushton 22:35 hrs on SOE mission STIRRUP14 to Norway
aircraft shot up over Lista, caught fire & crashed at Kalleberg near Farsund.

W/C Hubert Law-Wright DSO DFC RAFVR - Pilot - killed
F/O John Cranston Boyd Rae RAFVR - Navigator - killed
P/O Elden Fleetwood Carlisle RCAF - Air Bomber - killed
F/Sgt Terence McKeown Stonham RAFVR - Wireless Op / Gunner - killed
F/Sgt Denis Sydney Bertram Derrett RAFVR - Flight Engineer - killed
F/Sgt Geoffrey Brasnett Johnson RAFVR - Tail Gunner - killed

Crew buried at Vanse Churchyard, Norway

Page 143: Flights of the Forgotten

Aircraft Crash Research in Southern Norway website

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/

http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/02456.php

http://ktsorens.tihlde.org/flyvrak/kallebergheia.html

Harrington Museum Aircraft lost on Allied Forces Special Duty Operations (pdf)
http://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/Aircraft%20lost%20on%20Allied%20Forces%20Special%20Duty%20Operations.pdf

 

More information is requested to provide further information on RAF 298 Squadron Halifax NA347 8A-J

Editable Loss Card: http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=28104

12/13.4.1945 298 Sqdn RAF Halifax NA347 8A-J
Loss Location: Zandvoort, Holland

T/O Tarrant Rushton 22:58
aircraft shot down by flak from Ijmuiden and crashed 02:00 hrs in dunes near Zandvoort on way to
SOE Operation MEDICO 6 to drop weapons for the Dutch Forces near village of Stompwijk close to Leiden, Holland.

F/O John William Scott RAFVR - Pilot - killed
F/O Arthur Farrow RAFVR - Navigator - killed
Sgt Archibald Gray Gillon RAFVR - Flight Engineer - killed
Sgt Arthur Hogg RAFVR - Wireless Op / Gunner - killed
F/O Samuel Alexander Lytle RAFVR - Air Bomber - killed
Sgt Stanley Thomas RAFVR - Tail Gunner - killed

All buried at Amsterdam New Eastern Cemetery, Netherlands

Page 143: Flights of the Forgotten

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/

https://archive.org/details/GOZ-PDF-H00028

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/62703301

Vic. Valve has written a book about the drama with the NA347.
Halfax shot above Zandvoort Vic. Valve ISBN 90-806668-2-3
Also released under the title The last flight of the Halifax NA 347 of the Royal Air Force during the night of 12 on April 13, 1945.

Harrington Museum Aircraft lost on Allied Forces Special Duty Operations (pdf)
http://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/Aircraft%20lost%20on%20Allied%20Forces%20Special%20Duty%20Operations.pdf

 

More information is requested to provide further information on RAF 298 Squadron Halifax NA344 8T-Q

Editable Loss Card: http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=29912

18/19.4.1945 298 Sqdn RAF Halifax Mk III NA344 8T-Q
Loss Location: North Sea

T/O 20:31 Tarrant Rushton on SOE operation to Fjerritslev, Denmark
aircraft hit by flak and crashed in flames into North Sea close to tip of Jutland.

W/O Ronald Franklin Mackrill RAFVR - Pilot - died
F/Sgt Frederick Bridge RAFVR - rear gunner - died
F/Sgt Robert Henry Healey RAFVR - died
F/Sgt Douglas Smedley RAFVR - died
F/Sgt William Harry Wall RAFVR - died
Sgt Albert William Pannell RAFVR - died

W/O Mackrill buried at Vang Churchyard, Denmark
F/Sgt Bridge buried at Sondre Nissum Churchyard, Denmark
F/Sgt Healey, F/Sgt Smedley, F/Sgt Wall & Sgt Pannell are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, UK

Page 144: Flights of the Forgotten

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/

Harrington Museum Aircraft lost on Allied Forces Special Duty Operations (pdf)
http://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/Aircraft%20lost%20on%20Allied%20Forces%20Special%20Duty%20Operations.pdf