RAAF Air Gunner group

[RPN]

Hi

I was delighted to pick up this group today, with research.



But wait ... there's more!

[RPN]

and more ...

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and even more ...

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still more ...

[RPN]

detail ...

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detail ...

[RPN]

the reverse of the group ...



The recipient was a Sgt mid-upper gunner in a Halifax, 102 Squadron, operating out of Pocklington at the time. MIA 10 August 1942 over Europe. Soon reported as P.O.W - Stalags 8B and then 344. Ultimately promoted to W.O. whilst still in captivity. When bailing out of the aircraft, he hit his head on pine trees ... after walking for two hours was captured at gun point by a german civilian. After the war, returned to South Australia. Coincidentally, he was born in the next town to where I live.

Hope you enjoy these pics!

Best wishes
Paul

[AndyD]

Hi Paul,

I wonder if this was the raid your man was part of?

9/10 August 1942.
OSNABRUCK.
192 aircraft-91 Wellingtons,42 Lancasters,40 Stirlings & 19 Halifaxes.
3 Halifaxes & 3 Wellingtons lost.

Visibility was good but the initial flares were dropped over a wide area.
Osnabruck's report shows that 206 houses and 1 military building were destroyed and nearly 4,000 other buildings were damaged,mostly lightly.Among industrial buildings hit were a vehicle works,a gas meter factory,a textile factory and an iron foundry.The Herz Jesu church was hit.
Much damage was also caused in the town's dock area where 10 canal barges were damaged.
62 people were killed,40 civilians,17 foreign workers and 5 service or air raid men,107 were injured.

Info. courtesy of 'The Bomber Command War Diaries,An Operational Reference Book:1939-1945.'

Hope this is of some use to you!

Kind regards,
Andy

[yellow]

Lovely lovely stuff there!
Ive always wanted a cat badge...just waiting until I see one on a junk stall for a few pounds

My friend had a group like this about 5 years ago. He sold it for hundreds on Ebay.

Steve.

[RPN]

Thanks Steve, and many thanks to you Andy ...


Yes, the research notes which came with the group briefly mention our man as a gunner in a "Halifax II on a raid from Pocklington to Osnabruck 9th October 1942" .... that's super extra info to have - thanks for going to the trouble. Now if I could only identify the aircraft? ... hit by flak or nachtjager? .... etc etc

Best wishes
Paul

[Allan H.]

Paul,
That grouping is ACES! What a find! The Caterpillar Club pin that is pinned to the ACE medal is also one heck of a piece, though it would be asy to miss it with the group.
Any chance of a detailed shot of the reverse of the pin?
Cheers,
Allan

[RPN]

Here you are Allan ...

Regards
Paul

[RPN]

And with the recipient's name engraved on the back ... the rank used was his rank when shot down / he used the parachute

[Greeves]

Absolutely fantastic grouping! Thanks for sharing it.

[Tony Farrell]

Aye, that's a nice, bullet-proof group. Pity the kite wasn't.