大象传媒

ROYAL AIR FORCE AND COMMONWEALTH AIRCREW

CASUALTIES OF WAR

GREECE 鈥� CRETE

JANUARY 1 1941 鈥� MAY 31 1941

Jan 2 1941.
FgOff. Barrett, D.C. 211 Sqn. Equipment Officer.
Died as the result of a car accident in the early hours of New Years Day.
Jan 6 1941.
PltOff. 鈥淭he Duke鈥� Delaney, L.S. 211 Sqn. Pilot Bristol Blenheim L8536.
Sgt.鈥漋ic鈥� Pollard, V. Obs.
Sgt. 鈥淛ock鈥� McCord, T.A. Wo/Ag.
The aircraft crashed at Argyrokastron, Greece. Heavily battle damaged in the engagement and with the loss of one engine, the aircraft attempted a belly-landing and struck some boulders and cart wheeled. The crew were killed outright and buried near the village of Kelcyre.
FgOff. 鈥淏obby鈥� Campbell, R.D. 211 Sqn. Pilot Bristol Blenheim L1487. P.O.W. Hospitalised, broken leg.
Sgt. Beharrel, J. Obs. Swam ashore. P.O.W.
Sgt. Appleyard, R. Wo/Ag. Swam ashore. P.O.W.
Jan 7 1941.
Sgt. Robson, T.P. 38 Sqn. Wellington.
Sgt. Wilcock, P.F.
Jan 20 1941.
FgOff. 鈥淟ittle鈥� Stuckey, V.A.J. 80 S qn. Gloster Gladiator K7902.
The first fighter plot to be wounded in Greece on the 19 of November 1940. The next day he shot down a S79 over Eleusi鈥檚 Bay, but then his aircraft was also hit. He circled round to land at Hassani airfield, the coastal aerodrome at Phaleron then under construction, when just as he was about to land the Gladiator burst into flames and crashed. He was killed instantly. The Greek workers covered the wreckage, as it laid outside the hanger, with flowers 鈥� their salute to a hero.
Jan 29 1941.
FgOff. Benson, L.T. 208 Sqn.
Feb 4 1941.
Sgt. Edwards, C.P. 45 Sqn.
Feb 5 1941.
FltLt. Towgood, R.A. 84 Sqn. Pilot Bristol Blenheim L4833. Killed.
Sgt. Somerville. Obs. Unhurt.
The air gunner was also unhurt.
The aircraft suffered a failure of the port engine on landing at Minidi airfield with fatal consequences.
Feb 6 1941.
FgOff. Nicholson, A. 84 Sqn. Pilot Bristol Blenheim L1393.
PltOff. Day, R.G.C. Obs. Drowned before he could open his dingy.
Sgt. Hollist, A.N. Wo/Ag. Missing without trace.
Feb 13 1941.
PltOff. Hutchinson, J. 11 Sqn. Pilot Bristol Blenheim.
Sgt. Adamson, J.F.
Sgt. Jackson, W.T.
Sgt. Traherne, O.L.G.
Feb 14 1941.
PltOff. Loveridge, A.B. 38 Sqn.Pilot Wellington.
Sgt. McClean, A.I.G. Pilot.
Sgt. Moore, T.M.
Feb 15 1941.
PltOff. Wellman, L.C. 37 Sqn. Obs.
Feb 21 1941.
PltOff. Muir, G.C. 37 Sqn. Pilot Wellington.
Feb 24 1941.
PltOff. Green, G.H. 70 Sqn. Pilot Wellington.
Sgt. Baxter, J.L.
Mar 4 1941.
W/Off. Goodchild, H.J. DFM 33 Sqn. Hurricane V7801.
Attacking a convoy of Italian warships, he was dived on by six G50bis and shot down in flames.
F;t.Lt. Cullen, R.N. 80 Sqn. Hurricane V7822.
He was shot down and the aircraft crashed near Himare.
Mar 7 1941.
PltOff. Thomas, D.L. 37 Sqn. Pilot Wellington.
Sgt. Cox, H.H.D.
Sgt. Bolton, J.W. RNZAF
Mar 9 1941.
PltOff. McDonald, R.H. 112 Sqn. Gloster Gladiator N5823.
The aircraft was destroyed in combat over Albania and the pilot baled out badly burnt. He later died of wounds received on 7 May 1941
Mar 13 1941.
FgOff. Banks, E. 112 Sqn. Gloster Gladaitor N5913.
Air-testing guns over Lake Yannina and crashed.
Mar 14 1941.
Sgt. Evans, F. RAAF 37 Sqn. Wellington.
Sgt. Badcott, B. Wo/Ag.
Mar 16 1941.
Cherrington, R.L. Sgt. 37 Sqn. Wellington.
Mar 19 1941.
A/SubLt. Kay, R.C. HMS Glebe.
Mar 26 1941.
SqnLdr. Nedwill, R.J.C. AFC 112 Sqn. Gloster Gladiator N5910.
Killed in a flying accident, a few days after joining 211 Squadron as the new C.O. when his Gloster ploughed into the airfield near Paramythia, from 6,000 feet.
Apr 1 1941.
FltLt. Boehm, D.G. 84 Sqn. Pilot Bristol Blenheim.
Sgt. Lee, K.G. Wo/Ag.
The aircraft was involved in an accident near Kiphissia, north of Athens.
7 April 1941.
Sgt. Chipp, H.T.W. 55 Sqn.
Apr 9 1941.
F/Sgt. Nuttall, L. 84 Sqn. Pilot Bristol Blenheim.
He was killed in a crash landing, attacking the Prilip-Batoij crossroads.
Apr 11 1941.
Sgt. Crooks, J. 30 Sqn. Wo/Ag.
Apr 13 1941.
FltLt. 鈥淏uck鈥� Buchanan, L.B. DFC 211 Sqn. Pilot Bristol Blenheim L1434.
SqnLdr. Cryer, L.E. Acting as Observer.
Sgt. Patterson, G. Wo/Ag.
Ordered from Paramythia for the third operation of the day to attack the German troop concentrations on the Florina-Monastir Road, near the Greek-Yugoslavia border. After dropping their bombs, all six aircraft were attacked by German Bf109鈥檚 and destroyed within four minutes. The aircraft L1434 crashed into Lake Prespa, Albania at 1607 hours and was recovered in June 1993. The aircraft is now on display in the Tatoi Museam, Athens.
FgOff. Herbert, R.V. 211 Sqn. Pilot Bristol Blenheim L4819.
WgCdr. 鈥淧addy鈥� Coote. P.B. Acting as Observer.
F/Sgt. 鈥淛ock鈥� Young, W.N. Wo/Ag.
SqnLdr Irvine, A.T. CO 211 Sqn. Pilot Bristol Blenheim L8478.
PltOff. Davies, G. Obs.
Sgt. Geary, A.C. Wo/Ag.
FgOff. 鈥淭ommy鈥� Thompson, C.E.V. 211 Sqn. Pilot Bristol Blenheim L8604.
PltOff Hogarth, P. Obs.
Sgt. Arscott, W. Wo/Ag.
F/Sgt. 鈥淛immy鈥� James, A.G. 211 Sqn. 2nd Pilot Bristol Blenheim L1539.
He successfully baled out of the aircraft and was reported as missing in action.
Sgt. 鈥淎ndy鈥� Bryce, A. Obs.
Sgt. 鈥淧ongo鈥� Waring, A.J. Wo/Ag.
FgOff. Godfrey, A. 211 Sqn. Pilot Bristol Blenheim L8449.
He baled out, lost two fingers.
Sgt. 鈥淧eggy鈥� O鈥橬eill, J.B.T. Obs.
Sgt. 鈥淛ack鈥� Wainhouse, J. Wo/Ag.
Apr 15 1941.
PltOff. Chetham, C.A.C. 3 Sqn. Pilot.
Throughout the morning of 15 April large numbers of Bf 109s roamed the Larissa Plain strafed Niamata, home of 113 Sqn. All then of its unprotecting Blenheims, fuelled and bombed up for a further raid against the advancing tanks, were wrecked. By this time, only twenty-two work-weary and worn Blenheims were serviceable between 11, 84, and 211 Squadrons in Greece, plus fourteen Blenheim IF鈥檚 of 30 Squadron.
When the country finally surrendered on 23 April, 30 Squadron hurriedly airlifted most of its personnel to Crete, with up to thirteen men crammed into each Blenheim for the 180 miles or 45 min haul to Maleme airfield.
During the short but fierce battle of Crete, the remainder of 30 Squadron operated from Maleme for twenty-seven days in appalling circumstances, aided by nine Blenheim IVFs of 203 Squadron, which were flown in from Egypt.
Nos, 14, 45, and 55 Squadrons, with Blenheim Ivs, tried to stem the tide from Egypt (a long 800-mile return haul), but their numbers were depleted in one grim week ending on 27 May. On 21 May, ObLt Homuth, Fw Kowalski and Lt Schmidt, flying Bf 109Es destroyed five out of seven 14 Squadron Blenheims over the Capuzzo-Tobruk road.
On the 25 May 14 Sqn. T2065 V5510 T2003 shot down into the sea off Crete by two Bf109s. All nine men onboard perished.
Apr 18 1941.
SqnLdr. Jones, H.D. 84 Sqn. Pilot Bristol Blenheim.
As was his usual practice, the aircraft went off alone to bomb German troop concentrations in the Larissa area, where he was jumped by two Me 110鈥檚 and shot down. The aircraft was forced landed in the sea and straffed by Bf 109鈥檚. The local residents buried the crew in the village of Keramidi, under the shadow of the mountain of Mavroun.
F/Sgt. Webb, J. Obs.
Sgt. Keen, H.Wo/Ag.
Apr 19 1941.
Sgt. Murphy, H. 11 Sqn. Bristol Blenheim.
April 20 1941. Battle of Athens.
SqnLdr. 鈥淧at鈥� Pattle, M.E. DFC AND BAR CO 33 Sqn. Hurricane.
The top scoring ace of World War two at the time of his death. During the Battle of Athens, when 3 Hurricane Squadrons took on 120 German aircraft above Athens and Piraeus and destroyed 22 enemy aircraft. With three more aircraft to his credit, he was shot down by a Me 110 over St Eleusis Bay and the aircraft broke up in mid-air.
FltLt. Starlett, H.J. {South African} 33 Sqn. Hurricane.
FltLt. 鈥淭imber鈥� Woods. W.J. DFC 80 Sqn. Hurricane.
He began his flying career in Malta, towing drones for Naval aviators to shoot at. At the outbreak of war with Italy, he was one of the original pilots to fly Gloster Gladiators, Faith, Hope and Charity. For this action he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and posted to Egypt for a rest. As the invasion of Greece began, he volunteered to fly a reinforcement Hurricane to the beleaguered island
Sgt. Clough, S. 84 Sqn.
Sgt. Wilson, S.E. 84 Sqn.
Flying accident.
Apr 25 1941.
FgOff. Patterson. T.L. 274 Sqn. Hurricane.
Apr 29 1941.
FgOff. Jones, B.S.M. 70 Sqn. Wellington.
Apr 30 1941.
FgOff. Spence, D.J. {New Zealander} 274 Sqn. Hurricane.
FgOff. Greenhill, C.F. 274 Sqn. Hutricane.
May 2 1941.
Walsh, D.H.
May 4 1941.
Sgt. Campbell, D.G. 37 Sqn. Obs.
May 6 1941.
Sgt. Cox, W.H. 37 Sqn. Wo/Ag.
May 7 1941.
Sgt. Robinson, D.W. 70 Sqn. Wellington.
PltOff. Hugh, W.E. 38 Sqn. Pilot
May 8 1941.
Lt. Campbell, A.U.M. SAAF 39 {RAF} Sqn.
F/Sgt. Henry Sqn. Obs.
May 12 1941.
FgOff. English, K.P. 274 Sqn. Hurricane V7820
May 15 1941.
L/T Scott, P.F. RNAS 805 Sqn. FAA Gloster Gladiator N5517
Sgt. Ripsher, C.D. 33 Sqn. Hurricane.
Shot down by a burst of friendly fire from a Bofers gun as he attempted to crash-land his crippled aircraft.
May 16 1941.
Fighter command only 5 aircraft remained, 3 Hurricanes and 2 Gloster Gladiators withdrew at dawn 19th May, the remainder fought as infantry at Malame airfield and Hill 107.
FgOff. Clostre, D.H.J. 274 Sqn. Hurricane.
F/Sgt. Dean, F.H. 274 Sqn. Hurricane.
FgOff. Agazarian, N.C. 274 Sqn. Hurricane.
L/T. Ash, A.H.M. RNAS 805 Sqn. FAA Gloster Gladiator.

6 reinforcements of 73 Squadron Hurricanes dispatched.
PltOff. 鈥淩andy鈥� Goodman, G.E. Hurricane W9198. Force landed in desert.
PltOff. Donati. Hurricane V7802. Force landed on return from Crete.
PltOff. Moss, F.M. Hurricane V7879. Force landed on return from Crete.
Sgt. Laing, R.I. {Australian} Hurricane V7424.
The aircraft was shot up by German snipers and then Bf 110鈥檚 and destroyed. He returned the following day 鈥渢wo up鈥� in Goodman鈥檚 Hurricane.
PltOff. Goord, R.L. 73 Sqn. Hurricane V7736.
PltOff. Likeman, R.H. 73 Sqn. Hurricane V7764.
Both believed to have been shot down by Royal Navy anti-aircraft fire or ditched in the sea due to lack of fuel.
PltOff. Vincent, P.J. 45 Sqn. Pilot Bristol Blenheim.
PltOff. Niven, S.C. RNZAF Obs.
F/Sgt. Thompson, O.B. Wo/Ag.
F/Sgt. Cordy, S.C.
Sgt. Walsh, M.J. 30 Sqn. Hurricane.
F/Sgt. Field, P. RAAF 37 Sqn. Wellington.
May 20 1941.
FltLt. Ross, A.M. 274 Sqn. Hurricane.
L/T. Richardson, H.J.C. RNAS 805 Sqn. FAA Gloster Gladiator.
Dawn 20th May 1941 鈥� 0300 hours. The Battle of Crete.
RAF casualties; 71 killed or died of wounds, 9 wounded, 226 Prisoners of War.
May 21 ObLt. Homuth, Fw Kowalski destroyed Bf 109e鈥檚 of I/JG27 destroyed five out of seven 14 Squadron Blenheims over the Capuzzo-Tobruk road.
May 23 1941.
Sgt. Field, P. 37 Sqn.
Sgt. McLaren, G. 55 Sqn.
May 24 1941.
FltLt. Walsh, M.J.S. 30 Sqn. Bristol Blenheim
May 25 1941.
Maleme Airfield attacks.
14 Sqn. T2065, T2003, V5510. Shot down into the sea off Crete by two Bf 109鈥檚 of II/JG77. All nine men perished.
PltOff. Brown, 14 Sqn. Pilot Bristol Blenheim.
Sgt. Wilson, N.P.M. RAAF
F/Sgt. Young, H.
Sgt. Green, R.A.
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May 26 1941.
Two out of three 45 Squadron aircraft fell victim to ObLt Hockner of 6/JG77 in the target area.
Sgt. Thomas, N.A + CREW. T2339
Two men from T2339 taken prisoner.
V5592, escaped only to get lost in the desert on its return, and finally crashed.
PltOff. Robinson, J.Pilot.
Sgt. Crosby, A.E. Wo/Ag.
Rescued after walking for four days.
Sgt. Longstaff, W.B. Obs. Never seen again.
Sgt. South, J.M. 33 Sqn. Hurricane.
May 27 1941.
Six out of nine Blenheims {from 14, 45, 55 Squadrons} were lost in crashes and collisions in Egypt while taking off or returning from strikes on Maleme, resulting in the death of nine aircrew.
Sgt. Chesman, J. Pilot 55 Sqn. Bristol Blenheim.
Sgt. Callender, D.G. RNZAF 55 {RAF} Sqn.
Sgt. Martin, E.A. 55 Sqn. El Alamein war cemetery
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May 28 1941.
Sgt. 鈥淒oug鈥� Davis, D.V. Pilot 211 Sqn. Bristol Blenheim. Crashlanded at Aleppo airfield, Syria.
Sgt. Stalder, L.E. Obs.
Sgt. Trenholm. H. Wo/Ag.
May 29 1941.
PltOff. Dalco, W.G. 38 Sqn. Wellington.
Sgt. Curle, E. Wo/Ag.
Sgt. Middleton, A.E. Pilot.
May 31 1941.
Sgt. Elsdon, I.C. 33 Sqn. Hurricane.
Sgt. Guillou. A. 274 Sqn. Hurricane W9273.
Sgt. Hill, V.E. 274 Sqn. Hurricane.
After a gruelling flight from Egypt with a replacement aircraft, a prowling Me109 hit him over Maleme airfield.
Sgt. Cross, R.A. 33 Sqn. Hurricane.
FgOff. Ketton Cramer, R.T.W. 30 Sqn. Bristol Blenheim.

Researched by Bob Smith

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