RCAF 413 Squadron ... Unknowns

[Temujin]

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[georgetanksherman]

Yeah QL-F, the aircraft that you researched for Sgt I.R.E. Meiklejohn, comes back as W8434, which also supposedly had an accident on January 2, 1942 taking off for a night solo flight in the area of Sullom Voe when it struck a beacon attached to a rock, the aircraft after striking the beacon, lost control and crashed, the aircraft was a total write off but there were no injuries.

[Temujin]

Yeah QL-F, the aircraft that you researched for Sgt I.R.E. Meiklejohn, comes back as W8434, which also supposedly had an accident on January 2, 1942 taking off for a night solo flight in the area of Sullom Voe when it struck a beacon attached to a rock, the aircraft after striking the beacon, lost control and crashed, the aircraft was a total write off but there were no injuries.

Oh, I got it. I thought we may be talking about the other aircraft. I didn’t really look at the aircraft number. I could see if I can find more info if you want.......or just leave it??

Also, the records says visibility was “excellent” that day, and THEY recognized the “Fulmars”......and I think a Catalina is one of those aircraft that is VERY VERY HARD not to recognized........I kind of wonder if their was a full investigation done? And if the Fleet Air Arm people faced any consequences..........I mean HOW can you not set the two big “blister windows” on the Cat and not know it was a Catalina. And two red flares (recognition signal). I don’t think any Axis country flew an aircraft that looked anything like the Catalina.....

[Temujin]

OK, I didn’t know this but the Japanese flew two “flying boats” that had a “similar look” to the Catalina.......but still didn’t have the big side “blisters” that give it a way as a Cat

Yokosuka H5Y

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Kawanishi H6K

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The second aircraft had 4 engines, so hart to confuse a Catalina for it.

The First aircraft looks very similar.......but NO side blisters.....and of course the Catalina would have carried Allied markings.......and the TWO Fulmar has TWO crew each......4 pair of eyes that couldn’t tell they were attacking NOT ONCE, but TWICE (with no return fire) a Catalina.....and none saw the red marker flares???

OK, all done

Cheers

[Temujin]

Temujin, Thank You so much for the info, I really appreciate your help, but that raises another question, how can the same aircraft be a write off, then later fly again ??? I am guessing that the aircraft was raised, put back together, and put back in the air:

Catalina, QL- F (W8434), January 2, 1942

Aircraft was taking off for a night solo flight in the area of Sullom Voe when it struck a beacon attached to a rock, the aircraft after striking the beacon, lost control and crashed, the aircraft was a total write off, but there were no injuries.


Catalina QL-F (W8434) August, 3, 1942

Aircraft attacked by friendly fire, killing one and wounding 3

George, do you have a document that confirms the QL-F (W8434) was the SAME aircraft.

You have to remember, when aircraft were “lost” or replaced.......they “re-used” the squadron code......so it’s quite possible to have several aircraft during the Squadrons “life” to have the same code used on it

[georgetanksherman]

Yeah, I got to remembering that as the squadron lost an aircraft, a new aircraft would take the numbers, but instead of deleting, thought I would see if you had something in your bag of tricks that would tell if it was the same aircraft or different

And you would have thought that all participating parties in the training exercise would have been told what was going on, and particular, if you are shooting the right colors of the day ! But since I have really starting in on researching the RCAF Squadrons, I have seen a lot of stories of friendly fire shootings ! Enough that one of the Squadron Commanders got fed up, and announced that if you shoot one of his, he will have you shot down as well, accident or not !

[georgetanksherman]

I have located another RCAF Squadron QL-F, it is Ser# AH549, but I can not find any info on it !

[cameronknowlton]

I am looking for information on Douglas Salter who flew with the 413 during WWII. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Paul Squires]

Hi georgetanksherman,

I have noted temujin posted the following:

February 15, 1943
F/O R.S.E. Greenway, J/6399, RCAF, Simpson, Saskatchewan, Canada (Pilot)
KIA, Navigator, Target - Trappes, France, 156 Squadron. Halifax aircraft #LK 875, missing during a night attack against Trappes.

I have this loss as:

June 2-3, 1944 158 Sqn. Halifax III LK875 NP-Q lost over France, F/O J.K. Greenway RCAF, P/O R.B. Thompson RCAF, P/O W.A. Younie RCAF, F/S V.N. Hansen RAAF and Sgt T.J. Sheridan RAF killed, Sgt D.R. Day RAF PoW and Sgt D.G. Gettings RAF evaded.

For F/O R.S.E. Greenway I have
February 15, 1943 413 Sqn. Catalina I Z3149 lost its right propellor during take-off from Koggala, Ceylon, which struck and killed pilot F/O R.S.E. Greenway.

I didn't see a correction for this.

All the Best,

Paul
Wetaskiwin

[Paul Squires]

Hi Again georgetanksherman,

Some more details.

June 23, 1943
Sgt J. Alexander, R/52619, RCAF, Merriton, Ontario, Canada
Armourer. Death by natural causes

June 23, 1943 413 Sqn. Sgt J. Alexander RCAF was found unconscious on the runway of RAF Koggala, Ceylon and died of a fractured skull (www.rafcommands.com).

December 3, 1944
LAC C.S. Bascom, R/149140, RCAF, Stirling, Alberta, Canada
Electrician, Death by drowning

December 3, 1944 413 Sqn., Ceylon, electrician LAC C.S. Bascom RCAF died by drowning at Koggala Beach, having saved one soldiers life he was swept away attempting to rescue a second swimmer who had got into trouble (Jon Heyworth at www.rafcommands.com).

Jon Heyworth is very good at identifying circumstances of deaths of airmen not lost in combat.

All the Best,

Paul
Wetaskiwin