Operation: Armed Recce
Date: 12th October 1944 (Thursday)
Unit: No. 122 Wing
Type: Tempest V
Serial: EJ710
Code: JF-L
Base: Volkel, Netherlands
Location: Near Bocholt, Germany
Pilot: W/Cdr. 'Bee' Roland Prosper Beamont MiD. DSO Bar. DFC Bar. 41819 RAF Age 24. PoW Stalag IIIa Luckenwalde
REASON FOR LOSS:
Shortly before he was leaving on the operation, 23 year old, Sq/Ldr. Harvey Nelson Sweetman NZ/40992 RNZAF (commanding officer of 3 Squadron) was approached by 'Bee' to take over as wing leader for this sortie. Which he did.
The section attacked a train and then broke away. The rule that W/Cdr. Beamont had strictly enforced with his pilots was that they only make one attack before breaking away. So the others were surprised to see 'Bee' go in for another strafing attack and then a third! It was during this third run that the radiator was hit by small arms fire from the ground.
With his engine damaged and at very low level he had no choice but to attempt a forced landing, which he did without injury, south east of Bocholt, only to be quickly captured.
For further details of his outstanding life we encourage you to read the article reprinted in our obituary section. He was awarded later with the OBE. CBE. DFC (USA). DL. FRAes. C de G (posthumously) in addition to the awards won during the war.
Burial details:
None - survived the war. Passed away on the 19th November 2001 age 81.
For further details our thanks to the following sources shown below.
KTY 03.08.2019
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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