Operation: Rhubarb
Date: 20th September 1943 (Monday)
Unit: No. 198 Squadron
Type: Typhoon Ib
Serial: JP723
Code: TP-? Can you assist with this code?
Base: RAF Manston
Location: Vladslo, Belgium
Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Ronald Frederick Broad 1336532 RAFVR Age 22. Killed
We would dearly love a photograph of Ronald, if any relative would care to contact us it would be very much appreciated by both Keith Donaghy who visited his grave and planted a flower and of course us, to place on this page.
Update October 2014: relative contacted us, photo kindly supplied!
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking part in a rhubarb operation during what has been described as atrocious conditions. 198 Squadron took off during the afternoon to attack trains and other targets in the Bray-Dunes and Roeselare region.
Fl/Sgt. Ronald Frederick Broad (courtesy Jeff Mart)
A great loss to the squadron as they had been very experienced and had been in this squadron for over a year. He had joined when the Squadron had reformed at RAF Digby on the 8th December 1942 as a Sergeant.
Burial details:
Fl/Sgt. Ronald Frederick Broad. Vladslo Churchyard, Belgium. Son of Frederick Harold and Gertrude Elizabeth Broad, of Leytonstone, Essex, England.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to Keith Donaghy who visited the grave, planted a small flower in remembrance and contacted us. Thanks also to Jeff Mart - relative who sent us his photo in October 2014.
Also to the late John Cripps - 198 Squadron Association and his wife, who is trying so hard to maintain John's work, in his memory.
Further information supplied by Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses' Vol’s 1-3, Commonwealth War Graves Commission. With additional details from Aircrew Remembered own archives.
Fl/Sgt. Broad had an earlier lucky escape when on the 10th June 1943 he crashed his Typhoon EK142 at Martlesham Heath whilst trying to avoid a Spitfire that had crossed in front of him.
No injuries were reported.
Shown below extracts from former Typhoon pilots and video footage.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 12 October 2014, 21:12