Operation: Rhubarb

Date: 20th September 1943 (Monday)

Unit: 198 Squadron

Type: Typhoon Ib

Serial: JP723

Code: TP:F

Base: RAF Manston

Location: Vladslo, Belgium

Pilot: Flt.Sgt. Ronald Frederick Broad 1336532 RAFVR Age 22. Killed

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.

Above Flt.Sgt. Broad as an aircrew trainee probably at one of the seven British Flight Training Schools (BFTS) in the southern United States (Courtesy of Patricia Williams)

Flt.Sgt. Ronald Frederick Broad (courtesy Jeff Mart)

Burial details:

Flt.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. Updated with new information by Aircrew Remembered (Feb 2021). Thanks to Patricia Williams for the photograph of Flt.Sgt. Broad from her mother's collection (Feb 2021).

Flt.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. Flt.Sgt. Broad started flying again on the 3rd September after a lengthy layoff from injuries sustain in the accident.

Shown below extracts from former Typhoon pilots and video footage.