Operation: Circus 282
Date: 13th April 1943 (Tuesday)
Unit: No. 485 Squadron RNZAF
Type: Spitfire Vb
Serial: BM299
Code: YT-?
Base: RAF Westhampnett, Sussex
Location: Near Caen, France
Pilot: Sgt. Thomas William Jackson Denholm NZ/415687 RNZAF Age 22. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking off at 15:55 hrs on an escort of 12 x 487 RNZAF Venturas understood that he became temporarily separated from the squadron and shot down by Fw190s of JG2.
2 Spitfires from 331 Squadron (Norwegian) were damaged but managed to return. 332 Squadron (Norwegian) Spitfire also damaged, returning safely. 2 others from 331 Squadron shot down - both Norwegian pilots killed - Sgt. Leif Birk Gilje flying Spitfire IX BS468 FN-B and Sgt. Eylof Johannes Berg-Olsen flying Spitfire IX BS299 FN-L.
Burial details:
Sgt. Thomas William Jackson Denholm. Douvres-La-Delivrande Churchyard (Douvres). Row 4. Grave 2. Son of Albert E. and Ethel V. Denholm of Napier, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. A total of 331 Flying hours logged and on his 26th operational sortie.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Cenotaph, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:
