Operation: Pforzheim

Date: 18/19th October 1944 (Wednesday/Thursday)

Unit: 109 Squadron

Type: Mosquito XVI

Serial: MM178

Code: HS-V

Base: RAF Little Staughton, Bedfordshire

Location: Near Adinkerke, Belgium

Pilot: Sq/Ldr. Desmond Hayward Sidley Kay DFC and Bar 42006 RAF Age 25. Killed

Navigator: F/O. Keith Frederick Hynes AUS/403514 RAAF Age 24. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off at 00:08 hrs and together with four other Mosquitoes to attack a target in Pforzheim near Stuttgart and thought to have been shot down en route to the target, although nothing further was heard from this aircraft. No other RAF losses this night.

Flying Officer Hynes had been seriously injured on 11th January 1944, when his aircraft overshot the landing ground stop, at Narborough, eight miles south east of Kings Lynn, Norfolk. He was admitted to the RAF Hospital Ely, where it was discovered that he had a fractured Tibia and Fibula, and lacerations to his forehead. After his recovery, returned to active duty on 24th July 1944. Up to then he had completed 28 operations with the squadron.

After he was killed his Group Captain said of him, that he was a most capable navigator, and has done much to maintain the fine record held by this squadron.

Above as described (courtesy Johny Recour)

Sq/Ldr Kay had an earlier luckier escape whilst flying Defiant's with 264 Squadron on 13th May 1940.

On another operation, flying Defiant I L6957. The aircraft was badly damaged by an Bf109. The turret was hit and the air gunner baled out over the English Channel and drowned. The body of 31 year old, Sgt. Evan John Jones 744999 RAFVR was later washed up later at Dunkirk.

DFC Citation awarded on 14th June 1940 reads:

"This officer has shown bravery and skill in the face of extreme difficulties and dangers. On one occasion, after an engagement, he force landed at Zoute with holes in one petrol tank, then re-fuelled and returned to his base. Later in May, 1940, his aircraft was so badly damaged in an engagement that his air gunner landed by parachute but Pilot Officer Kay succeeded in bringing his aircraft home. He has shared, with other pilots of his squadron, in the destruction of four enemy aircraft and on one occasion attacked twelve Junkers 87's single-handed and probably shot down two." Bar awarded on 13th October 1944 whilst with 109 Squadron.

note: Mosquito MM178 was built in Hatfield - fitted with R/R. Merlin 72/73 engines and had a pressurised cabin fitted. Converted later to enable the massive 4,000lb. bomb (cookie) using two 50 gallon wing drop tanks.

Burial details:

Sq/Ldr. Desmond Hayward Sidley Kay DFC. Bar. Adinkerke Military Cemetery, Belgium. Grave E. 22. Son of Albert Sidley Kay and Rosamond Emily Hayward Kay, of Thurlestone, Devon, England. Born 14th February 1919 and educated at Sedburgh School. Joining the RAF in February 1939 and is listed as taking part in the Battle of Britain. Grave inscribed “One Of The Few”.

F/O. Keith Frederick Hynes. Adinkerke Military Cemetery, Belgium. Grave E. 23. Son of Thomas Patrick and Muriel Eliza Hynes, of 11 Charlotte Street, Bondi, New South Wales, Australia. Born 7th April 1920 in Sydney, Australia. First posting: RAAF, No. 2 Initial Training School, Lindfield, Bradfield Park, Sydney on 01.02.1941 - First embarkation 20.05.1941 to Canada - Second embarkation 09.12.1941 to UK - Promotions, Pilot Officer 15.01.1943 - Flying Officer, 15.07.1943. Grave inscribed “Until We Meet Again”.

Others mentioned:

Sgt. Evan John Jones. Dunkirk Town Cemetery. Plot 2. Row 17. Grave 15. Son of John and Ann Jones; husband of Janet Barr Jones, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Grave inscription: 'Lovingly Remembered By Wife Janet And Sons John And Evan. Sadly Missed'.

Additional details from Johny Recour in Belgium. For further details our thanks to the following, Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vo's. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission. WW2 Awards website. The Mosquito website.