Operation: Patrol
Date: 6th June 1944
Unit: No. 183 Squadron
Type: Typhoon Ib
Serial: MN478
Base: Normandy, France.
Location: Caen, France
Pilot: F/O. Melsom Henry Walter Gee J/18681 RCAF Age 22. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Shot down at around midday at Caen by Me 109.
"He and four others were strafing armour south of Caen on D-Day. They were jumped by 12 Messerschmitts and a dogfight ensued. He radioed the Squadron Leader saying “am heading south to draw them off, so break for home.”
He crashed in an orchard and was buried by French peasants. Was “missing” for 15 months until War Graves Commission caught up. A survivor visited my parents at war’s end. Brought his logbook and personal effects. He stated that none of the four who reached base would have survived without his sacrifice (4 September 1997)."Gee Lake southwest of Nejanilini Lake was named after F/O. Melsom H.W. Gee in 1975.
Burial details:
F/O. Melsom Henry Walter Gee. Banneville-La-Campagne War Cemetery. XVII. B.8. Son of Fred M. and Edith M. Gee. of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed
by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior
permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2022
Last Modified: 12 April 2015, 10:34