Operation: Ferry Flight

Date: 15th July 1944 (Saturday)

Unit: No. 21 Ferry Control

Type: P47D Thunderbolt I

Serial: HD163 (42-26218)

Code: N

Base: Mauripur, India

Location: 25.39 N 72.24' E

Pilot: P/O. Francis Michael Scandiffio J/88799 RCAF Age 30. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

On a ferry convoy while ferrying it from No. 320 Maintenance Unit based at Drigh Road, Karachi, India. The intended destination had been RAF Station Yelahanka, India.

P/O. Francis Michael Scandiffio and right, his Irvin Flying Jacket (courtesy Dave Colman)

P/O. Scandiffio became 70 miles off track bringing his aircraft over hilly country. HD163 broke cloud at 1,500 ft came across hilly country which was cloud covered and struck a hill some 50 ft from the summit - the aircraft was found burnt out.

Information submitted by Dave Coleman who now owns the Irvin Flying jacket belonging to the pilot whilst a Fl/Sgt. R/93392.

Burial details:

Originally buried at the Jodhpur Cemetery on the 08th August 1944 - then reinterred.

P/O. Francis Michael Scandiffio. Delhi War Cemetery. Grave 5B.15. Son of Mrs M. Scandiffio of 31 Yarmouth Gardens,Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His brother, W/O.II. Thomas Peter Scandiffio R/102787 RCAF was also lost. Killed in Wellington LB195 over the Mediterranean Sea on the 16th June 1943.

Researched by Dave Colman for Aircrew Remembered - June 2015. With thanks to Jagan at RAF Commands Forum for additional burial information - March 2017.