AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

Info LogoAdd to or correct this story with a few clicks.
Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
Check our Research databases: Database List

.

We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.

486 crest
17th August 1944 486 Squadron Tempest V JN805 P/O. Waddell

Operation: Diver Interception

Date: 17th August 1944 (Thursday)

Unit: No. 486 Squadron (motto: Hiwa hau Maka - 'Beware of the Wild Winds'). 150 Wing. 83 Group. 2nd Tactical Air Force

Type: Tempest V Series 1

Serial: JN805

Code: SA-U

Base: RAF Newchurch, Kent

Location: Colebrook Farm, Woodchurch, Kent

Pilot: P/O. James William Waddell NZ/422335 RNZAF Age 23. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 09:45 hrs with one other on a 'Diver' (V1) interception patrol.

They became separated in the poor visibility 9/10 cloud and a 600 ft. base. Seen from the ground moments later circling through the clouds immediately prior to crashing into a hill and exploding.

The experienced young New Zealand pilot was killed instantly.

Burial and personal details:

P/O. James William Waddell. Burton-Upon-Trent Cemetery. Gen. Sec. Grave 5742. Born on the 29th July 1921 at Invercargill. Worked as a garage mechanic for A. Russell and Company prior to service. Enlisted the RNZAF on the 04th April 1942 after serving with the New Zealand army (Territorial) for 6 months. Awarded his pilots badge on the 06th March 194 together with the promotion to sergeant. Commissioned on the 16th August 1944. Son of James Edward Waddell and of Eleanor Waddell (née Wain), of Kennington, Southland, New Zealand and husband of Mary Eileen Waddell (née Mallett), of Burton-upon-Trent, England. A total of 336 solo flying hours logged with 42 on the Tempest. Completed 29 operational sorties.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Jenifer Lemaire and to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, AWMM, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

KTY 07-03-2021

Pages of Outstanding Interest
History Airborne Forces •  Soviet Night Witches •  Bomber Command Memories •  Abbreviations •  Gardening Codenames
CWGC: Your Relative's Grave Explained •  USA Flygirls •  Axis Awards Descriptions •  'Lack Of Moral Fibre'
Concept of Colonial Discrimination  •  Unauthorised First Long Range Mustang Attack
RAAF Bomb Aimer Evades with Maquis •  SOE Heroine Nancy Wake •  Fane: Motor Racing PRU Legend
Acknowledgements
Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and MWO François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
Click any image to enlarge it

Click to add your info via ticket on Helpdesk •Click to let us know via ticket on Helpdesk• Click to buy research books from Amazon •Click to explore the entire site
If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.

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 - 2024
Last Modified: 29 April 2021, 15:58

Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to be informed of changes to this page. Create account for first monitor only, thereafter very fast. Click to close without creating monitor