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Allied Air Forces Losses and Incidents Database.

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Data derived from many sources. Incorporates 125,000 entries from Aircrew Deaths 39-47 Database. Corrections/Additions welcomed via Helpdesk

NOTE ON DATES: IMPORTANT: For consistency, the Date is given as the date the mission TOOK OFF since the precise time of a loss is not always certain. Take Off date is unambigous and fixed in the official records, but obviously in those cases where the incident occurred before midnight UK time, then the Take Off Date will be the same as the Incident Date. Of course, most Bomber Command missions flew through midnight, therefore a Luftwaffe claim against a plane - or a locally generated crash report - may record the incident as occurring on the day following our Take Off Date. Bear this in mind when cross-referencing to our Luftwaffe Victories by Name/Date Database and other Luftwaffe sources. In some cases other sources may quote the date following our date, using locally generated reports as their source. To add to the potential for confusion, remember to take into account a Luftwaffe recorded date will be in local time, 1 hour ahead of UK time. When we discover a validated Incident Date we change our record if necessary.



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Thanks to Personnel of the Polish Air Force in Great Britain for supplementary data and images (marked with a chequerboard device) related to the Polish Air Force, and many images courtesy of our respected colleagues Wojtek Matusiak and Robert Gretzyngier. Other images from our own archives.
Responding to requests that respects may be paid in this database to a loved one or friend, or someone you want to recognize, an In Memoriam plaque may now be placed next to any entry. See our Donate Page for details. Search for In Memoriam in this database to see examples of plaques which have been placed.

Polish Air Force personnel have a supplementary database containing more information and many more entries. Check the following:
Personel Polskich Sił Powietrznych posiada dodatkową bazę danych zawierającą więcej informacji i wiele innych wpisów. Sprawdź następujące elementy:
Archiwum: PSP 1939 -1947 Database 17,000+ Polish Air Force Entries
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These are the results of your search:

You searched for: “"ML997"”

#Name*First NamesTitleRankRAF Equivalent RankService No.BornNationalityRoleAwardsAir ForceCommandUnitDateofIncident *See NoteAircraftTypeSerialCodeVictories (Fighters)BaseTimeMission                        Incident                        FateCommemoratedPhoto (Click to Expand)Referring Database                        Notes                        Links/Archive Reports
1 EslerRaymond AlexanderSquadron Leader85012NavigatorDSO

DFC

DFC Bar

MiD

RAFVRBomber Command109 Sqn
1944-09-30MosquitoXVIML997BS:?Little Staughton10:14BottropEngine cut after take-off for target marking mission and crashed almost immediately. Both crew members sustaining minot cuts and bruisesInjuredDFC awarded whilst with 149 Sqn, gazetted 18th April 1941. Citation reads: "Pilot Officer Raymond Alexander ESLER (85012), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 149 Squadron. One night in March, 1941, this officer was the observer of an aircraft detailed to attack the German cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in the harbour at Brest. In view of the extreme darkness he was not able clearly to identify the ships although he could pick out the position where they were reported to be. After searching for some tune, in the face of intense anti-aircraft and searchlight activity, he directed his pilot to run in at 8,500 feet from which height he dropped a stick of bombs and made a reconnaissance. Determined to obtain proof that the ships were there, this operation was repeated twice from altitudes of 8,500 and 7,000 feet and this proof was obtained. On other occasions this officer obtained first class bombing results on Venice, Cologne, Bremen and Wilhelmshaven. The success of these missions was due to his great coolness, perseverance and courage."

MiD awarded, gazetted 2nd June 1943.

Bar to DFC awarded whilst with 109 Sqn, gazetted 8th December 1944.

DSO awarded whilst with 109 Sqn, gazetted 26th October 1945
2 PalmerRobert Anthony MauriceFlight Lieutenant1157727th July 1920 in Gillingham, KentPilotDFC

RAFVRBomber Command109 Sqn
1944-09-30MosquitoFB.XVIML997BS:?RAF Little Staughton10:14BottropEngine cut after take-off for target marking mission and crashed almost immediately. Both crew members sustaining minot cuts and bruisesInjured582 Sqn Lancaster III PB371

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