Archive Report: Allied Forces

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24.03.1942 No. 411 Squadron (RCAF) Spitfire Vb AB281 P/O. Ash

Operation: Circus (Daytime Bomber escort)

Date: 24th March 1942 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 411 Squadron (RCAF)

Type: Spitfire Vb

Serial: AB281

Base: RAF Digby

Location: Vielle Eglise near Calais, France.

Pilot: P/O. ‘Tex’ William Franklin Ash RCAF Age 25 PoW. Stalag Luft Sagan and Belaria

REASON FOR LOSS:

During a Circus on the afternoon of 24th March 1942 he was attacked by a unit of JG26 and after his guns had jammed, his aircraft was hit a number of times by the attackers. Force landed his Spitfire near the village of Vielle Eglise.

With the assistance from the French Resistance he managed to evade capture for several months. 

Left: P/O. ‘Tex’ William Franklin Ash RCAF (courtesy Bantam Press)

Eventually captured by the Gestapo in Paris, May 1942. 

After several attempted escapes he was eventually sent to Stalag Luft III where he remained until April 1945.

‘Tex’ Ash was and American from Texas who joined the RCAF as the USA were yet to join the allies in the war. 

Awarded the MBE and British Citizenship for his escape attempts. 

Worked with the BBC for a time before embarking on a polical career co-founding the Communist Part of Britain. 

In later years wrote several novels, before in 2005 his wartime memoirs were published under the title of 'Under The Wire' with the help from Brendan Foley. (Shown right)  

    

     

Above left: 'Tex' Ash, shortly after capture from Gestapo, clearly showing interrogation bruising and right at Stalg Luft III, shown top right, with Bill Stapleton top left, Paddy Barthropp front left. (courtesy Bantam Press)

Burial details:

None - pilot survived. Fl/Lt. William Franklin Ash MBE, died in London, England, on the 26th April 2014. Age 96.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot, with thanks to the Daily Telegraph, Bantam Press, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses' Vol. 1-3.

'Under The Wire' - ISBN No: 9780553817119  Published by Bantam Press 2005/2006, 321 pages, 16 photographs.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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