Operation: Enemy transport

Date: 10th June 1944 (Saturday)

Unit: No. 136 Wing. 84 Group, Second Tactical Air Force

Type: Typhoon Ib

Serial: MN415

Code: -

Base: RAF Thorney Island

Location: Sassy village

Pilot: W/Cdr. John Michael Bryan DFC 102570 RAFVR Age 21. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 07:00 hrs leading 7 others from 183 squadron to attack enemy transport concentrations north west of Caen.

Four aicraft then attacked the secondary target looking for targets of opportunity. whilst over the village of Sassy the Wing Commander after he has fired his rockets which hit the target. His Typhoon was then hit by 20 mm fire. His aircraft crashed in flames two miles south-east of Falaise, killing the young commander.

Burial details:

W/Cdr. John Michael Bryan DFC. Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery. Grave VII. G. 5. France. Also remembered on family grave at All Saints Churchyard, Milton Ernest, Bedfordshire, England. His father was the vicar there for 10 years from 1935-1945. Son of the Revd. John Ingram Bryan, M.A., B.D., Ph.D.,(died 1953, age 83) and Lucy Silver Bryan (died 11th February 1945, age 56), of All Saints Vicarage, Forest Gate, Essex, Epitaph: 'Courage Held His Squadron, For It Was First Radiant In His Own Soul.

DFC Citation:
This officer has taken part in a large number of sorties and patrols. On one occasion he assisted in the distruction of a Do 217. In attacks on enemy transport in northern France and Belgium, F/O Bryan has damaged 15 locomotives, his skill and keeness have been worthy of high praise.

DFC Bar citation:
Fl/lt Bryan is a skilful and tenacious pilot, Since being awarded the DFC he has damaged 2 mine sweepers, 3 barges and an Enemy boat. In addition he has executed 13 destructive attacks on locomotives. He has also participated in several attacks on enemy airfields. Fl/lt Bryan has displayed high quality of leadership, setting an inspired example.

RAF Manston 05th March 1943

Above l-r: P/O. Robert Leslie Smith DFC/DFM - F/O. Edward Lancelot Musgrave RAAF (KIA 18/5/43) - P/O. Desmond Eaton Roberts RNZAF - Fl/Sgt. John McGowan Barclay (KIA 31/7/43) - W/O. Arthur Gaston Brunet RCAF - Fl/tL John Michael Bryan (KIA 10/6/44) - F/O. Joseph Laurier DeHoux RCAF (KIA 2/9/43) - Sgt. Aubrey Cartwright Smith; - F/O. John Edward McClure RCAF - Sgt. Norbury Dugdale - Sgt. Thomas Arthur Sutherland - Sgt.. Ernest Alfred Bolster - F/O. John Maude Hadow - Sq/Ldr/ Humphrey St John Coghlan, DFC - Sgt.. Robert Woodhouse. The dog's name was Lynn and belonged to John Michael Bryan.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the, National Archives Kew AIR 27-1137-31/32

Other sources as quoted below:

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