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Operation: Intruder
Date: 25 July 1944 (Tuesday)
Unit: No. 406 Squadron (motto: 'We kill by night')
Type: Mosquito NF Mk. 30
Serial: MM728
Code: HU-?
Base: RAF Winkleigh, Devon
Location: La Provostiére, Riaillé, north-east of Nantes
Pilot: Fl/Lt. Raymond Richard Burgess J/7612 (R/75450) RCAF Age 27. Killed
Obs: Fl/Lt. William Neil Macpherson J/9133 (R/91271) RCAF Age 27. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
On the previous day whilst returning from a defensive patrol burst a tyre on landing at 08:45 hrs. The pilot managed to save the new Mosquito from further damage.
Taking off at 14:50 hrs on an intruder operation.
Taken from the operational record books:
From the little debris found on the site of the crash, it is evident that the aircraft was a Mosquito. Eyewitnesses estimated that this aircraft was one of 2 that were bombing the target. Several people in the village of Riaille saw this Mosquito flying low and on one engine.
It was attacked by two German fighter planes from the airfield of Varaddes and was shot down at 16:00 hrs. Both of the crew were killed in the crash.
The machine caught fire and the bodies were badly burned before being pulled out by Monsieur Hardy, Louis of Riaille and a friend. Monsieur Hardy found papers on the bodies and a 'Flying Log Book' which gave the identity of the, two victims. These papers were handed over to a representative of the Red Cross, Monsieur Paul Jubineau, who, after taking note of the contents, burned them to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. It was learned that a Mosquito had crashed on the same afternoon near Lusanger about 18 miles from Riaille. This aircraft probably belonged to the same Squadron as the aircraft reported on here. Fitt. Thompson has sent in a report on the Lusangor crash. A small card picked up by an onlooker bore the mark 'MM728'.
The squadron suffered two other losses on this operation/;
MM 736 Flown by 30 year old, Fl/Lt. William Ronald Rutherford Sutton J/5474 (R/72051) RCAF. Navigator being 32 year old F/O. George Bishop J/23710 (R/16658) RCAF both listed as missing, believed killed,
MM708 Flown by 23 year old F/O. Ralph Leslie Green J/19483 (R/107664) RCAF. Navigator being 22 year old, F/O. Arthur Woodley Hillyer 170751 RAFVR with both crew listed as killed.
Burial and other details:
The two crew members were buried side by side. Over 400 locals attended the funeral, hundreds of flowers were left on the graves.
Fl/Lt. Raymond Richard Burgess. Riaille Communal Cemetery. Born on the 03rd December 1918 at Biggar, Saskatchewan, Canada. Worked as an accountant with the Canadian Bank of Commerce in Biggar. Enlisted on the 14th December 1940. Wings awarded on the 26th September 1941. Son of Albert Richard (died 29th November 1952, age 62) and Sadie Sarah Beatrice Burgess (née Holland - died 20th December 1976, age 72)80), of Biggar, Saskatchewan, Canada. Brother of Ronald Allen (died 30th September 1993, age and Rhoda Fay (died 23rd June 2007, age 87). Epitaph: 'Ever Remembered Ever Loved'.Burgess Bay, Saskatchewan was named after him.
Above: Riaille Communal Cemetery
F/O. Arthur Woodley Hillyer. Lusanger Communal Cemetery. Joint grave. Son of Harry Richard and Dorothy Hillyer, of West Drayton, Middlesex, England. Epitaph 'Greater Love Hath No Man Than This" Good-Night, Beloved'.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the National Archive, Kew, AIR-27-1791-71/2, Government of Canada Service Files, Parade RCAF Archives.
KTY 10-03-2024
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Binyon
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Last Modified: 10 March 2024, 14:44