Operation: Standing patrol over the Seine, France

Date: 25th August 1944 (Friday)

Unit No: 263 (Fellowship of the Bellows) Squadron, 146 Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force

Type: Typhoon Ib

Serial: MN883

Code: HE:J

Base: ALG B.3 Sainte-Croix-sur-Mer, France

Location: Theillement, France

Pilot: Fg Off. Allan William Campbell J36786 RCAF Age 26. KiA

Above Fg Off. Campbell from his Service Record

REASON FOR LOSS

Fg Off. Campbell and Plt Off. J. Thould took off at 20:39 hrs on the 25th August 1944 on the last mission of the day for a standing patrol over the Seine river.

Note: Plt Off. John Thould 175972 RAFVR was KiA on the 13th October 1944 when his Typhoon Ib MN476 was shot down by flak SE of Hoogstraten, Belgium.

The after mission report describes the circumstance of the loss of Fg Off. Campbell and his aircraft:

‘On the 25th August 1944, Fg Off. A.W. Campbell was flying Typhoon Ib MN883. He was number 2 of the leading pair in a standing patrol being carried out by four aircraft over the River Seine. When at 8500 feet about 10 mls SW of Rouen he said he thought he had been hit and was returning to base. His number 1 told him to head south and follow him, but further calls on the R/T were not replied to. Clouds of smoke began to pour from the aircraft, and the engine appeared to be missing. The pilot however, continued a controlled descent until, at about 4000 feet just north of Bourgtheroulde, the aircraft went into a steep dive, and exploded on hitting the ground’.

On the 2nd March, 1945, an officer from the Missing Research and Enquiry Unit (MREU) in Paris interviewed Mlle. Aufray, a School Teacher and Secretary of the Mairie (Mayor), provided the following information:

‘A plane crashed about 800 yards from the village of Theillement at 4 am. [sic] on the 26th August, 1944. The body of the airman was found the next morning a distance of 200 yards from the wreckage. It was brought into the village, put into a coffin and buried on the 28th August, 1944. This was the day of liberation of that district, and honours were rendered by Canadian troops who were then advancing’.

Note: His body was recovered and buried by the 8th Reconnaissance Regiment (14th Canadian Hussars), the reconnaissance arm of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division.

‘The grave is situated in the churchyard, second on the left hand side of the main entrance, No name appears on the wooden cross, but the officer was assured by Mlle. Aufray that one was being purchased by the local people and would be erected shortly bearing the full particulars of Fg Off. Campbell’.

The officer visited of the crash site and found the wreckage was still there with the engines [sic] deeply buried in the earth but recovered three identification plates which were forwarded to the Air Ministry in London.

Burial details:

Above Initial grave marker for Fg Off Campbell from his Service Record

Fg Off. Allan William Campbell. Recovered and reinterred at the Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery XXVI.C.7 on the 21st October 1945. Inscription: 'TO LIVE IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WE LOVE IS NOT TO DIE'.Born on the 12th July 1918 of Strathroy, Ontario. Son of William Allan and Christina (née McNeill) Campbell; husband of Hattie Viola (née Garside) Campbell, of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.

Researched by Ralph Snape and dedicated to this pilot and his family.

Other sources as quoted below:

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