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Operation: Sweep
Date: 16th August 1941 (Saturday)
Unit: No. 274 Squadron (motto: Supero - 'I overcome') 262 Wing. Western Desert
Type: Hurricane IIB
Serial: Z4578
Code: YK-?
Base: Sidi Barrani
Location: Mediterranean Sea off Ras Beddad, Libya
Pilot: Sgt. John Francis Cash Aus/402109 RAAF Age 21. Missing believed killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking off from Sidi Barrani Airfield with others from the squadron to carry out an offensive sweep over Gambut.
They were flying at just over 1000 ft when Sgt Cash was seen to peel away followed by his No.2 23 year old, Sgt. John Paterson McDonell Aus/400266 RAAF (1)
Lt. Harry Hoffe (2) reported that he saw an aircraft hitting the water 4 miles north of Ras Beddad but he could not be sure if it was Z4578.
No trace of the pilot could be found despite searches made later.
(1) Sgt. John Paterson McDonell lost his life on the 27th August 1943. Whilst with 127 squadron flying Hurricane IIC KC440. Buried at Khayat Beach War Cemetery, Israel. Grave C. G. 15. Son of John Paterson McDonell and Margaret Isobel McDonell, of East Kew, Victoria, Australia. Grave inscription: 'Greater Love Hath No Man" He Gave His Life For Others'.
(2) Harry Hoffe passes away on the 24th May 2014 age 95.
Burial details:
Sgt. John Francis Cash. Alamein Memorial. Column 245. Born on the 06th July 1920 at Randwick NSW. Worked as a bank clerk for the Commonwealth Bank prior to service. Enlisted on the 27th May 1940 at Sydney, the first civilian from Australia of the war to join the RAAF. Embarked from Sydney to Egypt on the 09th April 1941. Son of the Revd. Edward Francis Nicholson Cash and Violet Elizabeth Cash, of Christchurch Rectory, Lavender Bay, New South Wales, Australia.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to NAA, other sources as quoted below:
KTY 03-04-2021
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 03 April 2021, 13:55