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Operation: Ramrod 453
Date: 14 January 1944 (Friday)
Unit: No. 132 Squadron (motto: Cave leopardum - 'Beware the leopard)
Type: Spitfire IX
Serial: MH978
Code: FF-M
Base: RAF Newchurch, Kent
Location: Berck-sur-Mer, France
Pilot: Sq/Ldr. Franz Ferdinand Colloredo-Mansfeld DFC and bar 112005 RAFVR Age 33. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
On a 'Ramrod' operation during the morning shot down over Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise, the Spitfire crashed at Berck-sur-Mer killing the pilot at around 12:00 hrs.
This was the only loss from the squadron on this operation but 28 year old, Fl/Lt. Józef Piotrowski P/1312 PAF of 308 squadron flying Spitfire IX MH927 was also shot down and killed on the same operation. An Me 109 from JG26 is known to have claimed the loss.
Burial and other details:
Sq/Ldr. Franz Ferdinand Colloredo-Mansfeld DFC and bar. Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. Plot 11. Row B. Grave 18. Grave inscription: 'Haec Peperit Virtus'. Born on the 01st March 1910 in Rome. Family moved to the USA from Vienna in 1918. Son of Count Ferdinand Colloredo-Mansfeld an Austrian diplomat and of Countess Colloredo-Mansfeld (née Iselin - died 25th February 1939, age 51) and husband of Countess Colloredo-Mansfeld, of Welham, Massachusetts, USA. He studied at Harvard University, graduating in 1932. After the annexation of Austria in 1938, he left for Great Britain and enlisted as a volunteer in the RAF before the US entered the war. He served in fighter command and shot down several enemy aircraft. He reached the rank of Squadron Leader and became commanding officer of 132 Squadron.
Fl/Lt. Józef Piotrowski. Grainville-Langannerie Polish War Cemetery. Grave II.AA.10. Born on the 12th January 1916 at Stanislawów, Poland.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to sources as quoted below:
KTY 07-11-2021
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 07 November 2021, 17:59