Operation: Tactical Reconnaissance

Date: 04th July 1944 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 268 Squadron. (motto: Adjidaumo Ojibwe - ;Tail in the air'). 34 Wing

Type: Mustang Ia

Serial: FD502

Code: NM-R

Base: RAF Gatwick, West Sussex

Location: Dreux, France

Pilot: F/O. Joseph William Henry Conway DFC (Posth). J/20157 (R/35093) RCAF Age 26. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 07:11hrs with F/O. G.K.N Lloyd 125536 RAFVR (1) flying Mustang FD471 NM-E as his No.2. Flying a tactical reconnaissance covering Trouville – Damville – Marcilly – Dreux – Houdan – Ivry la Bataille - Damville - Marcilly-sur-Eure - Houdan - Vry-la-Bataille.

The No.2 on the sortie reported that he saw smoke coming from his No.1’s aircraft just after they were subjected to intense light flak near Acon while flying at between 1000 and 1500 ft along the road and railway line which runs west from Dreux. Flames from around the area of the radiator followed the smoke and then F/O. Conway’s aircraft nosed down to a forty five degree angle, hit the ground and exploded. The pilot was not seen to leave the aircraft.

F/O. Lloyd recorded the details of the sortie in his log book:

'Led by F/O. Bill Conway. We were at 1200’ when we were subject to intense accurate light cross fire from four gun sites, flak. I saw Bill leave a trail of black smoke, camera panel flew off then part of the hood, Bill was at about 700’ and kept going down and exploded. There was very little chance. I then was the main attraction and after a second burst at the gun position in front of myself I returned to base'.

(1) F/O. Lloyd AFC Retired from RAF as a Wing Commander in 1968

Posthumous DFC Citation:

'This officer has completed numerous photographic reconnaissance sorties, all at levels below 4,000 feet and some almost ground level. Nearly all have involved deep penetrations within the main enemy fighter areas and all have been within the best range of medium or light anti-aircraft fire. In no case has he had fighter cover or escort. Before the invasion of Normandy, Flying Officer Conway photographed a heavily defended military installation at Le Treport from ground level. Though his aircraft was damaged by the defences he obtained fine photographs. He also secured outstanding pictures of bridges on the Somme. Since the invasion he has completed many more missions, on three of which he has been intercepted by enemy fighters. This did not deter him from completing his tasks successfully. Flying Officer Conway's courage and determination have been highly commendable at all times'.

Burial details:

F/O. Joseph William Henry Conway DFC. Luray Communal Cemetery. (1 of 2 CWGC graves in the cemetery, the other 27 year old, Fl/Lt. Stewart Kitchener Walker J/12556 RCAF). Born on the 07th May 1918 in East Angus. Enlisted on the 04th October 1941. Pilot badge awarded on the 23rd October 1942. Joined 268 squadron on the 21st July 1943.Son of Leonard (died 1th April 1978, age 95) and Ellen Conway (née Thompson - died 31st March 1970, age 87), of East Angus, Province of Quebec, Canada.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the National Archive Kew, AIR-27-1564-13/14, Colin Ford No.268 Squadron Royal Air Force 1940-1946 Historian, Canberra, Australia. Paradie RCAF Archives, Government of Canada WW2 Records.

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Other pages that may interest you:

Pages regarding 1944 losses

Pages detailing RCAF losses

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