Operation: Sweep

Date: 18th August 1942 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 129 Squadron. 11 Group (motto: 'I will defend the right')

Type: Spitfire Vb

Serial: BL934

Code: DV-J

Base: RAF Thorney Island, Sussex

Location: English Channel

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Allan James Edwards NZ/41642 RNZAF Age 22. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

On the 05th June 1942, the squadron was detailed to escort 6 Bostons that were to attack Le Havre as Circus 188. Taking off at 14:50 hrs. During the trip out they were bounced by 17 Fw190'2. Two of the squadron were shot down, P/O.Govern Steen flying BM639 was listed as missing (details here). The other, Sgt. Edwards flew Spitfire BM508 but he managed to bale out and was rescued a mile off Selsey by an Air Sea Rescue Walrus within 45 minutes. Reported that he was actually back to the base within 2 hours! All 6 Bostons were safely escorted back. The squadron landed back at base at 17:10 hrs.

On the 18th of June, the squadron took off at 09:30 hrs with 11 others led by Sq/Ldr. Rhys Henry Thomas to investigate reports of enemy aircraft off Cherbourg. After carrying out an extra run over the area they sighted 2 He59's escorted by 6 Fw190's, later joined by a further 12. The squadron attacked and shot down1 HE59 falling into the sea. the other was chased and forced to touch down just off Cherbourg, reported as badly damaged.

Fl/Sgt. Herman Joseph Michael McDonnell 1380301 RAFVR called up to say that he had been hit and went into the sea about 30 miles southwest of Selsey, his aircraft AD 415 sank immediately and he was listed as missing.

Fl/Sgt. Edwards was seen to hit the water with the aircraft breaking into 2/3 pieces before sinking, he was not seen to leave the aircraft.

The remaining 10 Spitfires all landed back at the base by 10:45 hrs. Fl/Sgt. Sigurd Jenssen flying R7195 made a brilliant landing in view of the amount of damage from the combat. (Catagory 'B')

The body of Fl/Sgt. Edwards was retrieved from the channel by a British destroyer on the 27th of August, his body was brought ashore on the 29th of August for burial.

Burial and personal details:

Fl/Sgt. Allan James Edwards. Felixstowe New Cemetery. Block B. Sec. K. Grave 30. Born on the 20th of April 1920 in Dunedin. Educated at Otago Boys High School and Dunedin and Otago University. Worked as a clerk for W.E. Reid and Company, accountants in Dunedin. Enlisted as a pilot under training at Levin on the 19th of January 1941. With No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School on the 01st March 1941. Embarked for Canada on the 29th of April 1941. With No. 34 Service Flying Training School on the 16th of May 1941 did not fly until joining 32 Service Flying Training School on the 27th of May 1941.

Pilot badge awarded and promoted to sergeant on the 08th August 1941. Embarked for England on the 20th of August 1941. With No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre on the 15th September 1941. 61 Operational Training Unit on the 30th September flying the Spitfire. Joined 129 squadron on the 13th of January 1942 and carried out 105 operational sorties. Total of 432 flying hours logged.

Son of Lewis John (died 06th February 1961, age 78) and Isabella Edwards (née Ritchie - died 19th July 1944, age 63), of Anderson's Bay, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.

Above, L-R: Rear; G.T.A Holland, Frank Alexander Piercy NZ/41492, Malcolm John Fry NZ/403438, W.F Beattie, H.J Dempsey, W.C McConnochie, L.W Briggs, L.G Malthus.

Centre; F.S Johnstone, E.H.G Lassen, Valentine Wilfred Tulley NZ/41594, Euan Wilfred Sachtler NZ/41362, Raymond Johnson Watson NZ/404978, Thomas Layton Bowker NZ/405366, J.A Froggart, J.McL Cochrane.

Front; Allan James Edwards NZ/41642, John David Reid NZ/41495, William Peter O'Halloran NZ/41352, Phillip Holmes Skinner NZ/41498 (Courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand)

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, Weekly News of New Zealand, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, National Archives - Air 27-934-22, other sources as quoted below:

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