Operation: Sweep (1) '

Date: 27th October 1941 (Monday)

Unit: No. 72 Squadron (motto: Swift)

Type: Spitfire Vb

Serial: W3704 (2)

Code: RN-? (Presentation Spitfire - QACHA’S NEK, South Africa)

Base: RAF Biggin Hill, Kent

Location: Saint Omer, France

Pilot: P/O. 'Jum' Fraser Falkiner Aus/400220 RAAF Age 22. PoW No. 39540 Camp. Hydekrug (3)

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taken from his release to the RAF:

'I was flying No.3 in a section of 4 Aircraft line astern. I was calling the section leader on the R/I to report the presence of 3 enemy fighters below, when I felt three explosions in the aircraft underneath me in the vicinity of the petrol tank. I presume an enemy fighter attacked me from behind and below. I learnt from another member of the Squadron who later joined me in a German hospital, that the pilot who was flying No.4 in my section, had returned home without notifying any of the section. After the explosion the aircraft caught fire immediately and the cockpit filled with smoke and flames, I undid my safety harness and attempted to jettison the sliding hood. The hood didn't jettison system was jammed and eventually I opened the hood in the normal manner with two hands.

After that I remember no more. I fell unconscious until I was about 5,000 above the ground. Then when I realised my predicament I estimated that I pulled the ripcord at approximately 3-4.000 ft. The aircraft was on fire when I lost consciousness•.

The pilot landed in a field full of locals with his parachute and clothing on fire. Immediately picked up by two German soldiers from a nearby flak unit. He had severe burns to face and legs. Splinters in left leg so was taken to the German hospital in Saint Omer.

(1) 'Sweep' operations were offensive missions, especially in World War II, where Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter aircraft ventured into enemy airspace to destroy enemy aircraft, achieve air superiority, or attack targets of opportunity. These patrols, often integrated with bomber attacks in large-scale "Circus" operations, aimed to draw out and engage the Luftwaffe, forcing them to maintain strong air defences in the west and inflicting losses on them, though these missions could be prohibitively costly.
Purpose of Sweep Operations:~
Attack Targets of Opportunity: Sweeps would also target any valuable enemy assets or infrastructure, such as airfields or ground vehicles, that presented themselves.

(2) W3704 - First flew on the 27- 08-1941 72S 19-09-1941 Missing presumed shot down by Bf109 over St. Omer during 'Rodeo' 25-10-1941 Pilot Officer Falkiner missing

(3) Heydecrug - The camp had 3 compounds: one American another British and the third joint British-American. The Britons are all RAF NCO's. Compounds contain 10 stone-brick barracks, each with a capacity of 552 men, and 12 wooden huts each housing 54 PoWs. Men sleep in double decker bunks, have new tables, stools, and lockers. Heating is satisfactory, but ventilation is bad because the shutters must be kept closed, due to police-dog patrols. A large laundry (wash house), a barrack serving as chapel and theatre with 8 small rooms for study, and 7 infirmary barracks are centrally situated. With a barracks capacity of 6,168 men the camp now holds 10,400 POW. It is believed 4,000 of these are quartered in tents.

Burial and other details:

P/O. Fraser Falkiner survived his captivity. Born on the 06 Sep 1919 in Melbourne, Australia. Enlisted on the 21st July 1940. Discharged in March 1946 to the reserve as a Fl.Lt. Deceased on the 17th September 2007, age 88 in Victoria, Australia.

Son of Ralph Sadleir Stoney Falkiner (died24th May 1946, age 68) and Doris Falkiner (née Fraser - died 06th June 1971, age 86). Fraser rests in the The Victorian Garden of Remembrance, Springvale, Victoria, Australia. His brothers - Travers Kilfera (died 02nd August 1994, age 81), Bill Sadleir (died in 2002, age 88) and Pat Sadleir (died 0n the 01st May 1992, age 71) all but Pat saves in the RAAF during the conflict.

Above his marker at the Victorian Garden of Remembrance (courtesy Faye Thornton)

Listen here to an interview with 'Jim' Fraser with the Australian War Memorial .

2 tapes, the first one covered his training (48 minutes) The second cover his operational flying (36 minutes).

Read here the full extent of losses on this single operation.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the National Archive, Kew and the National Archives of Australia. Also to Faye Thornton for taking the photo of his remembrance plaque for us.,

Other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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