Operation: Photographic Recce
Date: 2nd November 1943 (Tuesday)
Unit No: 684 (PR) Squadron, South East Asia Command (SEAC)
Type: Mosquito PR.II
Serial: DZ697
Code: None
Base: RAF Aldergrove, Ireland
Location: Thanatpin, Burma
Pilot: Fg Off. Ernest Angus Fielding 113753 RAFVR Age 23. KiA
Navigator: Fg Off. Robert Alfred Turton MiD 40744 RNZAF Age 22. KiA
REASON FOR LOSS:
DZ697 departed RAF Dum Dum at 07:00 hrs to Chittagong and Departed from Chittagong at 09:00 hrs on the morning of 2nd November 1944 for a Photo Recce over Rangoon but failed to return
Records show that the crew were still with 681 Sqn at the time of their loss, although they were flying with 684 (PR) Sqn.
It was first thought that they had been shot down near Rangoon. After hostilities ceased villagers from Kyaungyi, near Pegu, described seeing an aircraft coming from the direction of Rangoon and then disintegrate at position 17 20N, 96 40E (Thanatpin, Burma). No enemy activity appeared to be involved in the loss. The two crew were thrown out of the aircraft as it broke up and were buried where they fell, in adjacent paddy fields about ½ mile from the village. It seems likely that the Mosquito suffered from a catastrophic structural failure.
All Mosquito operations in South East Asia Command (SEAC) was halted on the 12th November after a series of crashes through structural failures. It was initially thought the problem was do to with the climatic conditions affecting the glue used in the manufacture of the aircraft.
Close inspections of the squadron’s Mosquitoes revealed that the majority had cracking in their main spar. By the end of November the squadron was down to four airworthy Mosquitoes, the remainder having been sent to No. 1 Civilian maintenance Unit (CMU) Kanchrapara for repair. After inspections operations commenced again.
Burial details:
Above: Taukkyan War Cemetery (Courtesy of the TWGPP)
Above: Grave marker for Fg Off. Fielding (Courtesy of the TWGPP)
Fg Off. Ernest Angus Fielding. Taukkyan War Cemetery 23A.A.12. Inscription: “IN LOVING EVER-GREEN MEMORY. “THY WAY. NOT MINE. OH LORD.” MOTHER.” Born in 1st Qtr of 1920 in Rugby, Warwickshire. Son of George and Hilda Winifred (née Stewart) Fielding, of Rugby, Warwickshire, England.
Above: Fg Off. Turton MiD, left (Courtesy of Laurin Espie - FindAGrave); right Grave marker (Courtesy of the TWGPP)
Fg Off. Robert Alfred Turton MiD. Taukkyan War Cemetery 23A.A.11. Son of Alfred and Myra Turton, of Kakahi, Taumarunui, Auckland, New Zealand.
Sgt. Turton was Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) which was promulgated in the London Gazette 11th June 1942.
Robert's name is on the Roll of Honour in the Taumarunui War Memorial Hall, Hakiaha Street, Taumarunui, King Country, New Zealand.
Researched by Ralph Snape from Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to the relatives of the crew.
Thanks to ‘The War Graves Photographic Project’ for their great work.
Other sources listed below:
RS 25.11.2022 - Initial Upload
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