AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

• Kracker Archive
• Allied Losses
• Archiwum Polish
• Paradie Canadian
• RCAF
• RAAF
• RNZAF
• USA
• Searchable Lists

Info LogoAdd to or correct this story with a few clicks.
Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
Check our Research databases: Database List

.

We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.

FAA
HMS Saker II. Buffalo F2A-3 01579 Sub/Lt (A) Francis) Flannagan

Operation: Training

Date: 30th May 1942 (Saturday)

Unit: No. HMS Saker II. Fleet aAir Arm

Type: Brewster F2A-3 Buffalo

Serial: 01579

Code: -

Base: Naval Air Station MiamI, Florida USA.

Location: Near airfield

Pilot: Sub/Lt (A ) Francis Patrick Joseph Flannagan NZD/2516 RNZNVR Age 22. Killed

Reason for loss:

Sub/Lt (A ) Flannagan had by this time been awarded his wings and commissioned was on a training flight when, for reasons unknown, spun into the ground 5 miles west of the airfield at 08:30 hrs.

He survived the crash but succumbed to his injuries later on the same day.

Burial details:

Sub/Lt (A ) Francis Patrick Joseph Flannagan. Miami Cemetery (Woodlawn Park North). Sect. 6, Lot 163, Grave 10.

Born on the 31st March 1920 in New Plymouth. Worked as a clerk for H. Johnson Motors prior to service. Enlisted on the 16th April 1941. Embarked for England on the 20th April 1941 and attached to HMS Vincent/Gosport. Embarked for USA in September 1941. Wings awarded on the 22nd April 1942 and commissioned at HMS Saker II.

Son of Patrick Joseph (died on the 22nd March 1933, age 58) and Jessica Flannagan (née Beach - died on the 24th September 1939, age 62), of New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand.

As he was young when his parents died ward of Royve Oscar (died on the 11 September 1965, age 70) and Mildred Ellen Ulander (née Monk - died on the 15th June 1966, age 65)

Epitaph: 'Memories Ever Dear'.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, New Zealand Cenotaph, Weekly News of New Zealand, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, National Archive.

Other sources as quoted below:

KTY 04-01-2025

Pages of Outstanding Interest
History Airborne Forces •  Soviet Night Witches •  Bomber Command Memories •  Abbreviations •  Gardening Codenames
CWGC: Your Relative's Grave Explained •  USA Flygirls •  Axis Awards Descriptions •  'Lack Of Moral Fibre'
Concept of Colonial Discrimination  •  Unauthorised First Long Range Mustang Attack
RAAF Bomb Aimer Evades with Maquis •  SOE Heroine Nancy Wake •  Fane: Motor Racing PRU Legend
Acknowledgements
Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and Captain François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Andrew Mielnik: Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Polish graves: https://niebieskaeskadra.pl/, PoW Museum Żagań, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
Click any image to enlarge it

Click to add your info via ticket on Helpdesk •Click to let us know via ticket on Helpdesk• Click to explore the entire site
If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2025
Last Modified: 04 January 2025, 14:29

Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to be informed of changes to this page. Create account for first monitor only, thereafter very fast. Click to close without creating monitor