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.
122 crest
08th November 1942 122 Squadron Spitfire F.IX BS349 W/O. II Foreman

Operation: Circus 235

Date: 08th November 1942 (Sunday)

Unit: No. 122 Squadron (motto: Victuri volamus 'We fly to conquer')

Date: 08th November 1942

Type: Spitfire F.IX

Serial: BS349

Code: MT-?

Base: RAF Hornchurch, Essex

Location: Dunkirk, France

Pilot: WO II Gordon James Foreman R/78053 RCAF Age 20. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

For the Circus Operation on this day they were escorting 38 x B-17’s that were to bomb Fives/Lille with 12 other B17’s on a diversion raid to Abbeville/Drucat. The entire Gruppe from JG26 were scrambled as well as others from III./JG2. Despite 7 Spitfires being shot down, the escort defended the bombers well.

Engaged and shot down over Dunkirk. The young Canadian pilot was killed.

The others lost on this operation:

165 Squadron - P/O. George Cruise Griffin 118532 RAFVR flying Spitfire Vb EP381 shot down over the channel. Body recovered.

306 Squadron - Sgt. Zygmunt Rozworski 793164 PAF flying Spitfire IX BS432. Lost without trace over the Channel.

350 Squadron F/O. Georges Deltour 100651 RAF flying Spitfire Vb EN773. Hit but managed to force land at Manston.

401 Squadron - Fl/Lt. Donald Robert Morrison J/15475 RCAF flying Spitfire IX BS202. Shot down and taken PoW. Leg amputated and repatriated. Further details here.

401 Squadron - F/O. Douglas Russell Manley J/9358 RCAF flying Spitfire IA BS391. Shot down and killed. Further information here.

421 Squadron - Sq/Ldr. Frank Cameron Willis 40332 RAF flying Spitfire Vb EN779. Shot down over the Channel, body not recovered.

421 Squadron - Fl/Sgt. Clifford Arthur Davis R/101411 RCAF flying Spitfire Vb BL896. Shot down over the Channel, body not recovered.

Burial details:

WO II Gordon James Foreman. Merville Communal Cemetery Extension. Plot 2. Row B. Grave 4. Son of James and Elizabeth Foreman, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; husband of Laurette M. Foreman, of Toronto. Grave inscription: 'Let No Bomb Or Shell Disturb His Sleep; He Died So Young God Bless Him'.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to with thanks to Francois Dutil, other sources as quoted below:

KTY 13-05-2021

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 MWO 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', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, 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 - 2024 Last Modified: 13 May 2021, 18:23

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