Operation: Sweep

Date: 25th November 1941 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 112 Squadron (motto: 'Swift in Destruction'). 262 Wing. Western Desert.

Type: Tomahawk IIB

Serial: AK461

Code: GA-A

Base: LG122, Fort Maddelena, Libya

Location: Gambut area, Libya

Pilot: Sgt. Frederick Dunford Glasgow NZ/402469 RNZAF Age 20. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 15:25 hrs with 11 others from the squadron joining 10 from 3 squadron RAAF led by W/Cdr. Francis Victor Morello 39256 RAF in a wing sweep in the Sidi Rezegh area. They arrived just in time to catch an enemy force of about 70 enemy aircraft attacking allied forces.

A huge battle followed which completely broke up the enemy formation. P/O. Derrick Fitzgerald 'Jerry' Westenra 89782 RAF flying AN303 probably destroyed a G.50 (but not confirmed), he was also hit during the battle and aircraft badly damaged but managed to return to base. F/O. Neville Bowker 89773 RAFVR flying AN381 destroyed a Me110, but hit by the sea gunner, he managed to return to base where his aircraft was repaired. F/O. Peter Harry 'Hunk' Humphreys 84961 flying AK405 shot down a a GR.42 confirmed and a probable Me109F. Sgt. William Earl Houston NZ/402473 RNZAF flying AN439 also claimed a Me110 as a probable.

Sgt. Frederick Glasgow failed to return and is remembered on the Alamein Memorial. It is thought he was shot down by Oberfeldwebel Albert Espenlaub of I./JG 27.

At sunset the squadron flew all serviceable aircraft to LG110 (Sidi Bahraini) for the night as a precaution against enemy tank or bombing attacks.

W/Cdr. Francis Victor Morello. Born on the 21st May 1916 in Shillong, Assam, India. Survived the war.
P/O. Derrick Fitzgerald Westenra. Born on the 29th April 1918 in Christchurch, New Zealand. DFC. MiD. Died 17th August 1999 in Tauranga.
F/O. Neville Bowker. Born in 1918 in the Orange Free State, South Africa, but was brought up in the Southern Rhodesia. DFC. Died 21st May 2005 in Australia.
F/O. Peter Harry Humphreys. Born on 1st May 1920 in Lymington, Hampshire. DFC. Killed in a mid air collision 11th November 1947, age 27.
Sgt. William Earl Houston. Born on the 07th May 1922 in Hastings, New Zealand. Killrf on the 12th December 1941.

Burial and personal details:

Sgt. Frederick Dunford Glasgow. Alamein Memorial. Panel 246. Born on the 16th November 1921 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Worked as a clerk for Wanganui City Council. Enlisted at Ohakea as aircraft hand 09th July 1940. Commenced training as a pilot on the 25th November 1940. With No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School. Embarked for Canada on the 27th February 1941. Pilot badge awarded and promoted to sergeant on the 09th June 1941. Embarked for England on the 20th June 1941. Further trading with 52 Operational Training Unit on the Hurricane 14th July 1941. Joined 17 squadron 01st September 1941. Embarked for Middle East 28th September 1941 and joined 112 squadron on the 02nd November 1941. Son of Frederick Dunford Glasgow and Lizzie Cassie Glasgow, of Fitzherbert Avenue , Wanganui, Wellington, New Zealand. A total of 123 flying hours logged and thought to be on his 7th operational sortie.

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

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