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.

182 Squadron crest
18.08.1944 No 182 Squadron Typhoon Ib JP427 Fl/Lt. Alistair J. Hay DFC

Operation: Falaise, France

Date: 18th August 1944 (Friday)

Unit: No. 182 Squadron

Type: Typhoon Ib

Serial: JP427 XM-?

Base: Helmond Airfield (B86) Holland?

Location: Near Orbec, France

Pilot: Fl/Lt. Alistair James Hay DFC 67093 RAFVR Age 22. Killed


We would very much like relatives to contact us - a photograph of Fl/Lt Hay DFC would be very much appreciated as would any other information.


REASON FOR LOSS:

During the period of the date described ground and military targets had been attacked around the Faliase area. The Germans had been forced to retreat into this area and had been surrounded on three sides. Savage fighting took place over the next 5 days during which time the fighter bombers pounded German tanks inflicting huge damage.

This Typhoon JP427 flown by Fl/Lt Hay was hit by flak and crashed in the Orbec area.

DFC Citation gazetted on the 23rd June 1942:

“Pilot Officer Hay was pilot of the Hurricane on board ship fitted with a catapult. On the approach of enemy aircraft he was catapulted off and immediately proceeded to attack and drive off a formation of six Heinkel IIIs and II5s which were preparing to deliver a torpedo attack on the port bow of the convoy; not only did this prevent synchronisation with an attack which developed from the starboard bow, but he destroyed one Heinkel III and slightly damaged another. Pilot Officer Hay was himself wounded and he then baled out and was picked up by one of His Majesty’s ships of the convoy escort. He showed great gallantry and his spirited attack was a great encouragement to all the convoy and escorts, and cannot but have been a great discomfort and surprise to the enemy.”

Subsequent research revealed that the Convoy concerned was PQ16, and that the CAM ship (Catapult Armed Merchantman) which Alistair Hay flew from was the Empire Lawrence. His baling out in this incident would have qualified him to apply for Membership of The Caterpillar Club. Co-incidentally, the Skipper of the rescue ship which picked him up was another ‘Old Boy’ of SATA ‘General Botha’.

Burial details: 

Fl/Lt. Alistair James Hay DFC. St. Desir War Cemetery, France. Grave V.D.4. Son of Frederick John Gordon Hay and Catherine Hay (née Metherell) of South Africa. Further information: Born Johannesburg, 13th September 1921. Educated at Christian Brothers’ College, Pretoria. Member of Boys Naval Brigade, Cadet Draft 1937-38, at the South African Training Ship General Botha, and after leaving there he joined the Union Castle Company where he remained until 1940. Joined the RAF as a Sergeant and he was Gazetted as a Pilot Officer on 18 May 1941, Flying Officer on 18 May 1942, and Flight Lieutenant on 18 May 1943.

Right: Grave of Fl/Lt. Alistair James Hay DFC. at St. Desir War Cemetery, France

Researched by David J. Mole (November 2014) and dedicated to relatives of this pilot.

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 - 2024
Last Modified: 22 November 2014, 01:07

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