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Operation: Tank attack
Date: 08th August 1944 (Tuesday)
Unit: No. 247 Squadron (motto: 'Rise from the East')124 Wing. 83 Group. 2nd Tactical Air Force
Type: Typhoon Ib
Serial: JP792
Code: ZY- O
Base: B6. Coulombs, France
Location: Soumont-St-Quentin
Pilot: P/O. Robert Blakeman Hemmings MiD. NZ/421712 RNZAF Age 22. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking off with 7 others at 15:45 hrs on a rocket projectile strike against a tank convoy on a road between Caen and Falaise.
On firing his rockets P/O. Hemmings was caught by a burst of flak. JP792 broke away to port, rolled over and exploded when it hit the ground.
Burial and personal details:
Initially buried at crash scene - reinterred after ending of hostilities.
P/O. Robert Blakeman Hemmings MiD. Ranville War Cemetery. Grave V.F.1. Born on the 12th November 1922 at Invercargill . Prior to service worked as a garage store man for A. Russell and Company. Enlisted on the 08th March 1942. Awarded pilots badge and promoted to sergeant on the 19th December 1942. Commissioned on the 11th July 1944. Son of Leonard William Hemmings and of Mabel Agnes Hemmings (née Wright), of Invercargill, New Zealand. A total of 509 flying hours logged.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Jenifer Lemaire and to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, AWMM, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:
KTY 05-03-2021
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 29 April 2021, 15:46