Operation: Sweep

Date: 12th December 1941 (Friday)

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

Type: Tomahawk IIB

Serial: AK457

Code: GA-O

Base: LG122, Fort Maddelena, Libya

Location: Derna area, Libya

Pilot: Sgt. William Earl Houston NZ/402473 RNZAF Age 19. Missing

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 15:25 hrs with 7 others and 10 from 3 squadron led by W/Cdr. Peter Jeffrey O35436 RAAF.

They ran into a large enemy force over Timini.

P/O. John Phillip Bartle 406171 RAF flying AN372 probably destroyed a 109 and damaged a Maochi 202. P/O. Eric 'Dicky' Dickinson 64920 RAFVR flying AM459 damaged a Maochi 202. Sgt. Donald Neil McQueen 402530 RAAF flying AN372 damaged a Maochi 202. F/O. Peter Harry 'Hunk' Humphreys 84961 in AN265 was hit but returned to base.

Sadly, P/O. Robert James Daniel 'Butch' Jeffries 406179 RAAF flying AN413, Sgt. John Alves 1001442 RAFVR flying AK476 (survived as a PoW) and Sgt. William Earl Houston failed to return. Oblt. Erbo Graf von Kageneck of 9./JG27 west of Timini claimed AK457. It is thought he also shot down AN413.

All others returned.

Burial details:

Sgt. William Earl Houston. Alamein Memorial. Panel 245. Born on the 07th May 1922 in Hastings. Educated at Hastings High School. Worked as a clerk for Nelsons Ltd Tomana Freezing Works in Hastings. Enlisted at Ohakea as aircraft hand 15th July 1940. Commenced training as a pilot on the 25th November 1940. With No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School 26th December 1940. 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 26th September 1941 and joined 112 squadron on the 02nd November 1941. Son of Arthur Robert (died 15th October 1963) and Agnes McLean Houston (née Earl - died 15th July 1959), of Hastings, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.

Other:

P/O. Robert James Daniel Jeffries. Alamein Memorial. Panel 245. Born on the 14th February 1918 in Midland Junction, Western Australia. Worked as a clerk for Child Welfare Department in Perth. Served 4 years with 13th Field Company, reached the rank of sergeant. Enlisted in Perth on the 12th of September 1940. Trained with No. 2 Service Flying Training School. Pilot badge awarded 04th May 1941. Joined 112 squadron on the 30th August 1941 from 71 Operational Training Unit. Stepson of Charles Frederic (died 17th February 1947, age 62), and son of Lillian Blanche Jeffries, of 5 Boreham Street, Cottesloe, Western Australia

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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