Operation: Circus 193
Date: 20th June 1942 (Saturday)
Unit: No. 118 Squadron (motto: Occido redeoque - I kill and return')
Type: Spitfire Vb
Serial: EP234
Code: NK-?
Base: RAF Ibsley, Hampshire
Location: Near Ledquent, France
Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Cornelis van Houten 1149995 RAFVR Age 23. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking off at 14:50 hrs to create a diversionary sweep for bombers that were targeting Le Havre.
Visibility was described as 50 miles. The squadron was jumped by about 50 Fw190's and 6 Me109's.
It was a disastrous day for the RAF. 118 squadron lost four pilots with three killed and one FFAF pilot, W/O. Robert-NoÎl Noel (Nioloux) shot down and taken PoW. Further details are here.
Fl/Sgt. Houten was shot down and crashed near Ledquent, France, the pilot was killed.
Burial details:
Fl/Sgt. Cornelis van Houten. Buried initially at Château de Ledquent Cemetery, Marquise. Reburied Militair ereveld Grebbeberg, Rhenen, Row 8, grave 19. Born on the 09th May 1919 in Woensel, Netherlands.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the extensive research by Rob Philip and his 'Lost' archive, National Archives Kew, Air-27-907-31/32.
Other sources as quoted below:
