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Operation: Flensburg, Denmark
Date: 11th July 1942 (Saturday)
Unit No: 105 Squadron, 2 Group, Bomber Command
Type: Mosquito FB.IV
Serial: DK299
Code: GB:S
Base: RAF Horsham St. Faiths, Norwich, Norfolk
Location: River Rejsby, Nr Skæbæk, Denmark
Pilot: Flt Lt. George Pryce Hughes MiD J4819 RCAF Age 29. KiA (1)
Obs: Fg Off. Thomas Albert Gabe 65556 RAFVR Age 26. KiA (2)
Above: Flt Lt. George Pryce Hughes MiD (courtesy Sherborne School )
REASON FOR LOSS:
Initial target had been the ‘U’ boat pens at Flensburg, however it seems that they chose the secondary target of the railway yards at Tønder. They followed the lines to the north and attacked a train at Skæbæk. During this attack they encountered Flak and then was attacked at shot down by a Bf109G-1 flown by Uffz. Herbert Biermann of 2./JG1, his 3rd Abschuss, at approximately 19:09 hrs.
Fw. Bierman survived the war and was credited with 8 confirmed Abschüsse and one unconfirmed. He died on the 15th December 1994. (Luftwaffe ACES - Biographies and Victory Claims (Mathews and Foreman) - Volume 1)
According to the officer in charge of the Missing Research and Recovery Unit dated 11th December 1945: "The aircraft tried to crash land in fields close to the river Rejsby å (marked with blue spots on map) - the aircraft hit the ground and continued for about 2 km breaking up as it went through various wires and hitting banks. One of the crew was killed during this period, the other, seriously injured died on the way to hospital in Ribe."
The Germans took away the bodies - they would not inform anyone where they were taking them - however, further investigation reveals that two bodies were taken from Ribe to the cemetery at Esbjerg and buried on the 16th July 1942.
(1) George Pryce Hughes attended Sherborne School (The Green) 1926-1930. On leaving School, he returned to the Argentine. His father died of tuberculosis in 1929. He was an Estanciero (Rancher) and livestock trader.
Sherborne School, Dorset - Any further information that you are able to assist them with fallen former pupils from all wars, we would be pleased to pass onto them.
He initially sought a commission in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (RNVR), but was advised by letter of 2nd September 1940 that he was ineligible for a commission on entry as he was under 30 and that he would have to enl as an Ordinary Seaman and hope for a commission later.
Prior to enlisting in the RCAF he already held both British and Argentinian civil pilot's licences. He was also a highly accomplished rower and water-skier and owned his own 35 knot speedboat.
Above: Private Pilot Licence for George Pryce Hughes
He then enlisted in the RCAF in Ottawa on the 15th November 1940. Trained at No.1 Initial Training School (ITS) and graduated on the 9th December 1940. Then onto No.10 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) and graduated 6th in class of 30 on the 28th January 1941. Then onto No.5 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) and graduated 7th in class of 43 on the 10th April 1941 and was then appointed to a commission and promoted to Plt Off. on the 11th April 1941.
He was then posted to No.1 M. Depot (Temp) Debert in Nova Scotia on the 21st April 1941 prior to be posted overseas on the 15th May 1941.
He was posted to No.13 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at RAF Uxbridge on the 7th June 1941 after which he was posted to 139 Squadron on the 27th August 1941. He had a period of detachment to Egypt between the 21st November and the 9th December 1941. Then followed a posting 107 Squadron on the 4th January 1942. He was then attached to No. 2 School of Air Navigation on the 28th January 1942 after which he was posted to 105 Squadron on the 14th February 1942.
He was posthumously Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) which was promulgated in the London Gazette on the 13th June 1946.
George was a close friend of his cousin Richard Pryce Hughes, who at the outbreak of the War travelled together to enlist in the RCAF leaving Buenos Aires on 27th September 1940. Richard Hughes also became a pilot and reached the rank of Plt Off.
Returning from mission to Dortmund on the 15th April 1942 his Halifax II R9492 ZA:G of 10 Sqn crashed at 04:55 hrs on Greatham Moor, 3 mls south of Whitehall near Hindhead in Surrey after running out of petrol which cut the two Starboard engines. The crew baled out successfully, after which Plt Off. Hughes tried to make an emergency landing but lost control and the Halifax spiralled into the ground from 7000 ft. Plt Off. Richard Pryce Hughes J4825 RCAF was buried at Wybunbury (St. Chad) Church Yard Extension Row 2, Grave 23.
Richard's sister, George's cousin, Nancie (née Hughes) Halsall was the administratrix of George Pryce Hughes estate. She lived in Betley near Crew in England.
(2) Thomas Albert Gabe appears to have joined the RAFVR shortly after the outbreak of the War. 983203 LAC. Gabe was appointed to a commission and promoted to Plt Off. on probation on the 4th May 1941. His commission was confirmed along with promotion to Flg Off. on the 4th May 1942.
He had trained as an Observer with No.13 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at RAF Bicester on the Bristol Blenheim. He was posted from there to 18 Squadron, at RAF Oulton on the 11th July 1941 and flew at least one operational mission with that squadron. On the 17th September 1941 he was posted to Headquarters RAF Horsham St. Faith in Norwich and then onto 105 Squadron on the 25th October 1941.
Burial details
Graves of crew, taken by Aircrew Remembered during their visit in 2011 - anyone who would like a higher resolution of the graves please don't hesitate to ask.
Flt Lt. George Pryce Hughes MiD. Esbjerg Cemetery (Fourfelt) Grave AIII.11.19. Grave Inscription: ‘"TILL THE DAY BREAKS AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY" MUMS’. Born on the 24th October 1912 in Montgomeryshire, Wales. Son of George D. (deceased in 1929) and Hope Julia (née Murray) Hughes of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Fg Off. Thomas Albert Gabe. Esbjerg Cemetery (Fourfelt) Grave AIII.11.18. Born on the 14th of December 1918 in Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorganshire, Wales. Son of Thomas Rees and Bessie Ruth (née Ham) (deceased March 1941) Gabe of Pontypool, Glamorgan, Wales.
His brother, Ordinary Seaman Howell Emanual Gabe age 26, of the Merchant Navy was lost at sea aboard the SS Matilda out of Liverpool on the 24th October 1940. The SS Matilda, was torpedoed in the stern by the German U-boat U-28 approximately 100 miles West of Rockall while sailing alone from Jamaica with a cargo of 1500 tons of bananas. He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial Panel 69.
Researched by Kelvin Youngs (Webmaster) and dedicated to the crew and their families. With thanks to Sherborne School Archives for additional information (Aug 2015). Thanks to John Allan for the additional information for each of the crew and their families (Sep 2024). Reviewed and updated by Aircrew Remembered (Sep 2024).
Other sources listed below.
KTY 08.08.2015 Squadron code amended
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Last Modified: 27 September 2024, 08:19