Operation: Rhubarb
Date: 15th July 1942.
Unit: 122 Squadron
Type: Spitfire Vb
Serial: BM329
Coded: MT-C
Location: Boulogne
Base: RAF Fairlop
Pilot: Sgt. Dennis Stephen James 1377869 RAFVR Killed.
REASON FOR LOSS:
Took-off from Fairlop, Hornchurch's Satelite, at 11:46 hrs. for a mass Rhubarb at noon.
The main target was a hutted encampment near Etaples and the attacks that followed were made at extremely low level (0 ft according to the Squadron ORB's) Sgt James was found to be missing during the form up over the channel to return. Loss attributed to flak, crashed in Boulogne area - due to attacking height baling out was not an option.
Also lost on this raid was 41276 W/Cmdr Brendan E.F. Finucane DSO DFC. and 2 bars from 602 Squadron. His aircraft was hit by machine gun fire which damaged the radiator and he ditched - unable to release himself he was lost with the aircraft.
The remainder of the aircraft landed safely at 13:25 hrs.
ORB for 122 Squadron for 15th July (archives)
Wreckage of Spitfire Vb BM329 (archives)
Memorial at Ickenham County Cricket Club (courtesy Stephen Hunnisett)
Sgt. Dennis Stephen James. Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Plot 12. Row E. Grave 3. Next of Kin details currently not available - are you able to assist completion of these and any other information?
W/Cmdr Brendan E.F. Finucane DSO DFC and 2 Bars Runnymede Memorial Panel 64. Son of Thomas Andrew and Florence Louise of Richmond, Surrey, England.
Story of W/Cmdr. Brendan 'Paddy' Finucane: youngest Wing Commander in RAF
Further information kindly supplied by Stephen Hunnisett.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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