AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

• Kracker Archive
• Allied Losses
• Archiwum Polish
• Paradie Canadian
• RCAF
• RAAF
• RNZAF
• USA
• Searchable Lists

Info LogoAdd to or correct this story with a few clicks.
Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
Check our Research databases: Database List
.
We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.
54
54 Squadron Spitfire IIa P7833 Sgt. Erl Joseph Kean

Operation: Patrol

Date: 17th May 1941 (Saturday)

Unit: No. 54 Squadron (motto: Audax omnia perpeti - 'Boldness endures anything'). 11 Group

Type: Spitfire IIa

Serial: P7833

Code: KL-?

Base: RAF Southend, Essex

Location: Biddenden, Kent

Pilot: Sgt. Erl Joseph Kean NZ/401390 RNZAF Age 28. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 17:25 hrs to patrol the Maidstone area at 20,000 ft.

Shortly afterward the flight was ordered south to intercept enemy aircraft. As two pairs of the latter came into view below, the Spitfire leader ordered the formation to break and dive upon them. In the ensuing engagement, P7833 was shot down, crashing at Biddenden killing the New Zealand pilot.

Understood to have been shot down by 27 year old, Hauptmann Wilhelm Balthasar the commander of JG/2, He was killed on the 03rd July 1941 after aerial combat with RAF fighters over Aire, France.

Burial details:

Sgt. Erl Joseph Kean. Hornchurch Cemetery. Section A. Grave 1346. Born on the 08th March 1913 at Livingstone, Canterbury. Attended St. Bede's College in Christchurch. Worked as company manager for Macduffs Ltd. Cuba Street, Wellington (shown below). Enlisted on the 04th June 1940 at Levin. Trained at No 1 Elementary Flying Training School on the 01st July 1940 then with No. 1 Flying Training School on the 24th August 1940. Pilots badge was awarded on the 21st December 1940 and promoted to sergeant.

Embarked for England on the 06th January 1941. Further training with 53 Operational Training Unit on the 10th March 1941. Joined 54 squadron on the 21st of April 1941.

Son of Edmund Kean (died 12th January 1993)and Caroline Elizabeth Kean (née Burger - died 16th March 1957) of Christchurch, New Zealand. On his 24th operational sortie.

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, Weekly News of New Zealand, Kracker Archives, other sources as quoted below:

KTY 27-12-2021

Pages of Outstanding Interest
History Airborne Forces •  Soviet Night Witches •  Bomber Command Memories •  Abbreviations •  Gardening Codenames
CWGC: Your Relative's Grave Explained •  USA Flygirls •  Axis Awards Descriptions •  'Lack Of Moral Fibre'
Concept of Colonial Discrimination  •  Unauthorised First Long Range Mustang Attack
RAAF Bomb Aimer Evades with Maquis •  SOE Heroine Nancy Wake •  Fane: Motor Racing PRU Legend
Acknowledgements
Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and MWO François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
Click any image to enlarge it

 Click to add your info via ticket on Helpdesk •Click to let us know via ticket on Helpdesk• Click to explore the entire site
If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2024 Last Modified: 27 December 2021, 18:28

Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to be informed of changes to this page. Create account for first monitor only, thereafter very fast. Click to close without creating monitor