Operation: Low-level training flight

Date: 17th March 1942 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 315 Squadron (Polish)

Type: Spitfire Vb

Serial: BM140

Code: PK-H

Base: RAF Northolt, Middlesex.

Location: Over Hayes, Middlesex.

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Tadeusz Adam Krieger 783252 PAF Age 21. Killed

2nd fatality:

Unit: No. 61 OTU (Operational Training Unit)

Type: Spitfire II

Serial: P7307

Base RAF Heston, Middlesex.

Pilot: P/O. David Edward Lloyd 115061 RAFVR Age 22. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

During a low-level training flight Fl/Sgt. Krieger was flying with two new pilots P/O. Bruno Semmerling and Sgt. Tadeusz Jankowski (1).

Shortly after taking off from RAF Northolt and making a low left turn around the airfield 3 other Spitfires from 61 OTU out of Heston were also conducting a low-level pass.

The instructor from that flight, flying Spitfire P7307, P/O. David Lloyd collided head-on with the 315 Squadron BM140. Both pilots were killed instantly.

The other four aircraft managed to avoid the collision and landed shortly afterwards.

Earlier on the 8th September 1941 Fl/Sgt. Krieger escaped with burns from a fire that totally wrecked Spitfire AB820 PK-M during an oxygen test.

P/O. Lloyd was a former Battle of Britain pilot. On the 05th September 1940, he was on a combat patrol with 64 squadron when low on fuel attempted to land in a field near Hartington but failed to stop and struck a stone wall at the far end. The pilot escaped injury and the aircraft was repaired.

(1) Understood to have been shot down and killed flying a Mustang III FB367 PK-V on 20th September 1944 over Leerdam, Holland

Above: grave of Fl/Sgt. Krieger, Northwood Cemetery (archives) Any relative who would like a higher definition photo of the grave we will be happy to supply one.

Above: grave of P/O. Lloyd, Wanstead (St. Mary) Churchyard. (Courtesy Elaine)Any relative who would like a higher definition photo of the grave will be happy to supply one.

Fl/Sgt. Tadeusz Adam Krieger. Northwood Cemetery. Section H. Grave 223. Born on the 28th of April 1920. From Krakow, Poland.

P/O. David Edward Lloyd. Wanstead (St. Mary) Churchyard. Son of Thomas Edward and Frances Ann Lloyd of Wanstead, London, England. Grave inscription: 'He Has Outsoared The Shadow Of Our Night'.

With thanks to Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - "Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945", Peter Sikora, Norman L.R. Franks "Fighter Command Losses" Vol. 3. Commonwealth Graves Commission. Elaine for grave photograph taken 12th January 2022.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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