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Operation: Circus 235
Date: 08th November 1942 (Sunday)
Unit: No. 401 Squadron (The Rams)
Type: Spitfire IX
Serial: BS391
Code: YO-?
Base: RAF Biggin Hill, Kent
Location: Calais area, France
Pilot: F/O. Douglas Russell Manley J/9358 RCAF Age 20. Killed
We are extremely grateful to François Dutil (438 Squadron Archivist) for supplying photographs and information to Aircrew Remembered in October 2017. All photographs shown within this page are available to relatives at a higher resolution (as are most of those named within this page) - courtesy of François.
REASON FOR LOSS:
For the Circus Operation on this day they were escorting 38 x B-17’s that were to bomb Fives/Lille with 12 other B17’s on a diversion raid to Abbeville/Drucat. The entire Gruppe from JG26 were scrambled as well as others from III./JG2. Despite 7 Spitfires being shot down, the escort defended the bombers well. P/O. Gimbel from 401 Squadron claimed one Fw190 together with Sq/Ldr. Hodson.
Above: As described - see below for DFC award for P/O. Cosburn.
F/O. Douglas Russell Manley was one of these shot down, sadly he was killed, the other pilot shot down this day Fl/Lt. Donald Robert Morrison DFM DFC J/15475 RCAF survived as a PoW.
London Gazette 15th January 1943:
‘During the past year Pilot Officer Cosburn J/15709 has participated in numerous operational sorties. He has proved himself to be a courageous and skilful fighter pilot and has destroyed one enemy aircraft, shared in the destruction of another and damaged others. He has at all times set an inspiring example of enthusiasm and determination’.
Burial details:
F/O. Douglas Russell Manley. Pihen-Les-Guines War Cemetery. Grave 1.B1. Born on the 17th September 1922, the son of Robert William Manley, Q.C., and Velma Rose Manley, of Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Francois Dutil also to Len for grave photo, other sources as quoted below:
KTY - 08-10-2017
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 18 March 2021, 20:48