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Operation: Armed recce
Date: 25th December 1944 (Monday)
Unit: 66 Squadron (132 Wing, 84 Group)
Type: Spitfire LF.XVI
Serial: SM211
Coded: LZ-?
Base: B79 ALG (Advanced Landing Ground)
Location: De Steeg near Dieren Holland
Pilot: P/O ‘Big Mac’ Ian Douglas McLeod NZ/42429 RNZAF Age 23. Killed.
REASON FOR LOSS:
Took-off from B79, (Woensdrecht) in the Netherlands for armed recce, at 08:30 hrs.
3 Aircraft taking part in the staffing attack, on an ammunition train between De Steeg and Dieran. Two peeled away whilst P/O. McLeod returned for a second pass - he was hit by the anti-aircraft fire seconds before the train blew up. He crashed in a field at 09:15 hrs next to the main street of Parallelweg in De Steeg.
Above area of operations and below P/O. McLeod and grave at Rheden General Cemetery, Netherlands. (courtesy of his family)
P/O. Ian Douglas McLeod, Rheden General Cemetery, Netherlands (Heiderust) Grave 9. Son of Alexander McLeod and of Catherine McLeod (née Ogilvie), of Dunsdale, Southland, New Zealand. Total of 665 flying hours logged and on his 72nd operational sortie.
The book Spitfire Diary, written by Ted Smith ISBN: 9780718306922 describes some of his combats within the squadron.Also, the research publications by Errol Martyn ISBN:0473 063107 covering RNZAF losses from 1943 - 1998. Volume 1 covers 1915 - 1942 ISBN: 978-0473052638 and the final volume III Biographies and Appendices including updates on previous two volumes.ISBN:9780473128289 Published by Volplane Press.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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