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Operation: Enemy troop concentrations
Date: 24th July 1944 (Monday)
Unit: No. 226 Squadron (motto: Non sibi sed patriœ - 'For country not for self') 2nd Tactical Air Force
Type: Mitchell II
Serial: FW210
Code: MQ-?
Base: Hartfordbridge, Hampshire
Location: English Channel
Pilot: F/O. Leonard William Pattyson J/35167 RCAF Age 23. Missing - believed killed
Nav: Sgt. John P Werbowecki RCAF Survived
W/Op/Air/Gnr: F/O. Gordon Arnold Green J/29232 RCAF Age 23. Missing - believed killed
Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Richard Martyn Cole R/186051 RCAF Age 24. Missing - believed killed
PX/Photographer: F/O. William Henry James Mills 158243 RAFVR Missing - believed killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
During the start of bombing enemy troop concentrations south of Caen they cane under intense anti aircraft fire. With the port tank on fire the pilot flew out to the channel to jettison the bomb load and then ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft.
Sgt. Werbowecki reported later than he was the first to leave the stricken Mitchell but that he did observe 3 other parachutes. He was rescued by air sea rescue launch after spending two hours in the water. The air-sea rescue crew stated there were other boats in the vicinity that might have picked up the others who bailed out.
Sgt. Werbowecki had trained with 13 Operational Training Unit with the other Canadian crew flying the Ventura and Mitchell aircraft. The crew were on their 23rd operational sortie. His log books were sold on a specialist Auction site on the 08th July 2020 for £180.00.
Burial details:
F/O. Leonard William Pattyson. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 247. Born on the 15th February 1921 at Tribune, Saskatchewan. Son of Francis William and Annie Pattyson, of Regina, Saskatchewan.
F/O. Gordon Arnold Green. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 246. Son of James Henry and Mary Harris Green, of 9 Robertson Street, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada.
F/O. William Henry James Mills. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 208. No further details - are you able to assist?
Fl/Sgt. Richard Martyn Cole. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 254. No further details - are you able to assist?
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to RAF Commands Forum, Canadian Legion magazine, Operation Picture Me, other sources as quoted below:
KTY 12-08-2021
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 12 August 2021, 14:42