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.
541 Squadron crest
09.01.1945 No. 541 Squadron Spitfire PR XI PL900 Fl/Lt. Joseph de Puysseleyr DFC

Operation: Photo Reconnaissance 

Date: 09th January 1945 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 541 Squadron

Type: Spitfire PR XI 

Serial: PL900

Base: RAF Benson, Oxfordshire

Location: Watford, Hertfordshire.

Pilot: Fl/Lt. Joseph de Puysseleyr DFC. 100652 RAFVR Age 27. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

On the 9th January he left with others from his unit to photograph installation in Berlin. It is thought that the aircraft had been damaged by flak. Although he managed to return he crashed near Watford, killing him instantly.

Above: Fl/Lt. Joseph de Puysseleyr DFC. (see credits)

Spitfires from 541 Squadron (courtesy Imperial War Museum)

DFC awarded 15th September 1943. Citation reads:

‘This officer has successfully photographed enemy objectives ranging from places in Norway to the South of France. Despite frequent opposition from enemy fighters and ground defences, he has successfully completed his missions.’

Left: Dorchester (St. Brinius) Roman Catholic Church (see credits)

Burial details:

Fl/Lt. Joseph de Puysseleyr DFC Dorchester (St. Brinius) R/C. Church. Wife of Pearl Johanna (nee Oxley) Born in Gwent on the 17th October 1918. Arrived in England after France collapsed on August 5th 1940. Trained at 58 O.T.U. in Grangemouth, Scotland before joining 131 Squdron. Further squadrons he served with - 350, 543, 541 Squadrons and 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit Also awarded the Croix De Guerre 1940, Crois Des Évadés (posthumous), Knight In Leopldsorde with Palmes (posthumous)

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to Josette Bens and Mr. Alain Rosseels from Belgium for further information and photographs, WW2 Awards, Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Oxfordshire Villages website for Church photograph.

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 buy research books from Amazon •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: 23 April 2015, 12:05

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