Operation: Dive-bombing mission to a target near Linnich, Germany

Date: 18th November 1944 (Saturday)

Unit No: 440 (City of Ottawa) Squadron, RCAF, 143 Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force

Type: Typhoon Ib

Serial: MN475

Code: I8:A

Base: ALG B-78 Eindhoven, Netherlands

Location: Outskirts of Posterholt, Netherlands

Pilot: Fg Off. Robert John ‘Jack’ Reilly J38349 RCAF Age 23. KiA

Above: Fg Off. Robert John ‘Jack’ Reilly from his Service record

REASON FOR LOSS

On the 18th November 1944 eight Typhoons took off at 15:20 hrs from B-78 Eindhoven detailed to bomb the bridge spanning the river Roer near Linnich, Germany. One aircraft returned early because of mechanical issues and Fg Off. Reilly failed to return to base.

A report by Plt Off. Walter Edward Ward J27828 RCAF described the circumstances of the loss of MN475 and Fg Off. Robert John Reilly:

"I was flying Blue three on a dive-bombing mission to target in Hilarth area [sic]. Approximately three minutes short of reaching the target Blue Four (Fg Off. Reilly) and myself flying at 6000 ft began to receive intense accurate heavy flak. We both took violent evasive action by climbing and turning. There was a thin layer of cloud at 7000 ft and we were forced to go above it. As the flak continued bursting around us Blue Four and myself jettisoned our bombs and reported to Red Leader that we were returning to base.

At this point Blue Four began to lag behind and I heard a voice which I thought to be his, say "Get me out of here". I tried to call Blue Four several times, checking on all channels but I was never able to contact him. During this time I was on a vector to reach the bomb-line which I checked with 'Kenway'. We were flying at 11000 ft and as I observed Blue Four to be lagging further behind and streaming a little black smoke I commenced but at this time the an orbit so that I would be able to stay with him flak became very intense around Blue Four and I lost sight of him in a shallow dive. I completed my orbit trying to locate him but was unable to do so as my efforts were hampered by the heavy flak which I was receiving. On levelling out I noticed an explosion on the ground which I thought to be an aircraft crashing. I immediately reported this to 'Kenway' asking him to take a fix. (I had previously switched on my IFF to assist them fixing out positions). Although I did not think so 'Kenway' replied that he judged Blue Four to be behind our lines. A parachute was not observed".

An investigation by the Missing Research and Enquiry Service (MR&ES) into the loss of MN475 located the wreckage on the outskirts of outskirts of Posterholt, approximately 40 km (25 mls) north of Aachen, Germany. The local inhabitants stated that the aircraft crashed on the 18th November 1944.

The body of the pilot had been buried in a grave near the crash by the Germans and was originally marked with the aircraft propeller on which was written, "Canadian Pilot", but was replaced later with a white painted wooden cross. A photograph and a ring found in the area of the crash was identified to have belonged to Fg Off. R.J. Reilly.

Hit remains were relocated and laid to rest at the Mook War Cemetery on the 23rd December 1947.

Burial details:

Above: Grave marker for Fg Off. Robert John Reilly (Courtesy of Michel Beckers)

Fg Off. Robert John Reilly. Mook War Cemetery III.C.15. Born on the 9th July 1921 in Toronto, Ontario. Son of Robert Buchanan and Mary Gladys (née O’Connor) Reilly of Toronto, Ontario. Husband to Muriel May Louise (née Grant) Reilly of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Researched by Ralph Snape and dedicated to this pilot and his family.

Other sources as quoted below:

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