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Operation: Rhubarb
Date: 01st September 1942 (Tuesday)
Unit: No. 485 Squadron (motto:Ka whawhai tonu - 'We will fight on')
Type: Spitfire Vb
Serial: BM239
Code: OU-N
Base: RAF Kingscliffe
Location: Kerkehout, Netherlands
Pilot: Sgt. Richard Dewhurst Riley NZ/413479 RNZAF PoW No. 27025 Camp: Stalag Lamsdorf (1)
REASON FOR LOSS:
During the afternoon on an operation to attack barges in Holland. Understood to have been hit by flak - crash landed and taken PoW.
Initially he was rescued by local Dutch people who felt that due to his injuries, he should be handed over to the Germans - the injuries appeared more serious than in fact they were. We understand that during captivity he had tried to escape on at least three occasions.
(1) Many publications list his surname as Ridley - we feel that we have it correct. However, if you have further information we would be pleased to hear from you.
Burial details:
None - survived the war - no further information - are you able to assist?
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Oleg Marin for photo of the pilot and wreckage and to the research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:
KTY 09.08.2019
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 20 March 2021, 13:30