Operation: Anti-Aircraft Co-operation exercise

Date: 28th February 1945 (Wednesday)

Unit: No. 631 Squadron (70 Group)

Type: Hawker Henley I

Serial: L3276

Code: Not known

Base: RAF Towyn, Caernarfonshire, Wales

Location: Mouth of River Dysynni, Wales

Pilot: P/O. William Henry Russell NZ/40987 RNZAF Age 25. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

With the great research carried out by Errol Martyn on the Royal New Zealand Airforce losses we have been able to compile this page. If you have further information and or photographs we would welcome contact from you.

On the 12th August 1941 485 squadron were tasked to escort 6 Blenheims to the shipyards at Le Trait in France. Taking off from RAF Redhill at 17:35 hrs with 7 others. Whilst flying Spitfire IIa P7970 OU-D he was shot down and captured over Northern France. Treated at a German hospital for injuries. Sadly German doctors had to amputate his left arm above the elbow.

Above shown being stretchered away by Germans soldiers, (Courtesy Jean Pierre Duriez - identified by Jack Rae of 485 squadron)

After two years in captivity he was repatriated to England in October 1943. On return and following further treatment and fitted with an artificial limb he was retrained as a pilot for non combat duties. During the same Circus the squadron lost another pilot, 24 year old Sgt. George Marchant Porter 931283 from Wellington, New Zealand. Flying Spitfire IIa P7788 OU-E attacked by enemy fighters during the return trip from France when he went missing.

Then, on the Wednesday 28th February P/O. Russell was taking part in Anti-Aircraft Co-operation exercise when after about an hours flying the pilot experienced a problem at about 15:00 hrs. He returned to go back to the base but the engine then failed and he started to lose height. He decided to ditch in the mouth of the river Dysynni but at the last moment he lost control and dived into the water.

Later investigations concluded that he may have lost control whilst lowering the flaps as he had an artificial limb he would have had to hold the control column between his knees.

Burial details:

P/O. William Henry Russell. Chester Cemetery (Blacon). Sec. A. Grave 269. Son of John Henry Russell and of Martha Russell (nee Jones), Llanfairfechan, Caernarvonshire. 456 Flying hours logged (51 of these on the Henley) and had completed 39 operational sorties whilst with 485 Squadron.

Other:

Sgt. George Marchant Porter. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 50. Son of George Marchant, and of Amy Porter (formerly Marchant), of Petone, Wellington, New Zealand. 220 Flying hours logged and on his 9th operational sortie.

Above: 18 pilots course, No. 1 Service Flying Training School, RNZAF Station Wigram. 19/10/1940

L-R: Rear; Alfred Abram McClean 19121 (failed pilot training, joined the New Zealand Infantry, as 2nd Lt. killed n Battle of Cassin, Italy on the 31st March 1944) McClean, Sefton Douglas Lisle Hood NZ/40975 killed 18th January 1943, Mortimer Tuke Vanderpump NZ/409994 killed 02nd April 1955, Frederick Norman Rhys Thomas NZ/40993 - Later DFC 21st December, 194 Sq/Ldr, Dennis Trevelyan Herrick NZ/40974 killed 30th June 1941, Donald Frederick Streeter NZ/401033 killed 24th July 1941.

Front; William Henry Russell NZ/40987 killed 28th February 1945, David Cameron Stewart NZ/40990 killed 13th May 1944, Raymond John Newton NZ.40984 killed 01st January 1945, J. McL Pearson NZ/421651 Frank Warrington John Oakden NZ/401028 died 27th December 1974.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks 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:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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