Operation: Armed Recce, Belgium

Date: 27th December 1944 (Wednesday)

Unit No: 181 Squadron, 124 Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force

Type: Typhoon Ib

Serial: MP191

Code: EL:P

Base: ALG B-78 Eindhoven, Netherlands

Location: Near Sistig about 5 km (3 mls) SE of Schleiden, Germany

Pilot: Sqn Ldr. Walter Horace Brooke Short DFC, 136419 RAFVR Age 21. KiA

On the 28th June 1944 Fg Off. Short, then on 181 Sqn, flying Typhoon Ib JR334 EL:? was hit by flak and forced landed in Allied territory.

On the 29th September 1944 Flt Lt. Short, then on 137 Sqn, flying Typhoon Ib MN980 SF:C, claimed a Fw190 2 miles ENW of Rees in Germany as a 'probable' which was later downgraded to 'damaged'.

On the 1st December 1944 Flt Lt. Short DFC was promoted and posted from 137 Sqn to 181 Sqn to command this unit.

REASON FOR LOSS

On the 27th December 1944 a flight of six Typhoons, led by Sqn Ldr. Short DFC took off at 11:40 hrs from B-78 Eindhoven, in the Netherlands, detailed to undertake an Armed Recce in the area of Houffalize - Bullange (Büllingen) in Belgium and Clervaus (Clevaux) in northern Luxembourg.

No attacks were made but Sqn Ldr. Short DFC was descending to look at 3 MT vehicles SW of St. Vith when he collided with a Typhoon of another Sqn and exploded in mid-air.

Reviewing a Missing Research & Enquiry Unit (MREU) investigation report for another Typhoon lost in the area, along with the ORB from 184 Sqn the unknown aircraft has been identified.

The 184 Sqn ORB recorded that on a second strafing attack led by Lt. Collett he collided with a Typhoon flown by Sqn Ldr. Strit from 124 Wing. The port wing of Lt. Collett’s aircraft was sheared off causing the aircraft to spin into the ground and explode. He was not seen to bale out.

Lt. Collett was Lt. Anthony Ewart Collett 328482V SAAF flying Typhoon Ib MN294 BR:T;

Sqn Ldr. Strit was in fact Sqn Ldr. Short DFC.

The collision occurred near Sistig about 5 km (3 mls) SE of Schleiden where the wreckage of Sqn Ldr. Short’s Typhoon Ib MP191 was found during the MREU investigation. No trace of Lt. Collet’s Typhoon was found.

Sqn Ldr. Short’s remains were initially buried at Neuville-en-Condroz and then at Margraten in Holland in Plot YY, Row 11, Grave 273.

Burial details:

Above: Grave marker for Sqn Ldr. Walter Horace Brooke Short DFC (Courtesy of Des Philippet FindAGrave)

Sqn Ldr. Walter Horace Brooke Short DFC. Recovered and buried at the Rheinberg War Cemetery 7.C.16 on the 21st December 1948. Born on the 2nd November 1923 in Trinidad and Tobago. Inscription: ‘SON OF CLARE & WALTER SHORT. "HE, AS HE FLEW... DEATHLESS ROSE TO IMMORTALITY"’. Son of Son of Walter Mayow Burgoyne and of Clare Mary Short, of Paddington, London.

Above memorial to Sqn Ldr. Short DFC, at the Garrison Military Cemetery, Barbados (Courtesy of Paul Standing)

DFC awarded to Acting Flt Lt. Short whilst with 137 Sqn. London Gazette 24th November 1944.

Citation: “Flight Lieutenant Short has completed numerous sorties against the enemy and has displayed great skill and courage. In August, 1944, Flight Lieutenant Short, as flight commander, led his section against some enemy mechanical transport of which six vehicles were destroyed, and also on armoured car. This intrepid officer then led his section in an attack against an anti-aircraft post. His own aircraft was badly damaged but he pressed home his attack with great skill and determination. When Flight Lieutenant Short landed at base, it was discovered that the port gun bays were on fire. On another occasion Flight Lieutenant Short’s aircraft was badly damaged by anti-aircraft fire whilst attacking dug-in tanks at Esquay. His engine stopped, but by skilful airmanship he made a successful forced landing. Flight Lieutenant Short has, at all times, shown considerable skill, courage and determination to engage the enemy”.

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

Other sources as quoted below:

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