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Operation: Ramrod 208
Date: 18th August 1943 (Wednesday)
Unit: No. 131 Squadron (motto: Invicta - 'Unconquered')
Type: Spitfire Vc
Serial: AR506
Code: NT-?
Base: RAF Redhill
Location: Bergen-Op-Zoom, Netherlands
Pilot: F/O. Cyril Boyde Smith Aus/405886 RAAF Age 26. PoW No: 1723 Camp: Stalag Luft Sagan and Belaria
REASON FOR LOSS:
At 07:05 hrs the Squadron took off to escort cover Marauder aircraft from 11 Group on an operation to Woensdricht.
F/O. Cyril Smith called on hs R/T that his engine was packing up, the nearest aircraft from the squadron returned to give hi assistance and noticed that F/O. Smit was diving steeply although in apparent control of his Spitfire. It is thought that he was taking evading action as enemy aircraft were in the area. But the second pilots attention was diverted by these aircraft and when he returned he could no longer find F/O. Smith.
On his debriefing after his release he stated that the engine suffered an air lock when he switched over to the main tank from the long range fuel tank carried. Enemy aircraft then approached him which prevented him from baling out. Lack of height left him no alternative but to crash land his aircraft.
During which he suffered various injuries (forehead, both legs and spine) and was treated by German doctors at both the Marine Lazarette at bergen-Op-Zoom and the Luftwaffe Hospital at Amsterdam. Later also treated at the Stadtroda hospital in Thuringia, Germany. He reported that the care and treatment by German doctors were excellent. Also held at Stalag Luchenwald from the 04th February 1945 - 20th May 1945.
Burial details:
None - F/O. Cyril Boyde Smith survived the war. Born on the 09th June 1916 at Brisbane, Queensland. Husband of Lilian Ethel Smith with whom he married on the 24th October 1941, living at 15 Norman Street, East Brisbane. Son of Inspector John Smith of 45 Longland Street, East Brisbane. A clerk with the Civil Service prior to enlisting. Trained at No. 1 S.F.T.S. Borden, Canada, then at 53 Operational Training Unit prior to joining 131 Squadron on the 18th December 1942. Trained on Tiger Moth, Harvard II, Yale, Master I, and III, Hurricane and Spitfire. Had completed some 14 operations sorties.
With thanks to the Australian Archives for detailed information. For further details our thanks to the following sources shown below.
KTY 18-5-2019
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