Operation: Tactical Reconnaissance

Date: 16th June 1944 (Friday)

Unit: No. 2 Squadron. 35 Wing. 84 Group. 2nd Tactical Air Force (motto: 'Hereward - Guardian of the Army')

Type: Mustang II

Serial: FR892

Code: XV-?

Base: RAF Gatwick, Surrey

Location: Ste. Marguerite-des-Loges

Pilot: F/O. Bernard Cyril Tasker NZ/412278 RNZAF Age 31. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 18:54 hrs with F/O. R.C Williams and attacked by 24 Fw. 109's over St Julien with FR892 seen by his number two to be streaming white smoke and believed to crash at Ste. Marguerite-des-Loges.

F/O Williams flying Mustang FR919 attacked the enemy but no strikes were observed. He was then chased by 4 Fw.109's but after further evasive action he shook off the attackers and landed at 20:53 hrs.

Burial and personal details:

F/O. Bernard Cyril Tasker. Ste. Marguerite-des-Loges Churchyard. Sec. G, Row 3. Grave 295. Born on the 24th of June 1912 in Wanganui. Accountant for John Coull and Company in Wanganui. Served 1 year in the territorial army. A member of Wanganui Aero Club and obtained his 'A' licence on the 23rd November 1938. Enlisted as a pilot under training at Levin on the 12th of April 1941. With No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School 24th May 1941. With No. 3 Flying Training School 05th July 1941. Pilot badge was awarded on the 16th of August 1941 and promoted to sergeant on the 27th of September 1941.

Embarked for England on the 25th of October 1941. With No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre 29th November 1941. With No. 1 Service Flying Training School 11th December 1941. With 101 Glider Operational Training Unit on the 13th July 1942. Commissioned on the 10th July 1943. With 20 Pilot Advanced Flying Unit on the 10th March 1943 flying the Mustang. After leaving 41 Operational Training Unit joined 170 squadron on the 21st July 1943 flying 5 operational sorties. After serving with various units joined 2 squadron on the 10th of February 1944 flying a further 11 operational sorties. A total of 930 flying hours were logged and on his 17 operational sorties.

Son of Reginald Edwin Tasker (died 24th January 1947, age 70) and Gertrude Gerrard Tasker (née Milne - died 1970, age 88), of Wanganui, New Zealand.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, Weekly News of New Zealand, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, other sources as quoted below:

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