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Operation: Valona-Tepelenë - German transport movements
Date: 5th February 1941
Unit: No. 84 Squadron
Type: Blenheim I
Serial: L4833 (see note)
Code: VA-U
Base: RAF Menedi
Location: At base, RAF Menedi, Greece
Pilot: Fl/Lt. Robert Addison Towgood 39603 RAF Age 26. Killed
Obs: Sgt. R.F. Somerville RAFVR Survived - injured
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Atherton RAFVR Survived
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking off at 07:15 hrs with two other Blenheims from the squadron, to bomb German transport moving along the Valone-Tepelen road. (see map)
On return, following damage during the action with failure of the port engine, the pilot attempted a single engine landing. The propeller severed - coming into the cockpit, killing the pilot.The aircraft crashed near the boundary fence of Menedi airfield. Although the other two crew members survived, Sgt. Somerville suffered extreme shock and had to receive treatment.
Burial details:
Fl/Lt. Robert Addison Towgood. Phaleron War Cemetery. Grave 4.A.14. Son of Arthur S. Towgood and Mary Ethel Towgood, of Oyama, British Columbia, Canada. His grave inscription reads - contributed by relatives at the time: "Duty Well Performed."
Right: Fl/Lt. Robert Addison Towgood grave at Phaleron War Cemetery (courtesy Antonelos Athanasios) We are happy to supply the high resolution copy of this photograph to relatives as agreed by our Greek researcher friend, Antonelos.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to Antonelos Athanasios for the grave photographs. David Gunby and Pelham Temple - 'Bomber Losses Middle East and Mediterranean Vol. 1', Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Aircrew Remembered own Archives.
We were amazed when we received photographs of the Phaleron CWGC War Cemetery near Athens, Greece on the wonderful layout and overall condition. Our new Greek researcher friend, Mr. Athanasios has taken some great shots for which we are extremely grateful. Anybody who would like other photographs of this cemetery are invited to contact us. 'To care is to share' is the way forward we feel.
Note: Various publications have this aircraft listed as L1392- we believe that we have the correct details - but as always, open to any new evidence. With thanks to Jack Brook for confirmation - April 2017.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 08 April 2018, 18:56