AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

Info LogoAdd to or correct this story with a few clicks.
Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
Check our Research databases: Database List

.

We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.

84 Squadron Crest
05.02.1941 No. 84 Squadron Blenheim L4833 VA-U Fl/Lt. Robert A. Towgood

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.

Pages of Outstanding Interest
History Airborne Forces •  Soviet Night Witches •  Bomber Command Memories •  Abbreviations •  Gardening Codenames
CWGC: Your Relative's Grave Explained •  USA Flygirls •  Axis Awards Descriptions •  'Lack Of Moral Fibre'
Concept of Colonial Discrimination  •  Unauthorised First Long Range Mustang Attack
RAAF Bomb Aimer Evades with Maquis •  SOE Heroine Nancy Wake •  Fane: Motor Racing PRU Legend
Acknowledgements
Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and MWO François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
Click any image to enlarge it

Click to add your info via ticket on Helpdesk •Click to let us know via ticket on Helpdesk• Click to buy research books from Amazon •Click to explore the entire site
If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2024
Last Modified: 08 April 2018, 18:56

Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to be informed of changes to this page. Create account for first monitor only, thereafter very fast. Click to close without creating monitor