Operation: Armed Reconnaissance, Germany
Date: 29th November 1944 (Wednesday)
Unit No: 182 Squadron, 124 Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force
Type: Typhoon Ib
Serial: PD552
Code: XM:?
Base: ALG B.78 Eindhoven, Netherlands
Location: ALG B.78 Eindhoven, Netherlands
Pilot: Flt Lt. Wylie Murray Weeks C12579 RCAF Age 30. KiA
Above: Flt Lt. Wylie Murray Weeks, from his Service Record
REASON FOR LOSS
The circumstances leading to the death of Flt Lt. Weeks were described in a report submitted by Fg Off. Arthur Christopher Tatman 149006, RAFVR, who flew with him on the operation.
‘I have the honour to report that at 15:50 hrs on November 29th, Flt Lt. Weeks led a formation of six aircraft on an Armed Reconnaissance of Bocholt, Borken, Coesfeld. When crossing over the Rhine near Ober Mormter Fg Off. Boots encounter six bursts of very accurate 88mm flak. Flt Lt. Weeks seemed unaffected and carried on for about five minutes. He then broke away, left, under the formation saying that he had been hit in the elevators. Accompanied by his #2 Fg Off. Boots, he set course for base on a homing given by ‘Kenway’.
Approaching base he seemed quite confident and in full control of his aircraft but on putting his wheels down, preparatory to landing, the aircraft was thrown out of control and dived into the ground the hood being jettisoned and Flt Lt. Weeks was seen to be endeavouring to get out of his aircraft. Unfortunately he was unable to do this and his body was found about 25 ft from the aircraft with his parachute burnt attached to the tail of the aircraft’.
Note: Fg Off. William John Boots, 170473 RAFVR, was killed when his 182 Sqn Typhoon Ib RB366 lost a tail wheel on landing and was struck from behind by Typhoon Ib SW407, on the 30th June 1945. He is buried the Kiel War Cemetery, Grave 6.D.2.
Earlier, on the 15th January 1944, whilst with 186 Sqn, on a training mission out of RAF Tain, Ross-Shire, Fg Off. Weeks’ Typhoon Ib, JR318, suffered an engine failure whilst flying at between 1500 and 2000 ft.
The events leading up to the accident were described by Fg Off. Weeks:
‘Was flying at approximately 3000 rpm plus 2 boost having changed over to main petrol tanks to nose tanks about five minutes prior to failure. When engine failed I tried changing tanks and also pumped throttle. The fuel pressure warning light went on, coolant temperature was 110o, engine failed to restart – no spluttering or temporary starts. The propeller windmilled until just after landing.
Due to not being able to make the runway in use I was forced to make a short approach to an out of wind runway, turning in low at 130 mph. When almost levelled out from turn and at an altitude od a approximately 8 feet the port wing stalled and dropped, hitting the runway aircraft settled on belly and came to a steady stop. Wheels were down’.
Fg Off. Weeks was not injured. The subsequent investigation determined that an engine drive shaft had sheered. The aircraft damage was deemed at “Cat B”. (i.e. For repair at Contractor’s works or RAF Depot).
Burial details:
Flt Lt. Wylie Murray Weeks. Eindhoven (Woensel) General Cemetery Plot KK. Grave 234. Inscription: ‘EVER REMEMBERED BY WIFE AND CHILDREN GREGORY, GORDON AND SANDRA’. Born on the 2nd June 1914 in West Amherst, Nova Scotia. Son of Harold Herbert and Byah Beatrice (née Pond) Weeks; husband of Evangeline Carmelita (née Massey) Weeks, of Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.
His father predeceased him in October 1934.
He had a Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) and was a Flying Instructor at the Moncton Flying Club, New Brunswick. He was employed as an Assistant manager at the Carleton Hotel Bathurst prior to enlisting the RCAF.
He initially enlisted in the RCAF on the 11th March 1940 and was recalled for aircrew training on the 28th June 1940.
Researched by Ralph Snape and dedicated to this pilot and his family.
Other sources as quoted below:
RS 30.04.2023 - Initial upload
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