Loss 35 Sqn on 11-12 1941, loss 121 Sqn on 07-12-1941

Hello,

it is possible to know what type of plane was in use on 07/12/1941 at 121 (Raf) Sqn Royal Canadian Air Force, and on 11-12-1941 at 35 Sqn.
Are there records that gives more info about casualties for these Sqns in the region of Ostend, Bredene, Zandvoorde for those dates?

regards,

Cnock

 

No. 35 Squadron was equipped with Handley Page Halifax. No. 121 was not a RCAF unit, it was RAF, but was comprised of American volunteers as one of the "Eagle Squadrons". I am not sure if you are using European or American date notation, but in November-December 1941 they were converting from Hurricane Mark IIb to Spitfire Mark IIa.

The best source for losses other than the UK National Archives are Norman L.R. Franks, RAF Fighter Command Losses of the Second World War (in three volumes) and W.R. Chorley, RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War. They should be available from Amazon or inter-library loan.

 

35 Squadron reported no losses on November 12, 1941 - closest was a loss on November 8, 1941 when Halifax L9603 was shot down near Rozendaal.
WHITAKER G - International Bomber Command Centre

If you mean December 11, 1941, there was one loss on the night of December 11/12, 1941, which was Halifax L9600. Location was unknown, but presumed to be over the Belgian coast.
BUCKLEY HD - International Bomber Command Centre

Found at International Bomber Command Losses Database. 35 Squadron losses during the particular timeframe.
Losses database - International Bomber Command Centre

 

On December 7, 1941, No 121 Squadron lost Flight Officer Richard F. Patterson, who was flying a SpitfireVb. He was shot down Bredene-Aan-Zee.
121 Squadron Spitfire Vb W3711 AV-H F/O. Richard Fuller Patterson

 

Ummm, Rich, the 121st was an RCAF unit, comprised of Americans who had enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

The gravestone of the aforementioned F/O Patterson


From American Air Museum Memory Book UPL 6734 | American Air Museum in Britain

 

Sorry double post.

 

Sorry triple post...Darned slow internets.

 

Sorry, but No. 121 Squadron was an RAF squadron, not a RCAF squadron. It included Americans who had enlisted in Canada in the RCAF as well as those who enlisted in the RAF, but the unit itself was RAF, formed 14 May 1941.

 

Gentlemen,

thanks very much for the info!

F1 shows the remains of the Spitfire of Richard Paterson that hit the beach on 7/12/1941. Het is buried at Bredene cemetery.
F2 shows what is left of the Halifax of 35 Sqn that crashed on 11/12/ december 1941, bits and pieces everywhere.
One crew member, Ketteringham Laurence is buried at Bredene Cemetery;.
My question, was he the only loss of the crew, and did the other bailed out, or are they not identified,

Regards,

Cnock

 

There were 7 men on the Halifax when it was lost, only Ketteringham's body was recovered.

On the Buckley link, scroll down to "Fellow Servicemen", they are the names of the rest of his crew that were onboard & lost.

 

Thaks Rich, I always thought they were RCAF units.

 

Check the squadron insignia. RCAF squadrons on European service were re-assigned squadron numbers from 400-443, plus 664, 665, and 666 AOP squadrons.

 

Gentlemen,

thanks again for the replies!

On 25 April 1942 a Martin Baltimore was forced to land near Ostend, after hits by Flak. Does any one has a clue about the unit?

regards,

Cnock

 

Details re the loss of Halifax I of 35 Squadron.....

11-12 December 1941

35 Squadron
Halifax I L9600 TL-U
Op Koln

Took off from Linton-on-Ouse at 1712 hours. Presumed to have crashed in the sea off the Belgium coast. Sgt. Ketteringham is buried in the Churchyard at Bredene, 2km East of Oostende. the rest of the crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Crew.

P/O. H D. Buckley +
Sgt. G L. Grigg +
Sgt. R W G. Kent +
F/S. I R. Bell +
Sgt. F W. Crocker +
Sgt. M V. Wakeling +
Sgt. L W. Ketteringham +

Source - RAF Bomber Command Losses Vol.2 - W R. Chorley

 

Hello Liberator,

thank You for the additional info!

regards,

Cnock

 

Richard Fuller Patterson was an American, born in Richmond, Va, 21 September 1915.

 

Alieneyes,

thank You!!
lest we forget


Cnock

 

parts of PATTERSON his Spitfire on the beach

 

Bredene churchyard cem

grave of Patterson

 

Bredene churchyard cemetery

grave of Ketteringham