Had a query from one of our members about this chap.
Mathew Whelan 19 years of age his number of was 630351 wireless operator Royal Air Force.
He died 23rd May 1940.
CWGC :: Casualty Details
He was in 88 Sqn.
They had Fairey Battles .
Can anyone else help out?
I've found this page.
World War 2 - RAF 88 Squadron, May/June 1940 Quote:
Type: Fairey Battle 1
Serial number: P2356, RH-?
Operation: Battle Area
Lost: 23/05/1940
Pilot Officer (Pilot) Albert E. Wickham, RAF 36200, 88 Sqdn., age 22, 23/05/1940, Durnbach War Cemetery, D
Sergeant (Obs.) Edward Hibbert, RAF 564863, 88 Sqdn., age unknown, 23/05/1940, Durnbach War Cemetery, D
Aircraftman 2nd Class (W. Op./Air Gnr.) Matthew Whelan, RAF 630351, 88 Sqdn., age 19, 23/05/1940, Durnbach War Cemetery, D
Airborne from Les Grandes Chappelles. Shot down in the battle area. |
Was the mission over Germany or did he die as a POW after being shot down in France?
Ah CWGC says this.
Quote:
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The great majority of those buried here are airmen shot down over Bavaria, Wurtemberg, Austria, Hessen and Thuringia, brought from their scattered graves by the Army Graves Service.
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Bit more on 88 Sqn.
No. 88 Squadron (RAF) during the Second World War Location
17 July 1937-2 September 1939: Boscombe Down
2-12 September 1939: Auberive
12 September 1939-16 May 1940: Mourmelon
16 May-3 June 1940: Les Grandes Chappelles
Group and Duty
September 1939-June 1940: Bomber squadron with No.1 Group, 75 Wing, Advanced Air Striking Force
More info on 88 Sqn.
RAF History - Bomber Command 60th Anniversary
I see they scored the RAF's first kill of WW2.
Quote:
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On 20th September 1939, during a reconnaissance patrol over the enemy's front lines, one of its Battles scored Britain's first air combat "kill" of World War 2 when it shot down a Bf.109. (The person actually responsible for this "kill" was Sergeant F Letchford, an air observer; he was flying in an aircraft piloted by Flying Officer LH Baker.)
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