Can You Count?

2094 just behind the prop

 

Ladder 2096 - 1979 Ford C/Pierce Snorkel (#E-0076) - 750gpm/0gal/55ft Snorkel

 

NOKIA 2100

 

Now here's my idea of summer fun...


Starcraft 2102

 

The six members of this crew who were killed on this mission are buried in the otherwise WW1 military cemetery at Forenville, southeast of Cambrai in Northern France. The aircraft came down very close to where the cemetery is. As it says two of the crew survived (did they get out on shutes or survive the crash?). I am guessing that the evader P/O La Pierre was French-Canadian and speaking the language would be a great asset in getting away. When one sees the bare facts of such a crash, you are always left with questions to ask.

My own interest in Forenville Military Cemetery relates to my maternal grandfather who is buried there, having fallen in the second battle of Cambrai on 8th Oct 1918 close to where he is buried. It was Canadian troops who took the town of Cambrai, but Forenville has mostly British men buried there, but also two New Zealanders.

The majority of men in Forenville were KIA on the 8th October 1918, with a few on the 9th - so I am in the early stages of organising a centenary commemoration on the 8th October 2018. This crew were 408 Squadron RCAF and I have posted a message on their Association website and will do again. These six Canadian airmen will be included in our remembrance - they will never be forgotten. The local people keep the cemetery beautifully and they still have massive respect for the sacrifices made for them in both wars.

 

Recherche de France-Crashes 39-45

Pilot Officer G J J B Lapierre (service number J86146). Service: RCAF [Royal Canadian... | The National Archives
Reference: WO 208/3348/283
Description:
Pilot Officer G J J B Lapierre (service number J86146).
Service: RCAF [Royal Canadian Air Force].
Appendix C Included.
Additional information (including appendices) may be present in WO 208/5405-5436.
Date: 1945
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Language: English
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description

W C Burns in the UK, British Prisoners of War, 1939-1945
Name: W C Burns
Rank: Flying Officer
Army Number: J21574
Regiment: Royal Canadian Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks
POW Number: 1995
Camp Type: Stalag Luft 3
Camp Number: L3
Camp Location: Sagan and Belaria, Poland
Section: Royal Canadian Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks

TD

 

Thank you TD - that adds another piece to the puzzle.

Dave