Pte. Gerald Clarke - aicraft shot down on D-Day

Discussion in 'Airborne' started by brithm, Jan 9, 2016.

  1. FZ679

    FZ679 Member

    FZ679 didn't crash, my father was the pilot. Ft/Lt Russell S. Down (final rank) Thanks for the 8th manifest, I wanted to know the men he dropped that day. I have been researching his missions. I have his Log Book and the Squadron ORB. Thanks
    2 years after he crashed this plane at Lyon when his starboard engine cut ... that plane was the last DC-3 (C) made (converted) by Douglas. Sold to Sabena ... etc. My search has been what happen to it for 2 years after he crashed and how did it get to California. I have had it confirmed that it did by Boeing, but the AFHRA, Smithsonian and many others have no records after it was SOC (which I have) and no can confirm these facts. Anybody have a lead for me? Photos of it? or photos from 233 and 437 Squadrons. Looking also for research leads, books, web sites, etc Thanks
    Doug
     
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  2. FZ679

    FZ679 Member

    After exploring this post in more detail, I'm horrified that my father was so far to the southeast of DZ-K when he dropped Chalk 247. I know the weather was bad and many planes mistook the La Dives river for the Orne, but I calculate he was 10 miles from the coast and about 6 miles southeast from Drop Zone K. At 200 MPH that's about 3 minutes to his drop, so not much time if you missed the mark at the coast.
    I know he was a very careful and prepared pilot, so I'm left wondering how? and how so many were so far off course? I assume the 8th Bn map showing chalk drops is correct?
    I hope Dad never knew this, as it was his job to put those men in the right place. I would think missing the DZ by so much would be a tough thing to get over knowing many got captured and many never got to the objectives on time.
     
  3. brithm

    brithm Senior Member

    FZ679,

    Thanks for your two posts, finding photographs or information on 233 Squadron is quite tough as is with most of RAF 38 Group and 46 Group Transport Command during the war. There were many factors for pilots for mis-dropping their sticks, weather, smoke, training and flak. Those dropping paratroopers from 8th Parachute Battalion were the first over the coast due to the furthest Drop Zone were hampered by the flak.

    As you know stick of pathfinders destined for DZ K were dropped on DZ N so there was much confusion that night which makes the successes of 6th Airborne Division even more astonishing. The flak was also quite heavy crossing the coast with two aircraft from 233 Squadron lost.

    You should try to get in touch with the WW2talk member 8PARA as he appears to hold the most information on 8th Parachute Bn and may hold more info on 233 Squadron.

    Would it be possible to post your father’s log book post for 5th -6th June 1944?

    brithm
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2016
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  4. FZ679

    FZ679 Member

    here is my father's flight log for June 5-6 1944.
     

    Attached Files:

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  5. Tiffany Pardoe

    Tiffany Pardoe New Member

    Thank you for posting this, Gerald Clarke was my grandfather.
     
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