I wonder if anyone can help? I am touch with the nephew of Capt Charles Gagnon, a Canadian gunner who served with my father in 2nd Forward Observer Unit 6th Airborne. Capt Gagnon was killed exiting his glider on day one of the operation (although his death is listed as the 26th March..odd?) an 88mm shell hit the front of the glider His nephew has a letter from one of Capt Gagnons comrades relating the circumstances of his death,but he does not know where his glider landed. Capt Gagnon has two sisters still alive and they would love to know where he was killed.The glider pilot was also killed and i have found one casualty with the same date : CWGC :: Casualty Details A lot of 2FOU men were at Hamminkeln Train station,so i assume that was where Capt Gagnon was? The letter also says that they landed 1 mile from the intended landing zone. Any help from the glider fraternity would be greatly appreciated.
Not wishing to decry the efforts of my good friend SLW but having a quick look on the index of 'The Last Drop' regret no mention of the 2nd FOU in the index....perhaps Steve will spot this post and help.....can only suggest that your man died of wounds on the next day..... The potential problem with a FOU is that they could have been attached to any unit to spot for the main artillery....anyone got a copy of the unit's WD to see if there are any mentions of Captain Gagnon.....???? Sorry not much help!
Not wishing to decry the efforts of my good friend SLW but having a quick look on the index of 'The Last Drop' regret no mention of the 2nd FOU in the index....perhaps Steve will spot this post and help.....can only suggest that your man died of wounds on the next day..... The potential problem with a FOU is that they could have been attached to any unit to spot for the main artillery....anyone got a copy of the unit's WD to see if there are any mentions of Captain Gagnon.....???? Sorry not much help! Thx Airborne, I have a copy of Steve`s excellent book,and 2FOU are mentioned but not in detail. I also have had eyewitness accounts of his death and there is no way he died the next day,the date has always puzzled me,maybe you are not "dead" untill someone in authority say`s you are? Rob
Rob, I'm afraid that it's virtually certain that the Glider Pilot whose death you refer and link to would not have been killed on Op Varsity if he was buried in Exeter Cemetery - bodies were not repatriated. John
Rob, I'm afraid that it's virtually certain that the Glider Pilot whose death you refer and link to would not have been killed on Op Varsity if he was buried in Exeter Cemetery - bodies were not repatriated. John I must admit,i thought it was a bit strange. Thx horsa
Capt Gagnon was Canadian and therefore in No 6 Section, which supported the Airlanding Brigade. The CWGC gives his date of death as 25th. The fact that his glider was hit by an 88 places its LZ as 'R', I would suggest. As Niall says, its possible the WD gives more detail. Maybe our NA guru could help out. The Glider Pilot buried at Exeter, Sgt P M Faulkner, is one of two involved in a flying accident in March 45. The other, Sgt J R Egan, died on 11th. I haven't been able to find the actual date of the accident. Steve W.
The other, Sgt J R Egan, died on 11th. I haven't been able to find the actual date of the accident. Steve W. Steve, I have the following related to the above loss taken from 'Though Without Anger' - Colin Cummings...... 11 March 1945 3 GTS Master II EM408 The pilot stalled the aircraft off a teep turn at 2500 feet and it entered a spin. The pilot was able to recover from the spin but had insufficient height to pull out of the dive and the aircraft struck the ground heavily and caught fire. (Devon, map ref 445182) Casualties F/S. Arthur Edward Leach 20 Sgt, James Richard Egan 26. The Glider Pilot Regiment.
The Glider Pilot buried at Exeter, Sgt P M Faulkner, is one of two involved in a flying accident in March 45. Steve W. Details of the above loss, taken from ' Though Without Anger' - Colin Cummings 25 March 1945 3GTS Hotspur II HH248 Honiton Clyst, Devon The glider was released from the tow at 2000 feet. It turned to starboard went over onto its back and dived into the ground. It is thought that the starboard Aileron cable had been looped over the end of the operating lever and this caused a jam or a sudden release. Casualties Sgt. Ronald Mason Faulkner 28. The Glider Pilot Regiment. CWGC :: Casualty Details
Captain Charles E. Gagnon Hi Rob, I have some information for you which has kindly been provided by Mark Hickman. If you PM me with your e-mail address I can forward this to you, then you will be able to inform others contributing to this thread. Lindsay
