P/O PEDERSON 165 SQUADRON

[JACK COOK]

LOOKING FOR INFO ON P/O HAROLD "FLASH" PEDERSON OF CORVALLIS, OREGON WHO SERVED IN THE RCAF IN 165 SQUADRON FLYING SPITS.
I UNDERSTAND THAT HE HAD AT LEAST 1 CLAIM OVER DIEPPE 8-17-42.
HE LATER TRANSFERED TO THE AAF AND SERVED IN THE 52ND FIGHTER GROUP IN NORTH AFRICA WHERE HE WAS SHOT DOWN AND KILLED BY MAJOR ERICH RUDORFER ON FEB 3 OR 4, 1943. PEDERSON WAS AWARDED THE DSC POSTHUMUSLY. IS THEIR ANYWAY TO ACCESS HIS RECORDS FROM THE RCAF???

[Frank Olynyk]

Jack,
Pederson shared a Do-217 with three other pilots of 165 Sqn on August 19, 1942 at Dieppe. He was KIA on Feb 4, 1943, and is listed in the Nationwide Gravesite Locator of the National Cemetary Administration (http://www.cem.va.gov/index.htm). I will write for his RCAF records (I would like his middle name and service number for my files) and let you know what I find. It will take 2-3 months however for them to reply.

Frank.

[Chris Goss]

I have photos of him from his time with 165

[JACK COOK]

Thanks Frank!
Chris, I've got a few from 165 squadron including a great squadron group photo with SQD LDr Winskill front and center and a shot of Harold's Spit Mk II (?) SK*L. Do you want to trade some good scans??? Unless someone knows how to upload photos has it's way beyond my skill level.

EDIT: As requested by Jack Cook
http://files.12oclockhigh.net/public/forum/165%20Squadron%20RAF.jpg
http://files.12oclockhigh.net/public/forum/Harold%20Pederson%20RAF%201942.jpg
http://files.12oclockhigh.net/public/forum/PO%20Pederson's%20Spit%20V%201942.jpg
Images are varied in size, hence I've posted only the URLs. Ruy Horta

[Chris Goss]

I have 2 group photos with Winskill plus one of him holding the damaged windscreen from his Spitfire caused by the Do 217 on 19 Aug 42. Not sure if SK-L was his Spit-it should be BM418 which was then crashed on 15 Dec 42

[JACK COOK]

I thought I'd add some names to the 165 squadron group photo that Ruy made a link for.
Sitting on nose P/O Allen Bunte USA/RCAF later with the 4th FG.
On right wing by fuselage is P/O Warren Shrader RNZAF
Standing second from left P/O Pederson USA/RCAF later KIA 52nd FG
Standing forth from left P/O Glover RAF
Standing sixth from left P/O John Banton RAF
Standing seventh from left P/O Disney RAF
Standing eight from left F/O Williams RAF Adj.
Standing ninth from left Ian Forbes RAF Eng.
Standing tenth from left Lotinga RAF Med.
Standing eleventh from left P/O Kelly USA/RCAF
Standing twelth from left P/O Thompson RAF
Standing fourteenth from left F/O Dennis Greenwood RAF IO
Seated in front are from (L-R)
Flt Lt. McGregor RAF
S/L Archie Winskill FDC, RAF
Flt Lt 'Gin" Seghers Belgian AF
All 3 photos were taken at Ayr in mid 1942.