Missing Wingcommanders
 

Hello all,

Is it possible to find out how many Wingcommanders are still missing from WW II? I am researching an unknown airman that possibly had the rank of wingcommander.(the CWGC is digging up the papers wich claimed that)
He was found on a Dutch beach on November 13 1943.


Dennis

Re: Missing Wingcommanders
 

Hi Dennis - missing aircrew is a subject close to my heart. I shall do some digging in my books tonight and see what comes up . . .I am on a similar mission myself concerning Wing Commander Peter Brooker. What details are on the headstone ?

Get back to you soon,

Andy.

Re: Missing Wingcommanders
 

Hello Andy,


The text on the headstone says:
AN AIRMAN
OF THE
1939-1945
WAR
15 November 1943
KNOWN UNTO GOD.

The thing is that in 1946 this body was exhumed for examination by an RAF team. They wrote a note to the cemetery with the request of changing the text on the wooden cross to “an unknown RAF Wingcommander”.
I have written to the CWGC for clarification but no answer yet.
I will let you know when I hear from them.

Dennis

Re: Missing Wingcommanders
 

Hi Dennis,

Looking in my sea losses file.

No obvious candidates for 11/43

4/10/43
W/C R M Longmore (Flying out of Iceland so unlikely)

27/09/43
W/C J C Archer (Search in Western Approaches)

25/09/43
W/C C S Cooper (Off Den Helder)

21/08/43
W/C J Breitcetl (Western Approaches)

17/08/43
W/C W R Haskell (Raid on Peenemunde)

I would look at Cooper then Haskell before moving to July or earlier.

Regards
Ross

Re: Missing Wingcommanders
 

Hello Ross,

Of all the bodies that washed up in my search area, one spent 129 days in the water but the others not more than 64 days. Unidentified bodies and parts excluded. Counting back that would be around September 12, 1943. Cooper would be an excellent candidate.

Keep in mind that the rank has yet to be confirmed. It could be that the 1946 investigation was found to be inaccurate. I’m getting more impatient for news from the CWGC by the minute ;)

The Dutch police report gives few clues, the Germans had already searched the body, a German Docter had alread looked at the body. The body was badly decomposed; head and feet were missing. Pockets were cut open (probably by the Germans). No markings were found on the dark-grey overall.

Several days later the body was buried. Two Dutch policeman and four German soldiers were present.

By the way; is Cooper from Coastal Command? I have searched bomber and fighter command losses but with no success!



Dennis

Re: Missing Wingcommanders
 

Hi Dennis,

Yes, Cooper was Coastal Command.

From the draft RAF Coatal Command Losses, Vol 2

25/09/43
254 Sqn
Beaufighter X
JL957
A

Op: Strike, RAF North Coates, Time Up 10:54 hrs

W/C C S Cooper DFC
P/O J M Kirkup

Took off for a wing strike in company with aircraft of the squadron, 12 aircraft of No.236 Sqn and a fighter escort from Coltishall. Sighted an enemy convoy of between 14 to 18 ships in position 52 55N 04 35E. A/254 dropped its torpedo then was seen to crash into the North Sea west of Den Helder, Netherlands, with the port engine on fire after being hit by flak. Both W/C Cooper and P/O Kirkup are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Regards
Ross

Re: Missing Wingcommanders
 

Blimey ! Job done. ;-) Sounds like Cooper . . .guys, I have been waiting an age for a reply from the CWGC myself - I almost feel like knocking on their door in person ! !

Re: Missing Wingcommanders
 

Hold on Andy-don't jump to conclusions! The CWGC do not hold casualty files but the AHB does so only the latter might be able to confirm what could have happened to Cooper and if any investigation was made when the grave was exhumed. These files are not of general relesase to researchers but are to NOK/incidents when they are trying to identify remains

Re: Missing Wingcommanders
 

Thanks Chris, I didn't know that . . .neck wound in!

Re: Missing Wingcommanders
 

Gents,

I don't want to spoil your enthousiasm but it's unlikely that W/Cdr Cooper washed ashore near Noordwijk for geophysical reasons:

The main current of the North Sea along the Dutch Coast is South to North. That's the reason that bodies of an aircraft which crashed into the North Sea wash up along the coast to the North.

The crash site of W/Cdr Cooper's Beaufighter is almost 100 kilometers North of Noordwijk! It's almost impossible that his body would have drifted against the current so far to the South...

Regards,
Hans Nauta