RAF August 1945 - Operation Birdcage and Operation Mastiff
 

Trying to put a finger on two RAF losses in SE Asia, final days of August 1945.


Operation Birdcage (leaflet droppings on POW camps): Thunderbolt crash at Kraburi, Burma, date range 28-31 August 1945.


Operation Mastiff (supply droppings): Liberator on mission to Palembang (Sumatra), last days of August 1945, reportedly 9 crew killed.


Thanks for any info,


Leendert

Re: RAF August 1945 - Operation Birdcage and Operation Mastiff
 

The Liberator crash is described here. It was a 99 Squadron Liberator doing a drop at the Sungei Ron PoW camp at Palembang. The PoWs buried the crew with full military honors. Not sure if the date was the 28th of August or a few days later. Scroll down on the page.

https://books.google.com/books?id=ie...201945&f=false


This next link puts the date as 1 September and the pilot as Flying Officer Steele. Search for Steele on the link.
http://www.rafb24.com/index.php?opti...y-degrees-east


Probably this man: John Edwin Hosking Steele.

https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/c...edwin-hosking/

I think this gives eight men, not sure if it is the whole crew or we are missing one man.
https://www.cwgc.org/find/find-war-d...ate=01-09-1945

Re: RAF August 1945 - Operation Birdcage and Operation Mastiff
 

Hello,

Re: Thunderbolt loss:

http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...php?uniq=KJ356

Col.

Re: RAF August 1945 - Operation Birdcage and Operation Mastiff
 

Thanks for the useful replies. Found on Joe Baugher's website: Liberator B.VI KL491 (ex-44-49097).

Rolland: 8 crew appears to be correct, but text on
http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...php?uniq=KL491 (also) keeps the option open to a different number.

Regards,

Leendert