Beaufighter from No248 Sqn probably shot down on February 14th , 1942
 

Hello
I am looking for information on a Bristol Beaufighter from No248 Sqn probably shot down at sea off the Netherlands on February 14, 1942.
The pilot could have been Eugène THEATRE (French free) and his navigator named RYALL (without name).
They do not appear on the 238 Squadron ORB.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely
Franck

Re: Beaufighter from No248 Sqn probably shot down on February 14th , 1942
 

Franck,

Sgt. Colin Frank Ryall.

Beaufighter reportedly serial T4669.

For Eugène Theatre: see (in French) http://bel-memorial.org/tribute/trib...4&RECOUP=64704

Regards,

Leendert

Re: Beaufighter from No248 Sqn probably shot down on February 14th , 1942
 

Indeed no entry of losss on 14/2/1942 in ORB of No. 248 Squadron. Sgt. Theartre, most likely a typo, is mentioned on 13/2/1942, but with a safe return.

Regards,
Leendert

Re: Beaufighter from No248 Sqn probably shot down on February 14th , 1942
 

The Summary of Events of Feb 1942 has Sgt. Ryall reported missing believed killed on 14/2/1942.
Pilot's name in next line unreadable in the online preview version of the National Archives website, but his number appears to read as 1299912.

Regards,
Leendert

Re: Beaufighter from No248 Sqn probably shot down on February 14th , 1942
 

As a point of interest, Beaufighter T4669 is listed as missing 15 Feb 1942

Cheers
Stig

Re: Beaufighter from No248 Sqn probably shot down on February 14th , 1942
 

Even more interestingly it is listed by Air Britain's RAF Aircraft T1000-V9999 as lost off Malta to a Bf109

Martin

Re: Beaufighter from No248 Sqn probably shot down on February 14th , 1942
 

If service number is correct, than it is a member of No.248 Sqn RAF, killed 8.2.42.,
SGT VAN DE WALLE DE GHELCKE, PAUL ANTOINE (1299912) RAFVR.
Zoran

Re: Beaufighter from No248 Sqn probably shot down on February 14th , 1942
 

Are you sure about that?
248 Sq was nowhere near Malta at the time. I only have the older issue T1000-T9999 and in there it just says missing 15.2.1942!

Cheers
Stig

Re: Beaufighter from No248 Sqn probably shot down on February 14th , 1942
 

Zoran,
What you can discern in the Summary of Events may very well be the Sgt. you mentioned.


Leaves of course the omission of Sgt. Theatre in the ORB and/or Summary.


Regards,
Leendert

Re: Beaufighter from No248 Sqn probably shot down on February 14th , 1942
 

N/248 sighted the 109 E by N of Wangerooge and so turned away from the M/V it had sighted without attacking.

Z/248 Sgt Theatre and Sgt Ryall did not return from this patrol at 08:05/08:30 from Bircham Newton by 7 Beaufighters of No.248 Sqn.

Ross