Avern & Crossan 236 Sqdn 19 April 1942
 

Both these gentleman lay in Huelva cemetery in Spain. They'd survived their first dozen ops when as one pair of sixteen from 236 Squadron they'd where posted to the Middle East.

Whilst making the transit flight in their Beaufighter when flying on the outer edge of the formation on the left handside gun fire was encountered from Gibraleón in neutral Spain.

Beaufighter then crashed and bodies retrieved.

Could anyone confirm?

Foreign Office file is vague, and Avern's RAAF file on the incident will take a fortnight to become open. His enlistment file reads 'lost on transit flight UK to ME'

Kind regards

Andy B

Re: Avern & Crossan 236 Sqdn 19 April 1942
 

This may help..

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Sear...aspx?B=5534327

Cheers Mike

Re: Avern & Crossan 236 Sqdn 19 April 1942
 

Hello,

"PZULBA" posted this over on RAFCommands a decade ago:

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/l...-found-3724424

Col.

Re: Avern & Crossan 236 Sqdn 19 April 1942
 

Andy has already seen Avern's Personnel File - His enlistment file reads 'lost on transit flight UK to ME.'

Col.

Re: Avern & Crossan 236 Sqdn 19 April 1942
 

Thanks Mike already viewed.

Re: Avern & Crossan 236 Sqdn 19 April 1942
 

Hi Col,

Saw this too. According to Harold Wood CO 236 they were a promising pair of SNCOs. Having mentioned them in the Chariot mission in relation to Ferns pre- Paris sorties with Gatward in Chapter 9 of Heroes of Coastal Command.

Thanks for your help

Andy B.