Coltishall 1945 - name the faces
 

In January 1945 the Polish Air Force Film Unit visited RAF Coltishall to take photos of personnel and aircraft of No. 303 Squadron. Apart from the Poles, photos taken on that occasion depict also pilots from other Allied nations: Australian, Danish, Indian and New Zealand. Can anyone identify any of them?

Re: Coltishall 1945 - name the faces
 

The photos also depict two RAF erks. Any chance to identify them?

Re: Coltishall 1945 - name the faces
 

VoyTech,
Excellent photos! The Danish pilot is Jørgen Kjeldbæk, cf.
http://www.danishww2pilots.dk/profil...?alpha=k&id=50

He was posted to No. 274 Sqn in Sep 44 which correspond to this unit being at Cottishall during the winter of 45.

He seems to have a medal ribbon, hasn't he? Could anyone tell which one that might be. According to my information he received a number of theatre stars and the War Medal and the Defence Medal, but that would be after Jan 1945.

I would love to use the photos on my website. Would this be possible?

Regards,
Mikkel Plannthin

Re: Coltishall 1945 - name the faces
 

Thanks for identifying him!

PM sent.

Re: Coltishall 1945 - name the faces
 

Hi Mikkal
The medal looks like the 1939-1945 Star, look at http://www.rafweb.org/awards3.htm and see what you think, even though it is a little early. Many of the medals had a time period qualification which many people exceeded before the war's end
Regards
Dick

Re: Coltishall 1945 - name the faces
 

Dick, I agree.

I just supposed that these stars were instigated after the war. Most references record the campaign stars to have been issued during the late 1940'ies.

Mikkel

Re: Coltishall 1945 - name the faces
 

Another appeal to Australian, Indian and New Zealand air force historians/enthusiasts - can you help with any names?

Re: Coltishall 1945 - name the faces
 

Hi Voytech,

Only 24 Indian volunteers selected for RAF Flight training. Of the 18 who completed training, 13 were killed in 1941. One of the survivor was Mahinbder Singh Pujji. Three years old ago he was still living.

Bertrand H

Re: Coltishall 1945 - name the faces
 

Voytech, I am stumped as well at the identity of the Indian Pilot. I will have to look around in my notes as well as get in touch with a few people who could probably id him. Will post back.

Re: Coltishall 1945 - name the faces
 

The Danish pilot is my grandfather, Jorgen Kjeldbaek. The flight records I have from him ended on August 1944 with the 501 Squadron. Was he reasigned to the 303?

Regards

Miguel