RAAF - F/O Leonard Arthur Walker INFO. PLEASE
 

Hello,

I am looking for information on F/O Leonard A. Walker, RAAF (Aus 419358), who was navigator on a Halifax Mk III bomber (# NP 975 attached to 466 Squadron) the night of 22 Dec 44. The a/c took off from base at RAF Driffield in East Yorkshire at 1512 to carry out a bombing attack on the city of Binden. The a/c was hit by enemy fire over Steinebruck in Belgium,
and crashed, killing the pilot, the other members of the crew bailed out and were captured by the Germans, and taken as Prisoners-of-War.

F/O Walker was at Dulag Luft Wetzlar the afternoon of 15 Feb 45 and was present when fellow POW Capt. Wallace N. Emmer, USAAF, collapsed and
died at 1410.

I'm trying to locate F/O Walker or any records, writings, diaries of his experiences in Dulag Luft Wetzlar. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

Tripp Alyn
aaatripp@cox.net

Re: RAAF - F/O Leonard Arthur Walker INFO. PLEASE
 

The National Archives of Australia have several files relating to this aircraft and crew including two for F/L Walker. They are digitised and available for viewing online at the following link
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Item...=1&O=0&T=I&C=7

Scroll down the page and click where it says 'view digital copy' to view each one.

There may be other files, but these are the results I got with a simple search using 'Walker 419358' in the search engine.

Hope that helps.
Regards
Linzee

Re: RAAF - F/O Leonard Arthur Walker INFO. PLEASE
 

Thank you, Linzee. Your links provided some additional information about F/L Walker. However, it was not possible to determine current status so I will search further. I appreciate your help.

Regards,
Tripp

Re: RAAF - F/O Leonard Arthur Walker INFO. PLEASE
 

Hello. My father was Ft Lt LA Walker RAAF of 466 Squadron. Captain Bud Emmer died in my father's arms on Feb 15 1945. Dad never got over this terrible tragedy. I would love to hear from you as Bud gave my father an item before he died that has been treasured by my father and now me for 69 years. It sits on my desk as it sat on my father's desk until he died. I was shocked to finally find photos of Bud on this site and very much hope we make contact in the near future. All the best. Regards, Tiana Walker Adair

Re: RAAF - F/O Leonard Arthur Walker INFO. PLEASE
 

I am pleased to report to the group that the daughter of F/O Leonard A. Walker, RAAF (navigator of Hallifax III NP975, medium bomber assigned to 466 Squadron at RAF Driffield) has been in contact with us.

FYI, the intended target for NP975 on the mission of 22 Dec 44 was the German city of Bingen. The pilot, who maintained control of the a/c, enabling his entire crew to safely bail out of the stricken bomber, was F/O Ronald Feilberg. He was killed in the resulting crash of NP975. RIP

After 5 1/2 years of this posting to the Forum, we indeed have positive results!
Thanks for your support.

Tripp

Re: RAAF - F/O Leonard Arthur Walker INFO. PLEASE
 

Hello ,

Perhaps this little info can be additional :

22/12/1944
Winterspelt 10 miles south of St-Vith ( at that time German territory ) before Belgium.
Lt Spoden Peter 6./NJG6 Ju-88 - Spoden was born on , 11/08/1921 Borken bei Munster , 24 victories , POW on 29 april 1945

Re: RAAF - F/O Leonard Arthur Walker INFO. PLEASE
 

Thanks Alain,

BTW, I understand that the family of Lt. Leonard A. Walker, RAAF was able to meet with Peter Spoden and exchange stories.

Tripp