F/L Richard Donald Mattock, DFC and BAR
 

Good night to all!
I came along this RAF Officer who was awarded the DFC and BAR for "Reconaissance" work, in WW2. However, I can not find to which RAF Squadron he was attached.
Does anyone has more information about the career of F/L Richard Donald Mattock, DFC*? Did he serve his first and second tour with the same unit?
Any information is welcomed.
Thanks in advance
Adriano Baumgartner

Re: F/L Richard Donald Mattock, DFC and BAR
 

Adriano,

It appears that Flt Lt Richard Mattock was attached to 1409 Met Flight flying Mosquitos.
The Westkapelle (Zeeland province, Netherlands) photo mission on 3 October 1944 when his low flying plane was hit by flak and which earned Mattock a DFC for bringing the plane back to base, was in Mosquito NS536. Navigator was F/O C.N. Saunders.

Source: Dutch website wingstovictory.nl/database describing the air war in
Zeeland.

Regards,

Leendert

Re: F/L Richard Donald Mattock, DFC and BAR
 

Hi Adriano,

I have a F/O R. MATTOCK with 1409 (Met) Flt early in 1944, probably your man.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

Re: F/L Richard Donald Mattock, DFC and BAR
 

Adriano,

If you care to pose your question over here:

www.rafcommands.com

Might be able to help.

Col.

Re: F/L Richard Donald Mattock, DFC and BAR
 

Leendert, Andy and Col Bruggy,

Many thanks for your input about the 1409 Met Flight...I will check my files on that Flight.
Colonel Bruggy: I do know this Forum. Tried to register, but up to now did not receive their approval, I do not know why?! But thanks again for sharing the information.
Yours
Adriano

Re: F/L Richard Donald Mattock, DFC and BAR
 

Adriano,

Can't help with registration over at RafCommands! I needed a member of that Forum to see your posting.

Mattock had previously served on No.37 Sqn in the Middle East.

17/18-10-1941
No.37 Sqn
Wellington IC Z8735 'N'
Op: Benghazi

Took off 1840, LG 104. Ran out of fuel on return, unable to locate ALG and crashed in a forced landing 3km SE of Gilal Railway Station. All suffered minor injuries.

AUS404064 Sgt (Pilot) Ronald Albert MIRRE* RAAF - Slight shock
999610 Sgt (Pilot) Richard Donald MATTOCK RAFVR - Minor injuries
J/3496 P/O (Nav.) J F R MITCHELL RCAF - Minor injuries
997260 Sgt (W.Op./Air Gnr.) Tom PENROSE RAFVR - Minor Injuries
1377477 Sgt (W.Op./Air Gnr.) J BLANCHE RAFVR - Minor injuries
1013276 Sgt (Air Gnr.) Charles Victor CATHERALL RAFVR - Minor injuries

* aka - Ronald Albert HEINEMANN-MIRRE.

See:
Royal Air Force Bomber Losses in the Middle East and Mediterranean Vol.1: 1939-1942
Gunby,David & Pelham Temple.
Hinckley:Midland Publishing,2006.
p.90

Tom Penrose went missing with No.37 Sqn on 8/9-2-1943, and Charles Catherall likewise, on 16-11-1941.

Confirmation/corrections welcomed.

Col.