Can anyone clarify what happened to Vass after he was shot down?
It seems fairly clear that the crash site was known, yet there is no named grave, just his Name on a Panel at Runnymede. Whilst every casualty in the War was a tragic waste of life, he had gained a strong reputation and was among the leading Allied aces, let alone Greek.
I have to assume that the crash was so intense that no remains were recovered. I'm just wondering if that was actually the case or whether it might be that he was buried as an unknown airman. If so, it might still be possible to trace back to where he was initially buried and finally accord him the dignity of a named grave.
Tempest Mk.V. Unit: 3 Sqn, RAF. Serial: JF-A (NV755)
Pilot - Fl/Lt. B.M.Vassilliades (Greek), B80 Volkel, Netherlands, March 1945. The aircraft in which the Greek ace crashed to his death over the Bocholt Woods, NW Germany, on March 25th, 1945 shot down by flak, while strafing German armour concentrated in the area.
Which seems to give a crash location, somewhat at odds with CWGC
Name: VASSILLIADES, BASIL MICHAEL
Initials: B M
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flight Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 3 Sqdn.
Date of Death: 25/03/1945
Service No: 182875
Awards: D F C, D F M
Additional information: Native of Greece.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 266.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
Also this web page dedicated to him:-
Vassiliades Vassilios - Vass
Does anyone have records for Tempest crashes in the Bocholt area and what became of any killed airmen?