[Luc Vervoort]

Hi,



AIR 81/289 is the RAF casualty file for the crew of Blenheim L8849 of 15 Squadron which crashed at Beverst Begevel (Belgium) on 12/05/1940.
This file also contains some documents related to 1090876 Sgt. Johny Bichton, who died on 17/02/1942 in the Bavière hospital at Liège (Belgium). His name is also mentioned as Jonny Birhton.

A letter dated 3/11/1950 of the Air Ministry (S.14.Cas.) mentions the following details :
“ I am directed to refer to your letter dated 20th October 1950, and to inform you that 1090876 Johny Bichton cannot be traced in the casualty records of this Department. The case of “ Sergeant Johny Bichton “ was investigated by a R.A.F. Missing Research and Enquiry Unit in July 1947. It was then ascertained that the person in question had been picked up near the River Meuse and taken to a hospital at Liège. He was there questioned by the Gestapo and is reported to have stated that “ he was the wireless operator of a two seater Spitfire”. In the light of this “ evidence “ it was considered most likely that he was a Resistance worker, who, on being caught by the Germans, attempted to escape execution by claiming to be a member of the Air Force.”

Other documents mention that he was initially buried at Brustem cemetery. After the war his remains were transferred to Heverlee CWGC.


Was he member of the Royal Air Force ? Was he member of the resistance ? Was it an agent dropped by a plane ?


Many thanks in advance and best regards,


Luc