[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

Here is what "The Wild Winds" (The History of No.486 (RNZAF) Sqn.), has to say about the loss of F/O C E Blee:

3 May 1945, (486 Sqn had earlier claimed two (2), Ju 88s shot down).

(p.273). The occasion was marred through the loss of Charlie Blee, who had copped some flak over the Hamburg estuary while returning home with a duff engine. With the five-plane section , Chas managed to get partway back to base and cras-land within friendly lines by Stade, near the bank of the Elbe, but his Tempest (EJ550) hit hard and he was not seen to emerge by those who orbited above him for some minutes. Days later it was learned why - as well as having a total memory he had fractures to his back, skull and arm, and after being picked up by forward army troops was rushed to hospital in Brussels. When the extent of his injuries were determined he was flown back to England where he spent months hospitalised, his body in plaster. It was an uncomfortable time for both Chas and his wife, but the treatment was largely successful, and by the middle of 1946 they were able to sail for New Zealand.

(p.317). Appendix II: Aircrew Nominal Roll.

Rank: F/O
Name: BLEE, Charles Edward
Awards: -
Origin & Nationality: NZ
Period of Service: 4/45-5/45
Fate: Seriously injured 3/5/45.

See:
The Wild Winds The History of Number 486 RNZAF Fighter Squadron with the RAF.
Sortehaug,Paul.
Dunedin:Otago University Print.1998.

Col.