Looking for details of RAF losses on the 12, 13 and 14 April 1944 (North France/Belgium area)

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Good morning.

Am looking for the RAF losses on either the 12, 13th or early 14th APRIL 1944 in the OSTEND (Belgium)/North France area.

Was Group Captain James RANKIN flying one of those days and had to ditch or bail out? What machine was he flying then?

Adriano

[MW Giles]

G/C Rankin commanded 15 Wing which at this time administered 122 and 125 Airfields, he sometimes flew on their missions

12th April

122 AF
- Ramrod 723 Penetration Support on 8th AF mission to Halle - 65 & 122 Sqns

125 AF
- Ramrod 724A Close Escort on 9th AF mission to St Ghislain - 132 & 602 Sqns
- Ramrod 728A Close Escort on 2 Group mission to Monceau sur Sambre - 132 & 602 Sqns
- Weather Recce to Lille area - 602 Sqn


13th April

125 AF
- Ramrod 730 Close Escort on 9th AF mission to Namur - 132 & 453 Sqn
- Ramrod 732 Bombing of Bouillancourt en Sery - 132, 453 & 602 Sqns

14th April

122 AF
Roadstead/Shipping Strike in Frisians 19 & 65 Sqn

125 AF
- Ramrod 735 Bombing Ligescourt - 132, 453 (MK324 lost) & 602 Sqns
- Ranger to Chartres 602 Sqn

None of these seem to involve Rankin but most could go over N France or Belgium. Definitely no losses involving Rankin in these areas

I think you are really looking for G/C P L Donkin of 35 Wing in Mustang IA FD448 who was hit by flak on a Ranger and baled out off Ostend at around 11:30 hrs on 13.04.44

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Martin,
I sent you a message. Thank you!