F/O Cumming 24-12-1944

[xraymmx]

Hello,

Anyone more info on F/O Duncan Herbert Cumming killed 24-12-1944?

I know he flew a Typhoon but that's about it.

Thanks

Ray

[Heuser]

Hi,
Typhoon IB, MN665, 440.(RCAF) Sqn., lost in the area SE of Eindhoven.

According to Shores/Thomas he was shot down by Hptm. Wolfang Kosse of 13./JG 3.

Kosse was also shot down during this combat and is listed as missing in the area of Lüttich/Liège.

Hope this helps

Heuser

[Bill Walker]

From Hugh Halliday's "Typhoon and Tempest: the Canadian Story", page 93, quoting the 440 Squadron diary:

"They (Cumming in MN665 and F/O W.T. Dunkeld in PD462) were last seen at E5010 just after setting course with a third aircraft flying line astern of them. An RT warning to break was heard and they are believed to have been shot down. This was later confirmed by Intelligence and it was also stated that a Spitfire shot down the Me109 right after this."

Paraphrasing: Cumming and Dunkheld were fighter cover for aircraft from 438, 439 and 440 Squadrons, attacking road traffic in "the main battle area" of the Battle of the Bulge, reported as Malmedy-Euskirchen-Mayen-Houffalize. 438 Squadron lost two Typhoons in the same area at about the same time, to flak, out of 8 aircraft dispatched by that Squadron. This was the second major Typhoon raid launched by the Canadian squadrons of 143 Wing that day to the same general area. A third mission was flown before the day was over, and the day's total losses were 7 Typhoons.

[Henk Welting]

MN665 crashed near Waalre, SSW of Eindhoven, 1245h.

Henk.

[xraymmx]

THanks a lot guys.

Any ideas were Dunkheld crashed?

[michel]

Typhoon PD462 shot down SE of Eindhoven.
Pilot buried at Jonkerbos War Cemetery




Michel

[Bas Maathuis]

Originally Posted by michel

Typhoon PD462 shot down SE of Eindhoven.
Pilot buried at Jonkerbos War Cemetery




Michel

To be more precise: crashed near Maarheeze
buried Jonkerbos grave 8-D-3

[SMF144]

Yeah, the boys from 143 Wing certainly encountered a hornets nest that day. Not much I can add but here is what a period report has to offer; for verbatim:

F/O A.H. Cumming, killed 24.12.44. Did not carry bombs. (Flying No.2 to F/O Dunkeld).
F/O W.T. Dunkeld, killed 24.12.44. Did not carry bombs. Last seen flying high cover after setting course for home at 5,000 ft., an unknown thud, aircraft seen flying line astern to him - an R/T warning for squadron to break, which indicated that the third aircraft may have been enemy.

Stephen

[xraymmx]

Thanks guys!