Spitfire pilot - KIA / 1942

[Stijn David]

Hello,


Is there anyone who can give information (or confirm) the loss of the following person:

24.11.1942 : KIA - Leutnant Gibbons (Tunesia)

Iff it can be confirmed, towards wich unit did he belong, etc...?

Cordial greetings,

[Henk Welting]

You would make it much easier for us if you come up with first names (or initials) and servicenumber. Easy to check the CWGC-website.

Henk.

[Stijn David]

Hello Henk,


Thank you for your reply, indeed it would => iff i only had that info .

Here is where info does come from and why i want to check it. The loss is reproted in a diary from a Lw. glider pilot who did fight with Lw. Feldregt. Barenthin at that time in Tunesia.

He did write down the following:

" 24.11.1942: Eine Me 109 wird im Tiefflug von einer "Spitfire" verfolgt. Die (Me 109) Zog plötzlich hoch - der Engländer übersah dabei einen Windenmotor, streifte - und stürtzte ab. Der Pilot, Leutnant Gibbons war sofort tot. Wir beerdigten ihn - und errichteten auf dem grab ein Holzkreuz mit dem namen. "

So we have to look for losses from the RAF on that day (iff the diary is mistaking in day then it is impossible IMHO to find the KIA pilot.) I honoustly have no clue how these german sodleirs could find out the name of the pilot? ANy idea?

Offcoarse it would be very interesting iff we can find out this loss offcoarse. The area is near Mateur (Tunesia).

Cordial greetings and thank you for the help

[Bruce Lander]

Hi,
this is probably F/O Gibbons of 225 Squadron who was shot down together with P/O Giles flying Tac R Hurricanes on 26th Nov 1942 by Fw.hafner and Lt Wunderlich of II/JG.51
Source:"Fighters Over Tunisia" by Shore,Ring & Hess Etc pp 68/69

Cheers

Bruce Lander

[Adriano Baumgartner]

STIJN,
As Bruce posted, your pilot was indeed from 225 Squadron. I do not know if you managed to find out on CGWC his name which is GIBBINS and NOT Gibbons as posted above.
Here is the data you are looking for:
Name:GIBBIN, LESLIE CLIFFORDInitials:L CNationality:United KingdomRank:Flying Officer (Pilot)Regiment/Service:Royal Air ForceUnit Text:225 Sqdn.Age:21Date of Death:26/11/1942Service No:47764Additional information:Son of Alexander William and Gertrude Lavinia Gibbin. of Bayswater, London.Casualty Type:Commonwealth War DeadGrave/Memorial Reference:2. E. 1.Cemetery:BEJA WAR CEMETERY

I hope this is you match!
By the way, BRUCE, do you have more details about the serial number of the Hurricane and, if available, the codes of the aircraft?
All the best for both of you!
Adriano Baumgartner

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Please re-read: I hope this is youR match!
Sorry ( forgot the R )!

[Icare9]

Hmm
NOT a Spitfire
Not a Lieutenant (Flight or otherwise)
Not Gibbons
Not 24/11/1942
yet still came up with an identification!!
Well done, Bruce and Adriano!!
Shows the value of Geoff's Search Engine and using permutations of all the info!!

I note F/O Giles is only shown as being on the Malta Memorial, sounds as if they were either close to the coast when attacked, with Giles going into the sea and Gibbin crashing in the desert, or they were attacked in two separate incidents.

Any further clarification?

[Stijn David]

Hello,


Thank you very much Bruce and Adriano + for the information and identification. Now this account (from the german glider pilot) is verifyed IMHO and as can be seen, it did contain mistakes but also a base of truth.

Will send you both a PM .

Cordial greetings,

[Henk Welting]

Hurricanes probably may have been Mk.IIB serials HL768 and HL989.

[Adriano Baumgartner]

STIJN,
The DATA about F/O GIles ( from the same source: CGWC )
Name:GILES, ROYSTON JACK CHARLES WILLIAMInitials:R J C WNationality:United KingdomRank:Flying OfficerRegiment/Service:Royal Air Force Volunteer ReserveUnit Text:225 Sqdn.Date of Death:26/11/1942Service No:47363Casualty Type:Commonwealth War DeadGrave/Memorial Reference:Panel 2, Column 2.Memorial:MALTA MEMORIAL

ICARE9: Your interpretation sounds good...I thought the same way ( I mean I would think on 2 separate actions ).
HENK: Thanks indeed for posting the Hurricanes´s serials for us...very nice of yours.
A very interesting thread indeed...good work and good luc, STIJN!
Yours
Adriano