Aidan Crowley

[James A Pratt III]

I have a book Escape From Germany" by Aidan Crawley. A history of R.A.F. Escapes during the war. The author does mention in the book that he was a POW. Does anyone have any information on him including when he was captured? Thanks in advance.

[dp_burke]

he seems to have been a prewar member of the Royal Aux Air Force
From teh London Gazette:

No.

601 (County of London) (Fighter)

Squadron.

Pilot Officer Aidan Merivale CRAWLEY

relinquishes his commission. 28th July 1938.

Was likely back in the colours for the war and is listed in 1950 as politician as a Fl/lt.

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk

next mention I see of him in uniform in LG is :
1954

Flight Lieutenants, retaining the rank of Squadron
Leader:

—
K. C. BAKER (.19103).
L. S. T. BROWN (22105).

A. M. CRAWLEY, M.BJB. (90130).

and using that serial number:

AUXILIARY AIR FORCE RESERVE OF OFFICERS.
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.
Pilot Officer Aidan Merivale CRAWLEY (90130) is granted the war substantive rank of Flight Lieutenant. I2th Aug. 1940.

and then its black almost to 1946:
and the explanation of it all:

To be Additional Members in the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
Flight Lieutenant Ardan Merivale CRAWLEY (90130), Auxiliary Air Force, No. 73 Squadron.
Flight Lieutenant Crawley was forced to crash land his aircraft near Bardia in July 1941 and was imprisoned in various camps in Germany. In March 1943 he escaped from Oflag XXIB by means of a tunnel and reached Innsbruck before being recaptured. Throughout his captivity he was an energetic member of the Escape Committee, devoting his ability towards escaping and assisting others to escape. He furnished many officers with the fullest information and aids available and his knowledge of German was always at the disposal of any intending escapers.

[kaki3152]

According to "Fighters over the Desert" this happened on July 7,1941.

[paulmcmillan]

Any indication of aircraft type or serial? thanks Paul

[JohnE]

I have him flying Hurricane I V7802 (source History of 73 Sq. II). I believe that this a/c did not have any identification codes at all.

John

[paulmcmillan]

John thanks

[kaki3152]

Well, the aircraft type is obviously a Hurricane I but no knowledge of the serail number. Perhaps, the RAF Forum could help with the serial.

[James A Pratt III]

The book does have an account of his escape from Oflag XXI B. Does anyone know who or what shot him down?