169 Sqd. 06/07.Dez.1944

[Flugplatz Giessen]

Hello,

I´m searching pictures of Pilot John W. Ware and Nav. Benjamin Soper. Both was shot down by a german nightfighter near Aachen in the night of 06.to 07.Dez.1944. Target was Gießen. The plane was hit by german flak over the target area.

Thank you.

[B.F.M. Droog]

I only know they were aboard a Mosquito Mk VI. Unfortunately their names are not to be found in 'Mosquito', by C. Martin Sharp and Michael J.F. Bowyer, Faber and Faber Limited, 1967.
The CWGC doesn't list them as casualties; they are not listed on Air Force POWs 1939-1945, so what happened to them?

[Amrit1]

According to the Mosquito list NT172 was abandoned on patrol nr Malmody, which was in allied hands at the time. So if not killed, then could/would have made it back to their squadron.

[Alex Smart]

Hello Amrit,

Yes, Ware ad Soper abandoned VI-A , NT172 near Malmedy over allied Territory the Mosquito may well hav crashed in France though. Details from BCL vol 5 and Air Brit NA100-NZ999.

Alex

[Flugplatz Giessen]

Hello

in the new German Jägerblatt is a story of the crash. The author tells us, that the Mosquito was shot down near Aachen.

I´m searching a picture of Soper and Ware for my next book about the airwar over Gießen.

Thanks.