W/C Keefer 125 Wing

[Allan125]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

Perhaps Alain57 would be better off buying the 2 TAF book and looking for himself!

Hi Chris

Funny you say that !!

I also responded to his request about F/Sgt Smart of 41 Squadron http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=10566 quoting from the 125 Wing ORB, of which I hold the whole document from June '43 to July '45, and didn't get even an acknowledgement!!

cheers

Allan

[Alain57]

Sorry Gentlemen ,

I forgot the date of W/C Keefer crashlanding ,it was 24/01/1945.Anyone an idea where i can buy that book on 2 ATAF ?
Alain

[Allan125]

Hello Alain

Here is a link that should get you the three volumes at a reasonable price - if you are not in the UK no doubt you have something similar by Amazon in your own country

http://www.amazon.co.uk/2nd-Tactical.../dp/1903223407

cheers

Allan

[Alain57]

Thanks Allan for the quick reply , i will see if i can find something here in Belgium.

[Chris Thomas]

Alain, before you make this excellent purchase, you should know that there is a limit to the incidents listed therein. When compling these lists it was necessary to define parameters for inclusion. The list was based on the '2nd TAF Log of Casualty Claims and Losses', which was compiled at the time but has omissions and errors; we corrected these as best as we could by reference to other official sources - notably the ORBs. Non-operational accidents are not included eg. during ferrying, nor are aircraft that were repairable locally - unless they were originally on 2nd TAF's log as Category B or E (and were later reclassified). End of disclaimer!

Keefer's forced landing was on 23 January 1945 (c.1650) and details remain elusive. It seems he was not flying his usual aircraft as he had damaged RM809 earlier in the day. There is no known Spit XIV loss which fits the date, nor any accident record. No serials recorded in Wing or Squadron ORBs. Some Spits were recorded as damaged on that day but we have been unable to tie down any particular one to this incident.
CT

[Alain57]

Hello Chris ,

Thanks for the help.

Alain

[Allan125]

Hello Alain

2nd Tactical Air Force - vol 3 "From the Rhine to Victory" states

e1650 Spitfire XIV Identity Not Known flak near Liege, possibly RB159 CatAC for 23 January 1945, no similar incident for 24 January 1945. 125 Wing was then operating from Y.32 Ophoven in Belgium.

It is recorded in the 125 Wing ORB for 23 January 1945 as well stating "....Finally, we have to record that the W/Cdr met with an adventure. He was flying with 41 Sqdn late in the day and his aircraft was damaged to such an extent that he had to make a forced landing near Liege. We are glad to report that the W/Cdr is safe and back with us again."

Whilst the 125 Wing ORB is an excellent source of information it does not give individual aircraft codes or serial numbers.

I have checked the Form 541 for 350 (Belgian) Squadron for January 1945, as it lists serial numbers but not codes, but cannot see George Keefer listed at all as being in any of their formations. Perhaps someone who has access to the 41 Squadron ORB (Forms 540/541) for that day will be able to provide the serial.

kind regards

Allan