2nd TAF - 23/26 Sept 1944

[Henk Welting]

Yes Stig, also curious how this (MJ779 23.9.44) will find an end. But also what's behind the Spitfire engine recovered at Wehl. This aircraft crashed 8.2.45 and we know it was a Mk.IX. Losses for this day:
PL205 - 345 Sqn - Cpt A. Kerourio. PL205 (and not PL202) confirmed by ORB and AHB/RAF; crashed in Germany.
MK529 - 485 Sqn - F/O D.G.L. Taylor crashed way up north in Holland at Haren near Groningen; pilot also buried at Haren.
PL430 - 411 Sqn - F/Lt R.J. Audet baled out safe near B.88 Heesch what was close to Nijmegen and within allied territory.
NH456 - 349 Sqn - S/Ldr A. v.d. Velde forcelanded near Goch in Germany and aircraft Cat.B.

The aircraft that remains is PV143 - 345 Sqn - F/Sgt J. Oulman.
MoD France: crashed near Arnhem - remains pilot 1951 evacuated to France. Near Arnhem means that he must have had a (field)grave in Holland; however his initial wargrave was in the Reichswald Forest War Cem. near Kleve, Germany. This could be correct for a crash near Duisburg.

The pilot of the Spitfire near Wehl survived. It's said that the pilot evaded capture, was arrested near Doetinchem and badly treated by the German captors. Where they had to cross a small brook the Germans went over the bridge; the poor flyer however had to wade through the icecold water. It could be possible that he died on his way to Germany (border about 10 kms). Perhaps "Auf der Flucht erschossen" (Shot while trying to escape) as often was mentioned in German documents !

Could it have been Sgt Oulman (?) where the French MoD mentioned "near Arnhem" ?
Oulman's Spitfire however had mounted (Losscard and AHB/RAF) Merlin # 186885/483280 and the near Wehl recovered Merlin was # 179431/A479553. This engine was delivered 15.3.44 to 7 MU at Quedgeley. Could there have been an engine change to PV143 and the documents not updated ?

One of the many black spots in our files. Will they ever been solved ?

Good Easter and best regards,
Henk.