12th Replacement Depot

[Leendert]

Many (all?) American pilots and aircrew serving with RAF or Commonwealth squadrons and buried at ABMC cemeteries (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands...) are listed with 12th Replacement Depot as unit and U.S.Army as branch.

Unit listing for administrative purposes only?



Regards,
Leendert

[RSwank]

Interesting question. I suspect the answer is yes but there perhaps needed to be some extenuating circumstances. Here is an example.

https://abmc.gov/decedent-search/de-bardeleben%3Dwillia
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...d-debardeleben

Note (according to the newspaper article) that De Bardeleben had transferred to the AAF but was to fly 5 more missions with the RAF.

The American pilot of the plane (Lancaster W4892).
https://abmc.gov/decedent-search/solomon%3Dfrank-0
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...rank-b-solomon

There is a MACR for this loss:

https://www.fold3.com/image/28735193 or here: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/91061725

The MACR notes the two men were on detached service (to the RAF) from 12th RCD so they probably had to have initiated a transfer to or enlistment in the AAF to get on the AAF books.

Note that this site does not list the two Americans on the crew: http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...php?qnum=17289


An American just continuing in the RAF or RCAF probably could not have been "transferred" after his death. He would be in a Commonwealth grave.

[alieneyes1]

Hi Leendert,

The 12th Replacement Depot was physically located in Chorley, Lancs. If you see an enlisted USAAF airman flying with an RAF or Commonwealth crew and the service number begins with "106" they likely started out as Americans in the RCAF (some RAF too) but enlisted in the USAAF partway through their tour. In one of the squadron ORBs I have two RCAF airmen leave the base one day and are logged out with their RCAF numbers. They return two days later with new ranks, uniforms and American service numbers.

On the net you'll see plenty of stories from relatives about how "even though they enlisted in the USAAF they got to stay with their original crew before transferring over". They didn't have a choice.

Regards,

Dave

[Leendert]

Thanks for info. To me it looks now that these American men in RAF, RCAF etc. service fell under the Depot pending final assignment to a USAAF unit.
If final service in USAAF was 'mandatory' for being an American or if they could stay in RAF, RCAF etc. service out of their own wish, is another question.

Regards,
Leendert