W/O Keith Griffith Thomas (A411079), 227 Sqn

[BruceMk11]

Sorry, but another claims query!

This pilot's DFC citation (London Gazette 22/2/44 (or 2/2/44?)) states, in part: 'has destroyed one and assisted in the destruction of three enemy aircraft'.

He served with 227 Sqn 2/43-11/43; discharged as F/L.

Any details would be appreciated.

Bruce

[Brian]

Hi Bruce

I don't have much but .........

29/5/43 shared with 3 others an Ar196

I believe he joined 47 Squandron in 12/43

14/12/43 shared Z.506B

A start ............

Cheers
Brian

[Aussie7]

Bruce,

from the 227 Sqn ORB I have:

27 May 43 Sgt KG Thomas & 3 others 1 Ju88 conf
27 May 43 Sgt Thomas & 1 other 1 Ju88 dam
29 May 43 F/O Modera & Sgt Thomas 1 Ar196 conf (Modera's claims from AH on this date I think refer to claims shared with P/O Phillips, so I think this was Thomas' claim alone)
3 Aug 43 Sgt Thomas was in combat with an Ar196 (unsure of any claim)
27 Oct 43 F/S Thomas & Sgt G Fawkes 1 Ju88 dam

Hope this helps,
Ian

[keith A]

Hi Bruce,

There is a biography by FL GRT Willis of 47 Sqn which I looked at lately. I will try and get another shufti soon. I know Willis claimed an Ar196 on 4/12/43 and a "He115" (Cant Z506b) on 10/12/43 or 14/12/43. This latter claim apparently shared with Thomas.

[keith A]

.... so he may have transferred to 47 Sqn in December 1943.

K ;-)

[Brian]

Hi Keith

In case you haven't noticed, I've added a couple of names to your 'Shared Victories in Italy' posting.

Cheers
Brian

[BruceMk11]

Thanks guys: Brian, Ian & Keith. Perhaps some of his damaged claims were upgraded at a later stage (?)

I don't think his service file indicates a posting to 47 Sqn, but I'll have another look.

Cheers,

Bruce

[Aussie7]

Bruce,

I checked his NAA file and after W/O Thomas left 227 Sqn on 20 Nov 43 he seems to have been posted to 13 ACS ME at RAF Ballah, as a Target Towing pilot until 11 May 44. Interestingly he seems to have served with 22 Sqn RAAF 'up in the Islands' late in the Pacific war.

Ian

[keith A]

Hi chaps,

I might be wrong about 47 Sqn. My notes show the 47 Sqn pilot as Ken Thomas.

cheer-o

Keith

[BruceMk11]

Thanks Ian & Keith. I got halfway through his file the other day but hadn't got back to it.

Can someone say what Wing/s 227 Sqn was in during 1943?

Bruce