Missing Wingcommanders

[Dennis Peschier]

Hello Ross,

Of all the bodies that washed up in my search area, one spent 129 days in the water but the others not more than 64 days. Unidentified bodies and parts excluded. Counting back that would be around September 12, 1943. Cooper would be an excellent candidate.

Keep in mind that the rank has yet to be confirmed. It could be that the 1946 investigation was found to be inaccurate. I’m getting more impatient for news from the CWGC by the minute

The Dutch police report gives few clues, the Germans had already searched the body, a German Docter had alread looked at the body. The body was badly decomposed; head and feet were missing. Pockets were cut open (probably by the Germans). No markings were found on the dark-grey overall.

Several days later the body was buried. Two Dutch policeman and four German soldiers were present.

By the way; is Cooper from Coastal Command? I have searched bomber and fighter command losses but with no success!



Dennis

[rafcommands]

Hi Dennis,

Yes, Cooper was Coastal Command.

From the draft RAF Coatal Command Losses, Vol 2

25/09/43
254 Sqn
Beaufighter X
JL957
A

Op: Strike, RAF North Coates, Time Up 10:54 hrs

W/C C S Cooper DFC
P/O J M Kirkup

Took off for a wing strike in company with aircraft of the squadron, 12 aircraft of No.236 Sqn and a fighter escort from Coltishall. Sighted an enemy convoy of between 14 to 18 ships in position 52 55N 04 35E. A/254 dropped its torpedo then was seen to crash into the North Sea west of Den Helder, Netherlands, with the port engine on fire after being hit by flak. Both W/C Cooper and P/O Kirkup are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Regards
Ross

[Andy Mac]

Blimey ! Job done. ;-) Sounds like Cooper . . .guys, I have been waiting an age for a reply from the CWGC myself - I almost feel like knocking on their door in person ! !

[Chris Goss]

Hold on Andy-don't jump to conclusions! The CWGC do not hold casualty files but the AHB does so only the latter might be able to confirm what could have happened to Cooper and if any investigation was made when the grave was exhumed. These files are not of general relesase to researchers but are to NOK/incidents when they are trying to identify remains

[Andy Mac]

Thanks Chris, I didn't know that . . .neck wound in!

[Hans Nauta]

Gents,

I don't want to spoil your enthousiasm but it's unlikely that W/Cdr Cooper washed ashore near Noordwijk for geophysical reasons:

The main current of the North Sea along the Dutch Coast is South to North. That's the reason that bodies of an aircraft which crashed into the North Sea wash up along the coast to the North.

The crash site of W/Cdr Cooper's Beaufighter is almost 100 kilometers North of Noordwijk! It's almost impossible that his body would have drifted against the current so far to the South...

Regards,
Hans Nauta

[Andy Mac]

Thanks Hans - is there a map of some sort, or a site that shows graphically tides and currents . . .? I would imagine a tide direction would be good circumstantial evidence, amongst other pieces information if some one were to ask the CWGC to name an Unknown airman and ammend a headtsone.

What does anyone else think ?

[ssg keay]

Hans, I am no expert here...but I know of a case where four crew members washed onto beaches near the Dutch/Belgian border and the plane crashed of Rotterdam, so that would be a southern current. So it is not completely impossible, though makes the case a bit more interesting. Looking at the majority of bodies washed up, they did indeed go north!!!
Danny