212 Sqn loss Catalina FP231

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
Seeking details of the loss of a 212 Sqdn Catalina, serial number FP231.
It would look like the a/c hit some trees on take off and crashed, killing all aboard.
Thanks
Alex

[Peter Clare]

Catalina IB FP231 Swung on take-off and hit trees and houses, Banerji Road, Trombay, Calcutta, 27 June 1945.

Source - RAF Serials Air Britain.

And on this link.......

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...tery-June-1944

[Alex Smart]

Hello Peter,

Thank you for the reply.

FP231 a/c "K"
The link to rafcommands helps but opens up yet more questions as to just where the Catalina hit trees and crashed.

From "Coastal Support & Special Squadrons" by John D.R. Rawlings has on page 144:
Dec 1942-April 1945 .....Korangi Creek, det. Keamari, Jiwani, Red Hills Lake, Trombay, Bally.
And "RAF Squadrons" by C.G. Jefford shows map of India on pages 268/9.
Cochin (West Coast)- on Arabian Sea.
Red Hills Lake (East Coast) within the Madras area on the coast of the Bay of Bengal.
Trombay within the Bombay area again on the West Coast but far north of Cochin.
Page 73 has " Dec 42 Catalina IB (Oct 44), dets Masirah, Jiwani,Bahrain, Red Hills Lake, Trombay, Cochin,Koggala, Bally."

So maybe crashed on take off on a return flight from Bombay to either Cochin or Red Hills Lake ?

Alex