Doc McLeod - Sicily to France

[Henk Welting]

Hi all,
I reconsider my entry on the board re the Kittyhawk serial FL291. I came up with this number reflecting the possibility that McLeod might have ditched at sea. I don't have access to the 3 RAAF Sqn ORB and the serial number came from Air Britain Serials.
Meanwhile viewed the digital copy of McLeod's files at the NAA and this confirms the correct serial FL309. Air Britain: Missing, pres. shot down by flak attacking MT near Randazzo.
FL291, now known being piloted by Sgt J.F. Howell-Price RAAF 411914, may have been the one that crashed into the sea near Catania; he was taken into captivity and in the PoW-Register with Campcode 357 (Kopernikus) PoW # 3775.
In McLeod's file also is mentioned that he initially was buried at Arles, on 6-10-1945 was exhumed and reburied as an American in the temp. US Mil. Cem. Luynes (as Murdo McLeod who died 11-9-1943 at Avignon !).
Where was 3 RAAF Sqn based in August 1943 ?
Best regards,
Henk.

[Michal]

Evacuation of German and Italian Forces from Sicily took place between August 11 a 17 1943. MFP boats carried accross Messina Strait (2 to 5 nautical miles) in this period 39569 German soldiers, 62 000 Italian soldiers, 15 000 wounded, 9605 vehicles, 163 guns, 51 tanks and almost 17 000 tonnes of ammuniton and material. Messina Strait was covered by almost 380 AA-guns, mainly Ack-ack. Germans lost only 7 (seven) MFB boat and any soldier. So, it would not be miracle, that your man could be easily evacuated by MFP boat. Gliders which took part in supply flights to Sicily, never flew back. After evacuation from Sicily he could be taken on board of any plane or gliders which flew from Italy back to France.

[Ianfst]

Henk,
3 Sqdn RAAF was based in Sicily at the time, I don't remember exactly which airfied as they moved around a bit.
Thanks.
Ian Stevenson

[Ianfst]

Michal,
Thanks for the information, Doc could well have been evacuated also from the Italain mainland but why to Istres ? Why not further north in Italy like all the other POW's ?
Any chance of finding a trace of any flights from Sicily / South of Italy to Istres in that time frame (Aug 3rd - 17th) ?
Cheers,
Ian Stevenson

Originally Posted by Michal

Evacuation of German and Italian Forces from Sicily took place between August 11 a 17 1943. MFP boats carried accross Messina Strait (2 to 5 nautical miles) in this period 39569 German soldiers, 62 000 Italian soldiers, 15 000 wounded, 9605 vehicles, 163 guns, 51 tanks and almost 17 000 tonnes of ammuniton and material. Messina Strait was covered by almost 380 AA-guns, mainly Ack-ack. Germans lost only 7 (seven) MFB boat and any soldier. So, it would not be miracle, that your man could be easily evacuated by MFP boat. Gliders which took part in supply flights to Sicily, never flew back. After evacuation from Sicily he could be taken on board of any plane or gliders which flew from Italy back to France.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Henk, the 3 Sqn RAAF ORB is available online if you're interested, see the post 'RAF and RAAF ORB available online' here.

I have another suggestion for the presence of McLeod in Istres. As Germans were planning for an action against Italy in case it shitfed sides, or at least tried to get out of war, it is possible that part of their actions were to fly out POWs from Italy to France rather than sending them northwards by train.
Another possibility was that the southern Italy's railway network was badly disrupted at the time, and so POWs were flown out when possible.

Does anybody have testimonies of other RAF or US airmen captured at this time ?

[Henk Welting]

Thanks Laurent. Now a stupid question from a troublesome Dutchman: Where can I find the "RAF and RAAF ORB available online" ?
Regards,
Henk.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Originally Posted by Henk Welting

Thanks Laurent. Now a stupid question from a troublesome Dutchman: Where can I find the "RAF and RAAF ORB available online" ?
Regards,
Henk.

It wasn't clear, but it was a thread on this forum:
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=5448

Most of the ORB are in the Australian National Archives, and acceding them will require first to log there, then to reclick on the provided link to access directly the ORB. Worth it as there are tens of ORB here available in full version.

Regards

Laurent