Frankel RAFVR

[AUS_RAAF]

Hi all,

Am after any service details or information about possible crash of the following airman.
Philip/Phillip David Frankel RAFVR.1579545/154916, an Australian in RAF.

According to an article via Trove online was injured during the war.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/206037891

Thanks in advance.

regards, Drew

[Chris Goss]

154916 Philip David Frankel commissioned 23 Dec 43 and promoted to Fg Off 23 Jun 44

[RSwank]

Couple more newspaper write-ups with a little more info:

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/a...ilip%20Frankel

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/a...ilip%20Frankel

He served as a bomb-aimer. He survived two crashes, the second causing spinal injuries.

[AUS_RAAF]

Thanks Chris and RSwank. Information helps to narrow down a timeframe and possibility of aircraft type based on mustering, most likely multi engine. Normally there would be record of an aircraft accident so perhaps his injury resulted from incident where airframe was undamaged?

regards, Drew

[Leendert]

According p. 202 of https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchi...ombgunnery.pdf Frankel received his bomb aimer training in Canada, latter half 1943.
Check text in Course 89 Air Bomber.

Sustained injuries in 1944 or later?

Also see https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/.../1771/data.pdf for resignation of commission, 16 April 1947.

Leendert

[Chris Goss]

I have asked AHB if there is a Cas Card for him

[AUS_RAAF]

Thanks Leendert, these are fantastic details. There have also been some useful leads provided over on the RAF Commands forum. I really appreciate everyone’s efforts as it is often difficult tracing other nationalities when enlisted in the RAF.

Thanks Chris for following up the Casualty Card. That would certainly answer a few queries about where he went after training in Canada!

[Chris Goss]

No Cas Card for that name or number

[AUS_RAAF]

Thanks Chris for trying. A bit of a mystery!

[RSwank]

Frankel returned to Australia in December, 1946, having spent (about?) two years being treated in a hospital (apparently located on or near Lake Windermere). This probably puts the time of his second crash in the latter half of 1944.