LtCdr DAE Holbrook KIFA 1944

[keith A]

This pilot led 889 Squadron FAA in June-July 1944 before he was KIFA. Can anyone tell me more about his career and about the accident?

best regards

Keith

[alieneyes1]

Keith,

He's not on CWGC and he's shown as on the retired list wef 5 September 1946.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...7667/page/3841

Younger son of Colonel Sir Claude and Lady Holbrook of Clifton, Rugby. Born Daventry, Northants in the December 1920 Qtr.

Married Elizabeth Gillespie at Gosport in the December 1942 Qtr

Regards,

Dave

[twocee]

According to the Air-Britain FAA Squadrons book, Holbrook took command of 889 Sqdn. on 11 June 1944 and was still there when the squadron disbanded on 11 July.

His only accident seems to have been a hard landing on Battler (LR702, 23 Feb. 1944), while with 834 Sqdn..

[keith A]

Many thanks chaps, it may be my source is confusing him with the previous c.o.

best regards

Keith

[Leendert]

Keith,
Previous CO you refer to must be Lt Cdr Frank Pennington, RNZNVR, who was killed in a dogfight training on 24 April 1944 off Colombo, Ceylon in Seafire LR795. Collision with another Seafire (MB179) of squadron, pilot S/L G.A. Bowser could bale out of this one.

Regards,
Leendert

[keith A]

Yep. 889 Squadron had a very bad period where pilots and ground crew were killed in accidents. It was reduced to such a level that disbandment was the only option.