P/O Gordon Henry Mayes (RAFVR 113397)

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Good morning to all!
Pilot Officer Gordon Henry Mayes (RAFVR 113397) apparently flew Spitfires and was shot down. He became a Prisoner of War (POW)
I am looking for any information of the Squadron he flew and the date/or aircraft he was flying when shot down/emprisioned.
email: baumgartner_asv@yahoo.com.br
Yours,
Adriano S. Baumgartner

[Adriano Baumgartner]

The (informed but not sure) DATE he was shot down is 26 June 1944. Possibly flying Spitfires from Italy...

[RSwank]

There is an old posting related to "a" Gordon Henry Mayes by his grandson on this link. Search for Mayes on the page. The grandson mentions flying Spitfires and a posting in North Africa. The grandson also mentions squadron 234 (which I think was stationed in England for the entire war) so I am not sure this is the same man. There is an email address which may still be active.

http://www.rafweb.org/guestlog_2005_1.htm

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

F/Lt G H Mayes, of No.72 Sqn RAF, was shot down by flak in Spitfire LF.IX MK553:RN-Z, on 26 June, 1944. He baled out over Firenzuola and his parachute was seen to open, he appeared to be unhurt.

See:
Swift to Battle:No.72 Squadron RAF in Action - Vol.2:1942-1947.
Docherty,Tom.
Barnsley:Pen & Sword.2000.
p.157.

Col.

[Adriano Baumgartner]

RSWank,
Many thanks, but I already knew the link and have even tried to contact his grandson...however, it seems the email is "out" or was mis-written.
I thought something was wrong with 234 Squadron either...since it operated only over European Theater...so I assumed maybe it was a Spitfire Squadron from 244 Wing, in Italy....(a long shot, anyway).

COL.BRUGGY,
Again you arrived to save the situation...THANK YOU SO MUCH...you gave me a North to follow from now on...Very much appreciated indeed...I do owe you now two beers...believe me! If you ever come to those South Lands...do inform me, I will have the honour to keep my word...
Adriano S. Baumgartner