F/L. F.H.Bradford from 65 Sqdn.

[Jagdkommando]

Dear researchers,

On wed.11.04.1945, F/L. F.H.Bradford flew together with 12 other Mustang P-51 Mk.IV pilots from Peterhead to Porsgrund,Norway as fighter escort for the 35 Mosquitos from 143, 235, 248 and 333 sqdn that took off from Banff.
My ORB's and combat reports from 19 Sqdn and 65 Sqdn says that Bradford was missing during this operation. His plane carried "KH 685".
Can anyone confirm wether he died or survived??
In advance,thanks.

[Frank Olynyk]

F/L Frederick Hilley Bradford, 119711, age 26, is noted in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website as being commorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 265. Date of death is given as April 11, 1945.

Frank.

[Jagdkommando]

Dear Frank,

Thanks for the information,very interesting.
F/L.Sims from 65 Sqdn.writes in his combat report that "F/L. F.H.Bradford was last seen leading his section down to the attack and repeated calls on the R/T brought no response".......
Another researcher in this Forum told me that Bradford was shot down by Oberleutn.Schneider,and killed. I really don't know wether his body was discovered later or not,but as he is written in the combat reports of the 65 Sqdn as "missing",he probably crashed into the sea nearby the target area.
It would be very important to find out wether he is buried or not on the cemetary u told me about.

Warmest regards,
Jagdkommando

[Alex Smart]

Hi,

He is "Remembered" not buried at Runnymede.
His name is written on a pannel, its number is 265. if you go to the CWGC web page and look up "Runnymede" there you will see a plan and can see where the pannel is, and also if you write in his name press "search" and his details will come up.

Alex