FATES OF 452 SQN PILOTS

[Chris Goss]

Can anyone help me by giving an indication of what might have happened to the following who were all on 452 Sqn in June 1941:

Paul Makin
Ken Cox
Ian Milne
Jim Hanigan
Fred McCann
Andy Costello

Also can anyone confirm that Sgt Alex Roberts was the first combat casualty when shot down (and subsequently evaded) 11 Jul 41

[Kutscha]

402120 Sgt James Neate Hanigan (killed on active service at Carlisle, England, on 7 September 1941, aged 24 years)

More, http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/2117...on-in-lindsey/

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Kutscha-that helps a great deal and confirms that Costello was the first combat loss on 5 Jul 41

[Leendert]

Chris,

Picture of several mentioned pilots here and also their fates:

http://spitfireassociation.com.au/in...aul&Itemid=283

Regards,

Leendert

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Leendert. I have had this same photo from the Finucane family and the names do match with what I have. Now for 65 Sqn.................

[Nick Hector]

Ian Milne settled back in Wirrabarra, South Australia (about three quarters of an hour from where I was born) and died in the 80s, I believe. He was one of about 3 brothers and the only one of them to survive. The entry below deals with the death of one of them:

4.7.43/0129 Siegfried Wandam of 1/NJG 5 shot down Halifax HR673/TL-B of 35 "Madras Presidency" sqn. Sgt. Donald Harold Milne (Australian, from Wirrabarra) and crew all KIA

I think the other was KIA with the infantry in North Africa, but I can't be certain, sorry.

He was famous throughout my area as being 'the local spitfire pilot'

Nick

[Nick Hector]

As for Andrew Costello:

5.7.41. 1/NJG 2 Peter Laufs Spitfire (claimed either as a Battle or a Defiant)
P8085 of 452 sqn, RAAF. Sgt. Andrew Gordon Costello KIA

Nick

[Chris Goss]

Thanks for this Nick

[Col Bruggy]

Chris/Nick,

Re: the Milne brothers.

Ian's eldest brother, AUS407091 Sgt Angus MILNE RAAF, was lost when No.51 Sqn Whitley V Z6811, failed to return from raiding Cologne on 18/19 August, 1941 (BCL2/122).

Col.

[Nick Hector]

Col,

Many thanks. I think you have shown my memory (or someone else's) of local legend to be faulty with regards to one of the brothers being KIA with the infantry in North Africa.

Z6811 was I/NJG 1 Wilhelm Dimter's claim at 0228 on 19.8.41.

Nick