F/O Robert P. Davis - T-121833 - KIA 19-9-1944

[Leendert]

Trying to figure out the place and circumstances of death of glider pilot F/O Robert P. Davis and 327th GIR troops on 19 Sept 1944 during Operation Market. F/O Davis was with 435th TCG/78th TCS.

The Dutch SGLO somehow makes a reference to MACR 9920 (see https://verliesregister.studiegroepl...?gnummer=G2044), while this website says his glider crashed 'on the beach of Ostend, Belgium' (see https://troopcarrier.blog/2024/10/06...es-and-awards/)

A newspaper article (on findagrave) appears to point at Ostend ('Ostered'?) as well.
Also see https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...d-joseph-myers to a (possible?) connection between 327th GIR and Ostend on 19-9-1944.

Death or missing of F/O Davis remarkably not mentioned at all in monthly reports of 435th TCG and/or 78th TCS (nor 76th TCS). FOD only on 20 Sept 1945, so whereabouts of remains (then) not known...

Any info welcome, thanks.

Regards, Leendert

[RSwank]

Leendert, the newspaper article about Myers in findagrave is not the full article. The second page of the newspaper has more info.

1st part of article on Myers:

https://www.newspapers.com/article/t...une/158713597/

2nd part of article:
https://www.newspapers.com/article/t...une/158713389/

[Leendert]

Thanks, Rolland, for providing whole article. The Royal Artillery chaplain clearly states 'the Belgian coast at Osteno...', which certainly must be Ostend. Town housed RA AA unit(s) at that time (recently arrived 99 HAA Reg't, 52 AA Bde?)

As was the custom, the chaplain used the French name for a street in Dutch speaking Ostend (Oostende), rue de Deniers, which however must translate in present day Stuiverstraat with the (also main CWGC) Oostende New Communal Cemetery.

Will try to find out more locally about this somewhat unknown crash...

Regards,
Leendert

[RSwank]

Find a Grave for Davis.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...robert-p-davis

The graveside service occurred on Monday, Sept 25, 1950.

[Leendert]

Received word that ID of F/O Robert P. Davis could not be determined for long time due to missing dog tag after crash and wearing the pants of another glider pilot whose ASN was stitched in it. Hence confusion (or overlooking?) of missing of Davis.

Regards, Leendert