SAAF 34 Sqd 28/29 Aug 1944 Mohacs

[researcher111]

On the night of Aug 28,1944 , 10 Libs of 2nd SAAF Wing operated and dropped
54 mines in three beds in the Orsova,Mohacs, Baja and Belcke areas.
The aircraft battle markings " F " of 34th SAAF Sqd of Captain
Munroe was seen diving in flames and explode on ground near Mohacs.

Did anyone bail out and where is the crew buried ?

Alex K

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

28/29 August 1944
34 Sqn SAAF
Liberator B.VI EW165 "F"

Ten crews took off from Celone detailed to mine widely separated Danube beds east and north of Belgrade. A crew reported seeing at 22:15, an aircraft burning on the ground, with red and green lights coming from it. Hungarian sources have ascertained that EW165 exploded in mid air, crashing between Osceny and Decs, near Mohacs, and that parachutes of those that managed to bale out caught fire. A Hungarian report states that the aircraft crashed on the property of a Dr. M.Novak, and that Sgt Hancock was saved by falling into a tree. The rest of the crew are buried in Budapest War Cemetery Collective grave I. D.1-6. It is believed that EW165 was claimed at 22:12 by Oblt Wilhelm Johnen, of 8./NJG 6.

203001V Capt (Pilot) John F MUNRO SAAF +
205866V Lt (Co-pilot) Roy D. M. van der SPUY SAAF +
328692V Lt (Obs.) P St.J. ALEXANDER SAAF +
1800182 Sgt (Air Bomb.) Bernard E. LEVER RAFVR +
580652 W/O (W,Op./Air Gnr.) Paul A CREUX SAAF +
--------- Sgt (Air Gnr.) Rudolf HANCOCK SAAF - POW
1286049 Sgt (Air Gnr.) William H. GRICE RAFVR +

See:
'Gardening by Moonlight' 205 Group RAF mining operations over the River Danube in 1944
Kassak,Peter & David Gunby
N.p: Degart s.t.o.,2017
pp.99-103

Col.

[researcher111]

Thanks , I used as ref Target Danube , A. Glen ...though I will look for your
book .

Best Regards
Alex K

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

'Gardening by Moonlight' is available here:

http://www.lulu.com/shop/peter-kassa...-22997160.html

Col.

[HGabor]

The killed airmen are buried at Solymár cemetery indeed. Hancock looked unhurt and (understandably) happy in the photo(s) after his capture. Plane crashed at Őcsény-W (Szekszárd-S), a bit north of Mohács.

[researcher111]

Gabor , I cant see the photos ,Bruggy thanks for the link...finally how did this Lib while dropping mines on Danube crashed on Dr Novak and finally yes he was very fortunate
that his chute did burn while bailling out at 22:35 hrs

[HGabor]

I just mentioned, but have not attached the photos. He was very lucky indeed.
Gabor

[researcher111]

Bruggy

Was wondering if you could tell me if that book containts any info as into
the Romanian side of the story namely the Iron Gates bombing and
against Romanian targets. I have few books as into 205th GP such
Through Darkness to Light , Target Danube, Through Sand and Snow
and Eagles Victorious on SAAF and be honest with you the books
are not in depth and rather disappointing .

Alex K

[HGabor]

Alright, the pics showing the SAAF Liberator EW165 'F' at Őcsény (not Mohács), Hungary. See happy and captured solo survivor Sgt. Rudolf Hancock, local girls with the wrecks, including Katalin Varga, and Katalin Varga showing Hancock's parachute. (Many parachutes ended up being transformed into nice shirts.)

[researcher111]

Thanks Gabor, of course who wouldn't use silk for shirts . As into the German nght
fighter seems the aircraft fell victim to AA and flew all the way to Hungaria before
crashing at abot 23:20 or later rather 22 hrs . The gunner might have ended up at
Stalag Luft Sagan

Alex K