Lysander passengers 22 November 1944

[Brian]

Hi guys

We may have touched on this before, but I am still no further in my quest to identify the two passengers aboard a Lysander of 148 Squadron (flown by Flg Off JFA Rayns) shot down by an American fighter over Northern Italy on 22 November 1944, apart from they were apparently from No.5 Section of IS9 (CMF), and were involved in the Templar Mission.

One source implied they were SOE decorated army officers.

Any ideas? I have checked CWGC for 22 November 1944 without success. Surely their names would no longer be secret?

Cheers
Brian

[Alex Smart]

Hello Brian,

I expect that you have already seen this thread , but just in case you have not -

http://forum.armyairforces.com/22nd-...n-m245870.aspx

RAF or 148 Squadron Records held at the NA should have some record of any 5 Section or Templar Mission investigation held surely ?
148 Sqdn ORB has pilot and 3 passengers lost. Others seem to suggest only 2 passengers though ?
From memory this was the first flight of "Templar" so must have been a bit of a set back if the leading team were lost in such circumstances ?

How about anything on the following - "The matter is being made the subject of an investigation by Headquarters, No. 239 Wing"- Where does one find these records ?.

OR
I.S.9 losses
British Officers - 1 Killed, 1 MIA.
British Other Ranks - 2 Killed.
American - 1 POW.
Italian - 6 killed - 4 MIA believed Killed.
Who were these Service personnel ?

My very early ref in the armyairforce thread refers to the passengers being Yugoslavs, this IIRC was from a 325 FG book ( will have to look it up again ). Perhaps they were Italians from the above list ?
Further to this 325 FG reference, I could so far find no other ref to any G.I death in relation to 325 FG on the 22nd November '44, although there was an earlier one IIRC.

Alex

[SteveB]

I can't remember now what prompted me but some while ago I looked in the 239Wing ORB and ORB Apps at Kew but could find no further detail on this incident no report of an enquiry.

If the report was sent up the line to DAF I have not looked in their docs.

Steve

[Brian]

Hi guys

Thanks. It seems strange that after all these years the identities of those killed have not been revealed, whatever nationality.

Cheers
Brian