P/O Harold David Christian RAAF 400779

[Roy Nixon]

Hello everyone,
Hopefully you may be able to answer my queries on the above Spitfire pilot.
On 23-5-42 while flying with 111 sqn 'A' Flt on Rodeo 46 at 1150 hrs, damaged 1 Fw190 naer Lumbres/Calais area. What was the serial number of his Vb Spitfire please.
On 22-12-42 while with 111 sqn in NA his a/c was hit by 'Friendly Fire' (US) and force landed at Soukel-el-Khemis injuried. He died of his wounds the following day. Can anyone ID which Spitfire he was in please and details of the 'op'
Thanks for a great forum.
Roy

[Leendert]

Roy,

It appears that Spitfire ER602 was shot down/wrecked by Allied AA fire on 22-12-1942 in N. Africa.
Other details unknown to me.

Regards,

Leendert

[COL BRUGGY]

G'Day Roy,

Tuesday, 22 December,1942.

On this date a new Allied assault began, the Coldstream Guards advancing and taking the forward face of a feature christened Longstop Hill, which they then handed over to the US 18th Infantry Regiment. In support of this advance, ten 111 Squadron Spitfires escorted a Hurricane on a Tac.R mission over the front at 0825, but over Pont de Trajan they were fired on by American AA and three Spitfires were hit, the pilot of one, P/O.Christian, being wounded; he carried out a forced-landing, but died of his wounds next day.

See: Fighters Over Tunisia
Shores,C,Ring,H & W.N.Hess
London:Neville Spearman,1975.
p.111

Christian's aircraft ?

Spitfire ER602 Wrecked by Allied AA 22/12/42
Spitfire ER815 C2 Ops 22/12/42
Spitfire ER820 C3 Ops 22/12/42
Spitfire ER860 FAC3 22/12/42

Have'nt a clue as to which one Christian was flying !

Col.

PS.

Sad...

Item No.2069 WW2 RAAF
Killed in action group of 4 (medals)
1939-45 Star, Aircrew Europe Star, British War Medal, Australian War Medal.
All impressed to 400779 H.D.Christian
P/O. 111th Sqn,RAF. Died in Tunisia 22.12.1942
CG 21.1.1943 ?
(AUS)$125.00
Extremely Fine.

See: I.S.Wright Militaria Catalogue
Postal Bid Sale No.42 (Item 2069)
(Closing date 6 March,1996).

Such is Life (and death).

[Roy Nixon]

Hi Leendert and Col
Thank you for your valued answers on this un-sung hero.
I find it sad that is medals were put up for sale, what price, life.
Regards to you both
Roy

[COL BRUGGY]

Hi Roy,

I realize your original request was for aircraft identities, that notwithstanding, I am providing the following unsolicited data on AUS400779 H.D.Christian RAAF, for the benefit of others on account of the difficulty in locating this info at the Australian National Archives (there being no A9845 Accident Report on the incident).

Operations Record Book Form A.50
No 2 S.F.T.S.,Wagga, N.S.W.
Summary of Events Sheet No.9

Place:Wagga
Date:1941

FORCED LANDINGS AND ACCIDENTS

28/3/41

Wirraway A20-27, 1st Pilot, Pilot Officer Parsons (AUS250826 L.E.H.PARSONS), 2nd Pilot, L.A.C. CHRISTIAN (AUS400779 H.D.CHRISTIAN).
Brakes seized during landing run, aircraft turned on back - Damage to port mainplane, fin rudder, sliding hood, ring cowls, wireless mast, crash struck[sic] in cockpit.
Injury to Personnel: Pilot Officer Parsons, sprained right wrist - X-ray shows no fractures - slight bruising and shock. L.A.C. Christian - Bruising on left elbow and injury to left knee, minor abrasions and shock

See: NAA: A9186 475, p.239 of 310.

Some of this information might be mentioned in Christian's A705, but that is undigitised, so unavailable. Likewise Parson's A705.

It all adds to the mix !

Regards,
Col.

[Roy Nixon]

Hi Col
Thanks for the Form A 50 details on the accident of Wirraway A20-27 with Christian.
I only found what was available on the Australian NA in the digital version which was extensive.
Christian was admitted to 2 (?) Hospital from 14-7-41 to 20-7-41, this was months after the 28-3-41 accident. Would you know the location of this hospital and also on 27-6-41 was with 1 GD. Where was this establishment please.
Any help gratefully accepted.
Thank you,
Roy

[COL BRUGGY]

Hi Roy,

No.2 RAAF Hospital was located in Ascot Vale, a suburb of Melbourne. The Hospital itself was located in the Melbourne Showgrounds.

Christian was posted to No1 Embarkation Depot (1 ED), on 27/6/1941, which was also located at the Melbourne Showgrounds

Col.

[Roy Nixon]

Hi Col
You are on the ball, many thanks.
Regards
Roy

[COL BRUGGY]

Roy,

Tried to edit my last post, but the rascal got away from me !

Ref. used was:

Units of the Australian Air Force:A Concise History.
Vol.9 Ancillary Units.
RAAF Historical Unit (comps.).
Canberra:A.G.P.S.,1995.
pp.106-7 & 172.

Good Luck,
Col.

[Roy Nixon]

Hi Col
You are a star, many thanks.
I have yet to master this PC and never will. When I started my research 25 years ago it was all snail mail, but this is something else.
Thanks,
Roy