Hello,
Beaufighter T.F.X NE746:MB-Q.
Col.
Hello everyone
can anyone give me a n ID for the 236 Sqn Beaufighter lost on September 12th 1944, crewed by W/C E W Tacon and F/O W B Wardle? It was shot down near Den Helder.
Many thanks.
Simon
Hello,
Beaufighter T.F.X NE746:MB-Q.
Col.
Brilliant Col, thank you so much.
Simon
Can anybody tell ne what was the cause of the loss please ?
It was shot down by flak while attacking shipping at Den Helder. One of 39 Beaufighters sent on an anti-shipping strike, they sank a destroyer and three smaller ships, as well as attacking land-based targets including a barracks and radar position.
Two Beaufighters were lost to anti-aircraft fire, including NE746. F/O Wilfred Brian Wardle (Navigator/AG) was killed, and pilot W/C Ernest William Tacon injured and taken PoW. He would later command the The King's Flight at RAF Benson, and became Commandant, Central Fighter Establishment for two years, and then Air Commodore at Fighter Command HQ, Bentley Priory. There's an obituary on the Daily Telegraph's website, which includes a description of NE746's loss:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1441460/Air-Commodore-Bill-Tacon.html
Simon
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