W/O Hill - No.502 Squadron, Halifax JP164, lost 29-30 August 1944

[Henofred]

Hello/Bonjour,

I would like to know if there is an Escape & Evasion report (…and if anyone has a copy) regarding W/O J.B. HILL (No.502 Squadron, Halifax JP164, lost 29-30 August 1944). It would seem that the latter was the subject of a POW exchange on November 29, 1944, in the Saint-Nazaire pocket. If no Escape & Evasion report exist, perhaps a report (from W/O Hill?) about the circumstances of the loss. I thank you beforehand for any assistance.

Best regards,
Frederic

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

Read this file:

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Sear...aspx?B=1072216

You will find some brief comments from W/O J. B . Hill, describing the loss of JP164, and his fate (see: pp.38 & 58-60 in particular).

Col.

[dennis_burke]

Theres more data about burials in Motz's RCAF file, I can look in more detail for you on ancestry.com if you want

[Henofred]

Hello/Bonjour,

Thank you both for your answers. Col., the documents accessible via the link are exceptional, they bring me details about the loss and Dennis, yes, I would be very pleased to learn more through the documents on Ancestry.

W/O J.B. HILL was picked up by a defense ship ((Hafenschutzboot) of the port of Saint-Nazaire. He was first treated at the Kriegsmarine Lazarett of La Baule, then sent to the POW camp of Montoir-de-Bretagne where - thanks to negotiations of US Captain Andrew G. Hodges -he was exchanged with others allied POW for German prisoners on 29 November 1944. I started with this information, an excerpt from the War Diary, Admiral Atlantic coast: "30.08.1944, 05:00 hours: Saint-Nazaire: ship HS-0015, four-engine enemy plane shot down. 1 man recovered". Once again, thank you.

Best regards,
Frederic