LYDER 180 Sqdn

**Amrit** · 22nd November 2008, 20:37

Does anyone have a Mitchell loss associated with E F G Lyder (180 Squadron)? I don't have date I'm afraid, not even an approximation. Sorry

He is on Ross' POW list, but with no POW number. I have found him in the LG as having been awarded a DFC with 180 in 1945.

cheers

A

**COL BRUGGY** · 23rd November 2008, 06:39

Hi Amrit,

No one wants to play !

9/8/1944.
No.180 Squadron
Mitchell II FW113

Shot down by Flak, Foret de Lyon.

F/O E G F Lyder PoW
F/O T C Good PoW
W/O R G Walker PoW
F/O C M Walkden Wounded/PoW/Evaded ?

See: 2nd Tactical Air Force, Volume Two
Shores & Thomas.
pp.252-3

Have fun
Col.

**Amrit** · 23rd November 2008, 08:07

Thank you CB, that's excellent. Lyder was a (black) Trinidadian who appears to have been involved in flying before and after the war, and joined the RAF in 1939.

I even found a photo of him in a 1936 edition of Flight magazine.

Thanks again for your help. Do you know whether FW175 was a 180 Squadron aircraft, and lost on the same mission as well?

A

**COL BRUGGY** · 23rd November 2008, 08:56

FW175 lost on same mission.

9/8/1944
No.180 Squadron
Mitchell II FW175

Shot down by Flak, Foret de Lyon.

S/L R Wood +
Sgt H G John Evaded
Sgt G H Flintoft PoW
F/O E R Goddard +

Other No.180 Squadron casualty:-

Mitchell II FL210 Category Ac

Hit by Flak, Foret de Lyon

Sgt E Burn
P/O A C Kirk Wounded
Sgt G V Smith
Sgt J R Freeman

Same ref.

Cheers,
Col.

**Amrit** · 24th November 2008, 00:42

Thanks for the additional info, Col

regards
A

**HughAHalliday** · 24th November 2008, 03:13

LYDER, Ernest Garth Fidler, F/O (138123, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve) - No.180 Squadron - Distinguished Flying Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 26 January 1945. Trained in Canada at No.35 EFTS. Public Record Office Air 2/9045 has citation drafted when he had flown 45 sorties (102 flying hours). A prisoner of war when award made.

"This officer has completed numerous operational sorties. Many of these have been against heavily defended targets. As a pilot he has displayed great flying ability and his leadership in the face of danger has always been determined and reliable. On one occasion, one engine of his aircraft was set on fire as a result of enemy action and the aircraft was so badly damaged that Flying Officer Lyder ordered his crew to abandon it by parachute. One parachute was lost so he decided to crash land the crippled aircraft. This he successfully achieved but was taken prisoner of war by the enemy."