Catalina FP375 - 209 Squadron

Thread: Catalina FP375 - 209 Squadron

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  1. Tail End Charlie said: 16th May 2009 07:34

    Default Catalina FP375 - 209 Squadron

    I am currently researching the crew of a 209 squadron Catalina which was lost 7th June 1943.

    Would any member happen to have any further info regarding FP375 or her crew?

    I know that the pilot was F/Lt J. A. B. Kennedy.

    Kind regards,

    TEC
     

  2. COL BRUGGY said: 16th May 2009 10:12

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    Hello TEC,

    7-6-1943
    259 Sqn.
    Catalina IB FP275

    Crashed on approach at St. Lucia.

    114309 F/L ( ? ) Jack Arthur Burdett KENNEDY + (209 Sqn.)
    CAN J/12453 F/O (Pilot) David Tasker ALEXANDER RCAF + (209 Sqn. attd. 259 Sqn.)
    116523 F/L (Nav.) Dennis William FOSTER + (209 Sqn.)
    812088 Sgt (F/E) Henry Douglas Gerald SHAW + (209 Sqn.)
    1197078 Sgt (W.Op./Air Gnr.) Kenneth Graham GAMBELL + (209 Sqn.)
    964787 Sgt (W.Op./Air Gnr.) Kenneth George GRIFFITHS + (209 Sqn.)
    1545292 Sgt (F.M.Eng./Air Gnr.) Edward LYNCH + (209 Sqn. attd. 259 Sqn.)
    1499479 Sgt (F.M.Airf./Air Gnr.) Edward STEVENS + (209 Sqn attd. 259 Sqn.)

    All buried Durban (Stellawood) Cemetery.

    Others will confirm/add details.

    Col.
    Last edited by COL BRUGGY; 16th May 2009 at 10:49. Reason: minor correction
     

  3. CZ_RAF said: 16th May 2009 10:52

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    Hi,

    I can confirm that according to Air Briatain RAF serial there was no Catalina FP375, only FP275 as Col. wrote and her fate was:

    Stalled on approach, St. Lucia, Natal, 7.6.43. Destroyed by fire.

    Pavel
    Czechoslovak Airmen in the RAF 1940-1945
    http://cz-raf.webnode.cz
     

  4. Ragnar J. Ragnarsson said: 16th May 2009 11:07

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    The Catalina in question was FP275 (FP375 is not an legitimate Catalina s/n) of 259 Sqn, code letter "E", while its crew were of 209 Sqn. It stalled on an night approach at Lake St. Lucia 07Jun43, while returning from an antisubmarine escort mission.

    The reason E/259 was manned by a 209 Sqn crew is that their aircraft, O/209 (AH548), was unserviceable and it was decided they'd fly E/259 until O/209 was servicable again as E/259's crew was grounded on account of illness.

    I have little to add to Col's message except confirm that according to my records Kennedy's rank was F/L. Also, my information is that one of the crew escaped the crash, Sgt. N.A. Workman.

    Ragnar
     

  5. Tail End Charlie said: 17th May 2009 18:35

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    Hi folks,

    Thank you so much for the information. I am now aware of how the unfortunate crew met their fate.

    It looks like I made a mistake on the S/N so appologies for any confusion this may have caused.

    I note that there appears to have been 2 pilots in the crew - would this have been a usual occurance considering the long flights or was this not usual?

    Kind regards,

    TEC
     

  6. David Duxbury said: 17th May 2009 21:34

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    TEC,
    Second pilots on larger Coastal Command aircraft was quite usual, right through the period of WW2. Pre-war it was even possible in the large flying boats to have three pilots, with one acting as the observer/navigator, as qualified observers at that time were in extremely short supply.
    David D