steve218
Warrant Officer
No.218 (Gold Coast) Squadron Association Historian & No.623 Squadron Researcher
Posts: 40
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Post by steve218 on Nov 24, 2014 9:30:52 GMT 12
Hi,
Looking for any experts on Stalag Luft III. Recently been sent some photographs of a funeral of a unknown "RAF" airman who sadly went "around the bend" during captivity and was shot while attempting to go over the wire in daylight.
The information I was sent mentions that he may have been commonwealth aircrew. Any pointers most welcome.
Cheers Steve
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Post by Luther Moore on Nov 24, 2014 11:35:01 GMT 12
Can you post the photo so we can see the uniform?
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Nov 24, 2014 13:14:07 GMT 12
I first became aware of Stalag Luft III as a kid back in the early 1960s, not because of the Great Escape, but because I used pocket money to purchase a second-hand book at a book fair called “Stolen Journey” by Oliver Philpot. He was one of the three men who successfully escaped from the POW camp using a wooden vaulting horse as a prop in digging an escape tunnel.
Many decades later, I've still got that book somewhere (most likely packed in a box in my shed).
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steve218
Warrant Officer
No.218 (Gold Coast) Squadron Association Historian & No.623 Squadron Researcher
Posts: 40
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Post by steve218 on Nov 25, 2014 7:25:13 GMT 12
Gents,
Thank you both for your post. At this time I am not in a position to post, awaiting family members permission. Sadly the uniform will not help although airman wearing Army coats, picture taken winter time.
Regards
Steve
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Post by Luther Moore on Nov 25, 2014 8:03:36 GMT 12
Well don't give up. I have a few photos that I'm trying to figure out as well. I have one of a P-47, I can see the most of the serial number except two numbers and it drives me crazy trying to figure it out, been on it for two years now. I also have a group photo of some pilots with their names on the back and yet I still can't track any of them. My Great Uncle's Stirling was shot down over the North Sea, he and three others were killed, three of them bailed out and survived. They were picked up and became prisoners and were all sent to Luft III. I know one died a few years ago and I can't find the other two. Shame he isn't still with us, I could of asked him for you. Give this site (below) a check or email the guy who runs it. He is a nice guy and put me in contact with the Granddaughter of one of the chaps from my great Uncles crew that passed away. www.wartimememories.co.uk/main.html
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steve218
Warrant Officer
No.218 (Gold Coast) Squadron Association Historian & No.623 Squadron Researcher
Posts: 40
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Post by steve218 on Nov 25, 2014 8:28:54 GMT 12
Dear Luther,
Thank you for the heads up mate. Will give it a try. Not sure if your great uncle was a member of No.75(NZ) Squadron, there is a tremendous network of researchers and historians for this wonderful squadron, sadly dear old 218 & 623 get very little interest these days and the squadron's record keeping was at best terrible. In August 1945 the temporary CO of 218 ordered the majority of the records to be burnt...... !!! When I spoke to him in 2005 he still got upset to think of what he did.
Kind regards
Steve
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Post by Luther Moore on Nov 25, 2014 10:31:28 GMT 12
He was a member of No.149 Squadron RAF and was based at Lakenheath. I made a 149 facebook page a couple of years ago and joined teams with a 149 researcher to help people who are researching relatives. I must admit, he does most of the work lol It's not easy to find records to help people but we do what we can.
That CO made a huge mistake but understandable.
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