TEMPEST CRASH GERMANY 1945

[staind]

Hello everybody
We have found here in germany the crash site of mr. Blee. Would dadrüber like to write an article. Has anyone a picture of the pilot Blee?

Best greetings from germany

Marcel

[staind]

Tempest V EJ697 P/O C E Blee

[errolmartyn]

Blee's air force career was a little different to the usual:

Charles Edward Blee
Born Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand, 18 Jan 17
Railway porter
Enlisted RNZAF as armourer under training 20 Oct 37
(RNZAF Service numbers not issued until Sep 38, his being 37183 – no NZ prefix in those days)
Took his discharge 28 Feb 39
Went overseas – as an overseer of a sugar plantation in South America
Enlisted RAF Euston as Aircrafthand/Pilot (service number 1390725) 31 May 41
Trained in the US under the Arnold Scheme
On return Britain posted to 4SS (became 4RS 1 Jan 43) 1 Dec 42
Discharged 20 Jun 43 (‘Has proved himself a reliable pilot and has given satisfaction both in this performance of his flying duties and as a senior NCO.’)
Re-enlisted RNZAF (service number NZ438131) 21 Jun 43
59 OTU 21 Sep 43
1TEU 24 Jan 44
3TEU 3 Apr 44
Litchfield 6 Jun 44
27 OTU
Commissioned 12 Oct 44
486 Sqn (Tempests)
Shot down by flak whilst on an armed recce of the Kiel area. Crash landed in friendly territory but suffered a broken arm and a dislocated back.
Posted to Reserve (as a Fg Off) 27 May 46

Mostly flew Proctors (in Training Command, 450 hrs) and Hurricanes (at OTU, 280 hrs), only 25 on Martinets; up to 19 Mar 45 had grand total hrs 1065, 650 as Flying Instructor. No decorations.

Died 9 Aug 98

The Air Force Museum of New Zealand might have a photo of him.

Errol

[77squadron]

I have a very good photograph of Chas Blee when at 27 OTU Litchfield, if you still need one

[Dave Homewood]

77 Squadron, I have sent you a Personal Message.