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Old 27-03-2008, 11:36 PM   #5 (permalink)
Antipodean Andy
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They're all from the Crete raid, Spidgeman. There's a comment in the book that several crews were lost without trace so I imagine this is why they're on the Alamein memorial?

BETTERIDGE, ARTHUR FREDERICK - Baltimore FA409. Other three crew - F/O CA Irvine RNZAF (pilot); F/S MF McLurg; F/S DW Baker RNZAF - were taken prisoner.

HARNETT, GEOFFREY WILLIAM - Baltimore FA224 (pilot). Rest of crew also died and were RICH, JOHN FREDERICK; COX, CHRISTOPHER FREDERICK; HARRIS, RONALD OSWALD.

MOON, LOUIS WILLIS - Baltimore AG869. Rest of crew also died and were BAYLY, FRANCIS PAUL (pilot); GILES, DONALD BRUCE; GODDARD, JOHN ENDACOTT.

FLETCHER, JOHN - Baltimore FA247. Rest of crew also died and were REILLY, BERESFORD STANLEY; BAKER, EDGAR FRANCIS; P/O LD BLOMLEY, RAFVR (pilot).

WEDGEWOOD, KEITH STEWART - one of the WOP/AG from the S/L Folkard crew and the only member of that crew to be killed. NAA records spell his name as Wedgwood.

So, while 13 RAAF members of 454 were lost, the actual cost, of the eight aircraft and 32 crew on the trip, was 14 killed, six POW and six aircraft lost.

Hope this helps a little.
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Aircraft from No. 60 Squadron levelling out for the "run in" to make a mast-head attack on a Japanese coaster off Akyab. Courtesy AWM.
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