W/C Alan M Bowman DFC and Bar

[spidge]

Originally Posted by Kyt

Yes, though service numbers were rarely listed in the LG before the war (or even during it for W/C and above). Makes LG searches rather tricky sometimes.

Australians usually had either "Aus.XXXXX" and/or "RAAF" in their LG entry

What makes you say his number is RAF?

[Kyt]

Originally Posted by spidge

What makes you say his number is RAF?

By the ommission of the aforementioned prefix and/or suffix. For example, RCAF members would have "J/" or "R/" infront of their numbers, indicating officer or NCO/enlisted.

It doesn't appear thus for Australians on the CWGC but here's a random example:

Name: McLEOD, LEWIS ARTHUR JOHN
Initials: L A J
Nationality: Australian
Rank: Squadron Leader
Regiment/Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Age: 24
Date of Death: 22/06/1944
Service No: 413409
Awards: D F C
Additional information: Son of Roderick and Bertha McLeod, of Burwood, New South Wales, Australia.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 18. D. 5.
Cemetery: REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY

and his citation for the DFC in the LG:

Acting Squadron Leader Lewis Arthur John McLEOD (Aus.413409), Royal Australian Air Force.. No. 50 Squadron.

This officer has completed numerous sorties against strongly defended targets and has invariably pressed home his attacks with great determination. He is a highly efficient flight commander, .whose sterling qualities have been reflected in the success of the flight he commands. During his tour, Squadron Leader McLeod has attacked Berlin on 7 occasions.,

Gazette Issue 36439 published on the 21 March 1944. Page 1 of 4

[Antipodean Andy]

24 and an S/L. Makes you wonder if a 24 year old could do that today. I know I couldn't have when I was 24.

[Kyt]

I should add that this is very very annoying because if one took his service number - 413409 - from the CWGC and entered it into the LG, you wouldn't get any results, or they would be possibly for an RAF member. You would need to use Aus.413409 (noting that there is no space, and to remember to include the full stop - but even that doesn't always work).

[Antipodean Andy]

I think when I entered Bowman in the CWGC I initially included his service number, just the number. It didn't like it so I removed it and up he came. Might have got that ar*e about so happy to be proven wrong!

[Kyt]

Originally Posted by Andy in West Oz

24 and an S/L. Makes you wonder if a 24 year old could do that today. I know I couldn't have when I was 24.

The too often sad fact was that being made S/L wasn't just a reflection of the person's ability (though that was a large part of it) but also the rate of attrition. As the war went on the senior ranks became younger and younger as the older ones were killed.

The only real comparison for the loss/rank correlation for Bomber Command that I can imagine off the top of my head was the Waffen SS. In both instances, the officers were there on the frontline continually, and the rates killed were thus much much higher.

[spidge]

Originally Posted by Andy in West Oz

24 and an S/L. Makes you wonder if a 24 year old could do that today. I know I couldn't have when I was 24.

Don't sell yourself short Andy. You didn't have to!

[spidge]

Originally Posted by Kyt

Acting Squadron Leader Lewis Arthur John McLEOD (Aus.413409), Royal Australian Air Force.. No. 50 Squadron.
Gazette Issue 36439 published on the 21 March 1944. Page 1 of 4

Thanks Kyt,

I missed that last line of your previous post.

I found him on the CWGC although I never put a nationality last time and it didn't come up.

BOWMAN, ALAN MCDONALD
Wing Commander32138 30/11/1941 30Royal Air ForceUnited KingdomColumn 239.ALAMEIN MEMORIAL

[Antipodean Andy]

Further info from Brian Cull over on rafcommands:

Your man was unfortanetly killed by so-called friendly fire on
30/11/41. His Blenheim Z7589 (from Communications Flight HQ ME) was shot down by AA fire when approaching Gialo Oasis – also on board were G/Capt CJS Dearlove, P/O FCG Wilson, F/S JS McLaren, Capt FC Benn - all of whom were killed. Apparently the Blenheim approachedthe airfield from wrong direction and did not give any recognition signals. Shot down at 1400 hrs.

"Alas! Poor Al was shot down by one of our own gunners who mistook his Blenheim for a Ju88 when flying G/Capt Cuthbert Dearlove to inspect an Oasis landing ground. Al was one of many splendid and forceful leaders that the RAF could ill-afford to lose." (Wg Cdr Pelly-Fry)

Hope this helps
Cheers
Brian