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Post Info TOPIC: Patrick Norman Croft 35 Squadron


Leading Aircraftsman

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Patrick Norman Croft 35 Squadron
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Hi, does anyone know anything post war about Pat Croft?

His best mate at OTU is wanting to find news of him. Until last Friday he thought Pat had been killed in 1943. I was able to find out that Pat and most of his crew had survived the shooting down of HR799 TL-R June 21 1943. Pat had evaded until betrayed by the notorious Belgian traitor Prosper de Zitter.  Pat was in Stalag 4B.

Does anyone else recall the traitor? (I think he called himself Jack Prosper) with a Canadian accent to lull aircrew into a false sense of security. He had a couple of helpers, one I think called himself Lieutenant Edward Denis Pollock. What happened to him?

Any other info on the Halifax crew P/O W.H. Hickson RNZAF, (now sadly deceased, but son and grandson still on Aviation forums looking for info) Sgt F.S. Maltas PoW; F/S A.D. Hutchinson RCAF PoW; Sgt P.N. Croft PoW; Sgt J.H. Graham RCAF PoW; Sgt J.F. Dowling PoW or an Alfie (or Albert) Potiphar who was not on that mission but was their usual rear gunner?

Thanks in advance
Kevin



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Air Vice Marshall

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Hi Kevin,

you probably have seen the link below regarding F/Sgt H.J.Krohn RAAF.

Mike.



http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/P04310.015



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Air Commodore

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Hi-There is also a posting on the board at RAF Commands Forum regarding Alfie/Charles Albert Potiphar.
I have just noticed it!

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Linda R Ibrom


Leading Aircraftsman

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Mike H: It takes me to only a photo, is there more that I've missed from your link?
We seem to have simultaneous searches going on for various members of the crew of 35 Sqdn (Pathfinders) HR799 TL-R shot down (apparently by another Halifax?) while leading the raid on Krefeld early on 22nd June 1943.
I am trying to find Patrick Norman Croft who was betrayed by the Belgian traitor Proper de Zillers on 7th August and ended up in Stalag 4B. other members of that crew were Charles Albert (Allfie?) Potiphar (although I believe he was not on this mission), Harry Krohne (various spellings) as well as Pilot Hickson whose relatives are also participating in some forums.
Is there something strange happening here? Why all these enquiries suddenly on one crew??
Perhaps we all need to pool our efforts instead of all doing our own thing? Please send me a message with your views.
PS Linda, thanks for your help, also Hickson family.


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Air Vice Marshall

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Hi Kevin,

I only found the photo when searching for Harry Krohne, sorry to say no other link.   Wishing you all the best trying to find Norman Croft. 


Mike.


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Wing Commander

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Hello Kevin,

Here you can find the information about Prosper de Zitter. He lived in Canada from 1913 to 1926
http://home.clara.net/clinchy/neeb2a1.htm
Greetings from Belgium,

Alexander


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      HIS NAME I OFT RECALL.
      THERE IS NOTHING LEFT
            TO ANSWER
BUT HIS PICTURE ON THE WALL


Leading Aircraftsman

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Goede moergen, Alexander
Thanks for the link, which is where I got the information on Pat Croft from. Nasty piece of work, seems to have had a long criminal record for fraud and marriage irregularities. Pity they didn't just keep him in a cell throughout the war.
Good news is that we may have a P Croft in Blackpool where his parents lived, only other was death of P N Croft in 2002 in Middlesex, so hope for the first, maybe.
So, hoping for good news in due course.
Tot ziens
Kevin


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Wing Commander

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Hello Kevin,

Wish you lot of luck in your research...my experience is that finding family members or veterans is the most difficult part of research...
Concerning the Belgian collaborators during WW2...this is still a very sensitive subject here in Belgium! My grandfather was a member of the Underground forces during WW2 and I can remember his stories about the "hunting" of collaborators during and at the end of WW2! There was no mercy for them.
Greetings from Belgium,

Alexander

__________________
      HIS NAME I OFT RECALL.
      THERE IS NOTHING LEFT
            TO ANSWER
BUT HIS PICTURE ON THE WALL


Leading Aircraftsman

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Just a brief update:
we may have further information about Pat, came from the Blackpool area so Blackpool Gazette now running an appeal for info.
Families of Hickson, Hutchinson and Maltas also involved, you never know there could be a crew reunion (in cyberspace) yet!!

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Air Commodore

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That's great,hopefully it will lead to something.Do make sure that you see it "in print",as i have written to newspapers in the past who have promised to add my search,but never have.


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Linda R Ibrom
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