ORB for 429 Sqn back from 20/2/44

John W · Group Captain

ORB for 429 Sqn back from 20/2/44

MikeH · Air Vice Marshall

Hi John,

you probably have seen the page below dedicated to the crew of Halifax LK993.

http://www.aircrewremembrancesociety.com/raf1944/2/bowenjack.html

The N/A online combat reports have an entry for a Sgt P Gilfeather of 420 Squadron for 12th March 1943.

1943http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7764841&queryType=1&resultcount=1.

Regards,

Mike H

-- Edited by MikeH on Wednesday 30th of November 2011 01:24:41 AM

John W · Group Captain

Hi Mike,

I knew about the aircrew society site, and I had a look at the combat site but I don't thinl its the same P Gilfeather.

Cheers,

John.

richard.k · Flight Sergeant

P. Gilfeather did a half dozen or so ops with 420 Squadron as part of the Sodero crew, then flew in 429 Squadron also on Wellingtons. He went missing while flying for 429 Squadron after converting to the Halifax.

John W · Group Captain

hi Richard,

Could you send me the list of raids he did. The reason for the request is a friend in Germany found his ID disc, not the one around his neck but one that was from a braclet. I have found his second cousin and my friend will return the id disc and I want to add to the story by boing a detailed list of his Ops.

Many thanks,

John.

richard.k · Flight Sergeant

Here you go.

Mar 12/13,1943 Essen Sodero

Mar 13/14,1943 Mining Sodero

Mar 26/27,1943 Duisburg Sodero

Mar 28/29,1943 St. Nazaire Sodero

Mar 29/30,1943 Bochum Sodero

Apr 4/5,1943 Kiel Sodero

Apr 10/11,1943 Frankfurt Sodero

Jun 25/26,1943 Essen Chipling

Jun 28/29,1943 Cologne Bowen

Jul 13/14,1943 Aachen Mitchell

Jul 24/25,1943 Hamburg Chipling

Jul 27/28,1943 Hamburg Bowen

Jul 29/30,1943 Hamburg Bowen

Aug 2/3,1943 Hamburg Smith

Aug 3/4,1943 Mining Mitchell

Sep 22/23,1943 Hannover Bowen

Sep 23/24,1943 Mannheim Bowen

Sep 27/28,1943 Hannover Bowen

Oct 3/4,1943 Kassel Bowen

Nov 18/19,1943 Mannheim Bowen

Dec 3/4,1943 Leipzig Bowen

Dec 24/25,1943 Mining Bowen

Dec 29/30, 1943 Berlin Bowen

Jan 28/29,1944 Berlin Bowen

Feb 15/16,1944 Berlin Bowen

Feb 19/20,1944 Leipzig Bowen missing

Regards, Richard

John W · Group Captain

Hi Richard,

Many thanks Richard I am sure it will be well received by his second cousin.

Iaasume the switch over from 420 Sqn to 429 happened after the Frankfurt raid of 10/11 April 1943? I

f you would like to see some photos of the disc and Gilfeather drop me a line on harley.158ATbigpond.com replace the AT with the usual.

Regards,

John.

richard.k · Flight Sergeant

Hello John. I guess would be that the Sodero crew was going to the Med theatre. Possible health issues with Gilfeather?

Richard

John W · Group Captain

Hi Richard,

Something I guess we will never know, what ever the reason he gave his all for his country. we could ask no more.

regards,

John.

John W · Group Captain

Hi Richard,

I see that Sodero the pilot and the W/op Hollowell were killed on the 1/6/43 while still with 420 Sqn and are remembered on the Runnymede Memorial. They were not on an Op listed with Bomber Command.

Do you have the orb's for 420 time in the Med?

Regards,

John.

Date: Dec 7, 2011

Hello John. This crew was lost without trace, transitting from England to North Africa.

Richard

John W · Group Captain

Hi Richard,

Many thanks mate, I thought as much.

Regards,

John.