1621962 Flying Officer Douglas Saunders (RAF) was posted as KIA on 07/04/1944 while with 256 Sqn, Mediterranean Allied Air Force (MAAF). His records show him as an Observer (Radip). What I am searching for (on behalf of his last surviving relative) is as follows; How did he die? Who was his pilot? What was the mission? Has anyone access to a picture of him? His last (childless) living relative has donated his medals to a local heritage centre and we are trying to produce a display to honour his sacrifice. Appreciate your help. Alan B.
Hi Alan, Welcome to the forum. Have you looked him up on the CWGC website? I have and I am unable to find a reference to him under any section at all for 1944 or any other year for that matter I have searched for all "Saunders" and not found anybody that meets that criteria. Is the name spelt correctly? Cheers Geoff
My sources are not up to tracing individual aircraft or crew, but I can say that 256 Squadron was a Night-Fighter unit equipped with the Mosquito NF XII, and in April 1944 was based in Malta providing night cover to the Italian front. It moved to Algeria at some point in that month; whether this had happened by 7th is is not clear.
Thanks Geoff. I have him on the CWGC (casualty=2242518), he was buried at Le Petit Lac Cemetery, Algeria. I also have his service records which confirm his death such; "Missing, killing in action (FB) casualty to aircraft". Many thanks for trying. Appreciate the help and your message of welcome. Alan B.
Thanks Adrian, At the time of His death, 256 was in Algeria. I have managed to trace that part from Sqn movement records. I am hoping that, if I can ever get down to London, that I'll find something in the NAtional Archives. My problem is a lack of mobility so travel is not so easy. Many thanks for your input. Much appreciated. Alan B.
Hi Alan, Sorry for missing the CWGC entry. I was still on the computer at 1:30am and must have been too tired. I was scanning the entries looking for his service number which I thought you had on your first post (1621962?) which is in fact 147284. I do have RAAF lads buried at Le Petit Lac and hoped one of the crew was Australian as I would have been able to provide all the details minus the photo however not to be. There is a RAAF lad (Flying Officer Wesley John White) of 3ADU (Ferry Unit??) buried just four places away from Douglas in grave 12 however he was killed on 3rd of June 1944. Hopefully forum member CXX may have the details. Cheers Geoff
Hi Alan, On spec I looked through the rest of the deaths that day and the next to see if there were any other crew(s) killed. On the 7th there was Douglas Saunders and this Pilot below: VEITCH, JOHN FRANCIS, J F Flying Officer ( Pilot ) 136470Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve07/04/1944 27 Plot E. Row D. Grave 16. Might be of some use to you if in fact he was the pilot and his relatives still live in Surrey. Son of Alfred John and May Bertha Veitch, of Woodhatch, Reigate, Surrey. Cheers Geoff
Hi Alan, I didn't have the details of this loss myself so I asked one of my contacts - Col Bruggy - and he came up with the following. Hope its a help Regards Peter 7-4-1944 No.256 Sqn. Mosquito NF.XIII MM444 Crashed in bad weather Sebkra d'Oran, Algeria 136470 F/O (Pilot) John Francis VEITCH RAFVR + 147284 F/O (Nav.) Douglas SAUNDERS RAFVR + Both buried Le Petit Lac Cemetery, Algeria.
Thanks Peter and Col Bruggy! Thought it may hav e been a Mossie and P.P Veitch. We have the who, any ideas on the where and why?? Cheers Geoff
He's mentioned here in the Gazette .... but I don't know why I'm afraid ! - 2nd March 1943 976505 John Francis VEITCH (136470) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35923/supplements/1029/page.pdf Heres a bit of background on the squadron - you guys may see a some clue here ! No 256 Squadron
Wow! What a team! There wa me thinking I'd got a fair bit of experience in this game - admittedly most of my lookups have been hello people to find Pongos - but you lot certainly take some beating. I caint wait until I get to see Dougie (the 65 year old surviving descendant) next week. He is going to be thrilled that we have got this far. I've got a lot more work to do now, I guess, but the light appears to have been turned on! MAny thanks to you all. Great response and VERY appreciated. Alan B. (I feel I should add a smily face of something. Problem is, I hate the little beggers! Take it as read however; I am smiling!)
Veitch & saunders Just had a quick look through the London Gazette. Besides serving and dying together, both of these men have two entries in the gazette. They both were commissioned as a Pilot Officer from the ranks and then were both confirmed as Flying Officers. The commissioning from the ranks explains the two service numbers each member has. LONDON GAZETTE, 2 MARCH, 1943 Leading Aircraftsman (LAC) 976505 John Francis VEITCH - to PLTOFF 136470 LONDON GAZETTE, 6 AUGUST, 1943 - PLTOFF VEITCH 136470 to FLGOFF *************************************************************** LONDON GAZETTE, 19 OCTOBER, 1943 Leading Aircraftsman (LAC) 1621962 Douglas SAUNDERS - to PLTOFF 147284 LONDON GAZETTE, 28 JANUARY, 1944 - PLTOFF SAUNDERS 147284 to FLGOFF I can't find much else...
Annie, the Gazette refers to his Commission - 1st number is his enlisted SN, the 2nd his new SN as a PO
Thanks Jerome ... I understand now ! I see Dave got it right !! I still have a hard time getting my head around the LG !! Annie
