Bill Knaggs RIP

Kyt · Jan 25, 2008

BBC NEWS | Scotland | Tayside and Central | War hero author fondly remembered

Tributes have been paid to a World War II hero who has died at the age of 85.

Bill Knaggs, from Stanley in Perthshire, was one of only two crew members to survive when their plane was shot down over Normandy in 1944.

The RAF warrant officer recorded his escapades in a book called 'The Easy Trip'.

He would also give lectures to raise funds for the families of those who had helped people like him escape the Nazis.

Mr Knaggs had spent six nights making the dangerous trip to Rouen, where he was taken in by the French Resistance, after parachuting into France.

He did not speak a word of French, so had to pretend to be a worker who was deaf and unable to talk.

Charming bloke

That was enough to trick the Germans into taking him in a convoy to Paris, where he stayed in a number of safe houses.

He then travelled to a small village north of Paris, where he stayed until the area was liberated.

Mr Knaggs, who was born in Edinburgh, passed away at Perth Royal Infirmary on Monday.

His sister, Margaret Beacher, told the BBC Scotland news website: "He was a lovely gentleman, a really lovely gentleman.

"He was just a wonderful man, one of the old school."

She added that he gave talks to school children when they were studying that period.

"He did go to Luncarty near where he lived and he gave a talk there," she said.

"He always remembers the children, about a week later he got a load of things through the post from the school, with all pictures drawn of what they imagined had happened, which he was ever so pleased about."

Mr Knaggs spent the last 23 years of his life living at Stanley and was involved in a number of clubs.

He was the president of the Tayside branch of the Aircrew Association.

Fellow member Harry Davey, 76, said: "He was a tough character, he'd obviously lived through an awful lot during that phase of the war and since then with his illness and he'd been very determined to overcome all his problems.

"He was quite a gentleman, a very quietly spoken chap, but steely underneath."

Honorary secretary of the association, Geoff Kirkman, added: "To everyone he was a charming bloke, nice, friendly and kind to everybody."

Mr Knaggs' funeral service will be held on 1 February in Perth.
Click to expand...

War hero who fooled Nazis dies at 85 - Scotsman.com News

Kyt · Jan 25, 2008

His book:

Amazon.co.uk: The Easy Trip: The Loss of 106 Squadron Lancaster LL 975 Pommereval 24/25 June 1944: Amazon.co.uk:: Bill Knaggs

There was a shudder and a rasping noise throughout the Lancaster as we were raked from nose to tail by cannon fire from a night-fighter. It was obvious that we were in a desperate state; both port and starboard inner engines had caught fire, warm liquid flowed down my face, hydraulic fluid from the shattered front turret above my head. Within seconds Stan gave the orders no bomber crew hoped to hear. His actual words were, "We've had it boys bale out".
Click to expand...

Lancaster LL975 ZN-H
106 Squadron

24/25 June 1944

T/O 2225 from Metheringham to attack a flying-bomb site.

Those killed are buried in St.Sever cemetery extension at Rouen.

P/O S M Wright KIA
Sgt W S McPhaill PoW
F/Sgt H McP Smith KIA
Sgt W R Knaggs Evd
F/Sgt L J McGregor RAAF KIA
Sgt A T Clarke KIA
F/Sgt W Beutel RAAF KIA

Kyt · Jan 25, 2008

This is a fascinating article that includes Knaggs and LL975

http://www.defence.gov.au/RAAF/raafmuseum/aircrewaca/AIH/AIH15-cathcart.pdf

Log in or Sign up

Bill Knaggs RIP

Kyt Άρης

Kyt Άρης

Kyt Άρης

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Bill Knaggs RIP

Thread Tools

Kyt Άρης

Kyt Άρης

Kyt Άρης

Share This Page

Useful Searches