To:
1801860. Sgt G.J. YOUNG. (44 Squadron) R.A.F.
[THE DUISBERG RAID of 22nd MAY 1944]
R.A.F. DUNHOLME LODGE, LINCOLNSHIRE.
At 22:47pm Lancaster Bomber ND 976 (KM-R) left R.A.F. DUNHOLME LODGE with a normal crew of seven.
The aircraft apparently completed a successful bombing run over the target and turned for home.
On the return leg which was via the normal route over the Netherlands the aircraft was attacked and shot down by a night fighter. Three of the seven crew successfully baled out, but four were trapped and their bodies were found in the wreckage of the crippled bomber.
[THE CREW]
PILOT: P/O L.W. DUNN. R.A.A.F. (KILLED)
ENG: Sgt J. SOUTHERN. (KILLED)
NAV: F/Sgt D.V. AIREY.
(BALED OUT-P.O.W.)....Stalag Luft 7
BOMB:Sgt C. Mac FADYAN (KILLED)
Wop/Ag: Sgt I.B. THOMAS. (KILLED)
MU/Gunr:Sgt R.O. MURRAY R.C.A.F.
(BALED OUT-EVADED)
R/Gunr:Sgt G.J. YOUNG. (BALED OUT-P.O.W.) Stalag Luft 7
The aircraft crashed 8 miles N/W of Antwerp and landed in a water filled crater.
After their successful parachute escape from their burning Lancaster bomber, both Sgt Airey & Sgt Young may well have been 'on the run' for some time before capture as they were shot down on 22nd May but did not appear at Stalag Luft 7 until 21st July. For at least some of that two month period they were probably in a Luftwaffe holding unit.
As Sgt Murray successfully evaded it is thought that the trio were initially together but split up to avoid suspicion.
Further research via Sgt Murray's MI6 post evasion debriefing statement will no doubt reveal an exciting story and fully illuminate the full facts of the shoot down and the capture of Sergeants Airey & Young.
[THE LONG MARCH TO FREEDOM]
When the end of the war was approaching and while anticipating the imminent arrival of the Russians, the Germans proceeded to empty the eastern most POW camps and they marched the prisoners many hundreds of miles further into Germany. The conditions on the march were inhuman and many men died as they were deprived of food and water en route and as a consequence of the severe sub-zero conditions of snow and ice during what was the most brutal European winter in over a 100 years a large number of RAF prisoners of war perished.
A Rare & Compelling P.O.W. 'Caterpillar Club' Aircrew Europe P.O.W. Group of Three, Comprising the medals and his Gold Caterpillar Club Pin "With Red Eyes".
(Including an official gold wire woven Caterpillar blazer badge) .....in over 40 years we've never seen this badge before!!
Officially inscribed by Irvin Parachutes Ltd
"Sgt G.F. YOUNG".
SOLD