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Cole, Eric Walter (Warrant Officer 2nd Class)

Killed in Action 1943-April-04

Birth Date: 1909-January-02 (age 34)

Home: Fenton, Huntingdonshire, England

Service
RCAF
Unit
464 (B) Sqn- Squadron (RAAF)
Aequo Animo Equanimity
Base
RAF Methwold
Rank
Warrant Officer 2nd Class
Marshal
Air Chief MarshalA/C/M
Air MarshalA/M
Air Vice MarshalA/V/M
Air CommodoreA/C
Group CaptainG/C
Wing CommanderW/C
Squadron LeaderS/L
Flight LieutenantF/L
Flying OfficerF/O
Pilot OfficerP/O
Warrant Officer 1st ClassWO1
Warrant Officer 2nd ClassWO2
Flight SergeantFS
SergeantSGT
CorporalCPL
Senior AircraftmanSAC
Leading AircraftmanLAC
Aircraftman 1st ClassAC1
Aircraftman 2nd ClassAC2
Position
Wireless Air Gunner
Service Numbers
R/87628

Ventura Mk. II AJ169

Ferry Flight 1943-April-04 to 1943-April-04

464 (B) Sqn (RAAF) RAF Methwold, Norfolk, England
464 Australia Squadron (Aequo Animo). Ventura aircraft AJ 169 was on a mission to bomb the docks at Rotterdam, Holland. There was considerable opposition over the target area with heavy and accurate flak and several aircraft were damaged. AJ169 was hit over the target area but continued in formation until about 40 miles from the Dutch coast when it lagged behind, lost height and eventually ditched and was believed finished off by enemy fighters in the vicinity. A search sent out later in the day was unsuccessful. Casualties included W/O2 E.W. Cole (RCAF), W/O W.W. Collens (RAAF), Flt. Sgt. D.F. Fulford (RAAF), and Flt. Sgt. A.L. Lush (RAF).

Took off from Methwold at 18:00 in Ventura Mk II to bomb the docks at Rotterdam, Holland.

Aircraft was hit over the target by the heavy and accurate flak, and later crashed in the North Sea about 40 miles from the Dutch coast. A search sent out later in the day was unsuccessful.

Killed includes Cole: WO William Wallace Collens RAAF KIA Runnymede Memorial Panel 191. Flight Sergeant Dudley Francis Fulford RAAF KIA Runnymede Memorial Panel 192. Flight Sergeant Albert Leonard Lush RAF pilot KIA Runnymede Memorial Panel 137.

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Find-A-Grave.com Finadagrave.com

Canada Primary Source Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

Warrant Officer 2nd Class Eric Walter Cole has no known grave.

Home
Google MapFenton, Huntingdonshire, England
Target
Google MapRotterdam Netherlands

Google MapRunnymede Memorial Surrey
Panel 179

Ventura AJ169

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