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Chappell, Clifford Daniel Robert (Flight Lieutenant)

Prisoner of War 1942-July-29

Male Head

Birth Date: unkown date (age )

Home: Windsor, Ontario

Service
RCAF
Unit
37 (B) Sqn- Squadron
Rank
Flying Officer
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
Service Numbers
J/4693

Took off from Abu Sueir Egypt to bomb the shipping in the habour at Tobruk Libya.

The starboard engine seized over Tobruk so they reversed course and bombed the aerodrome as they left the city.

The port engine seized 48km from tobruk and the aircraft crashed.

The crew were relatively un-injured in the crash and decided to walk the 720km back to Abu Seiur.

The crew: P/O C E L Hare RCAF Sgt A E D Barra RAAF F/Lt C D R Chappell RCAF Sgt J ShirraRAAF Sgt A L Jones RAAF F/Sgt C R Warwick RAAF

They destroyed anything on the aircraft of a secret nature and damaged it sufficiently that it could not be flown, and started walking South-East.

After nine days they were near Buq Buq and tempers were beginning to fray. They decided to split up: The two Canadians intended heading towards the shore in search of a truck to steal. The four Australians intended to walk, seeking assistance from native arabs.

,P.The two Canadians were taken POW by Italian troops and shipped to Italy to a POW camp from which they escaped when Italy surrendered and returned to England.

The Australians walked for 22 days and were near exhaustion when they met up with British troops West of Alexandria.

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