Cole, Eric Walter (Warrant Officer 2nd Class)

Killed in Action 1943-April-04

Warrant Officer 2nd Class Eric Walter Cole RCAF

Birth Date: 1909-January-02

Born:

Parents:

Spouse:

Home: Fenton, Huntingdonshire, England

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: unkown date

Service

RCAF

Unit

464 (B) Sqn- Squadron (RAAF)
Aequo Animo Equanimity

Base

RAF Methwold

Rank

Warrant Officer 2nd Class

Position

Wireless Air Gunner

Service Numbers

R/87628

Home
Google MapFenton, Huntingdonshire, England
Target
Google MapRotterdam Netherlands
Memorial Location
Google MapRunnymede Memorial Surrey
Panel 179

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 Grave Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Find-A-Grave Finadagrave.com

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

Mission

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).