Cole, Richard Martyn (Flight Sergeant)

Killed in Action 1944-July-24

Flight Sergeant Richard Martyn Cole RCAF

Birth Date: 1922-April-08

Born: Hamilton Ontario

Parents:

Spouse:

Home: Hamilton, Ontario

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: unkown date

Service

RCAF

Unit

226 (B) Sqn- Squadron (RAF)
Non Sibi Sed Patriae For country not for self

Base

RAF Hartford Bridge

Rank

Flight Sergeant

Position

Wireless Air Gunner

Service Numbers

R/186051

Home
Google MapHamilton, Ontario
Target
Google MapCaen, France
Memorial Location
Google MapRunnymede Memorial Surrey
Panel 254

Took off from Hartford Bridge to bomb enemy troop concentrations south of Caen, France.

While over France the aircraft was hit by flak. The pilot nursed the aircraft over the Channel, then ordered the crew to bale out.

Killed includes Cole: Flying Officer Gordon Arnold Green RCAF J/29232 KIA Runnymede Memorial Panel 246. Flying Officer Leonard William Pattyson RCAF J/35167 KIA Runnymede Memorial Panel 247. Flying Officer William Henry James Mills RAF KIA Runnymede Memorial Panel 208.

Sergeant John P Werbowecki RCAF, the navigator was the only crew member picked up by a rescue launch.

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

Mitchell Mitchell II series ii FW210

Bombing 1944-July-24 to 1944-July-24

() Sqn (RAF) Hartford Bridge

Ramrod

Mitchell aircraft FW 210 was hit by flak during a bombing operation against enemy troop concentrations south of Caen, France. The crew was forced to bail out over the English Channel west of Brest, France. F/Os G. Green and L.W. Pattyson were also killed. One Canadian member of the crew states he was the first out of the aircraft and saw three other parachutes. Air-sea rescue stated there were other boats in the vicinity that might have picked up the others who bailed out.

12 Mitchell.II aircraft of 226 Squadron in company with 48 MITCHELLS from 139 WING were detailed to attack Wood U1160, containing a large concentration of troops, heavy and mobile guns. All aircraft did not bomb. The first box was unable to bomb, owing to the navigator of the lead aircraft being wounded on the bombing run and aircraft No.2 became out of control, with its port engine on fire. The second box was unable to bomb, owing to the G.H. operator of the leading aircraft being off track. 1 aircraft is missing, the crew baling out 30 to 40 miles N of CAEN and were seen to take to their K type dinghies, 1 Navigator was wounded in another aircraft. 1 aircraft landed in the beachead at B5. 4 aircraft received minor damage from flak. Very intense and accurate flak over the target area.

source: RAF Squadron 226 Operating Record Book