Petch, Douglas Hartley (Flying Officer)

Killed in Action 1943-November-18

Flying Officer Douglas Hartley Petch RCAF

Birth Date: 1921

Born:

Parents: George Ford Petch & Mary Kathleen Petch

Spouse:

Home: Gananoque, Ontario (parents)

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: unkown date

Service

RCAF

Unit

623 (B) Sqn- Squadron (RAF)

Base

RAF Downham Market

Rank

Flying Officer

Position

Pilot

Service Numbers

J/14027

Home
Google MapGananoque, Ontario (parents)
Target
Google MapMannheim Germany
Final Burial
Google MapSoldaten Friedhof Alliierte Piloten 2WK
Coll grave Plot 18 Row B Graves 6-10

Took off from Downham Market at 17:20 in Stirling Mk III (Sqn code IC-O Bomber Command) on an operation to Mannheim Germany.

Coned by searchlights, shot down by a night fighter and crashed at Edenkoben, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany.

Killed includes Petch: Sergeant Ronald Luscombe Gill RAF KIA Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany Pilot Officer Frank Markham RAF KIA Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany Pilot Officer William Gordon Moore RAAF KIA Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany F/Lt John Phillip Henry Wallace RAAF KIA Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.

POWs: Flying Officer Norman Lampard RAF POW Stalag Luft L1, Barth, Pomerania, POW# 1678. Sergeant Thomas Verdun Lewis RAF POW Stalag Luft L3, Sagan & Belaria POW# 43163. Sergeant John William Windle RAF POW Stalag 4B Muhlberg, Saxony, POW# 263522.

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

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

Unit Desciption

623 (B) Sqn (Sqn- 623)

No.623 Squadron was a short-lived heavy bomber squadron that took part in Bomber Command's strategic bombing offensive for three months. The squadron was formed on 10 August 1943 from a flight of No.218 Squadron, and flew its first operation on the same night.

The squadron was only operational for three months. It was then decided to increase the number of aircraft in each of No.5 Group's conversion units up to thirty-seven aircraft. No.623 Squadron was disbanded and its aircraft went to those conversion units while the crews went to Nos.90, 218 and 514 Squadrons.

During its short existence the squadron took part in 31 missions, flying 150 sorties for the loss of 10 aircraft, a very high rate of 6.7% and a sign of vulnerability of the Stirling. No. 623 Squadron (RAF): Second World War

Short on Luck (book) is an expanded edition of Steve Smith's earlier A Short War, larger format and in hardback. In particular, it contains the full squadron Operational Record Book, set in the context of each month's operational narrative. Complete with personal recollections and stories, and contemporary photographs, it provides a lasting testament to 623 Squadron, its crews and aircraft.