Booth, Ralph Edward (Pilot Officer)

Prisoner of War 1943-August-28

Male Head

Birth Date: unkown date

Born:

Parents:

Spouse:

Home: Quesnel, British Columbia

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: unkown date

Service

RCAF

Unit

623 (B) Sqn- Squadron (RAF)

Base

RAF Downham Market

Rank

Pilot Officer

Position

Service Numbers

J/18297
PoW: 222669

Home
Google MapQuesnel, British Columbia
Target
Google MapNuremberg Germany
Temporary Burial
Google MapBirkenfeld Cemetery, Birkenfeld Germany

Took off from Downham Market at 21:22 in Stirling Mk III (Sqn code: IC-H Bomber Command) on an operation to Nuremberg Germany.

Shot down by the combination of a night-fighter and 'friendly fire' from another Halifax, and crashed at Birkenfeld Germany.

Killed: Pilot Officer Griffith Llewellyn Jenkins RAF KIA Durnbach War Cemetery grave 1. K. 16.

POWs includes Booth: Sergeant Jack Dickinson RAF POW Stalag 4B Muhlberg (Elbe). Sergeant Arthur Victor Hawkins RAF POW Stalag 4B Muhlberg (Elbe). Flying Officer Edward Guy Pierce RAF POW Stalag Luft L3 Sagan and Belaria. Sergeant J N Schofield RAF POW Stalag 4B Muhlberg (Elbe). Flying Officer Jack Shaw RAF POW Stalag Luft L3 Sagan and Belaria.

Crew or Other Personnel

Stirling EE909

Pilot Officer Ralph Edward Booth RCAF

Pilot Officer Booth, Ralph Edward (RCAF)

Prisoner of War
1943-August-28
cemetery unknown

Sergeant Jack Dickinson RAF

Sergeant Dickinson, Jack (RAF)

Prisoner of War
1943-August-28
cemetery unknown

Sergeant Arthur Victor Hawkins RAF

Sergeant Hawkins, Arthur Victor (RAF)

Prisoner of War
1943-August-28
cemetery unknown

Pilot Officer Griffith Llewellyn Jenkins RAF

Pilot Officer Jenkins, Griffith Llewellyn (RAF)
Pilot
Killed in Action
1943-August-28
cemetery unknown

Flying Officer Edward Guy Pierce RAF

Flying Officer Pierce, Edward Guy (RAF)

Prisoner of War
1943-August-28
cemetery unknown

Sergeant J N Schofield RAF

Sergeant Schofield, J N (RAF)

Prisoner of War
1943-August-28
cemetery unknown

Flying Officer Jack Shaw RAF

Flying Officer Shaw, Jack (RAF)

Prisoner of War
1943-August-28
cemetery unknown

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.