hello Pat I highlighted where Balloch was finally a PoW back on 6 April, when I mentioned that 9 "B" RAF PoW's were from South Rhodesia - also the pdf shows 151 Squadron and not 165 though, and also "after taken prisoner, killed in action, unconfirmed"!! Unfortunately for us "Footprints on the sands of time" although mentioning some RAF fighter pilots in the chapters (Hence how I found out about a 130 (Punjab) Squadron Australian pilot being murdered shortly after capture - and not just lynched at the time) is a list of Bomber Command PoW's in Germany, and doesn't cover the other RAF aircrew losses. regards Allan
Hi Allan and Pat, My Mum and i have come across this thread as we are researching her Uncle, my Great Uncle, who was a Spitfire Pilot in 165 Sqn. He was Rhodesian and was called Frank Balloch, who she knows was taken POW after being shot down. She remembers growing up with him, and he always had a limp and a bad knee, so a lot of this would appear to tie in. She is out at the moment, but if you let me know what information you have on him, then she can piece together some more of the information for you. One important piece is that he was not KIA, as she grew up with him post WW2. Looking forwards to hearing back from you and piecing this all together, Many Thanks, Gareth & Lyn Chandler
Well here is what I have. A&D Entry No. 73 Rank WO Svc No. 776173 Name Balloch, Frank Nation BR Diagnosis Fractured right knee and burned face Comments RAF 165 Squadron Spitfire IX MK855 Shot down Gourin, SSW of Carhaix (in Brittany, about 90 miles west of Rennes) South Rhodesian pilot ended up at Stalag XII A Arrived 13-Jun-44 departed 25-Jul-44 If he had any stories from the PW hospital in Rennes I would greatly appreciate hearing them. Dale
Hello Gareth and Lynn Nice to hear from you as it is always good to get a personal perspective on things. I hope that you have found the information from Dale of interest, and I look forward to anything that you can add for us. Allan
Hi Gareth and Lyn, Apologies for the delayed response as I have been away from my PC since Wednesday. I think it might be useful to open a new, dedicated thread for your Great Uncle in the 'Research Currently Underway / POWs / British & Commonwealth' section of the Forum. I have downloaded No. 165 Squadron's ORB for June tonight and hopefully will have some extracts up on the new thread tomorrow. Regards, Pat
Hi All, A dedicated thread dealing with W/O Balloch has now been opened at the new location here. Descriptions of his time at Rennes Military Hospital can still be posted on this thread. Regards, Pat