Extracts 'Patton's Gap' (430 Sq RCAF)

Discussion in 'Reconnaissance' started by Pat Curran, Jun 20, 2015.

  1. MKenny

    MKenny Active Member
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    Sep 24, 2017
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    "8 August 1944.
    OPERATIONS: In spite of the haze and general poor visibility, thirteen TAC/R's were flown today, all successful. Information gleaned from these TAC/R's was quite considerable. The largest concentration was twenty plus tanks observed by F/O Rohmer in his morning TAC/R. Possible tanks among houses and trees at 812425. 1 in flames at 863441."

    [​IMG]
     
  2. MKenny

    MKenny Active Member
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    Sep 24, 2017
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  3. Pat Curran

    Pat Curran Administrator
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    Oct 20, 2012
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    Co. Kilkenny, Ireland
  4. Ellen Duinker

    Ellen Duinker Active Member
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    Jan 6, 2015
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    Another story to add to the artillery battles of Falaise in August, 1944 from David Bashow’s book “All the Fine Young Eagles”; pages 427-429.

    Charlie Trainor was shot down on August 19, 1944 in the Falaise area while strafing German vehicles trying to escape The Pocket. From the base at Cristot with only about 10 minutes of flying time, 401(I assume other squadrons as well) shuttled back and forth taking aim at German vehicles who were “nose to tail”. A squadron of 12 pilots could knock out/ destroy 12-15 vehicles. The Spitfires biggest ammunition was 20mm so success was limited against the German tanks.

    A harrowing story of Charlie, with a brand new pilot as his Number 2 is vividly described...

    Ellen
     
  5. Pat Curran

    Pat Curran Administrator
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    Oct 20, 2012
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    Co. Kilkenny, Ireland
    Hi Ellen,

    Can I move your post above over onto the 'Charlie's Church' thread?

    I would like to do some work to see if its possible to find the crash site.

    Thanks,

    Pat
     
  6. Ellen Duinker

    Ellen Duinker Active Member
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    Jan 6, 2015
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    Of course, Pat.
    Ellen
     
  7. Stephen M. Fochuk

    Stephen M. Fochuk Active Member
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    Nov 26, 2015
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    Fresh Air Inspector
    Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
    Both were hit by flak and I do not think Fairfield was new in the sense of having never flown a combat mission. He was posted to 401 in late July and flew numerous ops before being KIA that day.
     
  8. Ellen Duinker

    Ellen Duinker Active Member
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    Jan 6, 2015
    59
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    Stephen, thank you for the clarification; this is not something to be mis-represented. Additionally, it seems becoming experienced can happen fairly quickly.
    The Fairfield family contacted my father for assistance in locating the crash site. I believe they were successful.
    Ellen
     

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