Missing soldiers, Netherlands 1940-1945

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Philip Reinders
Corporal
Corporal
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Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2012 2:42 pm

Missing soldiers, Netherlands 1940-1945

Post by Philip Reinders »

https://www.arnhem1944themissingones.co ... 1940-1945/

RAF part still to be added, but any kind of information/documentation would be most welcome.

Philip
GK38
Leading Aircraftman
Leading Aircraftman
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Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2016 8:37 pm

Re: Missing soldiers, Netherlands 1940-1945

Post by GK38 »

Hi,

Please take a look at https://www.tracesofwar.com/sights/4386 ... -LK115.htm This references the two Royal Army Service Corp Air Dispatchers who did not survive the downing of Short Sterling LK115 of 295 Squadron over the Arnhem area on 21st September 1944. It notes that only the body of Driver James Johnston has been found. Driver William Thompson is still MIA. But beyond that there is little information.

I have been trying to find information on F/Sgt Alan Thornton (now deceased) who was the Bomb Aimer on that aircraft.

Their is a short account of that day in Arie-Jan Van Hees' excellent account of the air resupply missions from D+1 and on p194 has a short account from Alan's best friend and pilot P/Officer Denis Peel which indicates with the aircraft burning the Air Dispatchers may have jumped from the aircraft rather than be burnt to death.

There is little that I have found in respect of the air crews time as POW's other than Alan does appear in the nominal role for Stalag 3A between January and June 1945. It is not known where he was initially interned or to which camps he may have moved through other than it is believed that he ended up at Stlag Luft 3 and endured one of the 'Long Marches' ahead of the advancing Red Army.

I hope this is of help.

Gus
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