F/O 185078 Ralph Smith - 271 Squadron

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by John French, Feb 8, 2020.

  1. John French

    John French Member

    Ralph Smith died in an air accident near Marseilles on 15/1/1946 when a Dakota of 271 squadron crashed in poor visibility while transporting POWs back from Japan. He probably joined the RAFVR in 1941 and trained as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. Please can anyone advise where 271 Squadron were based in January 1946 and which theatres they operated in from 1943 (presumably when Ralph joined them).
     
  2. flakdodger

    flakdodger Member

    271 was based at Broadwell, near Burford, Oxfordshire,. At that time, December onwards, carrying out flights to India.
     
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  3. John French

    John French Member

    Did aircraft and crews from 271 Squadron fly (in legs) all the way to India or was there flights from India-based Squadrons to some intermediate point. I downloaded the 271 Squadron Operations Record book from the National Archive (see attached), but is was illegible.
     

    Attached Files:

  4. flakdodger

    flakdodger Member

    I'm sorry not to be able to assist you on this. I see what you mean about the illegible ORB. It might be worth going back to National Archives about this.
     
  5. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    CWGC details, for record
    Casualty
    Flying Officer (Wireless Operator) SMITH, RALPH NATHANIEL
    Service Number 185078
    Died 15/01/1946
    Aged 23
    271 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    Son of Arthur George and Blanche Edith Smith, of Great Chesterford, Essex; husband of Ruth Olive Smith, of South Woodford.
    His brother Eric Douglas Frederick Smith also fell.
    INSCRIPTION: IN DEAREST MEMORY OF MY BELOVED HUSBAND. SOME DAY WE WILL MEET AGAIN
    Buried at MAZARGUES WAR CEMETERY, MARSEILLES
    Location: Bouches-du-Rhone, France
    Number of casualties: 1742
    Cemetery/memorial reference: Plot 10. Row A. Grave 21.
    See cemetery plan


    His brother:
    Corporal 7604194 Eric Smith - Captured at Singapore
     
  6. John French

    John French Member

    Thank you for the information.

    John
     

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