Alan John 110 Sqn. Killed in Action, Rangoon, Burma 1/6/1945

Roger,

many thanks for adding further information regarding the death of Alan John and the details of your father's survival. An amazing story. If you would like a copy of Alan's photograph please send me a PM and I will be happy to forward it.

Simon.

 

Hi Simon, thanks for contacting me. I can already access the photo from an earlier post, so no need to send me a copy. In one of the rarer moments when my father actually spoke about the war, he said he had been promised a battlefield commission (he was a Flight Sergeant) as he had served since 1939, but once he crashed (and they undoubtedly realised he would survive to claim a war pension), the subject was quietly dropped.

 

Roger,

I have reposted the photograph as the previous one was taken through the frame which had broken glass.

Simon

 

Kiwijohn, you are sitting on a fantastic resource for RIAF historians.

I am quite curious as to why you call this a 'challenging assignement'. Did Sutherland write somewhere that it was? I do know that he replaced the Indian CO suddenly and this was not taken well by the Indian crews. Though they seemed to have settled down quite well with him later on.

I have interviewed one veteran of 8 Sqn who served under him. His story based on my interview is given here. http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/history/ww2/veterans/1065-philip01.html (two photos of sutherland and the squadron are there towards the bottom of the artilcle).

 

Hi, I am currently writing a book on 82 Squadron covering their operations in Burma flying the Vultee vengeance and Mosquito. I note that Ira was a prominent pilot on the squadron and I would love to include more about him in my book. Can you possibly get in touch? TIA

 

Howard,

KiwiJohn has not logged on since July 2015. You could try a PM to him, assuming the email address is still in use.

 

Your reply is much appreciated, as a luddite with technology how do I PM him from here?