The Flying Gunner of Arnhem

Whilst doing some research on behalf of someone, I came across the details of the man below, who certainly has a tale to tell.

Serving with the Royal Artillery, Lt. R.A. Maltby became attached to No 2 Wing, The Glider Pilot Regiment as an Intelligence Officer, and started piloting Gliders. Flying into Arnhem on the 17th Sept, as Co. Pilot with a cargo of 14 Platoon, B Company of the Border Regiment, in Glider 161 alongside Lt Col. John Place. Lt Maltby was killed by a head wound casued by enemy flack whilst flying over Hertogenbosch area, after returning to the cockpit after checking the securness of the tailgate. On landing Lt Maltby, was given a field burial near the roadside north of Reijerskamp Farm at Wolfheze.

- Awarded the Order of the Patriotic War (U.S.S.R.). 11th April 1944
- Mention in Despatches for air operations with the RAF 9th July 1942
In 1942 as an expert in anti aircraft fire, he had been one of 16 officers who volunteered to fly as air gunners in bomber crews over Germany, in order to study German anti-aircraft defences at first hand. He was mentioned in despatches and received an Order of the Patriotic War from the Soviet Union for this work !'
- Commissioned into Royal Regiment of Artillery 26th August 1937
- Posted to the 2nd Anti Aircraft Regiment (Litchfield) January 1939
- Born 17th September 1918, died 17th September 1944 (26th birthday)
- Cousin of S/L D.J.H MALTBY DSO DFC of 617 Sqn Dambusters fame

Name: MALTBY, RALPH ALEXANDER
Initials: R A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Secondary Regiment: Glider Pilot Regiment, A.A.C.
Secondary Unit Text: attd. 2nd Wing
Age: 26
Date of Death: 17/09/1944
Service No: 73034
Awards: Mentioned in Despatches
Additional information: Order of the Patriotic War (U.S.S.R.). Son of Francis Brough Maltby and Enid Rosamond Maltby; husband of Jean Felicity Maltby (nee Beath), of Oxford.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 3. C. 18.
Cemetery: ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY

SOURCES : hours of surfing the internet...

 

Some additional Info.

Glider 161 took off at 09:45 on the 17th Sept, from Broadwell neat Brize Norton with the weather Moderatly Bright but overcast.

Lt Ralph Malyby was actually at the controls of the Glider when he was shot and killed, with Lt Col John Place map reading at the time.

Onboard Glider 161, were 28 members of 14 Platoon, B Company, 1st (Airborne) Battalion Border Regiment, and there Platoon Equipment.

Glider 161's Tug pilot, Wing Commander 'Jeff' Jefferson had reported a power fault on the aircraft and had omitted a dog leg of the journey across the channel, joining the Armarda at the Dutch Coast, finally getting on stream 30 mins out from Arnhem

Both Place and Maltby witnessed the firing of a V2 Rocket aimed at England as they flew over the coast.

On being hit, Lt maltby was tended to by Sgt Thomas Watson 14 Platoon Leader, but when realising that he was dead, he was ordered out of the cockpit and to shut the door by Lt Col Place.

Alone at the control's, Lt Col Place, asked Wing Commander Jefferson to 'weave a bit' to help avaoid the flak, but was told that the Tug lacked the power to manouvre.

Parting company with his Tug, and flying Solo without his flying panel operational, Place took the Glider down almost vertically.

Onlanding the platoon debussed shaken, and formed a defensive perimiter around the Glider, whilst two wounded platoon members were tended to, the platoon equipment removed, and the Body of Lt Ralph Maltby place beneath the wing, for later burial. At this point a young Private approached Lt Col Place and said 'Sir, I just want to thank you'

SOURCE: The Gliders by Alan Lloyd.

 

Lt/Col Place story is also mentioned in "the eagle" the glder pilot magazine

 

Also of note, Lt Ralph Maltby's cousin was Flt Lt David Maltby of Dambuster fame. David Maltby is credited of breaching the Mohne dam.