POW info please Spitfire Pilot

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by Skye Blade, Jun 6, 2021.

  1. Skye Blade

    Skye Blade Member

    I have quite a bit on info on some medals (and ephemera) attributed to a Spitfire Pilot who was shot down near Argentan (France) 14 Aug 1944 and taken prisoner. His own account states he was taken to Stalag luft 3 then Stalag Luft 7 (I think) before being forced on the Long March West in Jan 1945.

    Unfortunately I can't find any documents pertaining to this even to the point I don't know his POW number!!

    Can anyone help fill in this gap in his war story?

    1801876 Sgt Maurice E.F. Macey RAF

    Many Thanks

    Wayne
     
  2. Blutto

    Blutto Banned

    A quick Google on "1801876 Sgt Maurice E.F. Macey RAF" brought up a fair number of hits. Might be worth looking at that first.
     
  3. Skye Blade

    Skye Blade Member

    One of the first things I did Blutto but Like I said nothing in depth about his POW time (ie Camps/ dates etc)
    His memoirs are quite detailed but no dates with them - just trying to fill in the gaps.
    Wayne
     
  4. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    UK, British Prisoners of War, 1939-1945
    Name: M E F Macey
    Rank: Sergeant
    Army Number: 1801876
    Regiment: Royal Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks
    POW Number: 748
    Camp Type: Stalag Luft 7
    Camp Number: L7
    Camp Location: Bankan, near Kreulberg, Upper Silesia, Poland
    Section: Royal Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks

    TD
     
  5. alieneyes

    alieneyes Senior Member

    Hello,

    POW number was 748. He was part of Truppe 33 (43 prisoners) who arrived at Stalag Luft VII, Bankau on 18 September 1944.

    Regards,

    Dave
     
    Tricky Dicky and CL1 like this.
  6. Skye Blade

    Skye Blade Member

    Sorry for delay guys been busy.
    That's great news
    Thank you so much

    Wayne
     
  7. Harry Ree

    Harry Ree Very Senior Member

    A little background to Sgt Macey's service in Normandy.

    Interestingly Sgt Macey was a member of No 127 Squadron who were part of the ADGB (Air Defence of Great Britain) No 11 Group, No 132 Wing (Norwegian) and not part of the 2nd TAF.

    Additionally the Wing had Nos 66,331 and 332 squadrons, the latter two being Norwegian squadrons. It appears that they were engaged on a sweep patrol across the Normandy battlefields from their base at Ford near Bournemouth on 14 August 1944.After a short stay at Ford, they were relocated to B16 ALG Villions les Buissons on 20 August 1944 All 4 squadrons arrived at Ford on 12 or 13 August. Sgt Macey's detail on 14 August was to patrol over Falaise.

    Of the 13 RAF aircraft lost that day,(8 Spitfires Mark1X and 5 Typhoons Mark 1b) ,only one was the result of a Luftwaffe interception. The other 12 were brought down by flak while conducting strafing. The Luftwaffe were incapable of matching the Allied Air Forces in the air for the Battle for Normandy as reflected by this day.

    (I recollect Eisenhower informally meeting two Norwegian pilots on the battlefield from either No 331 or 332 (Norwegian) Squadrons...an impromptu meeting without ceremony)
     

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