Read the forum code of contact
By: 23rd October 2011 at 13:57 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-In fact it is BM180 lost 9 May 1942 , lost while involved in Circus 160.
By: 23rd October 2011 at 14:50 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Bad show. You don't know:
1. If the next of kin have been informed and,
2. What other considerations are required.
The fact that you posted this shows you have the 'heads up' so why ask about Andy's recovery when I'm sure he will post the details here in due course? Ask him direct if you want, but to shout from the roof tops in the 'I'll be the first with the news' mentality is not good. You even got the date wrong :mad:
By: 23rd October 2011 at 14:54 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Andy
The name and full details werein Australian newspapers 3 days ago...
But no one picked up on it...
By: 23rd October 2011 at 15:09 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Picture of Smith here:
http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/SUK10025
Found via another forum
I also note the story made the Telegraph
Smith's file not digitized at Australian Archives yet.. though I imagine the 457 Sqn Orb is visible there
By: 23rd October 2011 at 19:09 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Andy,
I admire your professionalism in these matters and wish you well in the coming days/weeks in confirming the identity and laying another young man to his final rest.
RIP airman.
We will remember them.
By: 23rd October 2011 at 19:41 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Sorry , I didn't imagine there was a secret behind . However news are widely spread over France and Australia since 20 Oct. , but strangely nothing from UK ?
Sincerely it is nice another missing pilot has been found .
By: 17th November 2011 at 15:26 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Thats good news that another hero will be laid to rest. Well done Andy.
By: 17th November 2011 at 17:16 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Great stuff Andy. Thanks to you and all those involved with making this happen.
By: 28th November 2011 at 09:33 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Hi Folks,
Sgt William Smith turns out to be my wife's Great Uncle! In my years of rather infrequent posting here I never thought that I would find a family link like this.
Thanks to all concerned.
Is there any info about the documentary?
All the best
Steve
By: 28th November 2011 at 10:14 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-From the ABC here is Aussie:
RAAF pilot's remains found in France
RAAF WWII Spitfire pilot Sergeant WJ Smith.
An Australian Spitfire pilot, shot down during World War II, has been identified after his remains were found in northern France last month.
Sergeant William James Smith, who was 24, was shot down on May 9, 1942 during a dogfight with German fighter aircraft.
His remains were discovered buried underground last month by a film crew producing a WWII documentary in Hardifort, northern France.
The crew were searching for a Czech aircraft when they unexpectedly discovered human remains.
Sergeant Smith was identified from his identification discs which carried his name and ID number.
He was from Whittlesea in Victoria and was posted to RAAF 457 Squadron which was attached to Britain's Royal Air Force in WWII.
Defence Science and Personnel Minister Warren Snowdon says the young pilot's squadron was escorting a bomber group on an operation over Germany and were homeward bound when they were "bounced" by enemy FW190 fighters.
"Sergeant Smith was last seen by his squadron near the coast of France engaged in a dogfight with an enemy aircraft at 20,000 feet over the English Channel," Mr Snowdon told a press conference.
He said Sergeant Smith had been recommended for a commission and was highly regarded in his squadron.
His family have been notified and have requested privacy.
Mr Snowdon said Sergeant Smith would be buried "with all the dignity and respect that he so richly deserves" at the Commonwealth War Graves cemetery at Arneke in France.
Last year the remains of another Australian pilot, Flight-Lieutenant Henry "Lacy" Smith, were found in the wreckage of his Spitfire in Normandy's Orne River.
Air Force historian Dr Chris Clarke said shortly after Sergeant Smith went missing his squadron was sent to Australia to lead the defence of Darwin.
He said the aircraft was not found sooner because it crashed nose-first at high speed and was buried and totally destroyed.
German fighter ace Oblt Josef Haibock of JG 26, who is credited with 77 victories during the war, is widely believed to be the pilot who shot down Sergeant Smith.
By: 28th November 2011 at 12:53 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Very moving Andy . That's a great job .
Zorglub
Posts: 60
By: zorglub - 23rd October 2011 at 11:21
Hello ,
Tangmere 1940 has found wreckage of 457 Sq Spitfire with remains of RAAF pilot Sgt William Smith lost in April 1942 in northern France last week for Discovery Channel .
Could we have more details please , and plane's identity ?
Zorglub