Martin B-26G Marauder (HD667) of 25 Sqd SAAF, lost to AA fire near Zagreb, former Yugoslavia (now Croatia) on 4 May 1945.HD667 "P"
Credit: Brent Best aka KremlinFollowing from references on this Forum, and new sources, I have now put this story together.
Lt. L. J. van ROOYEN 18523V Pilot SAAF ** † Belgrade War Cemetery, Serbia. Collective Grave 5, A. 3-7
Lt. M.C. BEKKER "Tienie" 582086V Pilot SAAF 21 † Belgrade War Cemetery, Serbia. Collective Grave 5, A. 3-7 Capt. D.E. HARDING Dennis E 103865V Observer SAAF 38 † Belgrade War Cemetery, Serbia. Collective Grave, 5, A. 3-7
W/O1. J. SMIT 328853V W.Op-Air Gnr SAAF ** † Belgrade War Cemetery, Serbia. Collective Grave 5, A. 3-7
W/O1. J.N. THIRION 581450V Air Gnr SAAF 21 † Belgrade War Cemetery, Serbia. Collective Grave 5, A. 3-7
Sgt. R.S. NEALE Roy Sidney 185957 Air Gnr RAFVR 20 † Belgrade War Cemetery, Serbia. 5. A. 1
Sgt. J.G.H. COX John Geoffrey Hayler 1813120 Air Gnr RAFVR 19 † Belgrade War Cemetery, Serbia. 5. A. 2
Martin B-26 Marauder over YugoslaviaPicture from the Internet
I am in possesion of the SAAF Logbook of Lt. M.C Bekker, "Tienie" to his friends, after securing possesion of it a month ago. Tienie was an uncle of mine on my father's side who started his SAAF training in Randfontein, Transvaal.
- Ab initio training in a DH82A at No 2 Air School, Randfontein, December 1943.
- Twin engine training in a AIRSPEED OXFORD at 21 Air School, Kimberley, March-October 1944.
- SAAF Flying Badge 19 Aug 1944.
- Transitting by DC3 as 2nd Pilot to Cairo via Bulawayo, Ndola, Dbora, Nairobi, Kisumu, Juba, Malukwal, Khartoum, Wadi Alfa and Cairo over four days from 17-20 October 1944.
- Conversion and operational training on the B26 MARTIN B-26F/G MARAUDER from 13 November 1944.
- Posted to 25 Sqd SAAF at BIFERNO (now Campomarino), Italy, 2 March 1945.
- Reported missing (all 7 crew of HD667) on 4 May 1945.
Last mission: The logbook states "Interdiction of railway line DUGO SELO - POPOVACO at RK840870".- Total flying hours 390
- On B26 Marauder 136
- Operational Sorties 25
- The Logbook is signed off by Maj. Gericke, OC 'B' Flight 25 Sqd SAAF on 4 May 1945.
The crew of HD667 was referred to as "The Farmers' Crew". 25 Sqd SAAF was part of what was known as the
'The Balkan Air Force'. All 25 Operational Sorties by Lt Bekker, were flown over Yugoslavia, in aid of Marshall Tito's partisans, in cutting off the retreat of German forces from the Balkan to Austria and Germany. Marshall Yosip Broz Tito became President of Yugoslavia, ruling from 1953-1980.
Also refer by 'Spice'
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3110&start=210and by W407594F
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=4153&start=0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_B-26_MarauderPlease feel free to add or comment.
Thank you!