Book to honour the sacrifice of airmen
I AM doing extensive research to honour RAF and USAAF airmen downed in my area in Normandy during the Second World War. As far as possible I m seeking relatives of a fighter pilot who was killed in action near Etretat. Flight Lieutenant Robert Leslie Wood
I AM doing extensive research to honour RAF and USAAF airmen downed in my area in Normandy during the Second World War. As far as possible I'm seeking relatives of a fighter pilot who was killed in action near Etretat.
Flight Lieutenant Robert Leslie Wood 11901, son of Herbert and Ivy Wood of Great Dunmow, was found dead on May 11, 1944 after he was shot down by flak while on a rocket attack against a coastal radar at Le Cap d'Antifer.
His plane Hawker Typhoon MN144 of 609 Squadron was seen to crash in the target area. It seems the pilot had no time to bail out as no parachute was observed.
Another pilot, a Belgian, was lost during that mission. He bailed out over the Channel but the Air Sea Rescue couldn't find him and he was presumed drowned.
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Robert L. Wood was 20 when killed. His body was never found (the plane crashed in a restricted area).
So he is remembered on the Runnymede memorial near London as he's still reported as missing.
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I was shown the crash-site where obviously parts of his Typhoon are still buried but I have no clue about his body.
I would like very much hearing from his relatives as I'm looking for more documentation about him.
My goal is a book to honour the sacrifice of so many young airmen for our freedom here.
Laurent Viton
Goderville
France
Editor's note: Anyone with any information on this can e-mail us at editor@
dunmow-broadcast.co.uk or contact the Dunmow Broadcast office on 01371 874537 and we will pass on all the information we receive to Mr Viton.
