ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 159000
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| Date: | Sunday 6 December 1942 |
| Time: | |
| Type: |  Bristol Beaufighter Mk VIc |
| Owner/operator: | 252 Sqn RAF |
| Registration: | LK629 |
| MSN: | |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Other fatalities: | 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | Desert near Tamet, North Africa -
 Libya
|
| Phase: | Combat |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | RAF Berca, Benghazi, Libya. |
Two pairs of Beaufighters took off from Berca, near Benghazi to strafe the coast road in the region of Sirte. The first Beaufighter T5137 ditched 3 miles from the coast. 06/12/1942
W/Cdr Bragg survived and became a POW but his navigator F/Lt. Nickols lost his life.
The Beaufighter LK629 crash landed in the desert after their aircraft was hit in the nose by flak after attacking the airfield at Tamet. Tasked with straffing from 31 13N 16 18E westwards for 25 miles. Turned inland very steeply and was not seen again from attack on road transport near Sirte.
The starboard engine was put out of action and the air cooler was smashed. They were carrying a passenger Paddy Clark, who was the crews mechanic and he had persuaded the C.O to let him fly on this sortie. All three were unharmed but they were behind enemy lines with very little rations.
They took a can of water, a few tins of bully beef, salmon and sardines and began the long walk towards Allied lines. Hiding from enemy transport whenever they came near and huddling together in parachute silk during the freezing nights.
Seven days later they met up with some Senussi Arabs who gave them food, water and shelter. Fifteen days after the aircraft crashed they were rescued by an armoured car of the 1st Kings Dragoon Guards who rewarded the Arabs for their work in providing assistance.
Crew:
S/Ldr (62647) Albert Derek FRECKER (pilot) RAFVR - OK
P/O (????) Tom ARMSTRONG (nav.) RAFVR - Ok
Sgt (????) Paddy CLARK (Fitter/pass.) RAFVR - Ok
Sources:
http://www.aircrewremembered.com/raf1942/frecker.html
ORB 252 Sqdn RAF
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Aug-2013 19:35 | Nepa | Added |
| 11-May-2022 11:13 | Nepa | Updated [Aircraft type, Other fatalities, Location, Departure airport, Narrative, Operator] |
| 12-May-2022 09:22 | Nepa | Updated [Other fatalities, Departure airport, Narrative, Operator] |
| 12-May-2022 09:54 | Nepa | Updated [Source, Narrative, Operator] |
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