John Percy (Jack) RAFFEN

John Percy (Jack) RAFFEN Update Details

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RAFFEN, John Percy

Service Number:	407183
Enlisted:	20 July 1940
Last Rank:	Flying Officer
Last Unit:	No. 3 Squadron (RAAF)
Born:	Rose Park, South Australia, 29 February 1920
Home Town:	Hilton, City of West Torrens, South Australia
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Junior Constable
Died:	Flying Battle, Italy, 30 December 1943, aged 23 years
Cemetery:	Moro River Canadian War Cemetery, Italy Plot XII. Row A. Grave 3,
Memorials:	Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Brisbane No 3 Squadron Roll of Honour, City of West Torrens WW2 Boulevard of Honour, Thebarton S.A. Police Roll of Honor Supreme Sacrifice

World War 2 Service

20 Jul 1940:	Involvement Flying Officer, 407183
20 Jul 1940:	Enlisted Adelaide
20 Jul 1940:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 407183
11 Feb 1941:	Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant
1 Oct 1941:	Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant
1 Apr 1942:	Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Warrant Officer
1 Oct 1942:	Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer
4 Nov 1942:	Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 407183, No. 3 Squadron (RAAF), Middle East / Mediterranean Theatre
1 Apr 1943:	Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, No. 3 Squadron (RAAF)
Date unknown:	Involvement

Help us honour John Percy Raffen's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by David Barlow

Flying Officer Raffen 407183 in Kittyhawk FS429 of 3SQN was killed when his aircraft was hit by intense light flak from guns concealed on ridges in the Miglienico area and crashed into a hillside near Francaville in Italy

He had been part of a group of twelve aircraft to successfully bomb German positions south of Chieti - eleven pairs of 250lb bombs fell in the target area.

After the bombing some aircraft flew north-east to Francaville, while others followed the road to the coast.

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