William George DIEHM

William George DIEHM Update Details

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DIEHM, William George

Service Numbers:	412049, 412049
Enlisted:	21 June 1941
Last Rank:	Flying Officer
Last Unit:	No. 3 Squadron (RAAF)
Born:	Paddington, New South Wales, Australia, 15 December 1920
Home Town:	Lithgow, Lithgow, New South Wales
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Clerk
Died:	Flying Battle, Libya, Middle East, 14 January 1943, aged 22 years
Cemetery:	No known grave - "Known Unto God" Local Roll of Honour - Lithgow, New South Wales, Australia
Memorials:	Alamein Memorial (El Alamein), Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Brisbane No 3 Squadron Roll of Honour, Lithgow War Memorial

World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939:	Involvement Flying Officer, 412049
21 Jun 1941:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 412049 , No. 1 Initial Training School Somers
21 Jun 1941:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 412049, No. 3 Squadron (RAAF)
9 Mar 1942:	Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer
19 May 1942:	Embarked Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 412049, Emb. Melbourne for Egypt
9 Sep 1942:	Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer
5 Dec 1942:	Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 412049, No. 3 Squadron (RAAF), Middle East / Mediterranean Theatre

Help us honour William George Diehm's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by David Barlow

Flying Officer Diehm 412049 in Kittyhawk FL346 of 3SQN was killed when his aircraft was shot down during an attack on the Bir Dufan airfields - his body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, Egypt

He was in a group of twelve Kittyhawk fighters from 3SQN along with twelve Kittyhawk fighters from each of 250, 260, and 450 Squadrons that escorted eighteen Boston bombers to attack the Bir Dufan airfields. The RAF attacking force was met with fierce opposition from the Luftwaffe continuously during the mission

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