LITCHFIELD, Richard William
| Service Number: | 401239 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 5 January 1941, Melbourne, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | RAF Station (Gianaclis) |
| Born: | Merbein, Vic., 20 January 1917 |
| Home Town: | Merbein, Mildura Shire, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Mildura High School |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Italy, 23 August 1944, aged 27 years |
| Cemetery: |
Florence War Cemetery, Italy I B 2 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Merbein Memorial Gates, Mildura High School WW2 Honour Roll |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flight Lieutenant, 401239 | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Jan 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 401239, RAF Station (Gianaclis), Melbourne, Vic. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Charles Henry and Jeannette May Litchfield, of Merbein, Victoria, Australia.
AT THE RISING AND SETTING OF THE SUN, WE WILL REMEMBER
401239 Flight Sergeant Lieutenant R W Litchfield missing. Regret to inform you that your son Flight Lieutenant Richard William Litchfield is missing as result Air Operations on 23rd August 1944. Known details are he was member of crew Baltimore Aircraft which was abandoned by crew after being struck by flak whilst over target. Aircraft climbed vertically and spun to ground. Three parachutes are reported to have opened.
Flying Officer Howard, the pilot of your son's aircraft, was taken prisoner as well as Flight Sergeant Birtles and Flight Sergeant Murrya. These three members have been interrogated and state that in their opinion your son failed to clear the aircraft, which was seen to be buring fiercely and then to crash north of Pistola. They were informed by the Germans that only three persons had baled out of the aircraft. These three members are of the opinion htat your son's body would not be recovered in view of the intensity of the fire in the aircraft.