SNOOK, Graham Ernest

Operation Special Operations Executive- Operation Flat 5, for PAF, to deliver supplies to the Polish Resistance Movement. Halifax JD156 of 138 Squadron took off from RAF Tempsford at 1827 hours on 16 September 1943 along with other aircraft of the Squadron, to carry out a special mission in Poland. Nothing was heard from JD 156 after take off and it did not return to base. Later it was learned that the aircraft had ditched and three crew members were killed and four became Prisoners of War. In a later statement by Flight Sergeant Trotter he reported that “Flight Sergeant Snook was alive and uninjured up to the time the aircraft ditched in the Baltic. Trotter and the other three who became PoWs escaped from the aircraft and were two hours in the water before being taken prisoners. No others were seen to escape from the aircraft and he believed that Flight Sergeant Snook and the other two crew members had lost their lives when the aircraft ditched.” It was later established that the body of Sergeant Johnston was washed ashore in Denmark and is buried at Frederikshaven on the east coast of Jutland while that of Flying Officer Bradley is interred at Randers. It was recorded that Flight Sergeant Snook had lost his life at sea.

Last Name
SNOOK
Given Names
Graham Ernest
Service Number
415743
Date of Birth
28/08/1922
Birth Location
Perth W.A
Enlistment Date
31/01/1942
Enlistment Location
Perth
1Wags Start Date
30/04/1942
Course Details
WAGS Course 25
Intake Date
30/04/1942
Finish Date
19/10/1942
To
3 BAGS
Kill Date or Discharge Date
17/09/1943 (Killed)
Discharge Unit
138 SQN
Rank
Flight Sergeant
Operations
Air ops. from the U.K, over the Baltic Sea.
Date of Death
17/09/1943
Age
21
Cemetery / Memorial
Runnymede Memorial Surrey U.K
Medals
AIr Gunners Badge 1939-45 A/C Europe Defence 1939-45 War medal
Notes

Operation Special Operations Executive- Operation Flat 5, for PAF, to deliver supplies to the Polish Resistance Movement. Halifax JD156 of 138 Squadron took off from RAF Tempsford at 1827 hours on 16 September 1943 along with other aircraft of the Squadron, to carry out a special mission in Poland. Nothing was heard from JD 156 after take off and it did not return to base. Later it was learned that the aircraft had ditched and three crew members were killed and four became Prisoners of War. In a later statement by Flight Sergeant Trotter he reported that “Flight Sergeant Snook was alive and uninjured up to the time the aircraft ditched in the Baltic. Trotter and the other three who became PoWs escaped from the aircraft and were two hours in the water before being taken prisoners. No others were seen to escape from the aircraft and he believed that Flight Sergeant Snook and the other two crew members had lost their lives when the aircraft ditched.” It was later established that the body of Sergeant Johnston was washed ashore in Denmark and is buried at Frederikshaven on the east coast of Jutland while that of Flying Officer Bradley is interred at Randers. It was recorded that Flight Sergeant Snook had lost his life at sea.

Posting on Death
138 Squadron
NAA Status
DIGITIZED
1WAGS - SNOOK Graham Ernest - Service Number 415743 (edited-2)
1WAGS - SNOOK Graham Ernest - Service Number 415743 (edited-2)
1WAGS - SNOOK Graham Ernest - Service Number 415743 (Group_edited-1)
1WAGS - SNOOK Graham Ernest - Service Number 415743 (Plaque_edited-1)

Acknowledgements

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