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| Guernsey - Castle Pier overlooking Havelet Bay RCAF Pilot Memorial |
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| Guernsey - Castle Pier RCAF Pilot Memorial |
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| Flight Lieutenant John Walton Saville Royal Canadian Air Force |
John Walton Saville was killed on 5th June 1944 during a mission to destroy Freya early warning radars as part of the preparations to support the Normandy D-Day Landings. Two Freya radars were located at Fort George near St Peter Port.
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| Guernsey Fort George |
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| Guernsey Fort George Freya Radar locations |
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| Guernsey Fort George Freya Radar |
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| Guernsey Fort George Freya Radar |
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| Guernsey Fort George Freya Radar |
The Freya Radars had a range of 200km (120 miles) and their coverage threatened the air routes for the American Airborne and Glider landings on the Contenin Peninsular. It was vital to remove the threat of detection from the Freya Radars so as not to compromise surprise from the airborne operations.
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| Guernsey Fort George Freya Radar coverage. |
The task of destroying the Freya Radars was allocated to 439 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force equipped with Hawker Typhoon aircraft.
The squadron attacked Fort George on 3rd June 1944. The mission was not totally successful so it was planned to attack again on 4th June. Bad weather prevented that attack, however the Squadron were able to conduct the mission on 5th June.
The 439 Squadron War Operations Record Book details the mission of 5th June:
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| 439 Squadron RCAF Insignia |
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| Hawker Typhoon aircraft |
The squadron attacked Fort George on 3rd June 1944. The mission was not totally successful so it was planned to attack again on 4th June. Bad weather prevented that attack, however the Squadron were able to conduct the mission on 5th June.
The 439 Squadron War Operations Record Book details the mission of 5th June:
"All of the bombs appeared to burst on or near the target itself. A large explosion was reported in the sea about a mile offshore and at the time it was believed to have been a bomb.
"Flt Lt Saville was not seen after the dive and it was later presumed that his aircraft had been hit by the intense flak and failed to recover from the dive.
"Immediately upon their return, a section of four aircraft led by Flying Officer Burton was dispatched to search for traces of the missing aircraft.
"The search was unsuccessful."
Courtesy of Michael Melnick
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| 439 Squadron RCAF Attack on Fort George 5th June 1944 |
John Walton Saville is also commemorated on the Air Crew Memorial located at Guernsey Airport. The memorial commemorates 153 Allied Air Force crewmen who lost their lives in the waters around Guernsey. The losses include those on missions where the target locations were in France.
The memorial incorporates a flight of Spitfires and a B-17, remembering the contribution of the United States Air Force.
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| Air Crew Memorial Guernsey Airport |
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| Air Crew Memorial Inscription Guernsey Airport |
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| Air Crew Memorial Royal Canadian Air Force names Guernsey Airport |
GUERNSEY AIR CREW MEMORIAL