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Allied Air Forces Losses and Incidents Database.

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Data derived from many sources. Incorporates 125,000 entries from Aircrew Deaths 39-47 Database. Corrections/Additions welcomed via Helpdesk

NOTE ON DATES: IMPORTANT: For consistency, the Date is given as the date the mission TOOK OFF since the precise time of a loss is not always certain. Take Off date is unambigous and fixed in the official records, but obviously in those cases where the incident occurred before midnight UK time, then the Take Off Date will be the same as the Incident Date. Of course, most Bomber Command missions flew through midnight, therefore a Luftwaffe claim against a plane - or a locally generated crash report - may record the incident as occurring on the day following our Take Off Date. Bear this in mind when cross-referencing to our Luftwaffe Victories by Name/Date Database and other Luftwaffe sources. In some cases other sources may quote the date following our date, using locally generated reports as their source. To add to the potential for confusion, remember to take into account a Luftwaffe recorded date will be in local time, 1 hour ahead of UK time. When we discover a validated Incident Date we change our record if necessary.



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Thanks to Personnel of the Polish Air Force in Great Britain for supplementary data and images (marked with a chequerboard device) related to the Polish Air Force, and many images courtesy of our respected colleagues Wojtek Matusiak and Robert Gretzyngier. Other images from our own archives.
Responding to requests that respects may be paid in this database to a loved one or friend, or someone you want to recognize, an In Memoriam plaque may now be placed next to any entry. See our Donate Page for details. Search for In Memoriam in this database to see examples of plaques which have been placed.

Polish Air Force personnel have a supplementary database containing more information and many more entries. Check the following:
Personel Polskich Sił Powietrznych posiada dodatkową bazę danych zawierającą więcej informacji i wiele innych wpisów. Sprawdź następujące elementy:
Archiwum: PSP 1939 -1947 Database 17,000+ Polish Air Force Entries
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You searched for: “"duckenfield"”

#Name* SORT (↑)First NamesTitleRankRAF Equivalent RankService No.Photo (Click to Expand)CommemoratedBornNationalityRoleAwardsAir ForceCommandUnitDateofIncident *See Note SORT (↑)AircraftTypeSerialCodeVictories (Fighters)BaseTimeMission                        Incident                        FateReferring Database                        Notes                        Links/Archive Reports
1 DuckenfieldStanley JohnSergeant1314843United Kingdom, Runnymede Memorial, Panel 148.Age RAFVR1943-04-27Killed
2 DuckenfieldByron LeonardSquadron Leader
BritishPilotAFC

RAFFighter Command615Sqn (CO)

1942-12-27Spitfire4Attack against Magwe airfield in BurmaEngine failure, force landing followed by captureMIABattle of Britain

Squadron Leader Byron Leonard Duckenfield, British pilot of 615 Sqn of the RAF of which he is the Commander, 4 aerial victories including 1 in collaboration and 1 enemy aircraft damaged, veteran of the Battle of Britain, is reported missing in operations while he leads an attack against Magwe airfield in Burma. We will learn later that he was captured by the Japanese. He will be released in 1945 during the fall of Rangoon.

Born on 15th April 1917 in Sheffield. He joined RAF on 25th November 1935 . Elementary flying training at the Civil Flying Training School at Brough (4 E&RFTS). Moved on to 10 FTS Ternhill on No. 1 Course. Posted to 32 Squadron. Commissioned 1st April 1940, joined 74 Squadron at Hornchurch on 6th April and then to 501Sqn at Tangmere on 5th May.Sqn flew to France on 10th May, Duckenfield followed with the rear party the next day in a Bombay transport. As it prepared to touch down at Betheniville the aircraft's nose went up and the pilot went round again. On the second approach the same thing happened, the pilot appeared to lose control and the Bombay, L5813, went into a tail-slide and crashed. Three passengers were killed and six injured, including Duckenfield. Treated at the Casualty Clearing Station at Epernay and sent back to Roehampton Hospital. Posted to No. 1 RAF Depot Uxbridge as non-effective sick. Rejoined 501, then at Middle Wallop, on 23rd July 1940. On the 29th July he claimed a share in a Ju87, on 16th August damaged a Do17, on the 28th destroyed a Me109 and on 8th September a Me110. Posted away to AFDU Northolt on 15th September 1940 on instructional duties and awarded the AFC.

October 1941 he took command of 66Sqn at Perranporth and in February 1942 command of 615Sqn at Fairwood Common. To the Far East in March 1942. He failed to return from an attack on Magwe airfield on 27th December 1942. His engine failed over the target, he forced-landed in a creek and was captured by the Japanese. Released from captivity in Burma in May 1945. He then commanded 19Sqn with Meteors, receiving the Queens Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air. Retired from the RAF on 28th June 1969 as a Group Captain.		Battle of Britain Database

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