Operation: Low-level training flight

Date: 17th March 1942 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 315 Squadron (Polish)

Type: Spitfire Vb

Serial: BM140

Code: PK-H

Base: RAF Northolt, Middlesex.

Location: Over Hayes, Middlesex.

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Tadeusz Adam Krieger 783252 PAF Age 21. Killed

2nd fatality:

Unit: No. 61 OTU (Operational Training Unit)

Type: Spitfire II

Serial: P7307

Base RAF Heston, Middlesex.

Pilot: P/O. David Edward Lloyd 115061 RAFVR Age 22. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

During a low-level training flight Fl/Sgt. Krieger was flying with two new pilots P/O. Bruno Semmerling and Sgt. Tadeusz Jankowski (1).

Shortly after taking off from RAF Northolt and making a low left turn around the airfield 3 other Spitfires from 61 OTU out of Heston were also conducting a low-level pass.

The instructor from that flight, flying Spitfire P7307, P/O. David Lloyd collided head-on with the 315 Squadron BM140. Both pilots were killed instantly.

The other four aircraft managed to avoid the collision and landed shortly afterwards.

Earlier on the 8th September 1941 Fl/Sgt. Krieger escaped with burns from a fire that totally wrecked Spitfire AB820 PK-M during an oxygen test.

P/O. Lloyd was a former Battle of Britain pilot. On the 05th September 1940, he was on a combat patrol with 64 squadron when low on fuel attempted to land in a field near Hartington but failed to stop and struck a stone wall at the far end. The pilot escaped injury and the aircraft was repaired.

(1) Understood to have been shot down and killed flying a Mustang III FB367 PK-V on 20th September 1944 over Leerdam, Holland

Above: grave of Fl/Sgt. Krieger, Northwood Cemetery (archives) Any relative who would like a higher definition photo of the grave we will be happy to supply one.

Above: grave of P/O. Lloyd, Wanstead (St. Mary) Churchyard. (Courtesy Elaine)Any relative who would like a higher definition photo of the grave will be happy to supply one.

Fl/Sgt. Tadeusz Adam Krieger. Northwood Cemetery. Section H. Grave 223. Born on the 28th of April 1920. From Krakow, Poland.

P/O. David Edward Lloyd. Wanstead (St. Mary) Churchyard. Son of Thomas Edward and Frances Ann Lloyd of Wanstead, London, England. Grave inscription: 'He Has Outsoared The Shadow Of Our Night'.

With thanks to Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - "Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945", Peter Sikora, Norman L.R. Franks "Fighter Command Losses" Vol. 3. Commonwealth Graves Commission. Elaine for grave photograph taken 12th January 2022.