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Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
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616 Squadron Crest
15.06.1943 No. 616 Squadron Spitfire VI BR319 YQ-C F/O. R.J. Sim

Operation: Roadstead

Date: 15th June 1943 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 616 Squadron (10 Group)

Type: Spitfire VI

Serial: BR319

Code: YQ-C

Base: RAF Ibsley, Hampshire

Location: English Channel off Guernsey

Pilot: F/O. Robert James Sim NZ/403995 RNZAF Age 23. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off from RAF Ibsley in Hampshire at 05:35 hrs on shipping strike off Guernsey.

During the attack on several minesweepers was seen to have been hit by flak. The Spitfire was last seen at 500 feet on fire. Entered the sea in a shallow dive with a dead propeller.

F/O. Sim was not seen to bale out or ditch. Sadly, neither the aircraft or the body of the pilot was recovered. Further details of this operation and loss.

Burial details:

F/O. Robert James Sim. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 198. Born on the 28th June 1919, the son of Peter and Lilas Sim and husband of Patricia Sim, of Mairoa, Auckland, New Zealand. A total of 588 flying hours logged and on his 97th operational sortie.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks Errol Martyn and his research into New Zealand aircrew lost. Also to Auckland Cenotaph and Weekly News of New Zealand. Other sources as quoted below:

KTY - 26.08.2017

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Acknowledgements
Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and MWO François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
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