25 July, 1944

De Havilland Mosquito NF Mk XXX (MM708)
"Cinq routes", Lusanger (44)
(contributors : Vincent Bourgine, Gérard Mérel)

Another Mosquito NF Mk 30 no MM748
Photo source unknown

Crew (No 406 Squadron RCAF "City of Saskatoon") :

- Pilot Officer (pilot) Ralph Leslie GREEN, Royal Canadian Air Force, aged 24, killed (service number J/19483).
Son of Alfred Douglas and Nellie Victoria Green, Vanguard, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Ralph Leslie GREEN
Photo "Anciens Combattants du Canada"

- Pilot Officer (navigator) Arthur Woodley HILLYER, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, aged 22, killed (service number 170751).
Son of Harry Richard and Dorthy Hillyer, West Drayton, Middlesex, England.

Arthur Woodley HILLYER
Photo Tom barsley "Find a grave"

The two airmen are buried in the Lusanger communal cemetery.

THE STORY

The De Havilland Mosquito MM708 took off at 2:55 p.m. from RAF Winkleigh station in Devon (England) for an intrusion mission in the Nantes sector. The circumstances of the fall of the aircraft are not known. According to German reports, they were shot down by Messerschmitt Me Bf 109s of 1./JG 27 flown by Leutnant Max WINKLER and Feldwebel WEISE (to be confirmed). However, we know that the population of Lusanger organized the funerals of the two airmen despite the unfavorable opinion of the occupying army. The photos below were sent to the parents of Ralph Leslie GREEN by the parish priest of Lusanger. At the liberation of Lusanger, on August 4, 1944, around 9 a.m., a small ceremony took place as well as a laying of flowers on the war memorial and on the grave of the two airmen.

Although the Germans did not agree, a large crowd participated in the funeral of the two airmen
Photo collection Vincent Bourgine

The first grave of airmen GREEN et HILLYER
Photo "Anciens Combattants du Canada"

The Operational Record Book of Squadron 406 for the night of July 25 to 26, 1944 (see appendices) recounts as follows the context of this mission during which three aircrafts did not return:

" Heavy fog and rain.
This entry records the unhappiest day in the Squadron’s history. This morning the Squadron and Echelon were shocked and stunned to learn of the immediate posting last night of our Commanding Officer, W/C* R.C. Fumerton, D.F.C. and Bar. W/C Fumerton, an original member of the Squadron, who scored the first victory for 406, returned to us when conditions and prospects were at a low ebb. From the time of his opening address a feeling of optimism, keenness and confidence and a fine Squadron spirit grew and developed. He quickly won the loyal affection and respect of all and his very great skill, sound judgment and wide knowledge and experience in all phases of flying have been of inestimable benefit. Through his efforts the Squadron moved to a more active zone and have at last been re-equipped. Under his leadership, under-equipped with out-dated aircraft, the Squadron destroyed, since his return, seventeen enemy aircraft, probably destroyed three and damaged one, in addition to many operational sorties resulting in damage or destruction of many trains and other targets, all this without loss to ourselves, and in spite of operating in an area by no means active. His departure is particularly regrettable at this time when prospects for future operations appear so much brighter and has caused an all time low in morale. Deep regret and bitterness are rife through all personnel who feel that they have lost not only a great leader but a fine personal friend.
As though this blow were not enough the evening brought forth added grief when everyone on the station was deeply saddened to learn of the non-return of three of our aircraft from a Ranger** sortie to France, a loss all the more keenly felt because there were three at once and it is the first time we have suffered loss entirely through enemy action, a record which probably stands alone among operational fighter squadrons.

The unfortunate crews involved are :
F/L W.R.R. Sutton, pilot, Canadian
F/L George Bishop, navigator, Canadian
F/L R.R. Burgess, pilot, Canadian
F/L W.N. MacPherson, navigator, Canadian
P/O R.L. Green, pilot, Canadian
P/O A.W. Hillyer, navigator, English.

The route planned was against road targets or any aircraft from Plurien, Rennes, Tours, Poitiers, Nantes to Rennes, an area in which we have made so many safe and successful sorties. It is presumed that they were either jumped by single-seat fighters or received a barrage of heavy flak from an unexpected source. All were capable and experienced crews. Pilots Officers Green and Hillyer having two enemy aircraft destroyed to their credit and all being veterans of operational sorties. It is fervently hoped that in the course of time at least some of our comrades will safely return or at worst be listed as prisoners-of-war.
Every attempt was made to secure a plot and get in R/T communication but no trace could be found. An air sea resscue patrol was sent out at night to search the sea route to France."

* Wing Commander
** freelance flights over enemy territory by units of any size, to occupy and tire enemy fighters.

IN MEMORIAM

♦ Tombes des aviateurs au cimetière communal de Lusanger

Photo collection Vincent Bourgine

Photo collection Vincent Bourgine

Photo collection Vincent Bourgine

APPENDICES
(source documents  : The National Archives)

♦ Operational Record Book of Squadron 406 for the date July 25, 1944
 
On the first page of the document, we discover that out of the 4 aircrafts sent on mission on July 25, 1944, 3 did not return, including the Mosquito MM708 flown by Pilot Officer GREEN. The aircraft took off at 2:55 p.m. The mission consisted of carrying out attacks on various cities in the West of France, including Nantes.

On the other two pages of the document, we discover the context of the mission :

♦ Letter sent to Ralph Leslie GREEN's mother in 1947 by Wing Commander WICKS.
 

Document "Anciens Combattants du Canada"

♦ Letter of recommendation sent to the RCAF

Le 20 May 1941, un courrier de recommandation, écrit par un concessionnaire automobile Ford (probablement où GREEN travaillait), avait été envoyé à la
Royal Canadian Air Force. Il indique que Ralph GREEN " est un jeune homme d'excellent