25 July 1944

De Havilland Mosquito NF (Night Fighter) Mk 30 (MM728)
Riaillé, "La Provostière"
(contributors : Vincent Bourgine, Gérard Mérel, Nantes)

Another Mosquito NF Mk 30 no MM748
Photo source unknown

Crew : No. 406 Squadron RCAF
- Flight Lieutenant (Pilot) Richard Raymond BURGESS, 27 years old
Riaillé Communal Cemetery

- Flight Lieutenant (Navigator) William Neil MAC PHERSON, 27 years old
Riaillé Communal Cemetery

THE STORY

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

♦ Graves of airmen at the Riallé communal cemetery

Photo collection Vincent Bourgine

Photo collection Vincent Bourgine

Photo collection Vincent Bourgine

♦ Memorials erected in memory of the aviators BURGESS and Mac PHERSON

The initial memorial
Photo collection Vincent Bourgine

The memorial today, more accessible to visitors
Photo collection Vincent Bourgine

IN THE PRESS

     • OUEST-FRANCE - 25 July 2018

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 MM728 flown by Flight Lieutenant Richard Raymond BURGESS. The aircraft took off at 2:50 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 :