Air Force Lookups - if you need help

[IainK]

Many thanks Annie & Milly.

I've seen the rafcommands website and am waiting to be registered so that I can try and contact the chap who first mentioned Harry. I'm hoping it's someone who may have known him.

I'm new to all this and would really appreciate any advice on how to gather more information about Harry's service history. I know he was a POW, how would I find out where? Or where he was stationed? Is the IWM the place to go?

I believe he was a member of the Caterpillar club after bailing out over Germany. He was a Bombadier in Halifax's I think.

Thanks again

Iain

[ricoba]

Thanks so much for your promt reply Kyt.Could the plane have been shot down,loss of fuel,or pilot error?

Thanks for the thought Liverpool Annie

Some people are dumb bums aren't they ?Forgot that you said cause of loss not known.Thanks again for the info.  Ricoba

[kyt]

The cause is probably night-fighter, flak or the combination of the two, Ricoba. But as the wreckage was never found (though I believe bits of an aircraft in the area may have been found recently but its ID had not been established yet) cause cannot be given.

K

[ricoba]

Thanks again,Just found that Snaith is in Yorkshire,Ijsselmeer is a lake and Urk and Hinderloopen.are in Holland .I am in Oz so had not heard of these places.Bless the internet  (at times)thanks.

[rafcommands]

Hi Ian,

Registration on RAF Commands is immediate so you should not need to wait.

Make sure you are trying to register on the active board not the archived one.

Active board
http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/register.php

Regards
Ross

[millymcb]

 

I'm new to all this and would really appreciate any advice on how to gather more information about Harry's service history. I know he was a POW, how would I find out where? Or where he was stationed? Is the IWM the place to go?

Iain

Hi Iain.... I've never really researched RAF records so I can't offer much help on that - but I would suggest you start another thread on this board (WW2) with a subject header saying you are looking for help on RAF records & POW records....and then ask  those questions specifically....  That way it will get noticed and someone will be able to help you.  It may get missed if you just leave it here. 

(To start a new thread just go to the board you want and click new topic and then start typing...)... Good luck...I'll come and say hello on the new thread when you have started it.


Milly
 

[kyt]

 

I'm new to all this and would really appreciate any advice on how to gather more information about Harry's service history. I know he was a POW, how would I find out where? Or where he was stationed? Is the IWM the place to go?

Iain

Hi Iain.... I've never really researched RAF records so I can't offer much help on that - but I would suggest you start another thread on this board (WW2) with a subject header saying you are looking for help on RAF records & POW records....and then ask  those questions specifically....  That way it will get noticed and someone will be able to help you.  It may get missed if you just leave it here. 

(To start a new thread just go to the board you want and click new topic and then start typing...)... Good luck...I'll come and say hello on the new thread when you have started it.


Milly
 

A new thread would be good. In the meantime:

Harry Selman 172996

Halifax HR725 of 158 Squadron
Mission to Berlin 23/24 August 1943

Tookoff at 19.59 from Lissett. Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed near Soltau. The two airmen killed are buried in Hannover and Becklingen War Cemetery respectively, having been exhumed from graves at Soltau.

P/O Frisby was eventually taken to Sagan, where he gained a reputation as a very skillful forger and map maker. At the time of the mass break out from Sagan in March 1944, many of those who went through the tunnel were equipped with maps and documents produced by this talented Australian who, when shot down, was nearing the end of his operational tour.

P/O H B Frisby RAAF PoW
Sgt J H Jenkins killed
Sgt A V Kyle PoW
Sgt D R P De Laurier PoW
Sgt H Selman PoW
Sgt H Booth Killed
P/O B P Allen RCAF PoW S
Sgt G G Heyes PoW

Sgt Selman held at Camps 4B/L6, POW No:222642. He was commissioned as a Pilot Oficer during captivity.

If you are next of kin, or are in contact with the NoK, you or they could apply for his service records:

http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/raf.html

K

[liverpool annie]

I believe he was a member of the Caterpillar club after bailing out over Germany. He was a Bombadier in Halifax's I think.

Thanks again

Iain

Hi Iain !

I thought this maybe of interest !

http://www.caterpillarclub.org/irvin/irvin.htm

Annie 

[IainK]

Many many thanks for your replies. I'm feeling that flush of emotion which I'm sure you've all experienced when part of your personal history comes alive.

I've already begun planning a trip to the museum at Stalag 4b. My ultimate goal is to find someone, still living, who knew Harry. I never met him of course but he has always loomed large in my imagination.

Kyt, presumably you have access to this type of information, those few facts you gave me are incredibly helpful.

I'll post a new thread on the subject, as advised, and see if that brings more results.

I'm amazed that I've found so much so soon, thanks to you all.