I apologize for not posting this message the way it should be posted. I tried! :-(
I am hoping to find information I am lacking on Sgt. Sidney Rhodes RAF (VR) Serv. No. 1680670. He enlisted 07 Nov. 1942 (E. Riding, Yorkshire?). He surfaces for the very first time as Flt. Eng. with No. 405 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron aboard PB477 and was shot down 02 Jan. 1945 on a raid to Nuremberg. Out of a crew of 7 men, Rhodes and the rear air gunner (Plyley) were the only two survivors. Rhodes and Plyley both spent time in Stalag Luft 1 before being freed by the Russians in May of 1945.
I have copies of Rhodes' and Plyley's POW debriefing papers. Two of the questions asked were, "Were you lectured in your unit on how to behave in the event of capture" and "Were you lectured on escape and evasion" (state where, when and by whom)....Rhodes' answer to both these questions was "Only at Dalton Battle School". There was no mention of a post to another/other squadron(s). Plyley, on the other hand, mentions in his report that he learned this when he was part of 419 Sqdn.
I am looking for help in determining if indeed Rhodes served with another squadron before he was posted to No. 405 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn. There is very little "war" information out there on this man. Post-war is a different story. He was remustered into the regiment upon his release from POW camp and retired from the Air Force in 1958.
Any help would be gratefully appreciated.
Carleton
I have a fair collection books on the Commonwealth Air Forces for the WW2 period and if anyone would like any assistance, or a look up, please ask. For example (just a sample):
Honour The Air Forces - a complete register of all gallentry awards to RAF and Commonwealth airmen (except MiD) with date, unit and LG reference
Bomber Command and Fighter Command Losses of WW2
A number of squadron histories
Unsung Heroes - a register of all RAF etc POWs in the Far East
Several books on the RAF in the Far East (an area that is particularly difficult to research for airmen casualties)
etc
Just thought I'd mention it
K