RAF Mustang, which squadron?

Good afternoon,

I am trying to find out as much information as I can regarding my late Uncle – Flt Lt Derek J Thurgood. I was always told that he had been killed in a flying accident in Canada in 1945. His grave is in Birchington Churchyard, Kent.
Having done some research it transpires that he had recently joined 126 Squadron and was killed in a flying accident over Norfolk on 23rd March 1945. He was in Mustang 111 5J-Y (KH546) which was in collision with another Mustang 5J-B (FZ122), and had only recently joined the Squadron after returning from Canada.
Its all very strange as after speaking with my cousin today, she thought the same that he had been killed in Canada.
I wondered if anyone remembers him of has any further photographs.

Nick Thurgood

126 Squadron

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Steve, your references are correct and my apologies Antoni! Reading through the log book I had completely overlooked that my Father was with 154 at Biggin Hill, thence to Hunsdon and transferred to 126 at Bentwaters in April 1946 with the Mustang III’s. They were annoyed at leaving their Mk IV’s for the Canadians. I have attached pictures of his log book showing his service during April and later the mk IV Mustang 5J-X together with a jokey postcard confirming the latters demise and an interesting photo of Mk III 5J-N which he was flying during a low flying excercise when his engine failed and he managed to get down at Seething, a US bomber base. I say interesting because years ago I modelled this aircraft and couldn’t get the 5 (in 5J-N) as a ready made decal and had to make it. I reckon they lost the stencil and got round it by using an altered “S”.

Grenville, I am researching 126 Squadron and would really like to see your fathers logbook. Would this be possible? Phil.

I had an opportunity to visit my Father’s pal from 154 and 126 squadrons last Tuesday (hereon I will refer to him as “B”) and asked him about Major Austeen. He said he was a little austere but a very nice chap, always pleasant. He tended to keep himself to himself and didn’t get involved in the Tom foolery that went on. B was sent on a fighter leaders course a couple of days before Austeen was lost so missed that op. Apparently Austeen had an Alsatian dog which didn’t understand English so he was given to a Norwegian pilot on another squadron. On finishing the fighter leaders course B was posted to 129 squadron and shortly after, their duties involved a trip to Norway. Here, B encountered an Alsatian which he instantly recognised. By coincidence he was there with his new owner, I think he was the CO. B seems to remember the dog’s name as Vallack – not sure of the spelling.

Such valuable information Grenville. Funny he didn’t get involved in the foolishness, as he had a reputation for being a practical joker in the early years of WWII. Guess the more you progressed, the less you participated in these things, but kept a proper approach to your position. Tell your fathers pal many, many thanks for this information. I thank him on the behalf of Arnes hometown as well. If it was the CO of 331 Squadron, it was Ragnar Ischsen who got the dog. He was the one writing to one of Austeens sisters when the squadron arrived back in Norway.

I had an opportunity to visit my Father’s pal from 154 and 126 squadrons last Tuesday (hereon I will refer to him as “B”) and asked him about Major Austeen. He said he was a little austere but a very nice chap, always pleasant. He tended to keep himself to himself and didn’t get involved in the Tom foolery that went on. B was sent on a fighter leaders course a couple of days before Austeen was lost so missed that op. Apparently Austeen had an Alsatian dog which didn’t understand English so he was given to a Norwegian pilot on another squadron. On finishing the fighter leaders course B was posted to 129 squadron and shortly after, their duties involved a trip to Norway. Here, B encountered an Alsatian which he instantly recognised. By coincidence he was there with his new owner, I think he was the CO. B seems to remember the dog’s name as Vallack – not sure of the spelling.

Hi Grenville

I am sorry I miised your recent visit to this thread and I hope that you will pick up on it again! I have sent you a personal mail via the Flypast board. If you are logged in you will be able to see it if you click on “Notifications” in the top right of the screen.

Best wishes

Steve

I’ll try and get round to see him in the next couple of weeks. He is in his mid nineties now and whilst bright as a button mentally he is very frail now.

Do get back to me if he knows anything. It’s not only interesting to me, but his hometown doesn’t really have a clue and could use some information about one of their biggest war heroes.

I’ll try and get round to see him in the next couple of weeks. He is in his mid nineties now and whilst bright as a button mentally he is very frail now.

Yes indeed, but I was hoping for an unheard first hand account of Austeen as a person. There has been very little.

They said he spoke odd English and had a nasty habit of playing practical jokes but not much else 🙂

The comment about KM305 being ex-USAAF might be a clue to the eagle. There is a photograph in Osprey’s ‘RAF Mustang and Thunderbolt Aces’ of a 234 Squadron Mustang with a similar motif. Interestingly, after searching through my references I found a profile in an article in the Nov 2009 Military Aircraft Monthly of KM305/AZ*X with 234 Squadron markings. Red spinner and red diamond on the fin. The eagle (also red) is there as well. Date is summer 1945 at Bentwaters. Unfortunately it does not give the source nor is there a photograph. If you want a copy of the article send me an email through the forum contact details.

If you email The RAF Museum Hendon asking for a copy of the Form 78 (Aircraft Movement Card) for KM305 they will send you a photocopy. That should provide some information about its origins and service history.

Some information on Austeen here:

http://www.spitfirepilots.com/?p=450

and here:

http://www.spitfirepilots.com/?p=587

I have been trying to answer the spinner/ruddder colour for some time. There is only one member of the squadron still alive and he doesn’t remember! I have seen them depicted as blue. Similarly, the aircraft letter was I think, red. The badge forward of the cockpit is a US eagle insignia which I assume was applied by North American as a symbol of the lease lend arrangement. I have uploaded the nearest image I could find.[ATTACH=CONFIG]225251[/ATTACH]

Would the surviving member know anything of Arne Austeen? I’m in Major Austeens hometown as we speak and would love to know.

I have been trying to answer the spinner/ruddder colour for some time. There is only one member of the squadron still alive and he doesn’t remember! I have seen them depicted as blue. Similarly, the aircraft letter was I think, red. The badge forward of the cockpit is a US eagle insignia which I assume was applied by North American as a symbol of the lease lend arrangement. I have uploaded the nearest image I could find.[ATTACH=CONFIG]225251[/ATTACH]

My thanks, DCK. The the uboat.net page dealing with U-boats patrolling on 4 May (http://www.uboat.net/boats/patrols/search.php) did not have any submarines in the area (although it’s probably a moot point that U-155 was on patrol). However, the page dealing specifically with U-155 describes it as being on passage from Keil to Norway in company with U-680 and U-1233. All three vessels surrendered at Baring Bay near Frederica, Denmark the following day.

Out of curiosity, Antoni, do you know either where “off Denmark” was – or the number of the U-boat?

U-boat records from this era have largely disappeared, so any advice you could offer would be of great interest/value.

It was more in the Kiel area of Flensburgfjord – U-155, commanded by Altmeier.

More in the book Into the Swarm that covers Austeens long career (although 126 only briefly) but it does include an interesting letter translated from German about the attack.

Which U-boat?

Out of curiosity, Antoni, do you know either where “off Denmark” was – or the number of the U-boat?

U-boat records from this era have largely disappeared, so any advice you could offer would be of great interest/value.

Austeen was CO from 23/2/45 until 4/5/45 when he was KIA leading a sweep off Denmark. Hit by flak when attacking a U-boat. Very tragic with the war in Europe almost over.

Indeed. He bagged five German fighters in 4 days back in 1943.

Austeen was CO from 23/2/45 until 4/5/45 when he was KIA leading a sweep off Denmark. Hit by flak when attacking a U-boat. Very tragic with the war in Europe almost over.

Going by the first image you posted Grenville, Arne Austeen was then the squadron leader – April 1945.

They are both very interesting photographs, especially as any of the Bentwaters Wing seem to be as rare as a cavity in a Hen’s tooth.

What photographs there are show a more ‘normal’ five. Perhaps someone was trying to be a bit ‘stylish’ and was trying to make sure it was not mistaken for a letter ‘S’?

What colour were the spinner and rudder on KM305? Blue? Is that a squadron badge just forward of the cockpit?

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Steve, your references are correct and my apologies Antoni! Reading through the log book I had completely overlooked that my Father was with 154 at Biggin Hill, thence to Hunsdon and transferred to 126 at Bentwaters in April 1946 with the Mustang III’s. They were annoyed at leaving their Mk IV’s for the Canadians. I have attached pictures of his log book showing his service during April and later the mk IV Mustang 5J-X together with a jokey postcard confirming the latters demise and an interesting photo of Mk III 5J-N which he was flying during a low flying excercise when his engine failed and he managed to get down at Seething, a US bomber base. I say interesting because years ago I modelled this aircraft and couldn’t get the 5 (in 5J-N) as a ready made decal and had to make it. I reckon they lost the stencil and got round it by using an altered “S”.

126 Squadron were not at Bentwaters in February 1945! .

Yes they were! They left Bentwaters on 5th September 1945 when they relocated to Hethel, Norfolk.

Graham