Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Aircrew Forums > Military Aviation
Reload this Page >

Spitfire crash landing in Scotland WW11

Wikiposts
Search
Military Aviation A forum for the professionals who fly military hardware. Also for the backroom boys and girls who support the flying and maintain the equipment, and without whom nothing would ever leave the ground. All armies, navies and air forces of the world equally welcome here.

Spitfire crash landing in Scotland WW11

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 3rd Jul 2012, 18:01
  #261 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Denmark
Age: 79
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Airborne,

Your Post War info regarding H.A.R. does not indicate a military career - apart from Historical Service(s) Director on an AF base 1954 to 1956.

Another point: He was enlisted Jan 1 1943 and was shot down Jul 3 1944 - after exactly 18 months in the service. I wonder if he really had time enough to advance from PRIVATE to 2. lt in that short period.
grebllaw123d is offline  
Old 3rd Jul 2012, 20:15
  #262 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Denmark
Age: 79
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have right from the beginning wondered why the American gentleman chose repeatedly to go to Scotland and to the same small town.
It could appear that he for some reason was returning to an area where he had been earlier in his life.

For reasons unknown to us, he did not want to reveal the real purpose of his visits and invented a cover story with an unnecessarily high degree of drama. He might as well have explaned to the B+B owners and to El Grifo that his intention was to study village churches or Scottish wildlife! But he decided otherwise.

The American gentleman I am thinking of is Lt. Col. Raasch. He could have been stationed at a USAF facility in the UK together with his family for a period (maybe more than 1) during his career.

The family's favorite vacation destination could have been Scotland, and due to his pleasant memories from the past he returns to Scotland after retiring and after becoming a widower.

He turned 60 years in 1984 and came to Selkirk for the first time that year, and he is repeating his visits in the years to come.
Why he chose Selkirk as his base - good question.

This story could be way out - but might also contain at least parts of the truth.........

It could be interesting to get access to the service records belonging to the Lt. Col. I do not know if that is in any way possible.

Last edited by grebllaw123d; 4th Jul 2012 at 21:43.
grebllaw123d is offline  
Old 3rd Jul 2012, 20:22
  #263 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Frensham
Posts: 846
Received 90 Likes on 48 Posts
I think here would be a good starting point as a limited degree of information is available to non next of kin.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and The Privacy Act

Start Your Military Service Record (DD Form 214) Request

FOIA and Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF)

The public has access to certain military service information without the veteran's authorization or that of the next-of-kin (the un-remarried widow or widower, son, daughter, father, mother, brother or sister) of deceased veterans. Examples of information which may be available from Federal (non-archival) Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF) without an unwarranted invasion of privacy include:

  • Name
  • Service Number
  • Dates of Service
  • Branch of Service
  • Final Duty Status
  • Final Rank
  • Salary *
  • Assignments and Geographical Locations
  • Source of Commission *
  • Military Education Level
  • Promotion Sequence Number *
  • Awards and decorations (eligibility only, not actual medals)
  • Photograph
  • Transcript of Courts-Martial Trials
  • Place of entrance and separation
If the veteran is deceased:

  • Place of birth
  • Date and geographical location of death
  • Place of burial

Last edited by Wokkafans; 3rd Jul 2012 at 20:24. Reason: Additional info
Wokkafans is offline  
Old 3rd Jul 2012, 20:58
  #264 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Detroit MI
Age: 66
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
grebllaw123d:

Your Post War info regarding H.A.R. does not indicate a military career - apart from Historical Service(s) Director on an AF base 1954 to 1956.

Another point: He was enlisted Jan 1 1943 and was shot down Jul 3 1944 - after exactly 18 months in the service. I wonder if he really had time enough to advance from PRIVATE to 2. lt in that short period.
This was war... People got battlefield commissions... If Harold was capable of being a bombardier and was officer material I'll bet you could get him to Italy in 18 months as a 2 Lt. Bombardier.

I'll point you to your own message re: Post war:-

After comparing the new info with already known stuff, I must say that fantastic coincidences exist!

Let us call H.A.R as Airborne Aircrew is describing in his last post for NEW H.A.R.

- According Lt.Col. H.A.R.'s obituary he died on Feb 20 2000 - same day as NEW H.A.R.

- Lt. Col. H.A.R. has a son with the name of Tim - same goes for NEW H.A.R.

- Lt. Col. H.A.R. has a brother Alfred - same goes for NEW H.A.R.

- Lt. Col. H.A.R. got married to a Janice Kennedy - same goes for NEW H.A.R.

- NEW H.A.R.'s mother is called Anna - same goes for LT.Col. H.A.R.'s mother - noted on a crew list as next of kin.
Now, as someone who researched this entire web site, (Link), the litany of coincidences you document with a name as uncommon as Raasch would be utterly remarkable if there were two different individuals.

As to his post war career, I don't know... The first could clearly be military. The assistant professorship might have been as a military man, (unlikely - but with no evidence to the contrary the fact his wife is Janice M is somewhat compelling). One wonders what he scheduled at a United States Tracking Station that, according to Wikithingy is a part of Air Force Space Command (AFSPC). One could imagine a "Scheduler" could be quite an important position requiring rank.

The family's favorite vacation destination could have been Scotland, and due to his pleasant memories from the past he returns to Scotland after retiring and after becoming a widower.
An interesting observation... Janice died in July 1983..

Another point: He was enlisted Jan 1 1943 and was shot down Jul 3 1944
Funnily enough, sixty eight years ago today.

Milo:

I can't see Pfc Raasch being the same man as our Lt. Col.

Taking everything into account there is a single vital record and the testimony of Tim Raasch that tells us that Lt. Col. Harold Arthur Raasch is the gentleman El G met and that is the Social Security Death record that contains the date of birth and the date of death. This two dates recur in important places in his history without contradiction or confusion...

I'm firm in my belief that the basic details of the gentleman I have documented are accurate and that that gentleman is a Lt. Col. that enlisted as a private in 1943 and fathered the rev. Tim Raasch and spoke to El G in 1988.
Airborne Aircrew is offline  
Old 3rd Jul 2012, 22:22
  #265 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Denmark
Age: 79
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Airborne Aircrew,

I agree with you regarding your conclusion of your findings, i.e. that Private Raasch ended as a Lt. Col. in USAF, and that this man entered El Grifo's shop in Selkirk in the year 1988. Your arguments are compelling.

But I still would like to see the complete service records for the Lt. Col

And there are still many questions to be answered regarding this search, like what was his real quest, why did he not come back to El Grifo, etc....
But I am afraid that some questions only can be answered by H.A.R.'s children, Craig, Tim and Cheryl.

One question could also be: Who is this man, who I found 2 days ago by searching the internet?

Harold Arthur Raasch living in Waynesboro VA - and being 88 years old.

Last edited by grebllaw123d; 4th Jul 2012 at 10:17.
grebllaw123d is offline  
Old 3rd Jul 2012, 22:32
  #266 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Detroit MI
Age: 66
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'd love to see the Lt. Col's entire service record... I think he would prove to be quite a man.

One question could also be: Who is this man, who I found 2 days ago by searching the internet?

Harold Arthur Raasch living in Waynesboro VA - and being 88 years old.
A brief search showed nothing - which is unusual. Could you do me a favour and remind me on thursday, (a PM will do), to look for this man... It's July 4th tomorrow and I'll be busy as hell with a party I throw for the colonials...
Airborne Aircrew is offline  
Old 3rd Jul 2012, 22:59
  #267 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Denmark
Age: 79
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Airborne Aircrew,

I will - have a nice July 4th!

This "new" Harold A. Raasch from VA suddenly popped up on a people search site, which I had not tried before.
grebllaw123d is offline  
Old 4th Jul 2012, 02:05
  #268 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Detroit MI
Age: 66
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I look forward to digging...

Just don't tell the wife... She has plans that don't agree with me...
Airborne Aircrew is offline  
Old 4th Jul 2012, 02:21
  #269 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: .
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
filling in the gaps...

I think you chaps may have forgotten the wedding notice from post 167

From
Page 7, Evening Independent, March 3, 1947: NewspaperARCHIVE.com

"ANNOUNCEMENT is made of the marriage of Miss Janice Ken daughter of Mr and Mrs Walter Kennedy of Lake Cable rd to 1st Lt Harold A Raasch son of Mr and Mrs A J Raasch of Milwaukee The Rev William T Strong performed the ceremony in the First United church in San Francisco The bride wore a gray dressmaker suit with a shoulder corsage of white orchids Mrs Raasch is a graduate of the Andrew School for Girls at Willoughby and Canton Actual Business college and attended Kent State university Canton She was formerly with the Canterbury Book House Canton Lt Raasch attended the University of Wisconsin and Leyton Art school in Milwaukee He has been in the army air forces five years During hostilities he served in European theater He is now attached to the intelligence division of the air forces in Manila Mrs Raasch has returned to Canton and plans to join Lt Raasch in Manila"

Note - Canton and Willoughby are both in Ohio


So that shows he was in some kind of intelligence role in the Phillipines in the late 1940's
Later you say he worked at a tracking station in the 1950's?

I'm beginning to suspect that he came to the UK in the 1950's, not the 1940's
Was there ever an aircraft accident in the area in the 1950's? It could be we have all been misdirected by assuming a WWII timing. What if the Lt Col was posted to the UK for a while e.g. at Menwith Hill or Fylingdales....its quite possible that by then he was qualified to fly and borrowed an old Spit for a weekend, or even had one as a hack to get around the various monitoring sites
However the question then is - was there a post war crash?
Milo Minderbinder is offline  
Old 4th Jul 2012, 02:23
  #270 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Wherever the nearest braai is?
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Morning gentlemen,
I haven't been on here for a while and originally logged in to find any updates of fin mates at Lossie and my prayers are still valid as I type.

I started reading this incredible thread about 4 hours ago due to my interest and connection with the Spitfire factory at Castle Bromwich and my relationship with Alex Henshaw over the years.
It has been impossible to 'put down' so to speak!
The excitement as it built in different sections as the story unfolded has been awesome, often pausing at peak moments to go make ánother' brew and get back into it with a mug filled with PG
I shall follow this with eager anticipation however, I would like to ask (my sincere apologies to the regular contributors if this is irrelevant) a local man contacted El G who said he often hired HAR a car when he visited! Im not sure if this was a private transaction or a more business type but usually for car hire, a driver license would be required and also an address! I know it was long ago but it could tie up vital links that still hang in the 'not sure' department and thus help move forward with absolute facts of DOB, addresss and anything else like spelling of his name etc. I wonder if the car hirer photocopied his passport or drivers licence when he hired the vehicle?

One last thing that im curious about, much has been said about Tim but why have the other two children not been contacted? It cannot be difficult to find them and make a phone call! You can find out a lot by tone of voice especially if a call was unexpected! It might add weight to a cover up if a reaction is not what one would expect from someone with nothing to hide?

My suggestions are simply that however, as small as the bits of information they could provide, these could be the clues to the path to follow and leave behind possibilities that are losing validity?

Best of luck and apologies if my ideas are off the table, I can see there is mucho passion here and a conclusion to this story would be awesome!

Snapshot
Snapshot is offline  
Old 4th Jul 2012, 03:24
  #271 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Here
Posts: 1,709
Received 38 Likes on 23 Posts
Milo,

Even in the 50s, there were not that many 'idle' Spits lying around for hacks. I would also have thought a post war crash would be publicised in the press.

Fascinating detecive work - my theory - an old gentelman visiting a place that meant something to him, perhaps in the early stages of dementia, hears a local story and 'assumes' a part in it - perhaps he'd heard of the Beaufighter crash.

Last edited by Davef68; 4th Jul 2012 at 03:28.
Davef68 is offline  
Old 4th Jul 2012, 14:37
  #272 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Detroit MI
Age: 66
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
grebllaw123d:

I stole a few minutes for a dig... I think what you found was this...



This is our Harold. However this basic Poblic Records Search ripoff, (whoops, did I say that????), has failed to notice that Harold is kaput... There's a few details in there that link him to our Harold right down to the reference to PPRuNe.org at the bottom...
Airborne Aircrew is offline  
Old 4th Jul 2012, 15:33
  #273 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Denmark
Age: 79
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Airborne Aircrew,

All correct - all the connections are there!

On the site I visited, there was no connections to relatives etc..
but I think it was "our" man anyway!
grebllaw123d is offline  
Old 4th Jul 2012, 16:31
  #274 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: 03 ACE
Age: 73
Posts: 1,015
Received 33 Likes on 22 Posts
On my wedge of slightly shambolic notes, I scrawled, in the early days of the search, the names, Steven Earl Raasch and Craig L Raasch. Struggling to find where these names originated.

If anyone can help with the contact details of either Craig or Jinky, I will be on it like a flash !!

Regarding tracing more details via the Car Rental people, The establishment is long gone and both the owner and manager dead as dodo's

As to Harlod being in the early stages of dementia, I think we can rule that one out. he had been visiting the area for several years, The landlady knew him, as I found him on the day he visited me in Selkirk a, tall distiguished gentleman, sharp clear and concise in every way.

This is how the garage guy who told me about the car hire part described him. (he did however remember him on one visit driving off on the wrong side of the road) I think that is self explanatory

We have touched on the possibility that this fellow could have been more than just standard Military.

As I have always said, his entire demeanour and the story he told me always left me with a scratch that I was unable to itch, which is probably why I still persue this today.

Keep at it guys !
El Grifo is offline  
Old 4th Jul 2012, 16:46
  #275 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: .
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
USAAF Spitfires at Biggen

http://spitfiresite.com/2010/04/uncl...spitfires.html

"When the Eighth Air Force began arriving in England in 1942, it was initially planned that what fighter units would be assigned to it would utilize the Lockheed P-38 Lightning for high-altitude, long-range fighter escort, while the Bell P-39 Airacobra would provide escort for the medium bombers that were coming.
The first P-39 unit to arrive in England was the 31st Fighter Group – the first unit to have taken the Airacobra operational the previous year – though they arrived before their aircraft. In the interim, they were equipped with the Spitfire Mk. V. By the time the similarly-equipped 52nd Fighter Group arrived, the RAF had been able to convince the Americans of the unsuitability of the P-39 for aerial combat in western Europe. As a result, both groups were equipped with Spitfire Mk. Vs.

During the summer of 1942, the 307th and 308th Fighter Squadrons of the 31st Fighter Group went to Biggin Hill and Kenley respectively for temporary attachment to RAF fighter wings where they could receive an introduction to combat. The 309th FS went to Westhampnett, and by August 5, all three units were operational.
Their baptism of fire came on August 19, when they flew air support for the Dieppe Raid, losing eight Spitfires and seven damaged, with one pilot killed and another made prisoner; two Fw-190s were claimed destroyed, with three probables and two damaged. With this, the 31st was considered blooded, and was reunited as a group at Westhampnett, while the 2nd and 4th Fighter Squadrons of the 52nd Fighter Group took their places at Biggin Hill and Kenley.

Before either group could have more effect, they were transferred to the XII Air Force that September, as the North African invasion loomed; by late September, both units had left England to enter combat in the Mediterranean


So, there were USAAF Spits based at Biggen Hill in 1942
However, Raasch didn't enlist until early 1943
Do we have a date for that "Norwegian Hurricane" crash?

El Grifo
Don't suppose the chap you met is in this photo?
https://secure.flickr.com/photos/185...07/4120506065/

Last edited by Milo Minderbinder; 4th Jul 2012 at 17:00.
Milo Minderbinder is offline  
Old 4th Jul 2012, 17:36
  #276 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: 03 ACE
Age: 73
Posts: 1,015
Received 33 Likes on 22 Posts
Something else from my wad of notes :-

Here is an excerpt from Timothy's church website,

"From the Reverend Timothy D. Raasch ... My first four years in Georgia, while Dad served in the Air Force before moving to Lockheed "
PS. Not getting an image Milo !

Will try to ascertain date of hurricane crash.

Last edited by El Grifo; 4th Jul 2012 at 17:38.
El Grifo is offline  
Old 4th Jul 2012, 17:47
  #277 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: 03 ACE
Age: 73
Posts: 1,015
Received 33 Likes on 22 Posts
Getting deeper into my notes now !

Got a jolt when I found this and spotted the picture.

95% sure this is is the son of the father. The resemblance is altogether uncanny !!!

St. Peter's Episcopal Church
El Grifo is offline  
Old 4th Jul 2012, 18:05
  #278 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: .
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Heres something interesting

An American air force general with a Viking name who flew Spitfires from Biggen Hill
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_Thyng

"Brigadier General Harrison Reed Thyng (April 12, 1918 – September 24, 1983) was a fighter pilot and an officer in the United States Air Force with the rank of general. He is notable as one of only six USAF fighter pilots to be recognized as an ace in two wars. "
A real hero. Now if it was he who crashed in Scotland, in a Spit from Biggen, things maybe begin to make a little sense,

heres a picture of Thyng and his aircraft
Col. Harrison Thyng

Last edited by Milo Minderbinder; 4th Jul 2012 at 18:15.
Milo Minderbinder is offline  
Old 4th Jul 2012, 18:22
  #279 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: 03 ACE
Age: 73
Posts: 1,015
Received 33 Likes on 22 Posts
Sent an email off to see if I can get further info from Mr Phaup or even his contact details.

The guy who found this eyewitness ot the "Hurricane" crash was on to me only yesterday !

Here's hoping !
El Grifo is offline  
Old 4th Jul 2012, 18:27
  #280 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: .
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
another picture of Thyng and his Spitfire

http://www.spitfiresite.com/photos/h...-fs-720243.jpg
Milo Minderbinder is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.